Karma: Back on the Right Track

BY BARRY SPARKS

April Briggs was known as the type of girl who would punch you in the face with the slightest provocation. Gossiping about her mother or picking on her for living in a poor section of town would guarantee a fight.

According to Northeastern High School principal Dennis Ashton, in the ninth and 10th grades, Briggs was an angry kid.

“April spent more time in detention than she did class,” Ashton said.

April’s mother drank and used drugs. To deal with her mother’s problems, April also drank and got high every day.

“It was the only way to get away from what I was going through,” she said.

At school, students picked on her because of her mother’s vices. They called her “white trash.” She struggled with her grades and ran away from home.

When her mother violated her parole and was sent back to York County Prison, April moved in with Sue and Clarence Cassell, parents of the boy she was dating.

The Cassells provided a loving environment, took an interest in her and encouraged her to do better at school. They were there for her when she tried to take her life… twice.

As her life gradually stabilized, April decided to turn her life around. Counseling and medications for her depression helped, but her determination was the driving force. She became less angry and more social. She focused on helping others and improving her grades. She set her sights on becoming a nurse.

When she graduated, her principal said, “I’m really proud of April. She made an incredible recovery.”

Prior to her graduation, the York (Pennsylvania) Area Bowling Proprietors Association recognized April, along with 15 other students, with a Turnaround Achievement Award plaque, presented at a dinner. April is one of more than 450 students who have been recognized for their perseverance, effort and commitment over the past 30 years. The proprietors’ association also has awarded more than $150,000 in scholarships.

“The York Area Bowling Proprietors take great pride in sponsoring this unique student recognition program, which is really a school-business partnership,” said Jim Plessinger, a retired proprietor who is secretary-treasurer of the group and spearheads the program.

“You hear a lot about the high school quarterback, the prom queen and academic all-stars, but a lot of times students like April aren’t recognized for their efforts to overcome daunting obstacles,” he added.

The association uses a quote from a 2000 Turnaround recipient on the cover of its awards program. The student, Nikki McFalls, said, “I never thought I would be recognized for anything I ever did. Today proved me wrong.”

Terry Brenneman, a proprietor of two centers and owner of Bowlers Supply, has been a $1,000 scholarship sponsor since the beginning. 

“This is a wonderful way for bowling to give back to the community,” he said. “The schools appreciate the opportunity to help recognize these students. It’s a very special night.”

The York Area Bowling Proprietors solicit Turnaround nominees from high schools in 19 school districts. Typically, a teacher or guidance counselor nominates a student and provides some background on them. The students, their family members, their presenters and principals are invited to a recognition dinner. The presenter introduces the student, usually with an example or two of how they turned their life around, and the student has the option to add more, if they wish.

“It tends to be a very emotional night,” said Plessinger. “Listening to some of the students’ stories will bring tears to your eyes.”

Besides the recognition plaques, students have an opportunity to earn $4,000 to $6,000 in scholarships. To be eligible for a scholarship, students must write a couple paragraphs about what their post-high school education plans are. The scholarship money is divided among the students who complete the task.

“We have received fantastic feedback from students, high school administrators, teachers and guidance counselors,” said Plessinger. “It has been a very gratifying experience for our association.”

30 YEARS OF TURNAROUND ACHIEVEMENT

In 1995 — the same year proprietors in the York area embraced Turnaround Achievement and the first issue of BCM was produced — a similar program was making its debut in New Brunswick, Canada.

In that case, the program was instituted by a business, Kingswood Ventures Inc., which has subsequently presented $563,000 in scholarships to 1,067 students.

Over the past 30 years, similar programs have sprouted throughout North America, some sponsored by associations, some by companies, some by clubs and some by couples or individuals.

While the significance of the scholarships cannot be minimized, the programs have contributed in other ways, including job training and suicide prevention.

Being a teenager in today’s world isn’t easy, especially when one must endure a less-than-ideal home environment. But as Walt Disney once said, “The more you like yourself, the less you are like anyone else, which makes you unique.”

Turnaround Achievement programs help teens embrace their uniqueness and focus on living a positive life.