Standing

1
Standing
UP
For Oneself
By Blair Halder
2
I am excited to see that you are making a
conscientious effort to get involved in school,
sweetie.
I am glad that I am getting involved by running
for Student Council. Hmmm I wonder which teachers
to ask for a recommendation?
Sixth grade is going to be different from
elementary school. I will not be known as the shy
girl anymore.
Thanks. I am going to try my best.
3
I just hope that I can memorize my speechI am
really nervous. I am running against five of the
popular kids. The other candidate and I are the
underdogs for the five positions on Student
Council. Mom, I really want to win.
I still have 15 more minutes of practice for my
campaign speech. I am hoping this will prepare me
to speak in front of 100 people.
Honey, are you ready for dinner?
I am sure you will be great.
If you keep practicing like you have been, you
will blow them away.
4
Two
Days
Later
5
RING! RING!
Blair, here is a hall pass to see Miss John
before lunch.
6
Blair, I am sorry, but you cannot run for Student
Council anymore.
Hello, Miss John. I was told to come see you.
7
Unfortunately, one of the teachers you asked to
give you a recommendation in fact did not endorse
you as a candidate. I am sorry.
What? Why?
8
Miss John said I could not run for Student
Council anymore, because someone did not give me
a good recommendation, and I do not know what to
do about it. There has to be a mistake!
Hmmm, what Miss John said does not make sense.
There must have been a mix-up. Do not worry,
though, because I will have a talk with her.
Home of the Eagles
What is wrong, Blair?
Hot Lunch
9
One
Day
Later
10
Oh, hello, Blair. I wanted to let you know that
the other teachers and I had a meeting about your
situation, and we came to the conclusion that you
can still run.
Cafeteria
Room 100
Room 101
Office
11
Oh, thank you!
Cafeteria
Room 100
Room 101
Office
12
One
Day
Later
13
Hello, my name is Blair Halder, and I want to be
on Student Council
14
After all the candidates have given their
speeches
May I have your attentionAll candidates need to
make their way to the team office to hear the
results!
15
John, Julie, Kyle, Nate, and Nick
CONGRATULATIONS!
16
Why did I even bother to fight for my right to
run for Student Council when of course I would
never be elected over the popular kids? I wonder
if Miss John is happy that I did not get elected?
I guess it was worth all of the trouble to become
involved and to not be labeled as the shy girl
yet again, though, because I proved that I can
stand up for myself. I also learned from this
experience that while some people may not be
encouraging, I need to encourage myself.
17
Blair went on to join the cheerleading squad, the
catering club, the school musical, and to
volunteer in the libraryand that was only Junior
High!
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The
End