The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond XXX
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the<br />
<strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Boston</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Beyond</strong><br />
Award-winning essays on courage written<br />
by sixth grade students participating<br />
in <strong>The</strong> Max Warburg <strong>Courage</strong> Curriculum
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Courage</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Children</strong>:<br />
<strong>Boston</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Beyond</strong><br />
Volume <strong>XXX</strong><br />
2021<br />
Award-winning essays on courage<br />
written by sixth grade students participating in<br />
<strong>The</strong> Max Warburg <strong>Courage</strong> Curriculum
<strong>The</strong> Board <strong>of</strong> Trustees <strong>and</strong> staff <strong>of</strong> <strong>The</strong> Max Warburg <strong>Courage</strong> Curriculum, Inc.<br />
would like to express their sincere gratitude <strong>and</strong> appreciation to those<br />
individuals <strong>and</strong> organizations who have given so generously <strong>of</strong> their time,<br />
talent, <strong>and</strong> energy to THE COURAGE OF CHILDREN: BOSTON AND BEYOND,<br />
VOLUME <strong>XXX</strong>.<br />
Editing<br />
Liz Watson<br />
Alex<strong>and</strong>ra Marshall<br />
Elizabeth Evans D’Ascensao<br />
Richard Masciantonio<br />
Eliza Cowan<br />
Caroline Hovey<br />
Photos<br />
Due to Covid-19 <strong>and</strong> the school closures, all the student photos included in<br />
this book were kindly provided by each student’s school or parents.<br />
Photo Credit for Max’s photo Condée N. Russo.<br />
Northeastern University Reprographics<br />
Marina Flessas <strong>and</strong> Andrew Boucek, Cover Design, Book Layout,<br />
Pre-press <strong>and</strong> Production<br />
Founded in 1898, Northeastern University is a private research university<br />
located in the heart <strong>of</strong> <strong>Boston</strong>. Northeastern is a leader in experiential<br />
learning, interdisciplinary scholarship, urban engagement, <strong>and</strong> research<br />
that meets global <strong>and</strong> societal needs.<br />
www.northeastern.edu<br />
THE COURAGE OF CHILDREN: BOSTON AND BEYOND, VOLUME <strong>XXX</strong><br />
is a publication <strong>of</strong> <strong>The</strong> Max Warburg <strong>Courage</strong> Curriculum, Inc.<br />
© 2021 <strong>The</strong> Max Warburg <strong>Courage</strong> Curriculum, Inc.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Courage</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Children</strong>: <strong>Boston</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Beyond</strong><br />
ii
Table <strong>of</strong> Contents<br />
Dedication<br />
Champion <strong>of</strong> <strong>Courage</strong> Award<br />
Elsie Wilmerding Award for Excellence in Teaching<br />
A Tribute to Stephanie Warburg<br />
<strong>The</strong> Max Warburg <strong>Courage</strong> Curriculum, Inc.<br />
Participating Schools<br />
Participating Teachers<br />
viii<br />
ix<br />
ix<br />
x<br />
xii<br />
xiii<br />
xiv<br />
2021 Essay Judges xv<br />
Preface by Alex<strong>and</strong>ra Marshall<br />
Max’s Story by Stephanie Warburg <strong>and</strong> Charlotte Harris<br />
xvii<br />
xviii<br />
<strong>Courage</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Boston</strong> 1<br />
<strong>Courage</strong> in My Life 2<br />
Noah Taveras — Helen Sullivan, Teacher 4<br />
Hurley K-8 School<br />
Yusuf Saad — William V<strong>and</strong>all, Teacher 6<br />
Al-Noor Academy<br />
Kora Kieta — Scott Larivee, Teacher 8<br />
Mary Lyon K-8 School<br />
Sarah Olamokun — Thomas Savas, Teacher 10<br />
Mother Caroline Academy<br />
Trace McFarl<strong>and</strong> — Thu-Hang Tran Peou & M<strong>and</strong>y Lam, Teachers 12<br />
Josiah Quincy Upper School<br />
Marion Mosman — Scott Larivee, Teacher 14<br />
Mary Lyon K-8 School<br />
Olivia Doherty — Jeanine Stansfield, Teacher 16<br />
Warren-Prescott School<br />
Sari London Goldberg — Alice Lucey, Teacher 18<br />
<strong>The</strong> Park School<br />
Summer Santry — Jane Kelly, Teacher 20<br />
Washington Irving Middle School<br />
Volume <strong>XXX</strong><br />
iii
John Patrick Jennings — Sarah Hoisl, Teacher<br />
South <strong>Boston</strong> Catholic Academy<br />
Estelle Lawrence — Merrill Hawkins, Teacher<br />
<strong>The</strong> Park School<br />
Nirvan Shrestha — Kathleen McGonigle, Teacher<br />
Thomas A. Edison School<br />
Nara Duarte — Barbara Walsh-Smith, Teacher<br />
Saint Agatha School<br />
Liam O’Connor — Alanna Edstrom, Teacher<br />
Saint Agatha School<br />
Evan Horton — Helen Sullivan, Teacher<br />
Hurley K-8 School<br />
Nathan Greene — Aaron Cohen, Teacher<br />
Jackson Mann K-8 School<br />
Anita Xue — Thu-Hang Tran Peou & M<strong>and</strong>y Lam, Teachers<br />
Josiah Quincy Upper School<br />
Tavio Mares-Van Praag — Kate Boswell & Alex Jones, Teachers<br />
<strong>The</strong> Advent School<br />
Vallerie Peguero — Peter Laboy, Teacher<br />
Bellisini Academy<br />
Rushi Murrow — Kate Boswell & Alex Jones, Teachers<br />
<strong>The</strong> Advent School<br />
Ikra Abbasi — Kathleen McGonigle, Teacher<br />
Thomas A. Edison School<br />
Rami Alasali — William V<strong>and</strong>all, Teacher<br />
Al-Noor Academy<br />
Di’Jon S<strong>and</strong>ers — Teresa Dawson Knoess, Teacher<br />
James P. Timilty Middle School<br />
Huy Ngo — Daniel Cesario, Teacher<br />
Joseph Tynan Elementary School<br />
Julia VierIa — Michael Andrews, Teacher<br />
Barnstable Intermediate School<br />
Isla Frontinan — Mary Budrose, Teacher<br />
Proctor School<br />
Grendaliz Sabater — Jane Kelly, Teacher<br />
Washington Irving Middle School<br />
22<br />
24<br />
26<br />
28<br />
30<br />
32<br />
34<br />
36<br />
38<br />
40<br />
42<br />
44<br />
46<br />
48<br />
50<br />
52<br />
54<br />
56<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Courage</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Children</strong>: <strong>Boston</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Beyond</strong><br />
iv
Colin Kurtz — Jeanine Stansfield, Teacher 58<br />
Warren-Prescott School<br />
Catherine Tsiantoulas — Joyce Baio, Teacher 60<br />
Saint Patrick School<br />
Sahra Kamara — Hanna Shibles, Teacher 62<br />
Mother Caroline Academy<br />
Weian Xue — Aaron Cohen, Teacher 64<br />
Jackson Mann K-8 School<br />
Danny Ford — Joyce Baio, Teacher 66<br />
Saint Patrick School<br />
Norah Young — Mary Wall, Teacher 68<br />
Barnstable Intermediate School<br />
Kailyn Willa — Sara DeOreo, Teacher 70<br />
Proctor School<br />
Nevaeh Gomes — Daniel Cesario, Teacher 72<br />
Joseph Tynan Elementary School<br />
Isabella Smedile — Linda Roach, Teacher 74<br />
St. John Paul II Catholic Academy<br />
Shawn Eddy — Linda Roach, Teacher 76<br />
St. John Paul II Catholic Academy<br />
Keira Mccluskey — Sarah Hoisl, Teacher 78<br />
South <strong>Boston</strong> Catholic<br />
Jaden Harper — Teresa Dawson Knoess, Teacher 80<br />
James P. Timilty Middle School<br />
<strong>Courage</strong> <strong>Beyond</strong> <strong>Boston</strong> 83<br />
National<br />
John Paul Morris — Stefanie Machado, Teacher 86<br />
Keith Middle School, New Bedford, MA<br />
Raquel Robson — Eryn Allen, Teacher 88<br />
Keith Middle School, New Bedford, MA<br />
Derek Michaud — Carolyn Westgate, Teacher 90<br />
Roosevelt Middle School, New Bedford, MA<br />
Michael Little — Carolyn Westgate, Teacher 92<br />
Roosevelt Middle School, New Bedford, MA<br />
Volume <strong>XXX</strong><br />
v
Jisaura Perez — Debra Mendes, Teacher 94<br />
Norm<strong>and</strong>in Middle School, New Bedford, MA<br />
Jeanina Santiago Alvelo — Kyle Farnworth, Teacher 96<br />
Norm<strong>and</strong>in Middle School, New Bedford, MA<br />
Zaina Alatassi — Sara Coyle, Teacher 98<br />
Beverly Hills Academy, Beverly Hills, MI<br />
Imtiaz Ahmad — Sara Coyle, Teacher 100<br />
Beverly Hills Academy, Beverly Hills, MI<br />
Montrell Moore — Adra Young, Teacher 102<br />
Bailly Stem Academy, Gary, Indiana<br />
Emily Welborne 104<br />
Independent, Charlotte, NC<br />
International<br />
Yemen<br />
Abdullah Mohammed Hassan — Maeen Ali & Seena Dau’is, Teachers 106<br />
Abjad Schools, Al Wahda, Sana’a, Yemen<br />
Amro Khaled — Hussein Mohiuddin, Teacher 108<br />
Al-Qairawan, Al-Sabeen, Sana’a, Yemen<br />
Abdullah Al-Saqaf — Manal Abdulkareem, Teacher 110<br />
Sama Aden, Aen, Yemen<br />
Naseer Zayd — Ahmen Al-Khazan, Teacher 112<br />
<strong>The</strong> Orphanage Home, Al-Sabeen, Sana’a, Yemen<br />
Salsabil Rageh — Hayfa Al-Jabobi, Teacher 114<br />
Sawdah Bint Zamah, Al-Sabeen, Sana’a, Yemen<br />
Cambodia<br />
Rachanna Trie — Phalla Ol, Teacher 116<br />
Cambridge School <strong>of</strong> Cambodia, Cambodia<br />
Morokot Koav — Phalla Ol, Teacher 118<br />
Cambridge School <strong>of</strong> Cambodia, Cambodia<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Courage</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Children</strong>: <strong>Boston</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Beyond</strong><br />
vi
Turkey<br />
Egemen Sozmen — Sedef Seker, Teacher 120<br />
ide Okullari, Istanbul, Turkey<br />
Defne Deniz Arslan — Sedef Seker, Teacher 122<br />
ide Okullari, Istanbul, Turkey<br />
Damla Bayraktar — Sedef Seker, Teacher 124<br />
ide Okullari, Istanbul, Turkey<br />
Spain<br />
Luna Monje — Dawn Austin, Teacher 126<br />
American School <strong>of</strong> Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain<br />
Belize<br />
Cyril Wade Jr — Sharon Jones, Teacher 128<br />
Raymond Sheppard Nazarene Primary, Roaring Creek Village, Belize<br />
Juliani Nerio — Mr. Alas, Teacher 130<br />
Our Lady <strong>of</strong> Guadalupe RC School, Belmopan, Belize<br />
Danielly Dubon — Noelle Melendrez, Teacher 132<br />
Garden City Primary School, Belmopan, Belize<br />
Mongolia<br />
M. Erdene-Od — G. Davaajav, Teacher 134<br />
Erdemiin Urguu, Consolidated Secondary School, Bulgan Province, Mongolia<br />
B. Agar-Erdene — G. Davaajav, Teacher 136<br />
Erdemiin Urguu, Consolidated Secondary School, Bulgan Province, Mongolia<br />
Uyangalyankhua Namsraijaw — M. Ichinnorov, Teacher 138<br />
Tomjin Academy, Secondary School, Khovd Province, Mongolia<br />
D. Munkh-Orgil — B. Khishigjargal, Teacher 140<br />
Secondary School #45, Ulaanbaatar, Sukhbaatar District, Mongolia<br />
D. Maralgoo — L. Baasansuren, Teacher 142<br />
Secondary School #45, Ulaanbaatar, Sukhbaatar District, Mongolia<br />
Volume <strong>XXX</strong><br />
vii
THE COURAGE OF CHILDREN: BOSTON AND BEYOND<br />
Volume <strong>XXX</strong><br />
is dedicated to a beloved partner <strong>and</strong> volunteer,<br />
who for thirty years<br />
helped to advance our mission, through her<br />
expertise <strong>and</strong> passion, by editing, preparing, <strong>and</strong><br />
overseeing production <strong>of</strong> this publication.<br />
This extraordinary support enabled <strong>The</strong> MAX<br />
to showcase <strong>and</strong> preserve these outst<strong>and</strong>ing<br />
stories <strong>of</strong> courage.<br />
Alex<strong>and</strong>ra Marshall<br />
We thank you for your remarkable dedication,<br />
precision, loyalty to the program, <strong>and</strong> to the integrity<br />
<strong>of</strong> the students’ work.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Courage</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Children</strong>: <strong>Boston</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Beyond</strong><br />
viii
Champion <strong>of</strong> <strong>Courage</strong> Award<br />
<strong>The</strong> Champion <strong>of</strong> <strong>Courage</strong> Award is given annually in recognition for<br />
outst<strong>and</strong>ing volunteerism at MAX<strong>Courage</strong>. Past recipients have been board<br />
members <strong>and</strong> long-time volunteers who have given their time, treasure, <strong>and</strong><br />
talent to the organization. Awardees go beyond the call <strong>of</strong> duty, <strong>and</strong> we could<br />
not do the work we do without them.<br />
We honor ALL OF OUR COURAGEOUS TEACHERS as the 2021 recipients<br />
<strong>of</strong> the Champion <strong>of</strong> <strong>Courage</strong> <strong>of</strong> Award.<br />
Elsie Wilmerding Award for<br />
Excellence in Teaching<br />
<strong>The</strong> MAX<strong>Courage</strong> Board <strong>of</strong> Trustees is honored to present the Elsie Wilmerding<br />
Award for Excellence in Teaching. Named in honor <strong>of</strong> our late <strong>and</strong> long-time<br />
board member, this award celebrates Elsie’s talent <strong>and</strong> passion for teaching,<br />
<strong>and</strong> the tremendous impact teachers can have in the lives <strong>of</strong> young people.<br />
Elsie spent thirteen years as a learning specialist at the Fenn School where she<br />
was known for her patience, kindness, <strong>and</strong> creativity with her students. She<br />
authored workbooks <strong>and</strong> the young adult historical novel, This L<strong>and</strong> is Mine!.<br />
This beautiful book tells the story <strong>of</strong> Crazy Horse <strong>and</strong> General Custer <strong>and</strong> the<br />
contested expansion <strong>of</strong> the Western United States, through the perspective <strong>of</strong><br />
those two important historical figures.<br />
<strong>The</strong> recipient <strong>of</strong> the 2021 Elsie Wilmerding Award for Excellence in Teaching<br />
is THU-HANG TRAN-PEOU, <strong>of</strong> Josiah Quincy Upper School, for embodying<br />
the qualities that Elsie championed.<br />
Volume <strong>XXX</strong><br />
ix
A Tribute to<br />
Stephanie Warburg<br />
For the past thirty years, Stephanie Warburg has tirelessly championed <strong>The</strong><br />
Max Warburg <strong>Courage</strong> Curriculum. She has been an advocate for children to<br />
share their stories <strong>of</strong> courage, believing that by doing the right thing, they will<br />
in turn enhance their lives. With her firm support <strong>of</strong> teachers, over 250,000<br />
students have benefitted from this free curriculum that has been implemented<br />
in the <strong>Boston</strong> area, across the country, <strong>and</strong> around the world.<br />
Thank you to the donors named below, who have made gifts in Stephanie<br />
Warburg’s honor, to celebrate the Curriculum’s 30th anniversary.<br />
Nancy Adams <strong>and</strong> Scott Schoen<br />
Liga <strong>and</strong> Martins Aldins<br />
Mary Lee <strong>and</strong> Peter Aldrich<br />
Bill <strong>and</strong> Joan Alfond Foundation<br />
Phyllis Allen<br />
Gwen Art<br />
Christina <strong>and</strong> Charles Bascom<br />
Enid Beal <strong>and</strong> Alan Wolfe<br />
Kathrene <strong>and</strong> Anderson Bell<br />
Carrie <strong>and</strong> George Bell<br />
Jennifer <strong>and</strong> Kyle Betty<br />
Katie <strong>and</strong> Maxwell Bleakie<br />
Jennifer <strong>and</strong> Jonathan Block<br />
Nancy <strong>and</strong> Jack Braitmayer<br />
Ellen <strong>and</strong> Steven Branfman<br />
Lynne <strong>and</strong> Richard Breed<br />
Owen Burke<br />
Nonnie <strong>and</strong> Richard Burnes<br />
Astrid <strong>and</strong> Thomas Burns<br />
C & P Buttenwieser Foundation<br />
Edmund <strong>and</strong> Betsy Cabot Foundation<br />
Karin <strong>and</strong> David Chamberlain<br />
Mike Chen<br />
Arthur D. Clarke <strong>and</strong> Susan P. Sloan<br />
Brooke Chamberlain Cook<br />
Merry <strong>and</strong> John Conway<br />
Nancy <strong>and</strong> Laury Coolidge<br />
Linzee Coolidge<br />
Amelia <strong>and</strong> Lawrence Crimmins<br />
Joan <strong>and</strong> Prescott Crocker<br />
Elizabeth <strong>and</strong> Nicholas D’Ascensao<br />
Lloyd <strong>and</strong> Gene Dahmen<br />
Catharine-Mary Donovan<br />
Sarah <strong>and</strong> William Ducas<br />
Martha Erickson<br />
Heather Faris<br />
Carmen Fields <strong>and</strong> Lorenz Finison<br />
Blanche <strong>and</strong> Adel Foz<br />
Betty <strong>and</strong> Russell Gaudreau<br />
Barbara <strong>and</strong> Robert Glauber<br />
Elizabeth Goodenough <strong>and</strong> Gil Leaf<br />
JB <strong>and</strong> David Greenway<br />
Marjorie <strong>and</strong> Nicholas Greville<br />
Ann <strong>and</strong> Graham Gund<br />
C.J. <strong>and</strong> Michael Hacker<br />
Ruth <strong>and</strong> George Haivanis<br />
Ann <strong>and</strong> John Hall<br />
Sue <strong>and</strong> Michael Hazard<br />
Barbara Hawkins<br />
Lucile P. Hicks Fund<br />
Caroline <strong>and</strong> Thomas Hovey<br />
Katherine <strong>and</strong> Robert Hoyt<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Courage</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Children</strong>: <strong>Boston</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Beyond</strong><br />
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Elizabeth Hunnewell<br />
Elizabeth L. Johnson Fund<br />
Barbara Jordan <strong>and</strong> Robert<br />
Pemberton<br />
Judy <strong>and</strong> Roger Kamm<br />
Kasey Kaufman <strong>and</strong> Michael Horwitz<br />
Kathleen Kenney<br />
Martha King<br />
Joyce <strong>and</strong> Edward Lawrence<br />
Virginia Lawrence<br />
David Lawton<br />
Mary Ellen Hawes Lees<br />
Jill Lenhardt<br />
Chris <strong>and</strong> Jackie Light<br />
Kate Lubin <strong>and</strong> Glendon Sutton<br />
Marsha <strong>and</strong> Mark MacLean<br />
Alex<strong>and</strong>ra Marshall <strong>and</strong> James<br />
Carroll<br />
Deirdre <strong>and</strong> Peter Martin<br />
Jenny Toolin McAuliffe <strong>and</strong> Anthony<br />
McAuliffe<br />
Kristen <strong>and</strong> Jordan McEntyre<br />
Barbara McLaughlin<br />
Berneda Meeks<br />
Bernard Mehlman<br />
Sally <strong>and</strong> Andy Miller<br />
Julie Norman<br />
Ann Ogilvie Macdonald<br />
Beth Pfeiffer <strong>and</strong> John Foster<br />
<strong>The</strong> Plimpton - Shattuck Fund<br />
David Podell<br />
Lia <strong>and</strong> William Poorvu<br />
Celeste Prothro<br />
Wallis <strong>and</strong> Daniel Raemer<br />
Tina Rathborne<br />
Patty <strong>and</strong> Charles Ribak<strong>of</strong>f<br />
Louise Riemer<br />
Anne <strong>and</strong> James Righter<br />
Ariana Rockefeller<br />
David <strong>and</strong> Susan Rockefeller<br />
Diana Rowan Rockefeller<br />
Rachel <strong>and</strong> Marko Rosenfeldt<br />
Andrew Ross <strong>and</strong> Leslie George Fund<br />
<strong>of</strong> the Foundation for MetroWest<br />
Bridget <strong>and</strong> James Saltonstall<br />
Laura <strong>and</strong> Alex<strong>and</strong>er Saltonstall<br />
Diane <strong>and</strong> Richard Schmalensee<br />
Tina <strong>and</strong> Paul Schmid<br />
Kristin <strong>and</strong> Roger Servison<br />
Brent Shay<br />
Missy <strong>and</strong> Robert Shay<br />
Salwa Smith<br />
Fredericka <strong>and</strong> Howard Stevenson<br />
Donna <strong>and</strong> Robert Storer<br />
Patricia <strong>and</strong> David Straus<br />
Kate <strong>and</strong> Benjamin Taylor<br />
Emily <strong>and</strong> Ned Taylor<br />
David Van Ness Taylor<br />
Sigrid <strong>and</strong> Ladd Thorne<br />
Karen Tobin<br />
Otile McManus <strong>and</strong> Robert L. Turner<br />
Gay Vervaet<br />
Phyllis Vineyard<br />
Lisa <strong>and</strong> David Walker<br />
Beckett <strong>and</strong> Frederick Warburg<br />
Jonathan Warburg<br />
Kathleen <strong>and</strong> Gurdon Wattles<br />
Elizabeth <strong>and</strong> Benjamin White<br />
Victoria <strong>and</strong> Thomas Whitney<br />
Kathleen Bratton <strong>and</strong> Brian Wruble<br />
Joyce Yaffee<br />
Pamela <strong>and</strong> Barry Zuckerman<br />
Volume <strong>XXX</strong><br />
xi
<strong>The</strong> Max Warburg<br />
<strong>Courage</strong> Curriculum, Inc.<br />
Board <strong>of</strong> Trustees<br />
Stephanie Warburg, President<br />
Frederick Warburg, Vice President<br />
Barbara Hawkins, Treasurer<br />
Elizabeth Evans D’Ascensao,<br />
Secretary<br />
Members<br />
Nancy Adams<br />
Brant Binder<br />
Amy d’Ablemont Burnes<br />
Astrid Burns<br />
Jill Lenhardt<br />
Corey Bennett Lewis<br />
Kate Lubin<br />
Ann Ogilvie Macdonald<br />
Marsha Yamaykina MacLean<br />
Kristen Sullivan McEntyre<br />
Julie Norman<br />
Kate Patterson<br />
Samuel Plimpton<br />
Diane Schmalensee<br />
Clayton Schuller<br />
Jane Skelton<br />
Board Emerita<br />
Carrie Minot Bell<br />
Suzanne Fisher Bloomberg<br />
Pamela Humphrey<br />
Joan Bennett Kennedy<br />
Staff<br />
Eliza Cowan, Executive Director<br />
Liz Watson, Program Director<br />
Advisory Board<br />
Craig Bailey<br />
Carrie Minot Bell<br />
Katie Schuller Bleakie<br />
Lisa Clark<br />
Janet Coleman<br />
Merry Conway<br />
Kit Cunningham<br />
Heather Faris<br />
Carmen Fields<br />
Robert Gittens, Esq.<br />
Elizabeth Goodenough<br />
Ann Gund<br />
Katherine McManmon Hoyt<br />
Felicity Hoyt<br />
Julie Joyal<br />
Kasey Kaufman<br />
Rona Kiley<br />
Gil Leaf<br />
Karen Leopold<br />
Lois Lowry<br />
Alex<strong>and</strong>ra Marshall<br />
Martha Pierce<br />
Diana Rowan Rockefeller<br />
Alex Saltonstall<br />
Margot Schmid<br />
Gary Smith<br />
Donna Storer<br />
Robert L. Turner<br />
Rev. Liz Walker<br />
Lisa Walker<br />
Jonathan Warburg<br />
Janet Wu<br />
Joyce Yaffee<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Courage</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Children</strong>: <strong>Boston</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Beyond</strong><br />
xii
Participating<br />
Schools<br />
<strong>Boston</strong> Public Schools<br />
Dennis C. Haley Pilot School<br />
Floyd T Binns Middle School<br />
Gardner Pilot Academy<br />
Hurley K-8 School<br />
Jackson Mann K-8 School<br />
Joseph Lee School<br />
Josiah Quincy Upper School<br />
Mary Lyon K-8 School<br />
Perry K-8 School<br />
Rafael Hern<strong>and</strong>ez K-8 School<br />
Thomas A. Edison School<br />
James P. Timilty Middle School<br />
Warren Prescott School<br />
Washington Irving Middle School<br />
Local Schools<br />
Al-Noor Academy<br />
Alhuda Academy<br />
Barnstable Intermediate<br />
Bellisini Academy<br />
<strong>Boston</strong> Renaissance Charter School<br />
Christa McAuliffe Charter School<br />
John T Nichols Jr, Middle School<br />
Mary Lyon School<br />
Mother Caroline Academy<br />
Proctor School<br />
Saint Agatha School<br />
Saint Patrick School<br />
Salemwood<br />
Sarah Greenwood School<br />
South <strong>Boston</strong> Catholic Academy<br />
St. John Paul II Catholic Academy<br />
<strong>The</strong> Advent School<br />
<strong>The</strong> Park School<br />
National Schools<br />
Beverly Hills Academy, MI<br />
Bailly Stem Academy, IN<br />
Benzie Central Middle School, MI<br />
Henley High School, OR<br />
Keith Middle School, MA<br />
Norm<strong>and</strong>in Middle School, MA<br />
Roosevelt Middle School, MA<br />
<strong>The</strong> Field School, Washington DC<br />
International Partners<br />
Garden City Primary School, Belize<br />
Our Lady <strong>of</strong> Guadalupe, Belize<br />
Raymond Sheppard Nazarene Primary<br />
School, Belize<br />
Cambridge School <strong>of</strong> Cambodia,<br />
Cambodia<br />
Erdmiin Urguu Consolidated<br />
Secondary School, Mongolia<br />
First Secondary School <strong>of</strong> Bulgan<br />
Soum, Mongolia<br />
First Secondary School <strong>of</strong> Erdenet City,<br />
Mongolia<br />
Oyunii Ireedui Consolidated<br />
Secondary School, Mongolia<br />
School #3 Secondary School, Mongolia<br />
School #45, Mongolia<br />
School #120, Mongolia<br />
Secondary School #138, Mongolia<br />
Tsast Altai Consosildated Secondary<br />
School, Mongolia<br />
American School <strong>of</strong> Barcelona, Spain<br />
ide Okullari, Turkey<br />
Abi Dhar Al-Ghafari, Yemen<br />
Abjad Schools, Yemen<br />
Al-Ahrar, Yemen<br />
Al-Amal Mute <strong>and</strong> Deaf, Yemen<br />
Al-Hamdi, Yemen<br />
Al-Kifah, Yemen<br />
Al-Mokhtar, Yemen<br />
Al-Motassim, Yemen<br />
Al-Nibrass, Yemen<br />
Al-Qairawan, Yemen<br />
Al-Rai, Yemen<br />
Al-Rasheed, Yemen<br />
Al-Samawi, Yemen<br />
Al-Thawrah, Yemen<br />
Al-Zahra, Yemen<br />
Al-Zubair, Yemen<br />
Ali Abdul Moghni, Yemen<br />
Bani Hodhair, Yemen<br />
Dar Al-Aytam (Orphange), Yemen<br />
Dhafar, Yemen<br />
Ibn Zaidon, Yemen<br />
Khawlah, Yemen<br />
Rabe’a Al-Adawe’ah, Yemen<br />
Sama Aden, Yemen<br />
Sawdah Bint Zam’ah, Yemen<br />
Somai Girls School, Yemen<br />
Volume <strong>XXX</strong><br />
xiii
Participating Teachers<br />
<strong>Boston</strong> Public<br />
Teachers<br />
Melanie Allen<br />
Daniel Cesario<br />
Aaron Cohen<br />
Kailyn Corrado<br />
Alisha Crebbin<br />
Brenda Crowley<br />
Janna Cunnion<br />
Teresa Dawson Knoess<br />
Karen Douglas<br />
Sonie Felix<br />
Erin Hannon-Foley<br />
Amy Higginbotham<br />
Jane Kelly<br />
M<strong>and</strong>y Lam<br />
Scott Larivee<br />
Am<strong>and</strong>a Mari<br />
Emily Marshall<br />
Yol<strong>and</strong>a McCollum<br />
Kathleen McGonigle<br />
Carolyn Miller<br />
Angelica Reza<br />
Melanie Smith<br />
Jeanine Stansfield<br />
Helen Sullivan<br />
Thu-Hang Tran-Peou<br />
Jessica Tsai<br />
Local Teachers<br />
Michael Andrews<br />
Belkys Angeles<br />
Joyce Baio<br />
Kate Boswell<br />
Christine Boulette<br />
Jessica Bruso<br />
Mary Budrose<br />
Annette Carter<br />
Daniel Cesario<br />
Colleen Clifford<br />
Sara DeOreo<br />
Kristina Dolce<br />
Cari-Ann Dufresne<br />
Alanna Edstrom<br />
<strong>The</strong>rese Evans<br />
Karlei Fura<br />
Jennifer Gayda<br />
Sarah Harrison<br />
Deborah Hart<br />
Merrill Hawkins<br />
Sarah Hoisl<br />
Leila Huff<br />
Mona Ives<br />
Alex Jones<br />
Rachel Joseph<br />
Aaron Kesler<br />
Peter Laboy<br />
Jen Lambert<br />
Julie Leo<br />
Alice Lucey<br />
Melissa Ma<br />
Sharice Moore<br />
Tyler Murphy<br />
Gus Polstein<br />
Nila Pope<br />
Dan Poremba<br />
Christina Rish<br />
Linda Roach<br />
Alicia Roth<br />
Thomas Savas<br />
Julie Scott<br />
Maureen Shanahan<br />
Hanna Shibles<br />
Sophia Sirage<br />
Barbara Walsh-Smith<br />
Melissa Stampfl<br />
William V<strong>and</strong>all<br />
Mary Wall<br />
Jane Wright<br />
National Teachers<br />
Teresa Abellera<br />
Denise Ashworth<br />
Dominique Branco<br />
Veronica Cabral<br />
Heather Callahan<br />
Catherine Casey-Paull<br />
Julie Cochran<br />
Kathy Coen<br />
Lindsey Daigle<br />
Teri Desrosiers<br />
Kate Fuoroli<br />
Amy Jass<br />
Cathy Kimbrough<br />
William Levasseur<br />
Julia Lewis<br />
Elizabeth Marc-Aurele<br />
Stefanie Machado<br />
Debra Mendes<br />
Mark Moreau<br />
Deirdre Murphy<br />
Valerie Parent<br />
Joyce Sioch<br />
Deborah Slik<br />
Alexias Soares<br />
Colin Southgate<br />
Crystal Tomecek<br />
Rene Vazquez<br />
Carolyn Westgate<br />
Lindsay Worstell<br />
Abbey Yohe<br />
Adra Young<br />
International<br />
Partners<br />
Kais Al-Iriani<br />
Dawn Austin<br />
Erdene Chimeg<br />
Heather Faris<br />
Marcia Harris<br />
Phalla Ol<br />
Sedef Seker<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Courage</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Children</strong>: <strong>Boston</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Beyond</strong><br />
xiv
2021 Essay Judges<br />
Gale Beaton<br />
Tom Beaton<br />
Anne Benning<br />
Susan Birkett<br />
Karen Britton<br />
Tia Bullard<br />
James Carroll<br />
Mike Chen<br />
Marty Childs<br />
Alex Chinks<br />
Lisa Clark<br />
Margery Cobb<br />
David Cody<br />
Merry Conway<br />
Caroline Conzatti<br />
Katharine Cunningham<br />
Leigh Denny<br />
Ann Deveney<br />
Anne Doremus<br />
Elizabeth Evans<br />
D’Ascensao<br />
Carole Ferguson<br />
Kristie Fiora<br />
Michael Franzoi<br />
Peggy Gildersleeve<br />
David Goldovt-<br />
Ryzhenkov<br />
JB Greenway<br />
Amy Grossman<br />
Jan Hall<br />
Alex<strong>and</strong>ra Helper<br />
Trevania Henderson<br />
Brenda Holston<br />
Sara Holston<br />
Michael Horwitz<br />
Felicity Hoyt<br />
Judy Kamm<br />
Veronica Keaveney<br />
Kathleen Kenney<br />
Virginia Khuri<br />
Barbie Kratovil<br />
Carol Lasky<br />
Jill Lenhardt<br />
Moying Li<br />
S<strong>and</strong>ra Lipson<br />
Julie Lovell<br />
Melissa Ludtke<br />
Veronica Lundgren<br />
Betsy Madsen<br />
Susan Mann<br />
Alex<strong>and</strong>ra Marshall<br />
Abbie McKeon<br />
Barbara McLaughlin<br />
Patricia Meaney<br />
Tonya Mezrich<br />
Rebecca Miller<br />
Ellen Morse<br />
Ann Oglivie-<br />
Macdonald<br />
Amy Olivier<br />
Mary Jane Patrone<br />
Deborah Perry<br />
Jennifer Radden<br />
Elizabeth Robbins<br />
David Russell<br />
Condée Russo<br />
Martin Schad<br />
Diane Schmalensee<br />
Margot Schmid<br />
Elizabeth Silverman<br />
Jane Skelton<br />
Callie Slocum<br />
Gary Smith<br />
Lynn Smith<br />
Marthe Soden<br />
Caren Stanley<br />
Nan Starr<br />
Patricia Staus<br />
Sean Thimas<br />
Evelyn Treacy<br />
Gay Vervaet<br />
Frederick Warburg<br />
Don Watson<br />
Ellen Watson<br />
Kathy Wattles<br />
Amy Wertheim<br />
Caroline Whitney<br />
Lynn Winans<br />
Carol Wintle<br />
Eve Youngerman<br />
Barry Zuckerman<br />
Pamela Zuckerman<br />
Peter Zuraw<br />
Volume <strong>XXX</strong><br />
xv
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Courage</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Children</strong>: <strong>Boston</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Beyond</strong><br />
xvi
Preface<br />
by Alex<strong>and</strong>ra Marshall<br />
Bullying is a dominant theme in these “<strong>Courage</strong> In My Life” essays, as it has<br />
been throughout the thirty years <strong>of</strong> the Max Warburg <strong>Courage</strong> Curriculum.<br />
Now, cyber-bullying invades the home that was once a vulnerable school<br />
kid’s sanctuary from menacing classmates. And with adult versions <strong>of</strong> these<br />
behaviors normalized in public life, we witness the pr<strong>of</strong>ound consequences<br />
<strong>of</strong> bullying. <strong>The</strong> disruptions caused by the coronavirus have intensified the<br />
challenges for children <strong>and</strong> their teachers <strong>and</strong> parents. Yet, while it may seem<br />
that we are all at the mercy <strong>of</strong> our weaknesses, we discover in these pages<br />
a sustaining strength. One child writes, “<strong>Courage</strong> helped me to get help.”<br />
Another echoes, “You see? All you have to do is use your voice.”<br />
Whether in <strong>Boston</strong> or Belize, Michigan or Mongolia, the writing assignment<br />
is to give expression to the courage a child discovers within. And while these<br />
essays reflect the many forms courage can take, the constant is that our<br />
children are coping valiantly with severe situations. Past generations have<br />
defined bullying as a universal rite <strong>of</strong> passage to be suffered, but today’s kids<br />
demonstrate an evolved wisdom. With an <strong>of</strong>ten stunning display <strong>of</strong> emotional<br />
intelligence, they open up about their feelings, <strong>and</strong> they reach out.<br />
<strong>The</strong>se children are alert to themselves <strong>and</strong> to each other in instructive ways.<br />
And by linking the essays together, these young people can realize how much<br />
they already know as well as how much they can learn from each other. <strong>The</strong><br />
International essays do not reflect bullying the way our American essays do,<br />
<strong>and</strong> this provides another learning experience. With each volume, inspired<br />
now as always by the courage displayed by a young boy named Max, a<br />
community <strong>of</strong> shared courage is created.<br />
Here are their voices: “<strong>Courage</strong> is like a muscle. You need to develop it with<br />
small challenges that start early.” “Don’t ever give up, try your hardest <strong>and</strong> if<br />
you don’t succeed right away, learn from your mistakes <strong>and</strong> try again.” “If I<br />
can show bravery <strong>and</strong> strength, then you can too when you face any problem.<br />
Be brave enough to talk to someone.” “Making a difference for yourself might<br />
make a difference to someone else, too.” “But perhaps I’m not so scared<br />
anymore after experiencing what courage feels like.” “<strong>The</strong> sky’s the limit when<br />
courage <strong>and</strong> perseverance are partnered to achieve one’s dreams.”<br />
<strong>The</strong> world’s children know that “<strong>Courage</strong> is hard work.” But they discover<br />
that “<strong>Courage</strong> is a force.” And they find that “Today as I write my story, I feel<br />
comfort <strong>and</strong> pride.”<br />
We can call this achievement the Democracy <strong>of</strong> <strong>Courage</strong>.<br />
Alex<strong>and</strong>ra Marshall is the author <strong>of</strong> six books <strong>and</strong> a forthcoming memoir.<br />
She has coordinated the selection <strong>and</strong> publication <strong>of</strong> the annual “<strong>Courage</strong> in My Life”<br />
essay collections since the founding <strong>of</strong> the Max Warburg <strong>Courage</strong> Curriculum.<br />
Volume <strong>XXX</strong><br />
xvii
Max’s Story<br />
By Stephanie Warburg <strong>and</strong> Charlotte Harris<br />
Max Warburg was born <strong>and</strong> brought up in <strong>Boston</strong>, Massachusetts. Not long<br />
ago, Max lived in an apartment near the center <strong>of</strong> the city with his parents <strong>and</strong><br />
his brother, Fred. Max was two <strong>and</strong> a half years older than Fred. Max had wavy<br />
light brown hair <strong>and</strong> bright brown eyes, <strong>and</strong> Fred had straight black hair <strong>and</strong><br />
hazel eyes, but when they smiled, they looked a lot alike even though Max<br />
was much bigger.<br />
<strong>The</strong> boys liked sports. <strong>The</strong>y liked to swim in the summer, ski in the winter, <strong>and</strong><br />
sail whenever they got a chance. Mostly, their father, who is an architect, had<br />
to work, but as <strong>of</strong>ten as he could he took the boys sailing, teaching them to tie<br />
lines, trim sails, <strong>and</strong> steer a course.<br />
“Here,” he would say, “Max, you take the wheel. Fred, you hold this line tight<br />
<strong>and</strong> Max will sail us out <strong>of</strong> the harbor.”<br />
And Max would. He’d st<strong>and</strong> at the helm the way he thought his father stood.<br />
Eyes on the sail to be sure it didn’t spill its wind, both h<strong>and</strong>s on the big wheel,<br />
<strong>and</strong> feet spread apart, wind blowing his hair <strong>and</strong> puffing out his jacket, Max<br />
would play the part <strong>of</strong> the captain, dreaming <strong>of</strong> the day he would have his own<br />
boat. He knew exactly what he wanted: a sixteen-foot, drop-centerboard boat<br />
called a 420, just the right size for a twelve-year-old, which he figured he would<br />
be before he would ever get his 420. <strong>The</strong>n he could take Fred on some great<br />
sails, even on the days his dad was too busy. Better yet, then he could race<br />
<strong>and</strong> maybe win.<br />
He knew what he’d call his boat, too. Take It To <strong>The</strong> Max, he’d call it, not just<br />
because it had his name in it, but because it sounded like the sky was the limit<br />
<strong>and</strong> that’s how Max felt.<br />
Max had other dreams. Ever since he was little, Max had been good at<br />
imitating people. His mom would talk to someone on the phone, <strong>and</strong> when<br />
she hung up, Max could imitate her ‘talking to a stranger’ voice or ‘talking to<br />
her best friend’ voice perfectly. He could hear an accent once <strong>and</strong> reproduce<br />
it exactly. He could mimic actors <strong>and</strong> other kids, making his friends laugh <strong>and</strong><br />
fascinating everyone with this ability.<br />
“You ought to be an actor when you grow up,” people would tell him. So he<br />
started looking at the actors on TV with his mind on learning acting skills<br />
<strong>and</strong> camera angles.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Courage</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Children</strong>: <strong>Boston</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Beyond</strong><br />
xviii
“Mom,” Max said one day, “do you think I could ever be on TV?”<br />
“Well, I don’t see why not if you work at it,” she told him. Max’s mom was an<br />
artist, <strong>and</strong> it pleased her to see her son interested in growing up to be in one <strong>of</strong><br />
the arts. Max joined a children’s theater group <strong>and</strong> went for acting lessons. He<br />
started to gain the confidence an actor needs, <strong>and</strong> signed up with an agency<br />
that looks for children to act <strong>and</strong> model. One day a call came.<br />
“Max, do you think you’re ready to act in a television commercial?” the<br />
agency representative asked. “Sure I am. Will my friends be able to see me?”<br />
he replied.<br />
“Not this time. This commercial is going to run in New Jersey, but maybe next<br />
time. Will you do it anyway? Right away?”<br />
“Oh, yes! This is my first chance!” Max ran to get his mom, <strong>and</strong>, alive with<br />
anticipation, Max, Fred, <strong>and</strong> their mom drove to the studio. <strong>The</strong>y spent a day<br />
taping <strong>and</strong> re-taping. Max watched the pr<strong>of</strong>essionals, followed directions<br />
intently, <strong>and</strong> caught on quickly to what was expected <strong>of</strong> him. When the long<br />
day was done, Max tried to guess when the next time would be that he would<br />
get a chance in front <strong>of</strong> the cameras. He couldn’t have guessed then that six<br />
short months later he would be a frequent talk show guest, but not for a<br />
reason anyone would want.<br />
Volume <strong>XXX</strong><br />
xix
For Max, acting was fun <strong>and</strong> easy, <strong>and</strong> so was schoolwork. He loved to be with<br />
his friends in school, <strong>and</strong> he loved to read <strong>and</strong> figure things out. He loved to<br />
laugh <strong>and</strong> play jokes. At school, they called Max the peacemaker. Kids would<br />
argue or get to fighting, but Max would get into the middle <strong>and</strong> try to calm<br />
things down. Being a good sport <strong>and</strong> thinking <strong>of</strong> the other guy were Max’s<br />
way. In tense situations, Max would be the one to lighten things up with a joke.<br />
Not everything came easy. Living in the city surrounded by buildings <strong>and</strong><br />
pavement, Max didn’t have much chance to play ball, but he wanted to. As<br />
soon as he was old enough, Max joined a baseball league. <strong>The</strong>y played on the<br />
<strong>Boston</strong> Common. Max was the youngest player <strong>and</strong> afraid <strong>of</strong> the fastballs<br />
coming straight at him. A couple <strong>of</strong> times he didn’t get out <strong>of</strong> the way <strong>of</strong> the<br />
ball <strong>and</strong> it hit him, but he didn’t let it get him down. For one thing, he knew<br />
Fred was watching <strong>and</strong> he knew as the big brother he’d better get right back<br />
up. Max was philosophical about his shortcomings. “I’ll be better next time,”<br />
he would say, <strong>and</strong> then he’d work at it. He never missed a practice. Even<br />
though he never got to be the best player on his team, by his third season his<br />
teammates knew they could count on him for a solid performance.<br />
During the summers, Max <strong>and</strong> his family left the city for the seashore.<br />
One morning in July 1990, when Max was eleven, Max’s mom needed<br />
something at the hardware store, <strong>and</strong> Max was looking for something to do.<br />
“I’ll go. Let me do it,” he said, <strong>and</strong> he got on his bike <strong>and</strong> pedaled <strong>of</strong>f toward<br />
town. About a mile from the house his front tire hit a pocket <strong>of</strong> s<strong>and</strong> the<br />
wrong way. <strong>The</strong> wheel skewed around sideways <strong>and</strong> Max fell. He l<strong>and</strong>ed on his<br />
