Lights and Songs.

There is something about the sparkle of Christmas lights and the ring of Christmas carols that makes me sad. Well, maybe as my mom says, emotional. Yes, Emotional. Emotional in a way that I am so happy that I could cry because I was born into a family that overflows with love. Tears that recognize the luck I have had, the opportunities, the education. But it also makes me so sad that I could cry. There is something about this season that makes me acutely aware of our totally unfair and unjust world. It makes me want to do whatever it takes to maybe just make one little dent towards the good in the world – towards peace, towards equal opportunities, towards safety, and love, and acceptance. Yes, definitely acceptance – we need more of that.


these are the gifts that were under my tree last year:

the future

Summer courses are over and I am more confused than ever about what the future holds. This time though I am not nervous or anxious – I am content. I do not need to have a vision of my life in ten years, five years, or even after this year. I think this contentment comes from two strong realizations. One, my life has never gone as I have planned it to. Where I though I would be and where I am, are distant places. Two, my life has worked out in amazing and surprising ways. I know I am incredibly blessed – I have been given opportunities and had experiences that have challenged my thinking, increased my faith, and brought clarity to the broad vision and purpose of my life. I don’t think I will ever be able to fully explain my personal experience as a student-athlete. I know that I cannot verbalize my years in New Orleans (although I’ve tried so many times) and how it has influenced me and my views in such a deep way. Now I add graduated school. Working closely with adults from a diverse background in athletics. 27 of us are now spread around the country – interning in all different areas, gaining practical experience and hopefully finding a niche in the wide open world. And another page turns…

Flyin' By...

WOW - half way done with my summer term already! Its crazy how fast this is going and how much we are learning. I feel like I am learning about everything I ever wondered about being a collegiate athlete and about so many things that I never even thought about. I am really enjoying the professors and all of my classmates (well, most of them). Everyone has such a unique perspective and personality. They did such an excellent job creating diversity in our cohort - just graduated, professionals, coaches, future ADs, DI, DII, DII, married, kids, all ages from 22-35, collegiate athletes...The mix really makes it interesting.

A bunch of us spent 4th of July "camping"/sleeping in tents in some ones backyard (clearly, you can see the house in the picture).

Cliff Notes from Grad School: Week One

- It’s a little cold in Seattle, I mean, maybe I was talking up summers in the Northwest a little too much, but seriously? In the 50’s at night and a high of 70 degrees – I am ready for a little something more.
- I have been riding my bike to school and each day seems to be a new adventure. I have some getting into shape to do – the 4.5 mile fairly flat ride should not make my legs as tired as they have beenJ As a hear “On your left” over and over I try to make excuses for myself – I don’t have a fancy bike or but I am carrying a 20 pound bag, but really I just need to dig in and get stronger. For now all I feel is the wind of the bikes flying by and the view of these old men with white hair and tan skin. Maybe by the end of the summer I will have as nice of calves as they do.
- On the way home on Tuesday a rat ran in front of my bike. I was less disturbed by the fact that a rat had actually just crossed the path in front of me and more distracted by the fact that this rat seemed to have a very kinked tail. Do rats play chicken with the bikes? And if they do, this one needs some practice.
- So far my all of the professors, directors, guest speakers, and fellow-students have been great. How inspiring and productive it can be to have such a diverse group of ages, backgrounds, and experiences come together with a common passion. NFL players, Olympic medalists, DI athletes, athletics directors, academic service advisors…AWESOME, but a bit intimidating.
- Now back to work – a paper to write then 5 articles and 7 chapters in my textbook to read, better start crossing something off that list.
- So, I wrote this originally entry on Friday, but because I don’t have internet at my place yet I never posted it. The thing is, now it is Monday morning and I have to pull back on my weather comments – this weekend was wonderful! The sun was out, clouds were gone, and the words “I love this place” continued to slip out.
- Friday night our IAL (intercollegiate athletic leadership) cohort had a happy hour then I went over to the Whalen’s for a nice family birthday for Tom. Saturday morning Carlo and I went rollerblading at Aliki, maybe the most beautiful place to view the city. The rest of the afternoon was spent reading and napping (maybe a little too much of the napping…) I met up with Carlo again at a hockey BBQ and was introduced to a bunch of the guys he plays with – good and fun people. After that I went to see the Hangover with Tom, Cory, and Zach. Sunday I woke up early, wrote my paper, went to church, met with my new prof, did some reading, talked to friends, and made some pizzas that I ate with Linda (my mama housemate) and Jessie (a new friend from IAL). The point is, it was a great weekend…
- Week Two, accounting – now this will be interesting.

