Arianna Kinsey

2007 SAM State Winner
CIS of Colquitt

Written Expression - Elementary School

What CIS Means to Me
An Essay By Arianna Kinsey

Hi, my name is Arianna Kinsey and I am in the 5th grade. I am going to tell you what CIS means to me. I love the CIS after school program, because it's not just a place to go and it's not just for black people; it's for the entire community. The meaning of CIS is Communities In Schools, but to me CIS means the House of Blessings. The CIS after school program helps kids with so much. They help you with your homework from school, they teach you why and how to say no to drugs, and they also help you get prepared for CRCT tests.

When I look around our community, I see violence everywhere. Little boys are in gangs and on the street selling drugs. Not just boys, but there are little girls who are dating older guys and dropping out of school. CIS teaches us that things like that are wrong and you regret them in the long run. CIS helps us keep our focus on being prepared for college and doing something positive with our lives. CIS has made me an achiever, especially when I felt like giving up and trying to cheat to get ahead because I didn't believe in myself. When I thought I couldn't get help, CIS came and changed my whole life.

Ever since I've been in the CIS after school program, I have made all A's on my report card and my attitude is better because I get better grades now. I participate more in class at school. I am in the Junior Beta Club. I love CIS and I hope the program continues forever. I have dreams that the little boys will stop selling drugs and little girls will stop dating the older guys. I pray that there are more people like Ms. Denise around the world so that everyone will unite together to make stronger and better communities. We are so blessed to be in a world today where we can get the help we need. Ms. Denise really put a lot of her time into making Communities In Schools successful.

I just would like to thank CIS because it has not only changed my life, but it has changed many lives. I would like to thank Mrs. Shay, Miss Tawanda, Mrs. Dekalb, Ms. McCastle, Miss Ann, Ms. Z, Miss India, Miss Tywana, Miss LaPorsha, Miss Latoya, and many other teachers that are a part of this great program. I am also thankful to Miss Yaskia, Miss Tonya, Miss Megan, Mrs. Vanessa; they were all teachers who used to work here but now they have gone but they all played a big part in making a difference in my life. A special thanks goes to Mrs. Olivia and Mrs. Cassandra for being the best site coordinators ever at the Ryce Center.

There's no other way to put it, everyone that goes to the Ryce Center is blessed. It's just a blessing to have that kind of help offered free of charge, because there are some children in the world who don't have a Communities In Schools after school program to attend. God bless all of you! I am glad God gave me their love and support. I want to let everyone know who needs help in school, here's something my dad has always told me "You have to believe to achieve." Thanks for believing in me. I am Arianna Kinsey!