15SPORTS

After finding out she was pregnant at the beginning of her sophomore year, junior Lisa Dao knew her life wouldn’t be the same.

“Before I had my daughter, I was always out doing what I wanted to do. I did whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted. Things are very different now that I have her, I either have to find a baby sitter, or take her with me.”

When Dao found out she was pregnant, she and her boyfriend Rickie were both happy but at the same time they were worried, according to Dao.

“We knew it wasn’t about us anymore. We had another person in our life to worry about from now on. The same day we found out, we told my parents, family, his parents, friends and Facebook.”

When people found out about Dao’s preg-nancy, some were surprised.

“Everyone was shocked when they found out I was pregnant. But almost everyone sup-ported me. I can say, I did lose a handful of friends, but it’s all worth it,” Dao said.

To Dao and her boyfriend, adoption was not an option.

“My boyfriend and I both decided that he’d have to get a job and buy things we needed for her.”

Dao’s daughter, Aliyah, was born on June 13, 2011.

“Not only is raising a baby hard, it’s also a

blessing. I don’t go out anymore with friends like I used to, it’s all about her now. She’s all I care about.”

Raising a baby as a teenager is hard and there are a lot of things that have to be given up. Teen parents have to give up going out every weekend, and even some of their friends.

“Honestly, I didn’t care [about losing some friends]. From the time I had her until now, I know that she’s the only thing that matters.”

To insure that her daughter has a good life when she is growing up, Dao and her boyfriend are both working and saving up money for her.

Unlike the families of some teen mothers, Dao’s family stood behind her with the birth of her daughter.

“I can say our family is much closer since I had Aliyah. Everybody supports me and helps me when I need it.”

Also unlike some children of teen preg-nancy, Aliyah’s dad is involved in her life. Although he is currently living out of town, he still contributes to Dao and Aliyah’s life.

“He sends me money every so often; he’s a big part of her life. She also learned how to say daddy and mommy and she’s only six months old.”

Dao just wants teenage girls to know “that having a baby isn’t just changing diapers and feeding them. There’s so much more that comes with it.”

Lisa Dao, jr., plays with her seven month old daughter, Aliyah. Photo by Angela Vuong.

At the age of 14, a lot of teens spend their time shopping, hanging out with friends, or just relaxing at home. But for freshman Marradee Pho, another task consumes all her time: raising a

newborn child. Pho’s son, Jayden, was born October 24,

2011, instantly changing the rest of Pho’s life. “I would always go out and do whatever

I want. I can still go out but not as much. Sometimes I have to stay up at night to watch him. I can’t spend much time on me, [because] I have to watch him,” Pho said.

Pho first discovered she was pregnant when she was with her aunt. Then it came time to inform the rest of her family and friends.

“At first I was shocked to find out she was pregnant. I was also sad and disappointed at first because I didn’t think she’s the kind of per-son to get pregnant at 14. I was happy when he [Jayden] was born because he’s so cute,” sister Monyda Pho said.

Pho didn’t always plan on having the baby. However, one visit to the doctor would change her mind.

“I didn’t know if I could take care of him and I was scared of what people thought of me. I was going to have an abortion, but I saw the sonogram and felt bad,” Pho said.

Although Pho and Jayden’s father aren’t together anymore, he still helps take care of the baby when Pho is busy. As for Pho’s family, she appreciated having her mom’s help.

“My mom said that she would’ve been disappointed in me, but she has to support me because if she didn’t I wouldn’t have made it.”

The experience of having a baby has taught Pho a lot, and gives Pho a chance to advise others.

“It’s not as easy as you think. You see people get pregnant a lot but it changes your life a lot. You can’t just worry about yourself, you have to worry about the baby,” Pho said.

Marradee Pho, fr., holds her son Jayden as he sleeps. Photo by Angela Vuong.

Marradee Pho, fr.

Lisa Dao, jr.

--- ALICIA MCMURTER

--- CHRISTINE FUSTON

- By age 30, only 1.5 percent of women who had pregnancies as a teenager have a college degree. - Daughters of teenage mothers are 22 percent more likely than their peers to become teen mothers. - Sons of teenage mothers have a 13 percent greater chance of ending up in prison as compared to their teens. - The U.S has the highest teen pregnancy in the western industrialized world. - If you get put in a situation you need help with, you can get help at Birthright, Birthline, and Pregnancy Crisis Center of Wichita.