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Before I joined Lookout Mountain Conservancy, life was just survival. I was living on the West Side with my mom and three siblings. My mom, a single parent, was doing everything she could to take care of us, but it was hard. Real hard. We didn’t have food stamps or government help, and there were days when we just had to make do. Before we moved to the West Side, we were homeless. A woman helped us cover rent for a place, and we were grateful, but the struggle didn’t end there. My mom didn’t have a car at first, so just getting to school was a job on its own.

I wasn’t asking for much- I knew better than to put pressure on my mom when she was doing her best. I just stayed in the house, stayed quiet, didn’t do much. I was always on the game. Not really around people. Not trying to talk to anybody either.

That started to change when Quintez (he was in one of my classes) told me about LMC. I was talking about trying to get a job, and he said, “Write a paragraph about yourself. I’ll give it to them.” I didn’t know what I was signing up for, but I wrote the paragraph and started that summer going into 11th grade.

At first, I thought I was just getting a job. But as soon as I started, it didn’t feel like just work. It felt like being part of something. It reminded me of a program I was in back in middle school, like an outdoor bridge program near Dalewood. But this one- it was different. It was harder, more consistent, more real. It helped me grow, not just with money, but as a person.

Getting that paycheck helped me help my mom. She started asking me for money, and I could actually give it to her. I started paying for my own things, even helping my granny out sometimes. That felt good- being able to provide, instead of just needing.

I came in not knowing anybody besides Quintez, and kind of Jimmie, but not really. Still, everybody was cool. They talked to me, helped me, made it easy to feel like I belonged. When I was confused, somebody would show me how to do it, especially Hector. He was always teaching, always explaining stuff, always making sure you understood.

My first day was a mess, though. It was so hot. I’m allergic to grass, so I never used to be outside. I’d stay inside while everybody else was playing. That day we were cutting grass on this steep hill by the party spot, and I was out of shape and miserable. I was with Tez, and I remember just sitting down, ready to cry. But he gave me some water, and I swear, it felt like magic. I got up, kept going, and by the end of it, I had learned how to do it. That moment sticks with me, because I wanted to quit, and I didn’t.

I’ve learned that it’s always better to try than to say no. That you shouldn’t be scared to ask for help. That being outside, working with your hands, sweating and being tired- it can still be worth it.

I learned how to paddleboard, even though I don’t like swimming. I ice-skated for the first time. I went to Carolina Point, which was so much fun. And we even toured a college campus. I’d never done anything like that. It made me see there’s more out there. More than just surviving.

Out here, I got stronger. Mentally and physically. I used to be lazy, on the game all day. Now I’m outside, I’m working, I’m moving. I’ve got confidence I didn’t have before. I can talk to people now. I can even lead.

Being a redshirt now, I’ve started to help the new guys, especially the ones who are where I was. I tell them it can definitely be worse, but you can keep going. That you can always do better, even if it feels hard. I’m not out here yelling at them, I’m being real with them. That feels like leadership to me. That feels like growth.

And the people I’ve looked up to—Quintez, Hector, and Jennifer—they’ve helped shape that. Hector has this way of talking that just makes things make sense, especially when you’re upset. He doesn’t baby you, but he doesn’t shut you down either. Quintez just handles business. He takes care of himself, carries himself with confidence. And Jennifer- at first, I thought she

was mean. But she’s not. She’s strong. She keeps us on task. She’s a real leader, and I learned from her how to lead with that kind of strength.

I’ve also gotten more comfortable with nature. I used to just think trails were trails. But now I know someone had to build those. Had to clean them, maintain them. I 

helped build a rock wall out here. It took forever and people were arguing, but eventually, we learned how to work as a  team. We got it done. That wall still stands, and I’m proud of it.

Another favorite project was working on the bouldering pads, where we used big stones to shape the ground at the base of the boulders. Lifting those heavy rocks wasn’t easy, but I liked it. I liked seeing the progress, seeing what we were building. I liked the weeding too. Something about clearing out space is satisfying.

Before LMC, I didn’t really know what I wanted after high school. Now I do. I want to go to the Navy. I did ROTC in 10th and 11th grade, and it gave me that discipline. I’m not taking a break after graduation because I know if I do, I won’t get back up. I’m going straight in.

I’m not sure yet what job I’ll have in the Navy, but I know I want to serve. I want to keep growing, keep working hard. Being out here, getting my hands dirty, standing in the sun- it got me ready for that. It 

gave me the confidence to know I can do something hard and still come out stronger.

If someone asked me why they should join LMC, I’d tell them straight: it’s not for everybody. But if you’re ready to grow, if you’re open to becoming a better version of yourself, then do it. Because this place? It’ll help you find your voice. It’ll give you opportunities you never expected. And it’ll show you that you’re capable of way more than you thought.

I know I’ve changed. I used to be quiet. Didn’t talk. Didn’t want to try new things. But now? I’m confident. I’m leading. I’m helping my family. And I’ve got a plan.

That’s what LMC gave me. A future, and the strength to chase it.

 

-Jada