Lauryn Reid

When I first transferred to Inspire from Chico High, I was worried that I wasn’t going to fit in. I didn’t have a particularly deep interest in the things that Inspire is known for, like theater, art, or science. By the end of my first year, I knew I belonged at Inspire. Having a strong community and safe environment allowed me to grow into someone I didn’t know I was capable of being. I am so grateful for the close relationships I have formed with the staff, and the wisdom they have shared with me throughout my three years there. Just because you might not think of yourself as a cookie-cutter “Inspire student” doesn’t mean that this isn’t the place for you. The school taught me how to be an engaged citizen, a leader, an advocate for myself and others, and most importantly it taught me that it’s okay to be myself. As young adults, there is a lot of pressure to know things already. Inspire allows you to explore your interests and yourself in an uplifting community. I am now studying Sociology and continuously using my academic and nonacademic education from Inspire to learn about myself and where I fit into the world.