shoulder, the breath knocked out <strong>of</strong> him. Hot burning pain filled his stomach<br />
<strong>and</strong> chest, making him curl in a ball <strong>and</strong> squeeze his eyes shut.<br />
Max knew something was wrong, more wrong than just a fall from his bike.<br />
Max’s mother knew something was really wrong as soon as she saw him<br />
walking beside his bike, steps slow <strong>and</strong> head down. Before he could get in<br />
the house she had him in the car <strong>and</strong> on the way to the local hospital<br />
emergency room.<br />
“Max fell <strong>of</strong>f his bike <strong>and</strong> he doesn’t feel right,” Max’s mom told the doctor.<br />
<strong>The</strong> doctor felt Max’s back <strong>and</strong> side <strong>and</strong> the smile left her face. “What’s this here?<br />
His side is all swollen. I think he’s ruptured his spleen. Max is in trouble.”<br />
“What kind <strong>of</strong> trouble?” Max <strong>and</strong> his mom said, almost at the same time.<br />
“I’m not sure, but we need to find out fast,” said the doctor, frowning<br />
with concern.<br />
She called an ambulance to take Max to <strong>Children</strong>’s Hospital back in the city.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Courage</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Children</strong>: <strong>Boston</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Beyond</strong><br />
xx
Siren <strong>and</strong> lights clearing a path, the ambulance rushed up the highway to<br />
<strong>Boston</strong>, barely slowing down for the tight corners near the entrance to the<br />
hospital. Max was wheeled straight into the emergency room.<br />
“This doesn’t look good,” the emergency room doctor said.<br />
“If my spleen is split, why don’t you operate on me <strong>and</strong> sew it up?” Max<br />
wanted to know.<br />
“Can you sew Jell-O? That’s what a spleen looks like. Not much to look at, but<br />
good to have because that’s what your body uses to clean your blood. Mrs.<br />
Warburg, this boy is going to be here for at least ten days.”<br />
Sad <strong>and</strong> frightened, Mr. <strong>and</strong> Mrs. Warburg made their plans. Max’s mom<br />
would stay with him, <strong>and</strong> his dad would take Fred back to the shore to keep<br />
things as normal as possible for him. <strong>The</strong> news from the hospital wasn’t good.<br />
It looked as if Max had leukemia, a dangerous cancer in his bone marrow, but<br />
the doctors weren’t sure which kind <strong>of</strong> leukemia he had. Some kinds were less<br />
difficult to cure, <strong>and</strong> some were easier to bear than others. Hoping their son<br />
had the commonest kind that could be cured, the Warburgs started to learn<br />
about leukemia.<br />
<strong>The</strong> results <strong>of</strong> the blood tests came back. Max had a rare form <strong>of</strong> leukemia,<br />
found in one in a million children. <strong>The</strong> lab doctor told Max’s parents, “Now<br />
that we’ve seen these results, I wonder how Max ever got himself <strong>of</strong>f the<br />
ground <strong>and</strong> back to the house the day he fell <strong>of</strong>f his bike. He must be a very<br />
determined boy.”<br />
“Yes, he is,” Max’s father said. “He is going to need to be.”<br />
It was Dr. Susan Parsons who told Max what he had. “Leukemia is hard to<br />
beat. You’ll have to have chemotherapy <strong>and</strong> radiation stronger than one<br />
hundred thous<strong>and</strong> X-rays. In order to test your blood <strong>and</strong> feed you, we’re<br />
going to have to make an incision near your heart <strong>and</strong> insert a tube. You can’t<br />
play ball <strong>and</strong> you can’t play soccer or ride your bike. If your spleen gets hit<br />
again, it will kill you.”<br />
Max thought a bit. “Tell me what is going to happen.”<br />
“You have to have a bone marrow transplant. Do you know what that is, Max?<br />
That means taking the fluid out <strong>of</strong> the middle <strong>of</strong> all your bones <strong>and</strong> then<br />
putting in the fluid from someone else’s bones in its place. We can’t do it<br />
unless we can find the right donor -- someone whose bone <strong>and</strong> blood type<br />
match yours almost exactly. Often, not even members <strong>of</strong> your own family are<br />
a close enough match. Right now, there are about six thous<strong>and</strong> people out<br />
there looking for the one perfect match to save their lives. You’ll be joining<br />
Volume <strong>XXX</strong><br />
xxi
them, Max. Your chance <strong>of</strong> finding a match is about one in twenty thous<strong>and</strong>.”<br />
Again, Max thought a minute. “So, there are six thous<strong>and</strong> others. Okay, I’ll be<br />
six thous<strong>and</strong> plus one. I’ll be one <strong>of</strong> the lucky ones.”<br />
“You already have been. Because you fell <strong>of</strong>f your bike, we were able to catch<br />
your disease early, before there were other symptoms. If we get a donor fast,<br />
time will be on your side.”<br />
After ten days <strong>of</strong> testing, they let Max come home to the apartment in <strong>Boston</strong>.<br />
Every week, in order to adjust his medicine, he had to go to the hospital for<br />
blood tests, which meant a little needle, <strong>and</strong> for blood samples, which meant a<br />
big needle <strong>and</strong> a tube. Max hated needles. His mother knew he hated needles<br />
<strong>and</strong> wondered when she didn’t see him flinch each week as the nurse aimed<br />
the needle toward his arm. Even the nurse, who had seen so many different<br />
kinds <strong>of</strong> reactions to needles over the years, was surprised by Max’s calm.<br />
“What are you thinking about, young man?” she said to him on one <strong>of</strong> his<br />
visits to the blood lab, not really expecting a reply.<br />
Max answered very seriously, “First, I wait <strong>and</strong> prepare myself. <strong>The</strong>n I put all<br />
my energy where the needle is going to go, then I make fun <strong>of</strong> the needle.”<br />
On his own, Max had found a way to conquer a fear that, if he did not get the<br />
best <strong>of</strong> it, could make it harder for him to get well.<br />
No sports for at least six months, he’d been told, so he found a calendar,<br />
tacked it up, <strong>and</strong> drew a smiling face on the date six months away. Max had a<br />
goal. He knew he’d be sick for a while but he knew when it would be over. On<br />
the space for February 6, 1991, beside the smile he wrote, “Cured” <strong>and</strong><br />
underlined it in red.<br />
In September, Max went back to school. When he told Nurse Hoolihan at the<br />
hospital that the kids didn’t seem to underst<strong>and</strong> what was wrong with him, she<br />
said she’d come to his school <strong>and</strong> explain. <strong>The</strong> kids listened carefully to Nurse<br />
Hoolihan, but it was Max they wanted to hear from.<br />
“How did you catch leukemia?” asked someone, saying out loud the big<br />
question in everyone’s mind.<br />
“I didn’t just catch it,” Max said matter-<strong>of</strong>-factly. “First, I had to have inherited a<br />
particular gene <strong>and</strong> then I had to have what my doctor said was an accident in<br />
my blood cells. One cell went crazy. It started making the other cells produce<br />
too many white cells <strong>and</strong> platelets. My white cells are crowding out my red cells,<br />
<strong>and</strong> that’s not good for me. But, listen; no one can catch this from me.”<br />
You could see the kids were relieved. <strong>The</strong>y stopped sitting so stiffly <strong>and</strong> acting<br />
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so polite. Even Max’s teacher <strong>and</strong> the other grownups in the room seemed<br />
to relax a little.<br />
“What can we do for you?” Max’s best friend wanted to know.<br />
“Don’t treat me funny. I’m not supposed to bump my spleen but I’m the<br />
same old Max.”<br />
<strong>The</strong>re were reminders at home, too, that his life had changed. Max had to<br />
choose whether to give up his kitten, Fantasy, or have her claws out so that she<br />
couldn’t scratch him <strong>and</strong> start an infection. Max couldn’t bring himself to hurt<br />
Fantasy that way, so he found her another home. He missed his kitten. “Be<br />
careful, Max. Be careful,” it seemed to him his mother kept saying. He missed<br />
hearing her say, “Off you go <strong>and</strong> have a good time,” without a worried look.<br />
<strong>The</strong> hospital did what it could to find a donor for Max so he could have the<br />
transplant that could save his life. His parents were tested <strong>and</strong> Fred was tested,<br />
but no perfect match was found. Close relatives were tested <strong>and</strong> then friends<br />
<strong>of</strong> the family, <strong>and</strong> still no match. Wait, the hospital told them, a match might<br />
be found in the new national marrow donor registry.<br />
His parents were troubled by waiting. <strong>The</strong> registry had too few matches <strong>and</strong><br />
too many other people who were counting on the registry but hadn’t been<br />
helped. “We can help. We can learn how to do donor drives.” It was going to<br />
be hard, but they knew they had to try. What they didn’t realize at first was that<br />
Max would make the donor drive succeed. At first, only the family worked on<br />
the drives. <strong>The</strong>n they were joined by many <strong>of</strong> their friends, <strong>and</strong> soon, old<br />
friends were joined by the hundreds <strong>of</strong> new friends Max found through<br />
television <strong>and</strong> radio.<br />
Max’s campaign for a donor was called the “Max + 6,000.” Always, Max wanted<br />
people to remember that this wasn’t just for him. It was for Max <strong>and</strong> all the<br />
others in America who needed the one perfect donor. Many people didn’t<br />
really know what leukemia was all about or about bone marrow transplants, or<br />
how to help even if they wanted to help. One morning, figuring he had<br />
nothing to lose <strong>and</strong> plenty to gain, Max called a radio station to see if he could<br />
make his appeal on the air. He spoke on local radio shows. He was invited to<br />
talk on Channel 4 <strong>and</strong> then Channel 7 <strong>and</strong> then Channel 2. Smiling into the<br />
camera, Max would say, “Leukemia is a blood disease that starts in the marrow<br />
<strong>of</strong> bones. I need new bone marrow in order to get better. Come have a simple<br />
blood test <strong>and</strong> see if you can be my donor. Perhaps you will be my MUD, my<br />
matched unrelated donor.”<br />
Tom Bergeron, one talk show host, said to Max, “You’re good at this. You look<br />
as if you’re enjoying yourself.”<br />
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“I am, sir. I wanted to be on TV <strong>and</strong> here I am. Maybe this is what I was getting<br />
ready for. Even if no donor turns up for me, I can help someone else.”<br />
For the people watching Max, it wasn’t pity that moved them; it was Max’s<br />
cheerful way <strong>of</strong> thinking <strong>of</strong> others before himself. <strong>The</strong> stations asked him back<br />
again <strong>and</strong> again. Hundreds <strong>and</strong> eventually thous<strong>and</strong>s <strong>of</strong> people came to give a<br />
sample <strong>of</strong> their blood <strong>and</strong> promised to be a bone marrow donor if their type<br />
matched the type <strong>of</strong> anyone in need.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Boston</strong> Globe <strong>and</strong> <strong>The</strong> <strong>Boston</strong> Herald picked up Max’s story. “Max waits for<br />
his rescue,” said one headline. “Max leads charge against disease.” <strong>The</strong><br />
reporters who met him liked Max <strong>and</strong> wanted to help him. <strong>The</strong>ir stories<br />
reassured people <strong>and</strong> gave them practical information about when <strong>and</strong> how to<br />
become a bone marrow donor.<br />
At every donor meeting, there was Max wearing a “Max + 6,000” button <strong>and</strong> a<br />
red carnation. Red for blood, he said, <strong>and</strong> laughed when people asked how he<br />
could joke about something so serious. Max would shake each donor’s h<strong>and</strong><br />
<strong>and</strong> say thank you. “You may not help me but you probably will help<br />
somebody,” he’d say.<br />
Every week, Max’s white cell count got higher. Every week, the need to find a<br />
donor got more acute. “It may be getting too late,” Dr. Parsons worried. “We<br />
have to find a donor soon.”<br />
Days slipped by. Weeks slipped by. Leaves on the trees outside Max’s window<br />
turned red <strong>and</strong> orange <strong>and</strong> then brown <strong>and</strong> fell away in the winds <strong>of</strong> early<br />
winter. Max, Fred, <strong>and</strong> their mom <strong>and</strong> dad talked about the little events <strong>of</strong><br />
each day <strong>and</strong> about the distant future but not <strong>of</strong>ten about the immediate<br />
future. <strong>The</strong>y talked about missing the rest <strong>of</strong> the summer at the shore <strong>and</strong><br />
about Take It To <strong>The</strong> Max, the dreamboat. <strong>The</strong> boat came to mean so much.<br />
It meant another summer growing up. It meant having a future. By mid-<br />
October, nearly three months after Max’s leukemia was discovered, there still<br />
was no donor. “I’m going to order the 420 for Max,” his father said. “It will<br />
mean a lot to him knowing the boat is started.” He called the boat builder,<br />
who said yes, he could have the boat ready by spring. By the time Max was well;<br />
his 420 would be ready to put into the water.<br />
With no donor found, surgery went forward to improve Max’s chances later<br />
on, just in case a donor could be found. On November 15, Max’s spleen was<br />
removed. He recovered for a week in the hospital <strong>and</strong> for six days at home.<br />
<strong>The</strong>n, on November 28, the hospital called. <strong>The</strong> lab had found the miracle<br />
match among the last batch <strong>of</strong> samples.<br />
“Who is it?” Max asked.<br />
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“We don’t know, but it’s a perfect match!” the nurse said. Later, during long<br />
December days in the hospital, Max <strong>and</strong> his dad sent the anonymous<br />
benefactor a picture <strong>of</strong> the intravenous bag that held the life-giving bone<br />
marrow with a letter that said, “This is all we know <strong>of</strong> you but we want to thank<br />
you!” Much later, Mr. <strong>and</strong> Mrs. Warburg learned that the donor was a doctor<br />
in Seattle, Washington, whose great-, great-, great-, great-gr<strong>and</strong>father all the<br />
way back to the 1800s in Europe was the same as Max’s.<br />
Now, with marrow from the donor, treatment could begin to pave the way for<br />
the transplant that might save Max. Chemotherapy would be the worst part.<br />
“Your hair is going to fall out, Max,” Dr. Parsons told him. Max could see that<br />
other kids in the cancer ward had little or no hair. “It’s part <strong>of</strong> getting better,”<br />
he told Fred. But he wasn’t sure he would be brave enough. He had seen<br />
others going for their treatment <strong>and</strong> returning exhausted <strong>and</strong> in tears. He was<br />
determined he wouldn’t let the treatment sink his spirits.<br />
First Max had a tube implanted in his chest, as the doctor told him would<br />
happen, for giving medicine, taking blood samples, <strong>and</strong> for feeding him<br />
because he wouldn’t be able to eat normally. He would have to be almost in<br />
isolation in a special environment called the Laminar Flow Room. In the<br />
sealed room, ducts brought a steady, moving stream <strong>of</strong> oxygen down <strong>and</strong> away<br />
from the bed, blowing foreign substances away from Max as his system tried to<br />
accept the strange marrow <strong>and</strong> begin making its own blood.<br />
Except for daily trips to the Total Body Irradiation room--the hospital<br />
people called it the TBI--Max had to stay in the isolated room <strong>and</strong> could<br />
see few visitors. When his mom <strong>and</strong> Fred visited each day <strong>and</strong> his dad came<br />
in the evening, they had to scrub like doctors <strong>and</strong> wear cover-up coats <strong>and</strong><br />
hairnets. Even a touch could harm, so there could be no hugs to give comfort<br />
<strong>and</strong> love. Each morning the halls were cleared <strong>of</strong> contaminating strangers<br />
so Max, inside a tent, could be wheeled through the empty halls to the<br />
treatment room.<br />
Knowing he’d be lonely <strong>and</strong> expecting he’d be scared, Dr. Parsons had given<br />
Max a tape recorder so he could make a record <strong>of</strong> what was happening to him.<br />
Max told his tape recorder, “Going to TBI is really cool, like being in a space<br />
ship. <strong>The</strong> air coming in from the top <strong>of</strong> my oxygen tent is exhilarating. I feel<br />
like a great explorer from the next century gliding in on his chair.”<br />
<strong>The</strong> experience in the room wasn’t exhilarating. <strong>The</strong> drugs made Max sick.<br />
He had to stay on a metal table, head on blocks, neck stiff <strong>and</strong> body sore, for a<br />
long time. When finally he sat up, he threw up. <strong>The</strong> vomiting meant he was<br />
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done for the day. On his tape Max said, “<strong>The</strong> table is real hard <strong>and</strong> it makes<br />
my head so stiff, but it’s fun because I can blast my music as loud as I want so it<br />
reminds me <strong>of</strong> home.”<br />
<strong>The</strong> first seven treatment days were chemotherapy <strong>and</strong> irradiation. <strong>The</strong> eighth<br />
day, the transplant itself, wasn’t at all what Max expected. Instead <strong>of</strong> an<br />
operation with doctors cutting him open, Max lay on his bed all alone while the<br />
new marrow flowed into his body from a transparent bag <strong>of</strong> clear fluid<br />
suspended over his head <strong>and</strong> connected to him by a clear slender tube.<br />
“How is that going to get into my bones?” he wondered while he watched,<br />
then later heard the doctors themselves marveling that the marrow sought its<br />
way to the right places once it was safely in his system.<br />
<strong>The</strong> blood count was critical. After the transplant, Max’s white cell count was<br />
zero. <strong>The</strong>y wouldn’t let him out <strong>of</strong> the Laminar Flow Room until his count was<br />
3,000. One day after the transplant, his count was 20. <strong>The</strong> next day it was 100,<br />
then 150, then 300. Max had a long way to go, but he was making it. His body<br />
was rebuilding. Slowly the days passed.<br />
Max knew these days would be hard. <strong>The</strong> pains doctors had warned about<br />
became the pains he felt. Max didn’t complain. Instead, he tried to cheer up<br />
other patients stuck, as he was, in the hospital for Christmas. He got his<br />
parents to help. Max’s mom <strong>and</strong> dad brought in a whole Christmas dinner for<br />
all the kids <strong>and</strong> their families in the Jimmy Fund wing, the part <strong>of</strong> the hospital<br />
where Max <strong>and</strong> the other children with cancer were staying. Teddy Kennedy,<br />
Jr., who had cancer when he was thirteen <strong>and</strong> was now all grown up, brought<br />
presents for the kids, along with living pro<strong>of</strong> that they could get better.<br />
Max yearned for breakout day, the day the doctors would let him go out <strong>of</strong> his<br />
room. Finally, early in the New Year, on January 2, Max woke to see balloons<br />
on the isolation room door <strong>and</strong> crepe-paper streamers overhead. <strong>The</strong> nurses,<br />
especially Nurse Rohan, his favorite, were celebrating for him. This was it; he<br />
was out! He went by wheelchair to the hospital door, then into the fresh air for<br />
the first time in 35 days, <strong>and</strong> then home. He loved the smell, he loved the<br />
look, <strong>and</strong> he loved the feel <strong>of</strong> home! Everyone in the hospital had been great<br />
to Max <strong>and</strong> he was grateful, but home was where he wanted to be. Back in his<br />
own room, Max saw again the calendar with the smile marking February 6. It<br />
was still almost a month away. “Not quite cured,” thought Max. “But maybe I’ll<br />
be better by then. February 6 will be a happy day.”<br />
But it wasn’t. Before long Max was back in the hospital with a high fever. Dr.<br />
Parsons sent him home again, uncertain what was wrong. Back he went again<br />
for ten days <strong>and</strong> again he came home no better. Still he had a fever <strong>and</strong> still he<br />
threw up. On February 6, he went back to the hospital again. <strong>The</strong> smile he was<br />
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now famous for was still there, but it seemed to waver at the corners <strong>of</strong> his<br />
mouth. Max went back to his isolation room <strong>and</strong> this time he would have an<br />
oxygen mask, the sign <strong>of</strong> mortal struggle.<br />
Max’s mom <strong>and</strong> dad <strong>and</strong> Fred were at the hospital every day, staying with<br />
him until the evening when Max, heavy with drugs, fell asleep. <strong>The</strong> long<br />
days in the hospital were hard on Fred. He played with Max, but it wasn’t<br />
like the last time Max was in the hospital. One day, sick <strong>and</strong> exhausted after<br />
a treatment, Max was being pushed back to his room in the wheelchair.<br />
Fred had had it. Right on the edge <strong>of</strong> crying, he pulled hard on his mother’s<br />
arm, making it difficult for her to push Max’s chair. “Come on, Fred. Max<br />
needs you to help out,” she said.<br />
Max was used to being the helper himself. Knowing he was needed, he said,<br />
“I can cheer Fred up. Put him here in my lap.”<br />
Fred went into his older brother’s lap, glad to be riding the long corridor <strong>and</strong><br />
glad to have Max acting like his old self. <strong>The</strong> two rolled along, Max’s head<br />
hidden <strong>and</strong> arms waving out from under Fred’s armpits, a four-armed,<br />
laughing pair all the way from Pulmonary to the Transplant floor. Hearing<br />
them, the nurses couldn’t tell that one <strong>of</strong> the laughing boys was perilously ill<br />
until, rounding the corner, they recognized Max <strong>and</strong> his family.<br />
“That’s like Max,” they told his mother. “At night on the transplant floor, the<br />
younger kids cry. <strong>The</strong>y’re in pain <strong>and</strong> they miss their families. I hear Max call<br />
to them, ‘Don’t cry. I’m here. You’ve got a friend!’ You have an unusually<br />
brave son, Mrs. Warburg.”<br />
“I’m not sure he realizes,” his mother said. “He says to me, ‘Mommy, do you<br />
think I’m brave?’ I don’t know why he doubts.”<br />
“How does he keep his laughter? How can he keep on smiling?”<br />
“That’s Max,” said his mom. “That’s the way Max is.”<br />
On March first Dr. Parsons told Max his life was threatened. <strong>The</strong> blood<br />
transfusions <strong>and</strong> medicines pumped into him weren’t working well enough.<br />
<strong>The</strong> doctors’ skills <strong>and</strong> the hospitals’ resources <strong>and</strong> Max’s own incredible will<br />
were losing against the disease. Max saw the solemn faces around him. His<br />
body swollen in places, emaciated in places, spotted with sores in places, Max<br />
looked Dr. Parsons straight in the eyes <strong>and</strong> said, “Well, okay, so what’s the<br />
plan? How are you going to get me well?” <strong>The</strong>y looked at Max in disbelief, to<br />
see his conviction so strong despite his ordeal, <strong>and</strong> took heart themselves.<br />
“Come here to the window, Max, come look,” said his father.<br />
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<strong>The</strong>re in the hospital driveway below, high on a truck <strong>and</strong> with mainsail<br />
flying, was Take It To <strong>The</strong> Max. Max’s eyes widened in pleasure, his delight<br />
was evident in every gesture <strong>of</strong> his excitement. He glowed, knowing the<br />
care <strong>and</strong> love that brought his boat to him at this place at this time.<br />
Nurses <strong>and</strong> doctors all came to exclaim about Max’s treasure <strong>and</strong> enjoy<br />
his infectious happiness.<br />
That night, Max stayed up until close to midnight working on a project with<br />
his dad. When he was ready to put out the light, Max <strong>and</strong> his mom <strong>and</strong> dad<br />
prayed together <strong>and</strong> thanked God for all the help He had given <strong>and</strong> all the<br />
people who had been so kind to him. <strong>The</strong>n Max went to sleep.<br />
Max died in his mother’s arms, holding his father’s h<strong>and</strong>, at 6:55 a.m.<br />
on March 5, 1991.<br />
In the days that followed there was a terrible silence. <strong>The</strong> silence swelled<br />
<strong>and</strong> roared, because silences can do that if what you want to hear isn’t there<br />
<strong>and</strong> what you don’t want to hear is everywhere. <strong>The</strong>n stories started to fill<br />
the empty spaces, stories about Max.<br />
Many stories ended with a shake <strong>of</strong> the head, a glance away, <strong>and</strong> the simple<br />
statement, “Max amazed me then. He was so brave. <strong>Children</strong> amaze me.<br />
I am amazed by the courage <strong>of</strong> children.”<br />
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<strong>Courage</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Boston</strong><br />
Volume <strong>XXX</strong><br />
1
<strong>Courage</strong> in My Life<br />
<strong>The</strong> mission <strong>of</strong> <strong>The</strong> Max Warburg <strong>Courage</strong> Curriculum, Inc. is to strengthen the<br />
literacy skills <strong>of</strong> participating students. Our nonpr<strong>of</strong>it program, provided free <strong>of</strong> charge,<br />
invites educators <strong>and</strong> students to explore the idea <strong>of</strong> courage in literature, their own<br />
lives, <strong>and</strong> within the broader community.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Max Warburg <strong>Courage</strong> Curriculum is a year-long language arts program,<br />
founded to honor the life <strong>of</strong> Max Warburg, a courageous sixth grader whose<br />
steadfast determination <strong>and</strong> heartfelt hope in the face <strong>of</strong> his battle with<br />
leukemia continue to inspire our work.<br />
Since the program’s inception in 1991, the <strong>Courage</strong> Curriculum has positively<br />
impacted the academic performance <strong>and</strong> increased the essential knowledge <strong>of</strong><br />
over 250,000 sixth grade students in <strong>Boston</strong> Public Schools <strong>and</strong> surrounding<br />
public <strong>and</strong> private schools. By connecting with Max’s story <strong>and</strong> with awardwinning<br />
literature featuring courageous young people, students come to<br />
recognize <strong>and</strong> celebrate the role that courage plays in their own lives. Our<br />
work with talented classroom teachers allows us to empower young people<br />
to continue to act courageously, to the benefit <strong>of</strong> their classmates, families,<br />
communities, <strong>and</strong> themselves.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Max Warburg <strong>Courage</strong> Curriculum, <strong>Courage</strong> in My Life, works to improve<br />
the reading, writing <strong>and</strong> critical thinking skills <strong>of</strong> students. We inspire<br />
participants to celebrate acts <strong>of</strong> courage in their own lives <strong>and</strong> the lives <strong>of</strong><br />
others. We train <strong>and</strong> support teachers in the use <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Courage</strong> Curriculum<br />
to improve their own instruction <strong>and</strong> to engage <strong>and</strong> inspire their students to<br />
make meaningful connections to literature. <strong>The</strong> success <strong>of</strong> the program is<br />
evidenced by the resulting quality <strong>of</strong> students’ writing <strong>and</strong> individual pride<br />
in their work. This is accomplished through a direct correlation between its<br />
emphasis on literature content <strong>and</strong> writing competency.<br />
Although it is intensely focused on classroom practice <strong>and</strong> teacher instruction,<br />
<strong>The</strong> Max Warburg <strong>Courage</strong> Curriculum also disseminates this work on its<br />
website, in this annual publication <strong>of</strong> essays, <strong>and</strong> at an annual awards<br />
luncheon for Max Warburg Fellows. <strong>The</strong> luncheon draws families <strong>and</strong> the<br />
larger community together for a culminating event, to celebrate the outcomes<br />
<strong>of</strong> the program <strong>and</strong> the students’ efforts. <strong>The</strong> Max Warburg <strong>Courage</strong><br />
Curriculum has been featured in academic journals <strong>and</strong> other publications,<br />
positioning the program as a national model for excellent school <strong>and</strong><br />
community partnerships.<br />
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Our sixth grade program, <strong>Courage</strong> in My Life, is a social-emotional learning<br />
tool used in the classroom to help children underst<strong>and</strong>, process, <strong>and</strong> manage<br />
emotions through the reading <strong>and</strong> discussion <strong>of</strong> courage. <strong>The</strong> courage essay<br />
works as an opportunity for students to gain an underst<strong>and</strong>ing <strong>of</strong> empathy<br />
through their self-discovery <strong>of</strong> courage <strong>and</strong> the exposure to the stories <strong>of</strong> their<br />
fellow students. Using the <strong>Courage</strong> in My Life curriculum as a social-emotional<br />
learning tool helps students establish positive relationships, evaluate their<br />
actions in new lights, <strong>and</strong> make more responsible decisions.<br />
This year, due to Covid-19 we worked remotely with our teachers to bring our<br />
curriculum to over 100 classrooms in the United States, <strong>and</strong> six countries<br />
worldwide. <strong>The</strong> <strong>Courage</strong> Curriculum program is growing on a local, national<br />
<strong>and</strong> global scale. Max Warburg’s legacy continues to inspire young people to<br />
recognize <strong>and</strong> celebrate the courage in their lives.<br />
Volume <strong>XXX</strong><br />
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Noah Taveras<br />
Helen Sullivan, Teacher<br />
Hurley K-8 School<br />
I was at school, in fourth grade. We were sitting in a circle <strong>of</strong> six. One kid<br />
mentioned his older sister, who is transgender. Three <strong>of</strong> the students in the<br />
circle were cool with it: the kid who mentioned his sister, another kid, <strong>and</strong> me.<br />
<strong>The</strong> other three, not so sure. <strong>The</strong>y all had weirded-out <strong>and</strong> confused facial<br />
expressions.<br />
“What?” one kid said. He seemed so confused, like he hadn’t heard <strong>of</strong> the<br />
word transgender before.<br />
“Wait. So that was your brother?” another kid asked.<br />
<strong>The</strong> kid who mentioned his sister, we’ll call him Kai. He didn’t look happy<br />
at all. He had seemed so confident talking about his sister.<br />
“My sister,” Kai said again. He was more serious.<br />
“Sooo, he used to be your brother?” the last kid asked.<br />
“Ahem, he IS his brother,” the kid next to him added.<br />
<strong>The</strong> circle we had made slowly turned into two rows <strong>of</strong> three kids.<br />
“His sister is his sister, not his brother. She identifies as a girl,” I said. I hadn’t<br />
even planned to say something, it kind <strong>of</strong> just happened.<br />
“Okay, but in reality he’s his brother. He’s not a girl,” a kid from the other row<br />
said. We’ll call these kids Adam, Kayden, <strong>and</strong> Tom. On the other row, sat me,<br />
Kai, <strong>and</strong> another girl we’ll call Jay.<br />
All three <strong>of</strong> us just stared in disbelief at the three kids sitting in the row in<br />
front <strong>of</strong> us. I just thought everyone thought like I did. But I was wrong, it was<br />
an ongoing issue since day one. A very big issue.<br />
Kai’s face had zero emotion. He didn’t look like he wanted to be there<br />
anymore.<br />
“May I use the bathroom?” Kai said with his h<strong>and</strong> raised. <strong>The</strong> teacher<br />
dismissed him <strong>and</strong> he left.<br />
“What is wrong with you?” Jay said, disappointed.<br />
“What? I was only telling the truth,” Kayden said.<br />
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“In conclusion,<br />
it’s courageous<br />
to st<strong>and</strong> up<br />
for others.”<br />
Jay <strong>and</strong> I stared at them for a few seconds. <strong>The</strong>n slowly, we got up <strong>and</strong> left to<br />
sit at a desk instead. We both talked about how we couldn’t believe they said<br />
that. I mean, it’s Kai’s sister. Who disrespects other people’s siblings like that?<br />
We heard the three kids from the rug laugh. I half wished I could hear what<br />
they were saying, but I didn’t want to be in a worse mood.<br />
Jay said, “I don’t care what they believe, <strong>and</strong> I don’t care if they disagree <strong>and</strong><br />
are against it. Even if they are against it, why should they take time out <strong>of</strong> their<br />
day to go out <strong>of</strong> their way <strong>and</strong> disrespect people who just want to live their<br />
lives as their own person?”<br />
I added, “<strong>The</strong>y just want to make people feel bad about themselves. <strong>The</strong>y<br />
could be productive, or simply keep their opinion to themselves. But no, they<br />
choose to force their beliefs on others knowing it’s not going to work. It’s<br />
only going to make them feel disgusted with themselves. Just let transgender<br />
people live their lives.”<br />
<strong>The</strong>n the school bell rang. Dismissal. I had to get to my bus to go home.<br />
“Well, see you tomorrow.” I said.<br />
“You too!” Jay said back.<br />
I went to the bus line while Jay went out to the playground to find her parents.<br />
That was an okay day I guess.<br />
In conclusion, it’s courageous to st<strong>and</strong> up for others.<br />
Volume <strong>XXX</strong><br />
5
Yusuf Saad<br />
William V<strong>and</strong>all, Teacher<br />
Al-Noor Academy<br />
<strong>Courage</strong> to me means helping people when they are being taken advantage<br />
<strong>of</strong> or can’t take care <strong>of</strong> themselves. This happens a lot, especially with<br />
young people. <strong>The</strong> story I am about to tell you is about a time when I used<br />
to get bullied. Many kids made fun <strong>of</strong> my last name, Saad. <strong>The</strong>y used to<br />
tell me that I was sad. But I am Egyptian, <strong>and</strong> ironically, the word Saad in<br />
Arabic means happy.<br />
I experienced courage when I used to get made fun <strong>of</strong>, <strong>and</strong> some <strong>of</strong> my<br />
friends stood up for me. I didn’t st<strong>and</strong> up for myself then, because<br />
I thought the boys were just joking, which they were, but it hurt me.<br />
I learned that sometimes, people have to say something when other people<br />
are being unkind. I learned that from my friends. Maybe the next time,<br />
I will be the one st<strong>and</strong>ing up for them.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Courage</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Children</strong>: <strong>Boston</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Beyond</strong><br />
6
“I learned that<br />
sometimes, people<br />
have to say<br />
something when<br />
other people are<br />
being unkind. I<br />
learned that from<br />
my friends.”<br />
Volume <strong>XXX</strong><br />
7
Kora Kieta<br />
Scott Larivee, Teacher<br />
Mary Lyon K-8 School<br />
My name is Kora Salief Kieta. <strong>The</strong> name Kora means peaceful warrior. My<br />
mom has always said that the name really suits me. Generally, I avoid conflict<br />
<strong>and</strong> tend to only speak up or even defend myself as a last resort. American<br />
philosopher <strong>and</strong> poet Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “To be yourself in<br />
a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest<br />
accomplishment.” To me, this quote is about the courage it takes to st<strong>and</strong> your<br />
ground <strong>and</strong> be who you are. To love yourself, even if other people might not.<br />
I didn’t attend preschool or kindergarten. When I started the first grade I<br />
was extremely nervous. I had traveled around the United States <strong>and</strong> been to<br />
other countries, but I had never sat in a classroom before. A lot <strong>of</strong> the kids<br />
were confused when they met me. Everyone assumed I was a girl because <strong>of</strong><br />
my name, <strong>and</strong> the hair past my shoulders didn’t help. At first everyone was<br />
very welcoming <strong>and</strong> curious about me. “Why didn’t you go to kindergarten?<br />
What kind <strong>of</strong> name is Kora?” But after a few weeks, a few <strong>of</strong> the kids began to<br />
tease <strong>and</strong> make fun <strong>of</strong> me. One kid asked, “Do you put curlers in your hair<br />
every morning before school?” Another kid said, “Did your mom name you<br />
Kora because she wants you to be a girl? Is that why you have long hair?” It<br />
was usually during recess, so I did my best to ignore these kinds <strong>of</strong> questions<br />
<strong>and</strong> mean comments. I love my long hair <strong>and</strong> my name means peaceful<br />
warrior. Whenever a mean comment was made I reminded myself <strong>of</strong> this.<br />
Besides, most <strong>of</strong> the kids were nice to me <strong>and</strong> I didn’t want to get anyone in<br />
trouble. So I kept it to myself. As time went on, the teasing got worse <strong>and</strong><br />
became harder to ignore.<br />
After our Christmas concert we were all lined up <strong>and</strong> getting ready to go<br />
back to school. Someone walked up behind me, yanked my hair really hard<br />
<strong>and</strong> said, “Maybe it’s time for a haircut?!” It hurt so much I cried. I was<br />
embarrassed, so I didn’t tell any <strong>of</strong> the teachers or adults what happened.<br />
I didn’t say much on the way home, but when I got there I went straight to<br />
the bathroom <strong>and</strong> found a pair <strong>of</strong> scissors. I h<strong>and</strong>ed them to my mom <strong>and</strong><br />
dem<strong>and</strong>ed she cut my hair or I would do it myself. She asked me what was<br />
wrong <strong>and</strong> I began to cry. I told her how I had been bullied at school almost<br />
every day for the past three months. “Why didn’t you say anything, Kora? Why<br />
didn’t you tell the teachers?” It’s hard for her to underst<strong>and</strong>, but I really don’t<br />
like to “stir the pot.” And sometimes, telling makes it worse. She cried when<br />
she cut my hair. I did too.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Courage</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Children</strong>: <strong>Boston</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Beyond</strong><br />
