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I Believe in Love

by Ronnell J. ’16 (Chaminade ’22)

I believe in God. I believe in love. I believe in family. I believe in my support system. I believe in me.

I want to thank my parents for putting me here at City Academy.Starting City Academy as a fifth grader was very difficult, but I persevered. Starting out I felt like quitting many times. There were many concepts and strategies that I never faced.

Honestly, I did not know if I was going to make it. Once again, it wasn’t easy for me, but I believed in myself and God.

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Knowing Our History Gives Us Character

by A’dia Dickers ’16 (Whitfield School ’22)

Over the years I have learned to know my history, my African-American history. My father is big on Africa: the geography, the people, and our roots. He has given me books and maps of Africa. He often tells me stories of my ancestors. When I was younger I thought, why does it matter if know my history or not? Can’t we just go play outside? I realize now it does matter. This I believe: history is important.

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Determination

by Camielle W. ’16 (Crossroads ’22)

Why do we attempt to retrieve something so high up on a mountain, knowing all along we wouldn’t survive the trip? What made us believe we’re going to make it to the top of the mountain in the first place?

Determination. This I Believe.

Most of us thrive on it, others take the word for granted. But no matter what point you’re at in life, everyone has felt determined to do something. Whether it’s a young girl determined to win a dare-war or a puppy determined to get that last slice of pizza stationed on the edge of the dining room table, determination drives us to make both foolish and wise decisions.

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I Believe in a Delicious Breakfast

by Kennedy S. ’16 (Villa Duchesne ’22)

If I had to choose my favorite memory about breakfast it would be when my big brother, Ricco, made me an omelet. He almost burned mine because he likes his a little burnt!

He was home from college; it was a typical Saturday. I woke up early and I sure was hungry. Ricco finally came down stairs to make my breakfast. He wanted to show me how to make an omelet so I wouldn’t always bother him.

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Love Is Stronger Than Anything

by Stephen McDaniel ’16 (Priory ’22)

If someone were to ask you, why is there so much hate, what would you say? I would respond by saying the world has become a heartless place. Why did we become a heartless place? I couldn’t answer that. People fight, yell, and get mad at each other for no good reason.

When I see or hear about hate, I say to myself, one day this violence will change and we will treat people the same. We will stop with the violence and go down with the hate.

That is why I am a firm believer of love being stronger than anything

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If You Try, You Will Not Fail

by Makyla Spann ’16 (Crossroads ’22)

This I believe; when you try, you do not fail.  In third grade I attended public school, I was one of the best students in the class. The homework was easy, and the teachers didn’t ask very much of me. In the middle of third grade I transferred to City Academy. I wanted to stay at my old school because it was elementary, and I was going to miss the light work. At City Academy, I had a lot more homework, and the teachers actually checked it!

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Family: The People Who Believe In You

by Sydney Williams ’16 (John Burroughs ’22)

In 2008, I was four years old. Whenever my mom and dad dropped me off at City Academy, I cried. This place frightened me. Everything was new. I didn’t know anyone. I felt like an outsider. It was as enormous as the Incredible Hulk. What a big baby I was. Yes, I was a cry baby who missed her family.

But quickly I found another family. One family that would never let me give up no matter how bad I wanted to. I found a family here who comforted me when I was sad or having a bad day.

I’ve realized that family is not just the people who share blood, but also the people who believe in you. People who will help you strive and flourish in whatever you decide to do in life. Families are people who will help you fix mistakes and encourage you to think for yourself.

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L.A. Can Have the Rams. We Get Milton Mitchell!

City Academy has named Milton Mitchell the school’s Principal beginning July 1, 2016. Mr. Mitchell grew up in Kinloch, MO, but has lived in California for the past fifteen years. He most recently served in administration at the Chadwick School in Palos Verdes, CA, just outside of Los Angeles, where he spearheaded the admission process and summer education program for over 800 students in grades kindergarten through twelfth grade.

Mr. Mitchell received his Master of Arts in Management and Leadership from Webster University and has a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education. For more than fifteen years, Mr. Mitchell has been a pillar in leading, organizing, and advocating for both education and diversity. He has held positions in his community that ensure equity, inclusion, and diversity in independent schools.

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Class of 2016 Alumna Graduation Speech

Dream wild. Dream big. Dream often.

“Whether you think you can or you think that you can’t, you’re right.”

This is a quote that I have lived by my entire life. I learned that I am able to do anything and everything that I believe that I can do, and that there is no stronger power than the will to succeed. I want each of you to know that you are able to do anything that you believe is possible.

Good evening. I would like to thank Ms. Nikki for inviting me to speak tonight and thank the class of 2016 for allowing me to share a party of my journey that I have never shared with anyone before.

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Maintaining Momentum

For many schools, the end of the school year means that the pace of homework and assignments begins to wind down. Not so at City Academy. One thing I love about our rigorous program is that we go full throttle until the end. Many times this means contending with bumps and conflicts with the schedule which turn into opportunities for thinking outside the proverbial box.

Although fifth grade students have spent the past two weeks out of the math classroom visiting secondary schools, such as John Burroughs and MICDS, their math assignments continue. So how exactly do fifth graders receive instruction outside of the classroom? Well, we just tap into 21st century learning!

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