Michigan is the eighth largest state in the United States. The State of Michigan has a population of 10,071,822 (U.S. Census Bureau 2000-2007). The State consists of cities from rural living to big city living with a very diverse population of all cultures. Detroit is the largest city in the State with a predominately African-American population. Traveling throughout the State, you can view nature at her peck during the seasons. Michigan has farmlands, apple, cherry and flower orchards of all types as well as being surrounded by the five great lakes. The trees changing colors is the fall are breath taking as well as seeking the snow on the hillside in the winter. There is an old saying “if you wait, your favorite season is just around the corner—you might see all four seasons in one day.”
With all this said about Michigan, the state is in an economic downfall. This downfall is due largely to the dependency on the auto industry. Yes, Michigan was known as the car capital manufacturer of the world. The auto industry was one of the largest employer’s in the State especially in the City of Detroit. The downfall of the auto industry was cause, in part, by out sourcing to foreign countries at a cheaper labor rate and health benefit cost as well as people buying foreign cars because they believe that foreign cars are made better as well as the “status” symbol of owing a foreign car like Mercedes, BMW, etc. With the car industry taking a downfall, this had an effect on other companies in their ability to sustain themselves. Also, during a former governor’s administration, the state was is a large deficit. Therefore, needed benefits for Michigan residents were discontinued, such as closing of mental health institutions, the Welfare system deleted, aid to schools decrease, etc., which in turn put people out of work. Therefore people had to move out of the State for employment. Although, the State as a whole, took an economical hardship, the City of Detroit appeared to be hit the hardest in comparison to the other cities in the State.
My vision for the State is for an economic comeback by investing in our natural resources, technology, neighborhoods and a better school system with smaller classrooms. We can see this development taking place now through “Tech Town” which is located between Wayne State University and the University Preparatory Academic High School. Also, the City of Detroit has made a comeback with investing in its downtown and riverfront areas. This can be seen from West Grand Boulevard to the riverfront of East Jefferson Avenue with the building of upscale homes and lofts, businesses such as Compuware investing in downtown Detroit, the entertainment district,( i.e., Fox Theater, Comerica Park and Ford Stadium), the cultural and university district as well as affordable housing throughout the state. My vision is also to see more culture diverse neighborhoods and schools intermingling together. This will help us to learn from and grow with one another.
My school, University Preparatory Academy High School (UPHS) which is predominately African-American, is located a short walk from Wayne State University’s main campus. UPHS consist of an elementary, middle and high school campus. The class of June 2008 will be the second graduating class from UPHS. There are approximately a total of 15 students in each classroom. The students have a high potential of wanting to make a difference in our State as well as in the City of Detroit. Nine-five percent (95%) of the students graduate and 91% attend college. With this ratio, the future of the State is in “excellent hands”.
With this rate, Michigan will have well devoted teachers, fixed budgets and qualified people in technology, science and math disciplines. University Prep is based on learning beyond the classroom. It is a college prep school that believes in making changes. We are UPHS a school that learns beyond a pencil between your fingertips.
