Student takes life in ‘good direction’

Life hasn’t always been a cakewalk for Isabelle Anderson, 18, but troubles are not the first thing that come to mind when you meet the energetic and bright young woman.

Anderson is this year’s distinguished student from the Multi-Agency Adolescent Program, or MAP School, which is a special program for high school students affected by mental disorders.

“I’ve been at MAP for two years and I was such a mess when I got here,” Anderson said, looking away shyly. “I used to argue with my mom a lot and we’d yell and fight a lot. Now I’m steering my life in a good direction.”

When she arrived at MAP, Anderson wasn’t sure what to expect but she knew she needed to do something different. Anderson said she was abused by her father as a young child, and though the abuse stopped when she was a toddler, the effects linger.

“I get nervous and stressed out real easily, and I have anxiety attacks,” said Anderson. “I knew I could get more help at MAP with my mental health. I can be more independent here.”

As she slowly built trusting relationships with teachers, staff and students at MAP, Anderson’s relationship with her mom improved dramatically.

“We get along so much better, we can talk now,” said Anderson. “And it’s so cool to have that happen because I’m doing well in school.”

Her favorite subject is English.

“I’ve always written a lot and read a lot, gotten lots of As,” she said. “I think I take after my mom: I could sit and read all day and just love it.”

Another favorite pastime is cooking.

“I’m from a family that loves to cook and I’m a huge recipe-book fan,” said Anderson, who often makes dinner at home. Her favorite recipe right now is Hawaiian chicken with pineapple and green peppers.

“That is so good,” Anderson said, “And tiramisu. I love tiramisu.”

She considered a career in the cooking field – perhaps even becoming a chef – but her mom discouraged her a little bit.

“She said there is a lot of stress in a professional kitchen and that’s perhaps not exactly what I need in my life,” said Anderson, laughing. “I don’t do stress really well.”

Anderson works as an office assistant at Spokane Public Schools’ administrative building, and after graduation she plans to attend Images, a program that helps students with disabilities gain job skills.

“I’d like to go into the medical field, because I love helping people,” Anderson said. “Maybe become a nurse. I think I’d be good at going hand-in-hand with the patients so they know I’m there for them.”

After school she loves to take her black lab Kayleigh for a walk.

“I’ve grown quite a bit since I got here,” she said.