Questioning Love and Hate.

How do I teach love? Do you love because you have been loved? Do you hate because that is what you know? If you know both hate and love, which will prevail? And why do hate-filled words and actions show easiest to those you love the most? What is the magic recipe for those kids who do know so much hate, but break through the cycle using their hurt as motivation to spread love and joy and encouragement? Do my students know how much love I have for them? Do they know how much it breaks my heart when they say such ugly things to each other? How can I ever know? How can I be a model of love, unconditionally? Just as I wish the words would be carefully spoken from student to student, I must be careful to speak only with love. For when the patients dwindles and the temper heats up my words fill quickly with hate just the same. I bite my tongue and change my tone. I forget my ego and remember all we can accomplish comes in baby steps. I speak to the love I have and the love that will carry me though. And even when chaos muffles my words I will keep speaking because that is simply the only way anyone can ever hear me.

“If you mess up, don’t stop dancing”

I am listening to the chattering and giggling of hundreds of little girls and a few wonderfully brave boys. From age 5 to 18, the kids are smiling. They are happy and nervous - all starting to feel the butterflies in their stomachs. I hear no cursing, I see no pushing, I am filled with joy. Brianna peeks back to make sure I am still here. A quick wink and smile comforts her fears. I wave to some of the other kids’ mom’s across the auditorium and hear a tiny dancer ask Brianna if she is adopted. Maybe not, but my pride for my little girl is beaming as bright as all the other moms. She now knows what it feels like to truly dedicate her self to something. She did not get a prize, money or candy, but the smile that she can’t hold in as she dances across the stage lets me know that this is far better than all that. She gets it.

Our Fears.

I want my students to see how far they have come throughout the year. I want my students to be respectful to me, but more importantly to eachother. I want my classroom to be safe. I am reflecting upon the vision I created for my classroom and it does mot mirror the reality. Instead, these days are becoming more and more frustrating. They are fighting. They are talking. They are doing what they want, when they want. I request something as simple as sitting quietly and half of the class could care less that any words came out of my mouth at all. They will respond when I yell, as many of the other teachers who are facing the same end of the year struggle have resorted to. But I refuse. I have finally come to see that while it may be fulfilling in that very moment, in the long run it does nothing, but swiftly break down the respect that took so long to build up. I always regret it. I don't know what to do. I don't know what to think. Frustration is high and productivity has hit an all time low. How can I be strong so that my students will want to finish up the year doing whatever they can to prepare themselves for 4th grade? How can I give them that final push to take pride in themselves and what they are creating? I wish they could understand how much I care for them. I try to tell them, but I don't think they understand. I love them by pushing them to be their best. I love them by making them read everyday. I love them by forcing them to face the consequences when they make bad choices. Unfortunatly, in their minds these statements of love are actually acts of hatred. My heat breaks. I don't want to count away the days because I want each of them to be worth something. I have worked too hard to end this on such a bad note. As I write, I am beginning to realize this is all a self-centered battle. I am afraid to be finished. I am afraid to leave here feeling as though I have failed.

Holding on to what is good:

Where I am.

I have lived in a bubble my entire life. I never realized it before,
and now that I am out, I hope I never go back. It's much harder
outside the bubble. Its raw, it is rough. It is truth. I am a better
person outside the bubble. I understand the world and the density
of the problems we face a little better. I am aware of different
cultures, different ideas and different lifestyles. I am positive that
most things are neither black nor white, but gray. And no matter
how frustrated and fatigued I get, I have to thank God for guiding
me here, outside the bubble. This is where I belong.

Words.

Words. I am tough with sticks and stones,
but when it comes to words I break. We don't
think enough about choosing our words, they
fly from our mouths like fire from a dragon.
Hurtful words. Damaging words. Words that
will be remembered far longer than the
uplifting words. They break hearts and ruin
confidence. We should choose the loving
words, the simple encouragement - treating
each other with respect. Or silence, the gift
of knowing when to hold our words in.

Down on the Bayou.

We pulled up to the “Bayou Barn” and the gravel parking lot was full. Cars parked in all the parking spots plus all the grassy areas around. “This many people are canoeing?” I wondered if there would be any canoes left for us to rent. But then I noticed that the people seemed to be a little too dressed up for a day canoeing in the swamps. “Is that woman wearing a wedding dress?” KJ questioned. Sure enough, these people were not at the Bayou Barn for canoeing, but for a wedding – Louisiana style.

