Farewell to Middle School

Part 1- The First Day

Good Old Rocky Top boomed through the decidedly less full gym as my friends that I’d had for years shuffled away, already talking and laughing with the people in their cores. I was the only one in our little group who got put into the Roar Core, and I was faced with the daunting task of making brand new friends. My palms were sweating and my heart pounded as I thought about what the day would bring; new people, new teachers, a new school, and older kids. I was just a child compared to the big, scary teenagers who would head off to high school in the course of a year or two. Walking down the steps of the bleachers, I tried to calm down. This was an opportunity, not the death sentence I was imagining. The rest of the kids in the bleachers were herded into four lines, me into the one for Ms. Venturo, my home room teacher. I had language arts first, my favorite subject, so at least that was a plus. Behind and in front of me, wide-eyed girls and boys wrung their hands together and quietly made small talk. They were just as nervous as I was. Feeling slightly more confident, I smiled at the girls closest to me. They introduced themselves, confessing their fears, and I grinned and nodded, understanding completely. Since I had gotten my schedule, the nerves and excitement I’d felt about middle school had dominated my days. But now, looking at my years of middle school squarely in the face, I was ready for them to begin.

Part 2- Changes

Middle school has changed me, the people around me, and even the world as I see it. Going through middle school has gradually made me a more confident person, especially in this, my last year. In sixth and eighth grade, I have proven to myself that I can make new friends easily and that I can also retain my old ones. Knowing that I can do these things, I have become more confident in myself. I have started to figure out who I am and where I fit in and belong in the world and what I want for the future. With the help of my friends, family, and the situations I face in middle school, I come into myself more each day. Middle school gave me experience in what kind of people are best for me, how to handle good and bad situations, what I am good at and what I’m interested in, and many many other things. During the course of middle school, I have become more independent and have started to take care of myself more. I think middle school helps everyone grow up a little bit and figure out who they are.

My friends have changed over the years as well. Some of us have begun to grow apart, as we figure out who we are and what we want. But for others, our relationships have grown stronger through these changes we all go through. And as for my view on the world, middle school has had a big influence. I see friends in kids I’ve never met, have opinions that wouldn’t have even occurred to me three years ago, and I have more experience, which helps me understand the world and gets me ready to face it.

Middle school has not only changed who I am, but also my physical appearance. Since elementary school, I have lost the high-water pants and athletic shoes, the kitty t-shirts, the gap between my front teeth. I have gained skinny jeans, Converse and Aeropostale, braces and makeup. I have also grown a lot, and am now only five inches from my predicted height of 5’10”. I have ventured away from the curled bob I’m familiar with and have grown my hair out and the color is not quite as light as it once was. I’d like to think I’ve come a long way from the person I was in elementary school.

Part 3- Social Groups

Middle school is pretty much a social hierarchy, this I found out quickly. Much like the food chain, you are either at the top, bottom, or somewhere in the middle where it doesn’t really matter who you are. I belong in the latter.

At the top, there are the Populars, the people who you can always find with surprised expressions, thick eyeliner, and secrets they can’t seem to keep to themselves. The Populars are made up of several divisions: The Soccer Players, the Cheer Leaders, the Football Boys, the Mean Girls, the Ladies’ Men, and the Short-Shorts. It seems diverse, but really they’re all the same. I always thought it seemed hard to be a Popular, there are some many things to worry about! The tighter-than-tight pants, the constantly straightened hair, the boys, the girls, the drama. I guess it’s good that it falls to their lot instead of mine.

And then there are the High Class Weirdos, those at the bottom. They are clad in colorful leggings, crocs, and sweatshirts. They itch themselves and fart in public and hold hands

and chase each other around at recess. I notice that the girls are cycled through the group, so each boy is their boyfriend at one time or another. They are almost always the first to raise their hands and can be counted on to have something strange to say. Yes, they are picked on a lot, but at least they have each other.

At last, there is the middle, a no man’s land of invisible people. We are the No See ‘Ems. We are cooler than the High Class Weirdos but not cool enough to be classified as popular. Here lie the Blonde Squad, the B-Ballers, the Directioners, the Lacrosse Players, the Pretties, the Brains, the Funnies, and the Floaters. Where do I fit in? I am part of an “elite” group of girls, known as the Average Joes. We are nothing special, preferring to stay under the radar. We wear unassuming clothes, straight or ponytailed hair, and quiet personalities. I’d like to think we are upper middle class, but who am I to say? I believe that we as Average Joes are fairly intelligent and tolerably good-looking, though easily ignored. Upon reviewing all the social groups at school, I’m almost certain the Average Joes is where I fit in, and I’m glad middle school has helped me figure this out.

