To the editor:

On Tuesday, Oct. 5, after breakfast, I picked up my Suffolk News-Herald and immediately one particular headline printed in bold caught my attention: “A second chance at life.”

I was eager, curious and felt compelled to read the contents.

When I completed the article, I was overwhelmed, amazed, inspired and proud of the two young ladies mentioned in the article, DeAndra Bazemore and Dyamond Alicea.

I applaud those two young ladies for acting on their own initiative. They realized they were headed in the wrong direction in their lives, not attending school regularly and dealing with the other problems they mentioned encountering each day.

I could imagine that when they knew that their future was looking bleak and heading in the wrong direction, the only option was to turn their lives in a positive direction. I hope their peers will emulate them.

Young people, if you need a change in your life, surely you can make that change, too. There are programs available within your schools that will give you guidance in the right direction. Pursue making choices and have goals that will lead to success in life.

I applaud DeAndra and Dyamond for their determination and belief that it was well worth the challenge. They took the chance and felt a tremendous difference not only in their lives, but perhaps in the lives of their peers, who see them headed in the right direction.

Always remember that the wrong way is not the way you want to walk down. I believe that all of you can travel the path to success. Please make it your ultimate goal to be the best you can be.

Congratulations and Thank You DeAndra and Dyamond. What an awesome act of courage and willingness to share your experiences with all of us.

Thank you also to the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program. Thank you for the training and the lessons you are teaching our students to keep them on the right path and help them make good decisions.

Bertha S. Taylor

Suffolk