more summertime ...

Forever Young reunion Send off for the Bridge workshop

Leah Parsons back teaching after 2 years in Africa George Welch is our new chemical abuse counselor

Our new Clinical Director: Hayley Stuben, 2 months old Phase One Truth workshop

PARENT CONFERENCE

August 18-20

The Rose Ceremony : a great opportunity for the parents to share their appreciation for their soon to

graduate sons and daughters.

Dance and music presentation. Also the parents watched a slide show of summer events and a 16min video about the Phase One of the program .

Other highlights of the four days conference were the Forever Young workshop for parents, the presentation given by Educational Consultant Bob Dannenhold ( www.collegeology.com ) from Seattle and of course the graduation ceremony.

Steve Turner, the Phase III Leader, with the Graduation class and their student presenters

Mike G. receiving the Sean Stover award Josh R. : Ama Nova and Veritas award

for academic excellence

Michael G.

Mike, age 17, is proud to to be graduating as one of the few remaining of his original peer group. He is also proud of staying out of intervention his entire residency at MBA. Mike is very proud of his Lifestep ® to Romania and having the opportunity to experience a different living society. After Graduation, Mike plans to finish high school and hopes to continue on to college to study videography or photography.

Leigh Anne G.

Leigh Ann is proud of the relationships she has developed while at MBA. At age 17, Leigh Ann has facilitated a Forever Young Lifestep ® and is very proud of this as well as of her completion of the Venture Lifestep ® and the hard work required of her. After graduation, Leigh Ann plans to return to her home in Austin, Texas. She plans to spend time with her family before beginning her junior year at a boarding school.

Autumn P.

“I learned to become a strong and independent woman.”Clearly states 17 year-old Autumn of her Intervention experience. “Wilderness was amazing and I loved being out in the desert. After I got through that, I knew I could do anything!” exclaims Autumn of her SUWS Wilderness experience. “La Mancha was an experience of a lifetime that I absolutely loved. I can’t wait to travel more in Europe; it inspired me!” relays Autumn proudly. After graduating from MBA, she plans on going home and spending time with family and friends. Autumn will attend her senior year at San Clemente High School; then she hopes to get a job hopefully working with kids. She looks forward to driving and being home with everyone she loves.

Annie L.

Having conquered something she dreaded, Annie, age 16, is proud of herself for what she accomplished in Intervention, mostly for pushing through it to the end. Annie is also proud of her completion of the Venture Lifestep ®. “ I was so scared and nervous; but as soon as that went away, I worked hard”, Annie tells us of her Venture experience. “I am proud of myself for actually completing MBA. I have been here for 18 months and never thought it would end. I’m glad I’m done but I am sad I’m leaving.” After graduation Annie will go home to Puyallup, Washington, where she will continue her education while attending Rogers High School. In the meantime, Annie plans to spend time with her friends and family.

Daniella S.

“The thing I am proudest of is finding my birth mom and building a relationship with her. It has filled a hole in my heart that was there for a long time,” Daniella, age 17, openly shares with us. “I am proud of all the work we have done while I was here,” she says of rebuilding her relationship with her family and opening communication. Daniella is also proud that she has been clean and sober for 15 months, now stating, “I have accepted my problem and have changed my life around for the better and decided, finally, to do something different.” After graduation Daniella plans to return home and begin studying at Brooklyn College in New York. She will be studying pre-med and thinks she will most likely major in psychology. Daniella would like to attend medical school and pursue a career as a trauma surgeon or an adolescent psychiatrist.

Joshua R.

Josh, age 18, is proud of his focus. Because of his efforts and ability to stay focused through his stay at MBA, Josh was able to move up to this August graduation. Josh states, “I am proud of my efforts and where they have gotten me.” Josh came back from La Mancha deeply touched. “I was very shocked by La Mancha. I love visiting new cultures and experiencing different things. Going to Romania is one thing I will never forget.” Josh is also proud of what he has accomplished with his family. “One of the things I cherish is my family. While at MBA we, as a whole, have grown closer. Working through all the feelings and emotions was difficult. Now nothing can take away what we have started.” After graduating from MBA, Josh plans to return home to spend time with his family and friends. He then plans to find a job and begin saving money for college and travel. Josh plans to go back to Europe for awhile with his friends before attending Mesa Community College in San Diego. After 2 years, Josh would like to transfer to UCSB in Santa Barbara where he would like to study in the area of psychology and sociology.

Aaron P. W.

“Finishing Intervention was a very important thing for me because it was where I let go of all of my anger and where I became motivated for life. It was very intense and difficult and I’m very proud of finishing it.” Aaron, age 17, is also proud of facilitating Intervention and going through the Venture Lifestep ®. “Facilitating intervention meant a lot for me because … as a passenger, it was a very good and difficult time. I wanted to go out there to help out and take a look at my own work and life, but in the end it was a great experience. His Venture Lifestep ® was definitely a very impactful experience for him for many reasons, the biggest being when he learned to control his fears, anger, stress and worries. He also got to know his friends a lot better and it was a very good experience. After graduating from MBA, Aaron plans to return to live at the Graduate Residence until December to finish the first half of his Senior year. In January he plans to attend Brewster Academy in New Hampshire if accepted.