Chris - former student
It’s funny - there’s so much I wanted to say tonight but when I sat down to write this speech nothing came to mind. I guess I should start off by saying that New Way is an amazing school and that even though I initially didn’t want to come here I’m glad I did. What makes New Way unique is that all the students hear have emotional battle scars. What I mean by that is we were born with these learning disabilities. They didn’t just appear the night before we came to this school. We’ve been living with them our whole lives and we’ve also basically been misunderstood until we came here, and therefore some people have insulted us. We just learn different and those people will never really know the damage they’ve done. The only people that really know are the victims, but no one at this school should ever be called a victim again.

I remember my first year. I remember the teacher putting directions on an overhead and a senior asking if they had to read it. I made some smart remark but once the teacher left that kid said something like, “Hey, I have trouble reading, and if that’s your attitude toward people who can’t read you’re not going to have a lot friends here.” That basically sums up what New Way is and what it means to me. Everyone here has been through tough times so we don’t laugh at each other or their misfortunes. We’ve been there, too.

In closing, I’d like to thank all my teachers for being some of the best teachers I’ve ever had. I’d also like to thank all my friends who are all amazing people and I’d also like to say that it’s not possible to summarize this school in a single speech, so all the good things you ever hear about this school – I meant to say the same thing.

Seth - former student
Thanks to my parents for fighting a war with the public schools. For years, my public schools ignored me and did not listen to me when I had difficulty. My parents never ignored me and believed New Way was the place I needed to be. Thanks to the teachers for not quitting on me, and Mr. Clark for putting Shakespeare’s plays into the middle of school. Ms. Ann, thanks for teaching me about money. Thanks to my friends for helping me write stories… you guys are my best friends and made my life much more fun. 

Isaac - former student
I just want to thank all my teachers for pushing me through the year. If it weren’t for my parents sending me here, I wouldn’t have met all my friends. Three years ago, I would spend hours on homework, at least three hours. This school showed me that I could do it. This is my third year and I am doing better than last year. Thank you again to all my teachers and my parents.

John - former student
This has been my 4th year at New Way. I would like to thank my parents for sending me here and for dragging me here. While I was here, many teachers have touched my life, but two of them stick out in my mind. They are Mrs. Buchanan and Mrs. Fuller. Mrs. Fuller was the one that made reading easier. Patience, time, and support were what she gave me to make it easier. Mrs. Buchanan was the best math teacher I have had. She taught me skills to help me move on in math. I will always remember New Way and how all the teachers helped me.

Eddie - former student 
When I came to New Way 5 years ago, I couldn't read, and school was a constant struggle for me. Today, I am proud to say that I can read and most days really enjoy coming to school and learning. My years here at New Way have given me so many things: the confidence I need to go forward into high school, the skills I need to carry me through to college, and so many wonderful friends that I will cherish forever. I know that most days Mrs. Gregory would have traded me to any school that would have taken me. I have to give her a lot of credit. She never gave up on me and she always challenged me to be the best that I could be. Mrs. Gregory, thank you from the bottom of my heart. I really do appreciate all that you have done for me in the last 3 years. You have to admit, you will miss me!!!
I would like to thank my grandparents most of all for giving me the opportunity to attend such a wonderful school and my mother for always making me get up and start each day with a smile. A BIG hug to Mrs. Fuller!! There is only one word that describes you...AWESOME. Thank you.

Eleanor Mitchell - former student's mother
My son Oliver attended New Way from 1990-1992, and I thought you would be interested in hearing that he is about to graduate from high school in Los Angeles, where we moved in the mid nineties. He "mainstreamed" after New Way's excellent, excellent head start, is graduating with a 4.0 GPA from a fairly rigorous private high school, and is going to attend college in the fall. He is a terrific young man, very involved with school and community theater, a wonderful writer, and a funny and kindly person; and his teachers say they wish they had twenty Olivers in their classes. Oliver and all of us remember New Way very fondly as a place where he began to learn to organize his approach to the world. I can't think of any other place that would have provided such a strong, supportive foundation for Oliver. 

Jason - former student
When I first came to New Way, I really didn't want to be going to school here. I wanted to be in my old public school with all of my friends. Of course, my mom made me come here. I went into my classroom for the first time and the teachers were so nice to me. It was hard to believe it. The teachers here are dedicated to helping us do the best we can. The teachers are friends to us all. The public school teachers would never have been as understanding as these ones. I would have been so far behind in schoolwork.
I want to thank my teachers for helping me, my parents for giving me the courage to do it, and other family members for supporting me, and last, but not least, my friends for being there for me when I was down.

Amy - former student
When I first came to this school in 1998, I could not read or do much of anything, but then I got Mrs. Badke as a teacher. She gave me confidence and got me started in math, taking her own time to teach me. The next year I went to Mrs. Coyle's class. She helped me build my strength in science. Now I love it and it's all because of her. Mrs. Buchanan taught me English, writing, and so much more like reading faces and body language, but I kind of had to learn that in there. Mrs. Keller has helped me go above and beyond in math. She has taught me time management no matter how reluctant I may be. Mrs. Gregory has put up with me this whole year and she helped me get to school everyday, even if she didn't want to. But besides all the outside help she has given me, she taught me all the history I will ever need to know. The counseling and support of Dr. Comfort has helped me along the way, and Ms. Anita's smile always makes me feel good.
But without Mrs. Gutierrez and the school's scholarship, I would not even be here. She has helped me so much. Mom and Grandma have always been there for me, too. I love them so much for that. My sister has pushed me to do my best without even knowing, because she looks up to me and I love her so much. Doug and Cory and their families have been there for me all year, to listen to me. I've talked about almost everyone but the most important one of all, Mrs. Fuller. If she hadn't come into my life, I wouldn't be able to cope with school. She has taught me to read, spell, and that I am not stupid, dumb, or lazy, but that I am smart and cared for. I love her so much! All of these people have helped me to get where I am and I want to thank each of them. So..... Thank You!

Kelsey - former student
This school has impacted my life. I had much help from my teachers and my friends. One thing I could say is that all the teachers at this school are awesome and intelligent. I came to New Way in 1999. I made many friends. One thing I will never forget is that I got straight A's on my report card. I never got A's before.

I think this school is one of my favorite schools ever. I really want to thank my parents and my friends. In addition, I want to thank my teachers for helping me in Junior High. The last thing I want to say is that New Way is the place that rocks!