Student Testimony (Dashon – 10th Grade)
My name is Dashon and I’m in 10th grade at Hope Academy. I’ve been a student here since 7th grade. At my old school in 6th grade, some of the kids were in gangs, kids were bringing drugs to school – Yes, in 6th grade. And the teachers didn’t really know what to do, and it seemed like they just didn’t care.
So when my baseball coach, Pastor Erickson, told me about Hope Academy – I was interested. I talked to my mom and she said sure – and I got in. What I noticed right away was that the teachers cared, and my classmates cared about school. But there was one big problem. Me.
By the end of 7th grade, I was failing a lot my classes – and I just got down on myself, and got angry at the teachers. In the Upper school we have something called the ASC or “Academic Support Center” where you have to stay after school to finish your homework. I was there almost every day.
Mr. Hutton runs the ASC and helped me understand Algebra, and Latin, and Science – and to get my homework done. He and his wife even had me over to his house – and we’d work on our homework.
So things started to change in me — I realized learning requires perseverance and patience. My mom says so too.
In 8th grade, I started doing better. I started getting C’s and a few B’s. During summer session, we read Victor Hugo’s Les Miserables. This is still my favorite book I’ve ever read at Hope. Nothing teaches patience better than reading a 1000-page book.
Last year, in 9th grade, I really started applying myself. I realized that my grades were going to matter for getting into college. Now this year, my goal is to be on the B-honor roll.
One of my favorite classes this year is Humane Letters – which is sort of history and literature together. Right now, we’re studying the Westminster Confession of Faith and next we’re reading Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. I also like our Christian Apologetics class.
When I think about how I’ve changed these last four years, I would say I’ve grown in putting my trust in the Lord – and I’ve become more patient and slow to anger. And I really want to do my best – and work heartily as unto the Lord.
As I think about my future, right now my goals are to graduate from High School with at least a 3.0 GPA, then go to the University of Texas.
Then I’d like to go to seminary and become a youth pastor or pastor – like Mr. Erickson. I’m grateful for everyone who is praying for us here at Hope Academy, and helping provide a school like Hope Academy.
