I would like to share some of those opportunities, experiences and challenges with you tonight. But let me start by saying that my mission in life is to become someone that others can look up to, confide in and reach out to. I plan to do that by becoming a psychologist and a journalist. My career as psychologist will prepare me to listen to individuals who no one else will listen to my role as a journalist will give me the opportunity to write and speak on behalf of the poor or others who do not have a voice.

The first opportunity I had to reach out to others was when I was eight years old at which time I was chosen to represent YBC by speaking at a Channel 8 event called “Family First.” I remember Mr. Vincent calling me at the last minute for this opportunity. By the time he came to pick me up my mom and I already had the speech prepared. Presenting it before all those people was truly a new, wonderful experience.

As I look back I realize that that opportunity helped prepare me for the positions I hold today. Those being: Editor in Chief of Calliope the Hillcrest High School magazine, senior class president, member in high standing of the National Honor Society, and a member of the Dallas Independent School District teen school board.

It is a real challenge being the first one in my entire family to go to college. However, I see all challenges as an excellent opportunity to do better than I am already doing. Last year, when I told Mr. Vincent that I was in the top 15 percent of my class, he said to me, “Why aren't you number one?” Well, I took that as a challenge and now I am in the top 10 percent of my graduating class, ranking 17 out of 354 seniors. I recently was voted Most Likely to Succeed, Friendliest, and at my senior prom I was elected Prom Queen by my peers. More so than that, according to John 15:16, I was chosen by God to go forth and bear fruit that it might remain. When I think of bearing fruit I think of helping children the way others like yourselves have helped me.

I know that going to college will be a challenge both emotionally and financially. Financially because my mom and dad do not make a lot of money, but God’s word tells me in Philippians 4:19 that my God will supply all of my needs according to His riches and glory in Christ Jesus.

It will be hard on me emotionally because the only time I have been away from home was when I went to the Kids across America Kamp with YBC. However, I do not have to be afraid because God’s word in Psalms 139:8-10 says, in summation, “If I go up to the heavens, God will be there, If I make my bed in hell, God will be there. I won't be going to hell for any reason, If I rise on the wings of the dawn, or settle on the far side of the sea even there your hand will guide me.”

As stated in Romans 8:37-39, “…in all these things we are more than conquerors, through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate me from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus.”

Thank you for helping me and all the children in YBC, and please remember me in your prayers.

The judges were looking for the students’ ability to articulate application of the mission statement of YBC in their lives—in particular, educational excellence, spiritual development, and a heart of service.

Leticia Bustamante, whose photo and speech are above, won the competition. Leticia has been in YBC since she was eight years old. She gave a very moving experiential speech, laced with scripture, stories, humor and academic excellence.

Chrystal Haynes, who has been a member of Youth Believing in Change for six years, did an excellent job in her interpretation of the poem If. We’ve selected it to go here, and it will be included in the next edition of newsletter.

Chad Goodlow, who has also been a member of Youth Believing in Change for six years, had a very well written speech. It is posted here and will be in the next edition of our newsletter as well.

Stanza one expresses the fact that determination and focus are the key to reaching your goals. While our peers may be straying from their goals and beliefs and looking for someone to shift the blame to, he encourages us to continue to believe in and do what is right even when the odds are against us. Kipling stresses that we should take a look at our doubters because their views offer us a chance to improve ourselves. The last part of this stanza talks about waiting and patience. Patience is a virtue that will make you a better person. Kipling warns us about the damage lies may do to our character and with that in mind he encourages us not to lie on others.

As young people we all have dreams. Our dreams may be to become rich, famous, or to simply do something lasting that will make a difference. However, it is unhealthy for us to be obsessed by our dreams. Kipling also encourages us to control our thoughts. Many thoughts will run through our minds, but we should be careful not to act on them. Our thoughts should not be our guides. When he mentions Triumph and Disaster, Kipling is simply saying that life has both ups and downs and we must take the bitter with the sweet and learn the priceless lessons they will teach us. Truth is something that a lot of people don't want to hear, but Kipling stresses that we should be able to bear the truth even when it is twisted by a tricky or deceitful person. It is only a trap for us if we walk into it forgetting that we left ourselves open to deceit simply because we chose to speak with people that may have never intended us any good in the first place.

The third stanza talks about loss and holding on, even when it seems you have lost everything. Just as we win with grace, we should be able to accept loss with dignity. We should hold on to our goals even when all we have is our will saying to us, “Hold on!” That is the Holy Spirit speaking and giving us the strength to carry on.

Stanza four is a very profound stanza because it talks about holding on to your values. We should be able to mingle with people with other beliefs yet be able to keep our own beliefs. Communicating with people whom society looks upon as being higher than others can turn you into an arrogant person. A person that is confident of who they are is able to maintain a level of commonality with people from all walks of life. When Kipling speaks of foes and friends only counting with you so much, he is simply saying that people will only go so far with you and maybe the ones you count on the most will let you down when you need them the most. He encourages us to make the most out of every minute.

Time is the one thing we can never get back. As young people we should never forget that. The result of doing these things will open the doors of opportunity for which we will be well prepared for. Then, we will be mature enough to handle anything else that life may throw at us. This poem is a very successful attempt to help a young person get through life. Life is a struggle and this poem basically tells you what to do in those times of struggle. By keeping your goals and your faith, you will be able to become mature emotionally and mentally.

This fall I will be a student the University of Texas at Dallas. I will major in computer engineering because it is an area I have some background in as well as a subject I enjoy.

There are not many black males in the computer industry, and I know I still have much to learn in this area of study.

Given my situation, a young black male from South Dallas, I am honored to even be here right now, as a majority of my brothers are out on the streets. Personally, I don't see the point of standing on street corners, drinking and doing drugs. After years of witnessing men and women, including my father, losing their lives to the bottle and other realted issues, I have decided to get my education and leave the drunks, drug addicts and thugs to their own devices. That said, I would like to use this time to talk with you about how patience, responsibility and self-acceptance.

These are character traits that Youth Believing in Change has helped me improve upon that will help get me through college.

I have been with Youth Believing in Change for about five years now. Ever since I first began volunteering at the summer camp in June 2000, I have had to ride the DART bus from South Dallas to get here. Before the rail station came to Walnut Hill, I rode for about an hour and transferred three times to get to YBC. Riding the bus is very tedious. James 1:2-4 (NIV) tells us to "Consider it pure joy. whenever we face trials... because the testing of our faith develops perseverence. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

For my patience and perseverance, Mr. Vincent rewarded me with a trophy in July 2001. Mr. David Pruessner also rewarded me with a medal of achievement for my participation in the chess club that summer. This same patience has gotten me through high school, and it will keep me focused on my studies while at UTD.

While the Bible doesn't use the words “responsible” or “responsibility,” it does teach us in the book of Matthew the story of three servants who were given talents based on their ability. Matthew 25:24-30 tells that the one servant who didn’t attempt to use what chance he was given was thrown out of his Master’s presence. The servant didn’t use what he was given to his advantage, and thus he was cast into the darkness. He was irresponsible and paid the cost of his mistake.

I see this as a warning that freezing up and not attempting to help myself, or not even taking a chance with what assistance I have received, will cause me to be sent back home from college. I have decided I will not allow that to happen.

Sometimes in life you have to be your greatest fan and cheerleader, and with patience, responsibility and self-acceptance I know I will succeed in following my calling to college.