The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond Volume XXVI

2017

Award-winning essays on courage written by sixth-grade students participating in The Max Warburg Courage Curriculum’s Courage in My Life program The Board of Trustees and staff of The Max Warburg Courage Curriculum, Inc. Table of Contents would like to express our sincere gratitude and appreciation to those individuals and organizations that gave so generously of their time, talent and energy to The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond, Volume XXVI. Dedication ix

The Max Warburg Courage Curriculum, Inc. x Editing Alexandra Marshall Boston Public Schools xi

Boston Area Photography 2017 Essay Judges xii Perspective Photo: Craig Bailey, Photographer Preface xiii By Alexandra Marshall Photographs on pages 63, 111, 117, 119, 121, 125, 127, 129 and all national and international photos were kindly submitted by each student’s respective school. Courage in My Life xiv

Max’s Story 1 Northeastern University Reprographics By Stephanie Warburg and Charlotte Harris Denis Skarep, Design, Layout, Prepress and Production Courage Essays

Founded in 1898, Northeastern University is a private research Ionie Kennedy Slesar – Jeanine Stansfield, Teacher 12 Warren-Prescott K-8 School university located in the heart of Boston. Northeastern is a leader in experiential learning, interdisciplinary scholarship, urban engagement, Blake C. Reidy – Jeanine Stansfield, Teacher 14 and research that meets global and societal needs. Warren-Prescott K-8 School www.northeastern.edu Pedro Vieira – Amanda St. George, Teacher 16 Horace Mann School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Heather Latham – Nancy Merrill, Teacher 18 Mother Caroline Academy

Daniel Bethlendy – Kate Martino & Karlei Fura, Teachers 20 St. John School

Janice Jonah – Gregory Simkins & LaLissa Latson, Teachers 22 Boston Renaissance Charter Public School

Makaya Brown – Aaron Kesler & Colleen Shaw, Teachers 24 Boston Renaissance Charter Public School

Rachyl Beichel – Steph Cosantino, Teacher 26 Boston Collegiate Charter School

The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond, Volume XXVI is a publication of Debra Moore – Steph Cosantino, Teacher 28 Boston Collegiate Charter School The Max Warburg Courage Curriculum, Inc. and The Boston Public Schools. © 2017 The Max Warburg Courage Curriculum, Inc. volume xxvi iii Anjali Reddy – Leila Huff, Teacher 30 Zachary Turcott – Jane Wright, Teacher 62 Buckingham Browne and Nichols School Salemwood School

Haley G. Sousa – Colleen Clifford, Teacher 32 Brigid Feeney – Jacquelyn Wesner, Teacher 64 Beebe School Loyola Academy at Saint Columbkille Partnership School

Kaoutar Wakaf – Colleen Clifford, Teacher 34 Johansel Fraser – David Russell, Teacher 66 Beebe School McKinley South End Academy

Bader Barakat – Hamzah Henshaw, Teacher 36 Lisa Smith – Scott Larrivee, Teacher 68 Al-Noor Academy Mary Lyon K-8 School

Fernando Medina Jr. – Tara Michel, Teacher 38 Reagan Meehan – Scott Larrivee, Teacher 70 Maurice J. Tobin K-8 School Mary Lyon K-8 School

Laura F. Castillo – Karen Douglas, Teacher 40 Gabriela K. – Danae O’Bryan, Teacher 72 Joseph Lee K-8 School Linden S.T.E.A.M Academy

Jasmine Thompson – Aaron Cohen, Teacher 42 Nico Donahue – Joanna Zajac-Medor, Teacher 74 Jackson Mann K-8 School St. Patrick School

Osahuese Daisy Ogbesoyen – Aaron Cohen, Teacher 44 Ben Fleishman – Merrill Hawkins, Teacher 76 Jackson Mann K-8 School The Park School

Jamea Ramsay – Carolyn Miller, Teacher 46 Zoë Powell-McCroey – Sedef Seker, Teacher 78 Oliver H. Perry K-8 School The Park School

Kai Ake – Amy Donovan & Amy Higginbotham, Teachers 48 Hayden Moir Chernow – Edwin Doolin, Teacher 80 Dennis C. Haley Pilot School The William H. Ohrenberger School

Josie Hannan – Amy Donovan & Amy Higginbotham, Teachers 50 Jayla Moody – Edwin Doolin, Teacher 82 Dennis C. Haley Pilot School The William H. Ohrenberger School

Madison Rull – Terry Evans, Teacher 52 Junaid Taufeeque – Sherin Ashkar-Nayfeh, Teacher 84 South Boston Catholic Academy Alhuda Academy

Alexander Pfau – Melanie Smith, Teacher 54 Derian Peña– Dan Cesario, Teacher 86 Josiah Quincy Upper School Sarah Greenwood K-8 School

Sergine Diana Muzac – Celeste Henry-Martin, Teacher 56 Daniel Voner – Julie Scott, Teacher 88 James P. Timilty Middle School Proctor Elementary School

Allen Paniagua – Melanie Allen, Teacher 58 Ava Beringer – Sara DeOreo, Teacher 90 Rafael Hernández K-8 School Proctor Elementary School

Adriana Garza Davila – Jane Wright, Teacher 60 Corey Ogilvie – Erin Hannon-Foley, Teacher 92 Salemwood School Roosevelt K-8 School

The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond volume xxvi iv v Dorothy Osias – Lael Lucia, Teacher 94 Jaelyn Tevenal — Denise Ashworth, Teacher 126 Roosevelt K-8 School Roosevelt Middle School in New Bedford, Massachusetts

Trinity Le – Linda Roach, Teacher 96 Leslie Portillo — Joyce Sioch, Teacher 128 Saint John Paul II Catholic Academy Roosevelt Middle School in New Bedford, Massachusetts

Mia Lianna Mitchell – Rita Flynn, Teacher 98 National Prospect Hill Academy Giuseppe Mazzella di Bosco — Janet Holt, Teacher 130 Edlawit Desta – Rachel Parkin, Teacher 100 Good Hope Middle School in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania Prospect Hill Academy Samantha Guess —Billie Carlock, Teacher 132 Darren Simmons – Helen Sullivan, Teacher 102 Heritage Middle School in Ringgold, Georgia Hurley K-8 School De’Era L. Williams — Ashley Vosholler, Teacher 134 Alexander Rodriguez – Helen Sullivan, Teacher 104 Marian Middle School in St. Louis, Missouri Hurley K-8 School Saba Baskin — Brittani Wilder, Teacher 136 Hodon Mohamed – Kendall Allen, Teacher 106 Wilkerson Middle School in Birmingham, Alabama Malik Academy Belize Giuseppi Ricciardi – Eileen Cronin & Cara Hins, Teachers 108 Curly K-8 School Jessie Chun — Ms. Banner, Teacher 138 United Evergreen Primary School in Belmopan, Belize Joanirelys Rodriguez – Kathleen Colfer, Teacher 110 Bellesini Academy Selma Cal — Cynthia Coc, Teacher 140 Saint Martin’s Government School in Salvapan, Belize Urbanity 112 Emily E. — Rosanna Roberts, Teacher 142 114 Courage Beyond Boston Raymond Sheppard Nazarene Primary School in Belmopan, Belize

New Bedford Anthony Alberto — Ms. Gomez, Teacher 144 Garden City Primary School in Belmopan, Belize Lyla Tavares — Ariana Wohl, Teacher 116 Our Sisters’ School in New Bedford, Massachusetts Joel Ethan McKoy — Juan Alas, Teacher 146 Our Lady of Guadelupe School in Belmopan, Belize Kayleb Orlowski — Catherine Casey-Paull, Teacher 118 Normandin Middle School in New Bedford, Massachusetts Cambodia Edelmis Calderon Marcano- — Catherine Oliveira, Teacher 120 Brak Srey Pich Phalla Ol, Teacher 148 Normandin Middle School in New Bedford, Massachusetts — The Cambridge School in Cambodia Jason Gomes — Valerie Parent, Teacher 122 Meas Bopha Phalla Ol, Teacher 150 Keith Middle School in New Bedford, Massachusetts — The Cambridge School in Cambodia Ysis Taylor — Valerie Parent, Teacher 124 Keith Middle School in New Bedford, Massachusetts

The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond volume xxvi vi vii Mongolia Dedication

Arunbayar Tumur — Amgalan Complex School 152 Bayanzurkh District in Mongolia

Zorigbat Oyunsuren — 117th Secondary School 154 With deepest appreciation for their support of The Max Warburg Courage Chingeltei District in Mongolia Curriculum for more than ten years, the 2017 edition of THE COURAGE OF CHILDREN, BOSTON AND BEYOND is dedicated to: Buynaa Tungalag — High School of Mongolian National University 156 Ulaanbaatar in Mongolia Dr. Joseph E. Aoun President, Northeastern University Yemen Carrie Minot Bell Maram Aljundi — Enas Al-Makalah, Teacher 158 Rabe’a Aladaweya in Sana’a, Yemen Katie Schuller Bleakie Amy D’Ablemont Burnes Raghad Alsharjabi — Enas Al-Makalah, Teacher 160 Suzanne Fisher Bloomberg Rabe’a Aladaweya in Sana’a, Yemen Nancy Bush Ellis Carmen Fields Hamas Altomi — Enas Almaqaleh, Teacher 162 Ann and Graham Gund Tokyo School in Sana’a, Yemen Barbara Hawkins Pamela Petri-Humphrey Khadija Aba Sha’ar — Enas Almaqaleh, Teacher 164 Tokyo School in Sana’a, Yemen Kate Shaw Patterson Lee Sullivan Reem Aquil — Enas Almaqaleh, Teacher 166 Reverend Liz Walker Tokyo School in Sana’a, Yemen

Ashjan Faisal — Enas Almaqaleh, Teacher 168 Tokyo School in Sana’a, Yemen

Mawadah Alkhowlani — Enas Almaqaleh, Teacher 170 Tokyo School in Sana’a, Yemen

Malak Alkohlany — Najwa Alsalal, Wafa Alshami, Teachers 172 Abjad Primary School in Sana’a, Yemen

Haytham Omar — Najwa Alsalal, Wafa Alshami, Teachers 174 Abjad Primary School in Sana’a, Yemen

Noor Alaswaider — Najwa Alsalal, Wafa Alshami, Teachers 176 Abjad Primary School in Sana’a, Yemen

Noor Alsharjabi — Enas Al-Makalah, Teacher 178 Rabe’a Aladaweya in Sana’a, Yemen

Cantata Singers 180

The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond volume xxvi viii ix The Max Warburg Courage Curriculum, Inc. Boston Public Schools

Board of Trustees Advisory Board School Committee Stephanie Warburg, President Craig Bailey Michael O’Neill, Chair Carrie Minot Bell, Vice President Katie Schuller Bleakie Dr. Hardin Coleman, Vice-Chair Lee Sullivan, Treasurer Lisa Clark Elizabeth Sullivan, Executive Secretary Janet Coleman Keondre McClay, Student Representative Kit Cunningham Michael Loconto Members Alexandra Oliver-Davila Carmen Fields Nancy Adams Jeri Robinson Cecelia Gaffney Blake Hazzard Allen Regina Robinson Robert Gittens, Esq. Suzanne Fisher Bloomberg Dr. Miren Uriate Liz Goodenough Amy d’Ablemont Burnes Ann Gund Sarah Ducas Heather Faris Superintendent of Schools Deb Hanley Felicity Hoyt Tommy Chang Barbara Hawkins Julie Joyal Pamela Petri-Humphrey Kasey Kaufman Joan Bennett Kennedy Leadership Team Rona Kiley Sam DePina, Administrator of Operations Jill Lenhardt David Lawton Frances Esparza, Ed.D., Assistant Superintendent, Office of English Language Learners Kate Lubin Gil Leaf Karla Estrada, Ed.D., Deputy Superintendent of Student Support Services Ann Ogilive Macdonald Karen Leopold Nathan Kuder, Deputy Executive Director of School Finance Marsha Yamaykina MacLean Lois Lowry Eleanor Laurans, Executive Director of School Finance Edward Lee, Administrator of Operations Jenny Toolin McAuliffe Alexandra Marshall Makeeba McCreary, Ed.D., Chief of Staff Julie Norman Kristen Sullivan McEntyre Carolyn MacNeil, Ombudsperson Kate Shaw Patterson Katherine McManmon Donna Muncey, Ph.D., Deputy Superintendent of Strategy Martha Pierce Cindie Neilsen, Assistant Superintendent, Special Education (Interim) Alex Saltonstall Emily Qazilbash, Ed.D., Assistant Superintendent of Human Capital Executive Director Gary Smith Mark Racine, Director of Technology Katherine O. Rooks Donna Storer Monica Roberts, Assistant Superintendent of Engagement Robert Turner Rebecca Shuster, Assistant Superintendent for Equity Lisa Walker Albert Taylor, Jr., Administrator of Operations Norman Townsend, Administrator of Operations Rev. Liz Walker Doannie Tran, Assistant Superintendent of Professional Learning Jonathan Warburg Nicole Wagner, Executive Director, Office of Data and Accountability Elsie Wilmerding Richard Weir, Director of Communications Janet Wu Ross Wilson, Ed.D., Managing Partner of Innovation Joyce Yaffee

Boston Public Schools 2300 Washington Street Roxbury, Massachusetts 02119 www.boston.k12.ma.us The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond volume xxvi x xi 2017 Essay Judges Preface by Alexandra Marshall

Nancy Adams Penny Grayson Larry Rothstein In one classroom in Boston two sixth graders each told their teacher, Nicolette Aduama Linda Greenberg Condee Russo separately, that if her essay was selected, she wanted her classmate’s essay Liga Aldins Ann Gund Jan Saragoni to be included instead. Without knowing this, the team of readers charged with choosing the essays for this year’s book decided that both of these two Norma Alekna Lisa Remey Hastings Alex Saltonstall excellent essays should be published. And so they appear, side by side, in Blake Allen Barbara Hawkins Laurie Scott Volume XXVI of THE COURAGE OF CHILDREN, BOSTON AND BEYOND. Linda Alloy Kara Hayes Eileen Shapiro To honor the particular generosity of spirit shown by these two students, Blake Anneberg Nancy Hays Elaine Shiang as well as to demonstrate what is gained when children share their stories Chriss Anne Banks Sasha Helper Julie Shivers of courage among themselves, if more than one essay was selected from Cathy Beatty Trevania Henderson Liz Silverman a single school (as happens when a large school has several participating Carrie Bell Jeanette Herrmann Wick Sloane classrooms) they too are placed here together. There are fourteen such Peter Black Felicity Hoyt Tina Smith pairs in this edition, and so I invite you to imagine the richness of their classroom conversations as these young authors first presented their work Brigitte Bradford Lisa Jenks Epp Sonin to each other. Their teachers report that in educating students about each Dan Bridges Betsy Kamio Lorianne Stanfield other these essays generate greater compassion for each other. And as their Irene Briedis Cate Kashem Fredi Stevenson readers, now you will have this experience too. Margaret Bush Kathy Kenney Jill Stewart In this collection of essays you will find common themes, both in Boston and James Carroll George Kovach Donna Storer Beyond, and while it is always important to note the unfortunate chorus of Anya Chachkes Carol Lasky Kathleen Sullivan bullying incidents being reported, please notice the resiliency exhibited by Elizabeth Chapin Jill Lenhardt Lee Sullivan these students in defining, and confronting, the challenges of being different. Mike Chen Karen Leopold Shari Thurer They meet their hurt and disappointment with an exhilarating wisdom, discovering their own power – and their identity – through adversity. Some of Tina Cherry Carolyn Loucas Robert Turner them lose loved ones and offer eloquent examples of hope. Others become Marcia Collins Kate Lubin Anne Umphrey their own role models as they teach themselves to do the right thing. Brooke Cook Alexandra Marshall Bettina Von Getz Sylvia Crawford Sandra Massy Stephanie Warburg This year we include stirring essays from across the country and around the world. The curriculum has always been implemented in a range of ingenious Kit Cunningham Bob Melia Jeremy Warburg ways, but when children in Yemen report their wartime dislocations with the Amy D’Ablemont Burnes Eileen Meny Jonathan Warburg same poignant longing as we see among the homeless children in America, Laura Davidson Kyra Montague Fred Warburg the juxtaposition creates an even greater sense of urgency. If our children Arie Derksen Rachel Moo Shelly Ward lose their homes and are afraid for their lives, and if we ask ourselves how to Amy Dumont Jane Moss Karin Weller respond to their need, what’s the answer? Cecilie Everly Michelle Novelle Amy Wertheim We enter the second quarter-century of The Max Warburg Courage Heather Faris Kate Patterson Caroline Whitney Curriculum with the same persistent sense of obligation and opportunity. Carmen Fields Luanne Pike Elsie Wilmerding As ever before, when you read these inspiring essays you will see that, with a heartbreaking specificity, and by their often heroic example, these children Caroline Foscato Amanda Pratt Lynn Winans are telling us exactly how to help. Shannah Frambes Sue Pucker Carol Wintle Germaine Frechette Debby Robbins Pete Zuraw Bob Gittens Diana Rockefeller Alexandra Marshall is the author of six books and has coordinated the selection and Liz Goodenough Robert Rooks publication of the “Courage in My Life” essays since the founding of the Curriculum.

The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond volume xxvi xii xiii Courage in My Life

The mission of Max Warburg Courage Curriculum, Inc. is to strengthen the literacy Both programs use a layered approach that reinforces classroom work, skills of participating students. Our nonprofit program, provided free of charge, individual reading, writing and critical thinking skills, professional invites educators and students to explore the idea of courage in literature, their own development and training opportunities for teachers, and draws families lives, and within the broader community. and the larger community together for a culminating event to celebrate the outcomes of the program and the students’ efforts. Although it is intensely The Max Warburg Courage Curriculum is a year-long language arts program focused on classroom practice and teacher instruction, The Max Warburg dedicated to strengthening the literacy skills of students in Boston and Courage Curriculum also disseminates this work on its website, in training beyond. The organization was founded to honor the life of Max Warburg, a institutes for teachers, in this annual publication of essays and at an annual courageous sixth-grader whose steadfast determination and heartfelt hope awards luncheon for Max Warburg Fellows. The Max Warburg Courage in the face of his battle with leukemia continues to inspire our work. Curriculum has been featured in academic journals and other publications positioning the program as a national model for character education Since the program’s inception in 1991, the Courage Curriculum has program and excellent school and community partnerships. positively impacted the academic performance and increased the essential knowledge of over 150,000 sixth and ninth grade students in Boston Public Our sixth grade program, Courage in My Life, focuses on exploring and Schools and surrounding charter, pilot, public and parochial schools. By understanding the nature of courage, while our ninth grade program, The connecting with Max’s story and with award-winning literature featuring Courage of My Convictions, emphasizes the importance of putting courage courageous young people, students come to recognize and celebrate the into action. The Courage in My Life curriculum features the following novels: role that courage plays in their own lives. Our work with talented classroom Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Patterson; Facing the Lion: Growing up Maasai teachers allows us to empower young people to continue to act courageously, on the African Savanna by Joseph Lemasolai Lekuton; Maniac Magee by Jerry to the benefit of their classmates, families, communities and themselves. Spinelli; Number the Stars by Lois Lowry; Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor; and Taking Sides by Gary Soto. Through two school-based programs, Courage in My Life and The Courage of My Convictions, the Max Warburg Courage Curriculum works to improve Today, nearly 2,000 Boston area sixth-graders benefit from this curriculum, the reading, writing and critical thinking skills of students; to inspire reaching more than 3,500 students and their families annually. The participants to celebrate acts of moral courage in their own lives and the curriculum is also taught in classrooms across the country and as far away lives of others; and to train and support teachers in the use of the Courage as Mongolia, Cambodia, and Yemen. The Courage Curriculum’s sixth and Curriculum to improve their own instruction and to engage and inspire ninth grade programs continue to grow on a local, national and global their students to make meaningful connections to literature. The success scale. Max Warburg’s legacy continues to inspire young people to recognize of the program is evidenced by the resulting quality of students’ writing and celebrate the courage in their lives. and individual pride in their work, and the direct correlation between its emphasis on literature content and writing competency.

The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond volume xxvi xiv xv Max’s Story By Stephanie Warburg and Charlotte Harris

Max Warburg was born and brought up in Boston, Massachusetts. Not long ago, Max lived in an apartment near the center of the city with his parents and his brother, Fred. Max was two and a half years older than Fred. Max had wavy light brown hair and bright brown eyes, and Fred had straight black hair and hazel eyes, but when they smiled, they looked a lot alike even though Max was much bigger.

The boys liked sports. They liked to swim in the summer, ski in the winter, and sail whenever they got a chance. Mostly, their father, who was an architect, had to work, but as often as he could he took the boys sailing, teaching them to tie lines, trim sails, and steer a course.

“Here,” he would say, “Max, you take the wheel. Fred, you hold this line tight and Max will sail us out of the harbor.”

And Max would. He’d stand at the helm the way he thought his father “You ought to be an actor when you grow up,” people would tell him. So he stood. Eyes on the sail to be sure it didn’t spill its wind, both hands on the started looking at the actors on TV with his mind on learning acting skills big wheel, and feet spread apart, wind blowing his hair and puffing out and camera angles. his jacket, Max would play the part of the captain, dreaming of the day he would have his own boat. He knew exactly what he wanted. A sixteen-foot, “Mom,” Max said one day, “Do you think I could ever be on TV?” drop-centerboard boat called a 420, just the right size for a twelve-year-old, “Well, I don’t see why not if you work at it,” she told him. Max’s mom was an which he figured he would be before he would ever get his 420. Then he artist, and it pleased her to see her son interested in growing up to be in one could take Fred on some great sails, even on the days his dad was too busy. of the arts. Max joined a children’s theater group and went for acting lessons. Better yet, then he could race and maybe win. He started to gain the confidence an actor needs, and signed up with an He knew what he’d call his boat, too. Take It To The Max, he’d call it, not agency that looks for children to act and model. One day a call came. just because it had his name in it, but because it sounded like the sky was “Max, do you think you’re ready to act in a television commercial?” the the limit and that’s how Max felt. agency representative asked. “Sure I am. Will my friends be able to see me?” Max had other dreams. Ever since he was little, Max had been good at he replied. imitating people. His mom would talk to someone on the phone, and “Not this time. This commercial is going to run in New Jersey, but maybe when she hung up, Max could imitate her ‘talking to a stranger’ voice or next time. Will you do it anyway? Right away?” ‘talking to her best friend’ voice perfectly. He could hear an accent once and reproduce it exactly. He could mimic actors and other kids, making his “Oh, yes! This is my first chance!” Max ran to get his mom, and, alive with friends laugh and fascinating everyone with this ability. anticipation, Max, Fred, and their mom drove to the studio. They parked and went inside to spend a day taping and re-taping. Max watched the

the courage of boston’s children volume xxvi 1 professionals, followed directions intently, and caught on quickly to what in the house she had him in the car and on the way to the local hospital was expected of him. When the long day was done, Max tried to guess when emergency room. the next time would be that he would get a chance in front of the cameras. He couldn’t have guessed then that six short months later he would be a “Max fell off his bike and he doesn’t feel right,” Max’s mom told the doctor. frequent talk show guest, but not for a reason anyone would want. The doctor felt Max’s back and side and the smile left her face. “What’s this For Max, acting was fun and easy, and so was schoolwork. He loved to be here? His side is all swollen. I think he’s ruptured his spleen. Max is in trouble.” with his friends in school, and he loved to read and figure things out. He “What kind of trouble?” Max and his mom said, almost at the same time. loved to laugh and play jokes. At school, they called Max the peacemaker. Kids would argue or get to fighting, but Max would get into the middle and “I’m not sure, but we need to find out fast,” said the doctor, frowning with try to calm things down. Being a good sport and thinking of the other guy concern. were Max’s way. In tense situations, Max would be the one to lighten things up with a joke. She called an ambulance to take Max to Children’s Hospital back in the city. Siren and lights clearing a path, the ambulance rushed up the highway to Not everything came easy. Living in the city surrounded by buildings and Boston, barely slowing down for the tight corners near the entrance to the pavement, Max didn’t have much chance to play ball, but he wanted to. hospital. Max was wheeled straight into the emergency room. As soon as he was old enough, Max joined a baseball league. They played on the Boston Common. Max was the youngest player and afraid of the “This doesn’t look good,” the emergency room doctor said. fast balls coming straight at him over home plate. A couple of times he didn’t get out of the way of the ball and it hit him, but he didn’t let it get “If my spleen is split, why don’t you operate on me and sew it up?” Max him down. For one thing, he knew Fred was watching and he knew as the wanted to know. big brother he’d better get right back up. Max was philosophical about his shortcomings. “I’ll be better next time,” he would say, and then he’d work “Can you sew Jell-O? That’s what a spleen looks like. Not much to look at, at it. He never missed a practice. Even though he never got to be the best but good to have because that’s what your body uses to clean your blood. player on his team, by his third season his teammates knew they could count Mrs. Warburg, this boy is going to be here for at least ten days.” on him for a solid performance. Sad and frightened, Mr. and Mrs. Warburg made their plans. Max’s mom During the summers, Max and his family left the city for the seashore. would stay with him, and his dad would take Fred back to the shore to keep things as normal as possible for him. The news from the hospital One morning in July 1990, when Max was eleven, Max’s mom needed wasn’t good. It looked as if Max had leukemia, a dangerous cancer in his something at the hardware store, and Max was looking for something to bone marrow, but the doctors weren’t sure which kind of leukemia he had. do. “I’ll go. Let me do it,” he said, and he got on his bike and pedaled off Some kinds were less difficult to cure, and some were easier to bear than toward town. About a mile from the house his front tire hit a pocket of sand others. Hoping their son had the commonest kind that could be cured, the the wrong way. The wheel skewed around sideways and Max fell the short Warburgs started to learn about leukemia. distance to the ground. He landed on his shoulder, the breath knocked out of him. Hot burning pain filled his stomach and chest, making him curl in The results of the blood tests came back. Max had a rare form of leukemia, a ball and squeeze his eyes shut. found in one in a million children. The lab doctor told Max’s parents, “Now that we’ve seen these results, I wonder how Max ever got himself off the Max knew something was wrong, more wrong than just a fall from his bike. ground and back to the house the day he fell off his bike. He must be a very Max’s mother knew something was really wrong as soon as she saw him determined boy.” walking beside his bike, steps slow and head down. Before he could get

The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond volume xxvi 2 3 “Yes, he is,” Max’s father said. “He is going to need to be.” Max answered very seriously, “First, I wait and prepare myself. Then I put all my energy where the needle is going to go, then I make fun of the needle.” It was Dr. Susan Parsons who told Max what he had. “Leukemia is hard to On his own, Max had found a way to conquer a fear that, if he did not get beat. You’ll have to have chemotherapy and radiation stronger than one the best of it, could make it harder for him to get well. hundred thousand X-rays. In order to test your blood and feed you, we’re going to have to make an incision near your heart and insert a tube. You No sports for at least six months, he’d been told, so he found a calendar, can’t play ball and you can’t play soccer or ride your bike. If your spleen gets tacked it up, and drew a smiling face on the date six months away. Max had hit again, it will kill you.” a goal. He knew he’d be sick for a while but he knew when it would be over. On the space for February 6, 1991, beside the smile he wrote, “Cured” and Max thought a bit. “Tell me what is going to happen.” underlined it in red.

