Finding Her Voice: How Boys Town Helped Bella Reclaim Her Life
Bella's Mom, Tristan, Often Says, "I felt like I was losing my daughter, and I had to give her to Boys Town to get her back."
Honestly, that's a sentiment heard often from parents at Boys Town graduations. Children on a path to self-destruction often need to get out of their homes of origin to find a new way of being themselves.
Bella certainly blossomed during her time at Boys Town. In fact, reflecting on her graduation, Bella said, "Amazing things happen here every day. Miracles happen. Without Boys Town, I would not be graduating. And I definitely wouldn't be going to college."
Bella was born into a military family. In her early childhood, she moved around a lot. According to her, it took its toll.
"When that happened, it was a big change and I think my mental health declined," she said. "That was always kind of a problem, but it became prevalent also as I was going through middle school."
Bella admits she didn't handle things very well.
My quote was, 'I'm here for a good time, not a long time," she said. "I guess I had a lot of maturing to do. So, after getting repeat charges, I was taken to a detention center. After that, the court judge ordered me to go to intervention and assessment."
That placement, and Bella's interactions that followed with her Boys Town Family-Teachers, helped her get back on track.
"Before Boys Town, my grades were D's and F's, and I barely went to school. I didn't care," Bella said. "But now I'm in the National Honor Society and I have a cumulative 3.9 grade point average, and I'm planning on going to a four-year college and studying political science."
Vicki, one of Bella's Family-Teachers at Boys Town, says Bella loves to sing. When she does, the whole house reacts.
"Her voice is amazing," Vicki said. "It's neat because sometimes when she sings and there's a lot of tension in the house, you can just feel that go away. It's kind of like a little angel singing."
Bella said singing helps her, too.
"Singing has helped me continue my passion of music," she said. It allows me to have different opportunities to express myself, and for me to be able to just embrace my talents."
"I'm the healthiest I've ever been in my life mentally and physically," she said. "And I care about my life and my future, and I know that others do, too."
Bella's father, Mike, said seeing Bella on her graduation day was a dream come true.
"I couldn't help but shed some tears," he said. "Two and a half years ago, I wasn't sure if Bella was going to be alive. What Boys Town has done, and what Bella has done with the help of Boys Town, has just been tremendous. To see her successful today, graduating high school, I know she has a bright future ahead of her."
Bella knows that, too.
