DAYTON, Maine — Melinda Chhoeun learned the hard way the consequences that bad choices can have on life.
Sitting in the Thornton Academy library recently, the 19-year-old graduating senior talked about how she is focused on her future. She’s working at KFC and saving money, with plans to go to cosmetology school.
Life wasn’t always like that for Chhoeun.
Rewind to about a year ago, when Chhoeun, on probation for charges of assault and possession of marijuana, was, in her words, “doing a lot of bad things.” She had a falling out with her family, got kicked out of her home, and was homeless for the spring and summer months.
Some days she stayed with friends, some days she slept at the beach, some days she hung out in Portland. She saw firsthand that life on the streets could lead to a life of drug addiction or prostitution, and learned how hard it can be to survive.
“It’s not that fun being homeless,” she said. “Sometimes, I wanted to die.”
There were a few things that helped her get through this difficult time in her life.
“It was really hard, but I went to school every day,” said Chhoeun. “The only safe place was school.”
In fact, she doesn’t think she would have made it if it weren’t for the support of the faculty and the meals she could rely on while at school.
Writing rap songs and poetry was also helpful, giving her an outlet for self-expression and helping pass time when spending an afternoon sitting in a park.
Chhoeun made amends with her family, and was able to move back in with them for her senior year. She said she is much more focused and mature than she was last year.
“Now it’s always about family. … I really appreciate my family,” she said.