“Statistically, I think you’ll be okay, but you have to have a bone marrow In September, Max went back to school. When he told Nurse Hoolihan at the transplant. Do you know what that is, Max? That means taking the fluid out hospital that the kids didn’t seem to understand what was wrong with him, of the middle of all your bones and then putting in the fluid from someone she said she’d come to his school and explain. The kids listened carefully to else’s bones in its place. We can’t do it unless we can find the right donor- Nurse Hoolihan, but it was Max they wanted to hear the answers from. -someone whose bone and blood type match yours almost exactly. Often, “How did you catch leukemia?” asked someone, saying out loud the big not even members of your own family are a close enough match. Right question in everyone’s mind. now, there are about six thousand people out there looking for the one perfect match to save their lives. You’ll be joining them, Max. Your chance “I didn’t just catch it,” Max said matter-of-factly. “First, I had to have of finding a match is about one in twenty thousand.” inherited a particular gene and then I had to have what my doctor said was an accident in my blood cells. One cell went crazy. It started making the Again, Max thought a minute. “So, there are six thousand others. Okay, I’ll other cells produce too many white cells and platelets. My white cells are be six thousand plus one. I’ll be one of the lucky ones.” crowding out my red cells, and that’s not good for me. But, listen; no one can catch this from me.” “You already have been. Because you fell off your bike, we were able to catch your disease early, before there were other symptoms. If we get a donor fast, You could see the kids were relieved. They stopped sitting so stiffly and time will be on your side.” acting so polite. Even Max’s teacher and the other grownups in the room seemed to relax a little. After ten days of testing, they let Max come home to the apartment in Boston. Every week, in order to adjust his medicine, he had to go to the “What can we do for you?” Max’s best friend wanted to know. hospital for blood tests, which meant a little needle, and for blood samples, which meant a big needle and a tube. Max hated needles. His mother knew “Don’t treat me funny. I’m not supposed to bump my spleen but I’m the he hated needles and wondered when she didn’t see him flinch each week same old Max.” as the nurse aimed the needle toward his arm. Even the nurse, who had There were reminders at home, too, that his life had changed. Max had seen so many different kinds of reactions to needles over the years, was to choose whether to give up his kitten, Fantasy, or have her claws out so surprised by Max’s calm. that she couldn’t scratch him and start an infection. Max couldn’t bring himself to hurt Fantasy that way, so he found her another home. He missed “What are you thinking about, young man?” she said to him on one of his his kitten. “Be careful, Max. Be careful,” it seemed to him his mother kept visits to the blood lab, not really expecting a reply. saying. He missed hearing her say, “Off you go and have a good time,” without a worried look.

The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond volume xxvi 4 5 The hospital did what it could to find a donor for Max so he could have The Boston Globe and The Boston Herald picked up Max’s story. “Max waits the transplant that could save his life. His parents were tested and Fred for his rescue,” said one headline. “Max leads charge against disease.” The was tested, but no perfect match was found. Close relatives were tested and reporters who met him liked Max and wanted to help him. Their stories then friends of the family, and still no match. Wait, the hospital told them, a reassured people and gave them practical information about when and how match might be found in the new national marrow donor registry. to become a bone marrow donor.

His parents were troubled by waiting. The registry had too few matches and At every donor meeting, there was Max wearing a “Max + 6,000” button and too many other people who were counting on the registry but hadn’t been a red carnation. Red for blood, he said, and laughed when people asked helped. “We can help. We can learn how to do donor drives.” It was going how he could joke about something so serious. Max would shake each to be hard, but they knew they had to try. What they didn’t realize at first donor’s hand and say thank you. “You may not help me but you probably was that Max would make the donor drive succeed. At first, only the family will help somebody,” he’d say. worked on the drives. Then they were joined by many of their friends, and soon, old friends were joined by the hundreds of new friends Max found Every week, Max’s white cell count got higher. Every week, the need to find through television and radio. a donor got more acute. “It may be getting too late,” Dr. Parsons worried. “We have to find a donor soon.” Max’s campaign for a donor was called the “Max + 6,000.” Always, Max wanted people to remember that this wasn’t just for him. It was for Max and Days slipped by. Weeks slipped by. Leaves on the trees outside Max’s window all the others in America who needed the one perfect donor. Many people turned red and orange and then brown and fell away in the winds of early didn’t really know what leukemia was all about or about bone marrow winter. Max, Fred, and their mom and dad talked about the little events of transplants, or how to help even if they wanted to help. One morning, each day and about the distant future but not often about the immediate figuring he had nothing to lose and plenty to gain, Max called a radio future. They talked about missing the rest of the summer at the shore and station to see if he could make his appeal on the air. He spoke on local radio about Take It to the Max, the dreamboat. The boat came to mean so much. shows. He was invited to talk on Channel 4 and then Channel 7 and then It meant another summer growing up. It meant having a future. By mid- Channel 2. Smiling into the camera, Max would say, “Leukemia is a blood October, nearly three months after Max’s leukemia was discovered, there disease that starts in the marrow of bones. I need new bone marrow in order still was no donor. “I’m going to order the 420 for Max,” his father said. to get better. Come have a simple blood test and see if you can be my donor. “It will mean a lot to him knowing the boat is started.” He called the boat Perhaps you will be my MUD, my matched unrelated donor.” builder, who said yes, he could have the boat ready by spring. By the time Max was well; his 420 would be ready to put into the water. Tom Bergeron, one talk show host, said to Max, “You’re good at this. You look as if you’re enjoying yourself.” With no donor found, surgery went forward to improve Max’s chances later on, just in case a donor could be found. On November 15, Max’s spleen was “I am, sir. I wanted to be on TV and here I am. Maybe this is what I was getting removed. He recovered for a week in the hospital and for six days at home. ready for. Even if no donor turns up for me, I can help someone else.” Then, on November 28, the hospital called. The lab had found the miracle match among the last batch of samples. For the people watching Max, it wasn’t pity that moved them; it was Max’s cheerful way of thinking of others before himself. The stations asked him “Who is it?” Max asked. back again and again. Hundreds and eventually thousands of people came to give a sample of their blood and promised to be a bone marrow donor if “We don’t know, but it’s a perfect match!” the nurse said. Later, during their type matched the type of anyone in need. long December days in the hospital, Max and his dad sent the anonymous benefactor a picture of the intravenous bag that held the life-giving bone marrow with a letter that said, “This is all we know of you but we want to

The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond volume xxvi 6 7 thank you!” Much later, Mr. and Mrs. Warburg learned that the donor was a The first seven treatment days were chemotherapy and irradiation. The doctor in Seattle, Washington, whose great-, great-, great-, great-grandfather eighth day, the transplant itself, wasn’t at all what Max expected. Instead of all the way back to the 1800s in Europe was the same as Max’s. an operation with doctors cutting him open, Max lay on his bed all alone while the new marrow flowed into his body from a transparent bag of clear Now, with marrow from the donor, treatment could begin to pave the way fluid suspended over his head and connected to him by a clear slender tube. for the transplant that might save Max. Chemotherapy would be the worst part. “Your hair is going to fall out, Max,” Dr. Parsons told him. Max could “How is that going to get into my bones?” he wondered while he watched, see that other kids in the cancer ward had little or no hair. “It’s part of then later heard the doctors themselves marveling that the marrow sought getting better,” he told Fred. But he wasn’t sure he would be brave enough. its way to the right places once it was safely in his system. He had seen others going for their treatment and returning exhausted and in tears. He was determined he wouldn’t let the treatment sink his spirits. The blood count was critical. After the transplant, Max’s white cell count was zero. They wouldn’t let him out of the Laminar Flow Room until his First Max had a tube implanted in his chest, as the doctor told him would count was 3,000. One day after the transplant, his count was 20. The next happen, for giving medicine, taking blood samples, and for feeding him day it was 100, then 150, then 300. Max had a long way to go, but he was because he wouldn’t be able to eat normally. He would have to be almost making it. His body was rebuilding. Slowly the days passed. in isolation in a special environment called the Laminar Flow Room. In the sealed room, ducts brought a steady, moving stream of oxygen down and Max knew these days would be hard. The pains doctors had warned about away from the bed, blowing foreign substances away from Max as his system became the pains he felt. Max didn’t complain. Instead, he tried to cheer tried to accept the strange marrow and begin making its own blood. up other patients stuck, as he was, in the hospital for Christmas. He got his parents to help. Max’s mom and dad brought in a whole Christmas dinner Except for daily trips to the Total Body Irradiation room--the hospital for all the kids and their families in the Jimmy Fund wing, the part of the people called it the TBI--Max had to stay in the isolated room and could hospital where Max and the other children with cancer were staying. Teddy see few visitors. When his mom and Fred visited each day and his dad came Kennedy, Jr., who had cancer when he was thirteen and was now all grown in the evening, they had to scrub like doctors and wear cover-up coats up, brought presents for the kids, along with living proof that they could and hairnets. Even a touch could harm, so there could be no hugs to give get better. comfort and love. Each morning the halls were cleared of contaminating strangers so Max, inside a tent, could be wheeled through the empty halls Max yearned for breakout day, the day the doctors would let him go out to the treatment room. of his room. Finally, early in the New Year, on January 2, Max woke to see balloons on the isolation room door and crepe-paper streamers overhead. Knowing he’d be lonely and expecting he’d be scared, Dr. Parsons had given The nurses, especially Nurse Rohan, his favorite, were celebrating for him. Max a tape recorder so he could make a record of what was happening to This was it; he was out! He went by wheelchair to the hospital door, then him. Max told his tape recorder, “Going to TBI is really cool, like being in a into the fresh air for the first time in 35 days, and then home. He loved the space ship. The air coming in from the top of my oxygen tent is exhilarating. smell, he loved the look, and he loved the feel of home! Everyone in the I feel like a great explorer from the next century gliding in on his chair.” hospital had been great to Max and he was grateful, but home was where he wanted to be. Back in his own room, Max saw again the calendar with The experience in the room wasn’t exhilarating. The drugs made Max sick. the smile marking February 6. It was still almost a month away. “Not quite He had to stay on a metal table, head on blocks, neck stiff and body sore, cured,” thought Max. “But maybe I’ll be better by then. February 6 will be for a long time. When finally he sat up, he threw up. The vomiting meant a happy day.” he was done for the day. On his tape Max said, “The table is real hard and it makes my head so stiff, but it’s fun because I can blast my music as loud as I want so it reminds me of home.”

The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond volume xxvi 8 9 But it wasn’t. Before long Max was back in the hospital with a high fever. On March first Dr. Parsons told Max his life was threatened. The blood Dr. Parsons sent him home again, uncertain what was wrong. Back he went transfusions and medicines pumped into him weren’t working well again for ten days and again he came home no better. Still he had a fever enough. The doctors’ skills and the hospitals’ resources and Max’s own and still he threw up. On February 6, he went back to the hospital again. incredible will were losing against the disease. Max saw the solemn faces The smile he was now famous for was still there, but it seemed to waver at around him. His body swollen in places, emaciated in places, spotted with the corners of his mouth. Max went back to his isolation room and this time sores in places, Max looked Dr. Parsons straight in the eyes and said, “Well, he would have an oxygen mask, the sign of mortal struggle. okay, so what’s the plan? How are you going to get me well?” They looked at Max in disbelief, to see his conviction so strong despite his ordeal, and Max’s mom and dad and Fred were at the hospital every day, staying with took heart themselves. him until the evening when Max, heavy with drugs, fell asleep. The long days in the hospital were hard on Fred. He played with Max, but it wasn’t “Come here to the window, Max, come look,” said his father. like the last time Max was in the hospital. One day, sick and exhausted after a treatment, Max was being pushed back to his room in the wheelchair. There in the hospital driveway below, high on a truck and with mainsail Fred had had it. Right on the edge of crying, he pulled hard on his mother’s flying, was Take It to the Max. Max’s eyes widened in pleasure, his delight arm, making it difficult for her to push Max’s chair. “Come on, Fred. Max was evident in every gesture of his excitement. He glowed, knowing the needs you to help out,” she said. care and love that brought his boat to him at this place at this time. Nurses and doctors all came to exclaim about Max’s treasure and enjoy his Max was used to being the helper himself. Knowing he was needed, he said, infectious happiness. “I can cheer Fred up. Put him here in my lap.” That night, Max stayed up until close to midnight working on a project with Fred went into his older brother’s lap, glad to be riding the long corridor his dad. When he was ready to put out the light, Max and his mom and dad and glad to have Max acting like his old self. The two rolled along, Max’s prayed together and thanked God for all the help He had given and all the head hidden and arms waving out from under Fred’s armpits, a four-armed, people who had been so kind to him. Then Max went to sleep. laughing pair all the way from Pulmonary to the Transplant floor. Hearing them, the nurses couldn’t tell that one of the laughing boys was perilously Max died in his mother’s arms, holding his father’s hand, at 6:55a.m. on ill until, rounding the corner; they recognized Max and his family. March 5, 1991.

“That’s like Max,” they told his mother. “At night on the transplant floor, In the days that followed there was a terrible silence. The silence swelled the younger kids cry. They’re in pain and they miss their families. I hear and roared, because silences can do that if what you want to hear isn’t there Max call to them, ‘Don’t cry. I’m here. You’ve got a friend!’ You have an and what you don’t want to hear is everywhere. Then stories started to fill unusually brave son, Mrs. Warburg.” the empty spaces, stories about Max.

“I’m not sure he realizes,” his mother said. “He says to me, ‘Mommy, do you Many stories ended with a shake of the head, a glance away, and the simple think I’m brave?’ I don’t know why he doubts.” statement, “Max amazed me then. He was so brave. Children amaze me. I am amazed by the courage of children.” “How does he keep his laughter? How can he keep on smiling?”

“That’s Max,” said his mom. “That’s the way Max is.”

The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond volume xxvi 10 11 Ionie Kennedy Slesar Jeanine Stansfield, Teacher Warren-Prescott K-8 School

C.o.u.r.a.g.e stands for Creative. Oscar-winning. Unique. Radiant. Adventurous. Giving. Encouraging.

I’m short, not tall. I take a shot every day to help me grow. Right now I’m about 4’6”. My whole family is short. I have been taking a shot every day since the 2nd grade. When I first started getting the shot, I was terrified. I had a numbing cream that I used so that I couldn’t feel the shot. Back then, I had no courage. My parents would give me the shot. Thank God for that because I thought I could never stick something into me.

I love being short. Unfortunately, lots of people make fun of me and my height. Sometimes it’s just joking around, but other times it’s just rude. When I say, “How old do you think I am?” They say, “3rd grade?” Then when I say, “I’m in 6th grade,” they chuckle. When I was in 3rd grade, a kid in 5th grade said “Awww, look at that kindergartener.” It really irritated me, so after that moment I decided to embrace the fact that I’m short. I still needed my shots, but I needed to be stronger and have more courage. “I am using my height to my advantage and am doing gymnastics. Finally, one day I got up enough courage and decided to give the shots to myself. Also, on the plus side, it barely hurt because I was able to use I may be small, but I have a big the numbing cream. Now, I’m doing the shots by myself even without the numbing cream. Today, people still make rude remarks about my height, personality.” but all I have to do is walk away, pretending not to hear them. Instead of seeing it as a weakness, I am using my height to my advantage and am doing gymnastics. I may be small, but I have a big personality.

The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond volume xxvi 12 13 Blake C. Reidy Jeanine Stansfield, Teacher Warren-Prescott K-8 School

Courage to me is standing up for yourself and others even if you might not win. Courage also means to stand up for people even if you don’t like them or they are different than you.

My courage essay is about my uncle named Benjamin J. Reidy who is 3 years older than me. Ben has Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and he was adopted (which doesn’t change our relationship). His birth mother was an alcoholic who has six children who were all taken away from her (Ben is one of them). Ben’s brain is damaged badly and he has another syndrome that causes him to do things like biting his nails and cracking his neck constantly. A few years ago Ben and I got into a bad fight, and I thought we wouldn’t get along as well as we used to. The next time I visited him we both got over it, and now we have a relationship that is better than ever. Ben gets bullied a lot, and I thought to myself to focus on him as a person, not his syndrome. I learned simple facts about him, like what his favorite color is (his favorite color is actually green). “Courage to me is standing up for yourself Ben shows courage every day by sticking up for himself. Even if Ben might and others even if you might not win.” get over-frustrated because he has Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, he will always stick up for himself and always be happy when others are around, no matter what. He also showed courage by getting over the fight we had and not being mad at me.

The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond volume xxvi 14 15 Pedro Vieira Amanda St. George, Teacher Horace Mann School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

I feel different because I’m the only person in Middle School with a wheelchair. Also I feel different because I have Cerebral Palsy (CP). I wish I didn’t have CP. Every day I wake up and my back is in a lot of pain, but I still come to school. I work hard and try my best. I am brave. I am brave because I ask for a lot of support when I need it. I am brave because I always try my best and will never give up. I may be different, but I accept who I am and have the courage to do anything.

“I am brave because I ask for a lot of support when I need it.

I am brave because I always try my best and will never give up.

I may be different, but I accept who I am and have the courage to do anything.”

The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond volume xxvi 16 17 Heather Latham Nancy Merrill, Teacher Mother Caroline Academy

All through my life, I have not been able to read like the other kids in my grade. But you know what? That does not bring me down. Sometimes I will feel sad that I am not at the same reading level as my classmates, but I just keep going. I have this thing called dyslexia which makes it hard for me to read fast and to pronounce words. But like I said before, I just keep going.

Reading fast is a struggle for me. My classmates can read a 200 page book in less than two weeks, but it will take me about a month to read 100 pages. Sometimes when my mom and I have to read, she will tell me to read from chapter one to chapter five and in between it is like 58 pages, and it will take me a whole week to finish it. Pronouncing words is also a struggle for me. Like the word Chevrolet, you are supposed to pronounced chev-ro-lay but because I saw the T instead I said “chev-ro-let.” That always “upset” my mom and sometimes I will just do it to see her reaction for fun. In past years, my ELA grades were C’s and D’s. Whenever I had to show my When I was in the third grade, I realized that most of the kids were reading mom and dad my report card, I was scared to show it to them because it was a lot more books than I was able to read. I was reading Junie B. Jones while either I get something I love to death taken away from me or my parents others were reading Geronimo Stilton. I felt alone and like I had nowhere to will give me that “you know you could have done better” face which means turn. I was a little scared because I thought I was going to get kept back. I goodbye to my phone. Sometimes I would get mad at them because they was upset because the teacher helped the smart kids and left me alone. I took my phone but you know, what is the whole point of getting mad when felt that I couldn’t do anything involving reading. Whenever I tried to read, I know I can do better. I wondered why I was reading. I wondered why, because I thought that I was not able to read. I used to think that I was not going to make it anywhere, The day I found out that I had dyslexia I was in the fourth grade. When my and I thought that no one was on my side. So because of that I did not read teacher told me I said, “But I can tell my D’s from my B’s and my W’s from at all, and then that was when my grades started to drop and everything my M’s.” Then she told me that is not the only type of dyslexia. That night went downhill. when I went home I didn’t tell my mom or dad anything that my teacher told me that day. All I did was go home and cry in my bed until I fell asleep, and I My mom knew my school wasn’t helping me, so she changed my school. I kept telling myself that I was dumb and would never make it anywhere in life. started at Mother Caroline Academy. The day that I found out that I was going to an all-girls school, I flipped. I told my mom, “You are not going I still have dyslexia, but that does not bring me down. It just helps me get to put me in that place. You know what that means? Girls get into fights for better. I know now that I will get through in life and that I am a smart everything.” But now, having spent three years at this school, I realized it person and nothing can “drag me down.” was a good thing that my mom took me out of my school and put me in my new one. Sometimes my class does get into big arguments but we get over it, plus my mother and father did not send me to school to make friends. They sent me to learn.

The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond volume xxvi 18 19 Daniel Bethlendy Kate Martino and Karlei Fura, Teachers St. John School

Everybody has a different meaning of courage. Well, courage to me means to keep persevering through difficult times.

Four years ago, I was bad at reading and homework, and my mom, dad and teachers were concerned. My teacher thought I had dyslexia. Dyslexia is a learning disorder that involves difficulty in learning to read or interpret words, letters and other symbols. Although dyslexia makes it difficult to read, it does not impact intelligence.

I had to go with my mom to MIT to get tested for the disorder. I was made to take a test, and two weeks later when the results came in it said I had dyslexia. My parents were surprised and in school they got me reading help. I feel different than before. Sometimes I think that I am dumb. When I read aloud to classmates or say something in class, I get a feeling it will be wrong and my classmates will make fun of me.

When I do my homework, I need my dad to read me my homework and my mom makes me read extra in order to do better. In school I like science class. I’m a science guy.

I have courage because I need it to get through getting called names and “I need to have courage just to tell reading aloud and persevering. I need to have courage just to tell you that I have this disorder. It takes me more work to do things that other people can you that I have this disorder.” do easily. Courage brings me through these tough times. Without courage, I would not be here.

The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond volume xxvi 20 21 Janice Jonah Gregory Simkins and JaLissa Latson, Teachers Boston Renaissance Charter Public School

There I was, standing in the most terrifying place, the front of the classroom. For many, it was not a big deal, but for a timid girl with very little courage, it was my worst fear.

I never liked to participate in class. It was my one weakness that always ended up as a black mark on my report card. I would often think about the day I would finally overcome it. But did I? No. Instead, I would always hide in the back of the room, hoping the teacher or anyone else wouldn’t call on me.

It was math class. I sat in the back of the room as usual. The class was completing a sheet that was a review. It was for the A-Net that was coming up soon. The teacher was trying a new teaching method. She was using a cold calling method, which is randomly calling on students she hasn’t heard an answer from in a while. I had a nervous feeling in the pit of my “Good job Janice!” the teacher said. I finally had a moment when I was stomach. It was the kind of nervousness that makes it hard to even swallow. really proud of myself. I knew that if she called on me, I wouldn’t have any other choice but to answer. I also thought she would call on me because, like any other teacher, At the end of math class, everyone was so shocked. “I’ve never heard you she would want to hear from a student she barely hears from. I was so talk before!” one student said. worried about being humiliated in front of the whole class. I was worried that all eyes would be on me. “Wow!” I didn’t know that I was that shy.

I tried to look busy. I rewrote stuff like my name or the date, multiple times. At the end of the day, I finally had the courage to say something in class. My heart was pacing rapidly. The teacher was looking for bait, and I could Courage can be hidden within a person, but with determination and belief feel her eyes looking right at me. I knew this was the end. I had to face it in oneself, nothing will be impossible. one day, and that day would be today.

“Janice!” the teacher announced. My name flew right out of her mouth. I tried not to look too nervous, by blinking. So instead of looking into the eyes of the teacher, I looked at the desk and said the answer. Unfortunately, “I finally had a moment when the class didn’t hear me. I had to say it one more time. This time, I said it loud and proud. I was really proud of myself.”

The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond volume xxvi 22 23 Makaya Brown Aaron Kesler and Colleen Shaw, Teachers Boston Renaissance Charter Public School

To me, courage is to do the unthinkable for yourself or for others and to prove people wrong. I showed courage in two ways: first, I never gave up on my grades even when I faced obstacles; second, I found strength in myself to overcome the hurtful way other students treated me.

I used to get picked on a lot. I knew it was bullying, but I was afraid to look weak and tell others. Students would make fun of the way I smelled or how I struggled with my grades. They used hurtful names to try and knock me down and make me give up on myself, but I didn’t show it because I was afraid to get bullied more for being weak. I was the outsider. I was the student that others gave up on, and it hurt. I would cry and hide my feelings, but over the summer of my 5th grade year, I said, “Enough is enough.” I knew that I had the power to change my perspective and become a stronger person. I had to be proactive with my own abilities and work hard to not let others bring me down. My grades this year are the best they’ve ever been. I have friends, and the same people that used to disrespect me now treat me like an equal. It feels good to be strong and courageous. I now have confidence in my abilities and myself. Being courageous is being true to yourself, trusting in yourself, and knowing that, in life, your strength and “Being courageous is being true to perseverance can get you through any hardship. yourself, trusting in yourself, and knowing that, in life, your strength and perseverance can get you through any hardship.”

The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond volume xxvi 24 25 Rachyl Beichel Steph Cosantino, Teacher Boston Collegiate Charter School

A quote to describe how I have shown courage is from Michelle Obama who once said, “You may not always have a comfortable life and you will not always be able to solve all the world’s problems at once, but don’t ever underestimate the importance you can have because history has shown us that courage can be contagious and hope can take on a life of its own.” To me this means that courage can help us through our tough times, and what we are going through can’t underestimate our power to help others have courage of their own. My story is an example of the quote I’ve selected because I haven’t had it easy. I cannot solve why we all go through things, but I didn’t stop trying. I had the courage to stand up for myself. I’ve shown not everything is happy, and you need courage to get through.

It started in fifth grade. I got bullied. I was called fat and some very disgusting names. Before I got bullied, I had never thought about my weight, or how I looked. I thought my body was fine. I was careless of opinions, I guess you’d say. All of a sudden my classmate started calling me fat on our bus. At first I ignored it. But it kept happening. Soon enough, it grew on me. I’d often question myself After that strike, he stopped bugging me as much and making me feel bad about why I was letting this happen and why would I let it get to me. I guess I about myself. But he would have his friends call me a snitch. He would too. It was just too scared and felt too “small.” Soon I believed him, believed that I was got me confused and sad again. I didn’t get how telling my story was snitching fat. In the mirror all I could see was fatness. I wouldn’t want to get up in front if it hurt me a lot. To me it was more like a “heroic move” so no one else would of my class at all or wear shorts. I didn’t even want to go to school. I didn’t feel be bullied by him. But that didn’t work. It is sixth grade and he still bothers good enough. I’d have to walk around with a constant fear that I’d mess up, or me, but only once in awhile. He’s not the only one though. He has his friends I’d be called something. Day after day I’d be called fat. Then more and more tell me things as if they’re message deliverers but the messages are hurtful and I’d believe it. People would disagree and call me skinny, but since I’d let myself rude ones. Once in a while they call me a snitch. To me it’s as if he’s trying to believe my bully and let him be my mirror too long, I couldn’t believe them be a mirror again. I don’t want him to, though. I want to create my own image. even if I wanted to. I want to be happy with how I look. I want to get past the “Ewws,” dirty looks, and messages I get in the hallways. It is my hope that writing this will give me One gym class I had enough. I got sick of someone else being my mirror. I got the courage to create my own image. tired of someone always laughing at me. Even though I had friends to help me through, I got sick of being silent to my bully. I’d tell my best friend specifically Courage is being able to stand up for yourself even if you don’t really know who what was going on or how I was feeling, but it didn’t stop the bullying. That gym you are anymore and who you’ll be heard by. But you figure out who you are class he had said stuff when I was walking while my partner was running ahead. I while being able to help others that are struggling too. This is what Michelle wasn’t running simply because I didn’t want to. He said things like, “Oh you see Obama’s quote means. Courage is being ethical and brave, which I showed in the fat white girl can’t run,” while he was right behind me. When we got back, my own story of courage. I was ethical by knowing it wasn’t okay to be called I sat in the corner of the room and cried in front of my whole class. It was so things that affected me. I also showed bravery by telling someone about the embarrassing, but I couldn’t do anything to stop it. Tears just flooded down my mean comments I received, even if people thought he and I “were friends.” face. My teacher let me take a break. I had two friends with me trying to cheer Courage can be scary to show, but in the end, it can help you and others get me up. I wanted to cheer up, but all my thoughts came rushing through my through difficult situations and times in your life. head like someone slammed my head into the wall. I was very confused because he had confided in me a lot, especially about his family. I told the teacher about the bullying that had been going on. It went to our Dean of students. Eventually he got a bully strike.

The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond volume xxvi 26 27 Debra Moore Steph Consantino, Teacher Boston Collegiate Charter School

My story of courage begins in November: telling my mother and father the first part of my secret, them getting mad and angry with me, and wanting to stop my pain. I was at the hospital. I had a family meeting with my parents. They also came to visit, but that day was one of the most challenging days of all. That day, I had my nails painted and I was scared what my mom and dad were going to say about everything—me wanting to be who I wanted to be.

