Frederic Reamer is a Professor of Social Work at Rhode Island College and the producer of This I Believe Rhode Island.

Tamar Paull is a teacher at Community Preparatory School in Providence.

Simcha Davis is a 7th grade student at Community Preparatory School in Providence.

Seeta Sistla is working on a PHD in biology at Brown University.

Tom Chandler is an associate professor of English and Cultural Studies at Bryant University and was Poet Laureate of Rhode Island until recently.

Amy Kalisher writes the blog Babies or Not.

Jenny Ngin is a seventh grade student at Community Preparatory School in Providence.

Marie Lee is a visiting lecturer at the Center for Study of Race and Ethnicity in the Americas at Brown University. She explains why she cares about careful preparations of meals:

Paul Drexel is a writer who lives in Barrington. He reminds us that many beliefs are formed by difficult experiences.

Wayne Miller is a reporter for the Providence Journal. He believes in his work

Alvan Kaunfer is a rabbi at Temple Emanu-el in Providence. He believes in traditional teachings.

Keishanna Cardoza is completing the 7th grade at the community preparatory school in Providence. She advises us to all take pride in ourselves.

Nic Retsinas of Providence tells us about the values he brought back from another part of the world.

Some beliefs remind us of how we would like to live, not how we do live. Cathleen Calbert reminisces about past friendships.

On this Fourth of July, Bill Shuey tells us about his belief in opportunity in America.

This week we hear again from a student at Community Preparatory School in Providence. Charlotte Forcht believes you should let nothing get in the way of accomplishing your goals:

This week, Tony Maione considers the lessons that can be learned from tragedy.

Tony Maione is president of the United Way of Rhode Island.

Many beliefs are related to perceptions. In this week's This I Believe Rhode Island essay, Julia Myler Simpson takes issue with issue with a perception about those of us who live here in the northeast.

Julia Meylor Simpson lives in East Providence and works as a corporate communications writer at Amica Mutual.

William Miles lives in Seekonk and is a professor of political science at Northeastern University. He tells us about what he realized after his time in the Peace Corps.

Keith Munslow is a storyteller and musician who lives in Providence. He tells about a belief that was re-affirmed, when he was pushed to try something new.

Robert Mann is a well known Rhode Island criminal defense attorney. He's proud of his work... but wonders about work not being done.

Tobin Tyler is about to enter the eighth grade at the Community Preparatory School in Providence. In this final 'This I Believe' essay from the school, she talks about the importance of her friends and their diversity.

Many personal beliefs stem from self awareness. Doctor Jay Baruch is the director of medical education and the department of emergency medicine at Memorial Hospital. He's also the author 14 stories - Doctors, Patients, and Other Strangers. He discovered something experienced by many patients.

Tom Coderre is a former Rhode Island state senator and national field director of faces and voices of recovery. He believes in second chances.

Like many of you who have submitted essays to this I believe Rhode Island, Jess Regelson believes in transformation. She creates mosaic art at her studio in Pawtucket and transformation is the focus of her work.

Doctor Stanley Aronson is dean of medicine emeritus at Brown University. He warns us against un-due devotion to our beliefs.

Joshua Stein is a professor of history at Roger Williams University. He explains his belief in the Rhode Island state motto. 

Karen Lee Ziner lives in Providence and is a reporter for the Providence Journal. Many deep seeded beliefs come from individual experiences. That's the case for this author who believes in neighbors.

Eighth grader Emma Yang Un believes in childhood.

Curt Columbus takes walks near his home in Pawtucket and is artistic director of the Trinity Repertory Company. He believes in community.

Ray Rickman is health care consultant and former Rhode Island state representative. He believes America's volunteer military service is not best for the country.

Many beliefs help us address the mysteries that surround us. Mark Arsenault is a mystery writer and a reporter for the Providence Journal. His most recent book is Grave-Writer. He tells us he believes in mysteries themselves.

Rachel Herz is an assistant professor of psychology and psychiatry at Brown University and the author of Scent of Desire. She believes in one key element of the holidays that you may take for granted.

