Perseverance beyond Bullying

Being bullied is a major issue that is beyond hurtful, and challenging to resolve. When I got teased, I didn’t feel like going to school again until I discovered the reasons the bullies were mistreating me. The basis of their cruelty came from me having opportunities that made them feel inadequate. This includes traveling the world, making local and international friends at summer camp, my ability to memorize movie quotes and sports facts, and having goals that exceeded expectations. I have perfect examples of the most intense bullying experiences I have ever been through:

• I got consistently teased by vicious twin brothers for performing better than them academically. Before they left in the middle of sophomore year, they told me that I was not college material because I had trouble with reading comprehension and that my obsessions would not take me anywhere. Later in my senior year of high school, I was bossed around by a repulsive classmate who told me I should not go back to the places I love the most or to a four-year university. She never gave me the respect I deserved for being more academically and socially advanced, and choosing to blaze the harder roads that I was qualified for. I outsmarted their jealousy and negativity. The bad-mouthing perpetuated until I graduated as valedictorian of my class and wrote history by attending Pace University in New York City. I am beyond proud to be the first student from my high school to graduate college with high honors from one of the most prestigious universities outside of my home state, California, with educational experience abroad and countless accolades.

The lesson I cherish the most from my experiences of mistreatment is staying true to yourself. Remember that the bully’s intention is to do anything that will get a rise out of you. Physical confrontation does not help and leads to inevitable consequences. It is your job to silence them by showing them who you really are. Your dreams are up to you, and the way you move forward with your plans is by persevering with a curious mindset.