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“I’ve learned<br />
to ignore the<br />
negativity because<br />
I’ve learned to be<br />
myself in a world<br />
that is constantly<br />
trying to make me<br />
something else.”<br />
My mom did a decent enough job, but it helps to have curly hair. While we<br />
were sweeping up my “lovely locks” as she always called them, she turned<br />
to me <strong>and</strong> said, “If you don’t say something to the bullies or your teachers,<br />
nothing’s going to change.”<br />
When I returned to school I got lots <strong>of</strong> compliments. “You look so different!<br />
I love your hair!” <strong>The</strong>re were even a few, “I miss those curls!” Seemed like<br />
everyone loved the “new do.” Everyone except me. <strong>The</strong> rest <strong>of</strong> the year flew by<br />
without incident, but my hair grows pretty quickly so I had to make a choice:<br />
keep cutting it really short or let it grow. I chose the latter. Like Samson, Thor,<br />
<strong>and</strong> the Samurai, long hair is a part <strong>of</strong> me.<br />
On the first day <strong>of</strong> second grade, I marched right up to the kids who bullied<br />
me <strong>and</strong> told them, “I’m going to grow my hair long again. I love my hair <strong>and</strong> I<br />
love my name <strong>and</strong> I don’t want to hear anything about it. If you have anything<br />
mean to say, keep it to yourself or don’t ever talk to me again!” I walked away<br />
feeling brave <strong>and</strong> relieved that I had the courage to speak up for myself. I still<br />
get teased about my hair from time to time, but I’m older <strong>and</strong> wiser than I was<br />
before. I’ve learned to ignore the negativity because I’ve learned to be myself<br />
in a world that is constantly trying to make me something else.<br />
Volume <strong>XXX</strong><br />
9
Sarah Olamokun<br />
Thomas Savas, Teacher<br />
Mother Caroline Academy<br />
My definition <strong>of</strong> courage is the ability to do something even though it may<br />
be frightening. Some examples <strong>of</strong> courage are physical, social, creative, <strong>and</strong><br />
moral courage. <strong>The</strong> type <strong>of</strong> courage I’m going to talk about in my essay is<br />
social courage.<br />
I believe that people are courageous when they passionately fight for a cause.<br />
When people st<strong>and</strong> up for a cause, they show social courage because they are<br />
st<strong>and</strong>ing up in public to fight for what they believe. For example, people with<br />
the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement stood up against police brutality <strong>and</strong><br />
racism while the entire world watched. As they fought to bring justice after<br />
the murders <strong>of</strong> George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Phil<strong>and</strong>o Castile <strong>and</strong> many<br />
more innocent people, many people publicly threatened them. LGBTQ+ <strong>and</strong><br />
immigration advocacy groups also showed courage when they marched <strong>and</strong><br />
protested in public even though many people disagreed with their ideas.<br />
In June, my mom <strong>and</strong> I were driving past a Stop & Shop when we saw people<br />
protesting in the streets. <strong>The</strong>y were marching <strong>and</strong> holding signs that said<br />
things like “no justice, no peace.” We honked our horn as a show <strong>of</strong> support.<br />
I remember wanting to join the protest with them. I wanted to show support<br />
<strong>and</strong> st<strong>and</strong> with them because I felt the same passion they showed while<br />
protesting. I had watched the news to see the stories about the many people<br />
who wanted change, <strong>and</strong> I wanted to walk with them <strong>and</strong> feel powerful— like<br />
I could be part <strong>of</strong> this change.<br />
In this hard <strong>and</strong> cruel world, we can still support each other. We still have<br />
what it takes to be a peaceful world. It is not easy to fight for peace <strong>and</strong><br />
change. <strong>The</strong>re are some dangers when doing this. Some people may treat you<br />
differently because <strong>of</strong> what you believe. But with courage, you can be who<br />
you want to be <strong>and</strong> fight for what you believe. I felt powerful supporting the<br />
protest. I want everyone to know I believe that everyone deserves to fight for<br />
their dreams.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Courage</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Children</strong>: <strong>Boston</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Beyond</strong><br />
10
“I felt powerful<br />
supporting the<br />
protest. I want<br />
everyone to know<br />
I believe that<br />
everyone deserves<br />
to fight for<br />
their dreams.”<br />
Volume <strong>XXX</strong><br />
11
Trace McFarl<strong>and</strong><br />
M<strong>and</strong>y Lam & Thu-Hang Tran-Peou, Teachers<br />
Josiah Quincy Upper School<br />
<strong>Courage</strong> is doing something even if you may or may not know the consequences.<br />
My mom always talks about white privilege <strong>and</strong> how Black lives matter. I would<br />
hear people say Black Lives Matter <strong>and</strong> I would see the signs. We talked about<br />
it during debate class, but I never really understood what my mom meant or<br />
what my teachers meant until one day at the street hockey rink.<br />
My family consists <strong>of</strong> my mom, my dad <strong>and</strong> my three brothers. One <strong>of</strong> my<br />
younger brothers, Addis, is adopted from Ethiopia. He has brown skin. He was<br />
adopted when I was two years old. As long as I can remember, I have always<br />
had a brother with brown skin, so I never thought about skin color very much.<br />
One day, my older brother, James, <strong>and</strong> my brother, Addis, <strong>and</strong> I were at the<br />
street hockey rink. <strong>The</strong>re were other kids there playing, <strong>and</strong> they started to<br />
call Addis names <strong>and</strong> said that James <strong>and</strong> I could play, but Addis couldn’t play<br />
with them. <strong>The</strong>y were calling him the N word <strong>and</strong> saying he couldn’t play <strong>and</strong><br />
that he should go back to where he came from. I was very scared <strong>and</strong> felt very<br />
sad for Addis because <strong>of</strong> what they were saying. I didn’t know what to do or<br />
what to say. But suddenly, something was telling me to st<strong>and</strong> up.<br />
I had the courage to st<strong>and</strong> up for my little brother even though the kids<br />
making fun <strong>of</strong> him were way older than me <strong>and</strong> my other brothers, <strong>and</strong> I was<br />
very scared. I told the older kids that it was not nice to call anyone names<br />
because <strong>of</strong> the way that they look, <strong>and</strong> how they should never ever treat<br />
anyone like that. I spoke up not knowing the consequences <strong>of</strong> what could<br />
happen, but I did it for my brother <strong>and</strong> for what is right.<br />
Even though I stood up for him, we still couldn’t play. But at the end <strong>of</strong> the<br />
day I realized you can’t change someone’s actions, but you can change their<br />
thoughts. When we got home, I was crying so much <strong>and</strong> told my mom what<br />
happened. I told her that I felt so much better when I stood up for him <strong>and</strong><br />
showed courage. I was sad that the boys at the street hockey rink said such<br />
mean things to Addis just because <strong>of</strong> the color <strong>of</strong> his skin. I was sad for Addis.<br />
I was also sad that even though I showed courage <strong>and</strong> I spoke up, we still<br />
didn’t get to play. But I realized that if I didn’t speak up for him, they might<br />
have been even more mean <strong>and</strong> they might have tried to hurt him. I was<br />
proud <strong>of</strong> myself.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Courage</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Children</strong>: <strong>Boston</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Beyond</strong><br />
12
“I spoke up not<br />
knowing the<br />
consequences <strong>of</strong><br />
what could happen,<br />
but I did it for my<br />
brother <strong>and</strong> for<br />
what is right.”<br />
That day was the first time that I noticed that my brother was treated<br />
differently because <strong>of</strong> the color <strong>of</strong> his skin. That day I learned what my mom<br />
meant when she said to use my white privilege to help others, <strong>and</strong> to show<br />
courage even when you may or may not know the consequences. That day I<br />
learned to notice how people who don’t look like me are treated. That day<br />
I learned to never be quiet again <strong>and</strong> to always speak up <strong>and</strong> show courage<br />
because Black Lives Matter. Addis’s life matters.<br />
Volume <strong>XXX</strong><br />
13
Marion Mosman<br />
Scott Larivee, Teacher<br />
Mary Lyon K-8 School<br />
Hi, my name is Marion <strong>and</strong> I am going to tell you about a time I showed<br />
courage. <strong>The</strong> type <strong>of</strong> courage called fortitude, to be more specific. To me<br />
courage is st<strong>and</strong>ing up for what is right even if you are afraid. A quote<br />
from Chris Gardner reminds me <strong>of</strong> my story, “Strong people st<strong>and</strong> up for<br />
themselves. But the strongest people st<strong>and</strong> up for others.” I want to teach<br />
people to st<strong>and</strong> up to bullies <strong>and</strong> that bullying is not okay.<br />
My courage moment took place at my former school. <strong>The</strong> day started out<br />
normal. I woke up early <strong>and</strong> went to school not knowing this would be the<br />
day I showed courage. A little later in the day things started to change. I knew<br />
there had been bullying going on at my school. I had experienced it myself,<br />
but I did not realize how bad it would get. My ELA teacher had been out <strong>of</strong><br />
school for a while <strong>and</strong> we had a substitute. <strong>The</strong>re was a lot <strong>of</strong> bullying going<br />
on, but the substitute teacher didn’t really do anything about it. I was sitting<br />
near one <strong>of</strong> my friends <strong>and</strong> she always wore a hijab (a hijab is a head covering<br />
worn by Muslim woman <strong>and</strong> girls). A girl in my class had bullied me <strong>and</strong> my<br />
friend earlier that year, but I thought it was over. I was doing my work <strong>and</strong><br />
heard fighting, so I turned around <strong>and</strong> the bully was saying very mean things.<br />
I couldn’t believe what I saw. My heart started to beat super fast <strong>and</strong> my eyes<br />
opened wider. <strong>The</strong> bully had pulled <strong>of</strong>f my friend’s hijab. I knew it wasn’t<br />
right! I immediately stood up <strong>and</strong> moved quickly over to them. I was very<br />
scared that she would start being mean to me, but I knew I had to help my<br />
friend. So I said, “Put her hijab down <strong>and</strong> leave my friend alone!!” She put<br />
it down, but she was still saying mean things. In my head I was thinking<br />
about what else I could do to help. I decided it would be best to get another<br />
teacher to help. I went <strong>and</strong> got my Math teacher from the classroom next<br />
door <strong>and</strong> she helped end the fight. After the incident my friend <strong>and</strong> I<br />
became much closer.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Courage</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Children</strong>: <strong>Boston</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Beyond</strong><br />
14
“This is how I live<br />
my life now.”<br />
I am proud <strong>of</strong> the courage I showed while st<strong>and</strong>ing up to the bully. I hope<br />
this teaches people that bullying is not okay <strong>and</strong> that if you see someone<br />
being bullied, you should st<strong>and</strong> up for them even if you are scared. This is<br />
how I live my life now.<br />
Volume <strong>XXX</strong><br />
15
Olivia Doherty<br />
Jeanine Stansfield, Teacher<br />
Warren-Prescott School<br />
I think that courage means to st<strong>and</strong> up for yourself <strong>and</strong> others, <strong>and</strong> for what<br />
is right. I believe that courage is also another form <strong>of</strong> bravery. When you show<br />
courage, you just need to dig those deep, dark fears into a black hole, <strong>and</strong><br />
bring out your strong, brave self. I believe that I show this courage every single<br />
day, living with my autistic <strong>and</strong> Down syndrome brother, Niko. I wake up every<br />
day, hoping that this day will be better than the last. I have to deal with Niko’s<br />
outbursts, <strong>and</strong> I just need to learn to accept my way <strong>of</strong> living. Niko doesn’t<br />
always underst<strong>and</strong> certain concepts, <strong>and</strong> it’s hard for us to teach him. I’m<br />
going to be telling you how I live my daily life with my brother, Niko.<br />
Niko is my older brother. He is thirteen years old, <strong>and</strong> in the seventh grade. He<br />
was diagnosed with Down syndrome three days after he was born, <strong>and</strong> he was<br />
diagnosed with autism at the age <strong>of</strong> six, as well as a few other diagnoses. <strong>The</strong>se<br />
diagnoses cause some behaviors that go along with them. Like sometimes<br />
Niko has outbursts, <strong>and</strong> throws objects that could hurt someone. But Niko is<br />
not intending to hurt anyone, he is very aware <strong>of</strong> people <strong>and</strong> their feelings.<br />
Niko does not comprehend safety. He doesn’t underst<strong>and</strong> he could be hit by a<br />
car, or be burned from an oven or stove, etc. Niko doesn’t underst<strong>and</strong> certain<br />
concepts like tying his shoes, brushing his teeth, <strong>and</strong> showering, etc. Niko<br />
needs 24-hour care, <strong>and</strong> he is not able to do everyday things independently.<br />
We repeat these things daily. We would eventually like Niko to someday be<br />
able to take care <strong>of</strong> himself, <strong>and</strong> know what is right <strong>and</strong> wrong.<br />
Being his younger sister, I have to look out for Niko all the time. Niko would<br />
love to have all the friends in the world, <strong>and</strong> I encourage people to play<br />
with him. Most people are very underst<strong>and</strong>ing <strong>of</strong> Niko <strong>and</strong> his behaviors,<br />
<strong>and</strong> would spend their whole recess playing ball with him. But sometimes if<br />
someone has never met Niko, they might ask, “Why does he talk like that?” or<br />
“Why does he do that?” or even, “Why does he look like that?” And they just<br />
need to underst<strong>and</strong> that that is Niko, <strong>and</strong> that is who he is. Niko is a normal<br />
person, just like everyone else, <strong>and</strong> I try to teach him life skills daily, such as<br />
trying to get him to pay money at the store, knowing when to cross the street,<br />
<strong>and</strong> how to interact appropriately with others.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Courage</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Children</strong>: <strong>Boston</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Beyond</strong><br />
16
“I think that<br />
courage means<br />
to st<strong>and</strong> up for<br />
yourself <strong>and</strong><br />
others, <strong>and</strong> for<br />
what is right.”<br />
Every day I try to make my brother the better person he is, <strong>and</strong> when he says,<br />
“I can’t”, I say, “You can.” Niko is a big part <strong>of</strong> my life, <strong>and</strong> shows people what<br />
I deal with, <strong>and</strong> what my life is like. <strong>The</strong>re are daily challenges I deal with, like<br />
his throwing an object at me (not intending it) or even pushing or hitting<br />
when he has some outbursts. But Niko’s behaviors, or what he looks like,<br />
doesn’t mean that you should treat him differently. You should treat everyone<br />
the same, even if they have a disability.<br />
Volume <strong>XXX</strong><br />
17
Sari London Goldberg<br />
Alice Lucey, Teacher<br />
<strong>The</strong> Park School<br />
<strong>Courage</strong> is when you do something that challenges you emotionally or<br />
physically. It comes from the head, travels down to your lungs, <strong>and</strong> grows,<br />
filling them with a deep breath. <strong>The</strong>n it gently lets go, you face fear, <strong>and</strong> slap<br />
it in the face. You do something about it. Fear might remain, but it’s gotten<br />
a taste <strong>of</strong> your courage.<br />
I have always had an urge to learn, <strong>and</strong> I have always enjoyed school because<br />
<strong>of</strong> all the action. <strong>The</strong>re is drama, then there is also classwork, new challenges,<br />
new tests. I like schoolwork, <strong>and</strong> when I am in the right mindset, I like to do<br />
things like math homework. My mind will focus on a problem, trying to make<br />
it more interesting, trying to find the bigger picture, <strong>and</strong> it feels good to look<br />
at it in different ways. It’s hard for me to just sit down with something boring<br />
because my mind doesn’t like an unstimulating book. I can’t fight the urge<br />
to look at the bright window, taking in the beauty <strong>of</strong> nature, coming up with<br />
a thous<strong>and</strong> story plots at the same time, all the while running through my<br />
homework in my head. All this is happening in a millisecond because my brain<br />
can h<strong>and</strong>le all this commotion so quickly. That’s a good thing, right? <strong>The</strong><br />
downside is that my brain not only wants but needs to be stimulated this way.<br />
If you have heard <strong>of</strong> Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder you might not<br />
have guessed I had it, because there are so many stereotypes. People with<br />
ADHD this, people with ADHD that. When I first got tested <strong>and</strong> diagnosed<br />
with ADHD, I had an idea <strong>of</strong> what it was. <strong>The</strong> doctor <strong>and</strong> my mom helped<br />
describe it to me, <strong>and</strong> things about my ADHD that are specific to me.<br />
Just recently, I started taking medicine that stimulates my brain unconsciously,<br />
so I can focus better. My brain needs to multitask, so when the medicine is<br />
stimulating part <strong>of</strong> it, the rest <strong>of</strong> my brain doesn’t need as much stimulation,<br />
<strong>and</strong> I can focus on my homework a lot better.<br />
This year in science, we had a small unit on mental disorders. On the list,<br />
one <strong>of</strong> the disorders was ADHD. <strong>The</strong> day we had to choose our disorders to<br />
study, I sat looking at the link to ADHD. I knew it was a disorder but I never<br />
really thought about it. I clicked on the page about it. As with cold symptoms,<br />
it listed everything about ADHD. I actually teared up a little. Everything was<br />
silent <strong>and</strong> I could feel my heart beating. <strong>The</strong> words were blaring out <strong>of</strong> the<br />
screen, <strong>and</strong> I hated it. <strong>The</strong>re it was, listed on a list <strong>of</strong> mental <strong>and</strong> neurological<br />
disorders. I had a brain disorder.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Courage</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Children</strong>: <strong>Boston</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Beyond</strong><br />
18
“My act <strong>of</strong> courage<br />
is this very moment.<br />
You, the reader,<br />
reading about<br />
my ADHD.”<br />
On the day people were presenting I had forgotten to take my medicine.<br />
I was out in the open, with no help from my medicine, a kid with ADHD.<br />
Sitting right in front <strong>of</strong> these people who talked about ADHD like they<br />
knew everything about it. <strong>The</strong>y didn’t explain that ADHD was different for<br />
everyone. I wanted to just shout out at that moment “Hey! You guys have<br />
known me for over a year, I have ADHD!” (I didn’t actually consider doing<br />
this.) I just sat <strong>and</strong> watched, feeling like at any moment people might look at<br />
me, look at my leg that was lightly bouncing, my h<strong>and</strong>s that were fidgeting,<br />
<strong>and</strong> the deep breaths I was forcing myself to take. But they didn’t, <strong>and</strong> I sat<br />
through it.<br />
I haven’t told many people about my ADHD. I know I don’t have to, <strong>and</strong> I hope<br />
it doesn’t change the way people see me, especially people who don’t know me<br />
that well. But I am writing about my ADHD right now, in the hopes that my<br />
classmates, my teachers, other friends, <strong>and</strong> people who I know see this. My act<br />
<strong>of</strong> courage is this very moment. You, the reader, reading about my ADHD.<br />
I have second-guessed this essay so many times. I know that to most people this<br />
is barely even courage, but I know how much it takes out <strong>of</strong> me to talk about<br />
it, <strong>and</strong> I know how my fingers are fidgeting as I write this. I can’t say I have<br />
accepted that I technically have a disorder, but I know that there are a lot <strong>of</strong><br />
upsides to having ADHD. It is a sign <strong>of</strong> a person who is really smart <strong>and</strong> can<br />
h<strong>and</strong>le the complicated school life. My brain loves a million different things<br />
to focus on, <strong>and</strong> the rush <strong>of</strong> people all walking <strong>and</strong> talking. I am not saying I<br />
have some sort <strong>of</strong> superpower, but if I look on the upside <strong>of</strong> what having ADHD<br />
means, then I can realize that some things would be harder to do if my mind<br />
weren’t so active. So, am I emotionally ready to show this? No, but am I going<br />
to do it anyway? Absolutely. Because that is what it means to be courageous.<br />
Volume <strong>XXX</strong><br />
19
Summer Santry<br />
Jane Kelly, Teacher<br />
Washington Irving Middle School<br />
I was badly missing my best friend Poppy who moved away over the summer.<br />
How was I going to make it through this year without her? She was always there<br />
for me whenever I struggled in school. She would stick up for me against bullies.<br />
It was the first day <strong>of</strong> fourth grade! My mom woke me by yelling up in a cheerful<br />
voice, “Wake up, Summer, breakfast is ready.” I ran downstairs because I was<br />
going to be late! When I finished breakfast, I got dressed. I was so nervous, I<br />
could feel the butterflies flying around in my stomach. <strong>The</strong> bus ride to school<br />
was too quick. <strong>The</strong> bus stopped <strong>and</strong> I looked at the school <strong>and</strong> I thought,<br />
“Please make this year better than usual.”<br />
I was so nervous I was shaking! I hoped my new teachers wouldn’t have me read<br />
aloud. I was still struggling with reading at my grade level, because I have dyslexia.<br />
I didn’t know how long I could fake it until everyone discovered my secret.<br />
My teacher pulled out some popsicle sticks <strong>and</strong> had us pick a color. I picked dark<br />
blue. He then told us to put our name on it, so I wrote my name, “Summer,”<br />
then put it back in the container. He shuffled them up <strong>and</strong> then he called my<br />
name first! “Oh, no!” My face turned bright red! I felt like I was going to throw<br />
up.<br />
<strong>The</strong>n he asked, “Summer, can you read the schedule?” I read the schedule to<br />
myself. It didn’t seem too difficult. <strong>The</strong>n I came across the word “technology.”<br />
“Come on, Summer,” he called. I got really nervous, but I told myself that I<br />
could do it. I tried my best, but I sounded it out wrong.<br />
“Sound it out, Summer,” I heard him say. So I tried, but I just didn’t know! I just<br />
wished Poppy was here to whisper it in my ear. She knew my secret <strong>and</strong> always<br />
would say, “Don’t worry, Summer, no one’s perfect.” Her advice always made me<br />
feel better.<br />
I finally gave up <strong>and</strong> told him that I didn’t know, <strong>and</strong> he replied that I should<br />
know how to read that word by now. I wanted to cry, but I held it back. Instead,<br />
I asked to use the bathroom. I was so mad at myself for not knowing how to read<br />
“technology.” Why am I so dumb? Why am I crying on my first day <strong>of</strong> school?<br />
Why does my teacher hate me? I cannot explain how terrible I felt. I sat in the<br />
bathroom staring at the walls, missing my friend Poppy.<br />
When I got back to class, the teacher told me to go sit down in an aggravated<br />
voice. I felt nervous all over again. Why did he hate me so much? If I could only<br />
be good at reading, then he’d like me. <strong>The</strong> boy behind me whispered,<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Courage</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Children</strong>: <strong>Boston</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Beyond</strong><br />
20
“Not only did I<br />
make a new friend,<br />
but I also found<br />
someone who knows<br />
how I learn.”<br />
“I guess Mr. J doesn’t like dumb kids like you.” I sank in my seat. I knew I wasn’t<br />
dumb, but it didn’t help that everyone else thought I was.<br />
<strong>The</strong> rest <strong>of</strong> the day was a little better. Even though my dyslexia affects my work<br />
in every class, English seems to be the hardest. I wish I could just skip English<br />
class every day. Finally, it was lunchtime. Lunch was my favorite time <strong>of</strong> day. I<br />
could relax <strong>and</strong> not worry about spelling a word wrong or reading aloud. <strong>The</strong><br />
only problem was that I had no one to sit with. Just then I heard a voice call out<br />
“Are you in my English class?”<br />
I looked <strong>and</strong> saw an unfamiliar face. She said, “I have Mr. J’s English class too.<br />
Do you want to sit?”<br />
I smiled, <strong>and</strong> told her I’d love to! Her name was Lila <strong>and</strong> she had the friendliest<br />
smile. Before long we were laughing <strong>and</strong> talking about our favorite teachers.<br />
She asked me if I liked the teacher <strong>and</strong> I said, “He’s okay.”<br />
Lila’s face turned serious <strong>and</strong> she said, “I didn’t like the way he treated you today.”<br />
“What do you mean?” I asked.<br />
“Well, I know how it feels to not be able to spell a word right, <strong>and</strong> sometimes I<br />
get stuck on a word while I’m reading because I have dyslexia,” Lila said.<br />
I interrupted Lila immediately to tell her I was dyslexic, too. We both were so<br />
happy that we had that big thing in common. I was very relieved to find a friend<br />
that I had so much in common with. I didn’t want lunch to end.<br />
On the bus ride home I couldn’t take the smile <strong>of</strong>f my face. Not only did I make<br />
a new friend, but I also found someone who knows how I learn.<br />
As I think back on it, I grew so much. I have had so many different experiences,<br />
some good <strong>and</strong> some not, but with dyslexia I have learned different things. If I<br />
did not have dyslexia, I would not be where I am today.<br />
Volume <strong>XXX</strong><br />
21
John Patrick Jennings<br />
Sarah Hoisl, Teacher<br />
South <strong>Boston</strong> Catholic Academy<br />
I spent five years trying to overcome dyslexia. Dyslexia is a learning problem<br />
where a child can’t learn to read properly. This was annoying to me. I had to<br />
make many sacrifices because <strong>of</strong> this. One year I got held back. Luckily my<br />
mother searched long <strong>and</strong> hard for something that could help me. After a<br />
long time <strong>of</strong> searching she finally found a reading program meant for people<br />
like me. I spent five years in this program. I had to go there three days a week.<br />
I <strong>of</strong>ten had to leave school early just when my favorite classes (Stem, Math,<br />
Vocabulary) were starting. This bothered me, but instead <strong>of</strong> complaining, I<br />
used courage <strong>and</strong> determination to get through this.<br />
<strong>The</strong> teacher there was nice <strong>and</strong> helped me pass the program. Every day that<br />
I was there, I got better at reading. When my school year was over, I thought<br />
I could finally rest, but instead I had to do the program throughout the<br />
summer. I usually go sailing, so this was very hard for me. Going to school <strong>and</strong><br />
having to leave early three days a week was hard, but this was harder. I had to<br />
skip my sailing classes <strong>and</strong> my free time to do this. It takes a lot <strong>of</strong> courage to<br />
get past it.<br />
This program used special methods <strong>of</strong> teaching so that people with dyslexia<br />
could learn to read <strong>and</strong> write. Doing this program normally was hard, but<br />
with my sweaty h<strong>and</strong>s that prevented me from writing, this made it ten times<br />
harder. It takes a lot <strong>of</strong> courage to do this program.<br />
In my third year <strong>of</strong> this program, I was getting better at reading, but I wasn’t<br />
out <strong>of</strong> the fog yet. Sadly, because <strong>of</strong> grades <strong>and</strong> my reading skills, I got held<br />
back. This made me sad. Luckily my parents were supportive <strong>and</strong> helped me<br />
get through the program to get my reading skills up again.<br />
After two years I was slowly but surely making progress to keep my grades high,<br />
but I was still continuing the program to keep my reading skills up. After two<br />
more years the program was finally over. <strong>The</strong>y had me take a reading test at<br />
the program to evaluate my reading skills, which they determined to be at<br />
the level <strong>of</strong> eighth grade. I was in fourth grade at the time. Not only did the<br />
program help me get past dyslexia, but it also boosted my reading skills to an<br />
eighth grade level. I was now reading chapter books. I went from five page<br />
books to chapter books with this program. I was super thankful. Even though<br />
it took a lot <strong>of</strong> courage, I got through it, <strong>and</strong> I am super thankful for my family<br />
members for being so supportive. That’s how I cured my dyslexia using hard<br />
work <strong>and</strong> courage.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Courage</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Children</strong>: <strong>Boston</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Beyond</strong><br />
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“Even though it<br />
took a lot <strong>of</strong><br />
courage, I got<br />
through it, <strong>and</strong> I<br />
am super thankful<br />
for my family<br />
members for being<br />
so supportive.”<br />
Volume <strong>XXX</strong><br />
23
Estelle Lawrence<br />
Merrill Hawkins, Teacher<br />
<strong>The</strong> Park School<br />
People say courage is being brave, <strong>and</strong> it is doing something that you don’t<br />
want to do. I think that courage is underst<strong>and</strong>ing yourself. It is knowing<br />
what scares you <strong>and</strong> reaching for more. It’s reaching for the impossible <strong>and</strong><br />
making it possible. I think courage is having a weakness <strong>and</strong> making it into a<br />
strength. Everybody has disabilities, strengths, <strong>and</strong> weaknesses. I was born with<br />
dyslexia, <strong>and</strong> I have hated it for a long time. I thought that I could not achieve<br />
as much. I thought it was something holding me back. But now that I think<br />
about it, without dyslexia there would be a piece missing because dyslexia<br />
is not a weakness, but a strength. I might not read as well or as fast as some<br />
people, but it is not how fast you read or underst<strong>and</strong> something, it is how you<br />
incorporate these learning experiences into your life, without being ashamed.<br />
One day at school my teacher was asking for someone to read something<br />
aloud. I could have kept quiet, sat in my chair <strong>and</strong> waited for someone else<br />
to get called on. But I thought, so what if I mess up? I’m really going to waste<br />
my whole life just waiting for the perfect moment <strong>and</strong> avoid reading out loud<br />
forever? If I don’t face my fear now, how am I supposed to face my fear in the<br />
future? So I raised my h<strong>and</strong>.<br />
“Yes, Estelle,” my teacher said. Of course, she could have picked anyone in<br />
my class, but she had to pick me. My heart skipped a beat. In my head all I<br />
could think was what if I mess up, what if people laugh at me? Am I even good<br />
enough? In that moment while all <strong>of</strong> these thoughts were running through my<br />
head there was a little part <strong>of</strong> me saying, “You can do this. So what if you mess<br />
up. <strong>The</strong>re are only fifteen people.”<br />
And that’s exactly what I did. I might have read a few words incorrectly. I<br />
might have not read fast. But who cares? I believed in myself <strong>and</strong> I didn’t let<br />
anything stop me.<br />
<strong>Courage</strong> is a word. It has seven letters <strong>and</strong> four vowels. So why is it that it is so<br />
important? <strong>Courage</strong> is a mood, a feeling, a thought, a spirit. <strong>The</strong>re is so much<br />
in the world that we can’t control. <strong>Courage</strong> isn’t about doing everything, but<br />
about doing the right things at the right time. Dyslexia is part <strong>of</strong> me that I<br />
can’t see myself living without.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Courage</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Children</strong>: <strong>Boston</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Beyond</strong><br />
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“I believed in myself<br />
<strong>and</strong> I didn’t let<br />
anything stop me”<br />
Volume <strong>XXX</strong><br />
25
Nirvan Shrestha<br />
Kathleen McGonigle, Teacher<br />
Thomas A. Edison School<br />
Many people are born differently. I was born with eczema. I had severe dry<br />
<strong>and</strong> itchy skin. I always had to put cream on my h<strong>and</strong>s, legs, neck, <strong>and</strong> face. I<br />
also had to take medicine every day. Sleeping at night was the worst. At night<br />
I didn’t even sleep. All I did was itch, itch, <strong>and</strong> itch. My mom tried helping<br />
me as much as she could. When I woke up, I was bleeding through my shirt,<br />
bleeding through my pants. I was bleeding everywhere.<br />
During my daycare, I tried hiding all my “ugliness.” I was so focused on hiding<br />
all my eczema that I wasn’t doing well in school. I was afraid that I would get<br />
judged by my peers, <strong>and</strong> I was right, I was losing some <strong>of</strong> my friends. My eyes<br />
<strong>and</strong> face were red <strong>and</strong> swollen. Every day I was scared to go to daycare.<br />
During my first few weeks <strong>of</strong> first grade, I was terrified. I made up r<strong>and</strong>om<br />
excuses to my dad about school. I was doing badly in academics. Lots <strong>of</strong><br />
people made fun <strong>of</strong> me. I had some friends. I still wasn’t welcomed enough.<br />
It was a Monday, <strong>and</strong> school just ended. My dad enrolled me in a basketball<br />
class. It was for only 45 minutes, Monday <strong>and</strong> Wednesday. This was the first<br />
class. We warmed up <strong>and</strong> did some shooting drills. After a while, we started<br />
doing some push ups. When I was doing my push-ups, I saw my coach look at<br />
my h<strong>and</strong>s with disgust. I pretended not to see. For the rest <strong>of</strong> the class, I was<br />
trying to hide the ugly tears coming down my face. When I came home, I was<br />
despondent. I didn’t know that adults thought I was weird.<br />
In the middle <strong>of</strong> fourth grade, I met this kid who also had eczema. He<br />
was fearless enough to show me his eczema. I started to feel like I was like<br />
everyone else. I showed my friends my eczema, my heart pounding like it was<br />
going to fall out. I felt like jumping into a pit <strong>of</strong> emptiness. Instead, they said,<br />
“Things happen. You should feel special that you are born with this. Later in<br />
the future, it will go away.” That was the time I showed courage.<br />
I was born with very itchy skin. I was bleeding through my clothes. I was scared<br />
<strong>of</strong> being judged during school, <strong>and</strong> I was hiding this ugly terror. This may<br />
seem like a lot, but I am fortunate. Many people are born way worse than me.<br />
Every day I share my eczema with others. It makes me feel unique <strong>and</strong> special.<br />
Being courageous also made me realize that people go through ever harder<br />
things than me, <strong>and</strong> lots <strong>of</strong> people don’t have as many opportunities as others.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Courage</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Children</strong>: <strong>Boston</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Beyond</strong><br />
26
“You are not alone.”<br />
My eczema has gotten A LOT better. I am feeling brave enough to share it<br />
with people. I am also writing this to other people with the same problem as<br />
me. “You are not alone.”<br />
Volume <strong>XXX</strong><br />
27
Nara Duarte<br />
Barbara Walsh-Smith, Teacher<br />
Saint Agatha School<br />
People have various ways <strong>of</strong> showing courage, <strong>and</strong> there are many meanings<br />
<strong>of</strong> courage. My definition <strong>of</strong> courage is to be brave. A lot <strong>of</strong> people have<br />
been faced with either being picked on or bullied - maybe for differences<br />
or disabilities. Every day, people get criticized for their differences. I have<br />
personally dealt with bullying, <strong>and</strong> it is never easy.<br />
I have a cataract. Cataracts are most common with elderly people, but I have<br />
had one since I was a baby. To sum it up, the cataract blurs the vision in my<br />
left eye. It is quite rare for babies <strong>and</strong> kids to have this condition. Since the<br />
vision in my left eye is affected, I have to wear glasses with bifocals. Bifocals<br />
are just different types <strong>of</strong> eyeglass lenses. I need glasses for my left eye <strong>and</strong><br />
my right eye.<br />
Since I have a cataract, I have had a couple <strong>of</strong> surgeries on my eye. I can only<br />
remember having one surgery, <strong>and</strong> it’s not a happy memory. I could not eat<br />
at all before or after the surgery. I also had to see with my left eye only while I<br />
wore a patch on my good eye. <strong>The</strong> doctors had me do this to strengthen the<br />
vision in my eye with the cataract. I could not do much since I could barely<br />
see. This happened during the beginning <strong>of</strong> summer, so all I did was lie<br />
around. I couldn’t even go swimming, which is my favorite sport.<br />
Later that summer, I was at a pond with my family for a cookout. My two<br />
