Hello everyone. I am a former student of the Whitmore. I have been out of it for three months now, and being home they don?t have influence on what I write. Having given this forum chances to grow and evolve into all that it has through numerous efforts of criticism both constructive and downright obnoxious I have come to share my own accounts- the best kind possible due to the fact that I experienced the Whitmore first hand for a year. There is no way to explain to anyone who hasn?t seen for themselves the unusual miracles that occur day and night?what makes this place different from all other programs (I too have been to those horrible lockdowns and have had many a friend thrown about in the system of cruelty and brainwashing) is that it is not anything short of the positive peer pressure and love shown by the students themselves to each other. The kids influence the kids, and with the ultimate goal being to change our lives for our families to be closer, our bodies to be healthier, and our dreams to reach that of helping others overcome their obstacles in their lives. I do not see it fair to put down the staff, the course- just by the fact that no one of the persons behind these entries has experienced the realities 24-7 52 weeks if their teenage hood. We learn principles and values that are what any parent would want their child to grow with, what any human should naturally have, and what any true friend would share with each other. Principles and values such as love, loyalty, commitment, honesty, respect, civility, honor, and many others that couldn?t be wrong in trying to develop! Everyone has their skeletons in their closets, and everyone has something they regret having done, or we would not even need to be here in this day and age of trial, error, and learning. People are mostly good- just as the Whitmore is. Even my own parents know this place has saved my life many times just because I have a reason to overcome, a relationship to learn to be strong in, and a place to call home if ever I am lost. How many teenagers, with a history as torn as some of the kids there, can turn to traveling, schooling, and another family to live by just for a while? I am very sad to read any messages that put down, shut down, or rumors that spread like wildfire in the minds of those who spend too much time on things that do nothing but cause contention. We are in this life together, why then, do we waist time on the wrong program? Use your energy on programs like Ivy Ridge, Spring Creek, others in Missouri, those programs that have truly harmed the children of today! The Whitmore is not anything like them, it nothing short of beautiful even in all its small imperfections that only exist in silly family like quarrels and messy bedrooms! Please, take your hate for programs and devote it to a place that really needs your attention. Don?t waist any more time with this place, and leave them alone, they have done nothing to you or any kids.