One day, I decided to tell my mom in the form of a letter. Deep down I knew she was mad and upset. However, I was not in the room with her, but instead in another room writing back and forth to her. Anyway, I kind of understood why. Her always saying I am her son is something I understand, but I am not her son, I am her daughter. I always said, “You don’t know how I feel every single day,” but based on her reply that’s when I knew she would not understand.

December. It’s near the time of my discharge, and seeing my friends there leaving was kind of peaceful. It taught me how to accept the things that were about to happen to me. Near the first day of December, I got discharged from the hospital. I was kind of silent on the way home because I knew that when I got into the house I would get restricted and sad again. When I was “What I continue to realize is courage in my room, my mom wanted to check my bag for some reason for school. is not just a word we use once in a while.” She found my school papers in a blue folder that I’d received from the hospital, but she threw away the name tag on the folder because it was not the name she liked. She made me change the name on my school papers back to the name she gave me when I was born, and she took off my nail polish I had on. But for me, it was a symbol of what I was. I did not want to see a guy in the mirror every day, and I wanted this to be my secret. The secret I was. The secret I am.

What I continue to realize is courage is not just a word we use once in a while. Courage is something you do when you stand up for what is right, even if it’s not what you believe in. Courage is when you have the confidence to stand up and say, “I can be who I believe I am even if it’s standing up to parents who don’t accept me and don’t treat me like a human being.” As Ernest Hemingway said, “Courage is grace under pressure.” And every day and every night, I revise my life and I remove my pressure. Every. Single. Day. Even if it hurts me every single day.

The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond volume xxvi 28 29 Anjali Reddy Leila Huff, Teacher Buckingham Browne and Nichols School

The word courage is like a prism. It has multiple meanings and perspectives for many different people. It is what shapes someone into their own character. My lens of courage is using your own conscience to determine your actions. It is going on the path you believe in, rather than veering off onto a different path because you didn’t have the nerve to go on the right path alone. Courage allows you to fly above your clouds. “All birds find shelter during rain. But eagles fly above the clouds. Problems are common, but attitude makes a difference.”-Abdul Kalam.

During kindergarten, Amma used to pack me Indian food for lunch several days a week. I would get idlis, gunta ponganalu, chapati, paneer wraps, samosas, rice, and vadas. She would wake up early in the morning to make sure that the food would be special for me. In my class, I would be the only one to bring Indian food. Other students would bring in cold-cut different and weak for not standing up for what I believed in. I realized sandwiches, pasta, and salads. Some children would ask me, “What’s that?” that courage is defending yourself. You don’t have to change the way you using distasteful voices and making grimaces on their faces. Others would try are because of others. People were going to change me because they don’t to conceal their disgust but continue to stare. Anger and frustration would understand how I felt about the Indian food my mom sent me to school. build up within me, and at the back of my throat. Tears welled up in my I didn’t have to change because others didn’t like what I ate. I loved the eyes, but I stopped myself from saying anything or crying. I loved the Indian Indian food Amma sent to school, and I could eat it if I liked it. food that Amma worked hard to make for me; however, I couldn’t stand getting teased. I felt hopeless. When I got home, I would let the tears run When I got home, I asked my Amma, “Can you make Indian food for me down my face. Why couldn’t my parents pack the same turkey sandwiches again?” other parents had packed for their children every day? Why did I have to be singled out because I was different? I would have to change for them. I went The next day, I took Amma’s Indian food that she made with love for me. to Amma and told her about the teasing that happened at school. Again, I got teased, but I just told them, “I enjoy my culture for what it is.” Over time, my friends got used to the food I brought to school. “Why don’t you just stand up to them?” she would say, remaining in a calm disposition. My culture is what defines me. I am from America, but learning about my heritage is allowing me to see a place where I don’t spend every day. Being I would respond back to her saying, “No.” The conversation went back and different isn’t a bad thing. Difference and courage exposed a world that forth, but eventually, she gave in. I had never really understood: my culture. It is important to see yourself for who you are rather than how others see you. When I was different in For the next couple of weeks, Amma only prepared American food, and my class, I realized how special I was to have Amma work hard to make the I received no more insulting comments from my peers. However, I felt food. Now, I feel like an eagle, flying above the clouds.

The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond volume xxvi 30 31 Haley G. Sousa Colleen Clifford, Teacher Beebe School

I must apologize to you before you read this because you were probably hoping for a story in which I would stand up for myself and conquer my fears, but only half of that is true about my story. I had always been alone because my peers hated me because of my choice to be a gothic person and dress in dark colors. I was taught in kindergarten not to make people hurt inside because of what made them themselves. I was treated cruelly even by the teachers, who were supposed to be kind role models for kids. They singled me out as the bad one to keep a close eye on. My peers at Joshua Eaton School made me almost regret being me. Sometimes they even reduced me to tears—hot, burning, and oh so real. They would always laugh at my tears and would make jokes about me, calling me a crybaby. After all that, I never left the school. I would not let them win, I would not let them take pride in acts of cruelty. I made it to the end of the year and left them and my fears in the dust behind me.

I feel that the reason they hated me was worse than how they treated me. Not even the teachers would give me a chance to explain why I chose to be a gothic person; to me it was truly sad. I stayed until the last day and walked out the door with more pride than ever. I was proud to have not given my peers the satisfaction of chasing me out of the school. In the Webster’s “To me courage is staying true to yourself dictionary the second definition of courage is, “Strength in the face of pain or grief.” The fact that what I did is second in the dictionary does not until the very end.” make my struggle any less courageous. That does not mean my life comes in second, for order does not matter. How you act places your story, of your life, in a rank. So I know that the people who were cruel to me, and thought I was below them, were wrong. I conclude that leaving with my head held high on the very last day of school, instead of giving them the satisfaction of chasing me away during the school year with their cruel taunts, was the best revenge I could ever get. To me courage is staying true to yourself until the very end.

The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond volume xxvi 32 33 Kaoutar Wakaf Colleen Clifford, Teacher Beebe School

Courage: Strength of mind to carry on in spite of danger or difficulty. I’m using every bit of courage in me to write this essay. I am a Muslim and all my life I ignored all the mean comments people said to me. People said I was a terrorist coming to bomb the United States, that Islam is a violent religion. So I stopped saying I was a Muslim. I started ignoring the question, “What religion are you?” and started believing the mean comments people would say to me. I was confused about who I was, what I wanted to be, and what I wanted people to think of me.

One rainy day, I woke up and thought it was going to be a normal day, a day where I got bullied around by kids because of my religion. But I was very wrong. When it was recess time, a boy in my class came up to my Muslim friend and said that Islam was a religion for people who wanted war, chaos, and destruction. I knew that was wrong because Islam doesn’t encourage war, chaos or destruction; on the contrary, Islam is a peaceful religion. I needed to help my friend, so I said that what he said wasn’t true. Then he asked me if I was a Muslim. I didn’t know what to say so I stood there silently “I’m using every bit of courage in me and still for a minute. That day I decided to be proud of my religion and myself, so I replied, “YES I AM a Muslim, and I am a proud Muslim.” That to write this essay.” day I felt good and proud of myself.

Since that day I haven’t let anyone bully me about my religion. This essay is not just to defend Muslims, this essay is to encourage everyone who gets “If you are in the process of getting bullied about their religion to stand up for themselves. If you are in the bullied, know that it will soon be over, process of getting bullied, know that it will soon be over, that you’re not alone and that you should not be afraid of standing up for yourself. You that you’re not alone and that you should should be proud of your religion, and don’t let anyone change that. not be afraid of standing up for yourself.”

The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond volume xxvi 34 35 Bader Barakat Hamzah Henshaw, Teacher Al-Noor Academy

Courage to me means a lot more than being adventurous and daring. Because I have grown up in the safety of the United States, I was never put in a situation where I needed to show bravery. However, my parents were born in Syria and still have most of their family living there, including my grandparents. As many people know, there is a civil war happening in Syria which has caused the death of many people. There are many innocents who get killed for doing nothing wrong, and these murders happen openly and in public. My grandparents have to live in this dangerous and hazardous country, and they live in constant fear. They made me realize how lucky I am, which caused me to want to help them as much as I possibly could.

Near my grandparents’ house there are lots of scary things that go on, including air strikes and gunfire. Sometimes, my grandparents go weeks without power. Water is also something very essential for them; however, Now it is very hard for refugees to come to the USA. I know that I can give it is very hard to acquire. They have to walk miles to fill gallons of water, courage to these refugees, like I did to my grandparents and the families then bring it back home on foot. Living in Syria is very risky because of the I visited, to encourage them not to lose hope. We can help a lot of these constant threats. My grandparents always hear air strikes near them, and people and show them that they should keep on trying and should not ever gunshots. They see blood on the street and broken houses. My grandparents give up. rarely eat meat because of how hard and expensive it is to get.

I realized that there was not much to do to help my grandparents here from America. The only thing I could do was call them and make sure they were safe. By calling them it made my grandparents feel more secure and gave them more courage to not despair. I also kept them in my prayers and asked “We made sure they felt like they for their safety. I also always pray that they will be able to come to us here in had someone if they were ever in need.” America, so we can all be together

I did not only give courage to my family, I also gave it to different refugees. My mom, dad, brother, and I went to new refugees in Massachusetts and “We can help a lot of these people and show Rhode Island. We gave them clothes and toys that they needed. We also them that they should keep on trying and helped them furnish their new houses and taught them about the new area. They really appreciated our help, and we made sure they felt like they had should not ever give up.” someone if they were ever in need. It was very satisfying to help them, not only for us but also for them.

The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond volume xxvi 36 37 Fernando Medina Jr. Tara Michel, Teacher Maurice J. Tobin K-8 School

What would you do if you saw a person getting yelled at because of their race?

In early 2016, I remember once when my mom and I got on the bus to go to the grocery store, and I heard an older lady yelling, “You people bring diseases to this country!” So I sat down to get a better view of the lady and who she was yelling at. I recognized the face of the person who was getting yelled at and then, “SNAP” in my head, it was my uncle!

While listening more to the lady, I knew she was yelling at him because he’s Spanish and he doesn’t understand that much English, so he didn’t understand her. This lady was just wrong. After listening, my mom got up out of her seat, sat next to him, looked at the lady, and said, “Can’t you see he can’t understand you? You must have forgotten what country we’re in, because here we don’t yell at someone who is a different race than us.”

After my mom said what she needed to say the lady kept on talking and saying racist comments, but my mom and my uncle just ignored her. Then “My mom told me to never hide we got off the bus. My uncle thanked my mom and said, “How rude people can be, just because of my race.” My mom gave him a hug and said, “I will in the shadows if you see always be here for you.” Then we said our goodbyes. My mom told me to never hide in the shadows if you see someone getting bullied or yelled at. someone getting bullied.”

My mom was so courageous at this moment because no one else on the bus, not even the bus driver, stood up for my uncle. Just to see my mom stand up for him when no one else did is amazing. She has been my idol ever since then, and I love her for that.

The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond volume xxvi 38 39 Laura F. Castillo Karen Douglas, Teacher Joseph Lee K-8 School

A time I had to show courage was when I was called a lesbian. It affected me in a way I will never forget. It wasn’t because I am lesbian, because I’m not. I just felt like everyone around me was judging me. The more days that passed, the more I felt like I was having an internal battle. That was the worst I’ve ever felt. I was too embarrassed to talk about it because I felt like my friends wouldn’t understand and would think I was overreacting over something so “small.” One day I decided to ask a friend if he thought I was lesbian. That was a mistake. His response was unexpected. He agreed with the person who originally questioned my sexuality. He said he always thought I was a lesbian because I never liked hanging out with the boys. Those words left me surprised and shocked because he was my friend and I thought if he had any questions about me, that he would come and ask me. I was so hurt by both comments that I found myself lying in bed awake unable to sleep. School was no longer a place I enjoyed going to. Instead, I began to hate even the idea of leaving my house to go to school.

This went on for a while, until one of my teachers noticed that I wasn’t acting “It takes courage to confront someone and like myself. She took me to the library so we could talk. I was scared she was going to judge me. We talked for a while and then I opened up to her. I to forgive him or her when you are hurting. explained what happened and she listened without judging me. It felt good to finally tell someone what was happening. She helped me by showing me how to not let that type of talk get to me, and she encouraged me to not let this situation get me down. After we spoke I felt better and stronger. It takes even more courage to let go of the hurt and move on.” I decided that it would be best to confront the person who called me a lesbian. I’m sure that he probably thought I was going to be angry and yell at him. In all honesty, I thought I was going to yell at him too, but in the end, even though I was very upset, I didn’t yell because yelling wouldn’t accomplish anything. He apologized and I decided it would be best to forgive him. It takes courage to confront someone and to forgive him or her when you are hurting. It takes even more courage to let go of the hurt and move on.

The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond volume xxvi 40 41 Jasmine Thompson Aaron Cohen, Teacher Jackson Mann K-8 School

Have you ever felt scared and alone in a room filled with people? Have you ever experienced gender discrimination? Well, I have, and it’s all because I love playing basketball. I have not been one known to back down when things get tough. However, this time felt different, and I knew I had to find the courage to show the team that I am a basketball player.

Courage to me means bravery, to overcome your fears, and to have confidence in yourself when others don’t. Basketball is a male dominated sport. I love playing basketball and have been playing for years. I originally started playing because I’m tall for my age. Now, I play because I’m in love with playing basketball. My mom tried to push me to dance, but no, I love playing basketball. I also tried swimming, but no, I love playing basketball. Sometimes, you have to stand up for what you want even when it’s not easy. I still love to dance and swim, but only after basketball. Once the game started it took some time for the team to trust me with the ball. I didn’t enter the game until the second quarter, but once coach Gary I have courage when I play basketball. I’m the only girl on my team. The put me in it was game on. I didn’t wait for my team to pass me the ball. I was boys on my team didn’t think I could play basketball because I’m a girl. One grabbing rebounds and blocking shots. Once the team saw this, they started Saturday in January, I had a basketball game. I remember and will never to pass me the ball. I made three layups and both my free throw shots. I also forget the assistant coach Charlene handing me the black and white jersey played in the third and fourth quarter. I was so proud of myself. My team with the number 12 on the back. I was so happy, but when I grabbed the was saying “Great job, Jazzy,” and “Go Jazz.” I lost one pass when it bounced jersey everything went downhill. off my foot while I was coming up the court. I was angry at myself for doing this, but my teammate Anthony said, “It’s okay, Jazz.” I hadn’t even put on the jersey when all the boys on my team started complaining. They were saying absurd things. Like, “OMG why is she on I was overjoyed. I could not wait to tell my mom. At the end of the game our team? She’s gonna make us lose. She can’t even play!” One of the boys coach Gary said to me, “You played better than some of these boys. I’m named Mike started whining and saying he didn’t want to play with a girl. proud of you.” I needed the encouragement because we lost by six points. They hadn’t even seen me play before, but they assumed because I was a Even though we lost the game I was happy that my teammates accepted me girl that I couldn’t play basketball. They were talking in front of me like I as a basketball player. I know if it was not for the courage and confidence I was invisible, and at that moment I wished I was. They made me feel out had in myself I wouldn’t have stayed for the game. I am glad I did because of place like I wasn’t supposed to be there. I felt so discouraged. It made I gained the respect and trust of my teammates. As a Strong Women me really angry. I wanted to scream, I CAN PLAY BASKETBALL. I just Strong Girls junior mentor I reflected back on some of my training to get knew I could not cry, so I started telling myself (in my mind) you’re a great me through this difficult situation. This experience has taught me that, basketball player. I had to build up my confidence fast because the game with courage, anyone can have the power to turn a negative situation into was starting soon. I knew that once they saw me play and got to know me, something positive. things would be different.

The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond volume xxvi 42 43 Osahuese Daisy Ogbesoyen Aaron Cohen, Teacher Jackson Mann K-8 School

When I was a child everyone would identify me as talkative and social, and to this day I’m a strong participant in all my classes. I grew up in Nigeria. I got everything I wanted. There were no obstacles for me.

I came to America around the age of five. I brought with me a strong accent that only a minority of people could actually understand. And to top it all off, around this time my parents were going through the early days of their divorce. At the time I was only five. I didn’t understand much except the fact that I was no longer going to see my dad. It was basically a new world to me. I was in America with my mother. One of the only positives of the situation was that I was with my sisters. I look up to them. They encouraged me to face my obstacles.

The day had come where I would face my ‘demons.’ Demons that would mock and chant. That would prey on my unhappiness, my unease, and my stutter. “T-tea-chair,” they would call behind me. The teacher was useless in defending me. Even if she caught them and scolded them it would only get “Courage to me is not only facing worse for me. obstacles but doing it head on.” One day, I was in the bathroom practicing what to say. I strutted into the class, my head held high. I went to my teacher’s table, looked them directly in the eyes, catching their glares. I told them that what they were doing was mean and that they needed to stop. They asked me rhetorical questions, trying to imitate me. “S-s-to-op.” I closed my salty eyes, pushing my tears back in. I demanded that they stop, then confidently strutted away (again) with my head held high.

That was the day my courage expanded. I made new friends. I talked so much my accent started fading away. I had become Americanized. Courage to me is not only facing obstacles but doing it head on.

The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond volume xxvi 44 45 Jamea Ramsay Carolyn Miller, Teacher Oliver H. Perry K-8 School

Courage to me is being brave, getting out of your comfort zone and doing something you would never imagine doing.

A time I showed courage was when I moved to America from Jamaica at the age of 8. It was January 20, 2014. I was so excited to finally come to America, but I felt nervous because I wouldn’t be used to cold weather because I came from the Caribbean. At home, my mother told me that I would be going to school on the 23rd of January. I was so amazed and curious to find out how these American schools worked.

The day came. I had on my uniform, prepared to go to school. When I arrived at school I marched up what seemed like stairs that took forever. I saw the third grade class I was supposed to be in. As I walked in, the teacher said “Hello. I am Mrs. Carey.” I said, “Nice to meet you.” She asked, “Where are you from?” “Jamaica,” I replied. “Vincent, why would you say that? Go take a time out.” I was so shocked. I A boy sitting in the back of the class laughed. “Ha ha ha! She said Jamaica!” stood frozen in sorrow, wondering why he would do such a thing? I never In my head I thought. “What is so funny about my country? This is not made fun of him.” Even though it was the first day, it felt like a whole year funny at all!” because he just didn’t give me a break.

There was a small closet where I had hung my coat and my school bag. Each day I would go to school and he would be mean, and I couldn’t take Some of the kids ran in to say, “Hi,” but the boy from the back of class it anymore. Then, one Friday, he did the most embarrassing thing to me pushed them out of the way and said, “Hi! I’m Vincent.” I thought he was at lunch. I was walking up the stairs to go outside for recess and Vincent going to say sorry because he had laughed at me before, but I just smiled tripped me. I hit my elbow and he walked right past me, laughing. I got and said, “Hi. I’m Jamea. Nice to meet you.” He ran out of the closet as the up and went out and still kept a smile on. I thought he wouldn’t be mean other kids came up to me and said, “Don’t talk to him, he is a bully.” I didn’t anymore, but he ran around the playground and told everyone I was a care, though. I was willing to give him a chance. baby and I cried too much and I can’t catch. I decided that all his teasing and laughing wouldn’t stop me. I walked up to him and gathered all my At recess, Vincent said, “Do you want to play football with me?” I was so strength. Goosebumps spread over me as I said, “Vincent, it’s not fair for glad that in America they had a sport from Jamaica! I immediately said, me to be going through the bad things that you have done to me. The other “Yes,” but I saw him pick up a weird shaped ball, and he whipped it at me! kids might be scared of you, but I’m not. So I’m asking you kindly to please “Ouch! Why did you throw the ball at my chest? I thought we were playing stop bullying me.” Vincent’s eyes got all watery and he said, “I’m so sorry football!” In Jamaica, we called soccer football. “What, you thought I meant for the hardship I put you and everyone else though. I didn’t know I was soccer? Ha ha ha, you are so dumb,” he said to me over and over again. affecting you. I’m really sorry.” I could tell that he meant it, and from that Back in class, I didn’t tell the teacher about Vincent because I guessed it day forward he stopped being a bully to everyone around him. was a misunderstanding. Mrs. Carey said to me “Write your name on this pin please.” So I did, but by accident I put my last name and Vincent saw Even though this was in the past, I can remember it like it was yesterday. His and yelled, “Her last name is Ram-say! Ha! Get it? Ram!” Mrs. Carey said, words and actions hurt me, but my courage helped me.

The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond volume xxvi 46 47 Kai Ake Amy Donovan and Amy Higginbotham, Teachers Dennis C. Haley Pilot School

To me courage is defined when you show tolerance for others and also by showing forgiveness for people. To have courage can also mean to be optimistic, especially through a tough period of time in your life, like Max did when he was facing cancer. In my life I show courage every day with my little brother who has autism.

“Kai, can you fix my earphones?” That was a common question at “Friday share,” an event at the Mission Hill School. Every week for two years I sat next to Elliot at this event because Elliot had what I called “SUPER SENSITIVE HEARING,” a big part of his Autism. This means that a lot of noise can make it really hard for him to process thoughts, and this also makes it seem like everything and everyone are out of place.

This was only one reason Elliot hated to go to school in the mornings. Every morning I would say “Elliot, if you go to school today with a positive attitude, then we will do something fun after school.” I said that every day. It may not seem like it, but it takes a lot of courage to say this. Well at least to “To me courage is defined when you show me it does. To stay positive over this period of time and still today is a really big challenge. After the hard mornings the social parts of the day were tolerance for others and also by also a challenge. I noticed that Elliot was having trouble communicating with others in his class. So I decided to attempt to make a change and take showing forgiveness for people. action. I started talking to my friends to see if they had younger siblings that had similar interests to Elliot, such as drawing, clay, and Ninjago (at the time). They did, and over this time I really felt that I helped Elliot’s series To have courage can also mean to be of internal conflicts. And the result of my action was, Elliot seemed happier in general. optimistic, especially through

I really felt that I changed Elliot’s life still to this day. Now Elliot is a boy a tough period of time in your life, who is no longer shy or insecure. Now he is a stronger and a more outgoing like Max did when he was facing cancer.” kid than I would have ever imagined him to be. Over the last five years I’ve learned a lot about autism, like how it can affect the people around them. I’ve also learned that some people see autism as a disability. It’s not to me, I think people with autism just see the world differently.

The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond volume xxvi 48 49 Josie Hannan Amy Donovan and Amy Higginbotham, Teachers Dennis C. Haley Pilot School

Courage comes in different ways, sometimes it’s physical and sometimes it’s mental. I had to show courage when I was put in a tough situation. I was pressured to do the wrong thing, but I overcame that and chose to do the right thing. If I did the wrong thing I would regret it forever and I didn’t want that to happen, so I decided to do the right thing. The situation I was put in was peer pressure, and the worst kind of it.

If someone you know and you thought respected you repeatedly asks you for something you’re not comfortable with, what would you do? I was put in that situation when a boy I knew who had some things in common with me made a VERY bad choice.

At first it was fun to text him about stuff like TV shows we both liked, but the next thing that happened hit me like a train. After a while of talking with him, he kissed me. I wasn’t that sure how to feel and I didn’t say much, but inside I was feeling a storm of emotions: first surprised, then worried, and many other emotions too. Later that night he was texting me and brought “Courage comes in different ways, up something illegal. He asked me to text him inappropriate photos. I said no, but he didn’t respect that and he kept asking me. The next day I saw sometimes it’s physical and him and it made me nervous, so I avoided him. sometimes it’s mental.” That night I was deep in thought about when and who I should tell about this. The next day when I got to school I was thinking about what I should do and I remembered my mom saying never to do stuff like that. I also remembered hearing about how it’s illegal for minors to send inappropriate pictures, which means it is illegal for anyone who is under the age of 18 to send or receive inappropriate pictures of a minor. The next day I decided to go with my gut and tell an adult about the situation.

The whole experience changed my life and the way adults see me. It helped me get my mom to see me as mature and also made me more confident in my choices in life.

The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond volume xxvi 50 51 Madison Rull Terry Evans, Teacher South Boston Catholic Academy

Courage? I think courage is when you don’t let fear get in the way and you don’t give up. You’re always strong. “Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says ‘I’ll try again tomorrow.’” This was said by Thomas S. Monson. I think this describes my courage because, to this day, I still show courage, I think.

A couple of summers ago I was told that I had to repeat fifth grade. When I found out I was very upset and didn’t know what to do. I was very worried because I didn’t know what kids would think. I was hoping they wouldn’t make fun of me, but unfortunately they did. My so-called friends in the sixth grade called me “fifth grade Madison,” and most of the times when I walked home they would yell at me and say “fifth grade Madison.” No one really knows how it feels to be held back unless they have been held back.

When school started it was tough making friends because I had never met them or talked to them. It’s really hard to make new friends, and when they always talk about what has happened in the lower grades I feel really left “I think courage is when you don’t let fear out because I wasn’t with them in those grades. So I just have to deal with it and act like it doesn’t bother me. I really like this group of kids, but I do get in the way and you don’t give up.” miss my other friends. I’m in sixth grade now while all the kids I grew up with are in seventh grade. It’s very hard when an old friend or a new friend says, “Oh hey, we haven’t talked in forever. How old are you now, and what grade are you in?” or when a new friend says the same thing. When I say I’m thirteen and in the sixth grade their responses are always, “But you’re thirteen. You’re supposed to be in seventh grade.”

When a friend says this it bothers me because it’s like they don’t want to be friends because I guess they think it’s weird to get held back. This all took courage because I had to make new friends, and every day I had to handle what people said or thought about it.

The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond volume xxvi 52 53 Alexander Pfau Melanie Smith, Teacher Josiah Quincy Upper School

Courage comes in many different forms. Sometimes it comes suddenly. Other times it takes longer. For some it is small, like stopping a fight, and for others it is big, like saving a life. For me courage came as a small thing, but I believe that it takes as much courage to stop a fight as it does to save a life.

It was the 4th day of 4th grade, and we were taking a states quiz. Everyone was just supposed to write down all of the states. It was supposed to be one of the easiest tests in 4th grade, however I forgot one state. Even though I didn’t remember its name, at that moment Florida was the bane of my existence. So, I looked at my friend’s paper, and because of that I got 100% on the test. I had made everyone proud, but at a cost.

A few days later, I was feeling a weird feeling, the feeling of guilt. I was stressing out about cheating, because it did not feel right. A few days later, I built up the courage to tell my dad, and he said we needed to tell my teacher. At first I balked at the idea, but then my dad talked some sense into “For me courage came as a small thing, me. He told me that it would make me feel better if I told the teacher. So, the next day I decided to tell him. but I believe that it takes as much courage

I told the teacher that I wanted to see him after school. He said he would to stop a fight as it does to save a life.” see me after, and I agreed. I had butterflies in my stomach and cold feet for the whole day. When the time finally arrived I thought about not doing it. But I did it. Once I started it all came out in a flood of words. My teacher somehow managed to understand me, and he told me it was okay. He even kept my 100% score, for being honest. My dad was right too, because I did feel better afterward.

In conclusion, I showed a lot of courage that day because I admitted a wrongdoing to someone. It takes as much courage to say a few words as it does to stop a bomb because each of them have consequences. Although those consequences are different, I believe it is the same situation in our mind. I now know the importance of being honest in the first place.

The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond volume xxvi 54 55 Sergine Diana Muzac Celeste Henry-Martin, Teacher James P. Timilty Middle School

Courage means to stand up for what you believe in even when it can be frightening. It means to show bravery even in the toughest situations. It’s like knowing you’re scared to do a certain thing, but you do it anyway because you or someone else can benefit from it and you can make a point.

