class of 2009 > elizabeth stephenson

Elizabeth Stephenson has a son, Donnie. He will be 3 years old in July, and he is her life saver.

"In a way you can say he is my hero," she says. "Before he was in my life I was in a down spiral. My son, without knowing it showed me that I can have a better life. He suffers from asthma and everyday that he carries on he shows me if he can do it so can I."

Being a teen mother has changed Elizabeth's life. She has matured quickly.

"It had made my life much more difficult," she says. But she says she has learned that "it's not only about me; it's about my little one, too. I experience more stress but more pride for completing school."

"I would like to thank the Florence Crittenton School and Kearney Street, a foster care center that I am in. They both helped me complete school."

Elizabeth plans to go to college to pursue her degree in history. She hopes to become a teacher and an inspiration to others.