Notes

Issue Girls are the quote on quote "popular, higher in rank people". They targeted me, called me names, spread rumors, bad talked about me, caused so much stress in my life. Kept me shut up for 4 whole years, until I decided enough was enough. To be cooler they did some of the dumbest things. For example, the 5th Grade Mind of Aeshna, while Mrs. Haladi turns her back, dance time! What did shaking your butt and swinging your arms do to society? Did it improve it? Or the pandemic of TikTok Dances you started in Faria? You have left a scar on me. The issue girls are basically Catherine and Pratiksha's and so much more group that were so rude and unfair to me. I hope you learned your lesson. When you threatened to tell on me, I didn't care, you didn't. Did saying clear boundaries liners, make you any better? Did kicking me out of the court and yelling at me help you? I always gave up my seat to you when I became King. I regret that, that only proved loyalty to you. I can list every one but that would be a too long list. I still remember your sour looks and whispers behind my back. "I don't want to become lunch duty because Meriem's one too." quoted from Pratiksha. I didn't know you liked to pass notes during lectures by crawling on the floor. Did throwing me around make you happier? Some managed to escape your tyranny and some became friends. But everyone of them were sour. Who do you think you are? Did scarring me make the world a better place. Bullying is real. Why do you add on to it? You've taken me through almost ever type, verbal, cyber, backstabbing. People I thought were my friends were swaying with your ways. One thing I can thank you for. The pain you've made me go through, made me stronger. That was how I was able to defeat you in the end. I am still cyber bullying today by your friends who would also be considered issue girls. You've started an epidemic of bullying against me, but that has made me stronger than you.

Meriem
Rm. 28
9/11/19
Writing

My Autobiography Speech
The most momentous incident in my life was coming to this school, Faria A+ Academy. When I came to this institution, I was instantly greeted by a cacophony of loud shouts and screams to get out of the four square courts. This was soon followed by name calling and many dirty looks from the “issue girls.” I tried to make peace with those unnamable girls, but they kept on refusing me. I tried to get help from my teacher, but she seemed to be indifferent. I did not attempt to talk to another adult, but if I did, this entire situation would have been resolved much more easily and quickly. I was on my own.

Throughout second grade, I tried to deal with the issue girls on my own. I ignored them, avoided them, kept my distance, and attempted to reason with them. They soon stopped calling me names when they realized that nothing they said could hurt me. But that was just a façade. Every single word that came out of their foul mouths stung me. But my resolve strengthened and I knew that summer was coming soon, freeing me from ever having to meet those girls again. For a time at least.

The next year they almost stopped completely. It was a huge relief to have that weight off my chest, but this experience also taught me that, to deal with anyone, you always need perseverance and patience. They taught me that when someone gives you a hard time, it is only because they want a reaction from you, and to assert that they are better than you. Getting help from many adults always helps.

Thank you for listening to my speech. I hope you learned something valuable that will stay with you. I hope you enjoyed listening to one of the most effective times of my life and how I dealt with it. Thank you.

Here's another document

Period 2 Meriem Soufi

Language Arts/ Gary Dunlap December 1, 2020
Years of Change
“Come on. Move. You’re out! My god!”
When I first set foot in Faria A+ Academy, at a young age of seven, I was instantly greeted by a cacophony of louds shouts and screams to get out of the 4-square courts. This was then followed by name calling, rumors, and many dirty looks from “the issue girls.” Years later, I figured out that they were only jealous of me, and it was common for them to treat students this way. Some managed to find a new way of escaping their torment, yet Catherine still enforced her control over those playing in the court.
I tried to make peace with those unnamable girls, but they kept refusing me. I tried to get help from my teacher before recess, where I would have to meet those girls again, but she called me a tattletale. I was insulted, and tears were streaming down my face. No one was helping me. I felt like I was stuck in a tornado of emotion and stress, and it was zapping the last bits of hope I had. It scattered my thoughts and gave me a sinking feeling inside. I had already been at this school for a good three months, and I had hated every single one, as they were in my class and I would never forget their sneer. My friends had told me about this spider, my bully, and it seemed like I was caught in her web.
“Can I play on this court?” I asked, butterflies in my stomach.
“No, find your own court with your own ball. It's not like anyone will want to play with you, anyway,” she burst into laughter. Her friends echoed her.
Catherine, this demon, was my age, a little taller than me, and was an idol in our school. Known as the “popular, friendly, genius” to many, I knew her as the girl who cheated on tests, bullied everyone who disagreed with her, broke rules, and stole balls. Since everyone was so afraid of Catherine and losing their impression and status in friendship to this dominating figure, they never told on her.
“I will play here,” I said, pointing to the ground.
“Ok, sure. Prisha, do the honors. You know what I mean,” Catherine cried.
How could a second grader be so heartless? I thought we were all rainbows and unicorns last year.
As I got to the front of the line, I fidgeted, knowing what would happen next. Catherine broke the rules of the game and passed the ball to Prisha, who was in 3rd square, instead of me, the person in 1st square, as she was supposed to. Prisha tried to hit the ball in the corner of my square, so I could not reach it. But she stumbled on her shoelace, and the ball was clearly out of the boundary.
“Prisha, you’re o--”
“Liner! It's a redo!” Prisha and Catherine cried in unison.
“That was a clear boundary, though,” I argued back.
“Fine, let's vote.”
As this was the only 2nd-grade court, multiple people who worshipped these girls were in on the scam and voted it as a liner. I could do nothing but agree.
Passing it to Prisha again, she passed the ball, and I was out...again.
***
That was me before, scared, barely able to stand up for myself, and soft.
One night, I realized that this tornado must move, and now the sun must peek out.

The next day I proudly walked up to her face. For years, I have been in her web. Now I escape.
“I’ll be playing here,” I said, with confidence embedded into my voice.
“Sure. Ughh, can I do the honors?” Aeshna scoffed.
“Why not? After all, Prisha’s always doing it,” I replied.
I stepped into the court, knowing what would happen next.
“Before I play, I would like to say that you have no authority over the rules of this game. You will pass it properly or leave the 4-square court with no ball, because this ball--” I said.
“Ok, I don't need to be lectured about the rules of this game--”
“I will continue, Catherine. I am not lecturing you. I am only enforcing the rules of this game, so it is more fair. This ball and court are meant for 4-square, not this zoo-of-a-game you are playing.”
“But it's our court, and there’s nothing you can do about it,” Catherine shot back.
“Hmm,” her friends said.
“May I see the receipt for this court?”
“Here, it’s us. We got the ball.” Aeshna jumped in.
“That’s because you stole it from another bin. I still don't see any document signed by Faria authorities.” I said, trying to keep this conversation as meaningful as possible.
“Well, we got the ball, so it's our court.”
“Ok, fine. Let’s play in ‘your court.’”
As I grew, both emotionally and physically, I got better at deflecting the ball, and their words, right back at them. Catherine, your reign in the Golden Age is about to end. This time, she was the one walking to the line, her head sagging, not mine.
“We’re telling on you!”Aeshna screamed.
“Go ahead. Why would I be afraid of you? After all, I’m not the one who did the wrong. You did.”
I left them with their mouths open. Who cares if I get a white slip or whatever? I didn’t do anything wrong. They didn’t tell on me. I could tell they were scared and shocked. Never once had Catherine been bet, and who beat her? Me.

Any form of bullying or pain, makes a person stronger inside. The only ingredients are perseverance and determination. And they’re self bought.