Stand Tall by Elizabeth

Stand Tall by Elizabeth - April 2014 Scholarship Essay

Libby Templeton stood just taller than her dog and was the shortest girl in the fifth grade. She didn’t mind. Molly Lou Melon, from the children’s book Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon, by Patty Lovell, gave her the courage to walk proudly. By following her Grandma’s advice, Molly Lou Melon was able to overcome her bully, Ronald Durkin, with grace and poise, and I followed Molly Lou Melon’s example.

Moving from Texas to a small town in Washington, I had no friends. No one at school liked me, because I was different. I loved to sing, create, imagine, daydream and play, and I stood out in a crowd of preteens who were obsessed with looks and pop culture. I was ruthlessly bullied. I wanted to close myself off, but Molly Lou Melon taught me to stand tall, smile big, sing out, and believe in myself, so that I could face the Ronald Durkin’s of the world.

At a young age, I knew I was just like Molly Lou Melon. We were both short, bucktoothed, fumble fingered, and loved to sing, despite having a boisterous voice. Most importantly, we both moved to a new school and faced relentless bullying. Molly Lou Melon’s grandmother reminds her that her differences are what make her beautiful. Molly Lou Melon gains confidence and self-worth, overcoming those who diminish her value. I took strength from the story, learning to march to the beat of my own drum, and staying happy despite what was going on around me.

When the kids in my class told me I was weird and didn’t belong, it was easy to hang my head and feel ashamed of what I believed. My newness, appearance, and the fact that I was a devout Mormon, made me an immediate target for class bullies. People frequently asked me “how many wives does your dad have?” and why I was such a “prude.” I never doubted my faith, but I remember always wanting to fade into the background and disappear. It was those times I remembered Molly Lou Melon never felt ashamed. She never apologized for being different, and because of her strength people admired her, and she changed the heart of her tormentor. I wanted to be like Molly Lou Melon and make true friends, so I stood strong and never apologized for being different.

Despite the teasing and physical abuse, I stayed strong by smiling. Molly Lou Melon’s Grandmother said, “Smile big, and the world will smile right alongside you.” I learned very quickly that people were much more willing to smile at me if I smiled at them first. Molly Lou Melon even turned Ronald Durkin into a friend by being kind to him. So, like Molly Lou Melon, I smiled. I smiled through class, recess, and on my walk home. I may have not changed enemies to friends, but I developed a habit of smiling everywhere I went, which made me happier. When I progressed to middle school the smile was glued on my face, and I started immediately making friends. I was given the nick-name Smiley, and the world smiled with me. Because I decided to follow the example of Molly Lou Melon and her grandmother’s advice, I made friends and was no longer alone.

Now that I attend a different school than those kids, I don’t see those bullies very often, but when I have, they’ve always been polite. One even paused to say “weren’t you that Mormon kid we used to pick on who was always happy? I thought you were cool for that.” I stand out in their memories, not for being the weird little Mormon from Texas, but because I never buckled. They respected me more for staying firm in my faith and standing up for my beliefs.

For so long I thought I needed be quiet, to not draw attention to myself, to hide from the bullies, but all that changed when I began attending an art school and became surrounded by people like myself. I discovered my love of performing. Theatre and choir became an outlet for me to learn, grow, and find myself. I quickly realized that music speaks louder than shouting. Molly Lou Melon taught me to “sing out loud and clear and the world will cry tears of joy.” Opening my heart allowed my true feeling to show through my art. Molly Lou Melon’s inspiration led me to create music and performances that encourage others to be proud of their own individuality.

Just as Molly Lou Melon inspired me, I want to be an inspiration to others. I want to teach them to be proud of their differences. By working with children, I will help them to find the courage to be proud of who they are, defend what they know to be true, smile, sing, and find their own strength to stand tall.