It started in elementary school... Around 3rd grade my dad started giving me trouble at home. I was abused, but rather than dealing with it in a healthy manner, I took it out on my peers. I was bullied by others, but that didnt justify my actions at all. I was mean. I hated everyone else because their parents loved them, and I didn't feel that mine did. I realized how I could be hurting people... I realized how I had changed. I had gone from the sweetest, most kind-hearted, and generous young girl, to the girl that everyone was afraid of. In 8th grade, I vowed to stop. I decided that enough was enough. Even though my parents were going through a terrible divorce and I was dealing with it alone, I decided to help others instead of dwelling on my life. I ended up being the friend that saved someone's life, I prevented his suicide. I helped him grow. In high school I was picked on yet again. i wasn't the prettiest girl, not matter how badly I wanted to be. I had terrible acne, and I was awkward. I wanted to be pretty... But everyone else kicked me down, telling me I was ugly and that I would never be pretty. They called me pizza face, butter face, stupid, ugly, worthless... You name it. It was terrible and tore down any self confidence I had. But, I stayed strong. I pushed through it. And 4 years later, I walked down the halls with confidence. I had gone from the ugly caterpillar to a beautiful butterfly. But I never let it go to my head. I still made friends with the new kids, and I talked to the less popular crowd, because I was still my dorky self inside. I loved that. I was friends with the popular kids and the not-so-popular kids. I chose to hang out with the people who stuck by my side when I was "ugly" because they were the true friends. They didn't care what I looked like, they liked me for me. Now the boys that once called me names are trying to get my number. It's funny how the tables turn, but O will always remember who I am and the struggles I went through. I encourage you all to stay strong, because you never know what will happen.