Mattie's (staay-beaautifuul) Story
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Dear Shanna,
About a month ago, I emailed you asking if you would like to come to my school to speak about bullying. I didn’t really expect you to reply. But you proved me wrong the next morning. You were enthralled to come to my school, and I couldn’t contain my excitement. We set a date, and it was official.
I told everyone at school about you coming. Some, well most, people groaned. We’d had so many other guest speakers come and talk about bullying, and they were all so boring and they all said the same thing. But I kept reassuring them. “Don’t worry, she’s different. You’ll see,” I’d tell them time and time again.
When you arrived at Spring Hill High School that Thursday morning, I couldn’t have been more nervous. I wanted so much to impress you. But after talking to you (and your friend Meredith) for a little bit, I realized that I didn’t have to impress you. You were so sweet. You were such a delight and so down to earth.
When it came time for you to speak, I could see the boredom in everyone’s eyes But when you started, everyone’s eyes perked up. You moved so many people by what you told us. Other speakers just tell us what bullying is, and not to do it. But you were different. You told us your story. You told us about how mean people were to you, for no reason. You told us how girls would say heartless things about you, for no reason. And then you did something we’d never been taught- you told us how to cope with it. You told us that no matter what they did to us, we could rise above it all and live a stronger life than they ever will.
When you finished, so many people ran up to you. So many of those people were in tears from your words. They thanked you, for giving them hope.
Then you did a little one on one session with our FCCLA chapter. You told us more stories and gave more advice. And you sang “You are my Sunshine,” which was beautiful. (People are still talking about it.)
Shanna, I don’t know if you realize how big of an impact you had on us. Seriously, it was amazing. No one will ever forget what you taught us, and how you made us feel hope.
Peacefully,
Mattie Dobbs of SHHS