Editor:
On June 29, 2011 I knowingly broke in to the Pender Harbour Elementary School, with intent to cause mischief and damage to the school. At that time I was an unstable teen just trying to fit in to my community and the combination of alcohol and peer pressure led me to commit these offences.
Over the last few months of my life, I believe I've found out who I truly am.
I was told when I was a child that people learn from their mistakes, and I believe this was the biggest mistake of my life. In the aftermath, as I look back, I can honestly say I was an immature adolescent just trying to belong.
I've realized that I needed a quick change to my social group, so I moved away from the party crowd. Now I have friends who help me focus on life and ambitions, rather than having weekly random shenanigans.
Success is something I thrive for now that I know how close I came to destroying my life. At this very moment, I'm commercial fishing and have the rest of my summer planned out with work. I also know, it wasn't just me who suffered from my mistakes. It will take a long time for the community to regain the same respect level I had before the incident. All I can do now is look toward the future and work on my character, so I become the good person I know I should be.
I truly apologize to everyone my actions have affected, and mostly I apologize to all the students in Pender Harbour Elementary School - especially the Grad class of 2011. I hope you all do well in your futures, and I'm sorry for degrading the safety of your environment.
Tylor Martin Sandeen
Sechelt