In fifth grade, I was really introverted and shy around the teachers, so it took a lot of perseverance to talk to them just for normal things like asking if I could use the lavatory! I remember my school’s two most advanced orchestras were invited to the Massachusetts State House to perform. I went on the field trip because I was in the advanced orchestra. In the first violin section there is a concertmaster, the most important person in the entire orchestra. The position belonged to me, and I took it seriously. I earned this position because I proved to the conductor, who was also my music teacher, that I had what it took to help the orchestra. For example, I was able to lead the musicians when they were confused, and to play a solo. After my music teacher left to check on other students, I went to my group of friends and told them what happened and how unfair it was. My friends After we arrived at the State House and went through security, we were looked upset and my best friend told me that I should say something about setting up in an area where every sound made could be heard throughout it. I told her I didn’t want to do it because our conductor was super strict the whole building. I was so excited because the Governor could hear us and most people, even the “tough kids,” were scared of him. I couldn’t even play! While setting up the chairs for the orchestra to sit on during the talk to any of the teachers without becoming nervous, so I told her I was just performance, my music teacher came up to me as I was playing around going to sit in the back. My best friend and my other friends encouraged me and eating with my group of friends. We knew we were supposed to help to talk to him because, if I didn’t stand up for myself now, then I wouldn’t everyone else, but we hadn’t done it because everyone looked like they get anything I wanted later in life. These words encouraged me, so I went were handling their own sections. I expected my music teacher to tell my to my teacher and asked him why I had to sit in the back. I also told him it friends and me to help out with the other sections of the orchestra since was unfair that I had to sit in the back even when I’d rightfully earned my we had finished our job of arranging the chairs in the first violin section. position in front and I had worked hard to sit there. My friends left to go help around because they didn’t want to get yelled at by him. I was about to go too, but my teacher told me he had news to At first, my teacher was surprised. All of my teachers thought I was extremely tell me. He said that the first violinist in my school’s other orchestra, who shy. Then he told me he was proud of me for standing up for myself. When joined us just to play for the event, would replace me, and I would sit in the time for the performance came around, I happily took my violin to the back. When I heard him say that it felt like someone ran over my soul my seat, where the concertmaster sits! The first violinist from the other with a truck. Then, I started to think how unfair this was. I thought this was orchestra, who’d come just to help out, gladly sat in the back, and she told unjust and unreasonable. I thought why couldn’t he just sit in the back? It me I did a good job at the end of the concert. felt like my soul was getting crushed because all the hard work I had done, like practicing for one hour a day, went down the drain. It didn’t make any This experience taught me that I wouldn’t get anything if I didn’t stand up sense for my teacher to make that decision. for myself. I showed courage by telling the scariest teacher in the school that what he did was unfair. I thank my friends for encouraging me, and my best friend for giving me courage. This is how I showed courage in my life.

The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond volume xxvi 56 57 Allen Paniagua Melanie Allen, Teacher Rafael Hernández K-8 School

Courage is when you have the power to keep going. I remember when I showed courage once. I was working on my math sheet with my pencil moving fast like the work was too easy, but then I stopped. All I heard was, “Veronica, Ashley, Maayan, Christian, Allen (me), come to the rug.” I was scared. My heart was beating as if I had just committed a crime, but then I finally came to the rug, scared and nervous. On the rug, we took a peek at each other. We all looked confused. Eloise (my 4th grade teacher) had given us these papers. Being curious, I asked, “What is this for?”

She told me, “Read the top and you’ll see.” So I did what she said, and it said SteppingStone. What is SteppingStone? we wondered. Eloise told us that it was this program that would help us get a better education. She also said that we would need to first write an application, then do an interview, also take a test. Still confused, I just listened to what she was saying. Eloise added line. The math, reading, and writing, were things that I barely had even been that if we got into that program, during the summer we would get to spend taught yet. I still didn’t give up, though, because I really wanted this. Also, six weeks at Milton Academy. “Six weeks!” we said, going back to our desks. my mom promised that after the test, she was going to buy me Burger King! This was going to be hard.

When I got the letter that I didn’t get in, I was extremely mad. My mom was That day I’ll admit that I didn’t want to show it to my parents, but then I with me and she couldn’t believe it. I ripped the paper into bits of pieces. thought about my future and how it would benefit me. When I showed my From that I got my anger out, but I also learned something. I learned to be parents the paper they were surprised because they didn’t think I was this courageous. I had to be courageous when I didn’t get into SteppingStone. smart. “Wow, Allen,” they said. “Really.” Because I was courageous and didn’t give up, I tried again the next year. I had Some weeks later I got the application for SteppingStone. I remember how the power to keep going, and that’s courage to me. Now I’m in sixth grade deep these questions were: How would you describe yourself? Why do you and I’m a Stepping Stone Scholar who just finished the ISEE test. Hopefully I want to be in SteppingStone? What are the nicest things you have done? got into a good school, because I worked really hard. WISH ME LUCK!

I had good ideas, though. I’ll admit I embellished a little bit, but don’t tell anyone. “Because I was courageous and didn’t give up, Then came the interview. It was this nice building and I had to wait for a while. Then I finally was called. The people were very nice. They liked how I I tried again the next year.” was very confident and how I took this SteppingStone thing really seriously. There’s not really anything to say about the interview because it was short. Weeks later it was test time! I was really scared because my future was on the

The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond volume xxvi 58 59 Adriana Garza Davila Jane Wright, Teacher Salemwood School

The year 2006 was the year my mom and I went face to face with courage. That year my family broke apart. It was the year my dad would leave us because of deportation. I had trouble recovering from my dad’s deportation. That year my life would change forever.

About 11 years ago, June 2006, my family fell apart completely. It was a very hot day and my mom was home giving me a shower. My dad was at work when the people from Homeland Security came to his work; it was a surprise no one was waiting for. My dad tried to call my mom to tell her what was happening, but she could not answer the phone since she was helping me. My uncle called minutes later. My mom was able to answer the phone that time and my uncle told her what had just happened. That day, my dad couldn’t say goodbye to me or my mother. That day would be the last time I would see my dad in a very long time. When I was 6 years old we Music has made me want to move on and be happy. Being in a band now went to Guatemala for a week to visit my dad. That wasn’t enough time for is like a wish come true. Band and music have made me the person I am all of the time we hadn’t been together. today. I needed bravery, and music has given me the opportunities and the courage I need to be happy and move on with life. I was very little when all of this occurred, but I still understood what had happened. When I was in school my classmates would ask me where my Courage to me is something that helps you when you most need it. Courage dad was. I would have to tell them the whole story over and over again is something that helps you through tough times. Courage allows you to see for them to fully understand. I would feel bad when my classmates asked the positives in life and to be brave. me questions about him. I wished I had my whole family together again. I wished to have a dad like the other kids had. My mom told me that she loved me as if she were a mother and a father.

My mother didn’t recover fully from the deportation, but she would try to “What gave me courage to move on was music.” be brave so I would know how to be brave. My mom has always been there for me. She has always helped me when I need it. Years have passed, and I still feel like I need a dad. “Music has given me confidence.” What gave me courage to move on was music. Music has helped me out through some tough times. When I was ten, my mom put me in piano classes. Playing the piano and hearing the unique sounds mixed together helps me gain courage to never give up on life. Without music, I would still be that shy Adriana wishing for a father. Music has given me confidence.

The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond volume xxvi 60 61 Zachary Turcott Jane Wright, Teacher Salemwood School

There are several times in my life of twelve years when I needed to have courage. I have been to five schools. I had to leave my old schools, walk into five new schools, and make all new friends. I was very nervous, but I was so brave that I told my mother I could go by myself, and I went in alone.

I am so scared of the dentist I would not let him give me fillings. No one was going to stick me with that big, fat, ugly needle and fill me up with laughing gas. I had to dig way down in my belly to find courage because I had to go to Franciscan Hospital in Boston to be put to sleep to have my fillings done. I was so scared I would die, but I did it!

Another time I had to be fearless was the worst and scariest time in my life. On the Sunday before Thanksgiving, my dad left me and my family and we have not seen him since. I felt sad, mad, worried and scared. My dad worked DCF made me go to a stranger’s house in Lynn, and my brother had to go and my mom stayed home to take care of my brother with autism. We had a group home in Fitchburg. I was lost and sad. I thought that I could give no money to pay the rent, to buy food or to find a new place to live. My up or else do the best I could. I found my strength and courage by praying mom had to go to the hospital because she was so depressed. My Nana and to God every night. Uncle Matt took care of us in the North End. Even though I was sad, I had fun with my Uncle Matt. I got to go to fun places. I got to go home eight months later. My brother came home two months after me. We started a new life, and I am beginning to be happy again. I still When my mom came home from the hospital we had nowhere to live. We have not heard from my dad, and that makes me angry. I will always worry were homeless. We went to live in a hotel in Danvers. I found my courage about him, love him, and know that he will always love me. I also know that and I said, “I can’t believe we live in a hotel!” I made everyone laugh. My it is not my fault that he left. previous school system could not pick me up, so I could not go to school since my mother never drove. I had to leave all my friends at school, but I Courage is being strong and fearless when you are forced to face a new or made a few new friends at the hotel. scary event in your life.

My mother’s new medicine made her sick. We had no one to take care of us. My mom was scared and worried that we would get hurt because she needed more help. She did a very brave thing and called DCF for help. They did “There are several times in my life not help, though. They took us away from our mom. I felt discouraged, and another feeling that I had never felt before—Alone. My brother and I lost of twelve years when I needed everyone and everything. I lost my mom, my dad, my brother, my Nana, my to have courage.” uncle, my dog, the rest of my family, my home, my friends, my stuff, and all my memories of my childhood.

The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond volume xxvi 62 63 Brigid Feeney Jacquelyn Wesner, Teacher Loyola Academy at Saint Columbkille Partnership School

This past year my family has gone through a lot. I am a little nervous about sharing this story, but I hope it helps other kids in a similar situation. Our life has been chaos. My sister Nora and I started attending new schools in September 2016, and our parents are going through a divorce. Those two changes were bad enough, but the most difficult part of it all was seeing my sister get physically and verbally abused. My sister has shown a lot of courage to me. This has helped me realize how kind, selfless, and determined Nora really is.

Our mother has an addiction to alcohol. She stopped caring about the house, and us. When my mother or her boyfriend made the effort to cook, everything they made had beer in it. Nora is really generous towards me, and all the people she deeply cares about. For example, over the past year, Nora has become more of a mom to me than an older sister. Nora If it weren’t for Nora’s courageous act, I would still be living in that house was not asked to do extra, but she has cleaned the house, made dinner, with an unfit guardian and her childish boyfriend. Whenever I hear the and managed the house until we could leave and move in with Dad. Even words kind, selfless, determined, and courageous I think of the girl that I with that added responsibility, she has also been able to keep up with her get to call my sister, Nora. And I can tell you, she gets those traits from my homework, keep her room clean, AND make sure my homework is done, Dad. Nora always puts me first, and Dad puts both of us first. Together, and and my room is clean! with courage, we will get through anything!

Nora has also been selfless through all this. One example is that she always puts me first. After school on Friday, Nora always used to go out with her friends, but after my mom was out every day and we couldn’t get in touch with her, Nora would call me and see if our mother was home. When we “I am a little nervous about sharing this finally figured out she most likely wasn’t going to be home when we got story, but I hope it helps other kids back from school, Nora would always come back home to take care of me instead of hanging out with her friends. Nora would also let me tag along in a similar situation.” when she and her friends were hanging out, because my mother was never around to bring me to do something or give me a ride to a friend’s house. Determined is a word that describes Nora perfectly, but I didn’t realize this “Together, and with courage, until recently. Nora was finally fed up with my mother’s and her boyfriend’s obnoxious behavior. Nora finally got the courage and the determination to we will get through anything!” sneak out and tell the police what had been going on at our “once upon a time” perfect home.

The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond volume xxvi 64 65 Johansel Fraser David Russell, Teacher McKinley South End Academy

To me, courage means standing up for yourself, or doing something that you never thought you would be able to do. In my life, I was taken away from my mom, and I had to deal with a bully at my new school. I have had some very difficult times, but I had to push through it. I have realized that I am very strong.

When I was seven, I got taken away from my mom because she could not keep me safe. I got placed in a foster home. I would cry every night thinking about when I would be able to go home, and I was crushed inside.

It has been four years, and I am still very upset. I would love to be at home with my mom, and we have been working towards it. I am looking forward to hopefully being home with my mom soon. So I went into my room and I was crying because I was feeling homesick that After I was taken from my mom, I had to go to a whole new school where day. I went to another foster home, and I thought that it was going to be a people would bully me. But one day I woke up and I realized it doesn’t horrible placement, but my foster parents were actually very nice and kind. matter what people say about you because at the end of the day you might A year later I found out that I was going to start doing overnights and visits be getting hurt, but that person could be getting hurt even more. with my mom. Ever since I found out that I was going to be able to go see my mom, every day I was looking forward to going to school. I would When the bully came up to me that day, she tried to say something to me. encourage myself to do better in my grades and never let anything, or But before she even got to say anything, I stopped her and said, “I don’t anyone, put me down. care what you have to say about me because I am a strong black woman and nothing you can say to me will affect me in any way, because the only one I think that it takes a lot of courage to be able to confront a bully, and not that is getting affected here is you!” being able to go home for at least four years. It’s been very hard, but I know that I am still very fortunate. That day I went to my foster home feeling proud of myself for confronting that bully. But when I got there all of my things were packed. I asked my foster mom what had happened, and she told me that I was leaving because I couldn’t stay there anymore, and that I was going to be in custody of DCF “I have had some very difficult times, for one more year. When she told me that, I was crushed inside because I wanted to go home, and I also didn’t want to leave my foster home because but I had to push through it. I didn’t know where DCF was going to send me. I have realized that I am very strong.”

The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond volume xxvi 66 67 Lisa Smith Scott Larrivee, Teacher Mary Lyon K-8 School

“Will I ever see you again?” That is one of the first things I asked during my visits. I have had courage many times in my life, because I have not grown up with my biological family around me. What is courage? My meaning of courage is when you stay strong and face your challenges no matter how hard it is. I have courage!

When I was born, I lived in New Jersey with my mother and father. My dad had a lot of problems with substance abuse and was arrested several times for violating restraining orders my mother had out on him. He also spent time in a long-term psychiatric ward. My dad’s parental rights were terminated when I was 3 years old. I was removed from my home and spent time in foster care, day care and homeless shelters. My father’s release from jail prompted my mother to move out of state with my brother and me. We changed our names for safety reasons, and we moved to Massachusetts.

During the time we lived in many shelters my brother and I were fighting my story, and then we started having visits. Over the summer they started a lot, and my mom struggled to take care of us. In therapy my therapists taking me to places like Six Flags. Just recently on my birthday, November said I seemed lost, and I would not talk if my brother and mother were 5, 2016, they took me to Cape Cod Resort and water park. During this time, not in the room. My mother was worried about me. I made up stories and I started having overnights with their family on the weekends and getting to got mad when people said I was lying. I had nightmares. They tried many know their daughter. They are starting to feel like my moms now, and I am medications, but they were not working. I had a hard time and lots of hopeful that they will adopt me. tantrums in daycare and at my home, but nobody knew why I had tantrums and nobody knew why I ended the tantrums. Sometimes I was clingy and I show courage every day when I rise to the challenge of earning their trust anxious, and other times I was quiet and scared, not knowing what was because I would love to live with them. I showed courage by persevering going to happen. through not seeing my brother when he was all I had, and by getting along with my sister no matter how hard it is. I showed courage by getting My life changed again in June of 2009. My mom became agitated when she through multiple placements that have not worked out, always hoping to was going to take Joey and me to our therapy session. On the way to the car, find a family. I show courage by trying my hardest to behave and stay out of coming out of the shelter, the police arrested her and we all rode to the trouble through these difficult years. Lastly, I show courage by taking the station. My DCF worker came to the station and took my brother and me chance to get to know new people, knowing most of them come and go and to the Bridge Home. My mom went to a hospital. My brother and I cried leave the program while I’m waiting to be adopted. the whole way there. Custodial rights for my mom were terminated around this time. My essay may not be chosen, but I am proud to share my story and I just want my foster moms to know this courage is all because I met them. I hope I have been in foster homes, homeless shelters, and group homes. I have that this story may inspire other kids who are in the same situation. This lived in a residential program for the past seven years. It has been hard for hope reminds me of a quote I heard by Kira Mortensen: “God knew that it me to watch other kids come and go from the residential program, while doesn’t matter how your children get to your family. It just matters that they I am still there. In November 2016, while I was playing softball, I met two get there.” The good thing is that I think I found my match, if I do what women and their daughter. They helped to take me home after my games I’ve got to do. when staff were late, and they noticed where I was living. I told them about

The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond volume xxvi 68 69 Reagan Meehan Scott Larivee, Teacher Mary Lyon K-8 School

Mary Tyler Moore once said “You can’t be brave if you’ve only had wonderful things happen to you.” This quote relates to me because not many wonderful things have happened to me. I have had a lot of challenges in my life. I do not know how to tell you about my courage. I was too young to remember most of it. My mom told me that we were driving one day. I hadn’t been myself for a while, and she took a moment to look back at me and knew something was wrong. She called my dad to tell him that she was bringing me to the hospital. That´s all I remember, because I was three years old at the time. The doctors told us I had neuroblastoma, a form of childhood cancer.

My challenges had begun. I had my first surgery to remove a tumor from my stomach. The surgery was nineteen hours long. I have seen pictures of my dad in the hospital crib with me, trying to get me to go to sleep. My six-foot- right, apparently. Well, I know how to walk, but my legs turn in way too tall dad curled up in a tiny hospital crib, because he was worried about me. It much because they didn’t have time to teach me to turn my legs out. took a few months to recover, then more surgery. I had five major surgeries Everybody notices it, but not me. I cannot play sports, because in the chiari in all; bone marrow, neuroblastoma resection, tonsillectomy, untethering malformation surgery they had to remove a piece of my skull and now I still my spinal cord, and chiari malformation surgery. I barely remember any have to be really careful about my neck. I have to make sure that every day of them. My mom remembers it all, because she watched and waited over I drink my water, because otherwise I will get dehydrated. Every six months, me in every surgery. Over the course of the next several years, I was in and I have to go for an MRI to check and make sure everything is good. Even out of the hospital. I will never forget the scent of the anesthesia. They put though I am not in the hospital any more, I still persevere through these scent in it because the cleaning stuff they put in first makes it smell terrible, challenges every day. and all together it smells even worse. I can never eat strawberry pocky again, because it just smells like it. While I was at the hospital, my sister Delaney This is the first time I have really told my story. I don’t feel very courageous, brought me five tubs of vanilla frosting and I just ate it out of the bucket. It but I know I am courageous. Being sick when I was little was difficult. It was sounds weird now, but they would do anything to have me eat something. I hard for me, and it was hard for my family. At least my story has a happy remember one day after one of the surgeries, I was doing walking therapy ending. Today I am twelve years old, I go to school every day, I have friends, again and Delaney came in with a crazy monkey gorilla card that you pull and I am happy. I know that every day is a gift, and I am lucky to be here. and it went down and then had a bunch of words on it. These are the memories I have of my time in the hospital, which was a really hard time for my whole family. “This is the first time Even though this happened a long time ago, I am courageous today in facing the many challenges that face me. I still don’t know how to walk I have really told my story.”

The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond volume xxvi 70 71 Gabriela K. Danae O’Bryan, Teacher Linden S.T.E.A.M Academy

Courage is not always about trying something hard. It’s about staying strong The teachers told me I could leave the classroom whenever I needed to so every day and having the strength to overcome something you are stuck I could get something to eat to raise my sugar. I tried once, and everyone with for the rest of your life. Some people have to go to the hospital every questioned me about it. Not too many people fully understand the scope of day for kidney dialysis, because they have kidney failure. And some people diabetes type I. Many confuse diabetes type I with diabetes type II, which is have to get chemotherapy, because they have leukemia. Courage is the idea completely different. Diabetes type II can be cured by following a healthy of finding success in everyday life. diet and exercise, versus diabetes type I, which as of today is not curable.

When I was 7 years old I was diagnosed with type I diabetes. Diabetes type Because of my diabetes, I had many doctor appointments, which led to me I is when your pancreas doesn’t produce insulin to break down glucose miss some field trips. I would rather be at a theater watching a play than in your blood. The doctors told me I had diabetes when they checked my sitting and waiting at a doctor’s office to get my blood drawn. Many times it glucose level, and it was above 400 mg/dL (while the normal levels are was too complicated to go for a field trip, because there was no place to do below 100 mg/dL). I was so scared. My parents looked at me like I was my injections. Also, I didn’t want to interrupt the whole class. going to die. The smell of the hospital made me feel even worse. But that wasn’t even the worst part. The worst part was when they had to give me an Now almost 5 years after I was diagnosed, I realize I have to get used to my IV (intravenous insulin infusion) to stabilize my sugar levels. life with diabetes. I am comfortable with doing my own injections five to six times a day and pricking my finger several times a day. I’ve got the courage During my stay at the hospital I had many blood tests and training on how to tell people about my situation and leave the classroom anytime I have to, to do injections. At that time, I was afraid of needles and I was afraid the ignoring all the comments. I have the courage to live. My life may not look injections would be painful. I was scared, but I knew there would be no like everyone else’s, but it’s my life to live. other way to do it: either do the injections or die. From that day, I knew my life would depend on daily injections of insulin. So, I closed my eyes and thought of some encouraging things: my family, my friends, and everything I love. My parents were supporting me: “Honey, don’t worry about it. You’ll be able to overcome the feeling.” I wasn’t able to eat as many sweets as other kids, and I had to watch what I ate. That really made me sad, because I like to eat a lot of foods that are not recommended for diabetics. Whenever one “Courage is the idea of finding success of my friends wanted to give me a sweet I had to first make sure my glucose in everyday life.” levels were OK to have it, or otherwise refuse it.

The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond volume xxvi 72 73 Nico Donahue Joanna Zajac-Medor, Teacher St. Patrick School

There are many different ways people define the word courage. Some say courage is powering through tough times, while others say it’s not giving up. Some people say it is facing your fears, but my definition of courage is “when you are falling, you must always catch yourself and get back up.” This is what I have been doing for six years now. Since being diagnosed with it at five years old, I have been able to stay in the ring with a fight against Tourette’s Syndrome. It has not been easy, but I manage to find a way to get through each day. This is not an essay just to define courage, but also to spread awareness for this little known disease.

First, let me describe Tourette’s Syndrome. Tourette’s is characterized by uncontrollable motor and vocal tics. Tics are forms of urges that your brain tells your body to do and you can’t stop them. A motor tic is a movement that you cannot stop from happening. Some examples of motor tics are eye There is no current cure for Tourette’s Syndrome. In the meantime, my blinking, muscle flexing, and head nodding. A vocal tic is when your vocals mom is always looking for different natural methods to help me cope with sort of take over and start making random sounds. I battle with both motor my tics. I am always hopeful there will be a cure one day, but for now I will and vocal tics on a daily basis. I have not had one tic-free day since I was five have the support of my family and teachers to help me succeed in school, years old. and in my life.

Basically, Tourette’s Syndrome is like having your brain as a dictator while Tourette’s has not only given me challenges, but also some hidden gifts. you have no say in what it does. In other words, it’s like my brain has no Some of the gifts it has given me are compassion, empathy, patience, and stop button. But I don’t let this stop me. I am still able to do the things I understanding. I have been blessed to have such a compassionate, loving, love and make new friends. If I am being made fun of by someone, I take caring, and understanding family. More than anyone, my mom has always the opportunity to educate him/her about Tourette’s Syndrome. I believe helped me to keep my head up, even when times are tough. My mom has education is the key to tolerance and awareness. always told me I am more than Tourette’s, and she will always be right on that.

Tourette’s makes it very hard to get through the day. It is difficult to stay focused in school, and I get very easily distracted. I also tend to get “shushed” in movie theaters, including one time my mom and I were asked “This is not an essay just to define courage, to move our seats. This does not just happen in movie theaters, but also in but also to spread awareness for this little church, classrooms, field trips, and basically any social situation. While I enjoy volunteering for public speaking, my illness does not make this task known disease.” easy for me. But I don’t let it stop me from doing it.

The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond volume xxvi 74 75 Ben Fleishman Merrill Hawkins, Teacher The Park School

Courage is getting off the school bus on a normal day and finding out that the hospital called your mom to let her know you are supposed to have a liver transplant early in the morning. Courage is trying to see the bright side in everything, even when things are going terribly wrong. It is also having to do something and being able to do it even though you are afraid. A year ago my parents had told me that I had been placed on a list for a liver transplant because I have a rare liver disease, but we (my family, doctors, and I) do not know when it is going to happen.

I was getting off the bus from soccer practice looking for my babysitter’s car. Instead I saw my mom’s. “Hi mom,” I said as I hopped into the backseat. She climbed into the back with me and took my hand. Uh oh! This cannot be good, I thought. I was supposed to be wheeled down to the transplant department at 3:00 “Ben, Children’s Hospital called. You are scheduled to have the transplant AM, but moments before, the nurse let my parents know that the transplant tonight.” My heart sank. Why now? I asked myself. I started thinking about would not happen after all because the liver was not perfect for me. everything I would miss in the next eight weeks of recovery: my friends, Immediately, I felt relief and annoyance at the same time. I was happy that it family, and a big soccer tournament, even my birthday in the hospital! I did not have to happen just then, but I was also annoyed because my family do not know how Mom stayed so calm while my head was spinning and my and I had gone through all this trouble now for nothing. I am grateful for heart was racing. the nurses, doctors, and everyone else who supported us that night.

All I remember about the car ride was the sound of the air conditioning fan Four hours later I walked out of the hospital and went back to school. That puffing out a cold breeze. At home, I grabbed a bag my mom had packed afternoon, I was playing goalkeeper for my school’s soccer team, having for me and hugged my younger sister, Sophie, goodbye. I can only imagine a blast! Getting off the school bus and looking for my babysitter’s car will how nervous and confused she was too. never be the same. The night that I spent at Children’s I was courageous. I show courage all the time knowing that at any moment I will get called back The room at Children’s did not look as bad as I thought. The nurses came to Children’s. It’s something I have learned to live with. in and started overwhelming Mom with information. I turned on the Red Sox game, it was a good match and it took my mind off what was happening. I didn’t even realize the game had gone into extra innings. I was exhausted. “Courage is trying to see It was one in the morning and my dad had just arrived at the hospital. He had been on a business trip in LA and got on the first flight to Boston, the bright side in everything, arriving just ten hours after mom called him! Dad got in the bed with me and I fell asleep in his arms within minutes. even when things are going terribly wrong.”

The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond volume xxvi 76 77 Zoё Powell-McCroey Sedef Seker, Teacher The Park School

Courage is overcoming situations that make you feel emotion. Some acts of courage take so much out of you that you feel frustrated, or sometimes jubilant. For some, home is the right place to get away from all the “scary” things that an act of courage take. For me, home is where it all begins.

