My Message to Young People

If you are in school, please understand what an important opportunity you have to learn and grow to live your best life. Don’t let anything distract you from school and learning. Not everyone has a good home life. Not everyone has a positive experience in school. If you are in school, please understand that it is critical for you to focus and concentrate on your studies.

If it is hard at home, do what you can to help out with at least one or two chores every day. Be respectful. Find a corner where you can read and study. Focus everyday on your school work and getting your homework done. Read extra. Read ahead in your books. Study. Learn. Doing well in school is your opportunity and chance for a better job, a better way of life. Don’t rob yourself of this gift by only thinking of now.

If someone at school is mean to you or is teasing you or makes it hard to stay in school, please understand that it is important to believe in yourself. Don’t react, focus on school. Become focused on your schoolwork and try hard to ignore bad behavior around you. This is not always easy but it is important for your future and opportunities in your life to learn all you can no matter how hard your circumstances.

Maybe you don’t have the best teacher this year and you want to tune out. Not all teachers are created equal. Remember that there is always something to learn from everyone. Always be respectful. Always do your work. Read ahead. Don’t ever be disrespectful or cause trouble. Concentrate on your studies and learning.

There are a lot of things in life that are not easy, not fair. No matter what happens in life, no matter how people treat you, focus on your growth, on learning, on being the best person you can be. If someone in your life who is important to you is a bad example, don’t follow. Think more of yourself and what you have to offer and of your future. Don’t blindly follow anyone who is trying to take you down a path away from your best life.

Stay in school. Read lots of books. Don’t react to bad behavior. Focus on what is most important. Keep yourself in school. Do your homework.

A young person who is in school has the opportunity to live the life they dream. Don’t let anyone rob you of a bright future. Don’t let anyone tell you that you aren’t good enough or that you aren’t smart enough or that you don’t belong. Always be respectful to those around you no matter how you are treated. Focus on your schoolwork and on learning. Believe in yourself.

[Yesterday I was walking to the health food store at the time that kids were coming home from school. I saw kids get off the bus and kids walking home from school. I saw kids of all skin colors walking together. It was beautiful.  I've been thinking about these kids and kids all over the country for the last few hours. The kids in Northgate seem like great kids who have parents who watch out for them. I live in a good neighborhood but not all neighborhoods have kids with great families. I know that the quality of education is in question in many schools, in many states, in many countries. I have noticed through the years that all children and their parents start school with hopes and dreams. However, not all kids finish school. More are dropping out. More are participating in bad behavior. More are having a difficult time. It is important for all children to stay in school, learn all they can and study.]