Part 4- Memorable Experiences

Middle school is where memories are made, both good and bad, but hopefully the majority of them are good. At least, most of mine are. Although, there is one bad experience that I will never forget, one which changed me irrevocably.

In sixth grade, I experienced real, stomach-churning, tear-jerking friend drama. It all started because one of my friends didn’t want to sit with us at lunch anymore. We should have let it go, acknowledged that she was changing, as we all were. Maybe if we had, we would all still be friends. Instead, it was made into a big deal, which turned us against her and her new friends. I wasn’t very nice at all, but neither was she. What really pushed it was when her friends ganged up on us, cornering individual members of our group, interrogating and lecturing us. The fight lasted until the end of our sixth grade year when, to make a long story short, her mom called everyone else’s moms and the damage done was irreparable. This experience changed me because I didn’t like the drama, and the person I became when I was part of it. I made an effort to be more understanding, to be kind to everybody, to figure out how to diffuse or step away from bad situations so they didn’t blow up again. I kicked Regina George out and let myself back in, and that has

made a big difference. Though I regret it ever happened, I’m glad the drama caused me to better myself.

Another thing I will always remember is getting my first ever D. It was 7^th grade math, and we had just gotten our tests back on a unit that I couldn’t understand, no matter how many worksheets we did, or how many times the teacher tried to explain it. Praying for

an A, I gingerly flipped the test over to the first page. A big, fat, purple D leered up at me and marks littered the pages. My heart dropped and a few tears began to well up. I couldn’t get a D, this wasn’t like me! Blinking furiously, I resolved to retake the test. I ended up retaking that test three times and finally earned a B-. Having experienced my first bad grade, I figured out that this wasn’t elementary school anymore, I would have to start trying, studying hard, putting more effort into good grades than I’d ever had to before. I became more determined and devoted myself to getting a 4.0 grade point average every year. My devotion has lasted me through all of middle school and I’ve never gone a trimester without getting straight A’s.

Part 5- Influential People

Many people have come and gone in the last three years that have had a lot of influence on me. One of which is my mom. She has been there for me through the good and bad, she will listen to me rant and rave over my problems and ramble on about the good things going on. I think we have come to understand each other more over the years and now, I don’t know what I would do without her. When I need help with studying or big projects,

she’s the one I go to, because I know she’ll have good advice and assistance to give. We have a great relationship, one where we can tell each other most anything, so I know I’ll always have someone to talk to. She tells it how it is, and I can count on her for an honest opinion. She has acted as a guiding hand for me, helping me though the years that for some, can be the worst and for that and much more, I will be forever grateful.

My best friend, Natalie, has also been very influential. She has taught me what a great friend is and how to be one. She is someone that I can talk to about anything, knowing she’ll understand and won’t judge me. She is the best at comforting and listening when no one else will and she can bring a smile to my face when I’m feeling down. She has always helped me with whatever I’m struggling with and has stood by my side through it all.

My dad has gradually taught me how to laugh, though mostly at myself, and that has been a life-saver. He has helped me find the light in the darkness and puts me in my place with a chuckle. He has assisted me in having fun with my years in middle school, reminding me that the world is not doom and gloom as it sometimes seems. He has also always pushed me to do my very best and because of him and all the other, wonderful people who have had so much influence of me, I can catch myself when I fall, and sometimes, keep from falling.

Part 6- Walk Away

Though my years at middle school have been some of the best of my life, all good things must come to an end, and it is time to walk away, to stroll into the future. I will look back often, as one always does when leaving something they love, remembering everything that has happened, good and bad, the friends I’ve made, those I’ve lost, the teachers that only wished the best for me, the confidence I’ve gained, the utter happiness and sadness that I’ve felt through the years, the many ways I’ve changed through it all.

The experiences, friends, and lessons I’ve learned will walk along-side me on the glittering, winding path to the future. I refuse to leave them behind, with the smiles and laughter, the memories and stories, the knowledge, and the love they’ve all given me. I won’t bring anything else, my journey calls for packing light, as I have a long way to go and many new things to pick up.

Though I will miss all that middle school has given me, I am looking forward to what lies ahead, to what I can add to the sturdy foundation I have built over the last three years. I can already catch a glimpse of it, and it is beautiful.

The moment I step foot outside of middle school for the last time will be bittersweet, but I know that I must continue on, as life does. I am thankful for all that the last three years have held and for the coming years that will be just as amazing. On this note, I must gather my courage, pick up my roots, follow my dreams, and bid middle school farewell.