The Award That Changed My Life

The Award that Changed My Life

The year was 2000, and like the years before it came and went like the rest. It was the end of the school year, and Doug and I were in the gym, with the rest of the school. I was not sure why they were having everyone meet in the gym, according to Doug, "they were having some awards and reception for the geeks," and by this I think he meant the school band and some of the smart kids. The band was positioned on the gym floor where the basketball hoop normally was; it had been raised to the ceiling. I do remember that the choir sang, because at the time I was dating Holly Miller, and she sang for the show choir. I could not say what happened after that because Doug and I were goofing around. Then I got a little nudge from a student I did not know, and when I turned to look at him he pointed to my teacher. When I looked at my teacher I saw her make a gesture to the center of the stage. At first I thought she was telling me to pay attention like she normally did. What seemed like forever was a pause in the gym, no one seemed to be talking, and they seemed to be waiting for something. Then again I got a nudge from that same kid, which I cannot recall who he was, he was not in my class and I don't even think he was in my grade. Then again like before he pointed to the teacher and the teacher made a motion to the center of the gym. Then all of a sudden my name echoed in the gym from the speakers. They had a tone like my mom did when she wanted me to come to her. It was then I realized that I was wanted at the center of the stage; I jumped out of my seat and walked to the stage. I could feel my heart pounding, because I knew everyone was looking at me. I was not sure why I was going to the stage; I walked up and the school principal handed me a piece of paper. It read "President's Education Awards Program for outstanding educational improvement." As I looked at it I was wondering how I got here.

When I was in the first grade I went to All Saints Catholic School, attended with my two older brothers Brent and Brian. I got into a lot of trouble, and my mom was not sure why this was happening. After my mom met with my teacher and some many test later we found out that I had AD/HD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder). After that my mom was told that a public school would be a better suit for me. At that time AD/HD was not diagnose as fast as it seems to be today, but like most of the kids today, I was prescribed Ritalin. Ritalin is a mild central nervous system stimulant. It affects chemicals in the brain and nerves that contribute to hyperactivity and impulse control (Drug Information Online). I can't tell you if this drug had any real affect on me, because from first grade and up to getting that award I was "always a distraction to my peers," as my teachers liked to put it. The reason that I cannot tell if it helped is because while on the drug I was still acting out. It has not been until recent years that I had started to think about the person I was and the person I became, that made me realize why I got into so much trouble. After I was diagnosed I was put into the LD (leaning disability) classes, mostly for English and reading. I never really knew why I was in these classes, and I always felt as if I was not as smart as many of my other classmates. So because half of the day I would be away from the other kids I ended up feeling left out. When I would be with the other kids I would be the class clown to fit in. I could always make people laugh and that was just my way of being part of the class. Even though the Ritalin could have stopped my hyperactivity, which before I could not control my actions, but I still acted up as a defense mechanism. I thought it's better for them to be laughing with me than at me. So because of this I always had friends and I always felt like I was a part of "the group". I ended up being like this all the way to that day in the gym getting that award in the ninth grade.

I was never challenged in school; I ended up not being the best speller or the greatest reader, which still affects me a little today. When you take classes where they don't expect you to be as good as the other students in the school, you get passed along with a little pat on the back, with your teacher saying some comment like "You tried your best and that is all that matters." Even I don't think I tried my best, to be honest I did not know what