How do you feel about being on national television?
At first I was scared because of what was going to be said about me but now I am very excited because I am getting a chance to share my life experiences with those who don’t get to and I know that there are people out there who went through what I did. I want to be a voice for them and be able to show that even though I have gone through some rough stuff I am still here and a great person.

If you could go back and do it again, would you? Or would you choose not to? Why?
Without a doubt! This is a great opportunity for anyone to have and I am so grateful I was chosen.

What are some of your thoughts about the things that happened during the four years of high school? What was your best moment? Your worst?
I had a lot of highs and lows when I think back. My best moment on the show is when my father says that he loves me even through all of the things I did and he is and always will be there for me (tear). My worst would probably be when I shared my pregnancy story just because I know how much strain it put on my family and I.

What do you hope high school girls can learn from your story?
I hope that they can learn from what I went through and know that you can get through anything that comes your way no matter how devastating it might be.

Now that you have some distance, how do you remember your high school experience, was it a good one or was it a struggle?
My high school experience was crazy!!! It had its ups and downs so I wouldn’t characterize it as good or bad.

Anything else that you’d like people to know about your experience, who you’ve become, and what you hope to do in the future?
I hope to one day counsel and mentor young girls and help them get through their high school experiences better than I did. I do not in any way encourage what I did; I just accept that it was a part of my life and it was the best choice for me. I want to thank everyone who had some type of impact on my life and thank Sharon Liese and WE tv for letting me share my story.

How do you feel about being on national television?
I'm really nervous. I'm used to being on stage with people watching me...but I'm only playing a character then. Now, people will see me as I really am with no lines or monologues to hide behind. It's intimidating. And to be honest, I can't remember what all I said in four years and I'm not sure I want to remember all of it...

If you could go back and do it again, would you? Or would you choose not to? Why?
I wouldn't have a reason not to. Actually, I'd like to go back and be more frank; I censored myself out of fear of who would eventually hear what I said. I sugarcoated a lot of situations. I'm afraid I'll watch the show and think, "Well I may have said that, but I meant something else entirely."

What are some of your thoughts about the things that happened during the four years of high school. What was your best moment? Your worst?
If I even try to sum up the events of high school I can't think of anything but dramatic. Honestly, a majority of my sophomore year was filled with "worst moments," but there's not one instance where I didn't genuinely grow from them. Every tear I shed taught me what deserved my tears, every heartbreak reminded me that my heart could mend, and every fight taught me who my genuine friends were. At the time, I was miserable and felt that no one could relate to me, but I learned to depend on myself in critical moments.

My best moment? The second half of high school was filled with them. Between theatre, soccer, and academics, I was the happiest my junior and senior year. I started to stand up for myself and do what I wanted to do, regardless of what my friends or family thought. I finally started getting lead roles and bonded with my cast mates on a level I never thought possible. Also, one of the highlights had to be giving the commencement speech at graduation; I never felt prouder to be a part of my class than I did that night. I also gave a speech about my parents in front of all the parents of the graduation class. I verbalized what I had never said before-what had been hidden under years of angst directed (unfortunately) towards my parents. It was nice to, in a way, apologize and thank them at the same time.

What do you hope high school girls can learn from your story?
There is so much to be said about coming into your own and feeling comfortable and confident in your own skin...but it doesn't have to be instantaneous. I assumed everyone came into high school knowing exactly who they were (which is impossible for any fourteen year old girl). I was so worried that I would never figure out exactly who I was; it took me a long time to realize I was figuring out my ideals on a gradual and daily basis. High school will try to force people into one box, and I want girls to know that they don't have to confine their personalities to fit into just one stereotype. There's a stigma and fear about being yourself in high school, but once I finally let go and was honest about who I was, I had a blast. I want other girls to know that option is available to them-high school doesn't just have to be about "teenage angst." It's easy to hide behind cattiness and judgment, but it will only come back to hurt you. If there's one thing I learned quickly in high school was that if you say anything about anyone, it will inevitably get back to them.

Now that you have some distance, how do you remember your high school experience, was it a good one or was it a struggle?
I don't think anyone can deny that high school was a struggle, but as cliché as it sounds, my experience really was a good one. For the first couple years, I definitely thought, "What idiot said that high school was the best time of your life?!" While I certainly hope I didn't peak in high school, I look back and I know that I genuinely had an amazing time. I made a 180 degree change, and I'm happy with the confident woman I became. Along the way I grew out of the naive, insecure, goody-goody image, finally relaxed, and just gave myself some credit. I can also recognize now that I was way too hard on myself; I worked myself to death throughout high school and didn't start making time to really enjoy the whole "experience" until my senior year.

