To Mr. Roussell and my 2008 Mentor at Cal State/Chico

From IAB, Grade 8 Student at the Children's Storefront

Below you will find a highlight or two from each of my grades from First Grade to Eighth Grade (I hope you will not find any typos, spelling, or grammar mistakes)

1. grade 1...I had an excellent teacher and we still keep in touch up to this day.
2. grade 2...I don't remember.
3. grade 3...I was in at St. Pauls and I hated it there. I have no highlights.
4. grade 4... This was my first year at the Children's Storefront school.
5. grade 5... The 5th grade was my first year in the upper school. My teacher was very fun seeing how it was his first year also. My class threw him a suprise birthday party for his 26th b-day.
6. grade 6... In the 6th grade I was gone from storefront for a little while but I then came back in the middle of the year.
7. grade 7... The most important thing to me last year was step up day, all I was thinking about was the year to come!
8. grade 8... The most important thing to me in 8th grade so far is that we have a lot more responsibilitys than other classes.

   I have attended The Children's Storefront school for four years. My history at The Storefront has been like a rollercoaster; I guess you can say I've had my ups and downs. Everyone at The Storefront cares about each other; they assist each other when help is needed, and encourage each other when that is needed as well. Although the teachers have a lot of things to do they still find the time to really help the students with their problems. My biggest challenge at The Storefront was coming to school on time. Being at The Storefront has taught me how to manage my time. With a little push from The Storefront I started to come to school earlier.

   My favorite class is history. I like history because of the way that Ms. Williams teaches it. In addition to using the textbook, she teaches history by telling stories about the past. I would like to thank all of the teachers for their time and effort. In particular I would like to thank Mrs. Cross for helping me with the whole high school process. Mrs. Cross has spent a lot of extra time with me that she didn't have to.

   This year at The Storefront I have participated in the running club. In running club I help Ms. Parker with the future track stars. We have gone on many meets; some we have one and some we have lost. The members always kept a positive attitude. I am also a member of the Women's Mentoring group. The Women's Mentoring group is made up of both seventh and eighth grade girls. It is really fun and we go on great trips; such as going to see plays and going to the spa. Every year the eight grade girls do a big project at the end of the year. This year we are going to be doing a documentary. The documentary is going to be about the changes in Harlem.

   I know that high school is going to be tough, I feel that The Storefront has prepared me for the real world. In the next five years I see myself graduating from High School and on my way to college. When I become an adult I want to be a pediatrician, I know that I am going to have to do a lot of hard work to accomplish this goal, but The Children's Storefront has taught me that education is the key to success.

   To the 5th and 6th graders, I know everyone says that 8th grade is your most important year but the truth is that 5th and 6th grade matter as well. High Schools are looking back at those years also. To the 7th graders looks like 8th grade is your "big year" don't start to fool around because you get one or two acceptances or you get into the High School of your choice, they can always change their mind just remember that. The reality is there really isn't any time to fool around, there is a time for work and there is a time for play use your time wisely and remember everything that the storefront is teaching you now.