Anna Bochenek | 9th Grade, Rochester High School
Anna Bochenek | 9th Grade, Rochester High School
Statement of Purpose:
Statement of Purpose:
My topic reflects the choices people have to make during times of fear and intimidation. These situations force us to dig deep and find strength within ourselves. Nina represents all Asian Americans who have experienced racism and xenophobia during this coronavirus pandemic. The essay centers around her choice to stand up against discrimination, while discovering the true beliefs of those around her. She finds a renewed sense of self-confidence and pride in her heritage. Those that stood with her symbolize the fight for ending judgment in our society today. Nina chooses to stand up for herself and others to show that we are all equal and continue to better our world.
My topic reflects the choices people have to make during times of fear and intimidation. These situations force us to dig deep and find strength within ourselves. Nina represents all Asian Americans who have experienced racism and xenophobia during this coronavirus pandemic. The essay centers around her choice to stand up against discrimination, while discovering the true beliefs of those around her. She finds a renewed sense of self-confidence and pride in her heritage. Those that stood with her symbolize the fight for ending judgment in our society today. Nina chooses to stand up for herself and others to show that we are all equal and continue to better our world.
Choosing to Stand Up
Choosing to Stand Up
Alright, mom, I’m off!” Nina Chen shouted as she hoisted her backpack over her shoulders. After a goodbye, she skipped down the pavement and arrived at the Maygrove Middle School entrance. She made a beeline to the picnic table where she congregated with her friends daily. Only this time, nobody was there. She slumped on the bench and listened to the boisterous students surrounding her. “Where are my friends?” she wondered.
Alright, mom, I’m off!” Nina Chen shouted as she hoisted her backpack over her shoulders. After a goodbye, she skipped down the pavement and arrived at the Maygrove Middle School entrance. She made a beeline to the picnic table where she congregated with her friends daily. Only this time, nobody was there. She slumped on the bench and listened to the boisterous students surrounding her. “Where are my friends?” she wondered.
The warning bell chimed and startled her. She scurried into her math classroom and sat in her usual spot in the back. She was relieved to see her best friend, Abigail. She was expecting to greet her, but instead observed Abigail whisper to the teacher. The teacher’s expression darkened as he whispered back looking at Nina. He signaled to an empty desk in the front of the classroom and waltzed up to his podium for announcements. Nina watched in horror as her so-called friend sat down.
The warning bell chimed and startled her. She scurried into her math classroom and sat in her usual spot in the back. She was relieved to see her best friend, Abigail. She was expecting to greet her, but instead observed Abigail whisper to the teacher. The teacher’s expression darkened as he whispered back looking at Nina. He signaled to an empty desk in the front of the classroom and waltzed up to his podium for announcements. Nina watched in horror as her so-called friend sat down.
“Hello, class,” he started. “Many of you are eager to start our test. However, I need to address something. As you’ve probably witnessed on the news, there is a virus that has infected the world. I assure you there is no need to stress. Just make sure you all are washing your hands frequently and refraining from close contact with your friends for a while. This virus is serious because we have no cure or vaccine for it. If you have any questions, feel free to ask them now.”
“Hello, class,” he started. “Many of you are eager to start our test. However, I need to address something. As you’ve probably witnessed on the news, there is a virus that has infected the world. I assure you there is no need to stress. Just make sure you all are washing your hands frequently and refraining from close contact with your friends for a while. This virus is serious because we have no cure or vaccine for it. If you have any questions, feel free to ask them now.”
A girl with blonde hair stood up. “Where exactly did this virus come from?”
A girl with blonde hair stood up. “Where exactly did this virus come from?”
“This virus originated in central China. While it is unclear exactly how it started, it is spreading rapidly. Remember to stay alert and cautious of those around you.”
“This virus originated in central China. While it is unclear exactly how it started, it is spreading rapidly. Remember to stay alert and cautious of those around you.”
The teacher continued to talk, but that didn’t matter. Nina stared blankly at her desk. Her body had become numb as his words pierced her heart. This deadly virus originated around where her grandparents lived. Horrifying thoughts of her family suffering filled her mind. She was so distracted, that she didn’t even notice her classmates’ eyes glued to her at first. When she finally did, she was perplexed. Did she have something on her face? She rubbed it as the teacher handed the tests directly to everyone. When he got to her, he tossed the paper onto her desk, which landed on the ground. Did he just have terrible aim?
The teacher continued to talk, but that didn’t matter. Nina stared blankly at her desk. Her body had become numb as his words pierced her heart. This deadly virus originated around where her grandparents lived. Horrifying thoughts of her family suffering filled her mind. She was so distracted, that she didn’t even notice her classmates’ eyes glued to her at first. When she finally did, she was perplexed. Did she have something on her face? She rubbed it as the teacher handed the tests directly to everyone. When he got to her, he tossed the paper onto her desk, which landed on the ground. Did he just have terrible aim?
She finished her test swiftly and felt exhilarated when the dismissal bell rang. She walked casually until she noticed that no one was walking near her. Then out of nowhere she heard someone yelling. She turned to see who it was, only to get spit on.
