This is for Reflections. My name is Keira Sheehy and I am 9 years old. I am in 4th grade and I go to Heathrow Elementary School. I like drawing, writing books, and baking. This is my entry for Reflection’s “Show Your Voice”. 

Me |

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Hi. I’m Lucas Benton. Today is my first day at a new school. Yup, I am the new kid. I moved from Arizona to Florida. Like any other first day, everyone was staring at me. Look, I know I’m a new kid, but give me some space. I saw two girls whispering, and I knew it was about how I look. I have to wear glasses and I like to wear buttoned shirts because it makes me look like the smart kid I am. My mother is a doctor so she makes me study, study, study, so I can get As and grow up to be like her.

Pen Pal Questionnaire

1. Favorite Color(s): Blue and black

2. Hobbies: Homework and studying rocks

3. I am reading: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix 

4. Favorite Place to Relax: Reading books in my quiet room

5. Things I collect: Rocks

6. Favorite time of day: Calm evenings

7. I wish: That school would never end

8. Favorite Movie: I don’t watch television

9. What would you like to be when you grow up: A Naturalist

Lucas Benton 

Age 12 

The first class I went to was French, which was pretty easy because I already know French thanks to my mother. My French teacher, Mrs. McAnn wanted us to fill out a pen pal questionnaire - like I said I was really smart, so I like answering questions. I hoped my pen pal was smart, too. At the end of class, we got to see who our pen pal was. I got a girl named Julia Richard. She doesn’t 

look so bad.

I had some more classes and then it was lunch time. I decided I was going to sit alone so I could study for a Social Studies test that I have in two days. Then I saw a guy come up to me. I thought he was going to sit with me, but instead he said “Hey you nerd! What are you doing, huh?” And I said “Studying.”

“So you think your so nerdy and smart, new kid,” he said. “Um Yes,” I said back not knowing what to do. He walked away and I thought he was done, but boy was I wrong. He came back and threw a sandwich at me. Everyone laughed at me and chanted “Nerdy New Kid!” 

I have never been so relieved that school was over. Today, I had to walk home from school. I usually have to do this because my mother is at work, but I’m fine with it. While I’m walking I try not to think about how terrible my first day went.

My mother gets home around 9:00, so I never really get to talk to her before I go to bed. Before she comes home I try to help a lot around the house because my dad used to be a firefighter. Then, one day everything changed. He was stuck in a fire. My mom and I never got to say goodbye. She tries really hard to help us. That’s why we moved to Florida. So we can have a new start, to feel like nothing ever happened. But I know she still misses him so much. I miss him a lot too.