Fayerweather Street School

Eleanor

I was a very bossy little kid. I am sure Roza and Stella can confirm that from the time I took over their sandbox restaurant, Stebles, in first grade. I believe many other schools would not have handled my need to be in charge as well as Fayerweather did. My teachers never told me to hold my tongue, instead they encouraged me to become a leader. In 1st grade we were shown young people, just like us, who fought to change harmful stereotypes. In 6th grade I chose Nzinga for biographies. A powerful african ruler. I was inspired that with her bravery, and strength she was able to lead not just her people but other tribes as well. Learning about upstanders made me realize that rather than annoying people by being bossy over little things I could channel my energy into trying to make a difference in issues I was passionate about, Climate change. Both years of the Unit some friends and I organized ways for kids to leave school and follow us to strike for the climate. While learning from home, Zoe and I took over science class for a week and taught about the impacts of agriculture on the climate. I have learned that being bossy is not always bad, and in order for us to change our world right now, myself and my classmates are gonna have to stand up and be a bit more bossy.

Scot Oxholm

"Every year when I write these, I face the same challenge: How
do I write an introduction that lets the kid I’m talking about know how
highly I think of them. I think, when you get to the heart of it, it all comes to making sure the kid in question feels like I truly noticed them..."