I was a former student at this middle school (2016 to 2018), and looking back, I feel compelled to…read moreshare my experience, as it had a profound impact on my life. During my time here, I had high hopes of making friends, unfortunately that wasn't as planned.
I remember coming into the school, hoping to make friends right off the bat, but it didn't quite turn out that way. I was surrounded by classmates who frequently displayed disruptive conduct, and I experienced peer pressure to imitate their antics in an effort to fit in, which just made me feel more out of place.
I am a full Hispanic girl who, surprisingly, never learned to speak Spanish throughout my life.I also favored indoor activities to outdoor ones, which made me paler-skinned than some of my peers at the time. My appearance and lack of proficiency in the Spanish language became a target for ridicule. I was called names like "White" or told that I couldn't be Mexican because I couldn't speak Spanish.
One particularly distressing incident stands out in my memory. I was assaulted by another student and had to be taken to the principal's office. Instead of finding support, my mom and I were met with hostility from the principal, who engaged in a confrontation with my mom. This ultimately led to my mom filing a police report, which, unfortunately, only made my situation worse. I became a target for more ridicule and even received threats at one point.
The trauma from those years has stayed with me, but with time, I have grown older and more mature. I'm now attending a four-year university alongside my older sister, with the support of my dog and wonderful roommates who all love me just the way I am. It feels like the right time to share my experience with others, as a way of letting go of the past.
Despite the challenges, there were a few bright spots during my time at the school. I cherish the very few individuals who saw the good in me and accepted me for who I am. Additionally, there was one special teacher who played a significant role in my life. not only my teacher but also became one of my best friends, providing the support I needed to make it through those difficult years. To that teacher, the one who picked me for student of the month, the one who let me (along with other students) sit in your classroom during lunch, you know who you are, if you are reading this, I am forever grateful for your kindness and friendship during my time in that hell hole.