The Rotary Club of Pismo Beach / Five Cites
Mariella Conn, First Place
Grade 3, Ocean View Elementary School
Teacher: Elisa Cecchi Principal: Sarah Butler
It isn’t right when kids bully other kids. I can’t stand it. No matter what we look like we are all the same. “Don’t judge a book by it’s cover” as the saying goes.
One of my friends at school has special needs. She is very sweet but sometimes she has to go to her special needs class. She is the same as us but her brain just does not work the same.
One time I saw her crying because someone called her weird and questioned why she kept going to special classes. I gave her a big hug. Later that day I thought to myself, “Is it the truth?’’ It is not true to call her weird just because her brain works differently than other people.
‘‘Is it fair to all concerned?’’ No it is not fair to bully my friend and say she is weird. Everybody is their own unique person and doesn’t need to be the same as everyone else.
“Will it build goodwill and better friendships?” Calling someone “weird” just because they are different will not build goodwill and better friendships. Being mean and hurting people’s feelings doesn’t help you make friends.
“Will it be beneficial to all concerned?” It is not beneficial to all concerned because it is causing a problem for me, my friend, the teachers, and my friend’s parents. If everyone was exactly the same, the world would be a boring place.
I hope my true story has inspired you to stop bullying and prevent it too.