Today was the 5th graders' last day here, and I showed them the Chrissa movie and gave a talk on bullying. I wanted to be sure I looked nice, so I got out one of my plaid skirts and I borrowed a pair of tights from this girl Samantha that lives down my street.
When Megan, the editor of the newspaper, introduced me as "Haley Hotchkiss, sixth grade class president," I was met with applause.
"How many of you have been bullied?" I asked before pressing 'play' on the DVD player. I saw a few hands raise up, including Kit's and Lindsey's. "Be honest, how many of you have been bullied?" A few more hands came up.
"There are thousands of people who are bullied in school each year," I said. "There was a recent story on the news about a boy our age who killed himself because he couldn't deal with the bullying anymore. I know, because I'm one of them."
There were some people murmuring in the crowd but for the most part it was silent. "You may think it's harmless teasing but it really hurts. And you may not even realize you're doing it. The girl in the movie you're about to see, named Chrissa Maxwell, is also being bullied in school. See how it affects her and those around her, and what she does about the bullying."
When I told Megan to press play on the DVD player, I left the stage to applause. Kit and Lindsey waved at me to make sure I saw them.
Last night when I got home from yearbook, I found an email from the Parkington Academy up in the northern part of the state, saying they want to interview me. I told Vee about this and she said this likely meant they were pretty close to accepting me. This totally screws things up. I've wanted to go to boarding school since forever, but I'm at Adams now and, other than Meredith and the Mean Girls, I'm fairly happy. I've got friends and I'm in activities. I'm at a pretty good place in my life right now. I'm not sure I'm ready to give all that up. On the other hand, Parkington is a serious opportunity for me. It could be my ticket to a very good college like Harvard or Yale. I'm just not sure what to do, and I have less than three months to decide.
On a lighter note, I just caught a glimpse of the new cheerleading uniforms, the ones they're gonna be wearing next year, and I have to say they are hideous! I'll publish the pic as soon as I get one.
4 comments:
I'm glad that it went well! I think it was a really good idea to show the Chrissa Movie.
That really does screw things up, doesn't it?!? I hate it when that happens! That would be a really tough decision. With Kit and Lindsey coming to Adams next year, that's 2 more friends you could have.
I go to boarding school, and I like it a lot. Congrats on getting *almost* accepted. You could always try a few months there, and if you don't like it come back to Adams. The thing is, there is always going to be a "Mean Bees" clique, but there might not be other girls like your best friends at boarding school. If you go to Parkington, you might get to a better college. But what I'm thinking is, you will be just as smart at Parkington or at Adams, just the school won't change you that much.
I used to go to public school in France (before I moved). I dreaded going to boarding school, but once I actually got there, I liked it! You'll make new friends if you go to boarding school, but still keep in touch with Hilary, Harriet, Kristy, Kit, and Lindsey!
~Avery~
You're a really good speaker! That was a great thing to do to show the Chrissa movie.
Personally, I think that you should stay at Adams...moving to a new school is REALLY scary. Also, here you don't have to be around Meredith & co. 24/7. You will have to be around the mean girls all day at a boarding school...and according to Jess, my friend who's been to one, they can play some pretty awful pranks in the dorms.
But still, it's your choice. Whatever you decide, good luck & congrats!
~Sonali
He killed himself?
That was a good idea showing the Chrissa movie.
And good luck with the Parkington interview. I know I would be too scared to leave everything here to go to a boarding school, but it may be good for you. Leaving would be hard though. No matter what, though I know you'll make the right decision. =)
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