cousins <strong>and</strong> I were swimming in the water. We decided to get out <strong>of</strong> the water<br />
<strong>and</strong> go get some cheeseburgers which smelled delicious as they cooked on<br />
the grill. As we were walking to the picnic area, we saw these two boys who<br />
just showed up out <strong>of</strong> nowhere. <strong>The</strong>y were both around my age at the time.<br />
We were all getting along for a while until one <strong>of</strong> the boys decided to ask me<br />
separately, “What’s wrong with your eyes?” Some people might think he was<br />
just being curious, but I could tell by his tone that he was going to pick on me.<br />
He proceeded to call me, “Googly eyes.”<br />
I got tired <strong>of</strong> it <strong>and</strong> finally said, “What’s wrong with your eyes?” <strong>The</strong>n I just<br />
walked <strong>of</strong>f with my cousins. After that day, I realized that people don’t see me<br />
the way I see myself. So now I try to be as courageous as I can be. I try to help<br />
people be positive or even give people compliments. Today, I try to be more<br />
proud that I’m different from most kids. If I can be brave or courageous, you<br />
should be too. Be brave <strong>and</strong> show your courage.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Courage</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Children</strong>: <strong>Boston</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Beyond</strong><br />
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“Be brave <strong>and</strong> show<br />
your courage.”<br />
Volume <strong>XXX</strong><br />
29
Liam O’Connor<br />
Alanna Edstrom, Teacher<br />
Saint Agatha School<br />
True courage is something we do not necessarily always see with our eyes.<br />
Many people think courage is saving a life or an obvious act <strong>of</strong> heroism,<br />
but courage can also be a quiet, less apparent action. It can present itself in<br />
many different ways. <strong>Courage</strong> is keeping a level head in the face <strong>of</strong> danger<br />
<strong>and</strong> tragedy. It could be keeping a positive attitude, like Max Warburg, in the<br />
face <strong>of</strong> a serious illness. It can also be helping someone when they are being<br />
teased or bullied. If you are getting teased, <strong>and</strong> you do not let it consume<br />
you, that is courage.<br />
When someone is scared or anxious, you can lend some <strong>of</strong> your bravery to<br />
comfort them, <strong>and</strong> this takes courage. <strong>The</strong>se quieter acts are just as important<br />
because being able to help yourself or somebody else through a difficult time<br />
has great value.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re was a time in my life when I had to exhibit this type <strong>of</strong> “quiet” courage.<br />
In the second grade, my front teeth were extremely crooked, <strong>and</strong> to make it<br />
worse, I sustained a very traumatic injury to my adult front tooth. Day after<br />
day, I was teased by my peers relentlessly. At first, I took it personally, <strong>and</strong> after<br />
a while, I started feeling self-conscious <strong>and</strong> insecure. Over the next couple <strong>of</strong><br />
weeks, I confided in my parents many times to help with my emotions, <strong>and</strong> I<br />
came out <strong>of</strong> it with a new perspective. I decided to let their taunts wash over<br />
me, like a river over a stone. That very next day, at basketball practice, the<br />
taunting continued, but surprisingly enough it did not bother me. I decided<br />
to solve my problems by using words instead <strong>of</strong> overreacting to the situation. I<br />
found that using a kind response with a sting <strong>of</strong> cleverness stopped the bullies’<br />
cruel words in their tracks.<br />
In addition to coping with this emotional obstacle, I also had to be<br />
courageous while being in physical pain. I had many procedures to fix my<br />
mouth, including a root canal at an extremely young age. After braces, my<br />
mouth was thankfully back to normal. Throughout the experience, I learned<br />
numerous things. First, you do not realize who your friends are until you have<br />
to face something unpleasant or challenging. This was important because<br />
many <strong>of</strong> the taunters were some <strong>of</strong> my friends. My true friends stayed by my<br />
side the entire time.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Courage</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Children</strong>: <strong>Boston</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Beyond</strong><br />
30
“I also learned that<br />
keeping your feelings<br />
locked inside never<br />
works. This can<br />
lead to feelings <strong>of</strong><br />
depression or lack<br />
<strong>of</strong> self-esteem. You<br />
should always<br />
confide in someone<br />
you can trust.”<br />
I also learned that keeping your feelings locked inside never works. This can<br />
lead to feelings <strong>of</strong> depression or lack <strong>of</strong> self-esteem. You should always confide<br />
in someone you can trust. It can be an adult or a loyal friend, but you cannot<br />
deal with the pain alone. Overall, I was able to overcome a very hard situation<br />
by having the wherewithal to ask for advice, <strong>and</strong> ultimately the boldness to<br />
st<strong>and</strong> up for myself.<br />
Finally, as I reflected on my own situation, I had some puzzling thoughts. Are<br />
we born with courage, or is it a choice? I believe courage is a virtue that is<br />
always inside <strong>of</strong> us, but it is a choice to act upon it. Do we run into the burning<br />
building? Do we defend a friend or a stranger? Do we stick up for ourselves?<br />
Do we smile through a difficult day? Many times it is an unconscious choice,<br />
but sometimes we have to think about it. We <strong>of</strong>ten ask ourselves, “Will my<br />
courage make a difference, or will it not affect the situation?” Ultimately, it is a<br />
risk we have to take in order to do the right thing, or to simply create a better<br />
reality. I hope when others see me, they think <strong>of</strong> me as an example <strong>of</strong> courage.<br />
I also hope that during the winding trail <strong>of</strong> life, I can continue choosing<br />
courage when I see a need.<br />
Volume <strong>XXX</strong><br />
31
Evan Horton<br />
Helen Sullivan, Teacher<br />
Hurley K-8 School<br />
<strong>Courage</strong> does not mean you have to take risks. <strong>Courage</strong> means you’re brave,<br />
<strong>and</strong> not letting things or people bring you down. I was sitting on the couch,<br />
waiting for my brother <strong>and</strong> sister so we could go to school. I was really excited<br />
for my first day <strong>of</strong> kindergarten.<br />
“C’mon boys,” said my foster dad. We raced downstairs <strong>and</strong> got into the<br />
minivan. When we got to school, we said goodbye to my foster parents <strong>and</strong><br />
headed inside. We met the teachers <strong>and</strong> our classmates.<br />
“Good morning kindergarteners!” said my teacher. “We have some new<br />
students today! Do you want to introduce yourselves?” We both walked up<br />
to the front <strong>of</strong> the classroom <strong>and</strong> said our names <strong>and</strong> one thing about us.<br />
My brother had a hard time talking so I had to help him. Three kids in<br />
front <strong>of</strong> us started laughing. Unfortunately, the teacher didn’t see them.<br />
So I had to step up.<br />
After class, I went to my teacher <strong>and</strong> told her what happened. She told their<br />
parents <strong>and</strong> I felt very confident about the rest <strong>of</strong> the year. But I guess I got<br />
too excited.<br />
<strong>The</strong> next day, I came to school <strong>and</strong> we were taking turns reading. Again, my<br />
brother was having a hard time. And this time, when I helped him read, one<br />
<strong>of</strong> the boys said, “Dummy!” I got really upset so I asked the teacher if my<br />
brother <strong>and</strong> I could sit down in the <strong>of</strong>fice.<br />
At recess, the boys were laughing at us, so I came up to them <strong>and</strong> said, “Not<br />
cool. If your sibling was autistic, you wouldn’t like it if I made fun <strong>of</strong> them<br />
<strong>and</strong> laughed at them.” I told my foster mom what happened. She was really<br />
frustrated <strong>and</strong> went to talk to the principal.<br />
Later, my biological dad talked to me about what happened. He said, “Make<br />
sure they don’t bring you down. Because that will only make you weaker.” I<br />
took that advice <strong>and</strong> strapped it to my mind.<br />
<strong>The</strong> next day, it was going better <strong>and</strong> I was still thinking about what my<br />
dad said. At lunch, the boys were making sassy faces at us across the table.<br />
I ignored them <strong>and</strong> finished my lunch. On the way back inside, one <strong>of</strong> the<br />
boys pushed me with his shoulder, so I pushed him back. But I remembered,<br />
violence is wrong. Stop. I went home furious because I would have to deal with<br />
this all year long.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Courage</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Children</strong>: <strong>Boston</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Beyond</strong><br />
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“You see? All you<br />
have to do is use<br />
your voice.”<br />
<strong>The</strong> next day, I came to school <strong>and</strong> I didn’t see the boys. I was happy because<br />
at least I wouldn’t have to deal with them <strong>and</strong> I’d get to let myself relax<br />
without them interrupting. I asked my teacher, “Why didn’t the boys come<br />
to school today?”<br />
“<strong>The</strong>y got suspended,” she said. I got even more excited <strong>and</strong> told my brother<br />
<strong>and</strong> family about it. <strong>The</strong>y were happy too, because I was able to stop them with<br />
the power <strong>of</strong> my voice.<br />
You see? All you have to do is use your voice.<br />
Volume <strong>XXX</strong><br />
33
Nathan Greene<br />
Aaron Cohen, Teacher<br />
Jackson Mann K-8 School<br />
Have you been insulted for the way you look? Have you ever had friends<br />
who pushed you away because you changed how you looked? Well I have,<br />
<strong>and</strong> it’s all because I stopped cutting my hair. I really, really hate getting<br />
haircuts because it feels weird having bits <strong>of</strong> hair get into my eyes. Plus, I<br />
just eventually liked the way I looked <strong>and</strong> felt with long hair. I don’t mind<br />
so much when grownups are thoughtless or rude about it, but it really hurt<br />
coming from my friends.<br />
One year I was one <strong>of</strong> the more popular kids in my class, <strong>and</strong> the next year I<br />
was shunned for having long hair. I was confused that only a few <strong>of</strong> my older<br />
friends would hang out with me, but even they wouldn’t do it at school. Every<br />
day we would work in groups, <strong>and</strong> every day no one would work with me.<br />
<strong>The</strong>y even convinced the teacher to let them have a group <strong>of</strong> three so that I<br />
wouldn’t have a partner, which made me lonely. In class they moved my desk<br />
to the corner away from everyone else. I moved it back, but they always moved<br />
it to the corner.<br />
Every day I would be at the lunch table nobody used. At some point the bullies<br />
caught on that no one liked me, <strong>and</strong> everything went downhill. I was pushed<br />
around <strong>and</strong> insulted, even punched. I was tripped sometimes, <strong>and</strong> when I fell<br />
into the person in front <strong>of</strong> me, they’d say I was pushing. I told the teacher, but<br />
they never caught the bullies. Every day I would come home tired <strong>and</strong> sad.<br />
<strong>The</strong>n they started putting their things in my desk <strong>and</strong> saying that I stole them.<br />
<strong>The</strong>y got caught for that. But then they just started making things up when the<br />
teachers couldn’t see me. Whenever they did something bad they said I started<br />
it, <strong>and</strong> they got away with it. I was so mad whenever they did that. It wasn’t fair<br />
that they never got in trouble for what they did.<br />
My mom showed me a video on bullying. <strong>The</strong> guy said that if I ignore bullies<br />
then they wouldn’t have the satisfaction <strong>of</strong> seeing me uncomfortable. It<br />
helped, <strong>and</strong> one day when a few bullies were making fun <strong>of</strong> me for having<br />
long hair I said, “Stop. I don’t like that you make fun <strong>of</strong> me <strong>and</strong> I’d like<br />
you to stop.” <strong>The</strong>y didn’t listen, but that small moment <strong>of</strong> courage was<br />
enough for me.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Courage</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Children</strong>: <strong>Boston</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Beyond</strong><br />
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“Have you ever had<br />
friends who pushed<br />
you away because<br />
you changed how<br />
you looked?”<br />
I asked my closest friend Alé if he wanted to hang out with me after school,<br />
<strong>and</strong> he did. I was so happy. For the rest <strong>of</strong> the year I tried making new<br />
friends. I also ignored the bullies as best as I could. Not many people became<br />
my friend, but I had a small group <strong>of</strong> friends to hang out with <strong>and</strong> have<br />
something to be happy about. I realized it was more important to do what I<br />
liked than to freak out over what other people thought about me.<br />
Volume <strong>XXX</strong><br />
35
Anita Xue<br />
M<strong>and</strong>y Lam & Thu-Hang Tran-Peou, Teachers<br />
Josiah Quincy Upper School<br />
To me, the definition <strong>of</strong> courage is to be brave <strong>and</strong> take risks even though you<br />
know there will be consequences. I showed courage by helping a girl in my<br />
school. I was new to the school so I was nervous when I tried to help her out.<br />
We were strangers, so I was anxious she might decline the help.<br />
On the first day I arrived in my new classroom everything was normal. <strong>The</strong><br />
classroom was quiet, my classmates were doing their work. <strong>The</strong> teacher came<br />
to me <strong>and</strong> explained everything. I understood it <strong>and</strong> did as I was told. I<br />
made a few new friends by the time it was recess. When I was walking down<br />
the halls to lunch, I suddenly heard a girl named Isabel <strong>and</strong> her friends<br />
having an argument. All I heard was, “Shut up, Isabel.” Other than that, I<br />
wasn’t sure what the argument was, so I gave them an awkward smile <strong>and</strong><br />
walked down to the cafeteria.<br />
At lunch time I saw Isabel walking towards other groups <strong>of</strong> kids. She went<br />
from table to table, but all the other kids were shaking their heads or looking<br />
at one another when Isabel approached their tables. I felt bad for her because<br />
she had no one to sit with. I was sitting with the few new friends I made earlier<br />
that morning. At this point, I was debating whether I should help her or not.<br />
She looked upset <strong>and</strong> uncomfortable. I wanted to help her, but I was nervous<br />
if she would decline the help. After all, we barely knew each other! I finally<br />
made up my mind <strong>and</strong> decided to help her. If she declined the help, I guessed<br />
that would be alright.<br />
I told my new friends I was sitting with, “Hi guys, I think I’ll be sitting with<br />
Isabel today. Sorry, maybe next time.” <strong>The</strong>y looked at me <strong>and</strong> nodded. I<br />
thanked <strong>and</strong> said goodbye to them <strong>and</strong> left the table. I walked over to Isabel<br />
<strong>and</strong> looked at her. She turned around. Her face was pale <strong>and</strong> she had a frown.<br />
She looked at me <strong>and</strong> murmured, “Uhm yes?” I completely forgot what I was<br />
there for <strong>and</strong> blurted out whatever came out <strong>of</strong> my mouth. “O-oh hi, I was<br />
wondering if you want to s-sit with me. It’s totally fine if you don’t want to.” A<br />
small smile appeared on her face <strong>and</strong> she replied, “Yeah, sure, I’d love to!”<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Courage</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Children</strong>: <strong>Boston</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Beyond</strong><br />
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“That day I showed<br />
courage because<br />
I helped her when<br />
no one else was<br />
willing to”<br />
I was so relieved she agreed to sit next to me! We surprisingly have a lot <strong>of</strong><br />
things in common so we always had an interesting topic to talk about. She is<br />
now my friend <strong>and</strong> we hang out a lot. That day I showed courage because I<br />
helped her when no one else was willing to. I was afraid to get declined, but<br />
I still did it anyway! From this experience, I realized we should help people<br />
that need help. <strong>The</strong>re might be good or bad impacts, but being courageous<br />
is always good because we could make a change in someone’s life. It made a<br />
difference in my own <strong>and</strong> Isabel’s life <strong>and</strong> friendship.<br />
Volume <strong>XXX</strong><br />
37
Tavio Mares-Van Praag<br />
Kate Boswell & Alex Jones, Teachers<br />
<strong>The</strong> Advent School<br />
<strong>Courage</strong> is st<strong>and</strong>ing up for what you believe in, even if it changes what others<br />
think <strong>of</strong> you.<br />
Earlier in the summer, during quarantine due to coronavirus, my soccer team<br />
resumed training. It was socially distant <strong>and</strong> everyone was required to wear<br />
masks. At first, things were going well. Everyone had their own big square<br />
<strong>of</strong> cones that they had to stay inside for the entire training. But as time went<br />
on, <strong>and</strong> cases went down slightly, they got rid <strong>of</strong> the squares, <strong>and</strong> training was<br />
normal; except for the fact that we were supposed to wear masks. Emphasis<br />
on supposed. Unfortunately, not everyone was wearing their masks correctly,<br />
some not even wearing them at all.<br />
One time before a scrimmage, my team was huddling, socially distanced, to<br />
strategize for the game. Everything was fine, until one <strong>of</strong> the players stood<br />
up (while not properly wearing his mask) <strong>and</strong> went within six feet <strong>of</strong> people,<br />
coughing on them as a “joke.” Even if my mom wasn’t at higher risk because<br />
<strong>of</strong> her cancer I still would have intervened, but at that moment I wasn’t<br />
thinking just about her. I was thinking about the thous<strong>and</strong>s <strong>of</strong> people who<br />
died every day because <strong>of</strong> this virus. About how lucky we were to be able to<br />
play soccer during a global p<strong>and</strong>emic. About how people could be so blind<br />
to an obvious threat when there’s an easy solution <strong>of</strong> social distancing <strong>and</strong><br />
wearing a mask.<br />
So I did what I knew was right. I didn’t care what my teammates would think<br />
<strong>of</strong> me, I just knew that I had to point out that what he had done was wrong. I<br />
told him that we were incredibly lucky to be able to play, <strong>and</strong> actions like his<br />
could easily put our season in jeopardy. I told him that thous<strong>and</strong>s <strong>of</strong> people<br />
were dying every day, <strong>and</strong> that their deaths were not a joke. I told him that<br />
actions like that were the exact reason that this p<strong>and</strong>emic is as bad as it is,<br />
<strong>and</strong> just caring a little bit about keeping others safe could save lives.<br />
Surprisingly, others supported me. Although they didn’t say as much as me,<br />
their simple words <strong>of</strong>, “Yeah!” or, “Not cool, dude,” showed that they too<br />
knew how important it was to stay safe. Although this didn’t solve the problem<br />
completely, it taught a couple people the importance <strong>of</strong> staying safe, <strong>and</strong> I see<br />
that as a total win in my book.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Courage</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Children</strong>: <strong>Boston</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Beyond</strong><br />
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“<strong>Courage</strong> is st<strong>and</strong>ing<br />
up for what you<br />
believe in, even<br />
if it changes<br />
what others<br />
think <strong>of</strong> you.”<br />
Every once in a while I have to remind someone at soccer practice to keep<br />
their distance, <strong>and</strong> to wear their mask the right way, but it certainly happens<br />
a lot less than before. Because <strong>of</strong> this I think it’s safe to say that doing this has<br />
certainly changed what people think <strong>of</strong> me, but that doesn’t matter to me,<br />
because I would gladly have people think <strong>of</strong> me as “the guy who cares too<br />
much about Covid” rather than have more people get sick <strong>and</strong> die.<br />
Volume <strong>XXX</strong><br />
39
Vallerie Peguero<br />
Peter Laboy, Teacher<br />
Bellesini Academy<br />
Have you ever been called names like “disgusting,” “weird,” or “ugly?” Did<br />
these words make you sad or hurt you? <strong>The</strong>se same words were said to me,<br />
<strong>and</strong> they upset me. To fight <strong>of</strong>f hurtful words, you need courage. <strong>Courage</strong><br />
requires self-confidence, strength, <strong>and</strong> bravery. Bullying is when someone who<br />
thinks they have more power than you lets out their anger <strong>and</strong> pain on you.<br />
Bullies bully you for a reason. In my moment <strong>of</strong> courage, I showed that it is<br />
important for you to st<strong>and</strong> up for yourself. Otherwise, you will end up hearing<br />
the same words that tear you apart every day. <strong>The</strong>se same words led me to feel<br />
insecurities <strong>and</strong> doubts. <strong>The</strong>y led me to doubt myself <strong>and</strong> keep quiet, which<br />
was not the right thing to do on this occasion. <strong>The</strong> right thing to do was to<br />
have courage, <strong>and</strong> make a change for myself <strong>and</strong> others.<br />
Kids were screaming, <strong>and</strong> the group <strong>of</strong> girls in another corner were gossiping<br />
<strong>and</strong> whispering secrets. <strong>The</strong> sun flashed on the red <strong>and</strong> yellow playground,<br />
<strong>and</strong> other kids were playing tag <strong>and</strong> bumping into each other. I was playing<br />
in the big s<strong>and</strong>pit <strong>and</strong> drawing small figures in the smooth s<strong>and</strong>. <strong>The</strong>n, the<br />
group <strong>of</strong> girls came up to me <strong>and</strong> started calling me hurtful words. As they<br />
spoke, my mind shrunk, <strong>and</strong> I cringed harder <strong>and</strong> harder as I was sweating<br />
<strong>and</strong> shaking. My mind went blank, <strong>and</strong> I realized that I was getting pushed. I<br />
didn’t know what was happening. When it was over, I kept my mouth shut <strong>and</strong><br />
hoped that things would get better, but they did not.<br />
Every day I would get hurt, <strong>and</strong> I could not find the strength to shout<br />
something to make it all stop. I felt that I did not have any control, <strong>and</strong> I let<br />
it continue. At one point, I decided to put an end to the madness. As I went<br />
up to the group, I started to have doubts, <strong>and</strong> I was shaking <strong>and</strong> anxious. As I<br />
approached them, I started saying things, but I could not hear my own voice<br />
because I was so scared. After that, they all laughed at me <strong>and</strong> showed that<br />
they did not care about what I said. I was so ashamed <strong>of</strong> myself. I felt that I was<br />
not in control <strong>of</strong> my own actions. I felt like I was being controlled by them,<br />
like a puppet, so I decided to tell an adult. I told my teacher everything about<br />
the mean girls who kept bullying me. At the end <strong>of</strong> it all, they stopped bullying<br />
me, <strong>and</strong> I was left at peace because I had courage. This was my moment <strong>of</strong><br />
courage. I was brave enough to say something, or at least do something, to<br />
stop what was breaking me down slowly.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Courage</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Children</strong>: <strong>Boston</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Beyond</strong><br />
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“Making a difference<br />
for yourself<br />
might make a<br />
difference to<br />
someone else, too.”<br />
In my moment <strong>of</strong> courage, I learned that I cannot be afraid to st<strong>and</strong> up for<br />
myself. I needed to make a change. If you do not speak up, then nothing<br />
will change <strong>and</strong> the scenario you are in will keep repeating over <strong>and</strong> over. I<br />
learned that sometimes you just need to realize how bullying will affect you.<br />
If you can do something for yourself that will change the way you will feel,<br />
then you should do it.<br />
Making a difference for yourself might make a difference to someone else,<br />
too. Often, a bully has been a victim <strong>of</strong> the same situation that you are in,<br />
<strong>and</strong> they want to let it all out on you so that you can feel what they felt. In<br />
my moment <strong>of</strong> courage, I realized that with a few words <strong>and</strong> actions, I could<br />
change my life <strong>and</strong> someone else’s.<br />
Volume <strong>XXX</strong><br />
41
Rushi Murrow<br />
Kate Boswell & Alex Jones, Teachers<br />
<strong>The</strong> Advent School<br />
To me, courage isn’t saving someone from something dangerous like a train,<br />
courage is st<strong>and</strong>ing up for something you care about, or something that you<br />
believe is unfair. I used to think courage was being a superhero, the ones with<br />
the weird underwear on the outside. I used to never want to be courageous,<br />
because I wanted to keep my underwear on the inside. But then I started<br />
basketball. I was the only kid on two teams that wasn’t white. I was a little bit<br />
intimidated, especially because a bunch <strong>of</strong> older kids were pushing us around.<br />
I felt like socks in a washing machine filled with clothes.<br />
Everything was fine until we started playing name games to get to know each<br />
other. Everyone else’s names were Jack, Mark, Sam, John, Carl, or Tim. All<br />
names that were so similar, so easy to pronounce <strong>and</strong> remember. So normal.<br />
My name sounded like I put a bunch <strong>of</strong> r<strong>and</strong>om letters thrown together. Of<br />
course, no one got the pronunciation right. First they said Rishi, <strong>and</strong> then<br />
Rashi, so I explained it rhymes with sushi. That only made it worse. We started<br />
doing some practice games to warm up. But on the sidelines, people would<br />
walk by me <strong>and</strong> whisper mockingly, ‘Rushi Tushy Sushi,’ or ‘Rushi like Sushi,’<br />
<strong>and</strong> then giggle. I had learned in all those little kid shows on TV to ignore<br />
verbal bullying <strong>and</strong> to st<strong>and</strong> up for yourself. Yeah, right. That only made them<br />
think I was afraid, <strong>and</strong> I was on the verge <strong>of</strong> crying.<br />
<strong>The</strong>n, the older kids noticed. And they sat next to me <strong>and</strong> whispered, “Sushi<br />
S***, Sushi S***.” I wanted to cry. But I didn’t, I knew being emotional was<br />
just fuel to people like that. But soon everyone was doing it. Whenever I wasn’t<br />
on the court I would hear in my ear, “Sushi Tushy! Sushi Rushi, Sushi S***.”<br />
By the end <strong>of</strong> the day I was feeling horrible. I told my mom <strong>and</strong> she said I<br />
should tell the coaches. Obviously, I didn’t, <strong>and</strong> they did it again <strong>and</strong> again.<br />
<strong>The</strong>n, a kid named Max noticed <strong>and</strong> said, “Stop it, stop it.” <strong>The</strong>n his sibling<br />
joined in. But the bullies didn’t stop. <strong>The</strong>n I said, “STOP.” <strong>The</strong>y all paused.<br />
<strong>The</strong> coaches noticed <strong>and</strong> walked over. In my quavering voice I told them. <strong>The</strong>y<br />
were furious, <strong>and</strong> all the other kids’ moms <strong>and</strong> dads came over to see what<br />
happened, <strong>and</strong> they all got in very big trouble.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Courage</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Children</strong>: <strong>Boston</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Beyond</strong><br />
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“I learned from him<br />
in that moment<br />
that sometimes you<br />
don’t get courage<br />
from your heart<br />
or your brain,<br />
sometimes you get<br />
it from others”<br />
I walked out <strong>of</strong> there feeling very proud. My heart pumped like a speaker. <strong>The</strong><br />
next week I probably thanked Max a hundred times. I wouldn’t have gotten<br />
the courage to st<strong>and</strong> up for myself without him or his sibling. I learned from<br />
him in that moment that sometimes you don’t get courage from your heart or<br />
your brain, sometimes you get it from others.<br />
Volume <strong>XXX</strong><br />
43
Ikra Abbasi<br />
Kathleen McGonigle, Teacher<br />
Thomas A. Edison School<br />
My definition <strong>of</strong> courage is having the heart to admit something you did wrong<br />
<strong>and</strong> learn from that mistake without anyone calling you out. In my life, there have<br />
been many times when I admitted I was wrong, <strong>and</strong> accepting that I was wrong<br />
wasn’t always easy, especially during those times where I thought I was 100% right.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re’s a quote that I love by Benjamin Franklin. He says, “How few there are<br />
who have courage enough to own their faults, resolutions enough to mend them.”<br />
My friend Chaneya <strong>and</strong> I were outside on the school playground talking about<br />
r<strong>and</strong>om things, <strong>and</strong> I brought up grades. As a fourth grader, I was pretty<br />
arrogant <strong>and</strong> thought <strong>of</strong> myself as the smartest in my whole grade. My friend<br />
Chaneya on the other h<strong>and</strong> was more quiet <strong>and</strong> shy, <strong>and</strong> never thought <strong>of</strong><br />
herself as a big shot the way I did.<br />
I asked Chaneya, “What did you get in math class?”<br />
She said, “Oh, um, I think a one or two. I don’t remember.”<br />
“That honestly sucks. I got a four in each section. I guess not all <strong>of</strong> us can be<br />
like me.” I said that, <strong>and</strong> for some reason, at that time, I felt really proud.<br />
She started walking away sad, head drooping with each step. I thought what<br />
I said was cool, <strong>and</strong> thought being mean was the way <strong>of</strong> getting noticed by<br />
others. I didn’t have a lot <strong>of</strong> friends then.<br />
I saw her crying at lunch, but couldn’t care less at the time. I was laughing<br />
with classmates. After lunch, I started getting this rude awakening again<br />
from my stomach.<br />
I went to the bathroom because that was where I could actually think. I said to<br />
myself, “What’s going on? Why am I nervous, or is it something else?” I stuck<br />
my h<strong>and</strong> out, <strong>and</strong> I tried to keep it still, but it was shaking. It was normal for me<br />
to react this way when I did something awfully wrong. I knew what I had to do.<br />
I went straight back to my class, hesitated for a moment, but realized this was<br />
the only way for me to repair things <strong>and</strong> learn a lesson. I called the teacher <strong>and</strong><br />
asked to speak in the hallway.<br />
My teacher said, “What’s going on, Ikra?”<br />
“I did something horribly wrong <strong>and</strong> didn’t realize until I took some time for<br />
myself <strong>and</strong> thought about it,” I answered.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Courage</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Children</strong>: <strong>Boston</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Beyond</strong><br />
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“I went straight<br />
back to my class,<br />
hesitated for<br />
a moment, but<br />
realized this was<br />
the only way for<br />
me to repair things<br />
<strong>and</strong> learn a lesson.”<br />
<strong>The</strong>n I told her the whole story, <strong>and</strong> she said, “I am really disappointed, <strong>and</strong><br />
proud <strong>of</strong> you. You realized you did something wrong, <strong>and</strong> coming to tell me<br />
takes a lot <strong>of</strong> guts. At the same time, you know better <strong>and</strong> shouldn’t have done<br />
that. You know what? I’ll bring Chaneya, <strong>and</strong> you guys can talk. Alright?”<br />
“Yeah, sure….” Finally, Chaneya came out, <strong>and</strong> her lips started moving before<br />
I interrupted. “Before you say anything, I really am sorry for what I said. You<br />
don’t deserve that disrespect. I love you, <strong>and</strong> I hope you can forgive me. And if<br />
you can’t, I underst<strong>and</strong>.”<br />
She said, “Okay. Honestly, I was just like you, trying to be mean so that I could<br />
feel better about myself. I was a big bully to everyone before this school, <strong>and</strong><br />
I was rude. I thought it made me feel better, but it made me feel worse. I do<br />
forgive you, but don’t do it to anyone ever again, please.”<br />
“I won’t, I promise!” At the same time, I was bursting into tears because I felt<br />
so bad. I realized that I showed courage by telling my teacher <strong>and</strong> Chaneya<br />
how I felt. That day was when doing the right thing was key to repairing a<br />
relationship <strong>and</strong> learning a valuable lesson.<br />
Today I am a sixth grader, <strong>and</strong> to this day I feel terrible, but I learned an<br />
important lesson. As humans, we make mistakes that we regret but should also<br />
learn from. I think that I knew from the beginning, somewhere deep down in<br />
my heart <strong>and</strong> in the back <strong>of</strong> my mind, that this was wrong, but I realized it when<br />
I understood that being arrogant didn’t benefit me. After that, I stayed humble<br />
<strong>and</strong> true to myself. Being courageous means admitting when you are wrong<br />
without anyone having to tell you, <strong>and</strong> having the heart to say you’re wrong.<br />
Volume <strong>XXX</strong><br />
45
Rami Alasali<br />
William V<strong>and</strong>all, Teacher<br />
Al-Noor Academy<br />
I have lived a short life so far, but that doesn’t mean that I have no idea what it<br />
means to be courageous. I think the word courage means to step out to help<br />
others, or to do something good. You can’t be courageous by being a coward.<br />
You have to work for courage, it doesn’t come overnight. <strong>Courage</strong> can come<br />
from anyone, it is a peculiar thing. I haven’t experienced what some may think<br />
is courage, but I have experienced something close.<br />
One time a baby bird fell in the woods next to my house <strong>and</strong> it could not fly.<br />
It had not learned how to fly yet, <strong>and</strong> it was hurt. In the thick woods there<br />
were a lot <strong>of</strong> poisonous plants, wolves <strong>and</strong> coyotes that may cause harm to<br />
the baby bird. I knew it would be hard <strong>and</strong> kind <strong>of</strong> dangerous to go looking<br />
for the little bird, but I felt guilty, so I went into the woods anyway. I found<br />
the bird on a large rock. As soon as it heard me, it got scared <strong>and</strong> tried to fly<br />
away. I slowly approached the bird, to try <strong>and</strong> untangle it from the thorns <strong>and</strong><br />
prickles <strong>of</strong> the forest. I tried not to cause the bird any harm. I successfully<br />
saved it <strong>and</strong> let it go.<br />
I learned that day that it is never too late to be the first one to do the right<br />
thing. Even if it is scary. And once you have done something courageous you<br />
will know how it feels, <strong>and</strong> look out for it in the future.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Courage</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Children</strong>: <strong>Boston</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Beyond</strong><br />
46
“I learned that day that it is<br />
never too late to be the first<br />
one to do the right thing.”<br />
Volume <strong>XXX</strong><br />
47
Di’Jon S<strong>and</strong>ers<br />
Teresa Dawson Knoess, Teacher<br />
James P. Timilty Middle School<br />
For me, courage means managing my feelings <strong>and</strong> being inspired by others.<br />
Being happy, managing my anger, <strong>and</strong> overcoming my shyness are all<br />
important in order for me to stay courageous. I find that by actively managing<br />
these three emotions, <strong>and</strong> by being inspired by others <strong>and</strong> their experiences,<br />
I am able to be more outgoing, which in turn helps me to build my courage.<br />
In this essay, I will walk you through these key emotions <strong>and</strong> how they support<br />
me in being courageous.<br />
When I think about happiness, I think <strong>of</strong> a quote from Tom Bodett. He said,<br />
“<strong>The</strong>y say a person needs just three things to be truly happy: someone to love,<br />
something to do, <strong>and</strong> something to hope for.” I think that this is true. For<br />
example, today was a beautiful sunny day. My mom <strong>and</strong> I went to the park, a<br />
fun place to go. I was happy <strong>and</strong> I enjoyed the time spent with my mother.<br />
When I think about managing anger, I think about a time when I was playing<br />
my favorite video game to try to beat the final boss. It was too hard <strong>and</strong> I wasn’t<br />
making progress. I had one life left, <strong>and</strong> then I died in the game. I was very<br />
angry so I went to my room to try to relax. After a little time, I realized that it<br />
was only a game <strong>and</strong> that I could beat it. I spent some time using my strategies<br />
to change my mindset, then later on I played the game again, did my best,<br />
<strong>and</strong> beat the boss in the game. Have you ever considered a test as a challenge<br />
to be overcome, like a video game?<br />
Shyness is really a state <strong>of</strong> mind that can be overcome by challenging your<br />
inner thoughts <strong>and</strong> changing your perspective. When I think about shyness,<br />
I think about roller coasters. One day on a school field trip, I was very<br />
excited to go on the roller coaster ride. However, once I got on the ride,<br />
<strong>and</strong> we were slowly moving up the track, I suddenly decided that it was too<br />
