Tara McKenzie, 17, from Weymouth, first heard about The Tall Ship Pelican from Tides Young Persons Project Centre. Since then she has participated in two legs of last year's tall ships races and rejoined the ship last week as cook's assistant in last week's adventure voyage which started in Weymouth.
Here are some of the excerpts from Tara's letter after she had onboard Tall Ship Pelican for the first time.
I would like to thank all the voyage crew onboard The Pelican for the one of the most amazing trips of my life so far.
Before I came on my first voyage I never dreamt I could do something like this. I must say the key workers are Tides had to really encourage me and others to do it and I am so very glad they did.
The 12 days I have spent with you all have taught me so much. It has made me realise that life is never too short to do something you thought you could never excel at. I feel I have grown up a lot, not by age of course but by my actions as I am able to approach people and put myself forward for things like never before.
The biggest lesson I am proud to have learnt is to pull myself away from those who will only bring me down.
I'm not going to name each one of you individually as I think I would run out of words but what I will say is that you have inspired me to reach out for whatever I would like to achieve, and for that I thank you so much.
Not only have I learnt to be confident and learn right from wrong but i've also learnt how to wake up at stupid o'clock in the morning!
I can't wait to come on the next voyage. I appreciate everything you have done for us all and most of all I promise to have enough confidence to develop my leadership skills.
Your sincerely,
Tara Mckenzie
| 