I live between homes. I have a home with my mom and I have a home with my dad. When I was little I thought I only lived with my mom because that is where all my clothes were and that is where my dad dropped me off every day after school. I did not know anything about moms and dads splitting up and so I thought that my parents were just like any other parents. One day I got a brand new journal that had little prompts about what to draw and write in it. I flipped through and I found one that said to draw a family portrait. When I was done, I thought it was perfect! I drew my mom and dad holding hands with a little red heart above their heads. Right next to them was me standing there, smiling, one big happy family. I handed the picture to my dad and, instead of smiling like he usually did with my artwork, he looked at it and frowned a little. Very blatantly he said, “That is less fond of each other. Soon every decision made without consulting with an interesting drawing.¨ the other parent became a huge fight, and I was put right into the middle of it. Sometimes I tried to help out by making up little lies about what the The next day when my mom dropped me off at dad’s house she walked other said, such as telling my mom that my dad said he was sorry. upstairs with me, which rarely happens. We sat and talked in my dad’s living room and they told me that there was a thing called a divorce, except they I realized that lying to my parents was never going to work. I finally built did not have one because they never got married. They said that they split up the courage to tell someone. I did not want to tell anyone, not even up after I was born because they were not working like a “team” like moms other family members, because I thought that I may get taken away from and dads should. They explained to me that I have two homes, and they my parents since I had heard stories about that happening to other kids sugarcoated it by saying that having two homes was way better than one. around my age. After I told my grandmother I felt so guilty that I cried, After that conversation I felt confused, and I never thought about home which I rarely do. She called my mom, and then my dad, and told them the same. what happened. Instead of yelling at me like I thought they would, my parents said they were proud of me. And that made me feel really relieved. As I grew up, it felt awkward to invite people over to my house. I didn’t know which house to choose. It felt like having to choose which parent I Sometimes courage involves emotion, or causes you to show emotion. In liked best. I told friends that I had to pick which house for them to come my situation I realized that the emotion that comes from courage is for the to. They said things like “ Wow, you must be rich!” Those kinds of things better good. My story shows courage because getting through confronting made me feel like my friends did not even know the real me. I was not rich. my parents and constantly being surrounded by people who have the exact I wished that my parents would make up and live together. opposite situation as me are really hard parts of my life. Most kids in my class just go home after sports and do homework, but I have to go from one One day one of my cousins said to me, “It does not make sense that you live side of Boston to the other just to see both my parents in a day. Instead of in two houses! You probably are not even related to us since your dad is not moping around all the time because I do not have a perfect life, I use my married to your mom.” As time passed, the system of my parents dropping courage to be proud of my situation. And instead of hiding the fact that I me off at one another’s houses didn’t seem to work anymore, and they grew have two houses, I embrace it.

The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond volume xxvi 78 79 Hayden Moir Chernow Edwin Doolin, Teacher The William H. Ohrenberger School

To me courage means to believe in yourself and stand up against things that are keeping you from being who you are. My name is Hayden Chernow and I live in Jamaica Plain with my dog, brother, and two moms. Having two moms has given me a different perspective on everything that goes on around me. That as well as being Jewish means I haven’t fit into what most families look like where I live.

Throughout my life, and time in school, I have been faced with the challenge of explaining to people the situation in my family and having them not understand. This has been a hard part of my life that I live through every day. I have heard rude and disrespectful comments about having two moms, and about people who are Jewish. When making friends, kids ask me about my parents and more specifically what my dad does for work, or what his name is. I have to then tell them I have two moms, which they don’t I have had this part of my life for my whole life, and I now know that it is not understand. After that I have been asked so many things, but the main one of my faults. It’s what make me special. I love my family and they love two questions I get are, am I adopted, or whether one of my moms is my me, and that is all that matters. grandma. Most times they don’t know that people can have two moms or two dads, but whenever I see the same look of confusion or not understanding that I have seen in so many people, I feel like there is something wrong with me. Even having conversations with my friends when they are talking about their father I feel so out of place. On my school bus I hear kids say, “You’re so gay,” like it is a fault. It makes me upset that kids could say those things like it is a bad quality, when really it is just who you are.

When things like this happen to me I always have a quote in the back of my mind by Mahatma Gandhi. It is, “It’s easy to stand with the crowd. It takes courage to stand alone.” After I hear that in my head I know that it is not a “I am showing them that it is fine substandard thing that I have two moms. And it’s not my fault; in fact it’s no one’s fault. Even though I don’t say anything or stand up to those kids who to be who you are.” call people gay, I feel more confident and I think in the future I will be able to stand up to them. For me, I think that I am being courageous and brave just by explaining to people about my family. I am showing them that it is fine to be who you are.

The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond volume xxvi 80 81 Jayla Moody Edwin Doolin, Teacher The William H. Ohrenberger School

To me courage is very important. Courage is to love yourself for who you are and not to listen to what others say. It means doing the right thing no matter who’s watching, and proving others wrong when they don’t believe in you.

My name is Jayla Moody. I’m 12 years old, and being mixed, or biracial, isn’t easy. I get asked what race I am often, and I don’t really know why, but it’s hard for people to understand that a white women and an African American male could be in love, which is how my parents are. Being biracial was, and to some people still is, a negative term; many don’t like the idea of two completely different races loving each other.

Growing up in school, being biracial, can be hard, but I have enough courage to love myself and forget about what others think. It’s difficult because people always have something to say about me, and they aren’t always the kindest things, so it gets to me sometimes. When this happens I go to my teachers and tell them, and gradually things start to get better and better. I never stopped loving myself or believing the mean things people said, because that would cause me to shut down, and I didn’t want that. It “It can be hard to block out negativity, takes more energy to be mad than happy, so I just stay true to myself. My personality is always being happy, and that’s what I try to be all the time. but the harder you try the easier it becomes.”

So my advice for any other biracial people reading this is to remember that there will always be people who disagree with you, but turn the negative things people say positive. Walking into school every day, you never know what people are going to say, but by going to school and not really listening to others, you’re showing courage. It can be hard to block out negativity, but the harder you try the easier it becomes. Remember that school is for learning and getting an education, and nothing more than that. If you have a problem with someone, be courageous and speak up to an adult.

So anyone out there, no matter what race you are, you weren’t made to impress anyone but yourself, so have courage to love yourself, especially if you´re biracial, because everyone is beautiful in their own way. I know I am truly blessed that I live in a generation where you’re free to love whomever you desire, or I wouldn’t be here to share my story today.

The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond volume xxvi 82 83 Junaid Taufeeque Sherin Ashkar-Nayfeh, Teacher Alhuda Acadamy

“Courage, have courage, Junaid.” “Junaid do this; do not be afraid; have courage.” I’ve been told my WHOLE life to have courage, but what does courage mean? Courage, from what I’ve understood, is not being afraid, and courage also means doing things I don’t want to do when I need to do them. But what courage actually means according to Dictionary.com is “the ability to do something that frightens one and to show strength in the face of pain or grief.” I will share with you a story where I think I showed my courage.

I woke up on the first day of summer vacation thinking my day was going to be filled with writing book reports and doing homework. But when I went to brush my teeth, my dad got a call from my friend, and he asked my dad if I could come over to his house. I really wanted to go, so my dad let me. When I got to his house, he gave me a pair of shorts and a towel. I was very confused, and then he told me we were going swimming. He told me this with a smile on his face, while on the other hand I was swallowing my spit and feeling lightheaded. I DID NOT KNOW HOW TO SWIM! I didn’t know how to tell him that I didn’t know how to swim, because I was always “I felt like getting out of the pool in shame, embarrassed that I couldn’t swim. but I pinched myself, and kept telling myself, He walked me to his neighborhood swimming pool. When I stepped foot in I can do this, I can do this, I can do this.” the water, I quickly backed out and called him out of the water, too. I slowly and regretfully told him that I couldn’t swim. He then told me, “That’s no big deal, I will teach you how to swim.” I felt relieved, because he was the only one who didn’t laugh at me when I told him I couldn’t swim. He then walked back to the pool with me and gave me some tips on how to float on water and also how to swim fast.

When I stepped back into the water, I noticed what a big mess I had gotten myself into. Not only did I not know how to swim, but I WAS ALSO AFRAID OF SWIMMING!! I felt like getting out of the pool in shame, but I pinched myself, and kept telling myself, I can do this, I can do this, I can do this. I followed his steps and floated on water for the first time in my life. My scared face and my frown turned into a small smile. I laughed, clapped, and felt like I had accomplished something in life. Most importantly I felt I showed a great amount of courage.

The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond volume xxvi 84 85 Derian Peña Dan Cesario, Teacher Sarah Greenwood K-8 School

My cousin had a pit bull, and he brought it to a family reunion so everyone could see it. It was only a puppy, but it was huge! I walked through the door to my aunt’s house and I could see the dog. I didn’t want to step inside, but of course I had to. I walked in, but it was almost like an instinct. Out of nowhere I just jumped on the back of the couch. It was the only place the dog couldn’t get to me. I froze and started breathing heavily. Let me tell you, wherever that dog went my eyes followed. Not even for a second would I unglue my eyes off that dog. The dog was my height and was walking freely throughout the apartment. To make it worse, I saw my cousin had a muzzle for the dog, but it wasn’t on him. It was just sitting on the table. Just because of the muzzle I thought he was bad and untrained. Since he was roaming on his own, I stayed away. I stayed that way the whole time I was at the reunion.

Ding-dong! Two days later I answered the door to my house and, just my luck, my cousin was standing there for a visit with his new dog. I opened the I took a deep breath and looked in his eyes as he looked in mine. I could door and immediately ran up to my room. I wasn’t going to go downstairs, see him, with his hazel eyes, the light and dark green patches surrounding but I was getting hungry and wanted something from the fridge. I yelled his big dark pupils. I was face to face with man’s best friend. He was right down and asked my mom to get me something to eat, but she didn’t there, and I was right here. respond. Finally, she told me to just come and get something to eat myself. I lifted my hand to put on his head. He watched my hand lower down on his Right then I knew what I needed to do. It took all my courage just to open head. He closed his eyes and he let me touch. It was soft and fluffy, unlike the door to my room, and even more courage for every step I took closer to anything I’ve ever felt before. Then he stood up and left, as if his job was the kitchen. I was not even halfway there when that huge brown dog came done, to make me touch and not be scared. All I needed was a chance. For walking towards me with no leash and no muzzle. I started thinking about me, petting my cousin’s dog was my chance to face my phobia of dogs. All you all the nice things people said about him. need is a chance. When you get that chance, you step up to face your fears.

“He’s such a good dog!” “He doesn’t bite.” “All you need is a chance. “He won’t jump up on you.”

I kept telling myself these things over and over again. He stopped right in When you get that chance, front of me. I was paralyzed. Faster and faster my heart and breath raced. I you step up to face your fears.” started to panic, as I realized that he was just a puppy and that he was going to grow much bigger. It was now or never, and I chose now for my answer. Now was my chance, I thought to myself. Now was the time, and now was going to be right here.

The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond volume xxvi 86 87 Daniel Voner Julie Scott, Teacher Proctor Elementary School

Have you really ever thought about what the meaning of courage is? Spirit can have many different meanings. Boldness is not just standing up to people and doing things nobody else wants to do. It is also making the right choices under pressure. Courage is doubting yourself but not giving up, even when it seems like everyone else is looking for you to fail.

My brother had to have bravery when he was at his dance competition. He had to undergo much pressure because he was the only boy in his dance group, so everyone was looking at him. The judges were looking and adding more pressure. He later recalled, “It was terrifying!”

At first, my brother didn’t want to dance because of peer pressure. Even with my entire family there to cheer him on, pressure took hold of him. Then, something in his brain clicked, like learning where a piece of a jigsaw From that moment on, my family learned that you can have courage puzzle goes. An invisible force called courage started to kick in, started to whenever you need it. All you have to do to reach it is to believe it is there. push back against the pressure to mess up. My family continues to show courage, from small things like being at the top of the lane at swim practice, to big things like stepping onto the dance Finally, it was time for him to dance. My family wished him luck and he floor with 500 eyes trained on you at a dance competition. went on the dance floor. I could see that he was a little nervous, so I gave him a thumbs up. He smiled at me, and then he went on to rock his dance routine. Later, his dance group earned the highest award, a platinum medal, along with a recommendation from the judges to go to the highest dance competition, the nationals! “Courage is doubting yourself When my brother, my family, and I were finally reunited again, I asked, but not giving up, “How did it feel on the dance floor?” even when it seems like everyone He replied, “Great!” else is looking for you to fail.” My family hugged him and we went home. That was so cool! I can’t wait until he does it again next year.

The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond volume xxvi 88 89 Ava Beringer Sara DeOreo, Teacher Proctor Elementary School

Sometimes courage is hidden inside you. I have not performed any heroic deeds like running into a burning building or saving someone from an earthquake. No, I think I show courage by facing the fear that only I can create: my imagination. I can really freak myself out sometimes, and when I look back, those scary visions were almost always over the smallest things. It takes courage, in my opinion, to say no to that cascade of pictures in my mind. Like this one time:

I looked up at the creepy, old, castle-like church. We were going to perform here? I shuddered. That morning, I had woken up with a spring in my step. Today was the day! I was going to play a wicked stepsister in the show Cinderella. But now, as I looked up at the cold stone walls and iron bars on the foggy windows, I was having second thoughts. A stream of thoughts trickled into my mind. I’m not going inside! No way. It’s probably haunted. I pictured ghostly “NOBODY MOVE!” someone shouted. I panicked. Lilly crying, me wanting spirits peering through the foggy glass, and I started to tremble. to comfort her, but wanting to cry, too.

“This is creepy,” said my friend Lilly, who was going to be in the show with me. It was thunder. There is a storm. It was two cars colliding. Wait, what if it was “Tell me about it,” I whispered. my parent’s car? No, no, no. It was a giant tree that fell on a building. Tons of people are hurt, maybe dead! Oh no! It was a bomb! We are all going to die! The inside was not as bad as the outside. It was warmer. But then I learned that the show would take place in the basement. When we went downstairs, I was freaking myself out. I wanted to get out of that church. Even after I relaxed. All of the other actors were there. Stay calm. I was feeling better. someone said, “It’s alright! It was just the sound system!” I couldn’t bring I tried to push with all my might against the bad images. myself to walk onstage. I was shaken.

“Places!” I ran onto the stage and primly sat in my chair. Lilly took her place Then the opening music started to play. I closed my eyes and took a deep next to me. Soon, the audience started to file in. As I strained to look at all breath. It’s okay. You are safe. Don’t back down now! You love this. Now, the people, I didn’t notice my parents yet. I tried not to worry about what get onstage and show off your talent. I smiled. The kind voice in my head might be happening to them, though. I remember going through my lines was back. My courage voice. I shakily took step after step onto the stage in my head when we heard it. and squinted as I adjusted to the light. And then I sang. And then I was transported to a different world. BOOM! My heart leapt into my throat. The audience, who were just chattering noisily, silenced. Lilly looked at me, tears in her eyes. And again: “I think I show courage by facing the fear BOOM! that only I can create: my imagination.”

The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond volume xxvi 90 91 Corey Ogilvie Erin Hannon-Foley, Teacher Roosevelt K-8 School

It was a very sunny morning, and as I walked toward the bathroom I had trouble breathing. As my mom called the ambulance, I knew this was going to be the worst day of my life. We drove to the hospital in the ambulance with the siren going “Wee, woo, wee, woo!” My eyes were flooded with light when we reached the hospital door, and from there we went to a room. This took courage because I was younger, only about five, and I had no idea what was going on with me at the time. “Was I going to die? What was wrong with me?” I remembered being on a rock-hard bed and I had an I.V. hooked onto me and a monitor going “Beep, Beep, Beep.” My eyes went down and up then everything went black. I had fallen asleep. I woke up and found out I’d had a severe asthma attack.

When it was time to leave the hospital we went home and my mom said to go lay down because I was sick, so I did. I was so sick that I slept for at least fifteen hours, and my mom was worried that I would have another asthma attack. The next day when I was watching T.V. on the couch and a track and field event was on, I saw a man running really fast to try to give another man “Even though I had asthma a baton for the other man to run. From that day on I really wanted to run because I wanted to be like that man running, but there was one problem: I still wanted to run, knowing the risks.” I had asthma. Even though I had asthma I still wanted to run, knowing the risks. My own doctor and my mom said not to run because I could die or get seriously injured, but my goal was to do something in life, so I was still going to do it.

Now I’m twelve, and at school we do a program called 100-Mile. Our goal is to run/walk 100 miles by the end of the year. Many people said to quit running because I have asthma, but I still run because I love to. I think when you have your mind set onto something you should not give up on it. This shows courage because I know the risks and that I’m doing something dangerous.

In the end I still run a lot, but I know how to control it. I take my inhaler, then I run. My definition of courage is to not be afraid to do things, to just do it.

The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond volume xxvi 92 93 Dorothy Osias Lael Lucia, Teacher Roosevelt K-8 School

Have you ever felt like life hates you so much and you just want to give up right away? I hated life when I found out I had alopecia. I hated life and life hated me. This is my story. You might want to bring some tissues.

It was a normal hot summer day at home, when my annoying sister noticed a bald spot in the middle of my head. “Dorothy, what’s wrong with your head?” she said in a confused tone. I didn’t know what she was talking about, so my sister and I walked into my mom’s room. My mom was shocked! She looked concerned. She said, “Dorothy, I’m going to schedule a doctor’s appointment.” I was terrified. I couldn’t sleep. I thought I had cancer, and I thought I was going to die. All of these questions kept running through my mind, keeping me awake.

A few weeks passed, and I went to Boston Medical Center. I was really nervous, my hands were sweaty, I felt really dizzy, and I was nauseous. The doctor came and looked very closely at my head. Without saying one word, the doctor left the room. A few minutes later she came back with a piece of hair and how I was so rude to my mother. I looked at myself in the mirror, paper and she said, “Molly (my mom’s name) Dorothy has alopecia.” I knew and all I could think about in my mind was, “I’m so ugly, I can’t look at by the tone of her voice that is was something bad. myself.” I was isolated for a few days.

Alopecia is a type of hair loss that occurs when your immune system One month passed. It was September 1st, and I was petrified for the first day mistakenly attacks the hair follicles (usually it grows back in a couple of of school because people were going to laugh at me. There I was at school, months). When the doctor told me, my heart exploded into a million ready to walk off of the school bus, and then BOOM! All eyes were on me. pieces, and everything was just a blur. Tears started to fall out like waterfalls. Here we go! “Dorothy, what happened to your hair?” “Dorothy, what did The doctor said it was all right, and that we got it just in time before it you do to your hair?” “Dorothy, what’s up with your hair?” The questions I started to spread all over my head. The doctor gave me a small shampoo didn’t want to answer. that burned, and it felt like someone lit my head on fire. But I didn’t care, all I cared about was growing my hair back. But it didn’t work. I was heart- I told my classmates what was wrong with my hair. It took courage to tell broken. I felt useless, empty, I was so….. LOST!!!! I didn’t know what to them. During the summer, I felt like my mouth was stitched and I couldn’t do. I was depressed, like my emotions were worn out and just died. My say a word. I got picked on because someone “mistakenly” thought I was mom had an idea. My mom thought I was going to be bald, so she went a boy. Someone else also said I was a “survivor of cancer.” I tried not to to the barbershop and told them to shave my hair off. I thought to myself, listen, and I didn’t pay any attention. I thought they wanted me to cry into “That only made it worse!” I yelled at her, “WHY DID YOU LET THEM a pillow. It was difficult to see girls with long hair because I was wishing and SHAVE MY HAIR? YOU MADE EVERYTHING WORSE!!!” My mom said, remembering my hair when it was long. I was thinking about how I’m not “I only did it because I care about you a lot!” I said, “IF YOU EVER CARED that pretty. ABOUT ME, THEN YOU WOULDN’T LET THE BARBERS DO THIS TO MY HEAD!” A few months have passed by and I am loving my short hair. No one is mean to me anymore. I’m respected. There are so many meanings of courage. To I couldn’t believe what I just said. I had never disrespected my mother like me courage means being true to yourself and to who you are, not trying to that before. Arguing with her made me feel disgusted with myself. After all fit into society’s standards. I learned that it doesn’t matter what you look of the crazy yelling with my mom was over, all I could think about was my like. If you’re true to yourself, that’s all that matters.

The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond volume xxvi 94 95 Trinity Le Linda Roach, Teacher Saint John Paul II Catholic Academy

To me, courage is the most phenomenal thing in the world. Courage is shown when you can stand up to a bully, when you face losing a person in your life, or when you are speaking to an audience. No matter the case, courage can always be there. You just have to look for it.

When I was born, I was diagnosed with a skin condition called Keratosis Pilaris. Keratosis Pilaris gives me small tan bumps on my arms, almost like goosebumps. At first, I didn’t think much of it. It didn’t hurt or itch or anything like that. It was just always there with me. But as I grew up, I started noticing people staring at my arms like it bothered them. In school, I would wear long sleeves so I could cover up the bumps. In the winter people did not notice if I wore long sleeves, but in the summer my friends would question me. I would wear short sleeves to school when it got hot so my mom wouldn’t tell me to change, but as soon as I got to school, I pulled out my fleece and wore it for the day.

At school, even though I tried to cover my arms I still got unwanted attention. “I smiled wide. A smile courage had given me.” As I walked through the corridors, I heard little kids and even adults look at me and whisper, “What the heck? It’s so hot. Why is she wearing that?” I hated those mean comments. How could I live like this? No matter what I did, it never worked. If I wore short sleeves, my arms were practically saying, look at me! If I wore a sweater I would get stared at. I had to face this with courage!

One day, a group of girls in my class started to snicker and guffaw. I soon realized they were laughing at me. That day, courage gave me a gift. The courage to finally tell myself no more. No more will I get bullied because of Keratosis. I knew I had to live with Keratosis, but I couldn’t take the meanness anymore. Making the choice of a lifetime, I took a deep breath and walked over to the group of girls and told them, “Excuse me, but if you would like to laugh at me, please keep it to yourself. What you are doing is very rude.” That day, I came home with a smile on my face. That day I took control of how my condition made me feel. I felt happy. You could see my new attitude on my face. You couldn’t miss it. I smiled wide. A smile courage had given me.

The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond volume xxvi 96 97 Mia Lianna Mitchell Rita Flynn, Teacher Prospect Hill Academy

It all started one day when my dad got an award to be a pastor. It was a very exciting moment even though I wasn’t born yet. After my dad became a pastor a lot of things started to change. When I was little my mom told me I could only wear skirts. I didn’t really think about it too much because, I was so little, it didn’t mean a thing.

As I got older I started to feel a little weird when other people would ask me why I wore skirts all the time. One time a girl noticed I always wore skirts on gym days and every other day. I felt very nervous and speechless when she noticed. My stomach would feel like it was turning in circles. She would realize that I always made up an excuse, like I forgot today we had gym, but I regret not telling people the truth and showing my true self. When she found out the truth I thought I would just have to tell the truth. There was nothing wrong with me, so I just told her about my true self. I would be speechless sometimes when people would ask me, and other times I would make up something to say. I would be scared when I would ask my mom or dad why I can’t wear pants. I felt as if people would think of me in a funny way. “Some people are afraid to show their true I never told anyone that I never had a pair of jean pants, or any sort of pants because I was afraid. But now I’m not. I realized if people only like selves and who they really are on the inside, you for your looks, then they are not worth it. It’s not about your looks, it’s about your attitude and the way you treat others. My parents told me that so I have to be the person to say that it’s “when you get older you are not going to worry about your clothes, you are okay that you have different ways of living.” focusing on your life and your dreams.”

I do wear skirts all the time, but it doesn’t stop me from accomplishing my dreams. I’m glad that I am being myself without anyone getting in my way. People might talk behind your back, but you can’t let that stop you from doing what you want to do. It’s your life, not other people’s life.

I feel like wearing skirts all the time is courageous because, when a lot of other girls are wearing pants and I’m the only one wearing a skirt, people are going to notice that I wear them all the time. Some people are afraid to show their true selves and who they really are on the inside, so I have to be the person to say that it’s okay that you have different ways of living. This is a courageous moment that happened in my life.

The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond volume xxvi 98 99 Edlawit Desta Rachel Parkin, Teacher Prospect Hill Academy

To me courage is when you do something brave and stand up for what you believe in. But courage is not something that comes easily. Most times, it is very hard. From the moment that I experienced it, I was no longer scared to say what and how I felt.

It was a Thursday at recess when a group of my friends and I were talking in the corner of the recess yard. We were all taking a break because we were tired from playing tag. That’s when we noticed the student. The conversation took a twist, and we started looking at a girl in my class. As we were looking at her, my friends were making rude comments about her appearance and how dirty she got her shoes. I felt pretty bad and wanted to say something to my friends, but I was afraid of what they would say if I did. Would they give me weird looks, or laugh? But then I started to think like I was the person they were talking about, and how happy I would’ve been if someone stood up for me. Over the weekend, I had a lot of time to think about how I should handle this situation, but I was really scared that they wouldn’t accept her and Then out of nowhere they turned to me and said, “Right, Edlawit?” I was that she would feel worse about herself than she already did. As we were biting my lip. I didn’t know what to say, but then without thinking I just said, approaching my friends, my palms started getting sweaty. I looked at my “No, I think that she is pretty chill.” shoes and hers repeatedly. Then I just took a deep breath in, smiled and said, “Hey guys!” They tried to give me that look, the what-are-you-doing Then one of my friends replied, “Well I guess she is okay.” look, but I didn’t pay attention to it. I started a conversation and made it so my friends and the girl that I felt bad for would continue the conversation. I could tell she didn’t really mean it and looked unsure, but I was still I could tell they were realizing that she was not as bad as they thought she shocked when she answered. I thought that they would laugh at me or keep was. The next day she sat with us again at our table. She was starting to feel talking about her, but they stopped. That’s when I realized that it felt pretty comfortable around us. I felt like I was a superhero, and like I just saved her good to stand up for something. from embarrassment for the rest of her school year, and it felt good. The next day I went up to the girl my friends were talking about and started That moment in my life showed me that courage is being brave and standing to talk to her. We had a nice conversation and she was really open with how up for what you believe in, not standing around and watching someone be she felt. This took a lot of courage for me, because no one really likes her rude and get bullied. Not only was courage shown in that moment for me, and they call her fake. Since I was talking to her I was worried about what it also gave me a really big lesson that I can hold onto for the rest of my life. people would think, but it made me feel really bad to see how sad she felt I can use the influence I have to stand up for what I believe in. You don’t on the inside. I was about to give her a hug but stopped myself. I had no have to act or think the same as everyone else. Don’t try to find excuses to clue that she felt this way. Then the next day I invited her to sit with me and be rude or point out someone’s flaws, because at the end of the day no one my friends at lunch next week. is perfect, not even yourself. That day opened up my eyes, and now I try my best not to judge a person/book by its cover and to be nice, and kind. I want to make people feel happy and welcome enough to talk to me.

The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond volume xxvi 100 101 Darren Simmons Helen Sullivan, Teacher Hurley K-8 School

And there she was, about to fight me, flipping chairs, tables and anything else in her way. “How did she get here?” I wondered. It all had started a few weeks before…

“DARREN!” shouted my mom. “It’s time to get ready for camp.” She was calling me to get ready for the first day of camp. I didn’t really want to go, but I had no choice. I couldn’t stay home alone while my mom went to work. I was nervous to go to camp, but I was prepared. I had all my things ready including my sunscreen, an extra pair of clothes, and some snacks. I was nervous to meet so many new kids. Big, small, old and young.

The time finally came to go to camp. I gave my mom a hug and walked towards the bus stop. The bus came and I noticed some familiar faces, and this helped me feel less anxious. On the first day, I met lots of cool and And there she was flipping chairs, tables, and anything else in her way, and interesting people. One of the cool people I met was a boy named Anthony. she was coming straight towards me. All of a sudden, one of the counselors He had a small deformity on his face, but he was very friendly to everyone. heard what was going on, and she got in trouble. Two days later, she was It was safe to say, the first day of camp wasn’t so bad. I actually started to wish kicked out of the camp. Anthony and I were relieved and happy. Most of I had gone to this camp sooner. all, Anthony thanked me for standing up for him. From that point on, he wasn’t bullied anymore, and once camp was over, I asked my mom if I could For the new few weeks, I had lots of fun. I went swimming, hiking, played go again next year. basketball and arts and crafts. One day, I noticed my friend Anthony was being tormented and bullied by another girl camper. I don’t recall her name, but I remember his facial expression. He looked sad and hurt. The girl camper was very popular because she was very well known in other places. In the beginning, she seemed very nice, but later I saw her true colors.

