"Let's Play Uno" by Ava

"Let's Play Uno" by Ava - January 2023 Scholarship Essay

My cousin, Jessica, was born with one more chromosome than I was. This extra chromosome causes her to view the world differently than I do. It also causes other people to treat her differently than they would treat me. Because she was born with something “extra” that most don’t have, the majority of people simply don’t understand that she is not so different from them. She desires friends to sit with at lunch, friends to play games with, and friends to love her just like every other teenager trying to get through high school. My school has a club called “Caring Cats” which consists of high schoolers getting together to hangout with the kids in the special education classes. I believe that this club, Caring Cats, should be a required class because it promotes inclusion, and it teaches students how to interact with all people.
“Caring Cats” should be required for all high school students because it promotes inclusion. In our society, people who are viewed as “different” tend to be looked down upon. However, we are all people who deserve love and kindness. Every year, all the members of “Caring Cats” put on a powderpuff game to raise money for all the kids to participate in the Special Olympics. Because of the funds our club raises, these kids have the opportunity to play in every sport and be included. Also, on every holiday, all the members throw a party for all of the special education classes to come and celebrate at lunch. This promotes inclusion among those classes and the members of the club and I believe inclusion is something every person needs to recognize as important.
“Caring Cats” also teaches students how to interact with all people. Learning how to interact with many different types of people is an important life skill that everyone needs to possess. Everyday during my study hall, I go to play games in the special education classroom. I play Uno with Zack everyday and he thinks it’s funny to skip me every opportunity he gets. So I make him “draw two” whenever he gives me the chance to play a card. We laugh. We talk. We play. Even though Zack views the world differently than I do, we still can interact and enjoy being around each other. Being able to interact with people, despite their differences, is something every teenager needs to learn how to do before graduating.
I believe that “Caring Cats” should be a required class because it promotes inclusion, and it teaches students how to interact with all people. These are things that all students need to learn and witness before they graduate. I believe that my cousin Jessica and my friend Zack have shown me a more exciting and different way to view life and I think the things they have taught me are more valuable than any other “required” class I’m in now.