When I was in 4th grade, my parents wanted me to go to this really high end school. I protested, but to no avail. At first, I was not excited in the least bit. But after I started there, I found it was worse than I had imagined. I was placed in a classroom full of students who hated me, only because of how I looked. I tried so hard to impress them, but that made no difference. They started calling me names, making fun of my glasses, pushing me around at recess, and calling me a teacher's pet. I was so angry and hurt that I would often cry at home; without my parents knowing. I played everything off and always put a smile on my face. My 5th, 6th, and 7th grade year, go a little better, but not much. I was still called names, made fun of, pushed around, called a teachers pet, kiss up, etc. In 8th grade however, things changed. I started to realize I need to look at the bright side of life. I remembered how much more important it was to do things my way, and not worry about what everyone else thought of me.

 When I entered high school, I am now a senior, I was everyone's target to bully. I had football players coming up to me calling my four-eyes, brown nose, snitch, wimp, and everything in-between. It was not until a junior, when I was a freshman, came up to me and asked to be friends, that I realized I was liked, and accepted. I always thought people were going to make fun of me, push me around, and cause me to hate life. After that moment, I had someone who would always back me up. I ended up happy to come to school, because I knew that my friend was there to help me through tough times. 

As you get older, you realize more and more, how bullying affects people. I've had many friends cut because they thought there was nothing else to live for. Well I want to tell you, there is always something to live for. I want you to think of everything that has ever happened/is happening to you. Yes, I know it hurts, but look at the bright side. It has made you stronger. It has taught you to rise up, and be the better man/woman. I know that it takes time, and time is not your best adversary when you're being bullied. Since the beginning of that friendship with my junior friend, I have looked for children/teenagers who are the subject of bullying, and tried to help them. It makes me very angry when I see a person getting picked on because of their ethnicity, physical characteristics, speech impediment, crooked jawline, etc. I have stepped in a few times when a person was being made fun of, even though I look like a buzzkill or a stupid little b**ch for stepping in, and called them over to hang out with me. 

Every single person is the same, not one is better, cooler, or more hip than the other. I want to put and end to bullying; not only because I have experienced and know the feelings first hand, but because I do not want others to have to go through the pain. Every person is beautiful, no matter what others say. It is very unfortunate that bullies find comfort in making fun of other people, but it will catch up to them one day. It is a very hard road to travel down, but if we keep pursuing the finish line, it will get better. We will prevail, we will overcome, we are the minority, and we will not be masked. We are content with what he have, and we do not have to worry about our appearance to others. Live your life the way you want, and don't let anyone stop you. You are all precious, do not let anyone tell you otherwise. No matter what they say, ignore it, and keep persevering. It WILL get better. I promise.