6th Grade Student

In fourth grade, a wise man told me “Be a leader, not a follower.” Before then, I wasn’t a leader but I definitely made my own rules.

Rule #1

“Get out of my way or get hurt.” In second grade, I started fights with anyone who tried to challenge me. There was a time I walked out on a substitute and kicked the projector down. The lunch lady tried to keep me from recess so I cursed her out.

Rule #2

“Don’t trust your friends.” I was alone and felt that everyone was scared of me. The person who knew me the most was the principal. In fact, the office was like a second classroom to me.

Rule #3

“School is a joke.” I thought to myself, “What a waste of time.” School was a prison to me and teachers were just trying to keep me locked in. The truth is that I was ashamed because I felt like I couldn’t learn.

School is no longer a joke to me. “Be a leader, not a follower.” Fourth grade is where I changed my life around. I felt like I wasn’t being threatened; safe. I made new friends and didn’t care to fight. I realized I’m great at science, math, and of course, PE. It’s a lot more fun to be in class, not the office. By sixth grade, I was the Positive Action Sumo and felt like the little ones looked up to me.

I took lead in different activities like reading groups and motivating my class at PE. To all my future lunch ladies – I will not cuss you out. My sixth teacher told me, “You get what you give.” My last report card was two As and three Bs. I share what I have with others and am generous to those who need my help. Whenever I do something good, I feel appreciated. I trust that others will be there to help me when I am down. Every Monday, I go to therapy. The counselor asks me, “How have you been in life?" Next time I see him, I will say, “I’m proud of what I have accomplished. Everything has been worth it. I‘m ready for the next move.”

Thank you mom for raising me. I promise you that this is how I’m going to be for the rest of my life. To my sixth grade class – Thank you for supporting me. Good luck. I hope the best for each of you. We are all ready for the next move.

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