Local Teen Honored by The Players

When she was just 14, she says she had very low self-esteem and turned to alcohol and drugs for comfort.

Fortunately, her parents brought her to The Players Championship Village, a residential substance abuse treatment center for adolescents run by Gateway Community Services.

"When I first got there, everything was very structured," she says with a smile.

"They taught me discipline, how to stick to a routine, and how to communicate my feelings."

The Center is on Huffman Boulevard.

It also provides outpatient and follow-up care.

"It's an environment where they kids know they are safe," Director of Adolescent Services Steve Bauer explains.

"It's pretty laid back. We like to make it as homey as we can for the kids."

New this year, a call center for young people and their parents to call about getting help.

For now, the call center is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

After 6 months at the center, Allie returned home a new daughter.

Watch my news story on this web page to see just how proud of Allie her parents are.

THE Players Championship is proud of her too.

It's rewarded Allie's hard work with a $10,000 scholarship to the University of North Florida.

"The Players judges said it was an easy decision," Allie says gleefully. "So I was really excited when I got the scholarship."

The Players also made Allie a special guest during the Lifetime Achievement Award ceremony for former President George H. W. Bush.

"I had no idea I'd actually get to meet him!" Allie shouts.

You can see the picture they took together on this web page.

The surprises didn't end there.

During First Coast News' sports special, live from The Players Championship Wednesday at 7:30 p.m., I helped deliver Allie's final gift of the day.

Live on TV, I introduced Allie to Dan Quiggle, who worked directly with former President Ronald Reagan after he left office.

Quiggle presented Allie with a personal letter from former First Lady Nancy Reagan, commending Allie on her accomplishments.

Allie's jaw dropped.

Mrs. Reagan was instrumental in raising funds to open TPC Village decades ago.

Allie wanted to make sure The Players knew just how grateful she is for the opportunity to "reach for her dreams" now.

"Now I don't have to work as much," Allie sighs, "and I have a lot more time to focus on school."

Allie currently works 2 jobs, volunteers with her mother at New Heights of Northeast Florida (formerly Cerebral Palsy of Northeast Florida), and she's very active in her church.