Anything else that you'd like people to know about your experience, who you've become, and what you hope to do in the future? I'm not exactly sure how they're trying to portray me, but I really hope that they note that I never was just a one-note song. High school wouldn't have been the same experience if I didn't involve myself in everything that I did, and it honestly wouldn't do my story justice if they don't depict that. I haven't stopped growing just because I graduated. It was not easy to make the transition from Kansas to Boston, and sometimes I feel like I've taken a step backwards-that I've gone back into the shell that I began high school in. Life is just a continuous growing process, and I know I'd be bored if I were entirely satisfied with every aspect of my life. Once I graduate, I plan to take a year off and hopefully stay on the East Coast and work. After that, it's off to law school.

How do you think your participation changed the course of your high school years?
It made me more aware of myself and what was going on in my life at the time. When you have to retell stories that happened that day or that past month you realize either A) your life is really as boring as you thought it was or B) the things that annoy you really are kind of lame, sometimes, however, you can walk away with option C) this is where you walk away feeling totally bad ass for having something awesome to tell. (note: I remember feeling this, but upon looking back, cannot really remember why)

How do you feel about being on national television?
I quite honestly am somewhat of a large mixture of emotions. The biggest emotion here is anxiety, if it was me being portrayed as I am now, I think I'd be much more excited. BUT this is an image of me in high school and I think, as much of the public would agree, high school generally isn't really a time that people want to revisit. I'm not saying that high school was bad for me, because it wasn't, but what I am saying is that high school was kind of an awkward phase for me and having the whole nation revisit it with me will be slightly awkward...again. Also, I can't remember what exactly I said especially back in my freshman year, I can say I really do try and live with no regrets, but I really do hope I didn't say anything bad about people back then and If I did let this serve as an honest sorry, I'll probably call you anyway but in case I forget... I really am slightly worried about this.

If you could go back and do it again, would you? Or would you choose not to? Why?
If I had the opportunity to go back in time, I believe I would actually do this whole thing again - with one exception - that I chose to really allow myself to fall into the project early on. I was so wishy washy and uncertain about the whole thing from the beginning - not to mention self-conscious about being filmed at my new school that I kind of put a limit on myself in this project as a freshman and a sophomore. As a junior and senior I wasn't involved as much as I'd liked to have been simply because of my lack of enthusiasm early on and even though I do very much live my life without regrets, it would have been nice to have been comfortable enough with who I was at that time to not care about drawing attention to myself at school.

What are some of your thoughts about the things that happened during the four years of high school. What was your best moment? Your worst?
Drama, drama, drama. That is how high school is to an extent and really it sums up a lot of it, at least I think. However, that's all that really comes to mind because I'm actually sitting here in my dorm room right now, a sophomore in college, trying to remember all the things that happened to me in high school that at the time seemed to be so important and honestly, I'm having a hard time with it. It's like it all has been put behind a giant fog machine and its just a bit misty up in that corner of my brain tonight.

I guess a best moment is hard for me to really find. Not because there where few but because there are actually so many, especially near the end of senior year, to choose one is really hard. I guess the highlight of my whole high school experience was just meeting some really great friends in my French class junior year and from then, just really the bond that we had and the fun that we had shopping downtown, talking about boys, driving around town for no apparent reason-with the windows down-singing along to old pop songs. Really, to me, that was the best of high school and I look back on those nights with a real fondness.

As far as my worst moment goes... I think this comes back to friends too. I'm not going to name any names but my lowest point was definitely when a very close friend of mine basically decided that we shouldn't be friends anymore. It's weird to think about it now because since then we've mended our relationship and are still actually pretty good friends today, BUT I remember how hard it was on me and how at the time it really crushed me. It was one of those pivotal moments in life, where you realize that even friendships have to have give and take and that you can't make someone want to be your friend.

