| Ahmad Smallwood wrote "As a young man in Paterson, he saw hardship and lost friends to the streets due to unavailable funds to attend college. I thank God for my parents and the sacrifices they make each and every day to pay for me to attend college." |
| David's Shoes |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| This is Christopher Canady. He is a freshmen at at the University of Maryland - Eastern Shore. He states in his essay " Honoring life requires that one not waste time but use the time life has afforded you wisely. It ia a precious commodity that should not be taken for granted. It is imperative that we seek to do something with our lives. |
| Kadeem Gaither. He is a freshman at St. Anslem College in Manchester, New Hamshire. He stated in his essay healthy living is enough to "pursue my dreams as far as possible." |
| He ends his essay responding to how he has honored his life by saying " Something positive came from the shadow of death that surrounded me. I decided to use it as my guiding light to help others around me and to create a better life for myself." |