After awkwardly walking around the building in search of a front office we got back in the car. We were about ready to leave when we spotted a self-conscious teenager hanging his head as he fumbled around with the canoes on the rack. We got out of the car and sure enough it was his first day as an employee of the Bayou Barn. He led us right through the wedding reception, past the keg, excused our way by the boogying bridesmaids and made it into the office where Ms. Linda was there to help us out. Well, maybe I shouldn’t call it ‘help’. I asked her if we would see alligators, she said, “Oh, yeah, bay-bay, they be all out in that swamp.” I was satisfied. She asked KJ and I to sign on the line. She took our money, held my ID, and handed us a map that looked like a blurry ink splatter with sharpie arrows on it because it had been copied so many times. Then she turned and said, “Have fun.” There was no, “Have you ever been in a canoe before?” or “Don’t stand up in the boat” or “This is what you should do if you get bitten by a venomous Water Moccasin.” Nor did she advise us not to feed the wildlife, or pick the flowers, or go for a swim. She didn’t tell us that the swamp would be covered in plants that are very hard to row through or even a time that we should be back.

We walked over to the canoe, sat down, the awkward teen handed us some life jackets that were made in 1971 and would surely sink to the bottom of the swamp. Then he pushed us into the swamp. Moments later as we tried to get some rhythm my heart started to pound. I finally realized that while it was super exciting to have our freedom, I was not prepared to have an alligator swim passed our little canoe. Eventually we both got more comfortable or maybe just distracted by the fact that we were rowing through thick swamp plants that made it seem like we were actually on land. Two hours of that and we were worn out.

It was a beautiful day and we had such an amazing time. We saw some snakes, lots of frogs, but were disappointed that the only gators we did see were far off swimming ahead of us. We headed back the way we came to check out the other end of the swamp. To get there we had to pass by the Bayou Barn and the reception had really gotten started by then. The music was blaring and all we could do was laugh. So just about 50 yards later we really get stuck in the plants. We rowed and rowed until we finally broke loose and picked up some speed through the water. Just then there was a splash just a few feet in front of the boat and KJ says, “Uh, we really shouldn’t run into this one.” I thought she was talking about the little gator that was swimming away from us, but when she very sternly said “GET OUT YOUR CAMERA”, I took a second look. About 15 feet off to the left side of the boat was the largest alligator I have ever seen taking a nap on a small island. I felt about the same as last summer when we crossed paths with a huge grizzly bear in Glacier National Park. The gator was probably about 200 pounds, significantly smaller than the grizzly, but this time we were drifting towards the beast instead of backing away. The alligator had it’s inner eye lids closed and what seemed like a million very sharp teeth glistening in the sun. The gator was so still that KJ asked, “Is that real”. “Why would there be a fake gator out here?” I questioned. Our eyes never left that powerful animal as we continued to drift closer. Suddenly, in a flash the brute opened its eyes and dove into the water disappearing under the duckweed. Now this was the point that said my prayers. We had no idea where it went.

I had my ore sticking straight into the air, legs crossed, arms wrapped around my body in attempt to stay as far as possible away from the edges of that rickety old canoe. I thought I was going to pee in my pants. We spent a minute silently looking around in the water hoping for some sign that the gator was gone. Finally, when our heart rates evened out we finished up our adventure. And what an adventure it turned out to be. Anyone up for a trip to the bayou?

I recieved a new girl in my class who came from Lake Havasu City about 3 weeks ago. After a week of confusion because she has the same name as another girl in my class, I have given her the nickname Arizona - she even writes it on all of her papers now. So Arizona's mom moved her 6 children here from Lake Havasu because her fiance got a job here that pays well enough so that she will not have to work and can spend more time with her kids. The thing is, she had no idea of the state of public education in NO. Can you imagine...moving your family into the lowest achieving school district in the country and having no idea? The mom came in to talk to me after school during the first week and after about two minutes the tears were flowing - from her eyes and mine. I work here, so I should support this school, right? But how can I look at this woman and tell her it is going to be all right? That her children will be safe and challenged academically? I am here everyday, I know what its like. So I told her the truth. I told her needs to get her kids into one of the charter schools that is already seeing great progress. We researched the highest achieving schools and are hoping that all six of her kids will be placed for next fall. For now, I do my part pushing forward with adorable Arizona and the rest of my class.

