The authors of Before 19 would like to express sincere gratitude to those who inspired us and helped us as we crafted this journal. To Vincent Galgano: Thank you for your dedication in making this publication possible, and for helping us share our writing across various media. To Raleigh Capozzalo: Thank you for your creative design and hours spent assisting Mr. Galgano. To Josephine Demme: Thank you for your artistic expertise and creative photography, both of which helped put faces to our names. To the administrators of The Masters School: We greatly appreciate all your support as we take on the daunting endeavor of personal essay publishing. Finally, to Caroline Dumaine: Thank you for all the inspiration you offered, the support and kindness you showed, and the patience and persistence you provided. Thank you for helping us become confident with our stories and ourselves.