
Junior Achievement students at Prisk Elementary in Long Beach holding up "11" for the camera.
On Friday, I had the chance to speak in front of a junior achievement class at Prisk Elementary.
While I was speaking, I thought it would've been nice while I was in school to have a reporter come to my class and say, "Hey! You're just like me! You can do this too!"
I was a cheerleader in high school, on student council, hosted our assemblies and pep rallies, and won a few public speaking awards. Yet, there was moment that almost made me lose confidence in my future.
Every student has a school counselor who advises you on your class schedule to prepare you for the next step after graduation. You can choose to do the minimum to graduate, take the track for junior college or the advanced schedule to attend a 4-year university. Even though I took all of the appropriate classes for the university track, he recommended I attend a junior college. I didn't understand why, when I worked so hard and had decent grades? When I asked him why, he looked at me a little perplexed and exasperated. I felt small.
I remember questioning my self-worth. Shouldn't I want to be the best? I had always been taught to go for the biggest thing and let the chips fall where they may. I went home and told my parents what the counselor had told me. They just rolled their eyes and told me to blow him off.
A few years later, after I had graduated from USC and was producing KNBC's website at 21, I ran into that counselor at a Downey High basketball game. He congratulated me on my success and I couldn't resist reminding him of the moment that nearly made me lose faith in myself.
He gave me that same perplexed look.
I wanted him to know that adults can make or break a child's dreams. Thank God I had parents who always had faith in me. What about students who don't have that support system?
I know every bright student in the class I visited at Prisk has the chance to achieve their dreams. I hope every child in every classroom believes if they have a passion they can go for it. Try like hell to achieve it and don't let someone else tell you what you should expect of your life.

We had an American Idol style performance. She sang, Take Me Out To the Ball Game. The whole class joined in for a sing along.

This little sweetheart played reporter for us! Bravo! I wouldn't have had the guts to do that in elementary school. I was VERY shy.

She sang Yankee Doodle Dandy. The whole class joined in. We had a patriotic moment. :)

Signing headshots for the lovely students.

My little stars of tomorrow!
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statueman
May 13, 2008 | 1:22 PM |
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samo714
May 13, 2008 | 2:01 PM |
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Suzanne_Marques
May 13, 2008 | 2:29 PM |
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samo714
May 13, 2008 | 2:39 PM |
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saromchea
May 13, 2008 | 3:36 PM |
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Phil_Shuman
May 13, 2008 | 7:53 PM |
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Suzanne_Marques
May 13, 2008 | 8:35 PM |
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Paul_D
May 13, 2008 | 10:58 PM |
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samo714
May 14, 2008 | 7:27 AM |
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statueman
May 14, 2008 | 8:59 AM |
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Esau_Isaacson
May 14, 2008 | 11:29 AM |
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statueman
May 14, 2008 | 12:17 PM |
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bignickib
May 15, 2008 | 3:03 PM |
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samo714
May 15, 2008 | 3:29 PM |
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DfDeportation
May 15, 2008 | 5:13 PM |
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Al_Kaplan
May 16, 2008 | 10:09 AM |
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o0lux0o
May 16, 2008 | 5:10 PM |
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This_Aint_Your_Land
May 17, 2008 | 9:31 PM |
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statueman
May 19, 2008 | 6:28 AM |
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mystere
May 20, 2008 | 1:31 PM |
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Suzanne Marques is a native Southlander. She loves reporting in her hometown. She loves LA... She loves it!
Member Since: 7/18/2006