The Happy List

This is a list that The Cooneystavan's (Kels, KJ, Aubs and I) created through many e-mails over last year. There are so many things to be happy about and its good to remind ourselves everyday:)

THINGS THAT MAKE THE COONEYSTAVAN’S HAPPY:
1. Peanut Butter (after its all stirred up)
2. The smell of home baked bread and then eating it of course.
3. The tired feeling after you exercise really hard where your muscles seem to make complaining sounds if you try to move and then you sleep really, really well.
4. Bunny Cakes (I found our Easter cake in my pile of pictures)
5. My hand mask with Burt’s Bees gloves that have bees on them and when I wore them out of my room my roommates thought I was crazy (nothing new, miss you guys)
6. You three.
7. Dinners with Tom.
8. Movie dates with Carl over the phone.
9. Long walks on beautiful Seattle days.
10. Blueberry muffins.
11. Good mail.
2. E-mails like this one...
13. Mardi Gras parades.
14. Colorful sunrises.
15. Hard work-outs.
16. BBQing.
17. Sporting events.
18. Margaritas.
19. Hot yoga.
20. Cuddling.
21. Back massages.
22. Dancing.
23. The number 23, and Michael Jordan.
24. God.
25. Inspirational Quotes: "Don't ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive." - Howard Thurman
26. When it looks really warm outside, but its really only 9 degrees!
27. Long Showers.
28. Pets like Blanca who live to be 14 years old.
29. My students telling me who is "going" with who during our lunch party.
30. Sunshine and blue sky in January.
31. Hot Cocoa.
32. In some strange way... the way that life never goes the way you plan it to.
33. Snow/Montana's Beauty/Sunshine all illuminating at the same time.
34. Seattle T-shirt Days.
35. My Scrapbooks.
36. Cider Beer.
37. Those once in a while days that you take a look at your life and realize how much you are loved.
38. When Tom comes to visit, I will be an even happier girl when he is here for good!
39. June 21, 2008.
40. Packages from my favorite people (i.e. scarf/hat from KJ, our keep in touch book- from Sar)
41. Days that I feel I have control of my life.
42. Sweets.
43. Sweats.
44. My bed and a goodnights sleep.
45. My Tommorow book that KJ gave me.
46. Pictures .
47. When I hear that all my closest friends are super happy.
48. Planting seeds and watching them grow.
49. Snowbows.
50. Cheese.
51. The smile that comes to my face when I think of the three of you.
52. Looking at old pictures and remember how much fun we always have!
53. BIRTHDAYS!
54. Making dinner with friends
55. Pregnant bellies (did you all hear that Jaynie and Earl are pregnant?)
56. The first sign that spring is coming... the crocus.
57. Crazy letters from all of my little pen-pals!
58. Dinner dates with friends.
59. Tomato basil soup and bread from Metropolitan Market.
60. Chocolate Zucchini Bread (its even good after 2 weeks in the mail, hahah!)
61. Happy Feet!
62. Mugs with special pictures all over them.
63. Competing bars with my parents there to see it.
64. Easter with family
65. 4.0 gpa for winter quarter (better be happy about this one while I can, cause I know it's only going to get harder)
66. Acceptance into the OT grad program at UNM.
67. The arrival of spring and reading in the sunshine!!!!
68. The amazing gift of Easter.
69. Floppy eared dogs with their heads out of the car window.
70. Homemade cookies warm out of the oven (with a cold glass of milk of course).
71. Little adorable turtles (check out the attached picture - he was walking down the sidewalk at school!)
72. Dinners at Station 20.
73. Trips to visit good friends.
74. Long bike rides.
75. Wonderful spring days filled with friend time, laughter, and not having to accomplish much.
76. Mercy and forgiveness.
77. Hot tubs and the refreshing feeling of jumping into a pool afterwards!
78. A good nights sleep.
79. My chocolate puppy, "Rudy".
80. Happy Hour.
81. All Saints.
82. Watching boats on a sunny day.
83. Seeing your friends in the newspaper and getting the recognition they deserve.
84. Jazz Fest - a day in the sunshine with good food and great music!
85. The anticipation of trips and visits from good friends.
86. Running in the rain.
87. Knowing that two of you have found the love's of your life.
88. My cowgirl boots
89. Triathlons (we should really all train and do one sometime. We can make it a reunion and go somewhere fun!)
90. Enjoying a cooling rain from the porch.
91. Invitations to spend time with quality people you do not yet know well.
92. Getting engaged to my best friend on our favorite mountaintop!
93. Organizing and preparing for new beginnings.
94. Waking in my bed with one lab at head and the other curled at my feet.
95. Good health and fitness, especially after losing all my strength in the hospital for the past 5 days with a nasty intestinal infection that was poisoning my body.
96. Helping, loving, motivating, and caring.
97. Getting all dressed up for a night on the town.
98. Coffee dates
99. Hot air balloons floating in blue sky--And watching one be blown up on campus for an audience of children with special needs/ terminal illness from our children's hospital (It gave me goose bumps to see their excitement)
100. YOU!



