I was only nine years old when I walked through the doors of First Philly. I saw this big new school with all this fancy furniture, computers, and all this cool stuff. I came to First Philly out of a public school that always had fights and the teachers were boring, except one. This was my homeroom teacher he was the only one that actually interacted with the class. But that still wasn't enough to make me enjoy and want to go to school. When I walked down the hall ways of First Philly I saw an awesome new start. Even though the ceilings and the gym and stuff weren't done yet I still was amazed and excited to start this new school.

Now I am 14 years old and this is my last and final year at First Philly. I am going to miss all of the friends that I’ve made here, but I’ll try my best to keep in touch with them. We have been through a lot over the years with each other, like losing to of our close friends Ajee Perry and Shatara English. But it took losing loved ones to bring us closer together and create a stronger bond between us all. And I know those two girls are smiling down on us right now and are so very proud that we made it all the way. And I know that they wish they could be here and give us one final hug and goodbye, but since they can’t they will forever be in our memories.

First Philly has tauught me a lot over the years that I’ve been here and I’m very thankful for everything that this amazing school has taught me. During my time here I have gained hard work ethic, determination, will power, and the drive to strive for the best. But most of all I gained family and probably some life long friends. Even though we might argue and have disagreements and maybe even go as far as not talking to each other for a while we still come back together in the in. And that is exactly what family is. And I am proud to call this class of 09’ my family.

This is my last year here at First Philly and I can honestly say that I enjoyed this last year. Nobody knows what my future holds but I will try my best and work as hard as I can to make my parents, and all the administration here at First Philly proud. This school has molded me into a mature respectful young man that will achieve at anything he does. I have had fun and enjoy every day I shared with the people here at First Philadelphia Charter, and I will never for get the people here who help me along the way. As Ralph Waldo Emerson once said “Do not go where the path may lead; go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” And that means that I won’t follow the path that other people have made. I will make my on trail and leave my legacy.

My Favorite Memory

The one thing that i remember the most from First Philly happened 4th grade year. This was my first year in the school and I had so much fun. My teacher was Mr. Cohen and he also was my basketball coach. His class was fun, but we also learned. There so many memories that I have from that year and in his class. Like when I got stock in his closet until lunch was over. And another one was when my best friend Abdill (who move to Texas that year) accidentally kicked Mr. Cohen in the woo-ha while doing one of his famous splits. But the number one thing i remember the most was when he lift that year. On the last day of school he told me that he loved me and that he'll never forget the name Donald Patterson. Then he gave me his little eagle’s dog that sung and danced to the eagles fight song. He gave it to me to remember him for one, and because i was always getting caught messing with it before class.