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Kindness During a Tough Time
Most have experienced the stress of transitioning to a new school at some point in their lives. For those who have long passed their academic years, this unease may have faded into a distant memory. This obviously does not apply to me, a middle school student dreading their upcoming promotion to high school.
Although I do not believe anything can completely alleviate my stress about attending high school, I am comforted by my positive experience transitioning to middle school. Specifically, I am eternally grateful for the WEB program, which brought me joy in a time filled with worry.
I can recall my first time stepping onto the grounds of First Avenue Middle School as if it were yesterday. It was Open House Night, and the school auditorium was packed with fifth graders and their parents. I was one of the hundred curious eyes scanning the new environment.
Prior to that day, I had heard countless rumors and horror stories about rigorous classes, monstrous teachers, and, scariest of all, evil schoolmates. I thought it was inevitable for me to struggle in this new school.
Most of these assumptions were swiftly obliterated though. Ms. Soo Hoo, our gracious WEB coordinator, and other phenomenal staff members onstage thoroughly explained to us the structure, rules, and values of our new school. The genuine kindness in their voices was the most valuable information I gleaned from their address, not any of the steps on assimilating well into middle school. Their willingness to help had been conveyed through their positive attitudes and eagerness to get us excited about transitioning. My imagination of middle school teachers instantly changed from strict, uptight, and judgmental pedagogues to warm, understanding, and
engaging mentors who wanted us to succeed.
Another one of my main worries diminished soon after. Movies like “Mean Girls” caused me to believe that I would be isolated and ostracized by the majority of people in middle school, especially those who are in higher grades.
Thankfully, I was immediately proven wrong.
Enthusiastic WEB leaders and student volunteers guided us around the school after the presentation concluded. The adults had already given us insight into how everything worked, but WEB leaders introduced the aspects that teachers did not share, such as lunch and homework.
They illustrated the perspective of attending as a sixth-grader and promised that most of the students were accepting and that everyone was just trying to get through middle school. It brought me joy learning that so many strangers in our school district and community would sacrifice their valuable time to help us.
As the sun set, I left in a peaceful state of mind. In two short hours, my anxiety about the approaching school year had disintegrated, all thanks to the generous and altruistic individuals from the WEB program. I deeply admired the maturity, leadership, and unwavering hospitality they demonstrated. On this day, I made it my mission to sport one of their bright blue polos and
offer the same treatment to future generations. I hoped to impact someone on the same level as these eight graders moved me.
Two years have passed, and I have successfully joined the WEB program and participated in hosting this year’s fifth-grade families during Open House Night. I am unable to guarantee that anyone was influenced by our group the way I was two years ago, but what matters most is that we put effort into helping them. I am appreciative of getting the chance to pay forward the kindness I received.
There are good people doing good deeds every day in our district and in our lives. Some may be insignificant and quickly forgotten, while some, like my experience with the WEB program, may last a lifetime.