I miss these days!

It's Official...

I am moving back to Seattle! I will begin graduate school in June at the University of Washington. I will be working towards a Masters in Education in Intercollegiate Athletic Leadership. I am so pumped:) So many adventures ahead...


I took this picture from Alki Beach...I couldn't resist moving back to a place like this!


I took this photo off the internet. This is the UW football stadium. Maybe the football players are too amazed by the beautiful view to concentrate on their game. Don't worry, I'll get them into shape for next year!

Too funny.

Malik: Miss Sullivan, all the girls keep touching me.

Sullivan: Thats beacuse they all love you Malik.

Malik: But Miss Sullivan [puts his arm around me] I don't like them like that - I only like YOU like that.

Mardi Gras is so amazing because it can be whatever you make of it. Its probably not quite like you imagine - definitely not all drunken chaos. Although, if that's what you want, I know where you can find it;) We tried to mix it up and check out all the sights this year. Here are some of the best moments:

The first parade of the season, Krewe de Vieux, and our incredibly large beads!


Sporting our handmade Tu Tus on the roof of Willy's school. A great view of the Endymion Parade!


Willy and I took the little neighbor girls to Bacchus. This darling girl spends so much time hanging out with me that she calls me mama.


Courtney's friend from UVA and I right in front of my favorite, Trombone Shorty!


After Jazz Sunday at church we made our way to Magazine Street to catch Thoth


The need for beads is hard to explain, but we got our fill and afterwards we really just needed a nap!


With Courtney, my beautiful little sprite, at the Zulu parade, nice and early on Fat Tuesday.

It's a record..

We set a record at school this week, and not in a good way. I think all can agree that this past week was officially the worst week ever. Let me just name 5 incidents that happened out in New Orleans East this week...
1. I got punched in the face.
(You may think that is enough to make it the worst, but there is so much more)
2. A student was talking about this teacher's mama so in turn the teacher yelled some comments about the sexual favors that she has been performing on another student in the class.
3. A student started a garbage can on fire.
4. A teacher had a minor heart attack.
5. A paraprofessional was arrested for fraud, drugs, and a couple other things...

In the midst of all of the chaos I tried hard to focus on all the little successes and funny things that happened each day. This conversation really made me laugh at the end of a long day:

Student: Oh, White Jesus!
Teacher: What?!?! What and why are you saying that?
Student: Oh, Miss Sullivan you never seen First Sunday?
Teacher: Nope
Student: Oh, White Jesus! They say that in that movie, its so funny.
Teacher: {insert confused look}
Student: Have you seen Lil' Man?
Teacher: No
Student: Miss Sullivan you been in Oregon too long.
Student 2: Oregon don't got nothin' on us.

P.S. We went to the first Mardi Gras parade of the season last night and I got some beads as big Christmas ornaments:)

Every once and awhile...

Every once and awhile something happens that reminds me that I am doing something in my classroom. I gave my students an assignment to write a letter to someone who is a role model to them. They had to thank that person and let them know why they admire them. Here are a couple letters that some of my little girls wrote to me:

Dear Miss Sullivan,
I really want to thank-you for makeing me a better read and learner. You are my role model. Miss Sullivan. I admire you because you are a great teacher. I want to be a teacher now. I admire how you help everyone and you try to be good and you try to get everyone to work. Yes again thank-you and that is why you are my role model. That is why I admire you!! Good-bye.

Dear Miss Sullivan,
Thank you for being my teacher. You give me homework. You give me a lot of homework. I admire you how you teach me. Thank you for helping me.

Dear Miss Sullivan,
Thank you Miss Sullivan for teaching me. Miss Sullivan you are a really good at teaching me. Miss Sullivan you are a nice woman and a gentle woman. Again, thank-you so much Miss Sullivan for teaching me. I love you Miss Sullivan.

