First and foremost I would like to thank everybody for showing up today to witness and support the celebration of our graduation. Mr. Flowers has taught us that the important thing in life is time and we appreciate  you spending a little bit of yours with us!

     My name is Shaka Kamara and I’m speaking on behalf of our entire class. ” Thinking for a change” has really helped change the way I think. It has helped me realize the importance of decisions we make. It is emperative that we make the right decisions, for the wrong decisions could cause us our life, freedom, or life.

       It has taught me not to be ashamed of my past but instead use it as a  tool of monitavation for the cultivation of  a productive present which will in turn lead to a successful futeure. It has helped me realize how to recognize my anger in its beginning stage and has taught me how to channel it the proper way to prevent it from turnig into rage.

       It has taught me effiecient methods to solving various problems in my life. And the first step in solving any problem is to in fact acknowledge that problem even exist. Denial is the biggest obstacle in solving “ANY” problem as well as curing any addiction. A friend oncetold me that denial is merely the acronym for “Don’t Even Notice I Am Lying”. And the only person you are lying is yourself. So yes, admitting you have a problem is the most important step in solving it.

      I would like to take this time to give a special “shoutout ” to Mr. Flowers as well as his assistant Ms. Johnson. Mr. Flowers you take the facilitation of this program very seriously. We can tell that you are very genuine and sincere about helping us make peace with our past and move forward with our future. I know we tend to laugh and joke at some of your gestures but when its all said and done I want you to know that “ We support you“, “We respect you“, and “We really appreciate you” and all that you have done to help motivate us change our lives for the best! 

         So on behalf of our entire class I would like to say … Thank you!

Sincerely,
Shaka Kamara