“You were given this life because you are strong enough to live it.” I discovered this quote in fifth grade and have loved it ever since. When I was younger, I was called names like “crybaby” and “sensitive” just because I didn’t like when people got mad at me. It always hurt my feelings and made me feel like I wasn’t allowed to show emotion. This quote reminds me how strong I am and that it is my life, no one else’s. I can handle any struggles I may be dealing with. Whether I’m having a hard time in one of my classes or it’s a personal problem, I can handle it because I am strong.

I’ll never forget the day that I realized I wasn’t perfect. It was in science class and some boy said how my thighs looked big. I was young, too young to be worried about my thighs. This comment shocked me. I went home crying that day and starting to compare myself to the celebrities I’d see on my television. I’d notice their flawless bodies and their amazing personalities. Then, I’d look in the mirror and point out every flaw I could find. Due to this one boy commenting on my thighs at a young age, I stopped liking myself. I was so sad one night that I asked God why he didn’t make me beautiful. No matter how I felt, I continued to pray every night. The more I prayed, the stronger I felt. Praying became a part of my nighttime routine. I started attending church on Sundays. I felt my connection with God growing stronger everyday. Not only this, but He taught me how to love myself for who I am. So that boy in science class was right, I’m not perfect...but I am beautiful. My imperfections are what make me beautiful. My body is beautiful. Everything about me is beautiful. God taught me that I am beautiful and I have never been more grateful for that boy because if it wasn’t for his mean comment, I may have never discovered God. Now, anytime I am struggling whether it’s with school or personal, I put my full trust in God because He has never let me down.

My best friend, always there when I need him. His name: Jeter My Instagram: @kaylawill519

The first time I experienced failure was during my third grade spelling bee. I stood on stage in front of all my classmates and their parents and completely butchered the word given to me. Right away, I ran off the stage and straight into my mothers arms, crying. Fast-forward to the fifth grade spelling bee. Once again, it was my turn. I stood in the center of stage, staring at the crowd when I was asked to spell yet another word. It was only me and three other students left. Due to this, the words were starting to get more difficult. Spoiler alert: I got the word wrong, however, something felt different this time. I was not upset and I did not want to cry into my mothers arms. I was proud, which I had every right to be. I made it to 4th place in fifth grade! Something about this experience has left an impact on me. In just two years, my view on completely changed. I went from feeling embarrassed to feeling proud. I learned that even though I did not win the spelling bee, I accomplished something. I proved to myself that I could do it, even if I messed up a few times. Failure is often used in a negative way, describing a mistake. Unlike my third grade self, I personally do not see this word negatively. I see failure as a way to show growth. How are you going to get anywhere in life if you don’t mess up a few times? Well the answer to that question is quite easy, you’re not. You need to fail, you need to make those mistakes in order to learn from them. Due to this experience, I accept failure. It is actually an amazing thing to be able to fail, get up, and try again because “failure doesn’t define me.”

I practiced my back handspring for months with my coach, always too scared to do it on my own. One day, I worked up enough courage to try it myself on my trampoline. Here is an action shot of the first time I did it alone and I was so happy afterwards!

For some, school is a place where teachers spend their days droning on about World War II or validating how math equations might be relevant in the future. For me, when I think about school, I remember the many teachers who have made an impact on their students' lives. I think of someone like my preschool teacher and babysitter, Ms. Michelle, who I spent the first eight years of my life with. She had such an influence on my life and inspired me to the point that I plan to follow in her footsteps. The best teachers that we all remember make their students feel seen and heard just like Ms. Michelle did, and I want to do the same.