She started bullying Anthony by saying harsh and mean words, and I didn’t “Just because he looked different didn’t give like it. That was when I realized enough was enough. I decided to confront her and felt my heart beating out of my chest. I broke into a cold sweat her the right to be disrespectful. because I wasn’t sure what was going to happen next. I just knew she had no real reason to be rude, and I wanted to stand up for him. Just because I gave her a piece of my mind he looked different didn’t give her the right to be disrespectful. I gave her a piece of my mind and told her to stop. She got angry and we started arguing and told her to stop.” back and forth. She put her fists up like she was Mike Tyson and, instantly, I could tell she wanted to fight.

The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond volume xxvi 102 103 Alexander Rodriguez Helen Sullivan, Teacher Hurley K-8 School

Have you ever had problems with your parents? Well I have. It was hard. I had to be courageous enough to get through it. I think courage means standing up for people, getting through rough times and being fine about it.

This all started six years ago. I woke up in the middle of the night, hearing my dad screaming and my mom weeping. I went out to check if everything was fine, but when I opened the door my mom told me, “Go back to sleep.” I replied, “I can’t, he’s screaming.”

My mom came over to tuck me into bed and to make sure I went to sleep. The next morning, I woke up to find my mother getting ready to go to work and to drop me off at my aunt’s house. When we got there, my mom was talking to my aunt. I couldn’t hear what they were saying. My mom said, “Bye, see you tonight.”

I answered, “Bye, mom.”

That night my mom came to pick me up. At home she was serving dinner while I watched TV. My mom came to give me dinner. She sat down next to “I stood up for someone who was having a me and started crying. I asked her, “What’s wrong?” hard time standing up for herself.” She replied, “Nothing.”

I felt very worried. She stopped crying and sat with me while I ate.

Later that month, I woke up to find the same thing happening: my mom crying and my dad screaming at my mom. I couldn’t stand seeing my mom cry, so I went up to him and screamed at him, “Leave my mom alone!”

After some time screaming at him, he finally left my mom and me alone.

This kept on happening until my mother divorced my father. Times were rough. We barely had enough money to buy food, but I was happy not to wake up to his screaming anymore. A few months later my mom met my stepdad and had my sister. Everything was getting better.

I showed courage because I stood up for someone who was having a hard time standing up for herself.

The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond volume xxvi 104 105 Hodon Mohamed Kendall Allen, Teacher Malik Academy

Courage. I have heard this word many times in my life. It is enough to make someone go insane! Why, you ask? Well, if you must know, it is because ever since my father passed away, my mother had three “brats” to take care of and a son with autism. People stop me, saying things like: “It will be okay; have courage,” “Courage is the answer,” and other cheesy lines like that. I promise you, you would get tired of it too. Courage, to me, is living your life, facing your fears, and telling off all the people that will try to bring you down, all while looking like a boss! You may think someone with a bitter heart such as mine may not show courage. Well, guess what? They do. Well, at least I do.

Hi, my name is Huda Mohamed, an eleven-year-old girl who has gone through a lot in my lifetime. As you may know, my father died. But what you do not know is how or when. He died from Pancreatic Cancer when I was I felt badly for my father’s sister, but mostly I felt bad for my mother. What only seven years old. I do not recall much about it, but what I do remember was she going to do now? She did not know how to drive, because my father is that the doctors told my father he had only six months to live. Suddenly, did that for her. She did not know how to make us happy and satisfied, my mother and aunt started to cry. I felt badly for them; they did not believe because my father also did that. Worst of all, she did not even know how to it. Even though the proof was right in front of them, they still denied the cook, because my father took care of that too! I started to notice how much truth. The day finally came. It was August 23, 2011. There were a lot of I actually needed him. Somalis at my house. My mom told an aunt to keep me at her house until everything had settled down. Now, my mother is single and killing it! She has learned how to do all of those things that my father took care of before. I try to be as kind to her as I I had missed my own father’s funeral. My brother was freaking out. It felt as can be. My mother is the strongest, kindest, most loving, and caring mother if our family was broken somehow. I could not fix anything, and that was the I know. She goes out of her way to make us happy. Some of us fail to notice part that chewed, ate, and swallowed me up inside. Of course, a seven-year- that. She will stay up all night if she has to just to be sure that we are okay, old would not be able to fix this—not even the doctors could. warm, and loved. The other day, she left with my brother in an ambulance at 10:00pm and came back at 4:00am, just to find out that my brother had I was so confused. Where was my dad?! Why was my mom always crying when a silly flu. Now, tell me that is not amazing! Through her strength, I have she looked at me?! I did not know; I did not know anything. It was a terrible learned to be courageous. feeling. I hated to not know things. It made me sick. Knowing that my family was hiding something from me, by itself, made me sick. “Why me?” I would ask myself. Why not Shelby from down the street or Sid from back at summer camp? “Courage, to me, is living your life, facing your I just did not understand. fears, and telling off all the people that will try to bring you down, all while looking like a boss!”

The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond volume xxvi 106 107 Giuseppi Ricciardi Eileen Cronin & Cara Hins, Teachers Curly K-8 School

One way that I showed courage was when my mother was in the hospital and she was very sick. We were all spending the most time with her as we possibly could, but I still had to go to school and everything, so I didn’t have much time with her. She had brain cancer, breast cancer and also lung cancer, so we knew that her time with us was very short. She could not be cured. All the adults said to me and my sister that her time with us was coming to an end, but we did not want to listen to that. We wanted my mother to stay right here with us forever.

We told ourselves that we should not think of her cancer, because the more we think about it the worse we would feel. We just wanted to make my mother as happy as she could be so she would pass with a great feeling inside that we would be okay. We wanted her to know that we would do great in the real world, where disappointment and happiness are everywhere. Every other night my sister and I would go visit her. I took great care of her, better than any nurse, at least that is what the doctor said to me and my family. I know she was waiting until my sister and I had our 11th birthday, because “What I think about is that all good things why would she be suffering for no apparent reason? So a couple of days before my actual birthday, we bought a cake and we brought it over to the have to come to an end, hospital and we had a “birthday” party. It was a wonderful time, but even that had to come to an end. When we left it was time. She thought it was our but this came way, birthday, so she finally let go. She was holding on just for me and my sister, way too early for me.” but now she was gone.

When my sister and I woke up, it was time to hear the bad news, something neither of us wanted to hear. But this was reality, so we had to hear it. At 4:29 in the morning my mother was gone, she had passed. We were right! She was holding on just for us. How could we have done that? She was suffering for us! We could not see that happen any longer, so that is why we “faked” our birthday. But it was for a good cause.

I miss helping her out and giving her water, squeezing her hand, then after a while feeling the same back. What I think about is that all good things have to come to an end, but this came way, way too early for me. It was a time that I had to be courageous.

The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond volume xxvi 108 109 Joanirelys Rodriguez Kathleen Colfer, Teacher Bellesini Academy

“Be not afraid of growing slowly; Be afraid of standing still.” -Chinese proverb

To me courage is when love is lost or found. I lost love or someone that I loved. Imagine sitting and watching someone die and saying goodbye. This was an experience in my life when I had courage. How would you feel in that moment, in that infinity called time? I was four or five when this happened, but yet it feels like it was yesterday. I remember my last birthday with him, I remember saying goodbye. This is not only my courage story but a memorial to my father.

Goodbye. That is one vivid word that I will never forget. That one word can be a definition of courage, and I used it to say goodbye to someone I didn’t want to lose. I recall standing next to him in his hospital bed and education, or my grandmother. I faced these fears by continuing school saying random stuff that didn’t matter. I guess I was just stalling. That one and doing anything and everything in my power to make her happy which word changed me and who I am today. I recall it taking a week before I said made me happy. goodbye. I remember everyone crying but me, because I thought if I cried my family would lose all hope that he might live. Everyone else said it, why One cannot be sure of what is to come in life; it is what you do that couldn’t I? Hesitation stopped time for me, and that was pretty scary. His determines it. We can be sure of one thing, though; that you need to duck very last day is blurry, but I remember saying goodbye and water coming out because they are going to throw everything they can at you. Me helping my from my eyes; enough to fill a twenty-gallon pool and more. family helped them become what they are. Life is a long mile, and it will grow shorter or longer depending on what you or I do. Courage will affect After he was flown to Puerto Rico, I knew being the youngest in the house that, and so will everything else in this cruel world. It took me a metric ton I had to be strong like steel but fragile at the same time. Cooking and of courage just to write this. This is my courage story, and it is now over, at cleaning around the house when I could made me stronger, but crying, least for now. even when people were around, kept me fragile. My mother was one of the strongest, and even when she was weak all she needed was a little nudge. The ones who cried I made laugh, and if they wouldn’t laugh I would join them and cry too. Courage is a fragile thing, like us, but unlike it, we get “This is my courage story, stronger each and every day. and it is now over, at least for now” Not all love is lost or gained in tragedy. Each and every day passed, yet I never forgot him, even today. Conquering your fears is also part of courage. My days were difficult, and I feared I would lose more than him, like my

The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond volume xxvi 110 111 Urbanity / MaxCourage Collaboration

Stories of perseverance set to dance.

Essays from the 2016 Courage of Children, Boston and Beyond were digitally recorded by the students who wrote them and incorporated into original music by Boston based artist, Ryan Edwards. The resulting score and choreography became the “Call of Courage,” performed for 1,200 Boston Public School children at the Strand Theater in Dorchester on November 18, 2016. The performance used the universal language of dance to celebrate courage in Boston’s own backyard, using the voices and stories of youth.

Mixing tones of humor, raw emotion, and the extraordinary, “Call of Courage” develops a complicated image of courage to honor personal truths about growing up in today’s society. Urbanity Dancers play with power structures rooted in social interaction to create an immersive story of empowerment and peer intervention. “Call of Courage” is a constantly developing work inspired by the communities it serves. In the fall of 2017, “Call of Courage” will launch a forum to discuss issues such as bullying, and what we can do as a community to help best support our youth. If you would like to learn more, or be a part of the development process, please contact Urbanity Dance Founder and Director Betsi Graves at

[email protected]. www.urbanitydance.org/call-of-courage

The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond volume xxvi 112 113 Courage Beyond Boston New Bedford Initiative

This year the Max Warburg Courage Curriculum was introduced into all three New Bedford, MA middle schools. More than 700 New Bedford A special supplement featuring essays students wrote courage essays, a selection of which are included in this from our national and international partners volume. The New Bedford effort was led by a team of longtime Max Volunteers, Felicity Forbes Hoyt, Merry Conway, and Margot Schmid. We The essays featured in this section were written by students participating in our are deeply indebted to these hard-working volunteers whose enthusiasm national and international programs. They represent the true universal nature and unflagging energy brought The Max to new students who, in turn, of courage, and support our strong conviction that all people have the capacity shared their words with us. to be courageous. Courage in My Life National Essay Contest The Max Warburg Courage Curriculum’s Global Initiative The Max Warburg Courage Curriculum hosts the Courage in My Life The Max Warburg Courage Curriculum began working with international National Essay Contest, open to students in grades 5-8 in the United partners in 2007 in response to a growing need for an accessible, proven States. This program engages students in the reading and writing literacy and character development curriculum. To date, “The Max” has process, while encouraging young people to write about personal worked with schools and communities such as Belize, Pakistan, India, experiences with courage. Mongolia, Lebanon, Cambodia, China and Yemen. This list continues to grow, as our organization forms partnerships with schools and learning We are proud to share inspiring essays written by courageous students communities across the globe to engage students in the reading and writing from across the United States in the 26th volume of The Courage of process, while empowering them to discover, recognize and celebrate the Children: Boston and Beyond, including our national essay contest winner, courage in their lives. Giuseppe Mazzella Di Bosco. This year’s collection features essays written by students from: Birmingham, AL; Ringgold, GA; Mechanicsburg, PA; St. This year, we are honored to partner with The Cambridge School in Louis, MO; and, New Bedford, MA. Cambodia, students from Brandeis University’s Heller School for Social Policy and Management, the Mawr Volunteers Foundation, and the All schools that participate in our national program are given access Personal Development Institute of Mongolia. We are grateful to each of to teaching guides and online resources. We encourage participating these partners for their compassionate work with teachers and students in schools to deepen their experience by exploring and implementing our Cambodia, Yemen, and Mongolia, and for sharing in the vision of The Max sixth grade curriculum, and continue to offer support and guidance to Warburg Courage Curriculum. make this possible.

We welcome any organization wishing to work with The Max Warburg Courage Curriculum. Recognizing that the stories of courage from children across the globe enrich the educational experience for all students, we seek to share our materials and offer educational opportunities for children For more information about The Max Warburg Courage Curriculum and our outside of Boston. programs, please visit www.maxcourage.org

The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond volume xxvi 114 115 Lyla Tavares Ariana Wohl, Teacher Our Sisters’ School in New Bedford, Massachusetts

What does courage mean to me? Courage means to be brave, and to follow my own path. I intend to show courage by staying in school and by going to college right after high school. I am also going to be careful about who I date.

When my mom was sixteen, she stayed back two years and dropped out of high school and did not go to college. Some of my other family members did the same. As a result, they did not get amazing jobs and did not get paid well, which is what happened to my mom. She was a waitress for a while, and then she got married young and had my older sister Maya. My mom divorced because he was not right for her, and it was an unhealthy relationship. Next, my mom met my dad and they got married and had my other sister, Nadia, and me. My dad also did not get to go to college.

The courage that I need to achieve my goals is to believe in myself. I need to pay attention, study, do my homework, and be a strong woman to get great grades and go to an amazing high school and college. I need to be positive lot of different ways to explain what courage means. I will show courage by and trust myself and trust my gut and do the right thing. I need to stand up making a new path and not dropping out of high school. I will also attend for myself and ask for help when I need it. college and be in a relationship that is right for me. I hope you learned what courage means, how to show it, and that even little acts of courage It shows courage to not follow other people’s footsteps, to make a new path count too. and hope other family members will join me and follow the new steps with me. It shows courage by standing up for what is right and wrong.

My mom also showed courage and still is showing courage to this day. Now she is in college, working hard and getting really excellent grades. Something “Sometimes you do not even realize I want to do that my mom did is work hard to overcome obstacles. When I face challenges, I want to fix them like my mom did. that you are showing courage

I learned that there are so many different ways to show courage—it is not or being courageous. just about saving someone’s life or running into a burning building. Even It is something you do every day.” small things count. Sometimes you do not even realize that you are showing courage or being courageous. It is something you do every day. There are a

The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond volume xxvi 116 117 Kayleb Orlowski Catherine Casey-Paull, Teacher Normandin Middle School in New Bedford, Massachusetts

“Courage is something that all of us have deep inside,” is what I thought when I saved a person named Redd from getting hit by a car near Buttonwood Park. He thanked me a lot, and we became friends. We went to each other’s houses and talked on the phone, but soon all that didn’t matter.

One day, he came over, ate, and then we left.

“We’re going to Rite-aid!” he said.

“Alright!” I replied. We got to Rite-aid and he tried to rob the mini-store. I said I didn’t want to do this, and Redd pointed a gun at me. I froze, didn’t know what to do. “Don’t do this,” I said in fear.

“Just go,” Redd said in anger.

I ran as fast as I could go. Maybe even the fastest I’ve ever gone. I told my mom, and we went to the police station. Soon, Redd was in custody and put “I showed courage by not consenting to in prison. Redd when he robbed the mini-store.” That is when I showed my strongest act of courage. I showed courage by not consenting to Redd when he robbed the mini-store.

The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond volume xxvi 118 119 Edelmis Calderon Marcano Catherine Oliveira, Teacher Normandin Middle School in New Bedford, Massachusetts

For many people, courage means bravery and taking risks, but to me courage means being there for the ones you love and being strong in those situations yourself. This is how I showed courage.

Four years ago my life was like any other kid’s life, until my little brother was born with a serious problem in his intestines. The doctors fixed it really fast and said they were going to fix it completely when he was a bit older; like seven months older.

When the seven months passed, my brother went into surgery again. But something went wrong, he stopped breathing and passed out for twenty- seven minutes. They got him back, but they said my brother had cerebral palsy and he would die. My mom was devastated. I tried to cheer her up every day. I had to go to school every day with the pain in my heart. I used to cry at school and tried not to when I was home because I did not want to upset my mom more than she was already. I had to be strong for my family. “So, what makes you courageous?” My brother is turning four years old and he is still alive today in 2017. He helped me discover the courage I have in me. Every time I see him or hear him, he reminds me that I have to be courageous every day. So, what makes you courageous?

The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond volume xxvi 120 121 Jason Gomes Valerie Parent, Teacher Keith Middle School in New Bedford, Massachusetts

Courage—what does it mean to you? I know what it means to me. I believe that courage means power, bravery and overcoming your fears. When I sit back and think of the person I know with the most courage, I think of my mom. At 16-years-old, my mom became pregnant with me. She had to deal with friends and family members telling her to get rid of “it,” referring to me. My mom decided she was going to keep me, even if she had to raise me on her own.

Nine months later I was born, January 11, 2005. My mom dropped out of high school, got a job and promised me she would always be there for me no matter what she had to do. Right after my first birthday, my mom broke up with my dad and we moved in with my grandmother. My mom started working two jobs to care for me and save money while keeping a roof over my head. We then moved in with my aunts, who helped look after me while my mom worked crazy hours. When my mom turned 19, she went back to school and got her G.E.D., while still working. Soon after getting her certificate, she enrolled in online college courses to better her future, Now in 2017, we are about to move into a new, big, beautiful home and I which was to better my future. have both of my parents to thank for that. But, it reminds me of how my mom has dedicated everything she has accomplished to her children. As My mom went through multiple jobs, each one better than the next to she approaches her 29th birthday, I want her to know that I love her, and make more money. She went through an abusive relationship, but kept her I wouldn’t be the person I am today without her devotion and guidance. head high. She always made sure that I had clothes on my back and that I Thank you for all you have done for us, Mom. You’re the most courageous had the best of everything. Anything I asked for, my mom worked to get it woman out there. for me, no matter what the price was.

Around the time I was in Kindergarten, my mom met Eric Michael Gill and his daughter Amber. My mom was always so happy because she was in love, got pregnant with my sister Bailee, then married a guy she knew she “When I sit back and think of the person wanted to spend her life with at the age of 24. About a year and a half after I know with the most courage, the wedding, we all moved to New Bedford. My mom was brave enough to quit her job, pack our belongings and move to a city none of us knew, so I think of my mom.” my stepdad could change locations. Two months later she started working for the same company my stepdad works for. They both make really good money but put in a lot of hours to provide for me and my sisters.

The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond volume xxvi 122 123 Ysis Taylor Valerie Parent, Teacher Keith Middle School in New Bedford, Massachusetts

To me, courage means being there for someone, even if it’s some random person you don’t know. This kind of situation happened to me, and it’s not really what I expected.

Two years ago, in fourth grade, it was winter and there were piles of snow, black ice, and snowstorms. I was too young to walk out by myself in the cold, so my mom signed me up for the bus. When I went to go to the cafeteria where bus kids meet I was nervous, but everyone was okay and fine, until Jonathan came along. He was a kid in a higher grade who would yell out mean things and blurt out inappropriate stuff. I should’ve said something, but nothing came out of my mouth.

The second day on the bus the worst, most terrible, craziest thing happened. He touched her. I didn’t know who “her” was, but as I got on the bus behind her Jonathan hit her behind, and it made me go nuts! I wanted to scream, but I didn’t do it. So what I did was plan what I should say, because I knew she didn’t like it from the look on her face. I wanted to do something because she didn’t, not even the bus driver did. It took me a while because I didn’t do things like this on a regular basis. But that didn’t stop me just because I wasn’t used to it. I wasn’t going to let this happen again and leave it alone. “To me, courage means After maybe a week or so I waited until our bus came to bring us home. I was behind her to see if he would do it again, and he did. “Ow!” he yelled. I being there for someone, hit him back and said in a serious tone, “Don’t ever touch her again.” Then even if it’s some random person I went to find a seat. It’s one of the most amazing things I’ve ever done, and I was proud of it, because after that he never did it again. That showed me you don’t know.” you can actually be there for people, even if they’re unknown to you.

The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond volume xxvi 124 125 Jaelyn Tevenal Denise Ashworth, Teacher Roosevelt Middle School in New Bedford, Massachusetts

Some people think courage is just being brave, but to me it’s standing up for what’s right. You gain strength and confidence with every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, “I lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.” The time that I had to be courageous was when I had depression. One day in December, I was kind of sick with weird headaches. So, my mom took me to Urgent Care where they checked me and said I was fine, until they asked me questions.

The final question they asked me was their worst concern about me. I said “Yes” to the question, which was “Do you want to hurt yourself in any way?” After I answered their question they said I needed to go to St. Lukes Hospital so they could bring someone in. I started sobbing and shaking at the same time. But I knew I had to be brave.

When we got there, they evaluated me in the psychiatric ward. I was very frightened of what they were going to do to me. They put me in a room “You gain strength and confidence where other patients were, and I tried to calm down, but I couldn’t. My mom put the TV on and I put the uncomfortable blanket on me and fell with every experience in which you asleep. really stop to look fear in the face.” I then got woken up by a psychologist who asked me questions, then left. The nurse came in and gave me some ginger ale. A few hours later, the nurse said I could go home. We left the hospital at 2:00 AM, and I didn’t go to school the next day because I didn’t sleep. So I spent the day at my nana’s. Then my mom came back and took me to child and family services to be talked to. I was very brave the next few days.

If you want to know how it feels to have depression, it feels like a dark stormy rainy day where no one is there except your feeling upset about yourself. It also feels like you’re shut out by your own friends and family.

Today I’m still feeling lonely and depressed and feeling like I don’t win at anything. All I can do is try my best. But most importantly, be brave.

The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond volume xxvi 126 127 Leslie Portillo Joyce Sioch, Teacher Roosevelt Middle School in New Bedford, Massachusetts

To me, courage means being able to be comfortable in your own skin. It can mean finally doing what you thought was impossible, without fear.

Please take a moment and think, have you ever wanted to change yourself physically or mentally? I have. I never liked the way I was or who I was. I always thought that I was too tall, too chubby and just plain ugly. I began to starve myself so I could get skinnier. I was so insecure. I would go online and compare myself to models and actresses who appeared to have beautiful bodies. My insecurity was horrible! It got to the point that I did not even want to leave my house.

Then one day, I was watching the news and there was a story about a young girl who committed suicide because her fellow students made fun of her. They made fun of her looks and criticized her for being skinny. When they displayed the picture of her, I thought she was really pretty! I wish I could have told her that. “The other thing I learned is Why are people so cruel? Why do women have unrealistic body expectations? After I heard that story, my world changed. I started eating again. I even that the people in the world who hurt ate in public. I started going outside again. Even though I didn’t feel great in my body, I put my best foot forward. From that point on, no one said others are usually hurt themselves.” anything about my body. I started to stop being afraid that people would make rude comments about me.

After all of that happened, I realized that you can be happy in your own body. It may take some time, but trust me, you can. I am now happy and comfortable with who I am. Now I have figured out that I can show courage. The other thing I learned is that the people in the world who hurt others are usually hurt themselves.

The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond volume xxvi 128 129 Giuseppe Mazzella di Bosco Janet Holt, Teacher Good Hope Middle School in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania

Some people believe courage is about knights in shining armor, saving princesses, and slaying dragons. I think courage is something that comes from within; something that you have to overcome each and every day. One of these people who has overcome something that is forever permanent is me. For me, courage has become my sixth and most victorious sense.

Anyway, let’s get to know each other! My name is Giuseppe Mazzella di Bosco II, and I have autism. Ever since I was two years old up until 5th grade, I have been in special needs classes with other children dealing with autism. I’ve always been different from the other students, but I never really let it bother me. I would normally act differently from the other kids on a daily basis. If a “normal” student was overwhelmed, he or she would easily calm down and get on with their day. With me, whenever I would get overwhelmed, I would have a meltdown and very often have to be taken out of class for a few minutes or longer. not afraid of being different (because it would be boring if everyone was the same), but I wanted more than anything to do the same things and be Up until two years ago, I had “helpers” at school and at home. These in the same places as the “normal” kids my age, so I worked hard to achieve “helpers” were actually therapists helping me with speech, occupational this. I needed a lot of courage. Courage is being different but finding a therapy and behavior. This is what first set me apart from the other place to fit in with everyone else. Autism is not a physical disability that is students. I did not like being different, but I realized that if I didn’t want easy to see, like a wheelchair or a missing arm or leg. Autism happens on to be different, I needed them. You see, someone with autism is always the inside, and the only way someone from the outside can see it is when I anxious, and I was the king of anxious! When you have autism, your five am acting out or having a meltdown. Courage is having the ability to face senses (sight, sound, smell, touch and taste) are like the Energizer Bunny, my anxieties and those five battling senses head on and to calmly put these always going and going and going. So besides learning the regular subjects senses back to “normal” without anyone knowing about the fight that is in school, like reading, language arts, writing, and math, I also had to learn going on inside my head. to teach my brain to control my senses. For me, setting the goal was easy, but achieving the goal, not so much. My goal was to be in a normal classroom So this is my fairytale, my happily ever after. I believe courage has allowed with normal students. That sounds easy, right? Wrong! When you have five me to overcome my anxieties each and every day. Courage is my sixth sense senses who are always fighting with each other, it is anything but easy! So the to deal with the other five when they are acting crazy. Courage has made me challenge for me on a daily basis is keeping those five senses happy. If they work very hard to be in a normal school, in a normal classroom, with normal are happy, I’m happy; but even if just one of them isn’t happy, then that is a students, without any “helpers.” Some days are easy and some days are hard. struggle I have to overcome. So I had “helpers” who taught me the tools to Some people understand me and some people do not. But my sixth sense use when I was struggling with any of these senses that were causing chaos of courage helps me to deal with those situations head on. Although there in my brain. is no cure for autism, I believe courage allows me to overcome the day-to- day sensory struggles inside my head. If that is not courage, then I am not Fortunately for me, I have courage. I call it my sixth sense because without sure what is. it those five other senses would get the best of me sometimes. Seriously, I’m

The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond volume xxvi 130 131 Samantha Guess Billie Carlock, Teacher Heritage Middle School in Ringgold, Georgia

Courage means when someone gives up everything for someone else. For example, a person that is not so fortunate gives all their money to a person who is less fortunate than them. Some may think being courageous is doing something big, like a celebrity giving a lot of money to a local animal shelter. But being courageous could be something as small as saying, “I’m sorry, I was wrong.”

I witnessed courage when my cousin went to war. She is a young islander with a five-year-old son, and had never left Guam, the island she grew up on. This is an example of courage because going off of your home island can be very frightening. Going to a location that you have never been to can be intimidating, but when you are courageous, nothing can stop you.

My cousin is also courageous because she is a woman in war. Being a woman in war can mean getting teased, harassed, and called bad names. When you get bullied like this, it can make you depressed and feel like you don’t belong. It can make you feel isolated and alone, and when you are at war, “Courage means when someone gives up that is the polar opposite of what you need. everything for someone else.” My cousin is courageous because she left her five-year-old son at home. If you leave your son at this age, it may mean that when you come back he will not be as close to you, and no mother wants to risk that. Your son may also find someone else to be their mother figure, and not want to spend time with you anymore. But, my cousin was willing to risk that to serve the United States.

