Going Away
NMH
By Elena Eames
Dummerston Middle School, Grade 8
The home made video flashed across my screen. A guy making a slam dunk, a girl making an elaborate painting, a student with the words slanted across his shirt: You’re In!
I sat there watching it, not thinking about what it meant.
I called some friends, and told them, they clapped and cheered for me, and then said “Wait.. you're happy.. right?”
“Yeah.” I said “I'm happy.”
“Good, well I’ll see ya at school!”
School,
I thought about not seeing them everyday, about not being able to walk with them in the halls, laugh at the teachers, and talk about everything at recess. Recess, which, I wouldn’t have anymore. High school is a big step, as much as I look forward to it, I wish I could have the people that I've known for so long, and the people that have become so close to me there to make it a little easier.
And then the scholarship came. It covered almost everything and was too good to turn down. I am going, I am packing up everything and moving to a new life with 130 people in the same place that I’m in, from all over the world. I know I will meet new friends, and great people who will have a huge impact my life. I can’t wait to leave, to get away, to start over.
But then.. my friends here, everything I’ve worked for and achieved.
New opportunities vs. what is known and loved.
I’m going with new opportunities.
I cry as a write an old teacher a thank-you email for everything she's given me, I cry as I talk to a best friend on the phone. I get a surge of excitement as I mail the acceptance letter.
A great feeling of self importance and liberation comes when I tell people, “I’m going to NMH, not BUHS,” and the look that they give me, one of admiration.
I put so much time and effort into the entire process, and now it all paid off.
Just a day ago it really sank in, the excitement. Visiting the campus was amazing, everything about it, seeing the classes, the teachers, meeting coaches. I can’t wait for next year: to meet my roomie, decorate my dorm, have surprise holidays, the whole thing is so thrilling, and I love it all. I have yet to delete the acceptance email from my inbox, thats the only thing that is making it real right now.
:)
this is really good!!!
but soooooooooo sad :(
next year is going to horrible especially if hannah goes too i will miss both of you soo much!!!!!
but i am going to apply to NMH next year.... unless i go to canterbury
*jordan* <33333
Soooooo good
Sooosoooosoooo good elena and im so happy for u!!
ill miss u tho!
<3333333333Lydia
really good lanie, i am
really good lanie, i am going to miss you a lot, this was realy good and i hope that you have a great tie there and that you dont foregt any of us hillbilly dummerstonians.
<33333333
Kara
Journalistic
Elena,
It might be cheesy of me to quote this, but all I can think of after reading your essay are the words of Juliet, "Parting is such sweet sorrow."
I would actually categorize this piece as a kind of journal entry: it has that sense of talking to oneself as much as it is a story that you are telling to others, and it works well that way. I would also put forth that NMH is a great place...my brother went there for his junior and senior years and loved it, despite similar reservations about leaving friends and home behind.
I actually don't have much in the way of criticisms - again, this piece feels a bit more informal, but purposefully so. I think the most interesting possibility would be to continue this piece as the days and weeks progress, keeping track of all the changes and the feelings your having about those changes. If nothing else, it would a wonderful record of your experience!
Nathan Jandl, Mentor
....
agh elena i am soo bored so i am going to leave a comment on ur writing thing cuz i dont have anything to do on my science thing agh agh
lalallal hahah
well i am going to miss u and hannah next year....
good writing
hahahah
welll w/e
<33333 jordan**