In one Chicago inner-city high school, students made the decision to improve the quality of life and education for all students. This school must accept all students who wish to attend. A majority of the students perform well below the national averages at the time of admission. This school is charged with overcoming the overwhelming odds of increasing student achievement following 8 years of poor preparation. More than 65% of the student population is classified as low income, and many receive public aid, live in foster homes, or reside in institutions for delinquent children. Crime statistics in this neighborhood school are very high. As you can see, life in this school community can be very difficult for these students. I was invited to come into this setting to work with 50 potential student leaders from all achievement levels. The students were a diverse group that needed to be constantly challenged to reach for new heights. One student in particular appeared to be uninvolved, and for a good part of the all day session, had his head down on the desk. An important part of what I do is recognize the subtle signals that students put out to determine what is really going on with them. It became obvious to me that he was “listening” in his own way to what was going on in the session, and thus, I made a decision to not confront him to “straighten up”. Occasionally, I would pass him by and tap him on the shoulder or give a glance and a wink and keep talking. When it was time for the entire student group to work on a vision for the school, Keith, “the problem student” sat by himself and made his own vision statement for the school - It is as follows: A DECLARATION OF ROBESON INDEPENDENCE When in the course of high school events, lots of changes go forth in our lives. We must follow our dreams, look for the unique goals in our lives. To explore the souls of our students. To give them a bright future. We want a peace of mind, a type of unity in our family. We must learn to have better communication among each other. Let success be our number one priority. Let education take us further in life. Try to be all that we might do. Let us have a form of dependability, work together, and find motivation to push forward. Give each other mutual respect, which will give us faith and self-esteem in each other. Learning to understand one another. Our achievements. Our knowledge. Our spirit. Let us all make a sacrifice, and hope that we can trust, and believe in one another. Each and every person is likable and unique. Throughout our lives, we’ve had joyous times, and times of pain. Let knowledge be power and let us say, “A powerful source of leadership will rise among us!” and the spirit of our school will never vanish from our lives, but will grow for years to come. A very inspiring vision, indeed! This experience with this student goes to the very heart of what needs to be going on in our schools. There is a vast potential, largely untouched in our young people, that must be recognized and tapped. We must see with a new heart and find that place of peace within ourselves first, and then what is waiting to be discovered is the richness of the future-our children’s minds, hearts, and spirit. Let us be steadfast and have the courage to be authentic and create places of peace in our schools in every community in our nation.