I came to Mt. Ellis Academy my freshman year because of my grandma who told me about this amazing school that could bring me closer to God. At that point in my life, I wasn’t very spiritual. I started attending public school in the fourth grade and realized it wasn’t exactly “cool” to be spiritual, so I shut God out of my life.
The year started pretty good. I joined the volleyball and basketball teams. Toward the middle of the basketball season, I made a bad choice and was suspended from school and also kicked off the team for substance abuse. Not long after that, my mother pulled me out of school for other negative choices I had not gotten caught for yet.
Back home at public school, I slipped into some old, bad habits. Deep down I knew this wasn’t the life I wanted to live. I really needed a change, but I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t realize how much I was hurting myself and the people around me.
At the end of my sophomore year, I made the decision to return to Mt. Ellis and give up my bad habits for good. That was my goal for the summer.
I returned to Mt. Ellis, fearful of what people were going to think of me. To my surprise, I was welcomed with open arms. I couldn’t believe how fast they re-accepted me into their family. At that point I felt safe and knew I’d make it.
Staff members and students encouraged me on my journey back to Christ, and on Feb. 26, 2005, I was baptized into the Mt. Ellis Church.
Mt. Ellis Academy has helped me turn my life around. I still struggle from time to time, but now I lean on God for support and the loving family I have found at Mt. Ellis Academy.
Korine Rea, MEA senior, frequently lights up the world with her smiles and contagious laughter. (Keri Newell)
Korine eagerly shares her faith with other students. (Keri Newell)
