I was bullied nearly my entire educational career. All the way from 1st grade to 9th. People would pull me backwards by my huge backpack and push me on the ground, calling me "turtle." Girls would take out pencils and stab me. Guys would stick things in my hair and laugh when I didn't notice. They would steal my schoolwork and shove me when they walked by me, and call me "emo bitch" because their torture eventually led to me cutting myself. 2 years ago I decided it needed to stop. I stood up to people. Made new friends. Told my friends about what was going on, and they protected me. Now I'm considered one of the most respected seniors at my school because I can openly talk about my past with bullying and self harm. I do everything I can to help. People message me all the time asking how I stood up for myself, how I stopped cutting, where they can get help, whether or not they need it. And I'm happy I stood up for myself, because if I couldn't stand up for myself, how can I now stand up for everyone else? Stand for the silent, and speak for the broken.