Dear Future Self

Dear Future Self,

Now that you are a successful prosecution lawyer, I hope you see why you had to work so hard to get where you are now. I know that you hated Social Studies, but you had to do the work in order to become a lawyer. Now, you help the community by winning cases to convict killers, robbers, rapists. It should make you feel good to have a job like this.

Sincerely,

Mariya

(Mariya Cummings, 9th Grade)

A Phone of My Own

I remember when I got my first phone. It was one of the happiest days of my young life.

My phone was a Motorola Razor. Having it meant that I could talk to people without using my brother's cheap device. My dark blue Motorola Razor was, to me, the best phone ever! Other people had "slide up" phones, because that's what was in back then. But mine could flip up, and I could lock applications. This was good enough for me.

I could talk to whomever I wanted without bothering my brother and having to ask him to borrow his. He would always get mad, and sometimes he wouldn't let me use it at all.

Another thing I loved about my phone was that my bill was so affordable that it didn't make any sense. I had unlimited talk time, texting and internet. My cell phone company was a real blessing!

Even though I have a different cell phone company now, I'll never forget my first Motorola phone.

(Mariya Cummings, 9th Grade)

Dear Ancestors

Dear Ancestors,

Thank you for the struggle to make a better way for me.

In this day and time I believe that we all have just lost sight and its just the blind leading the blind. Lessons and challenges I have been faced with would be the lack of love sometimes displayed by my own people. We can't seem to come together to talk about our problems. I plan to overcome this obstacle by not becoming another statistic, by not blaming my insecurities on the world and by helping the world as I see fit. I feel that people have lost hope and turned their backs on one another. I feel that we really need help as a nation to be able to reach out.

I don't want to think that all of your work was in vain, but it seems that a lot of your work is being forgotten. Still, I want to thank you. I will try to use your legacy to help encourage and nurture my people back to a stable place to the best of my ability.

Sincerely yours,

Mykia

(Mykia Robbins, 9th Grade)

I Remember Grandma Linda

A person who is very dear to me was my Grandma. She means a lot because she cared for me and believed in me even when no one else wanted to. She gave me strength, hope, comfort and love. I miss her a lot. She taught me things no one else could. She encouraged me even when I did not want to take this gift, but it was worth it. She always liked to sing, even though back then I thought it was annoying. Now, I miss her melodious voice. Grandma Linda died when I was about ten or eleven. Her passing left pain in the hearts of many. Mostly mine.

(Abigail Taylor, 9th Grade)

Note: The image above is not of the author's actual grandmother

Dear Ancestors

Dear Ancestors,

I just want to let you know that all of your hard work didn't go to waste. I feel like I am standing and walking along the road to success, a road that you paved. Although the farthest back that anyone can trace is to my great great grandmother, I feel like you guys are in my presence and in my soul. I really do not have much to say other than thank you. I say thank you because you guys fought to give me the things that you could not have in the past. You created the opportunities that I have today, that I take advantage of.

One thing that I will make sure of in the future is that my children will have the same values that I have today. They are values that you passed down through the generations to me. So, once again, I want to say thanks for everything. One day, far in the future, I will see you in Heaven.

Love,

Daquavius

(Daquavius Gilliam, 9th Grade)

My Grandfather

A person who remains important to me is my grandfather. He is important to me because he is a strong role model, a father figure and an all-around decent person.

Grandpa is a role model because he sets goals and does his best to accomplish them. Even though he may have been let down, he still somehow finds a way to keep his head up and keep going. He has a fierce presence when he takes charge and doesn't let anyone get in the way. One day, I aspire to be like him.

My grandfather is also a father figure to me because my biological father wasn't really in my life. Grandpa takes the time to treat me as his own. He lets me know the truth about the world which I feel gives me a broader outlook on life.

I consider my grandfather to be a father figure because he is the only one there for me, male wise. Also, he teaches me not to have any harsh feelings toward my father and to respect him because I can never change the fact that my father helped bring me into this world.

Grandpa is an all-around decent person because he is courteous and always, as he says, seems to "kill people with kindness."

(Mykia Robbins, 9th Grade)

Visiting My Grandmother in California

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.

When she took me to her apartment, I really had to adjust to how she lived. I stayed a month and had to go to all the meetings and go out in service whenever her group went, which was about three times a week. We had fun sight seeing and meeting up with family I've never seen before. One of these people was my awesome cousin Katarina. She's about 5'2" and has an olive skin color and long, light brown hair. My cousin Katarina is part German and Filipino. 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.

"Tati, do good and above all things remember that God is watching you." Those were the last inspiring words I heard before I got on the plane and left my grandmother in San Francisco. She is great and extremely intelligent. I always enjoy seeing my grandmother almost every year and always enjoy seeing her.

(Tatiana Wright, 9th Grade)

Good Role Model to All

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.

I would love to be married and have two children, a girl and a boy. My girl's name will be Ava Gail. My little boy's name will be Cimond. I will want them to know that I will always love and be there for them. I also want my children to know that they have the ability to be whomever they want to be if they work hard and try their very best. I will want my children to know that I did not achieve success by just wishing. I first had a dream, then I worked hard and achieved it.

I want to be a good role model to all.

(Abigail Taylor, 9th Grade)

For My Future Child

My Dear Child,

I hope you listen to me and know that life may seem easy right now because you have the freedom of running and playing around. As you grow up, it will get harder. As time goes by you'll get smarter and then sometimes you won't know what to do. Please do not always follow the crowd, because that is not always the best choice. Most of the time, the people you want to follow don't care and don't want to hear your voice. I just want you to make the right choice. Be kind and gentle. Treat people with respect like a person should. Strive to do your best even if you think that everything you do now will become a vague memory later.