What do you hope high school girls can learn from your story?
I hope high school girls learn that it is okay to be different. I hope they also learn, as well, that besides being different you have to be true to yourself. I say this because, "being different" is just the same as "being popular" it is just another label. If I can give a word of advice it is just to be. Just be yourself, don't worry about anything else - things will fall into place. I know high school can be daunting, you watch all these things on T.V. that show stereotypes and yes they are there, we all become part of them but if a high school girl can learn what I learned looking back, that we are all the same - besides some minor exterior differences - life can be much easier. Basically, don't judge, have fun, and follow your dreams. Also, remember that your grades do help you get into college and I know I never listened but if I had, I might have an easier time going to my choice school right now. Just something to think about ;-)

Now that you have some distance, how do you remember your high school experience, was it a good one or was it a struggle?
High school. What can I say, it wasn't really that "easy" but you know it wasn't so hard either. Honestly, high school was just like any other phase of my life thus far, it had some struggles but the overall outcome wasn't so bad. It was a growing experience, it was at times hard and at times a challenge but it was also so fun sometimes that I never wanted it to end. When I first started this blog I had just scratched the surface of my high school memories and all I remembered was the good, that said, I'd like to think that the good outweighed the bad seeing as it is what I remember, however, it could just be that, this is how my brain chooses what to remember based on the good and bad. But now I'm getting too philosophical, and lets face it, I'll probably just delete this.

Anything else that you'd like people to know about your experience, who you've become, and what you hope to do in the future?
I don't know if my experience was " A-Typical" or not, I feel as though in high school I was kind of this "pseudo-person" who still had so much growing to do that when I look back I really find myself thinking: "Who IS that girl? Is that REALLY me?!" I don't know if other people really experience this phenomenon, but, it's definitely how I feel about high school in general. Since then, I have grown into someone who I feel is much more confident and I have really grown into my own person and I've really tried to just embrace who I am and what makes me different and, well the same as everyone else I share this planet with. As for my future, I can't say what is ahead on the road of life I've chosen so far. I can say I really hope to find new adventures all around the world. I'd love to live in France for a few years and really solidify my knowledge of the French language. I also know that I'd love to be an artist in my own merit, wherever that leads me and hopefully somewhere along the way I'll end up married and eventually establish a family as well. So, I guess my "Life Goals" are pretty "normal" and I'm really excited to see what my life has to offer. I feel as though I'm on the cusp of something really amazing in my life and I can't wait for it to get here.

As Allyson tells us, people falsely assume she only wants to “hang with black people.” She recognizes racial stereotypes and doesn't let it stop her from forming relationships outside of the “expected” crowds. In fact, through one of Allyson's color-blind friendships we witness the shocking death of a 14-year old classmate. This loss foreshadows the subsequent losses she encounters during the next four years. In a very courageous interview, Allyson offers an intimate account of her pregnancy and tough decision to have an abortion. This was certainly a family crisis. I will never forget when I interviewed Allyson's dad, Michael, about it. It was the only time Allyson heard her dad discuss the delicate issue that had created a painful rift in their relationship. His introspection, compassion and understanding filled the church we were sitting in. Little did anyone of us imagine that I would return to that church a few months later for Michael's funeral. I was eternally grateful we had captured that meaningful interview on film.

Sarah said she wanted to be part of the documentary to represent the “other kids.” She was intensely aware of high school cliques and knew she didn't identify with any of them. True to her artist's nature, Sarah wanted to be part of the documentary's creation. She seemed less interested in telling her unique journey and more passionate about ensuring fair representation for all “types” of teens. I have been told that many women can relate to Sarah's feeling of being a “misfit” in high school. Through her story, we see how an awkward, self-conscious freshman sheds her fears and becomes confident and self-assured by graduation. In the process we are witness to Sarah's amazing portfolio of beautiful art inspired by these tumultuous years.

Kim depicts a newer phenomenon observed in high school girls today - the drive to overachieve. When I was in high school, girls were not pushed as they are today. So in addition to all the pressures to be popular, sexy and pretty, girls are now expected to be smart and super accomplished. On the one hand, this represents a welcome cultural shift, but it also creates more demands on young women. Kim participates in a million activities at school and she wants to be at the top of her game in each one. She recognizes that much of this pressure is self-imposed, while she has the impression that her parents expect this from her. Interestingly, her parents question the source of her drive. They openly discuss accepting and loving Kim just as she is. Kim's story underscores the complexity of the teenage mind. We witness Kim's brilliant insight and multiple talents, yet she is not spared the teenage angst every girl seems to face.

In the end, these three perspectives paint a vivid picture of the variety of challenges girls experience while trying to define themselves.