Our Wildwood, Winter 2018, Volume 42

Perspectives

by Ella K. ’22

Elementary to Middle: Bravery Required MIDDLE SCHOOL —TWO WORDS FEARED BY 11-YEAR-OLDS everywhere. I was no different. I was scared to leave elementary school but excited to have a locker. A few days before school started, I made the monumental decision to chop off my hair. By my standards, I was a new person—I wouldn’t be the shy girl who sits in the corner and reads alone anymore, and I wouldn’t be in anyone’s shadow. But as I think it is for most kids, entering 6th grade was like running into a brick wall. I came from the safe atmosphere of elementary school, where I was one of the older kids and every teacher was a ray of sunshine, into this unfamiliar place where high schoolers trample you and call you “sixies.” Suddenly, I was at the bottom of the food chain. I received the “hormones talk” multiple times a week, and at least twice a day, I heard someone say, “Oh my GOD, were we that tiny?” One thing that changes a lot in middle school is what’s important to people. It feels like we had it right in elementary school: Students who were the nicest were the most popular. Now it seems our value is based on our looks and if we have the newest iPhone. Everyone struggles in middle school. Some struggle with hiding their true self and some with feeling neglected and not liked by others. Some struggle with acne and some their classes. Some struggle with expressing themselves and some with being called names. Everyone has something they worry about. Most of the time, people don’t acknowledge each other’s something, but we all have insecurities. Another thing that changes in middle school is the way that girls think of themselves. In elementary school, I hardly ever thought about the way I looked (which was very apparent in my outfit choices). If I ever thought about the way I looked, it was usually because someone else brought attention to it. People would sometimes comment on how long my hair was or how my teeth stuck out, but that was about it. In middle school, if I wear a little too much makeup one day, I’ll get at least three comments. I wear a beanie and Bam! I’m called “emo.” Even I, the biggest over-analyzer you’ll ever meet, can’t analyze the minds of middle schoolers. I don’t think that anyone can. This is my third and final year of middle school, which has been great in many ways—my Into the Wild project is amazing! But like most of my peers, I can’t wait for high school: new people, new classes, new responsibilities. I know people struggle a lot in high school, too, but who knows, it might be an even better transition.

Our Wildwood /Winter 2018 6/7

Everyone has something they worry about. Most of the time, people don’t acknowledge each other’s something , but we all have insecurities.