high. Because I am naturally shy, I couldn’t express my feelings or ask to get<br />
<strong>of</strong>f. I was shaking with fright! I couldn’t stop shaking, but I told myself, “You<br />
can do this! You will get through this!” Before I knew it, the roller coaster<br />
was traveling straight down, <strong>and</strong> I was screaming happily with everyone else.<br />
<strong>The</strong> ride was fantastic <strong>and</strong> crazy, <strong>and</strong> I felt okay, even proud. I wasn’t shaking<br />
anymore. <strong>Courage</strong>ously meeting a challenge is like a roller coaster ride.<br />
Accept the challenge. Overcome your fears. You’ll be happy you did!<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Courage</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Children</strong>: <strong>Boston</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Beyond</strong><br />
48
“Accept the<br />
challenge.<br />
Overcome your<br />
fears. You’ll be<br />
happy you did!”<br />
Volume <strong>XXX</strong><br />
49
Huy Ngo<br />
Daniel Cesario, Teacher<br />
Joseph Tynan Elementary School<br />
<strong>The</strong> first time I went to school in the United States I was crying because I<br />
didn’t know any English. I was in third grade <strong>and</strong> I just came to <strong>Boston</strong> from<br />
Vietnam. <strong>The</strong> teacher was talking to me <strong>and</strong> I didn’t know what she was saying.<br />
I think she was asking me about my birthday because I knew that word, but I<br />
didn’t know how to say the date I was born. I was thinking that when I got to<br />
school kids would laugh at me because I didn’t know English, but I wanted<br />
to learn. <strong>The</strong>re were only two or three Vietnamese students in the class, <strong>and</strong><br />
they understood what I was saying in Vietnamese <strong>and</strong> what I was talking about,<br />
so I made friends with them.<br />
At lunch time I would sit with the fifth graders, <strong>and</strong> they were nice to me<br />
<strong>and</strong> helped me. When we went outside to play with them they were playing<br />
tag. I asked them, “Can I play?” <strong>and</strong> they let me play. It was really fun. I<br />
started to feel comfortable. I wasn’t nervous anymore.<br />
I was scared the first day I went to school because I didn’t know English. As<br />
time went on, I learned more <strong>and</strong> more English. When I came to Joseph<br />
Tynan the teachers really helped me learn. I had courage by going to school<br />
straight from Vietnam without knowing English. <strong>Courage</strong> helps me to go<br />
to school <strong>and</strong> keep learning!<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Courage</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Children</strong>: <strong>Boston</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Beyond</strong><br />
50
“<strong>Courage</strong> helps me<br />
to go to school<br />
<strong>and</strong> keep learning!”<br />
Volume <strong>XXX</strong><br />
51
Julia VierIa<br />
Michael Andrews, Teacher<br />
Barnstable Intermediate School<br />
<strong>The</strong> sound <strong>of</strong> the teacher talking <strong>and</strong> I couldn’t underst<strong>and</strong>. Kids trying to<br />
help me talk to them. <strong>The</strong> unworkable math <strong>and</strong> everything being so hard.<br />
Grades going downhill, <strong>and</strong> me thinking it’s impossible.<br />
I showed courage the day I moved to the USA in 2018. Since I was little, I had<br />
never received a bad grade. However, it was one <strong>of</strong> my biggest fears. When I<br />
moved to the USA, I had to learn English <strong>and</strong> work hard for every good grade<br />
I received. I am from Brazil, <strong>and</strong> everything is different there - the way we do<br />
math, the language we speak.<br />
It all began when I went to school in America. My first impression was<br />
amazing, but the second week I wanted to throw myself inside a hole <strong>and</strong><br />
never get out. My eyes were filled with tears every night <strong>and</strong> my grades were<br />
not good anymore. I had to choose if my mind <strong>and</strong> I were going to try harder<br />
or just pretend school isn’t important. I decided I would work harder. <strong>The</strong> first<br />
three weeks weren’t easy. My head was down all the time, <strong>and</strong> I didn’t care if<br />
my parents said everything was going to be okay. It didn’t feel that way.<br />
In 2019, during fourth grade, I decided I wasn’t doing enough. I studied<br />
harder <strong>and</strong> my grades started to improve again. I pulled myself back up <strong>and</strong><br />
smiled with joy again. I trusted my parents when they said, “Julia, everything<br />
will be okay.” Even though sometimes it still gets hard, I always try to push<br />
myself to work harder.<br />
Now I know that if I want something, I have to work hard to earn it. At the<br />
end <strong>of</strong> fourth grade, everything went well. I graduated from my English<br />
Language Learner class. I was very proud <strong>of</strong> myself, but I couldn’t yell<br />
or jump because I was in class; we stayed quiet so the people that hadn’t<br />
graduated wouldn’t feel bad. I remember how it felt not to move on, <strong>and</strong> I<br />
showed that for my peers.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Courage</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Children</strong>: <strong>Boston</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Beyond</strong><br />
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“Now I know that if<br />
I want something,<br />
I have to work<br />
hard to earn it.”<br />
My grades are pretty good now. I know the two languages I speak will help<br />
me a lot, not just with my grades, but also in my future. I don’t know what<br />
I want to be yet when I grow up. Whatever I choose to do, though, I will<br />
always remember those years I had to work so hard <strong>and</strong> fight through a lot<br />
<strong>of</strong> situations.<br />
A phrase I say a lot to myself is: “Everything seems impossible, until it is<br />
done.” Be courageous <strong>and</strong> follow your dreams. You can do it, <strong>and</strong> you will<br />
get through it. If it wasn’t for courage I wouldn’t be where I am today.<br />
Volume <strong>XXX</strong><br />
53
Isla Frontinan<br />
Mary Budrose, Teacher<br />
Proctor School<br />
Middle school isn’t easy at the best <strong>of</strong> times, but starting sixth grade in a new<br />
school half-way through the year <strong>and</strong> during a world-wide p<strong>and</strong>emic takes<br />
courage! Since I was three years old, I attended the same small Catholic school<br />
in Medford, MA, with the same classmates <strong>and</strong> teachers. Everything about<br />
school up until last week was a familiar <strong>and</strong> safe routine.<br />
In September, we moved to a house in Topsfield, but instead <strong>of</strong> starting school<br />
in my new town, like I wanted to, my mom <strong>and</strong> dad kept me in school in<br />
Medford. Any other time this wouldn’t make sense, but during this p<strong>and</strong>emic<br />
nothing does. School in Topsfield was remote, whereas my old school was fully<br />
in-person. When I heard that Topsfield schools had gone hybrid, I decided to<br />
make the biggest change I have had to make, <strong>and</strong> I made the switch.<br />
My first day <strong>of</strong> school was nerve-wracking. I had no idea if the students would<br />
like me or if I would like them. When I walked into the school, there were two<br />
students waiting to show me around, <strong>and</strong> I was feeling nervous. I could feel<br />
my heart beating so loudly that I wondered if they could hear it. When we got<br />
to the classroom, I was seated at the desk farthest away from the door, which<br />
meant I had to walk in front <strong>of</strong> the whole class to get to my seat. I had no way<br />
<strong>of</strong> knowing what the other students were thinking. A couple <strong>of</strong> them looked<br />
up at me, peeking out over their masks. For the first time ever, I was glad to be<br />
wearing a mask to hide behind. I sat quietly at my desk trying to blend in <strong>and</strong><br />
become invisible. <strong>The</strong> teachers were very kind <strong>and</strong> welcoming, <strong>and</strong> so were<br />
the students, but I was still nervous. At the mask breaks <strong>and</strong> recess, I hung out<br />
with the girls, <strong>and</strong> at this point I was starting to feel like I fit in a little bit more.<br />
Overall, my first day at a new school had a lot <strong>of</strong> mixed emotions, but with<br />
courage I got through it.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Courage</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Children</strong>: <strong>Boston</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Beyond</strong><br />
54
“I could feel my<br />
heart beating<br />
so loudly that I<br />
wondered if they<br />
could hear it.”<br />
Volume <strong>XXX</strong><br />
55
Grendaliz Sabater<br />
Jane Kelly, Teacher<br />
Washington Irving Middle School<br />
My story took place at my old school, the Phineas Bates Elementary School,<br />
back when I was in the fifth grade. I think I was eleven, turning twelve soon.<br />
I was with my classmates <strong>and</strong> I don’t know exactly what day it was, but I think<br />
the time was about 2 p.m. It was nice <strong>and</strong> sunny outside, but we were doing<br />
our Paper Bag Speech inside.<br />
<strong>The</strong> moment I showed courage was when I did my Paper Bag Speech in<br />
front <strong>of</strong> all my classmates. You may be asking yourself, “What is a Paper Bag<br />
Speech?” A Paper Bag Speech is when you put your memories into a bag. It<br />
could be anything: a bracelet, necklace, maybe a ribbon, <strong>and</strong> you take each<br />
one out <strong>and</strong> explain why it’s important to you <strong>and</strong> why you care about it a lot.<br />
It was very scary because I didn’t really like talking that much. I was the last<br />
to go. Even though I was scared to do it I still had to, to get a good grade. But<br />
I hated it because every time I read out loud I could hear myself stuttering,<br />
<strong>and</strong> feel myself shaking. I’m not really the type <strong>of</strong> person to talk out loud in<br />
front <strong>of</strong> so many people, so that’s why I hate talking. I just hated the fact that I<br />
couldn’t speak clearly to my classmates even though I had already gotten used<br />
to them. But I was so scared to have so many eyes look at me, to not be able to<br />
block them out, especially with the teachers looking at me too. Teachers tend<br />
to scare me a lot when I talk out loud, because it feels like I’m not doing it<br />
right. But, I did it. I spoke out loud in front <strong>of</strong> my class!<br />
It changed me because I knew as soon as that year ended that I would have<br />
to go to the sixth grade. And I knew that I would have to talk out loud when<br />
we did projects or to show participation, <strong>and</strong> that’s something I do not like to<br />
do. Talking out loud is still probably the hardest part for me in middle school.<br />
I know I’m just in the sixth grade now, but soon I will be in high school. I<br />
know that in high school, speaking up, participating in class discussions, <strong>and</strong><br />
projects like debates, are more <strong>of</strong> a requirement. This moment <strong>of</strong> courage is<br />
not going to change the fact that I’m still scared to talk out loud. But if I have<br />
to then I will, because I’ve done it before.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Courage</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Children</strong>: <strong>Boston</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Beyond</strong><br />
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“This moment <strong>of</strong><br />
courage is not<br />
going to change<br />
the fact that I’m<br />
still scared to<br />
talk out loud. But<br />
if I have to then I<br />
will, because I’ve<br />
done it before.”<br />
Volume <strong>XXX</strong><br />
57
Colin Kurtz<br />
Jeanine Stansfield, Teacher<br />
Warren-Prescott School<br />
I’m st<strong>and</strong>ing as still as I possibly can, <strong>and</strong> there is fog swirling all around my<br />
feet. Slowly the curtain opens into the darkness. A spotlight shines on Clara<br />
as she enters the C<strong>and</strong>yl<strong>and</strong>. I can begin to see the thous<strong>and</strong>s <strong>of</strong> people<br />
gazing up at the stage where I am st<strong>and</strong>ing. No one can actually recognize me<br />
because I’m dressed the same as the twelve people st<strong>and</strong>ing with me. This was<br />
my first appearance in the <strong>Boston</strong> Ballet Company’s annual Nutcracker.<br />
My face was hidden, which calmed my nerves, so that if I stepped out <strong>of</strong> line<br />
only the director would know it was me. I mostly felt relaxed, but my stomach<br />
would tighten as we moved around the stage <strong>and</strong> I fought to remember which<br />
way to turn. When I auditioned for this ballet, I had never been to a ballet <strong>and</strong><br />
had no idea how big the stage was <strong>and</strong> how many people would be there. My<br />
journey to the Nutcracker started in the third grade when the <strong>Boston</strong> Ballet<br />
Company came to my school looking for kids who were enthusiastic about<br />
dance. That was me!<br />
Little steps <strong>of</strong> courage <strong>and</strong> dedication led to a tremendous opportunity. I feel<br />
proud that I was able to achieve something many boys don’t even have the<br />
chance to try. Most people would say that boys should not do ballet. I disagree.<br />
I think anyone should have the right to do whatever they want to do no matter<br />
what society thinks. My definition <strong>of</strong> courage is to do something that you may<br />
be afraid <strong>of</strong>, or unwilling to do. But you do it anyway.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Courage</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Children</strong>: <strong>Boston</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Beyond</strong><br />
58
“I feel proud that<br />
I was able to<br />
achieve something<br />
many boys don’t<br />
even have the<br />
chance to try.”<br />
Volume <strong>XXX</strong><br />
59
Catherine Tsiantoulas<br />
Joyce Baio, Teacher<br />
Saint Patrick School<br />
You may think that courage is being a hero, but courage can be something<br />
small. <strong>Courage</strong> can be pushing yourself to do something out <strong>of</strong> your comfort<br />
zone or something that might even seem embarrassing to do. For example,<br />
courage can be st<strong>and</strong>ing up to a bully or talking to someone that you don’t<br />
know that well. Everyone is courageous at different times. Some acts might<br />
seem small, but to you they might be colossal.<br />
My act <strong>of</strong> courage is not a big one, but it was a huge step for me. I was at my<br />
first gymnastics competition ever, <strong>and</strong> I was extremely nervous. I felt like I was<br />
going to throw up. Thankfully I didn’t. <strong>The</strong> first event wasn’t nerve-wracking<br />
for me because it was the uneven bars, <strong>and</strong> I was, <strong>and</strong> still am, a bars specialist.<br />
I ended up tying for first place on bars. After that first event, the pain started<br />
to diminish <strong>and</strong> my anxiety seemed to lessen. <strong>The</strong>n came the balance beam,<br />
the hardest event, in my opinion, because you are doing gymnastics on a fourinch-wide<br />
beam. I certainly didn’t do great, but it wasn’t too poor. <strong>The</strong> real act<br />
<strong>of</strong> courage was what came next.<br />
Floor Exercise was my least favorite event at the time. It is basically a dance<br />
routine combined with tumbling. I was always afraid to practice at my gym<br />
because when someone does a floor routine the entire group <strong>of</strong> people<br />
watches. I always felt too self-conscious to even attempt practicing in front <strong>of</strong><br />
a large group <strong>of</strong> strangers. I was shaking before I took the spotlight <strong>and</strong> was<br />
on the verge <strong>of</strong> tears. I don’t cry a lot, so that’s saying something. <strong>The</strong> routine<br />
I performed was disgustingly cheesy, <strong>and</strong> I hated it. I mustered up all my<br />
courage <strong>and</strong> went out there <strong>and</strong> did my best. Unfortunately, I didn’t place in<br />
the floor exercise, but that’s okay. After the floor, I was so relieved <strong>and</strong> satisfied<br />
with my performance. Lastly, my second favorite event is the vault. You<br />
basically run <strong>and</strong> jump on a springboard, then fling yourself over a vault table.<br />
I was really good at this. I ended up placing fifth in that event.<br />
Even though I wasn’t the best gymnast at the competition, I was still extremely<br />
proud <strong>of</strong> myself. Real acts <strong>of</strong> courage are the ones that you find the hardest<br />
to do, not the ones that a superhero does. If you have the courage within you<br />
when facing any challenge, you have the courage to succeed at whatever goal<br />
you set for yourself. <strong>The</strong> sky’s the limit when courage <strong>and</strong> perseverance are<br />
partnered to achieve one’s dreams.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Courage</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Children</strong>: <strong>Boston</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Beyond</strong><br />
60
“<strong>The</strong> sky’s the limit<br />
when courage<br />
<strong>and</strong> perseverance<br />
are partnered<br />
to achieve one’s<br />
dreams.”<br />
Volume <strong>XXX</strong><br />
61
Sahra Kamara<br />
Hanna Shibles, Teacher<br />
Mother Caroline Academy<br />
Have you ever wanted to do something that means so much to you but you<br />
didn’t think you had the courage to do it? Well, it happened to me <strong>and</strong> I’m<br />
going to tell you my story.<br />
It all started when the school announced that there was going to be a school<br />
talent show. I was in fourth grade, so I wanted to try. Everybody in my class<br />
wanted to be in a dance group, but I knew I loved singing. I decided to sing<br />
because it’s what I’m passionate about, <strong>and</strong> I wanted to share it with the<br />
school. So, I signed up.<br />
<strong>The</strong>n I went home <strong>and</strong> I started practicing, but I realized I didn’t have a song.<br />
<strong>The</strong> next day at school I asked some classmates <strong>and</strong> teachers what song I<br />
should sing, but I had no luck. After that, I went to YouTube <strong>and</strong> searched for<br />
songs, <strong>and</strong> I finally found the perfect one (not from YouTube, but from my<br />
head): “No One” by Alicia Keys. It was a great song to sing, so I got to work.<br />
A couple <strong>of</strong> days before the talent show I’d already memorized the song <strong>and</strong><br />
was ready. We practiced <strong>and</strong> decorated the gym at the school. Everybody liked<br />
my song <strong>and</strong> I liked it too, <strong>and</strong> with that the day came. I WAS NERVOUS.<br />
I couldn’t stop shivering, my heart was pounding like crazy, but I kept<br />
practicing. After a couple <strong>of</strong> people went, the two hosts called me up <strong>and</strong> I<br />
came onstage feeling super nervous. I walked on stage <strong>and</strong> all eyes were on<br />
me. <strong>The</strong> cameras were rolling, <strong>and</strong> students <strong>and</strong> parents were watching closely<br />
as they waited for me to begin. <strong>The</strong> music started playing, <strong>and</strong> I took a deep<br />
breath <strong>and</strong> started singing. I felt weightless <strong>and</strong> calm.<br />
After the concert, I felt relief, like the world’s greatest rock had rolled <strong>of</strong>f<br />
my shoulders. People were complimenting me on my performance, <strong>and</strong> it<br />
felt stupendous. Before I walked onto the stage I felt worried that my doubts<br />
would be realized, but once I started singing, those doubts flew away like<br />
songbirds. <strong>The</strong> moral <strong>of</strong> my story is to do what you’re passionate about, have<br />
the courage to share it, <strong>and</strong> feel good about yourself.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Courage</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Children</strong>: <strong>Boston</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Beyond</strong><br />
62
“<strong>The</strong> moral <strong>of</strong> my<br />
story is to do what<br />
you’re passionate<br />
about, have the<br />
courage to share<br />
it, <strong>and</strong> feel good<br />
about yourself.”<br />
Volume <strong>XXX</strong><br />
63
Weian Xue<br />
Aaron Cohen, Teacher<br />
Jackson Mann K-8 School<br />
I’ve never been bullied, never been in a foster home, never got so sick I had to<br />
go to the hospital. Yet I think I have had courage before. Do you think looking<br />
out the window <strong>of</strong> a tall building is courageous? Well, it is if you’re afraid <strong>of</strong><br />
heights. That’s one <strong>of</strong> my acts <strong>of</strong> courage. Every act <strong>of</strong> courage counts, no<br />
matter if it is big or small.<br />
My biggest fear is heights. If I happen to be in a tall building, I will suddenly<br />
feel like I have to go to the bathroom. In the event <strong>of</strong> me putting my h<strong>and</strong>s<br />
on the glass, I will start thinking the glass will shatter <strong>and</strong> I will fall out <strong>of</strong> the<br />
building. On my trip to Japan in December 2019, I went to the Tokyo Skytree,<br />
a 2,080 foot tall building. I believe it is there that I had courage.<br />
Given my fear <strong>of</strong> heights, I was intimidated by the thought <strong>of</strong> being so high<br />
up, but I didn’t want to be left out. However, as soon as I got to the top floor <strong>of</strong><br />
the skyscraper I felt the need to go to the bathroom. After I went, I felt a little<br />
better, but I didn’t want to go near the window. Eventually I thought to myself:<br />
“What’s the point <strong>of</strong> visiting if I’m not even going to check it out?” I thought it<br />
would be a waste <strong>of</strong> time <strong>and</strong> money to come all this way <strong>and</strong> not see the views.<br />
Using tiny steps <strong>and</strong> shaky legs, I inched towards the windows.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re was a beautiful sight awaiting me. It was the Golden Hour, meaning the<br />
part <strong>of</strong> the day right after sunrise or sunset. Tokyo was stunning from above.<br />
This must be what it feels like for birds to fly over everything <strong>and</strong> look at the<br />
tiny lights <strong>and</strong> cars in the distance. You could see miles <strong>of</strong> Tokyo from here,<br />
even the silhouette <strong>of</strong> the mountains in the distance. What’s more, there was a<br />
bit <strong>of</strong> fog <strong>and</strong> clouds high up, making the l<strong>and</strong>scape seem mystical.<br />
I’m not saying that as long as you have courage, you’ll overcome your fears.<br />
That wasn’t the case for me. To this day, I still haven’t gotten over my fear<br />
<strong>of</strong> heights. But perhaps I’m not so scared anymore, after experiencing what<br />
courage feels like. <strong>Courage</strong> doesn’t mean overcoming your fears. <strong>Courage</strong><br />
doesn’t mean doing something heroic <strong>and</strong> brave. <strong>Courage</strong> means being scared<br />
<strong>and</strong> doing it anyway.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Courage</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Children</strong>: <strong>Boston</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Beyond</strong><br />
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“But perhaps I’m<br />
not so scared<br />
anymore, after<br />
experiencing what<br />
courage feels like.”<br />
Volume <strong>XXX</strong><br />
65
Danny Ford<br />
Joyce Baio, Teacher<br />
Saint Patrick School<br />
<strong>Courage</strong> is a word that means different things to different people. To some,<br />
it means to try something new <strong>and</strong> to others, it means to conquer your fears.<br />
To me, courage is the ability to stay calm in difficult situations, which is<br />
coincidentally what I had to do seven years ago at a beach in North Carolina.<br />
<strong>The</strong> weather was supposed to be perfect at the beach while I was with my<br />
cousin, my uncle, <strong>and</strong> aunt. Everyone was in good spirits, laughing <strong>and</strong> playing<br />
in the refreshing water <strong>and</strong> on the s<strong>of</strong>t s<strong>and</strong>. <strong>The</strong>n my brothers, my cousin,<br />
<strong>and</strong> I decided to play a game where you run into the water <strong>and</strong> jump over<br />
the waves. We were having fun until we tried to walk back to shore. No matter<br />
how hard I tried, the water kept pulling me further <strong>and</strong> further away from the<br />
shoreline. I could vaguely hear shouting to swim sideways, until I was swept<br />
under the water <strong>and</strong> then blacked out.<br />
I woke up surprisingly calm despite all that was happening as I let the waves<br />
bob me up <strong>and</strong> down. I remember seeing a crab scuttle across the s<strong>and</strong> below<br />
me as I heard my mom <strong>and</strong> my oldest brother shouting. I realized what was<br />
happening, <strong>and</strong> then realized that I really didn’t know how to swim. I started<br />
flailing around <strong>and</strong> trying to keep myself above the surface <strong>of</strong> the water. After<br />
seeing that this wasn’t working I made myself calm down to think <strong>of</strong> a way to<br />
get oxygen. I decided that the best way for me to stay alive was to float on my<br />
back <strong>and</strong> wait for my brother who had a float.<br />
Some may argue that waiting for someone to rescue you is not courageous,<br />
but if you are in that situation, most people would start flailing <strong>and</strong> panic<br />
would take over. It takes courage to relax for a few seconds <strong>and</strong> fall under the<br />
water to think <strong>of</strong> a way to stay above the surface. My last memory <strong>of</strong> that trip<br />
was on the beach where I was in a chair, wrapped in a towel. I learned that day<br />
that my clear thinking was an act <strong>of</strong> courage which helped me out <strong>of</strong> a very<br />
perilous situation.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Courage</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Children</strong>: <strong>Boston</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Beyond</strong><br />
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“Some may argue<br />
that waiting<br />
for someone to<br />
rescue you is not<br />
courageous, but<br />
if you are in that<br />
situation, most<br />
people would start<br />
flailing <strong>and</strong> panic<br />
would take over.”<br />
Volume <strong>XXX</strong><br />
67
Norah Young<br />
Mary Wall, Teacher<br />
Barnstable Intermediate School<br />
I was scared <strong>and</strong> alone as I heard the continuous yelling down the hall. At the<br />
time I was only five years old, <strong>and</strong> I lived with my mom, my dad <strong>and</strong> my sister.<br />
Many things were going through my head. My parents didn’t get along very<br />
well anymore. I didn’t really underst<strong>and</strong> what was going on until later that<br />
night when my parents explained to me that they were getting a divorce. At<br />
the time we had a dog, <strong>and</strong> I thought they were divorcing because my mom<br />
was allergic to the dog, or because <strong>of</strong> me <strong>and</strong> my sister. I didn’t know what to<br />
do. It seemed best to just start packing my things <strong>and</strong> mind my own business.<br />
By the time we moved into my new house with my dad, my sister <strong>and</strong> I felt<br />
more comfortable being without both my mom <strong>and</strong> dad all the time. I got to<br />
see my mom <strong>and</strong> my dad evenly. Sometimes I wanted to be with my dad, <strong>and</strong><br />
other times I wanted to be with my mom. Because I was so young, I didn’t have<br />
much say. Sometimes I thought that I was missing the other parent because<br />
the days would feel so long. Sometimes I would get bored <strong>and</strong> just sit in my<br />
room <strong>and</strong> play games with my sister. It settled me to know that I had her <strong>and</strong><br />
she understood how I felt.<br />
After a couple <strong>of</strong> years, I adjusted to having separate families. Most <strong>of</strong> the<br />
time it was hard. But I learned that when I missed someone, I could just call<br />
them! It gave me a sigh <strong>of</strong> relief to know that the other parent was just a<br />
phone call away.<br />
It wasn’t so bad being away from my family. At my dad’s house, I had a lot <strong>of</strong><br />
fun because there were other kids who all went to my school. As I got to know<br />
them better, I enjoyed going to my dad’s house more <strong>of</strong>ten because we would<br />
always make up silly games <strong>and</strong> have so much fun!<br />
Being eleven years old now, I’ve realized that the reason my parents split<br />
up was not because <strong>of</strong> me <strong>and</strong> not because <strong>of</strong> my dog, but because they just<br />
couldn’t get along. <strong>The</strong>y didn’t want to fight, <strong>and</strong> I now know that it was for<br />
my sister’s <strong>and</strong> my own good. I am proud that they showed courage <strong>and</strong> had<br />
the strength to make that choice.<br />
I’ve come to realize that so many other kids have it worse. Some kids don’t get<br />
to see both parents. This has led me to realize that I am lucky to have both<br />
parents by my side to support me in everything I do.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Courage</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Children</strong>: <strong>Boston</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Beyond</strong><br />
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“This has led me to<br />
realize that I am<br />
lucky to have both<br />
parents by my side<br />
to support me in<br />
everything I do.”<br />
Volume <strong>XXX</strong><br />
69
Kailyn Willa<br />
Sara DeOreo, Teacher<br />
Proctor School<br />
<strong>Courage</strong> to me is taking risks <strong>and</strong> being brave. I think courage means that<br />
because <strong>of</strong> my gr<strong>and</strong>father, Papa. My gr<strong>and</strong>father was the one who taught<br />
me important life lessons. He also taught me how to be a strong family<br />
member. We listened to a lot <strong>of</strong> stories about his risk-taking <strong>and</strong> bravery,<br />
which then encouraged me to do the same. <strong>The</strong> stories were about protecting<br />
his brothers, sister, <strong>and</strong> friends. I came to realize that these stories were his<br />
lessons. Papa would tell me that he would always help someone he knew<br />
if they were being bullied at school, or if they just needed a friend. I try to<br />
do the same with my brother <strong>and</strong> friends, <strong>and</strong> it takes a lot <strong>of</strong> courage. My<br />
gr<strong>and</strong>father would also talk about how you have to take risks even if you<br />
are not sure you can do something. I tried doing that by playing hockey on<br />
an all-boys team where I was one <strong>of</strong> the only girls, <strong>and</strong> his courage lessons<br />
encouraged me to continue to play on a girls team with all older girls. Little<br />
did I know that his biggest lesson around courage was yet to come.<br />
Two years ago my gr<strong>and</strong>parents moved to Massachusetts <strong>and</strong> rented an<br />
apartment in Danvers. I would normally see them once or twice a year for<br />
the holidays <strong>and</strong> for our yearly summer trip, but once they moved, I got to<br />
spend every afternoon with them. With my gr<strong>and</strong>parents living near me, I<br />
had a lot <strong>of</strong> responsibilities. I was their assistant chef, mail person, organizer,<br />
teacher to my brother, <strong>and</strong> helper to my gr<strong>and</strong>mother. Mitzi <strong>and</strong> Papa (my<br />
gr<strong>and</strong>parents) would pick me up from school every day, <strong>and</strong> then they<br />
would take us to the store to get ingredients to make dinner for that night.<br />
Papa <strong>and</strong> I would cook together. Papa <strong>and</strong> I <strong>of</strong>ten talked about our secret<br />
lightning bolt <strong>and</strong> wave.<br />
Our secret lightning bolt symbol <strong>and</strong> secret wave were used to tell each other,<br />
<strong>and</strong> other family members, we needed help or to show love. As a family, the<br />
symbol <strong>of</strong> a lightning bolt meant a lot to us. Every time I would get new sports<br />
equipment, like a new pair <strong>of</strong> hockey skates or soccer cleats, the first thing<br />
I would do with them would be to bring them to my gr<strong>and</strong>father <strong>and</strong> have<br />
him draw a lightning bolt on the equipment. Papa <strong>and</strong> I would always do our<br />
secret wave to each other, which reminded me to be brave <strong>and</strong> take risks,<br />
to show courage.<br />
Papa would always ask us, “Who’s got it better than we do?” <strong>and</strong> we would<br />
always respond with, “Nobody.” Together we learned a lot from each other.<br />
My gr<strong>and</strong>father would always talk about patience <strong>and</strong> how to use humor with<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Courage</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Children</strong>: <strong>Boston</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Beyond</strong><br />
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“I am so proud that<br />
I continue to<br />
have the memories<br />
<strong>of</strong> all <strong>of</strong> the<br />
conversations <strong>and</strong><br />
life lessons he<br />
taught me, even<br />
though he is gone.”<br />
your family even if it is hard at times. Papa <strong>and</strong> I were a team as we took care<br />
<strong>of</strong> my gr<strong>and</strong>mother <strong>and</strong> my brother, <strong>and</strong> he taught me how to persevere<br />
through challenges.<br />
After just two years <strong>of</strong> my gr<strong>and</strong>parents living ten minutes away, Papa got<br />
diagnosed, yet again, with skin cancer. This time it was a lot worse. He had to<br />
receive chemo <strong>and</strong> radiation, <strong>and</strong> I soon learned that my Papa was going to<br />
pass away. Watching his courage trying to push through it all reminded me<br />
<strong>of</strong> his lessons from the past two years. He had actually taught me ways to help<br />
him. I remember feeling really scared that the person who had taught me how<br />
to take risks, be brave, <strong>and</strong> be a strong family member would not be there to<br />
help me or to share my life with me. I was very sad. Having the courage to<br />
realize that this was the time I was supposed to do all <strong>of</strong> those things for my<br />
gr<strong>and</strong>father made me feel better. It was hard, but I used all <strong>of</strong> the lessons my<br />
Papa taught me to find my courage <strong>and</strong> help me take care <strong>of</strong> him when he was<br />
sick. I would help him get his medicine <strong>and</strong> get him a new bottle <strong>of</strong> oxygen<br />
when he needed it. It was hard to help him, but I pushed through it. Having<br />
the courage to make him proud as he needed help with everything in life<br />
made me a stronger <strong>and</strong> a better person.<br />
For us, we had to try to keep our normal life routines <strong>and</strong> not think <strong>of</strong> his<br />
life-threatening disease. Papa was so brave. He never wanted us to worry, he<br />
just wanted us to have courage. I did that by continuing my conversations<br />
with Papa, having fun with him, <strong>and</strong> listening to his stories. I realized even<br />
when cancer was really taking him away from me, he was giving me courage<br />
for my own life. Having the courage to say goodbye at his funeral while doing<br />
a reading <strong>and</strong> a blessing was a true test <strong>of</strong> Papa’s lessons. I am so proud that I<br />
continue to have the memories <strong>of</strong> all <strong>of</strong> the conversations <strong>and</strong> life lessons he<br />
taught me, even though he is gone.<br />
Volume <strong>XXX</strong><br />
71
Nevaeh Gomes<br />
Daniel Cesario, Teacher<br />
Joseph Tynan Elementary School<br />
To me, courage is being brave, having the ability to face your fears, <strong>and</strong> always<br />
believing in yourself during hard times. <strong>Courage</strong> also means getting other<br />
people to believe in themselves. I was at my cousin’s house visiting them <strong>and</strong><br />
I saw my little cousin taking a test. She was sitting at a desk in her room. Her<br />
face was twisted like a wet towel being wrung out. She was squeezing her<br />
h<strong>and</strong>s together, <strong>and</strong> she was rocking back <strong>and</strong> forth like a seesaw.<br />
“What is wrong, Anasia?” I asked my cousin.<br />
‘’This test is so hard. I need help,’’ she said angrily.<br />
I knew how she felt. Remote learning is difficult. At the time my class was<br />
finished, so she asked me for help. I told her I couldn’t help <strong>and</strong> she started<br />
getting frustrated <strong>and</strong> doubting herself, saying, ‘’I can’t do it!’’<br />
I told her she could do it. “Don’t doubt yourself,” I told her. “You are smart.<br />
Don’t give up.” She said she would try. She started again <strong>and</strong> read all the<br />
parts <strong>and</strong> answered them.<br />
An hour later she was finally done. She told me that she got 80%. I was<br />
so happy for her. I told her again,”Don’t give up <strong>and</strong> doubt yourself.<br />
Always just try.”<br />
I am sure many kids are struggling during Covid because we are not in<br />
school. I know I sometimes struggle with remote learning. We all just need<br />
to remember to work hard in order to succeed. Don’t ever give up. Try<br />
your hardest, <strong>and</strong> if you don’t succeed right away, learn from your mistake<br />
<strong>and</strong> try again.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Courage</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Children</strong>: <strong>Boston</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Beyond</strong><br />
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“Don’t ever give up. Try your<br />
hardest, <strong>and</strong> if you don’t<br />
succeed right away, learn from<br />
your mistake <strong>and</strong> try again.”<br />
Volume <strong>XXX</strong><br />
73
Isabella Smedile<br />
Linda Roach, Teacher<br />
St. John Paul II Catholic Academy<br />
<strong>Courage</strong> is being able to hold my head high when not having a computer or<br />
the Internet like everyone else, <strong>and</strong> dealing with the pressure <strong>of</strong> having to<br />
catch up while using things that I never had.<br />
I had a great life before Covid. We were always busy <strong>and</strong> didn’t have much<br />
