ESCANABA — One of the last homework assignments for Delta Force students is to submit a written overview about their impression of the program. Writing the testimonial gives them a chance to recall what they learned in the year-long program and remember why they enrolled in the first place. Here’s what Meagan Johnsen of Embers Credit Union had to say about her Delta Force experience.

As I sit back and reflect on Delta Force, I have many emotions. I am going to begin by giving a little background on myself. My entire life I have struggled with anxiety. At times I find myself still struggling with how to overcome it and cope. I will avoid any situation that makes me feel uncomfortable by simply not doing it. Delta Force was one of those things. I knew there was going to be times that I had to go out of my comfort zone and do things I didn’t want to do so. Due to this I avoided being in it for years. Since Delta Force began, I would get an email asking who wanted to do it and each year I wanted to so bad but I always let my anxiety win. Until this year!

Now I have a 7-year-old daughter who has struggled with anxiety for 5 years. I begin each day watching her cry and making herself physically sick because she doesn’t want to go to school. The worst part is I understand how she feels yet expect her to just get over it. How can I have these expectations from my 7-year-old when I don’t have them for myself? This was the moment it clicked that I need to show her it will always be okay. I need to be an example, for her!

Joining Delta Force was so much more to me than just learning about our amazing community. The knowledge and experiences we received were a once in a lifetime opportunity. I am embarrassed to know I have lived right here most of my life yet felt so clueless half of the time. I would love to pick one session that was my favorite, but I can’t. Each one was amazing for a different reason. There were sessions I left and couldn’t stop talking or thinking about what I had learned. I would leave wanting to do more in our community.

Delta Force has changed the leader I am today. I have learned that I not only want to be a leader in the workforce but a leader in our community. Delta Force has taught me not to sit back and wait. I learned I need to stand up and make a difference in the things I am passionate about. I can’t express how much gratitude I have for both my employer and the Delta Force staff for putting this together each year. This experience has showed me just how amazing not only our community is but the people living in it. I encourage anyone who is given the opportunity to join Delta Force to do it. I am certain that you will not regret it!

Your grade was an A+ for this homework assignment, Meagan. Thanks for sharing a little about yourself and your Delta Force experience.

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Vickie Micheau is executive director of the Delta County Chamber of Commerce