The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond XXX
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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 />
<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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