Meeting Mary
Moving to a new school in the first grade changed my life profoundly. I enjoyed my kindergarten year, and looked forward to meeting the children in my new school. That first morning the teacher quickly introduced me to the class and directed me to my seat. A little while later, the teacher gave us a few free minutes in class. A little girl, whose name was Mary, introduced herself to me. Mary was a thin little girl with long brown hair and glasses. She asked if we could be friends. I told her yes and I wondered why she was the only one to say hi to me. When our teacher dismissed us for recess that morning, Mary promptly came over to me, took me by the arm, and lead me outside. She was a chatty little girl and seemed to be thrilled to make me her new best friend. As all the kids began to spill onto the field to play, they began to scream, "COOTIES," point at Mary and me, and run away. I didn't know what cooties meant., but I didn't like the feeling of having fifty plus children staring, screaming, and pointing at us. Mary pretended to ignore the kids. I asked her
what cooties meant and she told me that it meant bugs and that all the kids always called her that. Carol was also a substitute teacher at our school. I didn't talk to anyone and I was content to hide in the shadows. Even though we moved to another town in the eighth grade, I could never learn to love school again. Growing up in that school changed me in ways that I am still trying to figure out. My message to all is, that in light of the school shootings in recent years, I think people need to think long and hard about school abuse. On the days she taught no one dared to call Mary and me names. They said if I didn't cry the kids would get bored of acting that way. Over time I would understand why Mary had been chosen for this treatment. Because of my experiences, I believe I understand why some people go crazy and seek revenge. We lived in a wealthy and judgmental community. Apparently, I had committed the unpardonable sin of befriending Mary and was forever linked to her. I was in that school for 7 years and miserable every day of it. They shrugged off the other children's behavior and said that it was my fault because I let the kids make me cry.
Common topics in this essay:
Carol Carol,
Dependent Children,
,
COOTIES Mary,
little girl,
cooties meant,
little bit,
school grade,
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Acceptance Essays
