My name is Melissa.
I attended Mountain Park for 2 years and 1 month. When I arrived
at MP, Bro. And Mrs. Wills were in complete charge of the school. A few months
later, the Wills’ daughter and son in law came to help out. It wasn’t until
this time that I was seriously unhappy at MP. Although I didn’t have any
significant problems with Mr. and Mrs. Wills doesn’t mean anyone else didn’t.
Sam and Debbie Gerhardt are the ones that made 99.9% of us so
angry with MP. The Gerhardt's didn’t seem to have any "real"
experience with kids (other than their own) and it was clearly evident to me.
They used horrible tactics to discipline, be little, disrespect, and
"train" the students to their likings. As many know that teenagers
are very easy to influence (in most cases) they took full advantage of this. I
understand that my parents sent me to MP for a reason, and I do not blame them
for that, they did what they thought was right for me at the time.
I went to MP with certain issues and left with different ones. I
felt that I could not trust anyone, I felt that the one thing that I could do
well wasn't ever going to take me anywhere in life, I thought that I was
unworthy of being respected and so on. This may not seem to be very bad results
considering why/ why not you are considering sending your child to MP, but
seriously speaking these things can cause lasting problems for your teen.
I have a lack of respect
for the "church" in a whole because the only church that I was
involved in for a period of time was MP, they have confused me so much with
their teachings, or shall I say "their personal convictions" that I
have a BIG issue with trusting the so called “Christian”, and the church.
I still read my Bible on a regular basis and teach my kids about
Jesus, I still pray and I still firmly believe in GOD. I do not believe that
GOD was a racist, nor do I believe that he respects one person over another,
nor do I believe that it is right to push your beliefs and personal convictions
upon another person. These are all things that MP teaches your children.
They say that "your parents couldn’t handle you, and sent you
to us, so we are going to be your parents"... personally I don’t think
they can come close to the GOOD mother I have (or father for that matter). To
say something like this to a teenager is very hurtful. This makes us feel
unwanted and like we are less of a child than our siblings.
From my own personal experience, I can contest that MP is very
racist. They told me that I could NOT play basketball while I attended MP
because I "played like a nigger". (I had an offer to the
University of Washington for basketball. When they made this offer, I had not
been allowed practiced for 2 years. I blame the loss of my scholarship on them.)
I was also told that I had a “nigger booty”, I was told that black people were
cursed and that is why they are black... any many other things.
These are just a few of my
points and views on MP, as I have many more complaints I will leave you with these
thoughts. Please consider looking into other schools and boarding academies for
your child and speak to some former students (not still attending the school)
for some "truthful" advice.
Thank you for your concern about MP, if there is anything else that
I can help you with or answer (as I’m sure any of the former students would)
please feel free to ask.
Sincerely,
Melissa (student from 93-95)