All in all, being courageous means to risk everything for the sake of someone else. For example, my cousin. She is a very courageous woman, and she risked everything for one person. Who is this person, you ask? She risked everything for her brother, who was killed in the war of Afghanistan in 2008. My family even named the family shop after him, and my cousin named her son after her brother. Courage is a very important feature, because if you are not courageous, you may not get to experience life’s amazing things!

The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond volume xxvi 132 133 De’Era L. Williams Ashley Vosholler, Teacher Marian Middle School in St. Louis, Missouri

When I show courage in my life I say to myself: “I AM A CHILD OF GOD. I AM AMAZING. I CAN DO ANYTHING I SET MY MIND TO. I CAN AND I WILL.”

One cozy day in November, I had just gotten out of bed and still had my pajamas on when my mom called my name. “De’Era,’’ she said. “Ma’am,’’ I called back. I walked downstairs to see what she wanted, and as soon as I made it to the bottom of the stairs she said, “You are going to be on a commercial.’’ I got really excited, but she stopped me right there and said, “But it’s not going to be on television.” When I asked, “Why not?” Mom answered, “Because it’s about family, not the network or world. It is about the homeless women at the shelter.” Then someone knocked at the door and my mother told me to go get dressed while she opened the door. So I ran upstairs and got dressed. When I was finished my mom told me to come down for the commercial. Soon the commercial had started. This is when I really showed my courage. myself, and my mom was too. That is what really made me feel confident in About 30 minutes later I was halfway into the commercial and was asked myself. My mom said that good people know what the right thing to do is. how long was I in the shelter. I really could not explain the situation, so I She said that I was one of those good people. told her, “I think it was about a year or two.” I said, “I think I was about 6 years old during that time. I would always ask my mom when will we have I learned that the right thing to do is to do what you think is best for you our own house, and she told me soon. I didn’t like when she said soon. I and your family. What I did to help my family was to finish the commercial. always wanted her to say today.” That helped my family because when I finished that commercial we got a better house. I think that when you want to accomplish something you have Soon that time came when we got our new house, but we were still going to think positively, and that is what I did. To know you have courage you will through the shelter services. I didn’t like this and I started to cry, so my mom have to believe in your dreams. took over and I went to sit on the front porch. Forty-five minutes into the commercial I was back in the commercial. My mom and I were telling about what happened. After that we were finished, so I ran upstairs to my room to close the door. My mom called my name, but I just stayed in my room. “To know you have courage you will

At about 1:00 in the afternoon I went to someone’s house to take pictures, have to believe in your dreams.” and my brothers and I had to act as if we were at home. I was brave enough to get through the rest of the commercial with my mom. I like that I was able to achieve my goal, which was to finish the commercial. I was proud of

The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond volume xxvi 134 135 Saba Baskin Brittani Wilder, Teacher Wilkerson Middle School in Birmingham, Alabama

Courage has an important role in my life, and to me. I show courage by standing up for people. Real courage requires wisdom. Courage is commitment. When I show courage it’s like a responsibility. The way I show courage is by being a leader, and being helpful.

Last summer my sister couldn’t read fluently. Every day she would say, “I can’t read.” That’s when I came in. I encouraged her to read and believe that she is not a quitter. So every day I worked with her on her reading, and she got better and better. When she finally began to read she would get so happy. Now, she is reading big books, and she is amazing.

I showed courage by showing love and integrity. I helped her with her problem and solved it. She gave up her fear, and now she is incredible at reading.

I showed courage to her by helping her and influencing her. I think it is important to be encouraging. I inspired her to be better. It took my determination for her to read. “I show courage by I show courage because I think people can do the same. Every day I show standing up for people. courage by doing something different and special. That’s how I showed courage in my life, and why. Real courage requires wisdom.

Courage is commitment.”

The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond volume xxvi 136 137 Jessie Chun Ms. Banner, Teacher United Evergreen Primary School in Belmopan, Belize

As part of learning to be responsible, my parents have assigned chores for my sister and me to do every day. The chore that I used to dislike the most was locking up the chickens in the coop at night. The coop was in our backyard where it was really dark and frightening. Ghost stories would come to my mind, and I always kept expecting one would grab me any moment!

Because of my fear I used to rush the work, and sometimes not all the chickens would go in. This was dangerous for the chickens because possums can come and attack them. I would run back into the house and tell my mom everything was fine. I was ashamed to tell them I was so scared of the dark.

One evening I was heading to the backyard, and I decided to control my fear. I intentionally stood in the dark for quite a while and convinced myself that there was really nothing to be afraid of. I took my time to count all the chickens, and then I walked back into the house. Gone was the thought that the ghost was out to get me. From that time, I can say my terror of darkness went away. I can do my chore properly thanks to the courage I now have. “I intentionally stood in the dark for quite a while and convinced myself that there was really nothing to be afraid of.”

The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond volume xxvi 138 139 Selma Cal Cynthia Coc, Teacher Saint Martin’s Government School in Salvapan, Belize

The day I got courage in my life was when I told my mom that I had failed some of my tests. I’m the type of person that tries my best to pass all my tests and quizzes. That day when I confronted my mother, I was scared as a mouse. My mom said, “You have another chance, but you still need to study harder because I want you to pass.”

I did pass, and my mom was so happy. I thought it would never happen to me again. But it did! It so happened that I failed one of my exams. I didn’t want to tell her, so I kept it to myself. Then we were watching television, but something was telling me to tell my mom. It was difficult to say it. So I sat up and said “Mom, I’ve got something to tell you.” She turned to look at me and smiled. I was so terrified that I started to tremble. I told her that I’d failed one of my exams, and she replied, “The next time I see you failing your exams or tests I will lash you.” I got frightened and started crying. But my mom gave me some advice, and my father did as well.

My father always helps me with my homework if I can’t do it, and he is always there to help me in my time of need. So whenever I have a test or quiz I always study, but I still tremble like a tree when the wind blows it when facing an exam or awaiting the results. “The day I got courage in my life was when I told my mom that I had failed some of my tests.”

The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond volume xxvi 140 141 Emily E. Rosanna Roberts, Teacher Raymond Sheppard Nazarene Primary School in Belmopan, Belize

Four years ago my dad left us. We all were worried because we did not have anything after he took a car and a truck with all we had. My mom needed a bigger car so that she could sell vegetables, and she had to work hard to send four of us to school. I thank my uncle because he drove for my mom or else she would not have been able to work. My mom went through a lot, but she is getting better.

I thank my mom that she did not give up on us. She had courage. If my mom did not have courage, she would not have sent us to school and she would have left us. That’s what courage means to me.

“I thank my mom that she did not give up on us. She had courage.”

The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond volume xxvi 142 143 Anthony Alberto Ms. Gomez, Teacher Garden City Primary School in Belmopan, Belize

Courage is being able to deal with any situation that might come up in your life from time to time. I was able to experience courage through lessons learnt from a family member. My aunt Sadie taught me that in life we should not be fearful, but to embrace all situations that come our way with optimism and strength.

I can recall in May of 2014, something unexpected happened that allowed me to see how courageous my aunt was. My aunts Sadie and Consuelo were selling a piece of land located in the San Martin area where we lived, and some clients had come to view it. We met the people and everything went well, so around 3:00 pm we decided to take our slow walk back home. On the way we were talking and laughing and just enjoying the company of each other. My aunt Sadie met one of her friends and talked a while. Her friend was a nurse just like her. Then the nurse walked away in a hurry, but we continued to walk slowly because my other aunt Consuelo was pregnant at the time, and she could not walk fast. nurse, my aunt quickly gave the man CPR for about five to ten minutes until Suddenly, we approached a narrow bridge when we saw two men on a the ambulance had reached the scene. I watched all of these events unfold motorcycle in black clothing with their faces covered. On the bridge at right in front of my eyes and was amazed and frightened at the same time. the same time was another man riding a bicycle slowly. All of a sudden, the men on the motorcycle pushed the man on the bicycle off the bridge, A few days after the man had recovered, he found my aunt and the nurse and the man fell head first into the slow moving stream. All of us saw what and thanked them for saving his life, because he could have drowned in happened, even the nurse who was already crossing the bridge ahead of the shallow water of the creek. I was so happy that someone’s life was saved the two men on the motorcycle who were on the middle of the bridge. The that day, and from then on I looked at life in a different way. Fear could nurse moved out of the way as the men on the motorcycle quickly drove have kept my aunt from spontaneous helpinging, but she has always been across the bridge. a courageous person to take on whatever challenges life brought her way. She has taught me that when we are courageous God helps us in our time The nurse screamed and shouted for my aunts to come help her save of need, and there is no place for fear. the man. My aunt Sadie was wearing high-heeled shoes and did not even remember she had heels on. She ran so fast to meet up with the nurse, and together they quickly ran to the man lying in the stream looking lifeless. “I watched all of these events unfold Together they pulled his bicycle off of him and pulled him out of the water to the edge of the creek. The creek had big rocks, and the man had hit right in front of my eyes and was amazed his head and was bleeding and unconscious. So, along with her friend the and frightened at the same time.”

The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond volume xxvi 144 145 Joel Ethan McKoy Juan Alas, Teacher Our Lady of Guadelupe School in Belmopan, Belize

What is courage? According to Webster’s Dictionary, courage is the attitude of facing and dealing with anything recognized as dangerous, difficult, or painful, instead of withdrawing from it; the quality of being fearless or brave. In my own words courage is to do something without fear. Courage in my life is having to see my mom in so much pain every day and not knowing what to do or say. This teaches me that suffering in silence is good because not everyone cares about a problem, so it’s not always good to be sharing it around. Courage is more than a feeling or idea, courage is action when needed.

In other words, “doing the right thing at the right time at the right place.” I believe that my life is full of courage because I have learned to obey when “So in conclusion, courage to me is a all I see around me is disobedience and disrespect. Young people especially, choice, a decision that we all need to make have no courage; they are full of disobedience and a tremendous lack of self-respect. They think that boldness and courage are gained by trying to at one point in life or another.” be macho and killing one another, but I say courage is walking away when someone is picking a fight, because it take courage to walk away. Courage in my life is the ability to acknowledge wrong and ask for forgiveness. Courage in my life is walking away from a fight at school or at home.

Almost every day there is a fight at school, and I have to act normal because my mom says not to fight. But it really hurts, and I think that it really takes courage to do this. Courage in my life is to follow my dreams in spite of opposition. My dream is to become a lawyer or a scientist, and I know that it will take courage to follow that vision without being distracted by other people or things. Not to desire to settle for the things that have no value but to take hold of the principles that make men great—such as having a servant heart whether you are rich or poor, giving even when men are ungrateful, and standing up for the weak and the defenseless. I think that I have a lot of courage in my life. I really do not want to grow up to be a lazy drunkard. It takes courage not to be lazy because a lot of people are lazy these days, especially people who smoke weed and sit around begging for a dollar. I do not want to be like that. So in conclusion, courage to me is a choice, a decision that we all need to make at one point in life or another. I am choosing to be courageous and to begin now so that in my later years, I will not have regrets. Living by example is my greatest desire: to be a leader in any position or situation I may find myself in, and lead by example.

The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond volume xxvi 146 147 Brak Srey Pich Phalla Ol, Teacher The Cambridge School in Cambodia

The meaning of courage is to struggle, to make an effort, to have audacious thoughts, and to dare to make suggestions to help people around us.

My name is Brak Srey Pich. I am thirteen years old and study in 8th grade in the village of Kauk Rovieng in Cambodia. I would like to share with you a story about something that happened in my family last month. At that time I tried to solve a problem with my mother who was seriously depressed. She listened, and my courage in trying to help her came to good result.

When my father passed away last month, my mother sadly cried and cried. I had the courage to tell my mother, “Mom, you have to be determined not to miss Dad so much that you are always sad.” I told her that everyone who is born will also die someday. I wanted her to remember that my dad had died comfortably and that he would have wanted her to take care of the younger children and be responsible for all the property that he had left for us. And that time, my mom stopped weeping and she began to realize that what I had told her was important. “The meaning of courage is to struggle, A few days later, an uncle came to visit my dad, without knowing that my to make an effort, dad was gone. He asked my mom, “Where is your husband?” Weeping, my mom told him that her husband had passed away. At that moment, I came to have audacious thoughts, home from school and I saw my mom crying. I told her not to weep because dad passed away peacefully. When she heard me remind her like this, she and to dare to make suggestions suddenly stopped weeping and hugged me. She told me how grateful she to help people around us.” was for my good explanation and my courage, calling it “Our courage.”

In conclusion, I realize that my courage is sometimes just to be honest, like I was with my mom, even when it isn’t easy. Therefore, I would like to clarify that “courage” is not something that belongs to only one of us as a dare to commit to something. It is also something that others can share in, and that’s when we can call it “Our courage.”

The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond volume xxvi 148 149 Meas Bopha Phalla Ol, Teacher The Cambridge School in Cambodia

Courage is an effort. It means struggling, endurance, and success in overcoming all obstacles we might face.

My name is Meas Bopha and I have been living in Kauk Rovieng village in Kampong Cham province, Cambodia. Today I would like to talk about my family’s issue. Many days when I was back from school, my parents quarreled so much that they decided to get divorced. At that time I asked my father, “Why did you and mother decide to get divorced?” He didn’t say much, but during that time my mother told me that my father had a lover, so that was why she decided to separate from him.

After my parents divorced, my mother got a job at a construction company in order to earn an income to feed us three children. Sometimes she had to go far away to work, so I was living alone with my siblings. After school I cooked food for my siblings. The younger children went to sleep with my grandmother at night and I slept alone, lonely and afraid of ghosts, so I could go to school. Sometimes, I was so scared of sleeping alone I “Courage is an effort.” wanted to stop studying, but then I would call up my courage and realize that if I stopped studying I could not understand everything. Therefore, I determined that I will always endeavor to study hard to improve my family and my future.

Through my experience I learned the meaning of courage. I thought I would always be afraid of something and might hesitate to not disturb others. But now, I am like the mother who pushes my siblings to be happy, and increasingly courage makes me acknowledge the meaning of both convenience and misery. In conclusion, I realize that the word “courage” gives us a brave idea and helps us to dare to succeed, overcoming all of the obstacles in life. With my courage I would like to wish luck and health to all of my teachers.

The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond volume xxvi 150 151 Ariunbayar Tumur Amgalan Complex School Bayanzurkh District in Mongolia

“Thank you. I, Ariunbayar, am very honoured to be standing on this stand representing children and teenagers, which make up one-third of the total population of Mongolia, and speaking about children’s rights and how they are implemented in our country.” From the 75th session of the Children’s Rights Committee of the United Nations, speech by Ariunbayar Tumur, representing Mongolia.

Hello, I will now present to you my story of courage. I was just a bad student. A really bad student. Writing a 50-word essay seemed impossible, and memorizing a poem and reciting it in front of the class seemed even worse. My career in the education sector worsened when I entered middle school. Classes felt like strangers, and threats from the teachers that they might kick me out of school scared me to death. But never did I think of a “courageous change.” I wore dirty clothes, was allergic to books, and took interest in cigarettes and alcohol.

After graduating my first year of middle school, the 2nd world war of my life In the end, new beginnings are the most important in life. And if you start ended. When I gained consciousness, my body was covered in blue bruises something good it may become important for you, me, and the world. And and I had casts on my limbs. I couldn’t even clearly hear the sound of my new beginnings begin with your courage. mom crying. That was me waking up 8 days after the accident, and I only remembered the details after some months. I stayed in the hospital for 4 This is the story of a boy from the rookery, standing on the podium of the months unable to move and eat well. Perhaps, maybe because I reached the United Nations, standing in front of millions of people, speaking for many maximum state of boredom, I thought about my life… children’s rights. This is a story about new beginnings and changes. And this is a story about the “courage” that has become the parent of every change. I can still taste the strength and courage that answered my thoughts. You know what, it was not because I was stupid that I did not know about happiness, success, and all the good things in life. I was just a cowardly kid with no confidence. “Why was I such a coward?” This thought hurt “I can still taste the strength me more than my physical pain. The moment my arms started moving, I wrote. I copied notes and did dictation, then wrote essays. I also had no and courage that answered my thoughts.” time for drinking and smoking. Without knowing why, every night I washed my shirts and read books. These new beginnings and changes required the most courage of my life.

The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond volume xxvi 152 153 Zorigbat Oyunsuren 117th Secondary School Chingeltei District in Mongolia

One of the attributes an individual should have is courage. Courage does not just mean to not fear something scary. For me it means the ability and patience to overcome one’s bad habits. By overcoming oneself and other hardships, one can finally reach success.

From reading successful people’s stories, I realized that they only reached success after understanding the true nature of themselves, battling with their bad habits, and working endlessly. Hence, it is crucial to show courage and defeat contradictory habits in order to make your dream come true.

When I was in fifth grade, I was the worst student. One day, my teacher called me into her office and talked to me about my future. She made me understand how everyone has a dream job and a future. Moreover, I also understood that I had much to learn to reach my dream, so I had to get rid of many bad habits. Thus, I started paying attention in class, and caught up with previous subjects. At the time, I used to play video games all the time, so I even got rid of that habit. After all these measures, I gained many In conclusion, even though it is difficult to change yourself, friends and my grades were much better. It was not all that easy for me to after all the hardships you will be very proud of yourself. Always change. Because I had never studied before, I had to get adjusted to many be confident that you will make your dream come true, no new things. Sometimes when I faced hard problems I would get discouraged matter how impossible it may seem. and even think it would have been easier if I were playing video games.

Still, the desire to fulfill my dream to become a better person and contribute Эцэст нь хэлэхэд өөрийгөө өөрчилхөд амаргүй байсан ч даван to my country’s future encouraged me and killed my greed for video games. туулсний дараа өөрөө өөрөөрөө их бахархдаг. Одоо мөрөөдөлдөө Without any goal, I only played video games to waste time, and as a result I хүрээгүй ч хэзээ нэгэн цагт хүрнэ гэдэгтээ итгэлтэй байна. got used to a harmful lifestyle, lost my reputation among family and friends at school, and could not understand any school work. After realizing that I was lost, it took a lot of courage and patience for me to find the right path and reputation among people.

The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond volume xxvi 154 155 Buynaa Tungalag High School of Mongolian National University Ulaanbaatar in Mongolia

Sometimes life is like a movie. And I hope that you have wondered if you could be the main character and have imagined what you could do in the situations described in the movie. I am the one faced with what I saw in the movie. I have been faced with the most heavenly animal of Mongolia, “Wolf.” Believe it or not.

This story happened to me when I was 16. At that time, I was at my aunt’s summer camp, spending my summer holiday. One day, I was to look after their sheep because her husband and all the other men had to go somewhere, and there was nobody to look after the sheep except for me. Unluckily, that day was so cloudy and foggy that I felt like not going, but my aunt insisted that I go after the sheep. There was no other way because my mother told me to help her. Then, my adventure began.

It was difficult to go after them because I had no horse. When I finally caught up with them, I saw a wolf attacking the herd. I was so panicked and was trembling so hard that I felt very scared. Unbelievable, but it was really a wolf. “So one important thing I understood Can you imagine what a 16 year-old girl should do in this situation? How can she handle it alone? Suddenly I realized that I had to survive but also protect from my experience is that I must do what the sheep. Therefore, I grabbed the very first thing I found which was a small branch of a tree, and I shouted at the wolf. He noticed me and was looking at I should do, even if I am scared.” me gently for several moments. Would he attack me or not? Whatever would happen next, I was holding that small branch tightly. Fortunately, the danger was left behind. He left and ran through the thick fog.

What if that wolf had attacked me? What if I did not force myself to do something to handle the situation? So one important thing I understood from my experience is that I must do what I should do, even if I am scared. I also assume that being brave means forcing yourself to overcome your fear and doing what is impossible.

The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond volume xxvi 156 157 Maram Aljundi Enas Al-Makalah, Teacher Rabe’a Aladaweya in Sana’a, Yemen نيصخش تذقنأ

ةمأ ،ةمارغ رون :تاملعملا ، ةيودعلا ةعبار ةسردم -عسات فص -يدنجلا مارم :ةصق Courage is to overcome fear and pass through difficulties. This is me when I يشيشحلا ءافو ،ينابيشلا ءايمل ،قاحسإ قلاخلا overcame my fear of the dark. I used to fear the dark, I used to be frightened امدنع ةعاجش تنك دقل ،انأ اذكهو ،بعاصملا يطختو فوخلا ىلع بلغتلا يه ةعاجشلا .of the dark. Even when sleeping, I used to keep the room lit امدنع تنكو ،ًاديدش ًافوخ مالظلا فاخأ تنك ينأ ثيح ،مالظلا نم يفوخ ىلع تبلغت .ًالعتشم ةفرغلا رون يقبُأ مونلا ىلإ بهذأ One night, when my father was traveling, I heard the sound of screams and مداق نينأو خارص توص تعمس ،ًارفاسم يبأ اهيف ناك يلايللا نم ةليل تاذ يفو whines. I felt scared. The sounds increased and the whining got louder. At كلت يف ،نينألاو خارصلا توص دادزا ،توصلا نم تبعترا دقل ،يتفرغ جراخ نم that moment I gathered all the strength I had and decided to follow the ناك تجرخ امدنعو ،توصلا ردصم عبتتأ نأ تررقو يتوق لك تعمجتسا ةظحللا source of the sound. After leaving my room I realized that the sound was اهلأسأ تذخأف ،يكبتو خرصت يمأب اذإو بابلا تحتف ،يمأ ةفرغ نم ًامداق توصلا coming from my mother’s room. I opened the door to find my mother خرصت تذخأو ،ديدش ملأو ،يئاشحأ يف عطقتب رعشأ :ةلئاق تباجأف ؟يناعت َمِم : ,screaming and crying. I asked her, “Mom, what do you feel?” She screamed يف مثعلتأ انأو - هتربخأو سراحلا ىلإ ريكفت الب تجرخ اهدنع ،ىلعأ توصب I can feel my intestines burning, I feel pain.” I went out immediately and“ .ىفشتسملا ىلإ اهفاعسإ انيلع نأو ،ةدالولا مالآ نم يناعت يمأ نإ :ةلئاق - مالكلا talked to a guard. I told him that my mother was delivering and we needed انلصو امدنعو ،ىفشتسملا ىلإ يمأو انأ انبهذو ،ةرجأ ةرايس رجأتساو سراحلا بهذ .to get her to the hospital ،بيبطلا جرخ تاعاس تس رورم دعبو ،بيبطلا ةفرغ يمأ تلخد ،ىفشتسملا ىلإ .ةديج ةحصب يمأ نأب ينربخأف هيلإ تعرسأف The guard ran away and returned in a few minutes with a taxi. We took ينتمضف ،اهتيؤرب ًادج ةديعس تنك دقل ؛يانيع ألمت عومدلاو يمأ ةفرغ ىلإ تلخد Mom to the hospital. She went to the operating room and after six hours ترظتنا يذلا ( يخأ ) رظتنملا لفطلا توص ناك دقل ،لفط ءاكب توصب اذإو اهيلإ .the doctor came out. I ran to him and he said that my mom was fine . رهشأ ةعست همودق نم يفوخ ىلع تبلغت ينأب ترعش ؛ليمج روعشب ترعش ةظحللا كلت يف I went to mom’s room with my eyes full of tears. I was happy to see her. She هنأ نيقي ىلع تنك دقل ،يخأ ةايحو يمأ ةايح تذقنأ تقولا سفن يفو ،مالظلا hugged me. I heard a baby crying. It was my brother. I waited nine months .مالظلا نم يفوخ ىلع هيف بلغتأ يذلا مويلا يتأيس for him. At that time I felt something good. I felt that I had overcome my ةايح تذقنأ يتلا ،مالظلا نم اهفوخ ىلع تبلغت نم ،ةيوقلا ،ةعاجشلا ةاتفلا ،انأ اذه fear of the dark to save my mother and my brother. I was always sure that .(يخأو يمأ) نيصخش .one day I would overcome my fear of the dark

“I felt that I had overcome my fear of the dark to save my mother and my brother.”

The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond volume xxvi 158 159 Raghad Alsharjabi Enas Al-Makalah, Teacher Rabe’a Aladaweya in Sana’a, Yemen ًالوأ كسفنب أدبي رييغتلا

،حلاقملا سانيا :تاملعملا ،ةيودعلا ةعبار ةسردم ،سداس فص ،يبجرشلا دغر :ةصق .This war in our country has forced us to give up many important things فاحج كلملا ةما ،يربغالا اريدنأ We now have a different view of life. I had to leave my school, the place of حبصأو ،ادج ةمهم ءايشأ نع ءانغتسالا ىلع اندالب يف ةرئادلا برحلا انتربجأ my most beautiful memories with my friends, because my father could not ةصاخلا يتسردم لعج ىلع برحلا انتربجأو ،فلتخم ءايشألا ةيمهأل انمييقت ,afford to pay for the private school. Like hundreds of thousands of people -ةريثك تايركذ يف نهعم تكرتشا – يتاقيدص عم مايألا لمجأ اهيف تيضمأ يتلا .my father had not been paid for months ةفلكت لقأ ىرخأ ةسردم يف تسرد ول ىتح يميلعت لمكأ نأ وه مهألا نأل ؛ةمهم ريغ فقوت ببسب ؛اهب ةصاخلا فيراصملا عفدي نأ عيطتسي دعي مل هنأل ؛يدلاو ىلع My father found a good public school for me, Rabe’a Aladaweya. My sister .دالبلا عاضوأو بتاورلا .was admitted, but I was not اننألو ،ىرغصلا يتقيقشلو يل ةيموكح ىرخأ ةسردم نع ثحبي نأ يدلاو رطضا ،ةيجذومنلا ةيودعلا ةعبار ةسردم يف انقاروأ يلاو مدق – دمحلا هللو – ًادج تاقوفتم I was disappointed because it is a good school. I felt that it was my fault. I was .يلوبق متي ملف انأ امأ ،يتقيقش لوبق مت هنأ ةمدصلا نكلو .admitted to a different school, but my disappointment was deep inside me يف يليجست متو ،َّيف أطخلا نأ ترعشو يلوبق متي مل هنأل طابحإلاب تبصأ ،َّيدلاو ءاعدو يئاعدو يربصبو ،يعم رمتسا طابحإلاب يروعش نكل ،ىرخأ ةسردم After some time my father was able to get admission for me in the same .كلذ يف يدلاو حجن يتقيقش عم يليجستل ةدع تالواحم دعبو school as my sister. I was extremely pleased. But I was not able to get rid of يف َياوتسم نأل ؛طابحإلا ةلحرم نم جورخلا عطتسأ مل يننكلو ،ًاريثك تحرف the feeling of frustration, because my performance was not good. There مغر - تاسردملاو ،هيلع تدوعت امم رثكأ تابلاطلا ددعف ،اهيف ًاديج نكي مل ةيادبلا were a large number of students, and I did not feel that the teachers were .ًادرف ًادرف انعيجشت نعطتسي ال – ريبك دهجل نهلذب .giving me the attention I had in the private school نم لجخلاب ينترعشأ يعيجشتو يتايونعم عفرل ةرمتسملا َّيدلاو تالواحم َّيدلاو ،دي هيف امهل سيل عضو ببسب طابحإلاب يروعشل ملستسأ اذامل ،يسفن My father tried to encourage me. I felt shy deep inside. Why should I feel ىلإ مالستسالا نمو ،لمأ ىلإ طابحإلا نم جرخأ نأ تررق كلذل ،يل لضفألا ناديري frustrated for things my father has no control over? My parents would like برح كانه تناك ولو ىتح يدالبو ،ًامئاد لضفألا ينم ناقحتسي َّيدلاوف ،ةرباثملا .the best for me .اهلجأ نم ملعتأو اهبحأ نأ قحتست اهيف ؛يبأ ًاركشو ،يمأ ًاركشف ،ةرباثمو ةدهتجم ةذيملت ،تنك امك تعجرو تريغت كلذل I then decided to fight this frustration, and convert it to hope, and transform .ًالوأ مهسفن رييغتب اوأدبي نأ ةبلاطو بلاط لك حصنأو ،يعم ًامئاد امكنأل my submission to hard work. My parents deserve my hard work, and even my country, despite the war, deserves my love and my efforts.