She finished her test swiftly and felt exhilarated when the dismissal bell rang. She walked casually until she noticed that no one was walking near her. Then out of nowhere she heard someone yelling. She turned to see who it was, only to get spit on.
“You brought it here!” The boy shouted. He was tall and muscular. She figured he was an eighth grader.
“You brought it here!” The boy shouted. He was tall and muscular. She figured he was an eighth grader.
“I what?” she questioned.
“I what?” she questioned.
“You and your disgusting family brought over that virus, right? You filthy Asians.”
“You and your disgusting family brought over that virus, right? You filthy Asians.”
Nina sprinted, but was stopped by another group of boys. “Please, I didn’t do anything!” Her words fell on deaf ears as they tugged her relentlessly. She cried out for help but the crowd was cheering louder. Among the crowd, she spotted her ex-friends participating in the chanting. How could they choose to go along with this?
Nina sprinted, but was stopped by another group of boys. “Please, I didn’t do anything!” Her words fell on deaf ears as they tugged her relentlessly. She cried out for help but the crowd was cheering louder. Among the crowd, she spotted her ex-friends participating in the chanting. How could they choose to go along with this?
That day, Nina came home with bruises and a torn skirt. As she limped to her house she noticed a sign that read “Go Back to China” in her yard. She sighed as she entered the front door of her house, running straight into her mother’s arms.
That day, Nina came home with bruises and a torn skirt. As she limped to her house she noticed a sign that read “Go Back to China” in her yard. She sighed as she entered the front door of her house, running straight into her mother’s arms.
“Are you alright? I’m so sorry this happened to you, Nina.” That was all Nina needed to hear before releasing her tears. “Shhh,” her mother cooed as she comforted her. She had never felt like an outcast before. She had never felt so ashamed. She had never felt so alone. “Nina, look at me.” Her mother pulled her shoulders and looked her in the eyes. “You can’t let what these bullies say tear you down. You’re stronger than that. Don’t be ashamed of who you are. Choose to stand up for yourself.”
“Are you alright? I’m so sorry this happened to you, Nina.” That was all Nina needed to hear before releasing her tears. “Shhh,” her mother cooed as she comforted her. She had never felt like an outcast before. She had never felt so ashamed. She had never felt so alone. “Nina, look at me.” Her mother pulled her shoulders and looked her in the eyes. “You can’t let what these bullies say tear you down. You’re stronger than that. Don’t be ashamed of who you are. Choose to stand up for yourself.”
“But how?” Nina sniffled.
“But how?” Nina sniffled.
“Don’t let them walk all over you. You didn’t bring this virus into your classroom. Tell them you are the same girl they were friends with before. Emphasize that you are at the same risk as everybody else. ”
“Don’t let them walk all over you. You didn’t bring this virus into your classroom. Tell them you are the same girl they were friends with before. Emphasize that you are at the same risk as everybody else. ”
When her first class was finally over the next day, she expected the bullies to return. They approached her again with devilish grins. Nina immediately felt intimated. She was conflicted about whether she should carry through with her plan. Would her words do anything? She was about to give up when her mother’s words echoed in her mind. She knew what she had to do. She bravely recounted her mother’s words, which left the entire hallway silent. She stood amazed until the students busted out laughing. Nina hung her head down and was about to surrender when she saw someone step in. “That’s enough,” a voice bellowed. She looked up to see a boy her age standing in front of her. “If you touch her I’ll get the principal.” The boys scowled, but shockingly turned away. The crowd around them dispersed as the boy turned to Nina.
When her first class was finally over the next day, she expected the bullies to return. They approached her again with devilish grins. Nina immediately felt intimated. She was conflicted about whether she should carry through with her plan. Would her words do anything? She was about to give up when her mother’s words echoed in her mind. She knew what she had to do. She bravely recounted her mother’s words, which left the entire hallway silent. She stood amazed until the students busted out laughing. Nina hung her head down and was about to surrender when she saw someone step in. “That’s enough,” a voice bellowed. She looked up to see a boy her age standing in front of her. “If you touch her I’ll get the principal.” The boys scowled, but shockingly turned away. The crowd around them dispersed as the boy turned to Nina.
“My name’s Ross. That was a powerful speech you gave there.”
“My name’s Ross. That was a powerful speech you gave there.”
“Thank you,” Nina replied, “for helping me stand up for myself.”
“Thank you,” Nina replied, “for helping me stand up for myself.”
Nina and Ross instantly became best friends. She was also able to find more friends that admired her courage and didn’t discriminate against her. She discovered that if you choose to stand up for yourself, you can overcome anything.
Nina and Ross instantly became best friends. She was also able to find more friends that admired her courage and didn’t discriminate against her. She discovered that if you choose to stand up for yourself, you can overcome anything.
What does a better world look like? It’s a world where nobody is made to feel intimidated by who they are or where they came from. It’s where we all see each other as equal human beings. It’s when we choose to stand up for what is right, even when we know there will be challenges. Until that day comes, Nina chose to never stop fighting for herself and others.
What does a better world look like? It’s a world where nobody is made to feel intimidated by who they are or where they came from. It’s where we all see each other as equal human beings. It’s when we choose to stand up for what is right, even when we know there will be challenges. Until that day comes, Nina chose to never stop fighting for herself and others.