SHANEEN KNOWS

*** This article was written 8/2018 *** It's the third week of school for Chicago Public School students. I've seen a lot of dads walking their kids to and from school which is a beautiful sight. However, it's  still disheartening to think   about  the massive  school closures that took place this summer , coupled with all  t he  violence  that is going on  in the Chicago  area.  Going back to school should've been an exciting time for both parents and students but with fewer schools open in the city this school year, there was more of a concern than a relief. I can't help but wonder why  millions of dollars is  going towards the re-beautification of Navy Pier, one of the city's main tourist attractions, but no money has gone towards the beautificat ion of C hicago Public Schools or keeping them open. No money has gone towards making Chicago a safer place to live. If you ask me, Navy Pier looks fine just the way it is. Over the summer, forty-nine Chicago school

After reading Kobe Bryant's open letter to his 17 year-old self, it made me think about all of the things I wish I had known then, that I know now. I think about all of the mistakes I could've avoided and all of the things that I could've done better. I also think about everything that happened when I was 17 years-old that shaped me into the person I am today and all of the hard lessons that I had to endure, which have ultimately given me valuable life experiences that I will take with me for the rest of my days, and pass them on to my children, nieces and nephews. You see, when I was a teenager, I didn't really have anyone offering up sound advice. My parents were still pretty young themselves... late 30's, early 40's so they were living their lives plus I was raised as an only child. My friends provided me with advice which is laughable because we were experiencing the same exact things. Their advice was no better than the advice I could offer them. We