Sharonda Rankin, age 19

Pattison, MS

The most biggest thing that has ever happened to me is, really, going to school for hair. It has changed my life you know. I help other people by redoing their hair. It helps their self-esteem. It boosts them up. I just like doing hair just 'cause you know, we make people feel good. It's not really about the money.

My earliest memory is fighting with my twin sister. We were real young. We got a whooping everyday. So that's the main thing I remember, getting a whooping.

I cried when I found out my sister was pregnant, I was so disappointed. It hurt me, 'cause I told her I thought me and her were just going to go on, a couple more years. It would have just been me and her. I just wish she would have waited. It's good now that the baby's here. You know, you think about that once she was pregnant. But once she had it, you be happy and she fit in just fine.

Most people who don't go to school, seems like they don't do nothing. If you get used to staying at home everyday, then that's what you are going to do... I'd rather go to school and do something and make something of myself then staying at home.

I can have an impact on the world, just like I said just by me doing hair. Helping people out. Boosting their self-esteem everyday. I'm satisfied with that.

Louvonda Rankin, age 19

Pattison, MS

The biggest thing that has happened to me was the day I gave birth to my child... and how its changed my life. Cause growing up now is a big responsibility... Sometimes I thank God for what he has done for me, even though it's a big change, but I make it through.

I was depressed when I found out I was pregnant. I wanted to have a child, but I didn't want to have it, you know, at the age of seventeen. But things happen, and I had to take on the responsibility for having a child, of raising a child... The father was there in the beginning, but things happened. He take care of her but, you know, we not close.

My parents were divorced when I was young. I don't see my father very often. I miss having a father around a lot. You have a child, you know, you should at least be spending some time with us, but he doesn't do that.

The toughest thing about being a teenager is taken on responsibilities like going shopping. It was easier when I was younger, 'cause I was spending my mama's money, but now it's my own... I'd rather spend my mama's...

Well, for my future I see me having at least one more child. Not now... I plan to get married when I'm about thirty and start a family. But I'm being in school right now. My major is nursing. I plan to have a good education, job and to be able to take care of me and my family.

My earliest memory that I can think of was when I was about ten years old, and I stole a peach from my neighbor. My Aunt whoop us for it.

My twin sister and me are really close, if I go somewhere and ask her to go, she'd rather go, and if one of us don't go, we both don't go. It's fun being a twin.

Being with my family and spending time with my daughter makes me the happiest.