As senior Michael Moore sat at home after being expelled freshman year, he contemplated the actions that led him there. Before, he acted callous to anyone who tried to offer help. The expulsion helped Moore realize he needed to change.

“I started paying attention to my mom more, I tried to do the best I could everyday.” Moore said.

With the support Moore received from friends and family, he took a stance to stay clean and cut off all bad influences. Before entering high school, Moore decided he would not follow the negative path he had seen many of his friends go through.

“I’ve seen too many people get into drugs and all my friends drop out of school. I told myself I wasn’t going to do that,” Moore said.

Moore now understands the effects substance abuse and bad decisions can cause. He said that he spent freshman year in a state of depression and hopes that no one makes those same mistakes.

“It’s not worth it – any of it; losing friends, tearing your family apart, I tell myself that everyday as soon as I wake up,” Moore said.