time for TV. I had school, colorguard, Irish Step dancing, sailing, <strong>and</strong> violin.<br />
I live with my mom, my sister, <strong>and</strong> my two cats. We never had WIFI or a<br />
computer at home. If we needed to use a computer, we would use the one at<br />
my mom’s <strong>of</strong>fice, <strong>and</strong> that was fine. But then Covid happened.<br />
School closed down <strong>and</strong> everyone was sent home in March because people tested<br />
positive for the coronavirus in <strong>Boston</strong> <strong>and</strong> other parts <strong>of</strong> Massachusetts. Zoom<br />
classes then started, but I couldn’t go online because I didn’t have the Internet or<br />
a computer at home. I felt very alone <strong>and</strong> isolated from the world. Everyone else<br />
had the Internet. Everyone else had WIFI. Everyone else’s mom had a computer.<br />
But mine didn’t. So we weren’t able to go online like everyone else.<br />
It was summer, <strong>and</strong> then it was back to school time. <strong>The</strong>re were plans for all<br />
the schools to open up again. My mom said that she didn’t want me <strong>and</strong> my<br />
sister to go back into the school then, <strong>and</strong> that she was deciding what to do.<br />
<strong>The</strong> school <strong>of</strong>fered an option that allowed you to choose to learn virtually or<br />
come in <strong>and</strong> be with your classmates. But we couldn’t do either without the<br />
computer <strong>and</strong> Internet.<br />
My principal said he could help us by letting us borrow a school Chromebook.<br />
Mom was happy we finally had an option, but we still needed the Internet!<br />
Right before school started we finally got the Internet, so we thought<br />
everything would be great.<br />
I went online for the first time in September for school, but it wasn’t<br />
everything I expected. It made me feel very stressed out because I didn’t know<br />
how to use the computer. We only used it a little in computer class last year,<br />
but not enough to make me feel comfortable with it. <strong>The</strong>re were too many<br />
emails, too many tabs, <strong>and</strong> too many classroom areas!! All the teachers were<br />
expecting everything right away, <strong>and</strong> asking why nothing was done on time,<br />
nothing turned in, <strong>and</strong> telling me I should already know how to do this. <strong>The</strong>y<br />
said, “You had three months <strong>of</strong> this back in the Spring, you should know this.”<br />
I kept telling them that I didn’t have the Internet then, but they said they<br />
couldn’t hear me because my voice is s<strong>of</strong>t.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Courage</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Children</strong>: <strong>Boston</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Beyond</strong><br />
74
“I know that school<br />
is important for<br />
my future, so I<br />
will rise to the<br />
challenge.”<br />
I just didn’t want to go to school anymore. It was awful. Every day I had to try<br />
to keep up with what everyone was doing in class.<br />
But then everyone was sent home from the school again because <strong>of</strong> Covid. And<br />
the Zoom schedule changed because everyone said that it was unfair to make<br />
the kids from home keep a normal schedule like they had in school. I’m like<br />
what the heck? I had to do it all this time, why doesn’t everyone else? And then<br />
they let the kids back in the school again, <strong>and</strong> back to the normal schedule <strong>of</strong><br />
classes. It is really hard for me to be online this much during the day, <strong>and</strong> then<br />
online again after school to do homework. I can’t stare at a screen that long,<br />
<strong>and</strong> I have to spend more time than most kids because I type slowly <strong>and</strong> some<br />
things take me longer to do. I’m up until midnight sometimes trying to do my<br />
homework because I am just wiped out from being online all day every day. It is<br />
just too much for me sometimes! I feel like I’m still completely on my own.<br />
But no one really knows how I feel. No one knows how upset or angry or sad I am,<br />
because I am always smiling. When the teachers ask me to do something I say yes,<br />
but inside I am scared to tell them how upset I am or that I can’t focus anymore.<br />
No one but my mom knows that I am feeling so stressed every day. My mom tells<br />
me to speak up <strong>and</strong> talk to the teachers, <strong>and</strong> tell them I am struggling, but there<br />
isn’t much they can do but talk to me or tell me to try.<br />
My mom is always there when I need her. She makes my snacks <strong>and</strong> lunch,<br />
<strong>and</strong> makes sure I have my own printer. If I have any questions on something<br />
she tells me I have to try to figure it out myself first, <strong>and</strong> if I can’t then she will<br />
help. I love that she is always there when I need her.<br />
I am glad we have the Internet now, but I am still struggling with this. It takes<br />
courage to put a smile on my face even though I am struggling inside. I know<br />
that school is important for my future, so I will rise to the challenge.<br />
Volume <strong>XXX</strong><br />
75
Shawn Eddy<br />
Linda Roach, Teacher<br />
St. John Paul II Catholic Academy<br />
I think courage is having the strength to tell people how you feel, <strong>and</strong> letting<br />
people help you.<br />
When I was seven years old I started to set higher expectations for myself<br />
because I was getting older <strong>and</strong> I thought that I wasn’t doing enough. I<br />
started to push myself, raising the bar higher <strong>and</strong> higher until the goal was<br />
unachievable. I felt so angry <strong>and</strong> so frustrated. Soon these high goals were<br />
becoming my st<strong>and</strong>ards, <strong>and</strong> I was too angry <strong>and</strong> too destructive to see how<br />
bad it was really getting. But the worst part was that I kept all <strong>of</strong> this to myself.<br />
I thought that I couldn’t trust anybody, <strong>and</strong> they would just criticize me <strong>and</strong><br />
tell me to stop. I felt that they would just try to get in my way.<br />
So I started shutting out my friends, my family, <strong>and</strong> even my own mom. I<br />
thought I was all alone. It was like I was my own demon. And then my grades<br />
started to drop <strong>and</strong> I thought it was because I wasn’t trying hard enough.<br />
So I raised my st<strong>and</strong>ards even higher, <strong>and</strong> when I would get a bad grade I’d<br />
stop eating until I got my grades back up. It went back <strong>and</strong> forth for months<br />
from eating to not eating until I was so tired I could barely walk. I kept telling<br />
myself you’re weak, you can do better than that. Over <strong>and</strong> over <strong>and</strong> over I kept<br />
hearing myself say those words. It was like it was playing on a loop. It felt like<br />
the floor shattered beneath me <strong>and</strong> I fell into this bottomless pit <strong>of</strong> negativity<br />
<strong>and</strong> self-hatred. I didn’t even attempt to climb back up.<br />
My mom noticed my grades were dropping <strong>and</strong> that I’d come home with full<br />
lunch boxes, so she asked what was wrong. All the pent-up anger, frustration<br />
<strong>and</strong> toxicity just came out. Instead <strong>of</strong> being angry like I thought she would<br />
be, she cried <strong>and</strong> said she was sorry <strong>and</strong> that she only wished I had told her<br />
sooner. She got me a therapist, which was a little weird at first, but then<br />
things got better. She helped me with my homework. At first I didn’t think I<br />
could do it. But she asked me, “How could you know unless you try?” It was<br />
like a light broke through that hole! All the h<strong>and</strong>s <strong>of</strong> the people who helped<br />
me lifted me up. <strong>Courage</strong> helped me to face my problem.<br />
<strong>Courage</strong> helped me to get help. <strong>Courage</strong> helps me to see me for who I am.<br />
A person who is growing, each <strong>and</strong> every day. <strong>Courage</strong> helps me to accept<br />
me where I am. It always will.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Courage</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Children</strong>: <strong>Boston</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Beyond</strong><br />
76
“<strong>Courage</strong> helped<br />
me to get help.<br />
<strong>Courage</strong> helps<br />
me to see me for<br />
who I am.”<br />
Volume <strong>XXX</strong><br />
77
Keira Mccluskey<br />
Sarah Hoisl, Teacher<br />
South <strong>Boston</strong> Catholic Academy<br />
<strong>Courage</strong> means allowing yourself to do something you were always afraid <strong>of</strong><br />
doing. It means gathering up all your fear <strong>and</strong> throwing it away. When you do<br />
something you have always wanted to do but never had the courage to actually<br />
do, you’re proud that you did it. It is such a fulfilling feeling, you never want<br />
that feeling to stop. It’s like when you go down that water slide you were always<br />
afraid <strong>of</strong> going down, <strong>and</strong> once you do it you never forget it. I did something<br />
similar to that in a different way.<br />
My courage showed in my ability to open up to my teacher. I never had good<br />
relationships with my teachers until I went to sixth grade. In fifth grade I<br />
struggled a lot because <strong>of</strong> the excessive amount <strong>of</strong> drama. My class was not the<br />
greatest, <strong>and</strong> I felt like I had nobody to talk to. I never felt like I could confide<br />
in my teachers, <strong>and</strong> therefore always felt alone. <strong>The</strong>n I went to sixth grade.<br />
I will never forget the day I joined sixth grade. That was the day I didn’t feel<br />
alone anymore. That was the day I finally knew I had someone in my corner.<br />
Nobody ever really wanted to talk to me about my life, but Ms. Hoisl did.<br />
Ever since that day I have dared to do anything <strong>and</strong> everything. Ms. Hoisl<br />
is that one person who will always be there, that one person you can always<br />
depend on. Someone you can trust, someone who will listen to what you<br />
have to say. It was late September when we talked, <strong>and</strong> opening up that way<br />
was something that allowed me to feel comfortable in my own skin. <strong>The</strong>re<br />
have been many obstacles in my life that included people leaving without<br />
warning, or a constant lack <strong>of</strong> support. It was so hard to get through every<br />
day when I knew I was alone. But after opening up, I knew that after that<br />
day, I was never going to feel isolated. I never felt alone again after my first<br />
day back at South <strong>Boston</strong> Catholic Academy. I chose Ms. Hoisl because she<br />
is always the person I go to when I need to talk about my life. <strong>Courage</strong> isn’t<br />
something that comes naturally, it’s something you have to build up over the<br />
days, months, or even years.<br />
South <strong>Boston</strong> Catholic Academy is a school that I will never forget. I went<br />
to a bunch <strong>of</strong> different schools before this school. When I came to this<br />
school I knew it was perfect. New friends, new students, new teachers, new<br />
faces, <strong>and</strong> most importantly new perspectives.<br />
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“That was the day I<br />
didn’t feel alone<br />
anymore. That was<br />
the day I finally<br />
knew I had someone<br />
in my corner.”<br />
Not a lot <strong>of</strong> people think the little things in life are that important, but I have<br />
realized the little things in life are what matter the most. If I had not had that<br />
small <strong>and</strong> quick conversation with Ms. Hoisl, I would still be navigating every<br />
day alone. Now I smile a little brighter, laugh a little harder, <strong>and</strong> have a little<br />
more fun. I am proud <strong>of</strong> the courage I showed in speaking up, <strong>and</strong> will forever<br />
be grateful for that day.<br />
Volume <strong>XXX</strong><br />
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Jaden Harper<br />
Teresa Dawson Knoess, Teacher<br />
James P. Timilty Middle School<br />
<strong>Courage</strong> means being brave during challenging times at school. <strong>Courage</strong> is<br />
like a muscle. You need to develop it with small challenges that start early. Now<br />
that I am in sixth grade, I can h<strong>and</strong>le bigger challenges than I could in early<br />
elementary school. I have built my courage “muscle” by flexing it.<br />
<strong>The</strong> first challenging school experience that I remember vividly was when I<br />
was in gym class. That was in 2018 in third grade, when I had to show everyone<br />
that I could throw a basketball into the hoop, which was at least thirteen feet<br />
over my head. Honestly, I was thinking “if” I could throw a basketball that<br />
high. I lacked confidence, <strong>and</strong> I had the whole class staring at me. I was kind<br />
<strong>of</strong> scared <strong>and</strong> intimidated at first, so I used deep breathing strategies to calm<br />
myself down, <strong>and</strong> kept saying to myself, “I can do this!” I ran to the hoop <strong>and</strong><br />
said again, “I can do it,” <strong>and</strong> then I did it. This has been my strategy many<br />
times since then, in many different challenges. I learned from that moment<br />
that these strategies can help me rise to the challenge.<br />
By the next year, I had learned that I needed to add working hard to my<br />
recipe for building courage. In fourth grade, in 2019, when I was working<br />
hard on a math problem on MCAS test day, I was with four other people in<br />
the testing room. <strong>The</strong> math problem was complicated <strong>and</strong> was stressing me<br />
out. At that moment, I remembered that drawing helps keep me calm, so I<br />
took deep breaths, saying “stay calm” to myself, <strong>and</strong> began to draw out the<br />
problem. I have held onto <strong>and</strong> repeated those strategies when working on<br />
math problems many times since then. I practice these strategies about two<br />
times a day so that I am “in shape” when a challenge comes along.<br />
This year, when I am doing all <strong>of</strong> my classwork on Zoom <strong>and</strong> in Google<br />
Classroom, there is the potential for me to become stressed <strong>and</strong> anxious by<br />
the situation. This is really my third big experience where I have to face a<br />
challenge with courage. I have learned that in addition to my other strategies,<br />
listening to music on headphones <strong>and</strong> playing my favorite songs can help<br />
me. I have also used positive self-talk. For example, if my pencil breaks, I<br />
don’t stop working. I just get a new one <strong>and</strong> keep going. “You can do this!”<br />
<strong>and</strong> “Don’t give up!” continue to be my favorite positive messages that I tell<br />
myself every day.<br />
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“<strong>Courage</strong> is like a<br />
muscle. You need<br />
to develop it with<br />
small challenges<br />
that start early.”<br />
Volume <strong>XXX</strong><br />
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<strong>The</strong> <strong>Courage</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Children</strong>: <strong>Boston</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Beyond</strong><br />
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<strong>Courage</strong> <strong>Beyond</strong> <strong>Boston</strong><br />
Volume <strong>XXX</strong><br />
83
<strong>Courage</strong> <strong>Beyond</strong> <strong>Boston</strong><br />
A special supplement featuring essays<br />
from our national <strong>and</strong> international partners<br />
<strong>The</strong> essays featured in this section were written by students participating in our<br />
national <strong>and</strong> international programs. <strong>The</strong>y represent the universal nature <strong>of</strong> courage,<br />
<strong>and</strong> support our conviction that all people have the capacity to be courageous.<br />
<strong>Courage</strong> in My Life National Essay Contest<br />
<strong>The</strong> Max Warburg <strong>Courage</strong> Curriculum proudly hosts the <strong>Courage</strong> in My Life<br />
National Essay Contest, open to students in grades 5-8 in the United States.<br />
This program engages students in the reading <strong>and</strong> writing process, while<br />
encouraging young people to write about personal experiences with courage.<br />
We are proud to share inspiring essays written by courageous students from<br />
across the United States in the 30th volume <strong>of</strong> THE COURAGE OF CHILDREN:<br />
BOSTON AND BEYOND, including our national essay contest winner,<br />
Zaina Alatassi, from Beverly Hills Academy in Beverly Hills, MI.<br />
All schools that participate in our national program are given access to<br />
teaching guides <strong>and</strong> online resources. We encourage participating schools<br />
to deepen their experience by exploring <strong>and</strong> implementing our sixth-grade<br />
curriculum, <strong>and</strong> we continue to <strong>of</strong>fer support <strong>and</strong> guidance to make<br />
this possible.<br />
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<strong>The</strong> Max Warburg <strong>Courage</strong> Curriculum’s Global Initiative<br />
<strong>The</strong> Max Warburg <strong>Courage</strong> Curriculum began working with international<br />
partners in 2007 in response to a growing interest in implementing an<br />
accessible, proven curriculum. To date, the program has been taught in 16<br />
countries, including El Salvador, Pakistan, India, Lebanon, Thail<strong>and</strong>, <strong>and</strong><br />
China. This list continues to grow, as our organization forms partnerships with<br />
schools <strong>and</strong> learning communities across the globe to engage students in the<br />
reading <strong>and</strong> writing process, while empowering them to discover, recognize,<br />
<strong>and</strong> celebrate the courage in their lives.<br />
This year, we are honored to continue our partnerships with <strong>The</strong> Cambridge<br />
School for Cambodia, Mawr Volunteers in Yemen, the Personal Development<br />
Institute <strong>of</strong> Mongolia, <strong>The</strong> American School in Barcelona, Dr. Marcia Harris<br />
with the schools in Belize, <strong>and</strong> our newest partner in Istanbul, Turkey, ide<br />
Okullari. We are grateful to each <strong>of</strong> these partners for their compassionate<br />
work with teachers <strong>and</strong> students in their respective countries <strong>and</strong> for sharing<br />
in the vision <strong>of</strong> <strong>The</strong> Max Warburg <strong>Courage</strong> Curriculum.<br />
We welcome any organization wishing to work with <strong>The</strong> Max Warburg <strong>Courage</strong><br />
Curriculum. Recognizing that the stories <strong>of</strong> courage from children across the<br />
globe enrich the educational experience for all students, we seek to share our<br />
materials <strong>and</strong> <strong>of</strong>fer educational opportunities for children outside <strong>of</strong> <strong>Boston</strong>.<br />
For more information about <strong>The</strong> Max Warburg <strong>Courage</strong> Curriculum<br />
<strong>and</strong> our programs, please visit www.maxcourage.org<br />
Volume <strong>XXX</strong><br />
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John Paul Morris<br />
Stefanie Machado, Teacher<br />
Keith Middle School, New Bedford, MA<br />
In my life, I have shown courage. <strong>The</strong>re are a few acts <strong>of</strong> courage that I show<br />
every day. <strong>The</strong>se are things that I do which make me proud, <strong>and</strong> prove me to<br />
be courageous.<br />
Every day, I show courage in my family. <strong>The</strong>re are eight children in my family.<br />
Because <strong>of</strong> this, we have to show courage on a daily basis in order to be<br />
successful. Some people might be embarrassed to have a family like mine.<br />
<strong>The</strong>y might not want to go out in public for fear <strong>of</strong> embarrassing themselves,<br />
but that is not the way that it is with me. I am proud <strong>of</strong> my family. I want<br />
people to see that you can have more than two or three kids in your family,<br />
<strong>and</strong> still be successful, <strong>and</strong> enjoy your life. Because I enjoy mine. Even though<br />
this family sounds challenging, it does not seem to take courage to be part<br />
<strong>of</strong>. I will show you by telling you the story <strong>of</strong> my day. It might seem miserable.<br />
Please don’t think that. I love my life.<br />
On the average school day, I wake up at around six in the morning. I’ll come<br />
downstairs <strong>and</strong> eat cereal with several other people at a crowded kitchen table.<br />
I will then read or go outside while being followed by my little siblings. When<br />
it is time for online school, I go to my computer. I sit there all day with small<br />
people behind me making loud playing noises. My mic usually won’t work so<br />
I will not be able to talk on the Google Meets. This forces me to type in the<br />
chat (embarrassingly a function that I just recently found out about) which<br />
takes a long time, <strong>and</strong> when I raise my h<strong>and</strong>, there is a lot <strong>of</strong> waiting for me to<br />
type. (I’m not that fast.) All day, there is stress, <strong>and</strong> it takes courage to keep my<br />
composure. I look on the bright side. I could have said: every day, I wake up,<br />
go to the kitchen where my favorite people are waiting for me, eat a wonderful<br />
breakfast, <strong>and</strong> then go to school while my little siblings yell playfully behind<br />
me. That is the way I have to think in life. <strong>Courage</strong>ously, <strong>and</strong> positively. It helps<br />
to know that with challenges come rewards.<br />
To me, courage is looking on the bright side. When things are a mess, clean<br />
them. When life is a mess, clean it.<br />
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“It might seem<br />
miserable. Please<br />
don’t think that.<br />
I love my life.”<br />
Volume <strong>XXX</strong><br />
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Raquel Robson<br />
Eryn Allen, Teacher<br />
Keith Middle School, New Bedford MA<br />
<strong>Courage</strong> to me is when you get through a hard time in life. My brother was<br />
only one or two when he got Kawasaki disease. He was very sick <strong>and</strong> in a lot<br />
<strong>of</strong> pain. His pain impacted me <strong>and</strong> many others in our family. This was a very<br />
difficult time.<br />
My brother’s first sign <strong>of</strong> sickness was in late June when he was in my room<br />
hanging out <strong>and</strong> he vomited out <strong>of</strong> nowhere. I told my parents <strong>and</strong> they gave<br />
him some medicine. After that day he developed more symptoms <strong>of</strong> sickness.<br />
He had a fever, runny nose, <strong>and</strong> continued to vomit. A few days later my mom<br />
was changing his diaper <strong>and</strong> found that his urine was an orange color. We took<br />
him to the hospital as soon as possible. <strong>The</strong> doctors ran tests on him, but they<br />
couldn’t find what was wrong.<br />
One day they discovered he had an illness that they didn’t know much<br />
about <strong>and</strong> decided to send my brother to <strong>Boston</strong> <strong>Children</strong>’s Hospital in an<br />
ambulance. At this point it was early July, <strong>and</strong> I had to be picked up from the<br />
hospital by my gr<strong>and</strong>pa. I was upset that I couldn’t be there for my brother,<br />
but also felt a little better because I didn’t have to see him in pain. Once<br />
while in the hospital I witnessed my brother getting a needle put in his arm.<br />
It traumatized me to hear his cries, <strong>and</strong> I had to look away.<br />
As the days went on, he was getting treated <strong>and</strong> my parents had to stay in<br />
<strong>Boston</strong>. This is when the doctors discovered he had Kawasaki Disease. This<br />
disease is rare <strong>and</strong> mostly affects young children. After this discovery I realized<br />
that it was going to be the Fourth <strong>of</strong> July soon. This made me upset because<br />
my brother <strong>and</strong> parents weren’t going to be able to go to the carnival with<br />
me <strong>and</strong> watch fireworks like we had done every year. I still got to go with my<br />
gr<strong>and</strong>parents, but it wasn’t the same.<br />
A few days after the Fourth <strong>of</strong> July my brother was almost cured. My gr<strong>and</strong>ma<br />
finally brought me to <strong>Boston</strong> to go see my brother <strong>and</strong> parents. When I saw<br />
him in the hospital I was so happy to see him getting better, <strong>and</strong> about two<br />
days later my brother was finally ready to go home. He was energetic <strong>and</strong><br />
happy like he was before, <strong>and</strong> I was relieved to see him being his normal self.<br />
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“It’s very hard to<br />
watch somebody<br />
go through a<br />
hard time in life,<br />
especially when<br />
it can impact<br />
you too.”<br />
It’s very hard to watch somebody go through a hard time in life, especially<br />
when it can impact you too. This was a really difficult time, <strong>and</strong> we got<br />
through it with the courage we had. So that’s why courage to me means<br />
getting through a hard time in life.<br />
Volume <strong>XXX</strong><br />
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Derek Michaud<br />
Carolyn Westgate, Teacher<br />
Roosevelt Middle School, New Bedford, MA<br />
Sometimes I think about what being courageous really looks like. <strong>The</strong> first<br />
person I can think <strong>of</strong> is my mom. She has shown me that anything is possible<br />
if you put your all into it. I know I have let my mom down sometimes. I want<br />
to be better <strong>and</strong> do better than my father. I don’t want his absence in my life<br />
to have anything to do with my outcome. I want to be proud <strong>of</strong> myself as well.<br />
I know my mom will guide me <strong>and</strong> always be there to help me along the way. I<br />
believe I have been courageous the last few years.<br />
My dad walked out <strong>of</strong> my life when I was five years old. He was very mean to<br />
my mom <strong>and</strong> I am glad that he left. It was hard for my mom to raise me <strong>and</strong><br />
my little sister alone, <strong>and</strong> I tried to help my mom out as much as I could. My<br />
mom was able to go to school <strong>and</strong> now has a degree. I saw her struggle <strong>and</strong><br />
I helped her as much as I could by listening <strong>and</strong> doing chores around the<br />
house. My mom met my step-dad <strong>and</strong> now she is very happy, <strong>and</strong> so am I. My<br />
mom deserves the world. She is so selfless <strong>and</strong> will do anything for me <strong>and</strong> my<br />
sister. I showed courage by being there for my mom <strong>and</strong> st<strong>and</strong>ing up to my<br />
dad when he tried to come back into our lives. I told him to leave us alone <strong>and</strong><br />
go away because we are better <strong>of</strong>f without him.<br />
We went through a lot <strong>of</strong> hard times. My dad decided to sell everything, <strong>and</strong><br />
we had nothing. We had to move into my gr<strong>and</strong>mother’s house for a few<br />
months before my mom could find a new place to live. When we first moved<br />
in we didn’t even have a TV. My mom would work double shifts <strong>and</strong> we would<br />
stay home with my gr<strong>and</strong>mother, <strong>and</strong> I would make sure that I would clean<br />
for my mom. I know it wasn’t much, but I tried to stay positive even though<br />
everything had fallen apart. My mom worked so hard, <strong>and</strong> she got everything<br />
back <strong>and</strong> much more. I would make sure to help with anything I could to<br />
make things easier for my mom <strong>and</strong> sister.<br />
My mom worked two jobs <strong>and</strong> went to school online to make ends meet so we<br />
could move <strong>and</strong> have a better life. I remember not having much <strong>and</strong> telling<br />
my mom that we had everything we needed. My sister would cry <strong>and</strong> I would<br />
try <strong>and</strong> explain to her that we had everything we needed. She was too little to<br />
underst<strong>and</strong> what was going on, but I didn’t want my mom to go through any<br />
more bad things. She put up with a lot <strong>of</strong> stuff from my dad to try <strong>and</strong> keep<br />
our family together. But the most courageous thing was how she took care <strong>of</strong><br />
us once we left. I believe it inspired me to be more courageous <strong>and</strong> try to help<br />
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“ But I believe<br />
as long as we<br />
are together<br />
as a family it<br />
doesn’t matter<br />
where we are.”<br />
my sister underst<strong>and</strong>. It made me a better brother <strong>and</strong> person. She worked so<br />
hard for us that I want to do the same for her. I love my mom <strong>and</strong> I know that<br />
she would do anything to protect me <strong>and</strong> my sister.<br />
Now my mom has a great job <strong>and</strong> our future looks great. We have come a long<br />
way from where we were. My mom is finishing up another degree. We have<br />
plans on moving to Texas next year. I am very nervous to move because <strong>of</strong> the<br />
change. But I know there will be more opportunities for me as I get older. I<br />
am trying to be courageous <strong>and</strong> show my sister that change isn’t bad <strong>and</strong> we<br />
will have an even better life. My mom plans on buying a house <strong>and</strong> having a<br />
pool, <strong>and</strong> I am excited for that. But I believe as long as we are together as a<br />
family it doesn’t matter where we are.<br />
I continue to show courage by always trying to do my best so I can make my<br />
mom proud <strong>of</strong> me. I try to tell others who have a missing parent that it is okay<br />
<strong>and</strong> that they are not missing out. I have a step-dad now, <strong>and</strong> he has shown me<br />
what a dad should really be. You may feel like you are missing out, but really<br />
they are missing out on you. I know when I get older that I want to be there<br />
for my kids <strong>and</strong> break that cycle. I don’t want to be anything like my dad, <strong>and</strong><br />
I think it’s pushed me into figuring out what I want to do with myself when<br />
I get older. I just want to make my mom proud <strong>of</strong> me <strong>and</strong> want to show any<br />
other kids out there without a dad that you can make it with or without them,<br />
<strong>and</strong> that not having them doesn’t give us an excuse not to work hard.<br />
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Michael Little<br />
Carolyn Westgate, Teacher<br />
Roosevelt Middle School, New Bedford, MA<br />
<strong>Courage</strong> to me is being able to do something, or try, even if it frightens you.<br />
I grew up with two brothers, ages sixteen <strong>and</strong> twelve, my mom, <strong>and</strong> my dad.<br />
My mom was always the stronger one. My dad had some mental health issues.<br />
I always had a happy life. Both parents worked. I went to fun things with my<br />
family <strong>of</strong>ten. It was hard with my dad because he tried to be a good dad, but<br />
he would get stressed out. He would just stay away when he was stressed. I tried<br />
to overcome this by not arguing or fighting with my brothers. I would try to be<br />
on my best behavior always. One day my dad snapped <strong>and</strong> hurt our family. He<br />
went to jail <strong>and</strong> we never got to see him again. I had so much courage that day,<br />
three years ago.<br />
One morning my brothers <strong>and</strong> I were fighting over a speaker. My dad came<br />
home <strong>and</strong> saw us fighting. He got really angry, because he was sick <strong>of</strong> us<br />
fighting over everything. My mom tried to calm him down by telling him<br />
she would deal with this <strong>and</strong> he should go to work. My dad didn’t listen. He<br />
pushed us all around <strong>and</strong> was breaking things. My mother told us kids to run<br />
to the car <strong>and</strong> she would come out as fast as she could. I was so scared. My<br />
mom was trying to distract him so that we could run <strong>and</strong> be safe. I didn’t want<br />
to leave her. I knew I had to run with my middle brother or we could be in<br />
more danger. So I got the courage to do as I was told even though it was so<br />
hard! I had fear for my mom <strong>and</strong> fear for us. I couldn’t underst<strong>and</strong> why this<br />
was happening. My dad had never acted this way.<br />
My older brother would not leave my mom alone with him. My middle brother<br />
<strong>and</strong> I ran <strong>and</strong> waited near the car for my mom, like she said to do. My dad<br />
ended up hurting my mom <strong>and</strong> brother. My brother’s nose was shattered by<br />
my dad, while my brother was trying to protect my mom. My mom was able<br />
to get away with my older brother <strong>and</strong> run to the car to meet us there. My<br />
heart was beating so fast. I still didn’t feel safe. I felt that I was too young to do<br />
anything to help. I was only eight. My mom took us all <strong>and</strong> went to the police,<br />
<strong>and</strong> my dad was arrested.<br />
My family had to go through so much. My older brother had to have plastic<br />
surgery on his face. His nose was broken in three places. I didn’t sleep for so<br />
long. I was afraid to be on a separate floor in the house by myself. I thought at<br />
any time something was going to happen again. <strong>The</strong> hardest thing was trying<br />
to underst<strong>and</strong> why <strong>and</strong> how this happened. My dad was never this person.<br />
What had he become? I knew he was in jail, but I didn’t feel safe. My brothers<br />
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“When I see other<br />
kids that show<br />
being scared, I<br />
try to talk them<br />
through it, <strong>and</strong><br />
show them they<br />
can have hope.”<br />
<strong>and</strong> I had to start therapy. My mom set up mentors for us. We felt scared,<br />
embarrassed, sad, angry, disappointed, <strong>and</strong> so much more. We now had to let<br />
go <strong>of</strong> our dad <strong>and</strong> realize he was never going to be with us again.<br />
I still have some fear, but I continue to be brave. I know that this was the<br />
past <strong>and</strong> I’m safe now. It’s really hard to not have it in the back <strong>of</strong> my head<br />
every day. It happened so fast <strong>and</strong> we had no warning. I try to do my best by<br />
showing my family courage that we can get through this. When I see other<br />
kids that show being scared, I try to talk them through it, <strong>and</strong> show them<br />
they can have hope.<br />
Volume <strong>XXX</strong><br />
93
Jisaura Perez<br />
Debra Mendes, Teacher<br />
Norm<strong>and</strong>in Middle School, New Bedford, MA<br />
<strong>The</strong>se past few years haven’t been easy for me. In fact, 2019 was the worst year<br />
<strong>of</strong> my life. My mom passed away. She was very sick, but always had the love to<br />
help others. My mom was a person who wouldn’t listen to doctors or even take<br />
care <strong>of</strong> herself. When my mom was getting very sick, I wouldn’t go to school<br />
because I was afraid that she would die or fall when I wasn’t there. I lived in<br />
constant fear. My mom was 46 when she died on the floor <strong>of</strong> our house in<br />
front <strong>of</strong> me. She died from heart problems.<br />
My mom was a smoker, <strong>and</strong> this is why her health was so bad. She wouldn’t get<br />
better because she didn’t want to stop smoking. I wished for her to have the<br />
courage to stop smoking, <strong>and</strong> in 2019 she finally stopped.<br />
Let me tell you what happened before she died. One day we were at the store<br />
<strong>and</strong> my Mom was shivering from the cold <strong>and</strong> shaking all over. She had to be<br />
rushed to the hospital, <strong>and</strong> they told her that it was an infection. I felt so sad<br />
because she couldn’t come home. <strong>The</strong>n it went from bad to worse. My mom<br />
was in a coma for many weeks. She had to stay in the hospital with a bunch<br />
<strong>of</strong> machines hooked up to her. <strong>The</strong>y found out that the infection she had<br />
could spread <strong>and</strong> really harm her. My family <strong>and</strong> I had to go to these special<br />
meetings about her health <strong>and</strong> what they were going to do next for her. <strong>The</strong>se<br />
meetings were not easy because there was news that was good <strong>and</strong> bad.<br />
After she came out <strong>of</strong> the coma, she started to go to different hospitals for<br />
different treatments. In May <strong>of</strong> 2019, she finally came home. <strong>The</strong>n on the<br />
22nd <strong>of</strong> May, she died. I was devastated. I just could not believe that this had<br />
happened. When I returned to school, my teachers were so sad, but they<br />
supported me in all kinds <strong>of</strong> ways. <strong>The</strong>y said, “Are you okay?”, “Do you want<br />
to take the day <strong>of</strong>f?”, “How can we help you?”, “Do you need anything?”<br />
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“ If I can show<br />
bravery <strong>and</strong><br />
strength, then you<br />
can too when you<br />
face any problem.<br />
Be brave enough to<br />
talk to someone. It<br />
helps <strong>and</strong> makes all<br />
the difference.”<br />
Next, my aunt got custody <strong>of</strong> me <strong>and</strong> I started living with her. She would say<br />
things like, “Now you have to live with it <strong>and</strong> it’s going to be hard.” I felt very<br />
sad, but I knew I had to be courageous. I knew my mom would want me to<br />
be happy again. I started to shut down when my aunt asked me questions<br />
about my feelings or problems. Now I am going to therapy <strong>and</strong> talking to my<br />
mentor so I can do better at not shutting down. I am being brave <strong>and</strong> not<br />
shutting down as much as before. I was afraid <strong>and</strong> uncomfortable living with<br />
my aunt, but I am trying to accomplish being a happy child <strong>and</strong> I feel like<br />
I am on my way. If I can show bravery <strong>and</strong> strength, then you can too when<br />
you face any problem. Be brave enough to talk to someone. It helps <strong>and</strong><br />
makes all the difference.<br />
Volume <strong>XXX</strong><br />
95
Jeanina Santiago Alvelo<br />
Kyle Farnworth, teacher<br />
Norm<strong>and</strong>in Middle School, New Bedford, MA<br />
When I was about two or three years old, my mom <strong>and</strong> dad split up. After a<br />
while, in Puerto Rico, my mom decided to move here to give us a better life<br />
