The document is a biography written by Kiara about herself and the poet Maya Angelou. It describes Kiara growing up in Chicago and Bolingbrook, Illinois and her involvement in various sports and activities. It also provides details about Maya Angelou's life experiences overcoming abuse and becoming a renowned poet and author. Kiara admires Maya Angelou for beating the odds through strength and knowledge.

1. I AM.. By: Kiara

2. I Am A.. “PHENOMENAL WOMAN” Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's sizeBut when I start to tell them,They think I'm telling lies.I say,It's in the reach of my armsThe span of my hips,The stride of my step,The curl of my lips.I'm a womanPhenomenally.Phenomenal woman,That's me.I walk into a roomJust as cool as you please,And to a man,The fellows stand orFall down on their knees.Then they swarm around me,A hive of honey bees.I say,It's the fire in my eyes,And the flash of my teeth,The swing in my waist,And the joy in my feet.I'm a womanPhenomenally.Phenomenal woman,That's me. Men themselves have wonderedWhat they see in me.They try so muchBut they can't touchMy inner mystery.When I try to show themThey say they still can't see.I say,It's in the arch of my back,The sun of my smile,The ride of my breasts,The grace of my style.I'm a womanPhenomenally.Phenomenal woman,That's me. Now you understandJust why my head's not bowed.I don't shout or jump aboutOr have to talk real loud.When you see me passingIt ought to make you proud.I say,It's in the click of my heels,The bend of my hair,the palm of my hand,The need of my care,'Cause I'm a womanPhenomenally.Phenomenal woman,That's me. POEM BY: MAYA ANGELOU

3. In The Beginning… I was born in Chicago, Illinois at St. Mary’s Hospital on the night of September 12th, 1989. Parents of Lizzie Ann Murphy & Jeffrey Kye. Raised on the South Side of Chicago. Neighborhood violence lead to mother’s death at age the age of 24. My grandmother moved my sister and me to Bolingbrook, Illinois to have a better life in the suburbs.

4. My life Schooling I attended Woodview Elementary school K-5th grade. Humphrey Middle School 6-8th grade. Bolingbrook High School 9-11th (partially) Finished 11th 12th grade Hopkins High School in Minnetonka MN. Activities/Awards Softball from age of 6 yrs-17. Lettered in H.S. Volleyball, Basketball player for Panthers Club and 6-8th grade team player. Pop-Warner Cheerleading Varsity Cheerleading, lettered all 3 years at B.H.S. All-American nominated 2 years in a row for cheerleading. Track & field, state qualifier Former Miss. Chicago & Miss. Teen Illinois. Honor roll student for most of academic years. Michael Lehan Scholar Part of Gymnastics Team at Hopkins Higschool. Cheer team at MSUM 2009-2010, nominated best flyer and best jumps. Nominated top 3 nationally at UPA cheer & dance competition in Minneapolis, MN for best jumps, tumbling, and stunt group. Campus News at MSUM 2009-presently enrolled.

5. Look at me Now.. I am now a junior at Minnesota State University. Majoring in Mass Communications with an emphasis on Broadcast Journalism. I have very high expectations for myself. I am very goal oriented and I love learning. My sister, Alyease D. Jones, now in law school once told me… “School, learning and/or education is one thing no one can take from you, so take advantage of it.” So I plan to do that, for myself and my grandmother who has taken great care of my sister and me. With my faith in God I do not see myself failing. I have confidence in everything I do, and I won’t allow anyone to stand in the way of my dreams. I have a great support system to keep my grounded. I am young, but very wise, talented and very smart. If you don’t believe me, I’ll simply prove you wrong. I AM ME-->> Kiara: Clear; bright; famous

6. The poem written earlier was by Maya Angelou.She is known world wide for her beautiful poems and inspiring, such as “Phenomenal Woman, “In and Out of Time,” She also has over 10 books published by her.Like myself she has also had to deal with a lot of negative social norms. She over came being raped and abused in her child hood and growing up.

7. Born on April 4th, 1928 in St. Louis. Growing up Maya was raped and abused, she suffered and was mute for 5 years. Her grandmother encouraged her to get into the art of literature. There she emerged and became a very talented artist. She continued and by 1970 her first autobiographical book “I Know Why the Caged Birds Sing” was nominated best seller and nominated National Book Award.

8. Maya Angelou’s Impact Maya has impacted society for the better. She has brought more diversity to the theatre and to literature. In 1971 Maya became the first black woman to have screenplay produced as a film—Georgia. Maya was also the first African American cable car conductor. Maya Angelou was admitted into the Women’s National Hall of Fame for her achievements in Arts in 1994. Dr. Maya Angelou has received over 30 honorary degrees and is Reynolds Professor of American Studies at Wake Forest University.

9. Why I chose Maya Angelou I was stripped of a mother at a young age, and I had a hard time accepting it and growing up without my mother. Maya Angelou, too had hardships, with racial discrimination, dropping out of school early, and had no immediate family. She beat statistics and the stereotyping of everyone. She stayed strong and used her knowledge to make history. Maya Angelou is a hero in my eye and I was not surprised at all of her being in the National Women’s Hall of Fame. Like her I hope to shine through the darkness of people who doubt me or slandered my work. I want to overcome struggles such as her and stay positive while continuing to learn.

10. SOURCES http://mayaangelou.com/ http://greatwomen.org/women.php?action=viewone&id=11 http://www.google.com/#hl=en&q=maya+angelou&aq=f&aqi=g10&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=&fp=f151a643f773e887