“I was bullied a lot. I would try not to go out as much as possible because I was embarrassed of who I was. And I was my worst enemy. And when I got [to Taking the Reins], my opinion on everything changed. […] I’m a lot more self-confident. The more people I meet, the more connections I can have, the better my life will turn out, instead of following the influences I have.” – Alyssa, 15