<strong>and</strong> future. I was five years old <strong>and</strong> my brother was four.<br />
Growing up here I’ve never had a real friend, except my mom <strong>and</strong> my brother<br />
Derek. From 2016 to 2020 I’ve always felt invisible to people. I felt like I didn’t<br />
fit in, so I lied to fit in. I told stories that were not true to impress others, but<br />
it made me feel worse. Bullying was also a huge problem. Kids in class talked<br />
behind my back because <strong>of</strong> my looks, <strong>and</strong> pretended to be my “friends.” I<br />
knew that they were judging me but I kept all that to myself. I felt broken <strong>and</strong><br />
crushed to know they were all fake friends, plus the fact that I felt invisible.<br />
I was always scared to tell anyone, especially my mom. I know that a mother<br />
should be there for her kids, but I thought that if she knew about what I was<br />
going through she’d be disappointed. This made me feel like there was no<br />
point in being happy, but for some reason I felt like I needed to.<br />
Every day after school, when I went to bed I wanted to never go back to<br />
school. All the things that happened made me tell myself things that weren’t<br />
true. Like telling myself everyone hates me <strong>and</strong> other things like that. Every<br />
day passed <strong>and</strong> these problems were still happening, so I shut everyone out. I<br />
didn’t trust anyone, not even myself.<br />
<strong>The</strong>n something happened. I don’t remember what exactly, but something<br />
gave me the boost I needed to open up a bit. It gave me courage <strong>and</strong> the<br />
confidence to talk to my mom. Once I told my mom some <strong>of</strong> my problems,<br />
I felt better. Like all this time I had a huge backpack full <strong>of</strong> all my problems.<br />
Once I talked to her, it felt like the backpack got lighter.<br />
I never felt like I mattered to anybody, but now I know that I do matter. I got<br />
help from different people <strong>and</strong> it made me feel like I could do anything. I<br />
got a mentor, <strong>and</strong> that helped. I talked to my mom again <strong>and</strong> felt like I was<br />
finally doing something right. It gave me more confidence <strong>and</strong> courage to<br />
be myself <strong>and</strong> not someone I’m not. Now that I’m in sixth grade I have new<br />
friends. One friend I have is Emma. This is the first time I feel like I have a<br />
real friend, <strong>and</strong> I know that if I open up more <strong>and</strong> get the help I need I’ll<br />
have real friends <strong>and</strong> a new me.<br />
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“It gave me more<br />
confidence <strong>and</strong><br />
courage to be<br />
myself <strong>and</strong> not<br />
someone I’m not.”<br />
To this day I still have problems in my backpack, but I know once I empty it<br />
out I’ll feel free from being stuck in the past. Now I know I don’t have to act<br />
like someone else to impress others, because knowing that I’m unique <strong>and</strong><br />
different is no reason for me to want to be someone I’m not.<br />
Volume <strong>XXX</strong><br />
97
Zaina Alatassi<br />
Sara Coyle, Teacher<br />
Beverly Hills Academy, Beverly Hills, MI<br />
<strong>Courage</strong> in My Life National Essay Contest Winner<br />
To me showing courage is like being a superhero <strong>and</strong> st<strong>and</strong>ing up for what<br />
you believe. <strong>The</strong> word means something different to everyone.<br />
When I was in fourth grade, we were learning about the main religions, <strong>and</strong><br />
that day we were learning about Islam. <strong>The</strong> teacher asked if anyone in the class<br />
was Muslim, <strong>and</strong> only I raised my h<strong>and</strong>. When I looked around the classroom<br />
all eyes were on me, which I was not used to. I guess they didn’t know I was<br />
Muslim since I only had been at that school for a year. Everyone focused their<br />
eyes back to the teacher, except this one boy who I had never really talked to.<br />
He looked me straight in the eye <strong>and</strong> didn’t say anything. He then asked me<br />
if I had a bomb in my backpack <strong>and</strong> called me a terrorist, while also telling<br />
me to go back to where I came from. He also said some other terrible words.<br />
I wouldn’t say I was the shy type <strong>of</strong> a girl, but I came from an all Islamic school<br />
before that, so I never really heard people calling each other things like that.<br />
I was still really young <strong>and</strong> didn’t know what to do in situations like that, so<br />
I looked back at him <strong>and</strong> made my way back to my seat. I had this nervous<br />
feeling in me. I felt my heart drop all the way down to my stomach <strong>and</strong> felt<br />
like the whole room was spinning. When I looked at my teacher he looked<br />
frightened or startled <strong>and</strong> looked at the boy, but still did not say anything.<br />
<strong>The</strong> boy continued to st<strong>and</strong> by his seat, with a kind <strong>of</strong> proud smile. All <strong>of</strong> a<br />
sudden I saw a girl a little older than me st<strong>and</strong> up from her seat, <strong>and</strong> she had<br />
an upset look on her face. I could tell she was going to burst with anger. I was<br />
still not comfortable with the people in my class, so I just sank down in my<br />
seat. She looked him straight in the eyes <strong>and</strong> said, “Just because she is Muslim<br />
does not mean she is any different than you, <strong>and</strong> not all Muslims are bad;<br />
that’s just what the media shows.” I was wondering to myself why the boy was<br />
just st<strong>and</strong>ing there blankly. He eventually took a seat. <strong>The</strong> teacher politely<br />
asked the girl to sit down <strong>and</strong> continue doing her work. I honestly have never<br />
felt more relieved. After the class ended I went to the girl <strong>and</strong> thanked her for<br />
what she did for me, then I went on to ask her why she did that for me. She<br />
said she had gone through the same thing because she is also a minority. I<br />
went on with my day not really thinking much about it. I was not planning on<br />
saying anything to my parents because I didn’t want them to be upset by what<br />
he said, <strong>and</strong> it was a tough topic to talk about.<br />
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“I guess they didn’t<br />
know I was Muslim<br />
since I only had<br />
been at that school<br />
for a year.”<br />
I feel that both the girl <strong>and</strong> I showed courage that day because I didn’t go<br />
back <strong>and</strong> forth arguing with the boy or saying anything to hurt him. <strong>The</strong><br />
girl showed courage by st<strong>and</strong>ing up for me in a polite way to make the boy<br />
realize what he did was wrong.<br />
Volume <strong>XXX</strong><br />
99
Imtiaz Ahmad<br />
Sara Coyle, Teacher<br />
Beverly Hills Academy, Beverly Hills, MI<br />
<strong>Courage</strong> to me is when you are st<strong>and</strong>ing up for yourself <strong>and</strong> talking to<br />
someone about a problem like bullying, such as screaming at people for just a<br />
small mistake. It’s not being scared to do what you want to do, <strong>and</strong> way more.<br />
When I was sitting down <strong>and</strong> talking to my friends at the end <strong>of</strong> a soccer<br />
game, the coach started screaming at the whole team because <strong>of</strong> our loss <strong>and</strong><br />
how we all made a mistake. My heart was pounding, my eyes in shock. I was<br />
going to walk up to him <strong>and</strong> say, “Can you not scream at the team? We just<br />
made a mistake.” But he did not let me speak. He said, “Stay in your seat<br />
<strong>and</strong> be quiet!”<br />
Later that day I was trying to practice my skills, but I couldn’t focus because<br />
I was really stressed out <strong>and</strong> sad about the loss <strong>of</strong> our game <strong>and</strong> our coach<br />
screaming in our faces. I was trying to ignore it, but I could not because <strong>of</strong><br />
how scared <strong>and</strong> depressed I was. When I was trying to sleep on my comfy bed<br />
I thought to myself “What can I do to make the coach not be mad that easily<br />
at the team again? Oh! I got it! I could be courageous.” But then I thought<br />
again <strong>and</strong> said to myself that being courageous is hard. However, I did not<br />
give up that easily.<br />
When I arrived for another soccer game I was waiting to talk to my coach.<br />
When I got to the game I saw him with my friends on the old stinky rusty<br />
bench. When I walked to him the coach told me to go in the game because<br />
someone had a bad injury. “But…,” I said s<strong>of</strong>tly. “GO!” the coach shouted in<br />
my face. I was thinking not to say “No” in my head, but I said “No” because I<br />
had courage in my heart. When I said “No” my coach was shocked. I told him<br />
that I needed to talk to him, so he sent my friend into the game. In a s<strong>of</strong>t voice<br />
I said that people make mistakes all the time, <strong>and</strong> you should not get mad <strong>and</strong><br />
scream at eleven <strong>and</strong> twelve-year-old boys. When we went back to the game<br />
we were winning. <strong>The</strong> other coach was helping the team. After, the coach<br />
said, “Good job in the game, boys. You did well <strong>and</strong> you should be happy for<br />
yourselves.” Everyone was in shock at how nice the coach was. <strong>The</strong> whole team<br />
was happy, even the coach, because <strong>of</strong> courage.<br />
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“A little drop <strong>of</strong><br />
courage could fix<br />
a whole problem.”<br />
Everyone has it, you just need to bring it out. A little drop <strong>of</strong> courage could<br />
fix a whole problem. It is sometimes hard to bring courage out, but you can’t<br />
be scared to just let it out.<br />
Volume <strong>XXX</strong><br />
101
Montrell Moore<br />
Adra Young, Teacher<br />
Bailly Stem Academy, Gary, Indiana<br />
<strong>Courage</strong> is a necessity to overcome fear <strong>and</strong> achieve a desired goal. Fear<br />
is something that exists in all <strong>of</strong> us. <strong>The</strong>re is no hero or any particular<br />
courageous figure without fear. Being fearful is not required to be courageous.<br />
One simply has to overcome fear to possess this great quality.<br />
When overcoming fears there is always going to be risk. <strong>Courage</strong> can occur<br />
at any time, anywhere, <strong>of</strong>ten in everyday life. No matter how old or young<br />
you are, courage is represented in everyday life. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.<br />
had a dream to end racism. He had to use courage <strong>and</strong> believe in himself<br />
to make that happen.<br />
Harriet Tubman saved people <strong>of</strong> color from slavery. To do that she discovered<br />
through courage what was called <strong>The</strong> Underground Railroad. To escape<br />
without getting caught she had to believe in herself. Harriet Tubman used<br />
courage to push through hard times <strong>and</strong> the difficult days she faced on her<br />
miraculous mission.<br />
<strong>Courage</strong> is really a short definition <strong>of</strong> trusting <strong>and</strong> believing in yourself. You<br />
might have fears, but it is easier to overcome those fears <strong>and</strong> be done with that<br />
fear than to live with it forever. You should always trust <strong>and</strong> believe in yourself,<br />
<strong>and</strong> always remember the end result <strong>of</strong> finding inner courage. It provides the<br />
strength to endure <strong>and</strong> make it through anything in life that you will face.<br />
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“<strong>Courage</strong> is really<br />
a short definition<br />
<strong>of</strong> trusting<br />
<strong>and</strong> believing<br />
in yourself.”<br />
Volume <strong>XXX</strong><br />
103
Emily Welborne<br />
Independent<br />
Charlotte, NC<br />
I had a physical exam for fourth grade. <strong>The</strong> doctor said, “Touch your toes,”<br />
<strong>and</strong> began to run a h<strong>and</strong> down my spine. “It looks like you have a case<br />
<strong>of</strong> scoliosis.”<br />
I was ten years old. I thought, I’m going to die.<br />
<strong>The</strong> nurse took me to this dark room. <strong>The</strong>re were no lights. All I could see<br />
was this bed, <strong>and</strong> it sounded like a big motor.<br />
<strong>The</strong> nurse smiled. She said, “This is called an x-ray. I promise it’s not going<br />
to hurt you.”<br />
I hadn’t remembered ever having an x-ray before. I closed my eyes as I put<br />
my back to the board.<br />
A few minutes later, we got the pictures back. <strong>The</strong> nurse gave me two<br />
numbers: twenty-six <strong>and</strong> thirty-three. <strong>The</strong>se were the degrees <strong>of</strong> my curves.<br />
<strong>The</strong>y said that scoliosis is simply a spine that has curves to it, instead <strong>of</strong> being<br />
straight. Sco-lee-oh-sis. I couldn’t pronounce it.<br />
“Looking at your x-rays…,” <strong>and</strong> before the doctor could finish, I stopped him<br />
<strong>and</strong> said, “I know. I need surgery.” And the doctor nodded. I hung my head<br />
<strong>and</strong> started to cry. I didn’t say anything. I didn’t want to accept it. I sat staring<br />
at the popsicle sticks <strong>and</strong> cotton swabs.<br />
Everything was still dark. <strong>The</strong> second floor felt haunted almost. All the lights<br />
seemed to be <strong>of</strong>f, <strong>and</strong> it was very quiet. <strong>The</strong> air was freezing, <strong>and</strong> it smelled<br />
like old wood.<br />
I remember shaking because I was so scared. Putting on the hospital gown,<br />
the silver blanket, <strong>and</strong> the hospital hat, I knew that was it. <strong>The</strong>y were going<br />
to cut me open.<br />
<strong>The</strong> doctors, nurses, <strong>and</strong> anesthesiologists wrote on my spine with a Sharpie.<br />
<strong>The</strong>y came in one by one, used h<strong>and</strong>-sanitizer, <strong>and</strong> introduced themselves.<br />
My family said goodbye. <strong>The</strong> childcare nurse stayed by my side. <strong>The</strong>y wheeled<br />
me into the OR, which was cold <strong>and</strong> quiet. I recalled the sound <strong>of</strong> packages<br />
opening. Those are my rods. <strong>The</strong>n paper ripping. <strong>The</strong> screws.<br />
<strong>The</strong>y transferred me from the bed to the operating table. <strong>The</strong> bright light<br />
was blinding.<br />
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“A few years ago,<br />
I might’ve been<br />
embarrassed by it.<br />
Now, it represents<br />
healing.”<br />
And then it was time! <strong>The</strong>y pulled over a mask filled with air <strong>and</strong> put it<br />
over my nose.<br />
<strong>The</strong> first thing I saw when I opened my eyes was my family sitting on a<br />
small blue bench at the end <strong>of</strong> my hospital bed. Everything hurt. I felt very<br />
nauseous. And I dreaded every two hours because my nurses would have<br />
to come <strong>and</strong> wake me up to turn me onto my other side to ensure that my<br />
body wouldn’t lose mobility.<br />
<strong>The</strong> doctor said, “You’re going to have to st<strong>and</strong> up <strong>and</strong> walk now.” I was very<br />
scared because I was in so much pain. What if I fall? What if it hurts? <strong>The</strong><br />
nurses took my legs <strong>and</strong> turned me towards the side <strong>of</strong> the bed. This made<br />
me very dizzy because I was not used to moving with a straight spine. But as<br />
I sat up alongside the bed, I thought maybe I can do this.<br />
<strong>The</strong> nurses each grabbed me by my arms <strong>and</strong> I slowly began to st<strong>and</strong>.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re was a small mirror to the left <strong>of</strong> my bed. <strong>The</strong>y took me past the mirror<br />
<strong>and</strong> into the hallway, but not before I stopped to look in the glass. It was me,<br />
but it wasn’t. I looked much taller. Older, somehow. I took a breath <strong>and</strong> looked<br />
at my scar. It was long <strong>and</strong> vertical beside my spine. A few years ago, I might’ve<br />
been embarrassed by it. Now, it represents healing.<br />
Once I was in the hallway, I didn’t want to stop walking. I walked sixteen laps.<br />
As I went down the hall, I thought back to five days earlier. That scared girl.<br />
<strong>The</strong> girl who walked down those halls thinking she was not going to make it.<br />
Now my spine was straight, <strong>and</strong> I felt happy. I felt proud.<br />
Volume <strong>XXX</strong><br />
105
Abdullah Mohammed Hassan<br />
Maeen Ali & Seena Dua’is, Teachers<br />
Abjad Schools, Al Wahda, Sana’a, Yemen<br />
My family consists <strong>of</strong> my parents, myself, three brothers, <strong>and</strong> a deceased sister<br />
who passed away when I was five years old. She is always in my mind. She died<br />
because <strong>of</strong> medical malpractice. I went to school in the village where we used<br />
to live. When we moved to the city our financial status worsened <strong>and</strong> I had to<br />
find a job to support my family. My mother started making a special mix <strong>of</strong><br />
ground chili-peppers with other spices, <strong>and</strong> I had to stroll the streets <strong>and</strong> sell<br />
them in small bags. I was eleven years old <strong>and</strong> I had just finished grade five. I<br />
was very sad to quit school <strong>and</strong> spend the whole day moving from one street<br />
to another selling my mother’s product. When I went back home every night,<br />
I was usually so exhausted that I fell asleep on the bus. I gave all the money I<br />
made to my father.<br />
Every morning, I looked with envy at all the children on their way to school. I<br />
felt bad for myself, so I always tried to find used school books to read during<br />
the evenings in the street when there was less traffic. I usually sat below a street<br />
light <strong>and</strong> lost myself in a book for an hour or two at a time. I was determined<br />
to teach myself, but I was under too much pressure. I also faced many<br />
problems in the streets. Once a motorcycle hit me while I was walking. I fell<br />
down <strong>and</strong> all the small bags <strong>of</strong> chili were scattered around. <strong>The</strong> biker helped<br />
me collect them, <strong>and</strong> I thanked him <strong>and</strong> said I was fine even though my leg<br />
<strong>and</strong> arm were in pain. He <strong>of</strong>fered me some money, but I refused to take any,<br />
thinking that he was like me, trying to support his family. On another occasion<br />
I fell in a muddy pit <strong>and</strong> spoiled some scarves I was selling. I had to go back<br />
home <strong>and</strong> clean the scarves to sell the next day. I also got lost in the streets<br />
numerous times, falling asleep until someone woke me up.<br />
One day, a few months ago, I was sitting below a street light reading an old<br />
school book when a woman saw me <strong>and</strong> approached me. When she came<br />
to me she said that she had called to me several times <strong>and</strong> I did not pay<br />
attention. I told her I was enjoying the reading. She bought a few bags <strong>of</strong> my<br />
mother’s ground chili-peppers, paid me, <strong>and</strong> left. She came again the next<br />
day, bought a larger amount, <strong>and</strong> started asking me what I was reading. I<br />
told her that I couldn’t afford to go to school, but I loved reading, <strong>and</strong> I read<br />
school books to prepare myself for school if the time ever came. She gave me<br />
a sealed envelope with some money, but I refused to take it. She said: “This<br />
is not for you, give it to your father.” I took the envelope <strong>and</strong> h<strong>and</strong>ed it to my<br />
father, unopened. In the envelope also was a message to my father, asking him<br />
to allow me to go to school <strong>and</strong> <strong>of</strong>fering to help pay for my education. Her<br />
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“She asked me, “Are<br />
you well?” <strong>and</strong><br />
I said, “I am the<br />
happiest person<br />
in Yemen.””<br />
visits to my spot became regular. She always bought my product <strong>and</strong> asked<br />
me why I didn’t go to school. I told her that I had to support my family. She<br />
asked to meet my father <strong>and</strong> she was able to convince him to allow me to go<br />
to school. She registered me at Abjad Schools. <strong>The</strong> school gave me a 50%<br />
discount when they learned about my story. <strong>The</strong>y also gave me a free uniform,<br />
schoolbooks, a school bag, transportation, <strong>and</strong> all other school needs.<br />
Now I happily attend school in the mornings <strong>and</strong> sell my mother’s ground<br />
chili-peppers in the afternoons, to make pocket money <strong>and</strong> to support my<br />
family. I was able to collect some money <strong>and</strong> buy myself a watch that glows<br />
in the dark. I am so very happy. All my teachers are very supportive. I do my<br />
homework on the bus on my way back from school, or on the way to school<br />
in the morning, if needed. I study while selling the chili packets in the<br />
streets. I always use the street lights for reading.<br />
A few days ago I met the lady that made all this happen. She asked me,<br />
“Are you well?” <strong>and</strong> I said, “I am the happiest person in Yemen.” I am so<br />
happy. I will finish my education to become a businessman, walk the streets,<br />
<strong>and</strong> help children like me who deserve a good education <strong>and</strong> a decent life.<br />
Volume <strong>XXX</strong><br />
107
Amro Khaled<br />
Hussein Mohiuddin, Teacher<br />
Al-Qirwan, Al-Sabeen, Sana’a, Yemen<br />
I had a traffic accident four years ago in the village, which led to my head<br />
injury. I was treated for a period <strong>of</strong> time, but I lost the ability to speak well<br />
because <strong>of</strong> a problem with stuttering due to a nerve injury. I went back<br />
to school to continue my studies after I recovered, <strong>and</strong> the wound in my<br />
forehead healed. I was studying in the fifth grade, but I found it very difficult<br />
to cope given my health situation. I could no longer speak like the rest <strong>of</strong><br />
the students, so I had a great fear <strong>of</strong> entering the classroom <strong>and</strong> sitting with<br />
classmates in school. I was even afraid that the teacher would talk to me.<br />
What scared me the most was when the teacher asked me a question <strong>and</strong><br />
the students in the class told him that I was mute. I was feeling pain <strong>and</strong><br />
heartbreak. <strong>The</strong> scores <strong>of</strong> my oral tests were very low, although I had good<br />
knowledge. Sometimes I got a score <strong>of</strong> zero due to my inability to answer for<br />
fear <strong>of</strong> other students mocking me. Days passed, <strong>and</strong> the teachers stopped<br />
giving me oral exams. After that I kept silent in school for fear <strong>of</strong> being<br />
ridiculed by others.<br />
One day the social worker called me <strong>and</strong> talked to me about my health<br />
condition. He told me that I should have more courage <strong>and</strong> get used to<br />
myself. He made me notice that at home I could speak, although with a little<br />
difficulty <strong>and</strong> stuttering. I asked myself “Why don’t I try to speak at school?”<br />
I remembered the words <strong>of</strong> the social worker <strong>and</strong> I went to school with strong<br />
determination. I began to speak <strong>and</strong> began to accept myself. At first I was<br />
embarrassed, but with time I got used to my situation <strong>and</strong> started to raise my<br />
h<strong>and</strong> in class to answer, despite the difficulty I had. I asked my teachers to<br />
deal with me like the rest <strong>of</strong> the students <strong>and</strong> to cancel the decision to exempt<br />
me from oral exams. I felt comfortable psychologically. I started playing <strong>and</strong><br />
talking with classmates, <strong>and</strong> the teachers agreed to treat me like any student.<br />
I started talking with everyone. One day I asked the teacher if I could have a<br />
role in the school morning radio. I spoke, <strong>and</strong> the students clapped for me.<br />
I now feel very comfortable despite my difficulty speaking. I have accepted<br />
my situation, <strong>and</strong> the students have become more kind to me.<br />
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“Today as I write<br />
my story, I feel<br />
comfort <strong>and</strong> pride.”<br />
I am determined to be a journalist, <strong>and</strong> I am sure that my health problem will<br />
end in the future. Today as I write my story, I feel comfort <strong>and</strong> pride. I don’t<br />
know why, but this could be because it is the first time that I am talking about<br />
my suffering. I am happy about this.<br />
Volume <strong>XXX</strong><br />
109
Abdullah AL-Saqaf<br />
Manal Abdulkareem, Teacher<br />
Sama Aden, Aen, Yemen<br />
Since my childhood, I have had an overweight condition. I could not run<br />
or play like other children; my classmates used to make fun <strong>of</strong> me. I would<br />
get in fights when they made fun <strong>of</strong> me, <strong>and</strong> then get punished at school.<br />
One day, a bicycle competition was announced at school. I felt I could<br />
participate, even though I had never ridden a bicycle before. When I went<br />
home, I asked my dad to buy me a bicycle, but he tried to convince me<br />
that this kind <strong>of</strong> sport requires certain skills. He finally agreed only after I<br />
insisted. It was late in the night when we found a shop in Sheikh Othman.<br />
I was happy when I returned home with my new bicycle. I had the courage<br />
to prove to myself <strong>and</strong> my friends my ability to participate in the race.<br />
During the race I fell a few times after it started, but I was able to reach<br />
the finish line overcoming my fears <strong>and</strong> hesitation. Although I was ranked<br />
last, I was able to learn to ride the bicycle later, after the race. Now I am<br />
ready to participate in any future race. I first hesitated to write this story,<br />
but then decided to share it with everyone.<br />
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“I had the courage<br />
to prove to<br />
myself <strong>and</strong> my<br />
friends my ability<br />
to participate<br />
in the race.”<br />
Volume <strong>XXX</strong><br />
111
Naseer Zayd<br />
Ahmed Al-Khazan, Teacher<br />
<strong>The</strong> Orphanage Home, Al-Sabeen, Sana’a, Yemen<br />
Since my childhood, I have been suffering from trouble, poverty, <strong>and</strong><br />
loneliness. My father died when I was young, <strong>and</strong> I worked to provide a living<br />
for me <strong>and</strong> my brothers. I used to watch children play <strong>and</strong> have fun with their<br />
parents as they went to school with their school uniforms <strong>and</strong> beautiful bags.<br />
I used to hug my mother <strong>and</strong> kiss her <strong>and</strong> tell her that our conditions<br />
will improve when I complete my education <strong>and</strong> get a job. After a while<br />
my mother moved me to study in the orphanage. When we went to the<br />
director he welcomed us. It was the first day for me without my mother.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Orphanage House provides me with food <strong>and</strong> education. I work hard<br />
here. I love to learn <strong>and</strong> I am happy with my new classmates.<br />
I feel I am stronger now. I will complete my education <strong>and</strong> help my family. I<br />
am learning <strong>and</strong> excelling. <strong>The</strong> teachers are supporting me. I am encouraging<br />
students who face problems, <strong>and</strong> advising them to be patient <strong>and</strong> not to give<br />
up in difficult times.<br />
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“I feel I am<br />
stronger now.”<br />
Volume <strong>XXX</strong><br />
113
Salsabil Rageh<br />
Hayfa Al-Jabobi, Teacher<br />
Sawdah Bint Zamah, Al-Sabeen, Sana’a, Yemen<br />
Since my childhood, I have suffered from a disease that has been a major<br />
obstacle to my ambition. It hampers my ability to have fun <strong>and</strong> play like other<br />
children. And if it were not for my persistence <strong>and</strong> determination, I would<br />
not have been able to live with this disease called thalassemia. This disease<br />
forces me to change my blood every fifteen days, which causes me great stress<br />
<strong>and</strong> suffering. <strong>The</strong> days between one blood transfusion <strong>and</strong> another are spent<br />
waiting for the day that I will go to change my blood again.<br />
This disease requires the use <strong>of</strong> many medicines, all <strong>of</strong> which cause me many<br />
issues. This treatment is highly expensive <strong>and</strong> is a burden on my family’s<br />
expenses. <strong>The</strong>re are days when I want to surrender to the disease, but I always<br />
regain my strength <strong>and</strong> determination to continue my life naturally, aside<br />
from my inability to play <strong>and</strong> have fun with my friends since this causes me<br />
high inflammation <strong>and</strong> pain.<br />
I continue my studies excellently without stopping, <strong>and</strong> I have friends who<br />
love <strong>and</strong> care about me. My teachers love <strong>and</strong> help me as well. <strong>The</strong> saddest<br />
thing is that my little sister has the same disease, so I started encouraging<br />
her, teaching her how to deal with it <strong>and</strong> how to be strong <strong>and</strong> continue her<br />
life normally. I spend a lot <strong>of</strong> time with her to prove to her that it is a disease<br />
that we can live with.<br />
Because <strong>of</strong> the war <strong>and</strong> the lack <strong>of</strong> medicine, we had to delay changing the<br />
blood for more than fifteen days. This caused me great trouble <strong>and</strong> pain,<br />
but neither my studies nor my life were affected. I <strong>of</strong>ten hide my pain <strong>and</strong><br />
tiredness from my mother so that she does not grieve. She already always stays<br />
up late <strong>and</strong> works for us. I ask her to take care <strong>of</strong> my little sister, telling her<br />
that I am fine <strong>and</strong> I feel no pain. This disease also requires oxygen tanks, <strong>and</strong><br />
we have faced difficulty due to the lack <strong>of</strong> oxygen in the recent period due to<br />
the coronavirus, but I sit with myself <strong>and</strong> inhale the air calmly so that I do not<br />
need oxygen. I do not like to be looked at with pity, so I live normally <strong>and</strong> with<br />
confidence <strong>and</strong> commitment, going to school, studying, <strong>and</strong> taking care <strong>of</strong> my<br />
relationships with my friends <strong>and</strong> teachers. I hope that I will be cured <strong>of</strong> this<br />
disease <strong>and</strong> live my life normally, <strong>and</strong> it will be nothing but memory <strong>and</strong> a tale<br />
<strong>of</strong> that disease <strong>and</strong> how I dealt with it.<br />
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“I spend a lot <strong>of</strong><br />
time with her to<br />
prove to her that<br />
it is a disease that<br />
we can live with.”<br />
Volume <strong>XXX</strong><br />
115
Rachanna Trie<br />
Phalla Ol, Teacher<br />
<strong>The</strong> Cambridge Cambodia School,<br />
Kauk Rovieng Village, Cambodia<br />
<strong>Courage</strong> means fighting, using your ability <strong>and</strong> diligence to overcome any<br />
obstacles that happen to all <strong>of</strong> us at home <strong>and</strong> at school. We must defeat<br />
these obstacles.<br />
I am a student who has been attending <strong>The</strong> Cambridge Cambodia School<br />
in Kauk Rovieng village. When I was in 4th grade, I was not good at studying<br />
my school lessons because my parents are farmers <strong>and</strong> were struggling with<br />
poverty. My parents taught <strong>and</strong> disciplined me to try to study hard because<br />
knowledge is the only vehicle to bridge me to a brighter future.<br />
While I was being educated my parents worked hard to inspire me, <strong>and</strong> I felt<br />
so much compassion for them. That compassion forced me to overcome any<br />
obstacles to success at school. With this courage from my parents, I have been<br />
studying English, Chinese, <strong>and</strong> other languages at school. I am absolutely<br />
thrilled with these good results that have come from what I’ve learned from<br />
school <strong>and</strong> my family. My lovely parents are very delighted to see the good<br />
results that I have received from my great teachers, <strong>and</strong> they feel great hope<br />
for my future.<br />
I am proud <strong>of</strong> <strong>and</strong> grateful to my parents for teaching me this courage to<br />
defeat obstacles <strong>and</strong> improve my ability to study. I would like to <strong>of</strong>fer my<br />
huge thanks to those who have always educated <strong>and</strong> supported me in finding<br />
courage in myself.<br />
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“My parents taught<br />
<strong>and</strong> disciplined me<br />
to try to study<br />
hard because<br />
knowledge is the<br />
only vehicle to<br />
bridge me to a<br />
brighter future.”<br />
Volume <strong>XXX</strong><br />
117
Morokot Koav<br />
Phalla Ol, Teacher<br />
<strong>The</strong> Cambridge Cambodia School,<br />
Kauk Rovieng Village, Cambodia<br />
<strong>Courage</strong> is an act <strong>of</strong> struggling, an effort to face any obstacles that happen<br />
to all people in many parts <strong>of</strong> their lives.<br />
I am a student who studies hard, but my family isn’t rich. When I was a sixth<br />
grade student, I didn’t have enough time to go to school because <strong>of</strong> the work<br />
I did to help my family, so I went to school in the morning only. I was unable<br />
to go to school in the afternoon or attend any <strong>of</strong> the extra-curricular courses<br />
outside <strong>of</strong> school, because I was busy running a tiny business to sell things to<br />
support my family’s living condition. Because <strong>of</strong> the power <strong>of</strong> courage <strong>and</strong> the<br />
encouragement <strong>of</strong> my parents <strong>and</strong> teachers, I was able to bravely overcome all<br />
obstacles to studying on my own. Because <strong>of</strong> this courage they taught me,<br />
I was able to succeed at school <strong>and</strong> progress to the eighth grade this year<br />
I would like to express my gratefulness to my lovely parents <strong>and</strong> my teachers<br />
who are like my second parents. All <strong>of</strong> them have always persuaded me <strong>and</strong><br />
encouraged me to find the courage that would help me overcome obstacles<br />
<strong>and</strong> bring success to any endeavors in my life. <strong>Courage</strong> has shown me how<br />
to succeed in the face <strong>of</strong> obstacles.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Courage</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Children</strong>: <strong>Boston</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Beyond</strong><br />
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“<strong>Courage</strong> has<br />
shown me how to<br />
succeed in the face<br />
<strong>of</strong> obstacles.”<br />
Volume <strong>XXX</strong><br />
119
Egemen Sozmen<br />
Sedef Seker, Teacher<br />
ide Okullari, Istanbul, Turkey<br />
It was a sunny day. My friend, my dog, <strong>and</strong> I were in our summer house. We<br />
prepared to go to the sea. We went there by walking. When we went there, we<br />
checked the temperature <strong>of</strong> the water. I was ready to have fun. We swam, we<br />
played, <strong>and</strong> we had lots <strong>of</strong> fun.<br />
When we came back from the sea that evening, I felt happy. At that moment,<br />
I heard a “bark” sound. I turned back <strong>and</strong> saw two dogs fighting to the death.<br />
Both <strong>of</strong> them were angry <strong>and</strong> hostile. <strong>The</strong>y were trying to kill each other.<br />
Everyone was sitting <strong>and</strong> watching it like a TV show. I ran toward the dogs <strong>and</strong><br />
tried to scare them away. <strong>The</strong>y didn’t stop. <strong>The</strong>n I shouted at them. When I<br />
did that, one <strong>of</strong> the dogs bit the other’s leg <strong>and</strong> almost chewed it <strong>of</strong>f. That was<br />
the worst moment in the fight. It was horrible. I couldn’t believe that everyone<br />
was watching me <strong>and</strong> looked like they enjoyed themselves.<br />
I shouted at the dogs <strong>and</strong> ran closer to them this time. I didn’t hurt them, but<br />
I scared them away while everyone was just watching me. One <strong>of</strong> the dogs lay<br />
a little farther from me, but the other injured one ran away crying. Humans<br />
are very cruel; they just sat <strong>and</strong> watched me while I was trying to stop the fight.<br />
<strong>The</strong>n we went back home. I was sad about the injured dog. <strong>The</strong> other didn’t<br />
have anything bad, but he bit the other one’s leg. Later that night the injured<br />
dog came back, <strong>and</strong> he could walk perfectly. How could he get up so fast?<br />
I was very happy that the injured dog healed so fast. If I hadn’t been there,<br />
I think one <strong>of</strong> the dogs would be dead or hurt much more. I love animals <strong>and</strong><br />
want everyone to protect, feed, <strong>and</strong> take care <strong>of</strong> poor animals.<br />
It was one <strong>of</strong> the saddest days in my life. People should have helped me, but<br />
they didn’t even look at me. I learned that if you want to do something, don’t<br />
be afraid to try. I had never jumped in front <strong>of</strong> dogs in my life, but I had to<br />
because they were fighting to the death <strong>and</strong> I don’t like animals hurting each<br />
other. To me courage is being (<strong>and</strong> acting) brave, fighting, st<strong>and</strong>ing up to<br />
your fears <strong>and</strong> enemies, <strong>and</strong> trying to believe your hopes <strong>and</strong> dreams. If you<br />
believe in what you’re doing <strong>and</strong> work for it, you will reach your goal. Don’t<br />
be scared <strong>of</strong> your enemies <strong>and</strong> fears. Fight them <strong>and</strong> you’ll see who wins.<br />
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“It was one <strong>of</strong> the<br />
saddest days in my<br />
life. People should<br />
have helped me,<br />
but they didn’t<br />
even look at me.”<br />
Volume <strong>XXX</strong><br />
121
Defne Deniz Arslan<br />
Sedef Seker, Teacher<br />
ide Okullari, Istanbul, Turkey<br />
I need to admit it, I didn’t think I was courageous at first. But courage means<br />
being yourself, being happy, <strong>and</strong> being the best version <strong>of</strong> yourself. <strong>Courage</strong><br />
is also believing in yourself <strong>and</strong> achieving what’s on your mind. My favorite<br />
