Antwone Fisher

No longer living with the Pickett family, Antwone was still a ward of the state of Ohio. He was sent to George Junior Republic, a reform school in Grove City, Pennsylvania. At the time, Antwone was the only student at George Junior Republic who was not a juvenile delinquent. Antwone's case worker, Patricia Nees, describes his first visit:

On 5/5/76, Antwone was taken to Grove City, Pennsylvania, for a pre-placement visit at George Junior Republic, a private male institution offering complete child care facilities. Antwone seemed responsive to the idea. He accepted, as he does everything, with a fatalistic attitude. (Finding Fish, page 221.)

Earlier in her reports about Antwone, however, Ms. Nees also made the following significant observation:

Antwone tends to fluctuate between feeling self-assured and confident about his abilities, potentials and expressions of self-doubt, uncertainty, and feelings of worthlessness. It is speculated, based upon test behavior, that Antwone is a 'walking pressure cooker.'... It is strongly suggested that formal therapy be initiated right away to help deter his exploding in an unprotected environment. (Finding Fish, page 208.)

Fortunately for Antwone, when he did 'explode,' he was in the 'protected environment' of the United States Navy.