The Kindergarten Life Lesson: Advocacy by Miranda

The Kindergarten Life Lesson: Advocacy by Miranda - July 2023 Scholarship Essay

Many people don’t expect to learn a great life lesson in kindergarten. You’re five years old, stepping into the education world for the first time. What monumental event could change your life while you are just gluing craft paper and reading Curious George? This is the story of a small mishap shaping the rest of my life.
Growing up in the Midwest meant mild falls followed by freezing winters. Recess included bundling up in snow pants and boots to build forts and use ice chunks as ‘currency’ for snow ‘goods’. We would lie on our backs and let the snow fall onto our tongues to be quickly melted, but the recess was always over too soon. Every kid would rather be playing outside than sitting indoors learning the alphabet. My friends and I would stand on the tallest snow banks created by the lovely people who came and plowed the parking lot. We were on top of the world…until I wasn’t. I was crashing towards the ground until I felt my head connect with the blacktop below me. I looked back towards the hill where I was once standing blissfully to stare back at who pushed me to be met with the face of my fifth grade ‘friend’. I watch him laugh as tears begin to stream down my frost bitten cheeks. I felt threatened. Five-year-olds simply don’t forget these types of wrong doings.
February was around the corner and the rooms were filled with heart crafts and streamers to celebrate Valentine's Day. The tradition of giving little valentines was alive and the halls were lined with homemade valentine boxes. I attended a small school of about 100 kids. We were required to send valentines to our class and the other grades were optional, but every year I would make them for the entire school. Writing Miranda 100 times was a lot for a kindergartener. I reached the graduating fifth grade class and my pen stopped when I reached his name. I addressed the valentine, signed my name, and stared back at my work. I glanced around my living room, no parents in sight. I finish the card with one final note; “you’re mean”. I sealed the card and thought nothing of it. My voice wasn’t heard when he pushed me off the hill so what harm could these two words possibly do? I handed my valentines out the next day and everything was finally right.
With Valentine's Day over, regularly scheduled education could continue. Sitting in class, I was suddenly summoned to the principal's office. Walking past the threshold of her office, I glance towards her desk to see the valentine I signed just two days prior to that fifth grade boy. After a ‘proper’ talking to, I’m escorted to the music room where he is pulled from the room filled with recorders being practiced. I’m prompted to apologize. As the words leave my lips, my eyes swell with unprompted tears. Was it anger? Guilt? Why was I apologizing for saying a few words when he ‘threatened’ my life? I finish the apology and I’m gifted a Kleenex in parting.
I was confused then as to why I felt so emotional over that apology. As years passed after the incident it resonated with me. I wanted to advocate for myself because no one else would. It was me against the world. I tried to advocate for myself by quipping back in those two simple words. Hate or violence is never the answer when defending yourself. This began the long journey of advocacy not only for myself but for others. This interaction taught me that I have to advocate for myself but in the right way. Putting others down will never aid the situation. I wouldn’t change any of my actions because it was the foundation of a large learning curve that I like to believe I’ve mastered today. The little girl standing up for herself helped this young adult find her passion in politics. That young girl is now a little stronger and a whole lot better at supporting herself.