quote is “Believe in yourself. You are braver than you think, more talented<br />
than you know, <strong>and</strong> capable <strong>of</strong> more than you imagine,” by Roy T. Bennett.<br />
I love this quote because, even when I don’t think I can be courageous, this<br />
quote reminds me to believe in myself.<br />
I said I didn’t think I was courageous, but that doesn’t mean I never showed<br />
courage. <strong>The</strong> time I showed courage is a really sensitive topic <strong>of</strong> mine. Two<br />
years ago in August I went to my mom’s hometown by myself. At that time,<br />
I was scared <strong>of</strong> leaving my mom <strong>and</strong> I couldn’t sleep without her. I went there<br />
with my aunt; we had a deal. First week, I was going to see my cousin <strong>and</strong> her<br />
children. Second week, I was going to see my cousin who normally lives in<br />
Germany, <strong>and</strong> for the last week alone I was going to stay with my aunt. It was<br />
all right, at first. In the first week, my cousin was being kind <strong>of</strong> rude to me.<br />
I was just a kid that was 9-10 years old, <strong>and</strong> I didn’t know a lot <strong>of</strong> things. She<br />
sometimes told me to look after the babies, <strong>and</strong> not eat c<strong>and</strong>y around them.<br />
I understood her, but I was just a little kid <strong>and</strong> I thought the way she talked to<br />
a 9-year-old was rude.<br />
I started to have nightmares in the second week. My cousin was with me <strong>and</strong><br />
sometimes she <strong>of</strong>fered to stay awake with me at midnight. I was hesitant to call<br />
my mom because I didn’t want her to stay awake for me. I was having fun with<br />
my second cousin, <strong>and</strong> she stayed awake for me at midnight when I was having<br />
trouble sleeping. Sometimes I would call my mom <strong>and</strong> she would watch me<br />
sleep on FaceTime. When the second week ended, I went to my aunt’s house<br />
to stay there. I was more comfortable with my aunt. I could sleep for the first<br />
couple <strong>of</strong> days, but after Wednesday, I became sick. I couldn’t sleep, I would<br />
throw up, <strong>and</strong> that was the lowest point <strong>of</strong> my holiday. I now wished I had<br />
never gone there in the first place.<br />
By the time I was feeling better, the week had also ended. My parents came<br />
<strong>and</strong> I was happy, but I still couldn’t sleep. I was having nightmares about how<br />
my parents would leave me. When we came back to Istanbul, I cried every<br />
night because I couldn’t sleep. One day my mom came to my room <strong>and</strong> asked<br />
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122
“<strong>The</strong> time I showed<br />
courage is a<br />
really sensitive<br />
topic <strong>of</strong> mine.”<br />
me why I couldn’t sleep. I told her everything, how I hated it because she<br />
wasn’t there <strong>and</strong> how my cousin got mad at me. She was angry at my cousin for<br />
telling those things to a child.<br />
One day my mom <strong>and</strong> my dad wanted to talk to me. <strong>The</strong>y said they wanted to<br />
send me to a psychologist, <strong>and</strong> I agreed. I started to sleep with my mom, which<br />
was better than not sleeping. After a while I stopped going to the doctor <strong>and</strong><br />
started sleeping in my own bed. <strong>The</strong>re were still some times that I couldn’t<br />
sleep, but it was better at least. This continued for a year. I wasn’t sleeping with<br />
my mom anymore, <strong>and</strong> that was a big step.<br />
This September I realized that I never believed in myself. I always had a<br />
voice in my head that said, “What if I can’t sleep tonight?” This worry always<br />
prevented me from sleeping, so I started to question my fear. Slowly I started<br />
to sleep. I was sleeping with a night light at first. My door was always open.<br />
First week, I started to sleep in my own bed. Second week, I started to sleep<br />
after my parents were asleep. Third week, I started to sleep without lights,<br />
<strong>and</strong> last week I started to sleep with my door closed. That month was a huge<br />
step for me, but I conquered my fear by questioning my fear <strong>and</strong> believing<br />
in myself. I learned that it all starts with confidence. Just believe in yourself.<br />
Everything is possible when you believe <strong>and</strong> don’t let your fear win every fight.<br />
Volume <strong>XXX</strong><br />
123
Damla Bayraktar<br />
Sedef Seker, Teacher<br />
ide Okullari, Istanbul, Turkey<br />
<strong>Courage</strong> has many meanings for different people. However, courage to me is<br />
to say what you really think, without thinking that you’ll embarrass yourself.<br />
Even if it is wrong or other people disagree with you. Everyone makes<br />
mistakes, but we can’t learn without mistakes.<br />
I have an experience about showing courage <strong>and</strong> feeling courage. When<br />
I first started fifth grade, I was having a hard time with language lessons<br />
because I believed that I didn’t learn enough in primary school. I was so<br />
bad at English. All my other friends could underst<strong>and</strong> something in English<br />
lessons, but I was just looking up to my teachers’ eyes. Also, I could not<br />
underst<strong>and</strong> anything, <strong>and</strong> I was a little embarrassed. Our teachers gave<br />
us homework <strong>and</strong> projects, but my marks were always very low. I was also<br />
not successful in exams. I was so sad about that because I wasn’t learning<br />
anything, but I just kept quiet about this problem.<br />
One night I told my mom that I would never be good at English, my marks<br />
would always stay low. However, my mom told me to imagine my future -<br />
speaking English fluently in seventh grade. I just imagined that, <strong>and</strong> I decided<br />
to show courage because I wanted to learn English well. I started to think<br />
about how I could improve my language skills; then, I realized that the way<br />
to learn English is asking questions <strong>and</strong> participating in class. I started to<br />
ask some questions. After that, I learned to ask questions <strong>and</strong> participate in<br />
class. Day by day I saw that I started to learn English. As I learned that asking<br />
questions is not something embarrassing, my courage developed.<br />
At first, <strong>of</strong> course, I was not amazing. I had a lot <strong>of</strong> things to learn, <strong>and</strong><br />
also, everyone learns with mistakes. I showed courage, <strong>and</strong> I started to ask<br />
questions <strong>and</strong> participate more. Now I am in seventh grade <strong>and</strong> I feel proud<br />
<strong>of</strong> my English. I am aware that I have a lot <strong>of</strong> things to learn, but I am also<br />
aware that I improved so much. Now when my teachers ask some questions,<br />
if I do not know the answer, I still try to give an answer to my teacher. If it is<br />
a mistake, I learn the correct answer. Also, I don’t feel embarrassed now. <strong>The</strong><br />
most important thing I learned is that my mistakes are my second teacher.<br />
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“<strong>The</strong> most important<br />
thing I learned is<br />
that my mistakes<br />
are my second<br />
teacher.”<br />
If people can say what they think <strong>and</strong> ask questions, then they are courageous<br />
<strong>and</strong> successful. We need to remember that we cannot be the best without<br />
mistakes. For example, if we are jumping we should crouch first, <strong>and</strong> jump the<br />
highest that we can. However, if we listen to people’s comments about how we<br />
will fail with jumping when we crouch, we will always stay crouching <strong>and</strong> never<br />
show the courage to jump the highest that we can.<br />
Never be scared or embarrassed about saying what you think, <strong>and</strong> don’t<br />
change your mind because <strong>of</strong> other people’s comments. If you believe them<br />
when they say, “You can’t do it,” then you will never try. You can show courage<br />
<strong>and</strong> learn from your mistakes. First you need to trust yourself <strong>and</strong> your<br />
mistakes.<br />
Volume <strong>XXX</strong><br />
125
Luna Monje<br />
Dawn Austin, Teacher<br />
American School <strong>of</strong> Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain<br />
<strong>Courage</strong> doesn’t have an exact definition <strong>and</strong> it differs from person to person.<br />
I’ll tell you right now, I can’t exactly define courage for you in a few words, but<br />
I say it is much more than being a superhero or even just facing your fear.<br />
I’ve been described as an all-arounder, someone who is good at generally<br />
everything. I’m usually the friend who you can go to with all your worries,<br />
<strong>and</strong> the friend who could always help you with school. I didn’t mind having<br />
this image at all. In fact, I liked it. Eventually, this image I was living up to<br />
made me feel so pressured that I felt like I needed to be perfect. I couldn’t<br />
make a wrong move, I had to help everyone with everything they came at me<br />
with. I was carrying around the weight <strong>of</strong> so many people on my shoulders,<br />
<strong>and</strong> I had no one around to help me.<br />
I was w<strong>and</strong>ering an endless maze. I thought that I would be helping myself if<br />
I helped other people. I remember thinking that I was getting better because<br />
I was “helping” myself by just ignoring my needs entirely. At some point, it<br />
felt like it started to work, but I still had this weight on my shoulders. I had<br />
no idea where the weight was coming from or how to stop it. I figured that it<br />
was the pressure <strong>of</strong> so many people counting on me. I was so eager to get rid<br />
<strong>of</strong> this weight, instead <strong>of</strong> actually focusing on what would genuinely make me<br />
feel better.<br />
Reaching out seems easy, but everyone around me was asking me for help, <strong>and</strong><br />
it seemed kind <strong>of</strong> scary.<br />
I saw <strong>and</strong> heard what my peers go through every day, but those peers seemed<br />
to fear doing the same for me. Even though I smiled a lot I still felt lonely. I<br />
went through the same process every day, hoping that someone would ask me<br />
“Are you okay?”<br />
I got so sick <strong>and</strong> tired <strong>of</strong> waiting for countless hours just for someone to ask<br />
“How are you?” <strong>The</strong> once bright life <strong>of</strong> mine had faded, <strong>and</strong> I was tired <strong>of</strong><br />
running alone in this maze. It got so extreme that I couldn’t even h<strong>and</strong>le a<br />
normal conversation without being on the verge <strong>of</strong> breaking down. I finally<br />
came to a conclusion: I had been w<strong>and</strong>ering for too long, <strong>and</strong> I had to stop<br />
ignoring myself. I reached out, mustered enough courage to ask someone<br />
for help, <strong>and</strong> to underst<strong>and</strong> that I can’t do everything by myself. I considered<br />
going to our school counselor, because I felt like I had nowhere else to<br />
go. I spent weeks trying to figure out what I was going to tell the counselor<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Courage</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Children</strong>: <strong>Boston</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Beyond</strong><br />
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“I got so sick <strong>and</strong><br />
tired <strong>of</strong> waiting for<br />
countless hours<br />
just for someone to<br />
ask “How are you?””<br />
because my thoughts were scattered. Or was I just being overly sensitive?<br />
After a few weeks <strong>of</strong> pondering, I finally had a cluster <strong>of</strong> thoughts I wanted to<br />
share. I emailed my counselor <strong>and</strong> waited till the day I could finally get rid <strong>of</strong><br />
everything. Asking for help was so much harder than I had anticipated that I<br />
considered cancelling talking to my counselor. But I knew I had to, I had to<br />
be courageous. And soon after, my life had lit up again.<br />
Volume <strong>XXX</strong><br />
127
Cyril Wade Jr.<br />
Sharon Jones, Teacher<br />
Raymond Sheppard Nazarene Primary School,<br />
Roaring Creek Village, Belize<br />
I was in my yard one cool <strong>and</strong> beautiful Tuesday evening. My dad was working<br />
in the yard <strong>and</strong> decided to take down my mom’s fire hearth. That was what she<br />
cooked on when the gas was finished. He said that it gave <strong>of</strong>f too much smoke<br />
<strong>and</strong> was dangerous to our health.<br />
My dad asked me to help him <strong>and</strong> I said, “Yes.” Little did I know what work<br />
awaited me. He had me climb to the very top <strong>of</strong> the ro<strong>of</strong>. I was trembling <strong>and</strong><br />
feeling very scared because I am afraid <strong>of</strong> heights <strong>and</strong> didn’t think I had the<br />
courage to do such a task. I thought I was going to fall.<br />
Dad said, “I need you to take out the nails from the zinc.” That was the most<br />
difficult thing I ever had to do. I took one step toward the center <strong>of</strong> the ro<strong>of</strong>.<br />
My legs were trembling. Lord, please help me, I thought. Give me the courage<br />
I need to do this. I took another step, <strong>and</strong> with every step, I felt calmer.<br />
<strong>The</strong> ro<strong>of</strong> was brown <strong>and</strong> rotten, <strong>and</strong> when I looked down the ground seemed<br />
to be a mile away. I felt my heart pounding in my chest. I was thinking <strong>of</strong><br />
quitting, but I wanted my dad to be proud <strong>of</strong> me. So I began removing the<br />
nails. <strong>The</strong> first one flew in the air <strong>and</strong> l<strong>and</strong>ed at the edge <strong>of</strong> the ro<strong>of</strong>. My heart<br />
skipped a beat. I thought the ro<strong>of</strong> would cave in with me.<br />
Being up there was the worst feeling I ever had, but it was also the bravest<br />
thing I ever did. I felt proud <strong>of</strong> myself for doing the most difficult thing I had<br />
ever done <strong>and</strong> having the courage to complete it. That was an experience I<br />
will never forget.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Courage</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Children</strong>: <strong>Boston</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Beyond</strong><br />
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“Being up there was<br />
the worst feeling I<br />
ever had, but it was<br />
also the bravest<br />
thing I ever did.”<br />
Volume <strong>XXX</strong><br />
129
Juliani Nerio<br />
Mr. Alas, Teacher<br />
Our Lady <strong>of</strong> Guadalupe RC School, Belmopan, Belize<br />
It was a Sunday night when my mom told me that I would have to sleep<br />
alone. I said okay, but I was scared <strong>of</strong> the dark. My mom gave me a night<br />
light to help. When I was going to plug it into the outlet, my sister screamed<br />
<strong>and</strong> scared me. <strong>The</strong> light fell on the floor <strong>and</strong> broke into two pieces. I told<br />
my mama that it broke, <strong>and</strong> my mom said I was going to sleep in the dark,<br />
because there were no more night lights to make me feel comfortable. My<br />
mom asked my little sister to sleep with me, but she was too little. That night<br />
I was still scared to sleep in the dark, so I hugged her all night long. That<br />
night was the longest ever.<br />
<strong>The</strong> following morning, we went to get a puppy. Now that we had a puppy,<br />
I could sleep well. Finally, it was night time, <strong>and</strong> my sister, the puppy, <strong>and</strong><br />
I were ready to sleep. I lay down for a couple minutes, <strong>and</strong> I started to feel<br />
sleepy. Suddenly I heard a big, scary noise in the room. I woke up <strong>and</strong> saw a<br />
shadow. I screamed so loud that my parents came to see what happened. I<br />
was not able to speak, <strong>and</strong> I was shaking. I thought I saw a ghost. I have always<br />
been scared <strong>of</strong> ghosts. My mom sat on the bed with me <strong>and</strong> taught me to<br />
pray. She said that praying makes her feel better when she is scared.<br />
I still feel fear <strong>of</strong> the darkness, <strong>and</strong> to me every night is like a punishment,<br />
but puppy <strong>and</strong> my sister keep me company at bedtime. <strong>The</strong> darkness <strong>of</strong> the<br />
night is not my friend, <strong>and</strong> one night my parents had an emergency. My mom<br />
was very ill <strong>and</strong> needed a doctor, but she was not able to drive. My dad said<br />
mom needed to go to the hospital but kids are not allowed, <strong>and</strong> my dad said<br />
I needed to be a good girl <strong>and</strong> stay with my little sister while he took my mom<br />
to the hospital. I started to cry, because I was afraid to stay home alone. That<br />
night was so silent.<br />
Before he left, Dad said there were no ghosts, <strong>and</strong> that the puppy would<br />
protect me. When my parents went to the hospital, we locked ourselves in the<br />
room. I was scared, but I remembered what my dad told me, so I had to be a<br />
brave girl for my mom. I was waiting for my parents; my sister fell asleep. <strong>The</strong><br />
night wasn’t as scary as I thought it would be. Two hours later my parents came<br />
home, <strong>and</strong> they were proud <strong>of</strong> me. That night I realized that nights aren’t that<br />
bad. I was proud <strong>of</strong> myself. Now I have the courage to sleep in the dark alone.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Courage</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Children</strong>: <strong>Boston</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Beyond</strong><br />
130
“I was proud <strong>of</strong><br />
myself. Now I<br />
have the courage<br />
to sleep in the<br />
dark alone.”<br />
Volume <strong>XXX</strong><br />
131
Danielly Dubon<br />
Noelle Melendrez, Teacher<br />
Garden City Primary School, Belmopan, Belize<br />
In my life thus far, I have been faced with many difficult situations, which I<br />
have to see past <strong>and</strong> work to get through. In those hard times, I have to have<br />
strength in the face <strong>of</strong> pain <strong>and</strong> grief, which is me being courageous to make<br />
the best <strong>of</strong> the moment. One major event in which I had to have courage was<br />
in September 2015 when my sister got into an accident. She was injured <strong>and</strong><br />
consequently had to stay bedridden for months. I was only five years old at the<br />
time, but I still remember the trauma that my family <strong>and</strong> I went through.<br />
Even though I was so young, I had to be brave <strong>and</strong> hope that my sister would<br />
get better. Most <strong>of</strong> all, I had to have courage. <strong>Courage</strong> to take on the roles<br />
for which she was responsible but unable to do. I had to have the courage to<br />
stay strong <strong>and</strong> always be available for my mom when she needed me. In the<br />
aftermath, I still needed the courage to continue with my life normally, not<br />
being scared that what happened to my sister could happen to me. <strong>Courage</strong><br />
is defined as having the ability to do something difficult even when there is<br />
a risk. It is something that people develop <strong>and</strong> grow to learn as we age. It is<br />
a very important life virtue that allows me to have the confidence in myself<br />
to st<strong>and</strong> up for others when they need help or a friend. It helps me to not<br />
be afraid to show my true self <strong>and</strong> display my work even when others might<br />
criticize me.<br />
An effective way to slowly input courage into your personality <strong>and</strong> acts is to<br />
start slow with little things whilst having a fail-safe if you feel nervous about the<br />
situation. Overall, having courage helps us in life a lot because it allows us to<br />
be our full selves. Yet, even when one is courageous, it can be used negatively<br />
or to perform negative acts. We need to analyze every situation <strong>and</strong> decide<br />
when courage is positively needed <strong>and</strong> effective.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Courage</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Children</strong>: <strong>Boston</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Beyond</strong><br />
132
“Overall, having<br />
courage helps us in<br />
life a lot because<br />
it allows us to be<br />
our full selves.”<br />
Volume <strong>XXX</strong><br />
133
M. Erdene-Od<br />
G. Davaajav, Teacher<br />
Erdemiin Urgoo Consolidated School, Bulgan Province, Mongolia<br />
I think everyone has a story <strong>of</strong> courage in their lives. I have my stories. Not<br />
one, but many. However, I want to write about one particular story <strong>of</strong> courage<br />
that I needed in order to grow <strong>and</strong> experience in my life. This happened two<br />
years ago. One summer, my beloved gr<strong>and</strong>ma died. I was truly saddened by<br />
this event. It was unbelievable <strong>and</strong> very sad to think my lovely gr<strong>and</strong>ma was no<br />
longer alive <strong>and</strong> with us.<br />
I was sent to stay with my gr<strong>and</strong>pa <strong>and</strong> be with him during this difficult time.<br />
My mission was to comfort <strong>and</strong> be a companion for him. Being <strong>and</strong> living<br />
in a herder’s home was such a challenge for me, not to mention the sadness<br />
<strong>and</strong> grief my gr<strong>and</strong>pa <strong>and</strong> I were going through. In the beginning there were<br />
people tending to my gr<strong>and</strong>pa from other places to express their condolences.<br />
Eventually they all left. My gr<strong>and</strong>pa <strong>and</strong> I stood outside <strong>and</strong> waved at the<br />
guests as they disappeared. This was very sad <strong>and</strong> lonely. In the middle <strong>of</strong><br />
nowhere, with different animals, just me <strong>and</strong> gr<strong>and</strong>pa. What a life!<br />
I was not skilled at herding. At first it was very hard. I was homesick, <strong>and</strong><br />
missed my mama. <strong>The</strong>re were times when I was not good at herding jobs, <strong>and</strong><br />
gr<strong>and</strong>pa was cross with me. I would just want to leave <strong>and</strong> go to my mama.<br />
But how could I refuse my mama who wanted me to be there to give my h<strong>and</strong><br />
<strong>and</strong> heart for my grieving gr<strong>and</strong>papa? I remember when my gr<strong>and</strong>mama was<br />
alive, the home <strong>of</strong> my gr<strong>and</strong>parents was warm, cozy <strong>and</strong> loving. Now, it’s not.<br />
It is cold <strong>and</strong> sad. <strong>The</strong>re’s so much to do from the rising <strong>of</strong> the sun to the<br />
sunset. I would work all day <strong>and</strong> be extremely tired. At this time in my life, I<br />
needed so much strength, patience, <strong>and</strong> courage.<br />
This was truly one <strong>of</strong> my courageous moments <strong>of</strong> life. <strong>The</strong>se hardships<br />
required so much courage. When I first l<strong>and</strong>ed there, I didn’t know how<br />
to even boil liters <strong>of</strong> milk. Now, I can milk the cows, cut the wool <strong>of</strong> sheep,<br />
<strong>and</strong> tend to the sheep <strong>and</strong> goats. I learned so many skills. I learned to work<br />
fast <strong>and</strong> hard. I am so thankful for this moment <strong>of</strong> my life, <strong>and</strong> that it was<br />
so challenging. <strong>The</strong>se challenges made me a better person, <strong>and</strong> taught me<br />
work skills <strong>and</strong> character traits that I will always use in the future. I learned<br />
to appreciate the hard work <strong>and</strong> culture <strong>of</strong> my nomadic heritage. I want<br />
to be someone who can also teach my children <strong>and</strong> future generations to<br />
learn, appreciate, <strong>and</strong> preserve the thous<strong>and</strong>s <strong>of</strong> years <strong>of</strong> nomadic culture<br />
<strong>and</strong> lifestyles <strong>of</strong> my country. This lesson <strong>of</strong> courage taught me a lot <strong>of</strong> good<br />
things…..to carry on….<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Courage</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Children</strong>: <strong>Boston</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Beyond</strong><br />
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“I learned to<br />
appreciate the<br />
hard work <strong>and</strong><br />
culture <strong>of</strong> my<br />
nomadic heritage.”<br />
Volume <strong>XXX</strong><br />
135
B. Agar-Erdene<br />
G. Davaajav, Teacher<br />
Erdemiin Urgoo Consolidated School, Bulgan Province, Mongolia<br />
My journey <strong>of</strong> courage started two years ago. It was when I was in eighth grade.<br />
One day, we had the announcement to attend a lecture on self-development.<br />
This teacher came from the city <strong>and</strong> gave us an inspirational lecture on selfesteem.<br />
This lecturer woke me up from my sleep, from my dead dreams.<br />
I realized that I was sleeping although I was awake. If you don’t have a dream,<br />
it means you are not awake. That was the message I got.<br />
Since I was a little kid, I always liked dancing. One time, when I was in<br />
third grade, I was dancing on a village school team. We prepared for a big<br />
performance for the provincial event. We were hoping we would win <strong>and</strong> get<br />
medals. But we didn’t win. Since that time, I was disappointed <strong>and</strong> I didn’t<br />
dance anymore.<br />
After this lecture, I dug out my dream to dance <strong>and</strong> to become a good dancer.<br />
I started making preparations, going to auditions, <strong>and</strong> started dancing for the<br />
school team. As I prepared I became stronger <strong>and</strong> stronger, <strong>and</strong> I realized<br />
how much I liked dancing. I participated in several events <strong>and</strong> theatrical<br />
performances. I won third <strong>and</strong> first places <strong>and</strong> got medals.<br />
I tried, I worked hard for it, I succeeded. <strong>The</strong>re is a Mongolian proverb,<br />
“If the person tries, the good destiny will follow.” Trying <strong>and</strong> pursuing your<br />
goals pay <strong>of</strong>f. This is courage. <strong>Courage</strong> is hard work. <strong>Courage</strong> is to have an<br />
inspiration for your dreams.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Courage</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Children</strong>: <strong>Boston</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Beyond</strong><br />
136
“ <strong>Courage</strong> is to have<br />
an inspiration for<br />
your dreams.”<br />
Volume <strong>XXX</strong><br />
137
Uyangalyankhua Namsraijaw<br />
M. Ichinnorov, Teacher<br />
Tomjin Academy, Khovd Province, Mongolia<br />
<strong>Courage</strong> is to overcome the fear <strong>of</strong> not being able to do something. Everyone<br />
has a fear <strong>of</strong> some sort. But not everyone has the courage.<br />
I exercised courage without knowing it. I was raised in a good family by<br />
wonderful parents. Once I had to go study far away from home. I was enrolled<br />
in a special private school after passing hard exams. I was able to win the slot<br />
to enter my dream school.<br />
Once I got there I had so many problems. I was homesick, had heavy loads<br />
<strong>of</strong> school work, was living in an unknown environment, <strong>and</strong> had none <strong>of</strong> my<br />
friends around. <strong>The</strong>se were all very hard for me to endure.<br />
One morning I couldn’t get up from bed. I couldn’t even make a sound.<br />
My chest felt so heavy. It is impossible to be sick away from your mommy.<br />
Since I had no proper registration to live in a city, I had no doctor to visit.<br />
My parents were not there to take care <strong>of</strong> me. <strong>The</strong> medicine I took didn’t<br />
work. I had a few days like this. I had two choices. One was to go back home<br />
<strong>and</strong> live as I lived before. <strong>The</strong> second one was to continue to pursue my goal<br />
to graduate from a good school <strong>and</strong> obtain a good education. I chose the<br />
second one. I encouraged myself by believing that all these things weren’t<br />
just happening, they were happening to make me a stronger person. It was<br />
testing my integrity.<br />
Now, looking back, I see it worked. My own encouragement <strong>of</strong> myself, <strong>and</strong><br />
staying true to my purposes, is what gave me courage. <strong>Courage</strong> is a force.<br />
It’s like a wind <strong>of</strong> change.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Courage</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Children</strong>: <strong>Boston</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Beyond</strong><br />
138
“<strong>Courage</strong> is a force.<br />
It’s like a wind<br />
<strong>of</strong> change.”<br />
Volume <strong>XXX</strong><br />
139
D. Munkh-Orgil<br />
B. Khishigjargal, Teacher<br />
45th Secondary School Of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia<br />
<strong>Courage</strong> means having the ability to face up to somebody who is mentally<br />
weak <strong>and</strong> incapable <strong>of</strong> defending herself. Once I was in the sixth grade when<br />
my father changed his behavior <strong>and</strong> began drinking. From then on, quarrels<br />
<strong>and</strong> arguments continued in our family. My mother was pregnant with my<br />
youngest brother. Quite <strong>of</strong>ten I saw my parents arguing, <strong>and</strong> sometimes my<br />
mother was beaten by my dad. At first, I used to be scared <strong>of</strong> my father <strong>and</strong><br />
couldn’t do anything. It was hard to see my mom <strong>and</strong> siblings crying when<br />
Dad was drunk, <strong>and</strong> I cried too. I wondered <strong>and</strong> wondered why my parents<br />
were arguing so much. Because although my father occasionally drank<br />
alcohol, I did not remember my pop beating my mum.<br />
One day I awakened <strong>and</strong> heard my mother crying, “I can’t accept you<br />
anymore, I cannot be with you, <strong>and</strong> follow her.” I noticed that my parents<br />
were arguing about another woman who had entered our lives. I understood<br />
why my father drank <strong>and</strong> why my parents quarreled so <strong>of</strong>ten. When I<br />
acknowledged that my father had another woman, I began to hate him. I<br />
realized I should protect my mom, so when my mother reminded my father<br />
about the other woman <strong>and</strong> waved at her, I defended my mother <strong>and</strong> went<br />
ahead <strong>of</strong> her. And when my father slammed the door, I hit my head on<br />
the door. Although I had a nasty headache, I was very proud to be ready to<br />
protect my mother. I could not beat my father, but I tried to be ready to stop<br />
him. While defending my mother, I learned that courage is about protecting<br />
the weak one in difficult situations.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Courage</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Children</strong>: <strong>Boston</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Beyond</strong><br />
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“While defending my<br />
mother, I learned<br />
that courage is<br />
about protecting<br />
the weak one<br />
in difficult<br />
situations.”<br />
Volume <strong>XXX</strong><br />
141
D. Maralgoo<br />
L. Baasansuren, Teacher<br />
Secondary School #45, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia<br />
I wanted to write about how my mother was an example <strong>of</strong> courage in my<br />
life. For young kids, the adults have a significant effect on their character<br />
development. It is the parents’ responsibility to educate their children, mold<br />
their characters, <strong>and</strong> develop their abilities by their own real examples. I<br />
read in one journal that 80-90 percent <strong>of</strong> children growing up in hostile <strong>and</strong><br />
violent family environments are most likely to grow up to be either criminals<br />
or victims <strong>of</strong> violence. This is because children copy their parents’ behaviors.<br />
<strong>The</strong> kind <strong>of</strong> values the parents are instilling in their children is so important.<br />
I am growing up in a family <strong>of</strong> four children. When I was four years old, my<br />
little brother was born. I helped my parents take care <strong>of</strong> my baby brother.<br />
My big brother also helped my mom. During this time, my dad was away in a<br />
foreign country. From such a young age I learned to clean the house, helped<br />
with cooking, washing, <strong>and</strong> taking care <strong>of</strong> the baby. My mother told me it<br />
was important to learn to do all these things. First, because she needed me<br />
to do these things. Secondly, it was her upbringing to learn these work skills<br />
when she was very young. She would say these kinds <strong>of</strong> work skills will help us<br />
survive, help us h<strong>and</strong>le difficult situations, <strong>and</strong> help us to be disciplined.<br />
<strong>The</strong>n I went to school. I had to study for my homework. Going to school didn’t<br />
free me from my household duties. As soon as I finished doing my homework,<br />
I would clean the house <strong>and</strong> start cooking dinner for my parents <strong>and</strong> siblings.<br />
My aunts <strong>and</strong> uncles would jokingly say that Marla is such a Cinderella. My<br />
mother also jokingly said that Cinderella becomes a Princess.<br />
As my little brother grew <strong>and</strong> started going to school, my duties to take care <strong>of</strong><br />
the little baby lessened. I was finally happy because I had free time for myself<br />
<strong>and</strong> didn’t have to h<strong>and</strong>le the baby responsibility. But, that didn’t last long.<br />
Two years ago, my family welcomed another beautiful little baby brother. Now,<br />
I carry on household duties <strong>and</strong> take care <strong>of</strong> the little baby duties. At the same<br />
time, I study <strong>and</strong> I am a good student. Everyone wonders how I do this <strong>and</strong><br />
still study well in school.<br />
At times, I get so tired <strong>of</strong> my little baby brother making a lot <strong>of</strong> noise <strong>and</strong><br />
messes around the house. When weekends come, my mom takes the baby out<br />
to my gr<strong>and</strong>pa <strong>and</strong> gr<strong>and</strong>ma’s house. She does it to give me room to relax <strong>and</strong><br />
enjoy. Now, with Covid-19, I stay home with all my brothers <strong>and</strong> there are more<br />
duties <strong>and</strong> online studies.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Courage</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Children</strong>: <strong>Boston</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Beyond</strong><br />
142
“She tells me that<br />
gold is processed<br />
by heat pressuring<br />
the other metals<br />
out. Meaning that<br />
good characters<br />
are developed<br />
under challenges.”<br />
My mom brought home <strong>The</strong> Max <strong>Courage</strong> essay books. I read them in English<br />
<strong>and</strong> in Mongolian. <strong>The</strong>se stories gave me a lot <strong>of</strong> courage <strong>and</strong> strength as I<br />
saw there are children from many parts <strong>of</strong> the world facing so many different<br />
challenges: material, emotional, <strong>and</strong> political. I compare my story with their<br />
stories. We all have different challenges. Also, these stories <strong>of</strong> the courage<br />
<strong>of</strong> children give me more motivation to be strong <strong>and</strong> be happy with what I<br />
have. I started appreciating <strong>and</strong> being thankful that I have good parents, <strong>and</strong><br />
wonderful brothers, even if sometimes they are annoying.<br />
Now, I want to tell you why I started writing about my mom. She wanted us<br />
to be strong. She showed us by her own example to be hardworking, patient,<br />
<strong>and</strong> able to h<strong>and</strong>le different tasks <strong>and</strong> responsibilities. She tells me that gold<br />
is processed by heat pressuring the other metals out. Meaning that good<br />
characters are developed under challenges. If there are no pressures, courage<br />
is not needed. H<strong>and</strong>ling responsibilities <strong>and</strong> duties without complaining is<br />
courage. This courage makes you a stronger person. My mother tells me that<br />
we will be grateful for her later when we grow up, as these skills we learned as<br />
a child will be very useful in our lives.<br />
Volume <strong>XXX</strong><br />
143
<strong>The</strong> Max Warburg <strong>Courage</strong> Curriculum is a yearlong<br />
language arts program dedicated to strengthening the socialemotional<br />
learning <strong>and</strong> literacy skills <strong>of</strong> students. Since the<br />
organization’s inception in 1991, the <strong>Courage</strong> Curriculum <strong>and</strong><br />
<strong>Courage</strong> in My Life National Essay Contest have enhanced the<br />
academic performance, critical thinking skills, <strong>and</strong> essential<br />
knowledge <strong>of</strong> more than 250,000 sixth grade students in the<br />
<strong>Boston</strong> Public Schools <strong>and</strong> in local parochial, charter, pilot,<br />
<strong>and</strong> private schools, as well as in schools in 28 states across<br />
the country <strong>and</strong> in 17 countries worldwide.<br />
the courage <strong>of</strong> children: boston <strong>and</strong> beyond<br />
This book shares the stories <strong>of</strong> 69 brave children from the city <strong>of</strong> <strong>Boston</strong> <strong>and</strong><br />
surrounding communities, <strong>and</strong> from schools across the country <strong>and</strong> around the<br />
globe. <strong>The</strong> first story is about Max Warburg, a sixth grader whose steadfast<br />
determination <strong>and</strong> heartfelt hope in the face <strong>of</strong> his battle with leukemia is the<br />
inspiration behind <strong>The</strong> Max Warburg <strong>Courage</strong> Curriculum. <strong>The</strong> essays that follow<br />
are written by current middle school students who have discovered, recognized,<br />
<strong>and</strong> come to celebrate the courage in their lives.<br />
Northeastern University is proud to join with <strong>The</strong><br />
Max Warburg <strong>Courage</strong> Curriculum in a partnership to<br />
strengthen the social-emotional learning <strong>and</strong> literacy<br />
skills <strong>of</strong> sixth grade students in <strong>Boston</strong> <strong>and</strong> beyond.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Max Warburg <strong>Courage</strong> Curriculum<br />
at Northeastern University<br />
263 Huntington Avenue, Box 366<br />
<strong>Boston</strong>, Massachusetts 02115<br />
617.373.7399 www.maxcourage.org
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