I changed, and recovered, and became a hard-working student. Thank you, Mom, thank you, Dad, thank you for your support. I advise every child to “My parents deserve my hard work, start changing themselves first. and even my country, despite the war, deserves my love and my efforts.”

The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond volume xxvi 160 161 Hamas Altomi Enas Almaqaleh,Teacher Tokyo School in Sana’a, Yemen يتاملعم

ةورم ،ةحباس سانيا :نوملعملا ،ويكوط ةسردم -سداس فص -يموتلا سامح :ةصق I learned courage from my teachers who are determined to help us learn يئبسلا بيدأ ،يولع despite the difficulties. Two years ago things were stable, and we went to school in peace. For me the best time was when I was in school with my ،ةبعصلا فورظلا مغر انميلعت ىلع نهرارصإب يتاملعم نم يتعاجش تبستكا friends and teachers. But things have changed. The war started and the انكو ،ةرقتسم عاضوألا تناك نيتنس لبقف ،ةعاجشب نهنع بتكا ينلعج ام اذهو situation worsened. Schools were closed for a long time. We were not able يتاليمز عم ةسردملا يف نوكأ امدنع يتاقوأ لمجأ تناكو ،مالسو نمأب ملعلا ىقلتن .to complete the school year due to the war عاضوألا تءاسو ،برحلا تعقو ،تريغتو لاوحألا تبلقنا ةأجف نكل ،يتاملعمو يساردلا ماعلا لامكإ نم نكمتن ملو ،ةليوط ةرتفل ةساردلا نع انعطقنا اننأ ةجردل This year has been much better. Despite the continuing war, we returned to .برحلا ببسب .school. My teachers were always there supporting us and encouraging us اندع اننأ الإ ةرمتسم تلازام برحلا نكلو عاضوألا تأده يلاتلا ملاعلا يف In recent months they continue to come even though they have not been ةعاجشلا ةرورضب انل مئادلا نهعيجشتو تاملعملا دجاوت ينبجعأو ،انتسردمل paid. Watching them makes me determined to face the harsh times and نملتسي نأ نود نرضحي نك نهنأل نهب يباجعإ دازو ،ةساردلا رارمتساو فوخلا مدعو .overcome difficulties ةعاجشلا نهنم تملعت ينكل ،ةروهدتم ةيحصلا نهعاضوأ تناك ًانايحأ ،بتاور ركشلا لك ينم نهلف ،ةبعصلا ةايحلا فورظ يدحتو فوخلا ىلع بلغتلاو .ءازجلا ريخ نهيزجي نأ هللا لأسأو ،ريدقتلاو

“I learned courage from my teachers who are determined to help us learn despite the difficulties.”

The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond volume xxvi 162 163 Khadija Aba Sha’ar Enas Almaqaleh, Teacher Tokyo School in Sana’a, Yemen

I was in grade eight. It was the time of the final exams, and they were almost finished. English was the last subject. I finished studying quickly, and thought of the moments to come when I would have to say good-bye to my friends and teachers. I started to see the beautiful days and the sad moments we had together in school.

On Thursday morning I went to school. After finishing my exam, when it was time to say good-bye, something terrible happened. Planes started bombing. It was the first time in my life I’d heard these frightening sounds. I got scared. I was shocked. I saw my friends and teachers terrified, fear in their eyes. Soon my father came running to get me and my sister.

We arrived home safely, but when I saw my mother crying, I got more frightened. Then I asked myself, why do we have fear? This question kept coming to me again and again. After a while I realized that our country will not be at peace as long as there are traitors. These frightening sounds will come again. I felt strength. I went to my mother and wiped her tears. From “I tell them that courage is a bridge that point I didn’t have fear. I feel stronger every day. I try to help others. I tell them that courage is a bridge we take to reach our goals and pass over we take to reach our goals the oceans of fear. and pass over the oceans of fear.”

The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond volume xxvi 164 165 Reem Aqil Enas Almaqaleh, Teacher Tokyo School in Sana’a, Yemen ةقيقحلا

ةيمس ،ةحباس سانيا :تاملعملا ،ويكوط ةسردم -سداسلا فصلا -ليقع مير :ةصق I am 13 years old. I am tall, much taller than my friends in school. When دمحم ىليل ،فلخ people asked me about my grade level and I said grade six, they would make fun of me. They would say, “You are old and you are still in grade six.” يأ ينلأسي امدنعو ةليوط ينكل ،ةنس 13 يرمعو ،سداسلا فصلا يف ةبلاط انأ I used to feel sad that this was happening to me. I decided to change my يتلا ةلحرملا نع ًامئاد ينولأسي اذكو ،ةريغص ينأب قدصي ال يرمع نع صخش answer. I told people that I was in high school. I continued like this for a ةريبك ِتنأ :نولوقيو نورخسي سداسلا فصلا يف ينأ مهل لوقأ املف ،اهيف سردأ .while, lying about my school grade !!سداسلا فصلا يف تلزامو ةباجإلا رييغتل ُتررطضاف ،ًامئاد يعم رركتي فقوملا اذه نأل نزحلاب رعشأ تنك One day I decided that I cannot lie, and I decided to tell the truth. I decided لاؤسلل ضرعتأ تنك امدنعف ،ةيوناثلا ةلحرملا يف ينأب ةيساردلا ةلحرملا نع not to care about what others think of me, even if they make fun of me. I اذه ىلع تيرمتساو ،ةيوناث ةبلاط ينأب مهل لوقأ تنك اهيف سردأ يتلا ةلحرملا نع .needed to face them. I needed not to lie ،ةيساردلا يتلحرمو يرمع ةقيقحب مهربخأو ةعاجشلا كلتما نأ تررق نأ ىلإ لاحلا .ةملعم نوكأ نأ لبقتسملا يف يحومط انأف I feel happier because I am facing my fears and confronting people with مههجاوأو مهنم هل ضرعتأ يذلا ءازهتسالل متهأ الو سانلا مالك يدحتا نأ تررق the truth. I will go about making my dream come true. I have a dream to ،ةيوناث ةبلاط ينأب مهيلع بذكأ الو ،هيف سردأ يذلا فصلاو يرمعو يلوط ةقيقحب .become a teacher تهجاو ينأل ةداعسلاب رعشأ تحبصأو ًالعف هتلعف ام اذهو يملح قيقحتل يضمأ نأو ريعأ الو يلخاد نم فوخلا جرخأو يملح قيقحتل ىعسأسو ،يسفن تيدحتو سانلا .ينم رخسيس نمل ًامامتها

“I feel happier because I am facing my fears and confronting people with the truth.”

The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond volume xxvi 166 167 Ashjan Faisal Enas Almaqaleh, Teacher Tokyo School in Sana’a, Yemen فيصلا

،حلاقملا سانيا :تاملعملا ،ويكوط ةسردم ،عساتلا فصلا ،لصيف ناجشا :ةصق I live with my family in Sana’a City. When I was in grade 6, it was summer يولع ءافو ،دمحم ىليل break time. My family decided to spend the summer in the port city of سداسلا فصلا يف ةريغص تنك امدنع ءاعنص ةنيدم يف يترسأ عم شيعأ Aden, where nature is rich with the sea. We went to the beach. As I was ةلطعلا تقو ءاجف ،ويكوط ةسردم يف سردأ تنكو ،ةنس ةرشع اتنثا يرمع ناك .walking along the beach I was thinking about swimming. I could not swim رحبلاو ةبالخلا ةعيبطلا رظانم مامأ ندع ةنيدم يف اهءاضق انررقف ،ةيفيصلا I thought about trying to swim, and decided to give it a try. Suddenly a ركفأ انأو لحاسلا يف يشمأ تنك ،رحبلا ةرايزب انمقو اهيلإ انرفاسف يهازلا huge wave came from behind me and in a second I was fighting the waves نأ تررقو ةحابسلا لواحأ نأب ةركف يل ترطخف ،اهديجأ ال ينكل ،ةحابسلاب inside the sea. My mother tried to help, but I was already deep inside the يئارو ةريبك هجوم تتأ ذإ هذيفنت ةيفيكو يرارق نيب ةفقاو انأ امنيبف ،حبسأ sea. I drank a lot of seawater and started to drown. My sister came to my يلهأ لواحف ،ةفينع تناك اهنكل اهتمواقم لواحأ تنكو ،رحبلا وحن ينتفرجف rescue. She reached me and was able to take me out of the sea. I was already تعرهف رحبلا ءام نم برشاو قرغأ تأدبو اريثك مهنع تدعتبا ينكل يتدعاسم unconscious. My family worked to get the water out of my lungs until I يجارخإو يتدعاسمب تماقو هيف تنك يذلا ناكملل تلصو نأ ىلإ ةحابسلاب يتخأ .regained my consciousness ةيلمعو ءاملا جارختسا ةلواحمب يلهأ ماقف يلع ىمغم اهنيح تنك ينكلو ،رحبلا نم After that we spent some beautiful times until the summer break was over ةلطعلا تهتنا مث هعتمم تاقوأ انيضق اهدعب ،يعو يل داع ىتح يعانصلا سفنتلا and we returned to Sana’a. The school started again and I was happy to ،ديدجلا يساردلا ماعلا أدبو . ةليمجلا ندع ةنيدم انعدو نأ دعب ءاعنص ىلإ اندعف start a new year. I was happy to meet my friends and teachers again, but يتاقيدص ءاقلب ةصاخ ينرمغت ةحرفلا تناك ،ةديدج ةلحرم لخدأس ينأب تحرفف in the first week I felt pain in my chest. In the second week the pain was نم لوألا عوبسألا أدب .عباسلا فصلا يف ددج تاقيدص ىلع فرعتلاو يتاملعمو increasing. I went to the doctor and was told that I had water in my right الإ يناثلا عوبسألا أدب نأ امو ،هتلمحت ينكل يردص يف ملأب رعشأ تنكو ،ةساردلا lung. He asked me if anything had happened to me, and I told him about ةيبطلا تاصوحفلا تلمع نأ دعبف ،بيبطلا ىلإ يدلاو ينذخأف دايدزا يف ملألاو drinking lots of seawater in Aden. The doctor told me that I had to stay in ىنميلا ةئرلا يف ءام نم يناعأ ينأب بيبطلا لاق دقف !ةمداص ةجيتنلا تناك the hospital. نأ دعب هنم تبرشو رحبلا يف تقرغ ينأب يدلاو هربخأف ببسلا نع ينلأسو ىفشتسملا يف تثكمو ،جالعلل ىفشتسملا يف ىقبأ نأ ررقف هجوملا ينتطغ I spent a month and a half in the hospital. I was in poor condition and had lots ،ةيودألا ةرثك نم بعتلاب ترعش دقف ،ًادج ةئيس هلاحب تنكو فصنو رهش of medication. I felt sad because I could not continue my school. I thought ةسردملا نع تبيغت دقف يتسارد ةلصاوم ىلع يتعاطتسا مدعل نزحلا ينكلمت .about the lessons I was missing and how I could make up for this loss عيطتسأس فيكو سوردلا نم ينتاف اميف ركفأ تنكو ،جالعلا ةرتف ءانثأ ىلع تررصأو ،ماعلا ةيادب يف ينرمغت تناك يتلا ةحرفلا تركذت !؟اهضيوعت I also remembered how happy I was when school started. I thought that ًاضيأو ،هللا نذإب يفاعأس تلقو ،ةعاجشلاب يسفن تألتماو ،كلت يتحرف متأ نأ I could still be happy. I felt strength inside me. I said to myself, “I will get هتلأسو هللا ىلع ريبكلا لكوتلاو يلخاد ةريبكلا ةوقلاب ترعش ،يتسارد لمكأس better, God willing, I will go back to school”. When the doctor said it was ىفشتسملا نم يجورخب بيبطلا حرص امدنع يتعاجش تداز ًالعفو ىلع لهسي نأ time to go home, I felt a lot of energy. I spent a lot of effort in studying to هيلع تررصأ ام تققحو ةركاذملا يف يدهج ىصقأ تلذبو ،ىفاعتأ تأدب ينأ لاقو make up for my days of absence. I was able to continue and to succeed at حاجنلا ىلع رارصإلاو يب طيحت تناك يتلا مالآلا لك يطختب يتعاجش تناك دقف .the end of the year ،حاجنلا اذهب يتحرف تلمتكاو عباسلا فصلا يف تحجن ينأب ةجيتنلا تناكو I realized that courage is about not losing hope, depending on God, and رارصإلاو هللا ىلع لكوتلا نسحو لمألا نادقف مدع ينعت ةعاجشلا نأ تكردأف being persistent to succeed. I now feel proud and happy that I reached فصلل تلصو دقو ةداعسلاو رخفلاب رعشا نآلا انأو ،يتايح لك يف حاجنلا ىلع grade 9. When I read the story of Max, I remembered my own suffering يعارصو يسفن تركذت سكام ةصق تأرق امدنعو ًاضيأ هيف حاجنلا ىنمتأو عساتلا with illness and how I overcame it. .نآلا هادحتأ فيكو ضرملا عم

The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond volume xxvi 168 169 Mawadah Alkhowlani Enas Almaqaleh, Teacher Tokyo School in Sana’a, Yemen يتلاخ ةنبا

ةورم ،حلاقملا سانيا :تاملعملا ،ويكوط ةسردم ،سداسلا فصلا ،ينالوخلا ةدوم :ةصق ,Courage is overcoming pain and not losing hope. Ten days after I was born فلخ ةيمس ،يولع my aunt delivered a girl. My mother and my aunt were very happy because they were blessed by having their first girls. ،سداسلا فصلا يف سردا ،ةدوم يمسا سأيلا مدعو ملألا ىلع بلغتلا يه ةعاجشلا يتدلاو تحرفف ًاضيأ ًاتنب يتلاخ تقزر مايأ ةرشع دعبو م2005/7/17 يف تدلو I was raised with my cousin, Safa. We had wonderful days together, and نهقزري نأب هللا نلمأتي نكو ،انلبق نم دالوأ نهيدل ناك دقو ،تانب ًاعيمج اننوك our relationship was strong. We felt like sisters. We spent most of our time .تانبلاب نقزر نهعيمج هلل دمحلاو ،تانب together, sharing happiness and sadness. One day, Safa got sick. Her parents انتقالع تناكو ضعبلا انضعب عم ةعئار ًامايأ انشعو ءافص يتلاخ هنبا عم تأشن .took her to the hospital, where the doctors discovered that she had cancer كراشتن ،ًاعم انتاقوأ مظعم يضقن انكو ،نيتخأ اننأ رعشن انكف ،انضعبب ةيوق .I was shocked. I cried a lot for her ىفشتسملل اهيدلاو اهذخأف يتلاخ ةنبا تضرم موي تاذ يف ،مومهلاو حارفألا لك اهيلع تنزحف ناطرسلا ضرم نم يناعت اهنأ ءابطألا فشتكا ديدشلا فسألل نكل Safa’s parents took her to Jordan for treatment. Everybody was sad, especially جالعلا يقلتل ندرألل اهذخأل اهيدلاو رطضاف ًاريثك اهلجأل يكبأ تنكو ،ًاريثك her parents. She spent a whole year receiving medication in Jordan, but she ،ةماستبالا الإ اهل نارهظي ال اناك نيذلا اهيدلاو ةصاخو ،نزحلاب رعشن ًاعيمج انكو came back after that. I was happy for her return and seeing her. At that اهيدلاو ركفف ًاليلق تفاعت اهدعب ،جالعلا ىقلتت ندرألا يف يهو لماك ماع رم ?time I thought about myself. If I was the one who was sick, what would I do اهنيح ،ام ًاعون تنسحت اهتيؤرو اهتدوعب ءادعس انكو تداعو ،نميلا ىلإ اهتداعإب I felt some courage when I saw her smiling while hiding her pain, but she ةعاجشلاب يسفن تألتماو ؟ لمعأس فيك اهناكم تنك ول تلقو يسفنب تركف had no hope. I told her, “Don’t worry, you will get better. Just be strong and يقلقت ال :اهل تلقف ،ةسئاي تناك اهنكلو ،اهملأ يفختو مستبت اهتيأر امدنع resist the pain. Don’t lose hope.” From that day, I felt stronger. Whenever I تدادزاو ،يسأيت الو ملألا ىلع بلغتلا يلواحو ةيوق ينوك طقف ىفاعتتس am sick or feel pain, I remember Safa. I say to myself, “Safa is suffering with يناعت يتلاخ ةنبا لوقأو ىوقأ ملأب رعشأ وأ تضرم املكف ،مويلا كلذ نم يتعاجش .patience, I have to resist my pain.” I feel strong, and I will not fear anything نلو ،ًادج ةيوق يننأ رعشأ ،ًادبأ سأيأ الو يمالآ ىلع بلغتأ نأ دبال انأو لمحتتو Safa got chemotherapy again and improved. She is now living with us. Max’s جالعلا اهئاطعإب اوماقو ندرألل ىرخأ ةرم ترفاس دقف يتلاخ ةنبا امأ ملأ يأ نم فاخأ .story taught me to always be optimistic .ةداعسب انعم شيعت يه اهو لضفأ لكشب تنسحتو يئايميكلا نوكأو سأيأ الو يملأ ىلع بلغتأ نأ ةعاجشلا نأ ًالعف تفرع سكام ةصق تأرق امل .ةلئافتم ًامئاد

“Max’s story taught me to always be optimistic.”

The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond volume xxvi 170 171 Malak Alkohlany Najwa Alsalal, Wafa Alshami, Teachers Abjad Primary School in Sana’a, Yemen

Since I was small I have heard people say: “That person died but it is above our power to defeat death.” I could do nothing but think about how I could live till the end of the world, and I kept imagining machines and drugs that keep people alive. On stormy or dark nights, I used to hide and try doing things which I thought could prevent death. I even divided my books into ones that have the word “death” and ones that don’t. I was terrified that death was a monster living under my bed; it could grab my ankles and take me forever.

When I was about ten years old, I watched a movie and it had some clips saying that death was and still is the thing that even the strongest, richest people and doctors can’t defeat. People die, and nothing can prevent that. It is what we are said to have in this life: get born, grow, then finally die. Along with other things like my stories, what people said grew on me. Then one day I watched someone on TV saying, “If we can live into the future, why couldn’t the ones before us? We still think we are here to stay, but we are not, simply not.” It has all been very clear, but we couldn’t see it until “So by understanding my fear of death now. Some people still say we can live forever, and we should let them live their dreams because maybe they will come true. I don’t fear it anymore.”

Since the war in Yemen started, a huge number of people have died, day after day, month after month. Soon it will be two years, and the death tolls have changed from tens to hundreds to thousands. People still now say, “It is either to win or die.” But it doesn’t seem to stop. Even some members of my family and my friends’ families have died. Nothing can be done. Almost 12,000 people have died.

Now I seem to care less about death. I say life is ahead of me, so why can’t I think of living rather than dying? No one seems to care, so why should I? So by understanding my fear of death I don’t fear it anymore. And we are going to be better if we live, won’t we?

The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond volume xxvi 172 173 Haytham Omar Najwa Alsalal, Wafa Alshami, Teachers Abjad Primary School in Sana’a, Yemen

I am eleven years old. I live with my family. I like everything around me, and I love playing with my friends. In our neighborhood I go out every day to play soccer, my favorite game. I go around and I have fun. After my country was attacked, many things changed.

I have to stay home. I spend a lot of time looking out of the window overlooking the waterway. Cars pass by this route, and I watch them. Some go fast, while other move slowly. I have been spending my time this way. I can’t find much else to spend my time on. Even watching TV is not possible, because we don’t have electricity anymore. I did not know that I would have a story out of this window. “After my country was attacked,

One day at noon I got permission from my father to go and stay behind the many things changed.” window. I pushed the curtains aside and sat down. I was recalling some of the good times I had at my wonderful school. In a second there was a car moving very fast. It crashed into another car. Suddenly a fire started from the cars. I heard calls for help from the two cars.

I rushed into the street. I didn’t know what to do. I wanted to help, but I was confused. I ended up calling for help. I was shouting and crying at the same time, “Help, please help!” At this time, a women inside one of the cars was calling me. She was looking at me while holding a baby. I could hear the baby crying. Fortunately, people arrived and rescued those trapped in the cars.

I could only remember when I woke up in the hospital. My mother, my father, my little sister and the doctor were all there. I asked the doctor, “Where are the injured people, where is the woman, where is the baby?” The doctor looked at me. He had a big smile on his face. He said, “You are the hero. You rescued them.” They were in the same hospital. So I visited them and they were all fine. I remember this incident and I feel comfortable that I helped. I feel that it was my duty, and I did it with courage.

The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond volume xxvi 174 175 Noor Alaswaider Najwa Alsalal, Wafa Alshami, Teachers Abjad Primary School in Sana’a, Yemen

Two years ago I was living with my family in Taiz, the dream city. We had a quiet life. I was in the fourth grade. Suddenly the war started. Schools closed. Electricity went out in the whole city. Our life turned dark. When the fire rockets started to fall everywhere, many people died and buildings were destroyed. We could not sleep and we were in doubt whether to leave the city or not. Our neighbors left, so we decided to leave, too. I left Taiz with a broken heart. We went to a small town called Raheda. It seemed safe. We were a big family consisting of 11 people, but we were only able to find a small house consisting of two rooms. One-month later fire rockets started to fall in this town, so we left for Torba, another small town. It was a green town with nice weather. Every day I dreamed with my friends of going back to Taiz. After seven months where I enjoyed being in Torba, rockets started falling. My family split. My grandfather decided to go to Aden, and my mother decided to go to Ibb because she found a job there.

I lived with my mother for seven months and I attended a new school and made new friends. My mother decided to finish her graduate studies, so we “I hope this war stops soon moved again from Ibb to Sana’a. I hope this war stops soon because I miss my room in Taiz. I miss my school; I miss my friends; I miss my whole life because I miss my room in Taiz. there. I miss my school; I miss my friends; I miss my whole life there.”

The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond volume xxvi 176 177 My father was surprised by the number of children who came to learn Noor Alsharjabi music in these difficult conditions. Some parents also joined their children Enas Al-Makalah, Teacher in learning music. My father was happy and optimistic. Rabe’a Aladaweya in Sana’a, Yemen I decided also to learn music. I started to learn violin. My father bought me a new one. I was very happy. I went to learn, and I enjoyed playing with new One midnight, while everybody was sleeping, we suddenly started hearing friends. We laughed a lot, we joked about war, we made fun of it, and fear huge explosions shaking the Capital, Sana’a. Fear and panic spread. People vanished. Day after day the sounds of air strikes and explosions stopped were calling each other to get an explanation of what was happening. Some scaring us. people turned on the TV to listen to the news. At that point we only knew that warplanes were striking the capital Sana’a and many other places in Thank God, I now sleep calmly, as if nothing is happening. The sound of Yemen. It was the first time for me to hear these noises, the sounds of explosions has become routine. They do not scare me, and this is also the planes, rockets, and anti-aircraft missiles. My father was away on a work trip feeling my friends have. All I want is to learn how to write music notes. I am in Hodeidah. Mom called him immediately. He calmed her down. He cut racing with my friends to learn fast. short his trip and came back after this unpleasant surprise and shock. This is how I overcame my fears, by working on something that I love. Every night the strikes were stronger. We heard strikes and explosions Something beautiful and enjoyable. I learned to love life, and I benefited everywhere, and from every direction. I cried from fear. I became sleepless. from that a lot. After going back to school I felt that I have something Mom repeatedly told me to calm down and not to be frightened, assuring special at school, something that could help bring happiness to my friends me that the strikes were remote. Despite my mom’s efforts to calm me and in school. The first piece I played for my colleagues was “My Home.” my three-year-old sister, by smiling and reciting the Quran, I felt anxious. On occasion we heard strong explosions falling on houses.

Schools were shut down, and many businesses stopped. There was no My Home electricity, and we started using candles. We forgot about TV, and charging Home, Home…Might, beauty, pride, and joy is you, a cell phone became a struggle. Mobile phones became a necessary Life, survival, happiness, and hope is in your air, communication tool between people, using them to get information Would I ever see you… peaceful, prosperous, victorious, and honored? through Whatsapp and Facebook. Would I ever see you high in the sky, high in the sky? Home, Home.” We spent the whole time at home. We were scared even to go out into the streets, even during the day. Air strikes were not only at night, as they used to be, but they started to happen in the mornings, too. يف .. كابر يف ءاهبلاو ءانسلاو لامجلاو لالجلا .. ينطوم ينطوم“ كابر I tried to overcome the fear I had. I started to draw by candlelight. Explosions كاوه يف .. كاوه يف ءاجرلاو ءانهلاو ةاجنلاو ةايحلاو were increasing every day. I thought that one day our house would be hit, just ًامركم ًامناغو ًامعنم ًاملاس .. كارأ له كارأ له .like many other houses that were hit. Thank God, we are still safe كامسلا غلبت .. كامسلا غلبت كالع يف .. كارأ له كارأ له ”ينطوم ينطوم After two months, as people were still occupied by fear, my father decided to re-open his business, the Yemeni House of Music and Art. He said that we have to overcome our fears by work, and not to surrender to frustration. We have to resist war and destruction by love and peace, because music, as my father always said, is the language of peace in the world.

The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond volume xxvi 178 179 Classroom Cantatas The Courage Chorale

Lyrics by Karen Graves, NHCS Music Teacher About Classroom Cantatas Music composed by 4thT gradehe studentsCour atage Chorale Neighborhood House Charter School Music composed by 4th grade students at Classroom Cantatas is Cantata Singers’ music education initiative in Boston’s Lyrics by Karen Graves, NHCS Music Teacher Neighborhood House Charter School public schools that marries music-making and the academic curriculum to  (Piano second time through) Voice 4     4              help children find their creative voice. Classroom Cantatas places trained When youhear theword courage what comes toyour mind? 3 Teaching Artists from Cantata Singers’ critically-acclaimed ensemble for Alla marcia e molto marcato 4  4                           semester-long in-class residencies. Students work with Teaching Artists to Piano                             3     3     3         3     compose and perform original songs about subjects they are studying in class.  4        4                                    

This fall, fourth grade students in Karen Graves’ music classes at 7   Vo.    Neighborhood House Charter School in Dorchester were given the task                       Try ing something new or fac ing your fears do ing the right thing the right thing the rightthing when no one is look of describing the character traits of one who has courage. They chose nine    subjects for the individual songs in the “Words of Courage Cantata.” The                       Pno.              songs are The Courage Chorale, Self-Confidence, Compassion, Take Action,                  Leadership, Objectivity, Integrity, Conviction, and Adversity. Many of the       songs begin with a famous quote and are followed by texts the students 13  3 3  wrote. They then broke into small groups and collaborated with each other Vo.                                under the guidance of teaching artists to create the music for each song. ing. Courage Whohas it? Su perher oes have it. The c c c cowardly li on                            Pno.                    3 3 3   You can listen to and download a copy of the musical score from this cantata,                         as well as many others through the history of this program, on the Cantata               Singers’ Online Library at www.cantatasingers.org/online-library. 20       Vo.                          gotit. gotit We have cour age! Wehave cour age! When youhear theword courage whatcomes toyour mind?         

                                                        Pno.                                                        

27  Vo.     Pno.    

Cantata Singers 2017

The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond volume xxvi 180 181 The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond 182