Living up to a new ChalleNGe in life

Before I get started, I just wanted to clear one thing up.
Yes, I am attending an “alternative school.” But it isn’t necessarily for bad kids, or anything like that. There are plenty of kids here who haven’t been in trouble, me being one of them.
Now you may be asking, why are you at Commonwealth ChalleNGe?
The answer is that I hated school. I was a great student, and I used to earn honor roll. But over time, I just lost focus. I started to skip school, and when I was there, I slept in my classes. I started experimenting with weed and alcohol. I hung out with dealers and potheads. I stayed out all day and all night. I absolutely deplored my home and my home life.
I just slowly quit on my school and my family. I quit on myself.
I desired to better myself, I just wasn’t honestly attempting to. After several threats from my mom to be kicked out of the house, I began to look at alternative means of education. At first, I was looking at attending the job corps. But my mom got the name of ChalleNGe from one of her social worker friends. I then researched the program, but at first, I didn’t want to attend because it was a military model. So, I stuck it out in school for two class sessions. Eventually, I decided that I should just attend this program so I could get high school life over with.
Two of the first three factors riding my decision were the discipline and the physical training — PT — I would receive here. I honestly wasn’t afraid or anything. I kept thinking it would be just a summer camp with a military influence.
When I first entered the program, all I wanted was to get my GED, lose some weight and get a better outlook. When I first got dropped off, I kept thinking, “This is like that movie ‘Jarhead.’” Even as I said goodbye to my mom and my mentor — my youth pastor — I kept thinking that this would be easy.
When the bus pulled up to Hardcore ChalleNGe, I was the only one smiling. Hardcore wasn’t too bad. I actually had fun there, and I wish it were longer. I felt really proud of myself when I finally got to call myself cadet instead of candidate. I was so excited when I finally got to make my first phone call and tell my mom that I got through Hardcore.
Unlike what I originally thought, I’ve learned quite a bit here. The most relevant thing I’ve learned is PT isn’t really a punishment, and when you think about it, it’s a pleasure. A just-as-important fact I’ve learned is, “Character is how you are when you think you’re not being watched.”
Something else I’ve learned (and am still learning) is how to better manage my anger. One final piece of wisdom I’ve learned is that respect, honesty and hard work can get you everywhere and everything.
I humbly thank you for taking the time to read my story. I hope something I said was able to help you in some way or another.

Editor's note: Cadet Branden Ross-Rucker previously attended Battlefield High School and now is a part of Class 31 at Commonwealth ChalleNGe.