settle down, it'll all be clear.

To begin, I CANNOT get this song out of my head.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HoRkntoHkIE

Like a stereotypical nerd, I looked over the syllabus before the first Forum and tried to map out the speakers I would enjoy...Since I declared that Success by Six would be a huge part of my platform, I don't guess that it surprises anyone how much I enjoyed Emily Baker's lecture on Monday night.

Probably the most surprising thing we learned Monday night was that the director of Success by Six was only twenty-three. WHAT?! Considering I am going to be twenty in a few months, I seriously cannot imagine being offered a dream job before I graduate college (let's add that to my ever-growing to-do list.)

All of this really brings me to the point I'd like to make with this blog entry, and that is how incredibly THANKFUL I am for the life I am living. This semester finds me a little overwhelmed, but after listening to Mrs. Baker's speech, I realize how privileged my life has been.

Nearly half of America's kindergarteners are behind. Those who come from low-wage families are at least a year or two behind them. Fourth graders without reading skills are not likely to graduate, and seven out of every ten fourth graders can't even read at a basic level. Ninety percent of a child's critical brain development happens by age five. Kids learn through play. A one dollar investment towards every childhood development yields a sixteen dollar return.

All of these statements italicized above came from her lecture that was filled with interesting graphics and an amazing video that really hit home. Coming from the girl who probably cried when she made less than a 9/10 on her Accelerated Reading tests (when I was reading the hardest levels in the library just to earn more points), I really can't imagine not being able to read. I can't fathom not having books when I found it hard to pick out which book I wanted my parents to read to me before bed.

Because of these reasons, I find it hard to NOT want to work with Success by Six..especially when she confessed the organization only had one volunteer. (Being Fundraising Chair of Zeta definitely makes me empathetic to those who need volunteers...) Oh, and in other news, I am officially on schedule to mentor/tutor/help the little girl I talked about in my first blog. After lots of communication between her mother and her teachers, my first session with her will be next Tuesday! YESSSS! :)

Don't mind my little obsession with Success by Six..and expect to hear lots more about them in the future. Oh, and I hope y'all have a good week (considering it's Friday now, I consider that HIGHLY likely.. :) ...)