Chelsey Knight

	In their own words, 16-year-olds discuss the pressures of getting into college, dating, blogging and more 16 by 16 • Ari Rubin • Carlyle Manns • Caroline Cox-Orrell • Chelsey Knight • Janelle Norman • Meredith-Leigh Pleasants • Tia Whipple • Kelvin Bates • Lisa Bunn • Shukan Patel • Lina Li • Stephen Serene • Jullia Park • Patty Yau • Ana Baric • CJ Martino Getting A Head Start • The New World of Internships Those unpaid summer jobs are no longer for rich kids, college juniors—or even just for summer Multimedia • Sixteen Candles Inside a Sweet 16 Party

When I was in seventh grade my family and I moved to a new town and the girls in my grade were not welcoming. From the start they gave me a hard time because they thought I was "Ms. Perfect" and eventually they started telling me I wasn't as thin as they were. I was a perfectionist and it got to the point where I wanted to be the best in order to meet up to their "Ms. Perfect" expectations. I also felt so hidden in my older sister's shadow.

Everyone loved my sister and even my "friends" couldn't stop talking about her. It was as if they were nice to me only because they wanted to get closer to her. I never felt good enough. The only thing I thought I could control was what I ate and how much I exercised. I always loved to play sports, and that summer I went to a track camp where the team nutritionist told us basically a list of "good" foods and "bad" foods. I stopped eating regularly and eventually I got down to a dangerous weight.

Over the course of two years I had many health scares, yet nothing seemed to catch my attention. It was like I could never hit rock bottom. After a visit to a treatment facility I again relapsed, and my parents secretly made plans for me to go to Remuda Ranch, a treatment center for women and adolescent girls with anorexia. To make a much longer story as short as I can, Remuda saved my life. It was only by the grace of God that I am alive to tell my story. Every day is a struggle, but I at least now know how to deal with the situations life throws my way.

As far as this 16-year-old business goes, I feel like because of what I went through I have such a different outlook on life. I experience so many emotions, so many to describe it's a never-ending tale. I think my maturity helps me to not get so stressed over the little things. However I still am a teenager, and with that comes the inevitable: broken hearts (I've had my share!!), friend problems, peer pressures, etc. I can tell my story, but it will never really be over. With each day that passes I am just adding another page to the ongoing chapter in my life.

Next: Janelle Norman >>