Student Testimonial

"I truly want to reflect on the experience of listening to Billy’s story. I was going to write to you via email but then decided this would be the perfect opportunity to just say thank you to you for inviting Billy and thank you to Billy for sharing his story. I personally love listening to other people’s stories, I love getting to hear about how everyone came about to be the person they are—as I’ve stated in other reflections, I’m a firm believer that we as people are the walking summations of our own personal experiences which is what makes everyone so unique but also relatable. Prior to coming to Bridgewater (and especially taking this class), I had never met or gotten to listen to anyone who had served a hefty sentence for such a serious crime. I’ve had the privilege to have grown up very self-conscientious about the weight of my actions and how they may affect others, however I understand I’m only this way due to the parenting of my mother, and her negative and positive reinforcements of certain behaviors. When Billy was explaining how he was always labeled as a troublemaker kid, it broke my heart to hear that from such a young age this man was being labeled and shoved into a box of what he could ever be. Had he had more positive reinforcements like I had, I would bet a million bucks he wouldn’t have been lead down his path of drinking which could have prevented the death of his victims. I wish more people (not Billy, but instead I’m referring to the adults that raised him or were around him during his upbringing, with all due respect) would realize the gravity of one’s childhood and how important it is to be present for children and to be able to encourage them to be ambitious, empathetic, and to love themselves. It saddens me to know that Billy’s story is likely similar to many other people who will die in prison due to a crime that they had committed because they were quite literally never given a chance to become something more to begin with. On a positive note, I’m so glad to see Billy has made himself so successful and is on parole. I wish him the best of luck and am so grateful that I got to hear about his experience" Bridgewater State University Student