The Long Road to Success – Done Receives ACE Award

SEELEY LAKE – When Seeley-Swan High School senior Elizabeth Done was called in to the principal's office she was relieved to learn it was because the staff wanted to nominate her for the Missoula Exchange Club's Accepting the Challenge of Excellence (A.C.E.) Award. After overcoming many emotional, mental and physical challenges in her life, Done has found an identity for success. She wants to be a positive influence in those around her and appreciates the recognition given by the SSHS staff for all the challenges she has overcome.

Done was three-years-old and really sick when her grandparents took her in because of the neglect she experienced from her parents. She does not think her parents realized how much their actions affected her.

"When you see what the worst is that the world has to offer, you mature a lot faster because those are things you can't unsee and they stay with you," said Done.

After moving in with her grandparents, Done didn't talk to either of her parents for a long time, "I felt kind of abandoned."

However through a long road of healing relying on her Christian faith, she realized what happened was not her fault it was her parents' choices.

"I realized my identity was not what my parents were and their failures. Their decisions, their alcoholism, their poor choices and their failed marriage was not who I was," said Done. "Breaking away out of the mindset and realizing I could make my mindset whatever I wanted it to be was when I realized that I had choices."

Done started taking better care of herself. She opened up and became more social. She got more involved in sports, clubs and organizations and she found things that she truly enjoyed.

Done was diagnosed with asthma in junior high being clinically underweight until she was a freshman. This didn't stop her as she ran cross country and track and played basketball. She went on to become a state champion in track her freshman year.

Her athletic career came to an abrupt end at the beginning of her sophomore year of track when she tore three muscles in her back.

"Even though I don't really compete anymore, I still stay fit and that is something I enjoy," said Done.

Her injury came after losing her close friend, Mark Teague that fall. She learned to never leave conversations unfinished.

"I was trash talking him [the day before he died] because that is what you do when you are in high school and playing a pickup game of basketball," said Done. "Had I known I wasn't going to see him again I would have told him how good of a friend he was."

In addition to sports, Done found comfort and release through writing. She founded the Creative Writing Class her sophomore year with past graduate Kaelin Riley and English teacher Lori Messenger. She also has been the chief editor for the "Backroads of the Mind" literary magazine for the past two years and led a writing workshop in Drummond with fellow senior Amaya Harman this spring.

"There is more than one way to speak and writing is a really effective way to do that," said Done. "It's the ability to share our lives and our thoughts and the things that go through our mind in an eloquent but also in a rattling way that people can appreciate."

Done was also a charter member of the Seeley Lake Leos Club. She thinks the Leos Club has helped connect the high-schoolers with the community.

The SSHS staff chose to nominate Done for the Missoula Exchange Club's A.C.E. Award because of the dramatic change in her attitude and performance throughout high school. The staff felt these changes enabled her to overcome adversities, prepare for graduation and serve as a powerful example to other students that hard work and perseverance pays off.

"There are a lot of seniors in our class that I feel could have easily been nominated for that as well," said Done who knows many of their stories. "I was a little overjoyed, slightly shocked. I just go about being myself. So when they said, 'Wait up a second, we want to recognize you for not only the stuff you do but the crap you put up with.' I was like, oh hey, someone did notice."

Done was one of eight Missoula County High School seniors recognized by the Exchange Club April 5. Each student received a $500 check to be used at a post-secondary school.

Done will be attending Carroll College in the fall with a major in English with a focus in pre-law and minoring in psychology and political science. She hopes to one day become a prosecuting attorney. She also signed a contract to compete with the Carroll College Talking Saints debate team. She received a renewable forensic scholarship to be on the team.

"Through the opportunities that I've had in other places, I've realized that sometimes it is really important for someone else to hear [my story]... to know that I've not only effectively survived it but been able to tell it in a way that has impacted people in a meaningful way," said Done.

Her closing bit of advice to others facing challenges, "Whenever someone tries to start a change in their lifestyle or mindset, the first steps are always the hardest. Everyday is different and some days you feel like you are back at square one. Some days you will be back at square one but that doesn't mean you need to stay there. Don't let those first hurdles scare you."