My Life Lately

A quick list of the best things that have happened in my life in the past couple of months...

Barack Obama is officially the 44th president

Kelsey, Tom, and Zach all came to visit me in New Orleans

Aubrie and Carl came to ring in the New Year

I spent Christmas in the "40 year storm" in the Northwest

I turned in my applications to grad school in Athletic Leadership to UT Austin, UW, Northwestern, and Temple

I had an amazing trip to Fort Collins to spend Thanksgiving with KJ

This list could go on....

Life is good, I am loving New Orleans and my friends here. My job is just as stressful as ever, but I am doing a better job of separating it from my life. On top of all of the amazing visitors and trips I have already had, I still have so much to look forward to. I am happy:)

Dear Mr. President

These are the letters my students wrote to Barack Obama to encourage him, make a request of him, and even give him some advice:

Dear Barack Obama,
When you become president I hope that you work hard. When you change the world I hope that you change Iraq so that no one will get hurt. I think you are a good parent and that you will be a helpful president.
From,
K.H


Dear President Obama,
My advice to you is to do good and stop the war. When you are the president could you please take care of my city, New Orleans? You are good and I am so happy that you are the president.
Sincerely,
R.W.


Dear Barack Obama,
You are lucky to be our president and we are lucky you are our president. Please, please remember to help poor people. I want to encourage you by saying you are really great and a good leader.
Respectfully,
F.B.

Dear Mr. President,
My advice to you is you should give the poor people food. I hope you will be good to people. I am happy that you are the first black president!
From,
A.A.

Dear Barack,
My advice to you is to let the toys be cheap. When you are the president could you please not mess this up? I want to encourage you by being a good boy. I am so glad that you are our president.
Sincerely,
T.R.

Dear Barack Obama,
When you become president you should wish that the 3rd grade will pass the iLEAP. Wish us good luck, please. And please can you help me get all the people that smoke to quit? You make me want to be a president when I grow up!
Sincerely,
J.W.

Dear President Obama,
First of all I want to start with a congratulations for being the president of the United States. When you become president will you please take good care of the white house and take care of your wife and kids. Listen Mr. Obama, I want you to take care of the country as a good president. Barack Obama, please break up all the wars and bring them together as a big family. One more thing, I think you will make a perfect president for the country.
Sincerely,
G.P.

Dear Obama,
My advice to you is to put computers for all the student in each classroom. When you are the president could you please give poor people stuff on the holidays? I think that you are a role model to people. I know you are a role model to me!
Your Friend,
M.G.

Dear Barack Obama,
When you become president I wish you will do the right thing. When you are president could you remember my name, please? My name is M.B. I am proud that you are the first black president.
Love,
M.B


Dear Mr. President,
My advice to you is to please take care of the poor. Maybe you can invite me to the white house and we can go feed the poor and we can also give the children toys. When you are the president could you please come to my house. I really want to meet you and your family. I think you are the man. I read your book and it was great. I love seeing your face. Your face has hopes and dreams. Make those dreams come true.
Best Wishes,
J.C

Dear President,
Hello, my advice to you is to be safe and watch out for cars. Please remember to take care of your family. I think you are a great father.
Love,
L.F.

Dear Barack,
My advice to you is to help the poor people. Barack you are a man who has a lot of money. Please remember to bring some money for the poor people. I am happy because we got a black president.
Love,
P.J.

Dear Pres,
How are you doing in the White House? I am glad that you are the president. I hope you are not like the old president. I hope you are ten times better than him.
Respectfully,
T.C.

Dear Mr. President,
When you become president can you make Louisiana a good place to live in, please? Please remember the homeless people. I think you are going to be a good president. I am so proud that you are going to be the next president.
Love,
J.J.

Dear Mr. President,
Words cannot express the feelings of pride and optimism that are exploding inside of me. This is a new day and our country is ready for change. You symbolize the possibility for change for me and so many Americans.
I am so excited that my students have you as an incredible role model. You have worked through adversity to ensure that the right thing is done. You are proof to us that nothing can stop us from having big dreams.
I urge you to stay strong, continue to root yourself in morality and work hard to accomplish the things you have promised to us. We are counting on the change you speak as we strive to encourage, support and cheer for you along the way.

God bless you Barack Obama.

With Great Respect,
Miss Sullivan