Dear J.J., 
My favorite memory is from when I was sixteen. This was in late 2010. My friend and I went to the Cedar Grove versus McNair football game, and I met my special "boo" there. We sat and talked the ENTIRE game. When the game was over, we went to the gas station and got some soda. Then my best friend's mom came and got me to take me home. This day will forever be in my mind. 
The first time I saw my grandmother, I didn't recognize her because I'd only seen pictures that had been taken years before. She looked very different but was still beautiful. I tried to see the resemblance between us. Even though I eventually came to the conclusion that we don't look anything alike, I know that she's still my grandmother. 
o. My cousin and I had a lot of fun together. Before Grandma and I would go to sleep, we would hold hands, pray and talk about the day. 
In the future, I would like to be a well-groomed woman who knows what she wants. I also want to help others in society, my family, the African American community and my overall country. I would also like to help people over there in Africa. I want to help people as a medical doctor, a gynecologist. 
Out of all the things that are important to me, I would have to say that my parents are the most important. My whole family means a lot too, but my parents are the ones who have helped me become the young man that I am today. 
I remember when I went to North Carolina for the first time. I was going there to meet my dad's family. I was just a little kid-- maybe three or four years old. The experience and thought were surreal. I had never been out of the state of Georgia, and it was really exciting just to go to another place. The ride was amazing and the view was even better. Getting away and seeing something new is one thing I will always remember. 
young when I went. I remember seeing so many great things that when it was time to go, I just wanted to stay. I will always remember this because I have not gone on a trip this special. It is such a good childhood memory. I will also always remember that trip because who knows when I will get to go again? (Sarah Simpson, 9th Grade)
Life has been mean, but I keep walking. I've had crazy dreams-- bad dreams-- ones tht I've never even told my mother about. As the years go by, things should get better. In my future I want to see a better day and to get much respect. I want to continue running track and to keep doing well in it. I want to get into college. I want to reach twenty-one and beyond. I hope to meet the girl of my dreams, a beautiful woman that I will marry. I hope my mom gets married too. I want to have kids of my own. I want to keep walking tall. 
A moment that remains important to me is when I almost had straight A's on my progress report. The reason that this moment remains important to me is because after I received this report, I knew that I had the potential to get straight A's on my next report. I told myself that if I could just work a little harder that it would be normal for me to get straight A's. Making good grades means that I have to maintain them. If not, then it would be as though my success never happened at all. 
The most important thing to me is my little-thinks-he's-cute brother. Quinton is in the fifth grade and will soon go to the sixth. He loves football. Quint is important to me because he is my little brother. We love to annoy my mom and dad. We always try to get money and try to find ways to get out of the house. We have the same attitude about things. Quint loves to annoy me, too. He stays in my room (like he doesn't have his own room!). Whenever I want something is when he says he wants it. How annoying! 
One moment I will never forget is a high school basketball game in which I recently played. It was only our third game of the season, and I knew if I didn't do well I would probably be sitting on the bench the next game. 
Dear Kenyatta, 
I remember being in Decatur, Georgia when I got the phone call. My oldest cousin, Tiffany, had been shot and killed by her so-called boyfriend. She was packing her bags ready to leave. She finally came to her senses and realized that an abusive relationship was not what she wanted. He tried to stop her. This time she fought back. By the power of God, she made it out of the house. She gave a quick glance back. She had forgotten her keys. When she opened the door bang, bang, bang. She fell to her knees My cousin was two months pregnant with their child. Three days later, he did the unthinkable: shot himself before my uncles and dad got to him. 
Dear Past Self, 
I remember a time when I was very ill, and I didn't have anyone to depend on except my mother. Her care reminded me that she is always there when I need her which is different from some other parents who ignore their children's needs and let the world raise them. My mother is always sacrificing in some way so that she can make sure that I am o.k. 
Dear Future Self, 
I remember the days when I used to spend the night. I remember those times where I was squished so tight. I remember when we used to play around. I remember the times I fell down. I remember the times you made me laugh. I remember that you kept me on the right path. I remember you telling me you loved me. I remember when you passed, and your soul was set free. I remember life when you were still here. I remember when there were tears. I remember when they took you away. I remember that it was a rainy day. I remember all the good times we had. I remember that the times were never bad. 
I remember one morning in February 2009 on my way to school my mother called, and she was crying. I wondered to myself, "Is she alright?" As she began to speak her voice cracked, and my heart dropped into my stomach. She blurted out, "Deja is dead." I began to laugh and asked if she was serious. She was silent for a moment. Then she said, "Yes, I'm serious. She died yesterday." The tears started to run down my face. I thought to myself, "She was only nine years old!" Seven days later was my cousin Deja's funeral and my sister's birthday. I did not go to school that day. I was not able to walk or even talk. I just sat there crying asking how God could take Deja away. I guess I will never know. 
A little house in Texarkana, 806 Oak Street to be exact, has to be the most important place on earth to me. Although it's torn down now due to abandonment, it's vivid. It will never escape my memory. My grandmother raised my older sister and me in that house for seven years until I was moved to Georgia around my seventh birthday since my mother nor father were around. 
My brother Cameron was a chocolate baby with beautiful brown eyes with feet so tiny they could fit in one hand. He weighed 9 lbs. 7 oz. when he was born. I remember his first words and the first time he said my name, "Kayla." It was music to my ears. I remember his first two teeth and his new baby smell. I was five when he was born. When I first saw him in the hospital, he caught my attention and stole my heart. He was amazing to me. Greatness, intelligence, amazing, magnificent, intriguing-- these are all adjectives to describe my little brother. I love him. He gives me extra reason to smile and makes things worthwhile. He is mine, my little "shuggie bear." Greatness, intelligence, amazing, intriguing, the characteristics I remember. (Kayla Huggins, 9th Grade)
My grandma on my mama's side is important to me. She is just so special, loveable, happy and kind. I can go to her for anything or if I want to talk about something. She is the reason why I get up and go to school and behave myself. If it weren't for her or my mama, I wouldn't be in school. 
I remember the mother, the mother of my mother, the one who took care of her and her brother, late night cries, lonely eyes, You baking biscuits. Oh, how I miss it. We had so many good times from '94 to '09. I can't believe that you had to die. Every morning waking up knowing you were there. We should never have taken each other for granted. Instead, we should have cherished the seeds that we planted. We should have cried a lot less and laughed a little more. Take very opportunity, not closing one door. I hate so many words were left unsaid and so many chapters of our Book of Life unread. (M. Cannon, 11th Grade) Image: "In Grandma's Hands" Keith Mallett
My mother's family is from Barbados. Although I have not yet been there, my mother has told me stories about the place. My mom has a picture of herself in Barbados. It's a nice place, I've heard. My family talks about the blue water and drinks they have there, things like cocount water and mango juice. One of my friends is from Barbados, and he has told me a lot about it. This summer I plan to go and want to take two friends. 
What kind of place do you know that has beautiful nature? Do you know a place that has beaches that are beautiful, and a place with ocean water that looks clear as fresh water? I call this place St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. 
This blog was inspired by the sudden death of the former director of our program, Dr. Shirley Arnold, a kind and compassionate woman dedicated to opening the doors of higher education to young people. Her passing inspired me to create a unit for students devoted to the exploration of legacies, lasting impressions and the different ways that people pay homage. 
well as the building of monuments such as the Vietnam War Memorial and the footprints in front of Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood and more. We have also explored the ways that experiences of the past create much of the structure of the lives we are living today. 