Judy Barrett Litoff is a professor of history at Bryant University. She explains why she thought of women on Veteran's day.

Many personal convictions come from relatives. Sonn Sam is principal of the Peace Street Campus of the Met High School in Providence. He tells us what the life of one relative has taught him.

Angie Moncada is a public relations professional who has made a home with her son, cat and husband in Pawtucket. In her essay, she reflects on the meaning of family.

Sharing deeply held beliefs with others can be difficult. Writer Mary Ann Sorrentino is a former executive director of Planned Parenthood of Rhode Island and author of Abortion - the "A" Word. She believes in a personal approach.

Our first This I believe Rhode Island essay of the new year focuses on the role of work and business in our lives. Annie Doran is the founder of Fair Loom and fairloom.org. She believes in people coming together to make an organization succeed.

Sometimes, we need reminders to follow our beliefs. Maria DeCarvalho is an Episcopal priest who lives in Providence and provides organizations with compassion based communication training through the organization she founded, called Another Way. She tells about one reminder she received on a trip with her brother.

This essay focuses on what actions our beliefs lead us to take. Jerry Elmer practices law in Providence. He says he gladly lives with the consequences of his actions.

Among the many of you who have responded to our essay series are numerous young people. This morning's essay comes from an 11th grader at the Met School in Providence. Aminah Fonseca believes in pride.

University of Rhode Island science writer Todd McLeish watches birds in his Burrillville back-yard and during every vacation of adult life. He's author of the book Golden Wings and Hairy Toes. He explains his fascinations with birds.

Albert Silverstein ponders mysteries at his home in Pawtucket and is a retired professor of psychology from the University of Rhode Island. He tells us about his belief in a fictional detective.

Evolution can be a difficult thing to watch. In this essay John Monaghan, retired political reporter and managing editor of the Providence Journal, tells us how difficult it is to watch changes in a vital industry.

This I Believe Rhode Island essay this week concerns intimacy. It's something Doctor Charles Sherman, a pulmonologist at Coastal Medical in East Providence, came to appreciate only years after a great loss.

When not volunteering on east side education projects, Samuel Zurier is also an attorney practicing law in the city. He tells us that he believes in public education.

Throughout history, people have toasted each other on special occasions. Benjamin Gedan, a reporter with the Providence Journal, shares with us his unique experiences with toasts.

This week's essay is about generosity - something the Downing family found a few weeks ago outside the Dunkin' Donuts Center.

Neil Downing is a reporter for the Providence Journal. Katlin downing plays soccer and goes to school. She's in the 7th grade at Dighton middle school.

Many of us struggle to find balance in our lives. Bob Colonna is an actor, teacher, and the author of the book, Greetings Gate: The Story of Professor Jerry Colonna. He shares his thoughts about the role of ambition and passion in his life.

All of us know that life can serve up sudden unexpected challenges. Alan Rosenberg is south county regional editor at the Providence Journal. He tells us about the kindness that pulled his family through a crisis.

Jeanpaul Ferro is a writer and lives in the Wyoming section of Richmond, RI. He believes there is a lot to appreciate about living in Rhode Island.

Howard Tinberg lives in Pawtucket and is a professor of English at Bristol Community College in Fall River. He believes in the power of ten.

Penny and David Kadmon are physicians who live in Providence with their three children. They tell us about challenges and joy they experience as parents of a child with Down syndrome.

Andrew Schiff is executive director of the Rhode Island Community Foodbank. He believes our society can end hunger. His essay reminds us that getting enough food is a challenge for some Rhode Islanders.

Elizabeth Ochs is the coordinating editor of Street Sights, a newspaper published by current and formerly homeless individuals. She shares her beliefs about the remarkable strengths she has discovered among people who are homeless.

Henry Sharpe is the former chairman and president of the Brown and Sharpe Manufacturing Company. In his essay Sharpe shares his beliefs about the possibility of reconciliation, even among sworn enemies. Sharpe reflects on his World War II experiences fighting the Japanese and his eventual embrace of his former enemy.