A few years ago while living in Atlanta, Georgia, a friend of mine had a request. Tammi Sutton, who graduated with me at Westover High School as part of the class of 1992, is the principal and founder of KIPP Pride High School. In her efforts to seek positive role models for the students at her school, she was looking for people to become pen pals with her students. And she didn't intend for this to be a project for the year. She is asking us to be part of the students' lives until they graduate.

My friend, Raven, and I met while she was in the 6th grade. We have exchanged letters, but recently because of all my moving around, from Atlanta, to DC, to Charlotte, and now heading back to DC, we lost touch. Tammi sent me an email to see if I was still going to participate, and without hesitation, I said yes and am looking forward to hearing from Raven again this February.

One of the things I am an advocate about is being a positive role model to the younger generation. When they're not paying attention to us, they're playing Grand Theft Auto, watching Get Rich or Die Trying or listening to The Whisper Song.

When I got the email from Tammi, I felt embarassed that I lost touch with Raven. Raven has sent me holiday cards that she made herself that really made my holidays more alive considering at the time I wasn't looking forward to spending the holidays in a Radio Shack. Raven has sent me a photo of her in class, and I thought about the times when I also was a youngster in school and how much I miss it, and what I would've done differently if I had someone helping lead the way.

Sometimes I question if I should be in the program considering my knack for making risky business decisions, but I feel the main thing I can teach Raven is the power of controling her own destiny. So many times I witness people graduate from high school or college and get offered what looks like a good job and get so caught up in it that they lose focus of what they really want in life. I want my own private island and Radio Shack doesn't pay that much.

Before she walks the stage, perhaps I can encourage Raven to think about what she wants in life and start planning, even in high school, so when she gets out, all opportunities she is offered she plans on how to use those opportunities to further her personal goals in life.

I look forward to re-establishing my friendship with my high school friend, and I encourage everyone else out there to make an effort to also be a positive role model and who knows, maybe we'll learn a little about ourselves in the process.