(recited daily and lived always by the scholars of Milwaukee College Prep)

Today is a new day.

I will use this day to the fullest in my quest to know who I am, what I want and where I am going.

I believe in the relentless pursuit of excellence.

Education and success are my birthright.

My superior thoughts, discipline, dedication and desire are the tools I use to pave the road less traveled to college and beyond.

I am determined to build a better tomorrow for me, my family and my community.

I am the captain of my own ship.

I am fully responsible for the choices I make.

I always strive to be proactive.

I will surround myself with people that lift me higher and will not empower other’s negativity.

Names may hurt me, but I will not allow them to dictate my destiny.

I will always keep my compass focused on my “mission possible”.

There are no shortcuts in the relentless pursuit of excellence.

The only place where success comes before work is in the dictionary.

I am never in the land of the done, but always in the land of the doing.

I never rest until my good is better and my better is best.

I walk on the shoulders of giants who have gone before me.

I am Aesop and Maya Angelou.

I am the Bard and Barack Obama.

I am Marva Collins and Frederick Douglass.

I am Zarlenga.

From A to Z, I celebrate, emulate and commemorate their example.

I am not awed by the challenges of reality, but believe I can change the world and establish my legacy in it.

I am self-determined, self-generated, self-propelled and self reliant.

I believe that this is my time and my place.

I will find a way to achieve excellence, or I will make one.