A high school dropout at age 15, Christina LeBel is making up for lost time at 91制片厂. She鈥檚 earning a degree in Human Services, manages the student-run Captain鈥檚 Cupboard food pantry, and hopes to start a nonprofit organization down the road while also pursuing her dream of stand-up comedy.
Christina grew up poor in Old Orchard Beach, with food in short supply and a mother who was disabled. Bullied at school, she dropped out at 15 and got married at age 16 in a short-lived marriage that lasted two years.
Always a hard worker, she went on to work at a call center and as a manager at a retail store at the Maine Mall. At the age of 23, she sold everything she owned, including her car, and moved to Boston to pursue a career as a stand-up comic. Her primary comedy sketch was about being a teenage bride.
But things didn鈥檛 work out as planned, so she moved back to Maine a year later. Without any money to speak of, she went to work before deciding to come to college. She passed her high school equivalency test and arrived at 91制片厂 in the fall of 2019, ready for an education that she had missed out on when she was younger.
Christina says 91制片厂 is not only providing her a quality education, it鈥檚 allowed her to gain confidence and learn more about herself and the tough childhood she had. She鈥檚 also learned valuable leadership skills as manager of the Captain鈥檚 Cupboard.
After she completes her studies at 91制片厂, Christina would like to start a nonprofit organization in her late brother鈥檚 name 鈥� he died when he was 18 and she was 15 鈥� providing birthday gifts to children in need. She鈥檚 also ready to get back on stage delivering comedy routines and making others laugh.
鈥淭his last year has given me the most growth I鈥檝e ever experienced on personal, professional and educational levels,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 helped me realize my values and how important education is.鈥