The B Stands for Beatrice by Riley

The B Stands for Beatrice by Riley - April 2014 Scholarship Essay

As a high school senior, I have read my fair share of books. Between reading assignments for assorted school projects and English classes, books read for pleasure, and books that my parents have “encouraged” (required) me to read - I'm looking at you, 7 Habits of Highly Effective People - I have encountered many a character who I've felt influenced my life. However, despite all of the higher level novels and eccentric, memorable characters I've encountered throughout high school, there remains one highly influential character from my childhood that has always stayed with me. She is a sassy kindergartener with a loud baby brother, a large hair bow, and an even larger personality. The character I'm referring to, of course, is none other than the lovable Junie B. Jones.

At first glance, it seems ridiculous that of all the characters in the world, a six year old whose biggest issues with the world are smelly school buses, bad school pictures, and the other trials associated with morning kindergarten influenced me the most. Despite the fact that current adult problems in life appear to be much greater than the trivial woes of a kindergartener, the lessons that Junie B. taught me remain with me even today.

One of the greatest things that Junie B. taught me was that it was enough to just be myself. Long before I had been stricken with the struggles of being in middle school and desperately wanting nothing more than to fit in with everyone else, Junie B. Jones was breaking crystal glasses and tearing pillows in her best friend Lucille’s fancy house. Lucille seemed to lead the charmed life that Junie B. likened to that of princesses, and yet at the end of the day, she found herself more partial to homemade blueberry pancakes and plastic plates than gourmet dinners and heavy crystal glasses. By the end of a sixty page, first-grade story I had learned something that takes most people years to figure out. Being yourself and being happy was much better than worrying about having the biggest house, or the best clothes, or the fanciest car. It is a lesson that I will never forget, and I learned it not from a college educated teacher, or a fact-ridden textbook, but from a spunky six year old girl.

From learning the importance of honesty to understanding the need to take accountability for my own actions, Junie. B Jones has been my greatest literary influence. Perhaps it’s because some part of me still identifies with her sassy headstrong personality, but whatever the reason, I have Junie B.’s influence to thank for many of the lessons that have guided me in my life.