The Community School

End of Year Ceremonies

June 3, 2007

Student Presentation

My year at The Community School was one to remember. Not only was it a huge learning experience, but a great leap toward a successful future. The amount of knowledge learned and life lessons taught was a great deal of learning to take place in one year. Although I put in a phenomenal amount of effort into this year, there wasn’t one moment where I told myself that this wasn’t the right place for me to be.

I could have never imagined in a million years that I would have ever thrived like this in school. I can’t believe the changes and sacrifices that I made to get where I am. This school has reminded me of how important dedication and hard work is to achieve my dreams. As a failure in the public school system, I thought my chances were over, but those doors were reopened. A new light was found and another venture was to be sought. Now I’ve tackled that feat and am ready to jump new and higher hurdles.

This year has taught me that it is crucial to challenge myself. Now, instead of completing tasks that I know I can do with ease, I test my mental ability to conquer achievements that would normally be untouchable. I love to live up to challenges and expectations that are perceived to be impossible. It’s a great feeling when you prevail through a rigorous test and prove to be capable of anything that you have worked hard for. For me, my education will prove that statement to be true because I will continue to work hard and make success and happiness an availability in the future.

A lot of times I find myself reflecting on how my life would be without this school. I wonder if I would even be in school or if I would be in the streets all day without a reason to live. Would I be another lifeless human being in my neighborhood who no one wants to get to know or form a close relationship with? I guess I’ll never know because I do have this wonderful school and I won’t let myself or anyone else drag me down to the point where I become disgusted with myself. Never again will I be influenced by the negative or overcome by people who think doing wrong is really right. Because the most important lessons that were taught to me were life lessons and the most important to me was to stand up for my values and beliefs. It is now impossible for me to disrespect those who help me and who believe in me because this school has told me that we must be honest if we want to get anywhere in life.

                                            Thomas Magaha