Last week kicked off the official beginning of the Dream Project's '08-'09 school year. Last Monday I met fifty sixth graders at Nimitz Middle School in East Los Angeles in Miss Demowa's and Ms. Zembrano's combined class.

WOW! I was so impressed with the enthusiasm, the participation, the level of awareness in these inner-city 6th graders. I asked the students, "Who knows what the United Nations is?" Half the hands in the room shot right up in the air. I called on one boy who answered, "The United Nations is where representatives from every country around the world meet to work out their differences and come up with solutions to make the world better."

I was flabbergasted...who are these kids? Were they prepped before I walked in? They couldn't have been, this was their first day of school.

We are doing something new this year that we have never done before, and that is bringing in mentors--students that previously went through the program to support the kids that are just getting started. Eighth graders, Karla, Mayra, Jacob, and Michael showed up to dazzle the 6th graders with their leadership skills. I couldn't have been more proud.

Then, on the following day, we ventured over to Van Nuys to initiate day one of the Dream Project with Crossroads High School. There are definitely some bright stars in that group...There was a young man, Money (real name Manny, but he goes by Money, which is think is a brilliant affirmation) who shook my hand at the end of the class and volunteered to be the point person for the class. He said he has been a DJ since he was seven, and will put a music track together so the Crossroads students can create a Millennium Development Goal rap song.

Thank you Rudy for being our fearless camera-man, and to Amanda Addison for being my wonderful assistant. I feel truly blessed to be in your company to to be supported by you.

Needless to say, I am very excited about what will take place this year. Stay tuned!

Kelly