Open Book Program, a multi-faceted after-school program for young adolescents in which participants are engaged in activities that encourage the development of reading, writing and critical thinking skills.

My Journal

I Am Thankful—A Class Poem
by Micah Bailey, Jordain Brown, Brett Carmouche, Jovan Gathings, JoVal Howard, William Lee II, Antoinette Millender, John Perry, Stephanie Straight, Frantavia Thomas, Dianne Wolfe and Cori Woods.

University of Chicago
Office of Special Programs College Prep
Summer/2000 (9 a.m. class)

I am thankful for the Lord because He created me and brought me to this universe.

I'm thankful for the LORD because He brought my grandmother who brought my mother who brought me into the world.

I am also thankful for my family and my friends because they help me through my problems and they're very important.

I am thankful for God who gave me a big sister.

I am thankful for my whole family.

I am thankful for my mom, dad, brothers and sisters and mom and dad because they are the people who brought me into this world. I am thankful for my grand mothers and grandfathers because they brought my parents into this world.

I am thankful for my dad's grandfather, but he died at age 63. His name was Leroy Hawkins the Second.

I am thankful for my mom, my dad, my brother and sisters. I am thankful for my aunts, uncles, grandmas and grandpas.

I am thankful for my family because if my guardian doesn't take care of me my other parts of the family can take care of me.

I am thankful for the people who care for me like family and friends.

I am thankful for my mother, for all she has done for me like buying me shoes, clothes and three fish.

I am thankful for my mother who took us to Ohio.

I am thankful for my grandmother who gave me $100.

I am thankful for my education because without that I would be nowhere.

I am thankful for my mom Valancia and my dad James and my sisters Jamie and Neadia because they are very important to me and they give me thinks I want.

I am thankful for my brother Caleb because he does stuff with me.

I am thankful for Ms. Baker for teaching us "Shake, Shake, Shake" and "Ah Yah."

I am thankful for my toys and gadgets.

I am thankful for my home because I need it to eat, sleep and wash up my clothing.

I am thankful for my video games and for my CDs and records.

I am thankful for my mountain bike because it has five speeds.

I am thankful for my TV star cousin and for my basketball legend cousin.

I am thankful for the ability to play all the sports I play.

I am thankful for my abilities, for the things I can do, because without them I couldn't do anything.

I am thankful for the opportunity to be in this program.