Wow! I almost can't believe we made front cover! This is crazy. When I think back to October, I think of just some silly old project we started to practice our research, writing, etc. skills. I never thought we could actually get anywhere or get anyone to listen. The progress we have made in a matter of months is phenomenal because we can sincerely say, "We did this." To know that there are people out there who care and listen really touches down deep. We aren't alone. Knowing that gives me the incentive to remember it is not over yet and leave a footprint for future advocates. We made a difference!

You are so inspiring! I showed my class the newspaper article online, and they are so inspired by you! I teach first grade in Saint Charles, MO and they want to start advocating too! Keep up the great work. Change is being made because of you all!

The eighth graders have proven the saying, " Great things come in small packages. " Renaissance is a small school that is making a very big difference. The Advocacy Project started in the beginning of the school year. Now it is the end of the school year, and it ended up in the newspaper! Great job!

Wow, guys! Great job on making the paper! Now everybody will know about all the great work you guys have been doing.

You did a great job. This was a lot of work for the 8th grade, but i knew you guys could do it. You guys even got on the front page of the newspaper. I think this is a great way to learn. We only had a little bit of computers to work with. I think you guys did an awesome job. Thanks for all the hard work.

Congratulations on getting on the front page of the newspaper. The project was amazing. I read the article and thought it can be a LOT of work. Thanks so very much.

This blog inspired me to read every one of your posts. Emily, today I realized that you took a lot of your time to put some effort into this blog, and the advocacy project KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK Great job!!!!!!

I agree that the newspaper really does help spread the word to people and inform them about what's going on. Since the newspaper gets given out each day, the news is shown everyday. Also considering we are on the front cover,we would usually be read first.

Wow you guys worked a lot in this Advocacy Project.Thanks for your hard work. I know it was hard for you guys, but it was worth it. This is a better and more fun way of learning

Wow you guys worked a lot in this Advocacy Project.Thanks for your hard work. I know it was hard for you guys, but it was worth it. This is a better and more fun way of learning

I think that it is great that we made the paper. Now we know that other people understand what we are doing and care that this is a big thing. The news will certainly help us get more allies. Good work Emily. Thank you for the hard work you did to get this project its own blog.

When I first saw the front cover of the Mercury Newspaper, I was very ecstatic! The second I saw a big picture of Ms. Ibrahim and Kathy, I could not stop reading. I was very shocked that we actually took up most of the page; and then I saw that we also took up most of the second page! All the quotes said by our students really took over the story. It shows people that we are very passionate and have been struggling to accomplish this. We are making a difference for many future Renaissance students. I did not know that we would actually become big news someday. I feel very grateful that we have come this far to reaching our big goal. I hope the eighth graders next year will continue this project as serious as we are doing today.

This project has left a big impact on my life and I am really excited for the incoming 8th grade students to keep boosting up the technology in our classrooms and Emily has done a great job keeping everybody updated on our school project.

Well, I think we worked so hard to get better technology, and we did a great job accomplishing a lot of things.

Renaissance academy is a school that has left a lasting impact in our community and for all those people that want to get their voices heard get out there and let`s see what you are capable of . For the upcoming 8th graders I will like to see your talent and the capability of getting your voice heard. I know that you will have fun. Good luck!

I think that the advocacy project is a good thing because we are getting new technology for the school.

At the beginning of this project, I did have some doubts. I didn’t believe that we could reach out to people from across the country. I didn’t even believe that we would make it on the news. However, after the second phrase of this project, my mind changed. I believed that we could inspire more than just the people at Renaissance. I began believing we could inspire people throughout this district, state, country, and world. Although we are coming to an end of the school year, it’s not the end of our project. Although we will be divided throughout the high schools around us, we will still have that bond of unity we gained through the advocacy project. I hope that we will all carry the impact that was left on us to our high schools, colleges, and futures.