Hello! How are you? Lots of things have happened since the last time I wrote.

During the winter break, last February, I went to Flushing town hall in Queens. I met Carlos Esguerra, a famous photographer. I saw his photos that were in the exhibit. After that, we ate at a shabu shabu soup restaurant.

The next day we went out to drive. We drove south to a hotel in Charlotte, North Carolina. We went further south to Atlanta, Georgia. We saw the Coca Cola museum and drank a lot there. Then we went to the Underground Mall. On the way back home, we stayed at a hotel in North Carolina again, and ate Hog Heaven barbeque at a welcome center in Virginia. Then we went through the Chesapeake bridge tunnel

Later in March, PEARLS Hawthorne School added a 6th grade. I知 going to stay there next year. I also did well in the PLUS exam, especially in Math, for the Johns Hopkins University. I am going to receive an award next Saturday at the State University of New York in New Paltz. Also, mom mailed my REACH Regis application. It痴 for a middle school program for the summer and Saturdays. The watercolors teacher displayed our paintings near the principal痴 office, too.

After coming back from the Philippines, I received a letter to come in for an interview for the REACH program. I went to Regis High School, in Manhattan. First we went to the cafeteria for breakfast. Then we went into the chapel to watch slides from kids who were in the program last year. My interview was in the Library. They asked me about what I do in school and about my teachers. They also asked me to read aloud a couple of pages.

I almost had a homerun in baseball. I ran all the way to home, but I bumped into someone, and that stopped me from scoring. In swimming, I知 at level four now, and I swim twice a week.

I知 on the honor roll this year, and the award ceremony is next Thursday. Joshua is the student of the month, and he gets his prize tomorrow. He値l be going to the next grade in the same school next year.

We just found out that I was accepted into the REACH program. Yesterday, we went to the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania. That is where I値l be staying for three weeks this summer. Mom took pictures. It was quiet and the stores are nearby. It looks like a good place to stay.

I値l write again soon.

by Darell