I can still vividly remember the months leading up to middle school; the summer months I spent in anticipation, waiting for a new chapter in my life to begin. There was a large part of me that was excited, but there was also fear. I religiously watched ‘Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide’ to hopefully gain some insight on what it was going to be like. Little did I know, the terror they showed on that TV show was nothing like reality. First weeks were spent latched onto elementary school friends, fearful of straying too far from them. We bravely tiptoed away to meet new people, but jumped back at the first sign of an eighth grader. Our brows drew together in confusion as we noticed no sign of straight lines in the hallways, or ‘quiet signs’ thrust into the air. It was then that a sweet sensation hit us like a tidal wave: freedom!
We became a menace to the older kids, racing and laughing through the halls. Glittering signs entreated us to try out new clubs and discover our passions. At that time I told my parents I wanted to join band. My reasoning? “The band teacher was funny.” Luckily, my parents thought back to my failed piano lessons and guided me towards a fine art that I could really excel in: theatre. I remember shrugging my shoulders and agreeing, I had heard the theater teacher was funny as well. Skills that I had harvested back in vacation bible school skits were awakened once more, and I blossomed. I participated in Speech and Drama tournaments, earning gold trophies for my dedication. Class plays became my favorite time of the year, and I delved deeper into the art. Stanslovski’s acting method became a code that I lived by, and impressions became my go-to comedy bits.
The friends I found throughout those years have stayed with me, and have continued to support me. My small acts of bravery, at extending a timid, “Hello,” have rewarded me beyond compare. Middle School was a time of change. We discovered who we were, who we associated with, and what we excelled at. We had our first taste of freedom, and our first steps towards independence. And although they had their ups and downs, those three years shaped me into the person I am today.