February 3, 2017
Everyone in high school has their own list of things to worry about. Whether its sports or academics or random hobbies that define us, we all think we are pretty busy. Everyone understands the stress over figuring out our futures with college and careers: but, how stressful do you think it would be if you added on taking care of a helpless human being?
One KHS student knows this struggle all too well.
Rumors spread throughout the summer of 2016 that a fellow classmate, junior Hailey Alwine, had a child in July.
Weston Lee Alwine was born on July 2, 2016 weighing in at 9lbs. 2oz.
Obviously, life for Alwine has changed dramatically.
“He sleeps all night from 8 PM- 5:30 AM; I go to school and sometimes work on weekends. When I get home, I spend time with him, and I do my homework once he sleeps,” said Alwine. “My grandparents take turns watching Weston while I am at school.”
Dealing with a change in her schedule was only one of Alwine’s struggles.
“In the beginning I feared no one would accept me. I thought I would lose my friends and everyone would look at me differently,” said Alwine
“At first I honestly couldn’t believe it,” said junior friend Becca Stockert. “After talking to her more about it though I knew I’d love the baby and would do anything to help. I think Hailey and I have really bonded over him. He really has brought a little light in our lives.”
3 in 10 teen American girls will get pregnant at least once before age 20. That’s nearly 750,000 teen pregnancies every year.
Alwine explains that she has received a lot of support from family and friends. One ultimate supporter is her mother, Mandy, who also experienced the life of being a teen mom. Hailey was born when her mom was 17.
“Just thinking of everything I went through as a young teen mom and how hard it was sometimes and how I didn’t want her to have to go through that. Hailey has matured and grown from this. Becoming a young mom matures you real fast,” explains Mandy Alwine.
According to Mandy, not only does Hailey go to school and work, she has also gotten her driver’s license and has taken Weston to all his doctor appointments and never complains about all the late nights.
It’s not only her mother who has been supportive through this.
“My family and friends have been the most supportive because they have been there for Weston and I from the beginning. My family watches him so I’m able to go to school and hang out with friends,” said Alwine. “The father is not involved at all, however his mother likes to be involved and keeps him some weekends.”
Although she has plenty of love from many, Alwine still stays optimistic and plans on finishing high school and going into college and continue to support him.
“I lost so many friends, but I have met some amazing people that are so supportive. So many people have given me all I need (Bed, clothes, and toys) but I work to be able to support him financially.”
Although this may seem dramatic for some people, many think Alwine has taken charge and has become an amazing mother and teenager going through life!
“God has a plan for everyone. This is God’s plan for Hailey and instead of running from it she has embraced it,” said Stockert. “She is a great mother!”
