I jumped off the school bus and quickly ran to place my bag in the boxes outside of our classroom. It wasn’t heavy, it just contained my pencil box, math exercise book and English notebook. First grade wasn’t exactly complicated. Still, I didn’t want to carry it with me. I wanted to get to the kindergarten classrooms before it was time for homeroom.

I quickly threw my bag in the box and started walking. In my head, I remembered my brother’s face from the previous day. He told me that a kid from his class was bothering him. Again. It was my third day visiting his class, this kid was starting to annoy me. I walked faster. I started thinking of all the things I wanted to say to this kid. I puffed and quickened my pace as I caught a glimpse of the yellow door of the KG classroom. I pushed the door and walked inside. I spotted kids sitting everywhere, on the red and green rugs in the center of the room, on beanbags, and the tiny little colorful chairs around the low tables. There was a teacher bent down helping a boy with his shoelaces. She sighed when she saw me walk through the door. I ignored her and approached a group of kids, I glared at them and said, “If you don’t leave my brother alone, I will…”

“Go to your classroom”, shouted the teacher, before I could even complete my sentence. “But…”, I started.
“I said, go to your classroom. You do realize you’re in first grade, right? You’re not exactly scaring anybody”. My eyes widened and I registered what she said for a minute. Before I could say another word, her hand was on my shoulder and I felt her turn me around and direct me towards the door. “But…” I heard myself start to argue. “Let’s go now, before you miss homeroom, and don’t come again”. 

I can’t remember a time where I didn’t believe that I could change the world. Not in any crazy kind of way where I solve a global crisis. Although I really wish I could solve world hunger. Maybe one day. However, one thing’s for sure – I always had a voice of my own. Ever since I was a kid, I had my own opinions, thoughts of how things should be done and would always stand up for myself and others, no matter how it made me look. What other people thought of me never really made a difference. If there was something that I believed had to be said or done, I would say it and take necessary action.

This younger me still follows the same values and ethics when it comes to leading all aspects of my life. I Always stand up for what I believe in. Don’t be intimidated by others. Follow your own judgment no matter what others are doing. Be authentic to who you are.