<p>Sticks and stones can break your bones, but the words can never hurt you. As an awkward and persuadable middle-school student that was a piece of advice I wish I had heard numerous times over. While being taken in an ambulance to Boston Childrens Hospital with a broken femur and a crushed spirit, sticks and stones seemed more dangerous than one would think. After a physical altercation with another student over petty jests and jeers, I ended my middle-school experience with a six-inch steel plate and seven screws in my leg. My naïve twelve year old self thought this was the end of the line, I will not walk or feel like a normal kid ever again. Fortunately, over the past four years I realized I was completely wrong.
Instead of laboring over my nightmares as a middle-school student, I entered high school wanting to make a change. I wanted to not walk, but stride; not socialize, but fraternize; and most importantly not survive, but succeed. I learned from my past endeavors, and it has made me who I am today.
Joining the cross-country team seemed like the perfect way to accomplish my goals. Physically I recuperated, but that was only the tip of the iceberg. I met people who are now my best friends, and as a result developed a feeling of self-confidence and belonging I will never lose. I also became obsessed with generally doing better in all aspects of my life. From one activity, I learned what hard work was, what being personable was all about, and how to have fun. I had transformed myself completely and felt recovered from my middle school incident, but what was the next step?
It was at this point in my high school journey I had an epiphany. If I could go from being a broken, insecure preteen to a sturdy, confident young man in only a year, what could I accomplish by the time I graduate? I worked harder on the roads and in the classroom, and as a bonus met some amazing people along the way. In my quest to better myself I found creating new goals and trying to accomplish them became my new favorite hobby.
As I reflect on the risky ethical dilemma I faced in middle-school, it is strange to think without those ordeals I had to face I would not be the person I am today. That awkward, persuadable middle-school student is now a strong, tenacious, proud soon-to-be graduate. Those sticks and stones absolutely broke my bones, but the lessons they taught me were invaluable. Developing a hard-work ethic, letting go of my middle school insecurities, getting to know numerous individuals, making goals and working hard to accomplish them, and being proud of myself seems like a fair trade for some hardware.</p>
<p>Any criticism is welcome, don’t be afraid to tear it apart.</p>