Muncie Times, Muncie, Delaware County, 4 July 1996 — Page 5

SMITH continued from page 1 mother a crackhead.” Mrs. Smith said she and her husband were called in by school officials. “You could sense that Wanika’s pain was so intense and she was acting it out,” said the grandmother. “Wanika needed to apologize to Dr. Vicki Vaughn, Burris principal for her behavior and when she did, in that meeting, we all cried. “We are members of Christ Temple Apostolic Church. We had the support of the Church but Wanika still missed her mom.” Said Wanika Smith. “1 knew that the church was praying for me to overcome the negative emotions. It was a struggle because I was so angry. Someone once told me that I would end up just like my mother.” In the midst of the turmoil, she and her grandparents did not give up hope for her mother, Brenda Wilson. “1 would go to the low end, just to see if my daughter had eaten or was clean or changed

clothes,” said Mrs. Smith. “But even when my daughter was shot, my faith never faltered. The Lord assured me that He would bring her out.” While there were some people who thought that Wanika would end up just like her mother, there were also friends who supported her. “My friends, Nicole Hawkins, Kizmin Millben, Sharan Johnson, Angie Childress and one of my teachers, Mrs. Pamela Popovich, provided a strong support system for me,” she said. Millben said, “I think Wanika expected everybody to run, but I was not going to let her off that easily. Seriously, I do not take friendship lightly.” Hawkins said, “One thing I do know about Wanika is that she is a very determined individual. If she has her mind made up to do something, she’s going to do it. I made it up in my mind I’d be there for her. regardless to how she acted on the surface. Sometimes word are not necessary, you just need to know that someone’s there. I

wanted her to know ‘I love you, I’m praying for you and when you want to talk I’m here. I’ve got your back.’ “I asked God to come in and help so that the things that were necessary to deal with could be worked through.” “Ironically. Wanika found out that she was pregnant,” said her grandmother. “However, she stood up to say abortion was not an option and I was very proud of her.” The pregnancy forced a confrontation on the drug issue with her mom. “I told my mom she would not be allowed to see the baby as long as she was on drugs,” she said. Her son, Jay-lin Barnes, is six months old. “My mom has had 13 months of sobriety and is now in beauty school,” said Wanika. “I am determined that the cycle stops with me. I would advise any other young person having a baby to wait until marriage, because having a baby is more than you think it is. Also know that if you do. life doesn’t have to stop. You can go on. You can be as successful as anyone else.”

The Muncie Times, July 4,1996, Page 5

Wanika Smith

“Never give up hope on your finally came to terms with

loved ones or feel ashamed of them either,” said Wanika and her grandmother. “I’ve learned under my pastor (the Rev. S. Michael Millben) that God truly does love everybody and he has an even deeper love for those who truly need him," said Mrs. Smith. Added Wanika. “There is a way out and you can turn your life around. There is hope. I’m very proud of my mom now.” Her mother. Brenda Wilson, told The Muncie Times. “I

myself because 1 was just tired. When 1 found out that Wanika was pregnant. I wanted to be there for my grandbaby in a way 1 hadn't been for Wanika. A lot of people think you can just turn away (from drugs) because you need to but you’ve got to really want to. It takes time. “I’m thankful that Wanika and 1 are getting closer." Wilson. 35. is a student at P.J.’s Beauty College, si

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