Love,

Mom

(Arnesha Randall, 9th Grade)

Salute to My Parents

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.

Always caring and never giving up is basically the description of my mom and dad. They always put their best foot forward when it comes to me and my ideas. They strive to keep me at my best, and they correct me when I am at my worst. They always care when it comes to my well-being.

Mom and Dad have invested a lot into me and my education, and that's probably one of the most important subjects that my parents care about. My parents keep me focused on school and on my entire education. They are hard on me when it comes to this. Why? Mainly, because they want me to have a bright future. We all know that the key to a better future is education.

Next to God, my parents are the foundation of my life. Without them, I would have nothing.

(Daquavius Gilliam, 9th Grade)

Memorable Trips

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.

I will also always remember my first trip to Walt Disney World in Florida. It is important because that was my first time, and I was so 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)

I Remember

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.

(Arnesha Randall, 9th Grade)

My Little Brother, Quinton

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!

(Keana Ward, 9th Grade)

Learning from the Game

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.

As the school day came to an end, I became more nervous with each second. About an hour after school ended, my team and I put on our jerseys. The game was about to begin. Looking at the crowd made it even more intense. After a hard game, we came out of the gym with a loss. Yet, I had scored seventeen points.

For the rest of the season, I never sat on the bench. After the season was over, the coach even asked me if I wanted to play summer basketball with the team. So, I think I've got a pretty good chance of starting next year.

(Aaron Frederick, 9th Grade)

Dear Self (from K. Warren)

Dear Kenyatta,

I remember you being the youngest of them all, the second girl in a family of all boys. You had no choice but to be a tomboy, because the "girlie girl" was born first. You were so sweet and innocent and could make anybody smile. You were Miss SDA in Gulfport, Mississippi and known around the town.

Today as I look at you, I see that you are smart and funny. Everybody likes you; you're very popular. You're an athlete too. You have a mother and father who support you in everything you do. You have two older sisters and two younger brothers. All four can be very annoying, but you manage and make it through.

As I write this letter to you, I am fourteen and a half. I wanted to let you, my inner child, know how much you will change. Know that you will get better and better over the years.

Sincerely,

Older Than You

(Kenyatta Warren, 9th Grade)

Photo Credit: Debbie Duggar at EyeFetch.com

I Remember Tiffany

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.

I remember crying my eyes out for days upon days. I remember feeling guilty and was very depressed. I remember everything going blank.

As precious as could be, my cousin Tiffany meant the world to me. Gone too soon is an understatement. She hadn't even started a life of her own. It's such a shame that she didn't get to take that final step across the graduation stage. She was the daughter of a soldier, the daughter of a cop. A madman took her life for no apparent reason. Rest in peace to Tiffany who may be gone but is not forgotten.

(Kenyatta Warren, 9th Grade)

A Western Adventure

I remember when I went to Las Vegas last year with my friend for summer vacation. It was my first time going to the west side of America, and it was my first time riding on a plane. The scariest part was probably the plane ride, especially the lift off.

When we arrived in Las Vegas, the first thing I saw when we arrived at the airport was a gambling machine. It was at night, so when we left the airport, all I saw were flashing lights, casinos and nightclubs.

We went to a hotel called The Stratosphere. It is the tallest building west of the Mississippi River. The hotel was great, but the rides on top of it were even better. Those were some of the scariest rides I ever rode. The scariest was one that hung over the side of the tower; it spun in a circle and made you look to the ground.

The trip, overall, was the best vacation ever, and I didn't know that much. I was just trying to do something new.

(William Bioust, 9th Grade)

Dear Past Self (from A. Frederick)

Dear Past Self,

I thank you for letting me build up to where I am today. All the hard work you did helped me to get where I am today. Hopefully, I will continue to keep the hard work up, because times are now hard. But I know that if I can keep up the good work that rewards will come.

One piece of advice I can give is that hard work pays off. To be successful, you have to work hard. That's why I am now trying to be involved in a lot of programs The more activities that I am involved in, the better opportunities you will have in the future.

With love and respect,

Aaron

(Aaron Frederick, 9th Grade)

Dear Future Self (from J. Scott)

Dear Future Self,

You have truly made it a long way. You've been through many obstacles; however, you overcame them all.

I know it feels good to make your own money and have your own house. Even though you haven't settled down yet, it will surely come. You are really an inspiration for all the young girls out there. Everything they go through to become a young lady, you have been through. You graduted at the top of your class without conceiving a child. You attended college then enlisted in the United States Air Force. You have traveled around the world and don't have to wait on ANYONE hand and foot.

You have made through. Congratulations!

All my love,

Ja'Keila

(Ja'Keila Scott, 9th Grade)

Dear Future Self (from A. Pace)

Dear Future Self,

I hope that you don't continue to make the same mistakes you've made in the past. I hope you have learned to forgive the people who have done you wrong. I hope that you have changed your ways from the Amahdiyya that was very selfish and inconsiderate.

I hope tht you are in college getting good education to prepare you for something you've always dreamed of doing. I hope you aren't pregnant. I hope your mom is still alive. I hope that you and your father are talking and seeing each other on a regular basis. I hope that you don't get caught up in alcohol and weed.

I hope you grow, stay a leader and not a follower. I hope that you meet a nice boy who respects you. I hope you get to travel around the world and help people. I hope you know that I have faith in you.

With love,

Amahdiyya

(Amahdiyya Pace, 9th Grade)