Alumni Questionnaire ← Back to Index
Edgar Schoenwald Jr.:
Your name, first and last.
Edgar Schoenwald Jr
To which institutions were you sent?
all 3
How old were you?
14
Date you entered The Program/ Date you left.
1991-1995
What was the highest level you attained?
3rd level
Please describe the circumstances that got you sent to The Program:
Hanging out with cholos in jr high school. No alcohol, drugs or sex. I was just starting to display normal signs of teen rebellion.
Which house were you in?
Thomas, Huyck, three different group homes in Marion.
Please describe instances of abuse you experienced while in the program, if any.
I was routinely "body slammed" at the beginning of my stay in the D.R.
I was forced to urinate on myself when my housefather refused to let me use the toilet during chores
I was given swats on many occasions
I was verbally abused on a daily basis
I was punished for things I hadn't done on several occasions
Describe abuse of other students you witnessed, if any.
Routine mocking and verbal abuse as well as some physical abuse such as body-slamming and swats.
Do you have any good memories of The Program? What are they?
My only good memories are of when I had any moment of freedom during the time that I was there
What is your overall impression of The Program - did it "help you"?
I can honestly say 10 years after I left the program that it has not helped me in anyway, and in fact has caused problems in my adult life.
From academic credits that didn't count toward graduation in my home state to stomach problems from drinking bleached water for 3 years.
What do you think of the quality of education you received?
Negligible. I was never was never taught Geometry, there was no science lab, music or sports programs.
How old are you today?
27
Did you go to college afterward? If so, what degrees do you have?
I did, but instead of attending the college of my choice, I only got into a college in Indiana for television production/film. I didn't graduate. I felt I was never prepared for the real world by the program.
What is your profession?
I am currently finishing school for film editing and motion graphics in Los Angeles.
Do you consider yourself a Christian today?
No
What effect did "The Program" have on your faith?
Well, it felt like religion was just a tool you had to use every time there was a "revival" at the school. You had to act "born again" to score high points. After I left NHYM, I associated religion with the program and wanted nothing to do with it. They taught no religion but the King James-based Christianity and I was never given the chance to determine my own beliefs.
Please feel free to add comments here.
I really feel like this place was one of the worst things that ever happened to me. I hear people say "get over it," and believe me I have, but what about the recurring nightmares? How do you get over post traumatic stress?
My parents thought they were sending me to a tough boarding school in the Caribbean run by Christians. I still have nightmares about Escuela Caribe about four times a week.
