I have attended The ChildrenÕs Storefront for two years. I started in the 7th grade. When I first came I was kind of quiet and shy. The students were really nice to me. They talked to me and helped me get more comfortable with the teachers and other students. It wasn't very hard to get used to everything but I couldn't have done it with out the help of the students, teachers and Mr. Williams. Coming to the Storefront was one of the best decisions my mother and I have ever made. The things that I have achieved here I couldn't possibly imagine achieving at any other school. I joined Gospel Choir and the girlÕs basketball team both years that I've been here. Everything that I have achieved here gives me confidence for when I go to high school I didn't have that confidence in other schools.

The greatest thing about Storefront is the support. This support is very rare because a lot of public schools donÕt provide you with that amount of support that you get at Storefront; you usually have to support yourself. Being a teenager isn't that easy, and that is something the Storefront understands about their students. My biggest challenge here is maintaining my grades and juggling work in different classes. High school is not going to give us support like the Storefront so we need to get used to the challenge. If we getting to the habit of scheduling our time and get all your homework done then it will help us not only in high school but college. Storefront also has after school programs so that we have time to get homework done and get help from the teachers. That was a major help for me during my years at the Storefront.

In high school I am looking forward to making new friends and becoming more independent. I hope for a lot of activities such as sports and clubs. I'm planning on going to Fashion Industries High school. I like the concept of that school and the teachers seemed very nice when I visited. In Fashion Industries I applied for the business and merchandising part because it seems like something I could be good at, I can imagine owning my own fashion line. I want people to know me as a successful woman who strived for the best and overcame obstacles.

For the students whom will be coming to the eighth grade next year, I hope you get through everything with your head up. It will not always be easy, but with the right mindset and good intentions you will be all right. Just get all of your work done, because if you donÕt it will catch up to. Think positively always. Make yourself comfortable in as many situations as possible. Don't let anyone get to you; just be yourself and follow your heart and mind. Follow the rules and try to have good relationships with the teachers, students, and staff. If you are consistent with your work and demonstrate good behavior, the eighth grade should be fine.