Change — the only thing that stays consistent is the way it’s spelled. While it may be difficult, it is a necessary part of life. Seasons, favorite foods, the most popular song, friends, you: these are all things that change. Whether it was an event, person, or specific decision within life, something made us the people we are today.
When SPUB spoke about something that changed the core of who they are, four categories surfaced. The most common responses were rooted from individuals.
Dylan Estes, 11, explained that they don’t believe one event has changed them. “I think my parents and my closest friends (all of whom I’ve known since elementary school) have shaped me to be the person I am today. I don’t think one moment can drastically change a person; I think series of little things affects how you grow. Change is the only constant.”
“When I was in fourth grade, my teacher was the most kind, loving, and creative person ever. Throughout elementary school, I was always on the cusp of being in gifted but never was, so being challenged in the classroom was something that I wanted. Ms. Tims…she was one of the first teachers in my life who recognized me as special and truly gave me the resources and challenges I needed to succeed,” Quorynn Harris, 11, said.
“I would like to say both of my parents and siblings influenced who I am today. Whether or not it’s good or bad traits, they still helped me shape the person I am now. I learned how to not take upsetting comments or how people act towards me from my mom. My dad taught me how to be a kind person toward everyone around me, no matter how they perceive me. Being who you are is more important than being fake. Though people might think I look mean or rude, I truly am not on the inside. Both of my parents made sure to teach me manners, how to be appreciative, to love, to learn, and how to listen,” Shelby Hatcher, 12, explained.
“Clayton, my sweet boyfriend, truly changed me and helped me in every way possible — helping me get closer with the Lord, making sure I am okay and have what I need at all times, and always making sure I’m happy. He has helped me find the right hobbies such as dropping orchestra and StuCo after struggling with mental health. He was there for me in every way possible during the hard road block in my life. He has changed me and made me a better version of myself,” Hadley Booze, 11, expressed.
“I would say that so many teachers have changed me. Mr. [Dan] Wooge, [former band director,] for example, really changed my perspective about how you as an individual truly matter to a group. StuCo taught me that you have to take initiative because if you don’t want to do it, no one else does either. [Angela] Tauer, [English teacher,] taught me to push myself when it matters and not to sweat the small stuff. So many faculty members at this school have truly changed me as a person,” Olivia Tarvin, 12, said.
“My closest friend, Kayley Tran, shaped me into the person I am today. She has been my number one supporter through everything and has never left my side once. She taught me the importance of being present and to appreciate the little things in life, no matter how insignificant they may seem. She encourages me to challenge my limits whether that be stepping out of my comfort zone or simply pursuing my personal goals, and has instilled a sense of resilience and self confidence that I didn’t have before I had her. Some people think that the term ‘soulmates’ can only be applied to significant others, but I believe it is the person who came into your life when you least expected it and has never made their presence unwanted. Kayley Tran is my soulmate,” Macey Chaulk, 11, expressed.
“My sixth, seventh, and eighth grade art teacher changed me. As a whole, she really sent me on a path to enjoy the arts as something that I could pursue as a career. Mrs. [Abby] Stallbaumer, [art teacher,] also pushed me along that path, but my middle school art teacher created that spark. Past that, art became something that I truly enjoy doing and something that I carry with me everyday as part of my personality and identity,” Danny Heinen, 11, said.
“Doing theater around the Kansas City area has been a part of me since I was three singing in front of the TV singing ‘Let it Go.’ I have been inspired by people older than me shining onstage next to me, and I really value that. I have met some of the closest people to me who really shaped me. My family is the most supportive of every activity, show, or dance I’m in, showing up for everything, I’m the most grateful for that,” Holly Lichtenauer, 10, said.
“My elementary/middle school was one building, and I was with the same 13-16 people from first grade to eighth grade. I would be completely confident in saying they were some of the most influential people in my life. There aren’t really specific instances or examples where they changed me — it was more of a change over time. The way we reacted to things and the way we treated each other gradually changed all of us. It was kind of like the time frame of a baby learning to talk; you don’t really realize the change day-to-day, but later when you look back you realize how much you have changed, how much progress has been made. We were all constantly setting examples for each other without realizing it,” Norah McMains, 11, explained.
Before reading SPUB’s experiences, I wrote my response on this topic. Afterwards, I gathered that I relate to many people on staff. I too believe the people you surround yourself with are the ones who change you the most. For me, that is my family and my best friend. My parents have shaped me into the individual I am today. They have positively changed the way I go about my life through values and focuses. My sister has changed my mindset and way of thinking in so many different aspects. She has influenced the way I view tough situations such as drama or when I am struggling in school. My best friend has changed my definition of a “best friend.” She has taught me the way I should be treated and has ultimately changed my standards for future friendships or relationships.
Another popular response among SPUB had to do with a specific event or time frame within their life.
“My freshman year was a really bad time in my life. My social anxiety was at its peak; I was put on medication for anxiety and depression at the beginning of freshman year, my home life wasn’t good, and I was angry all the time. What I didn’t expect was for sophomore year to affect me as much as it did. We finally found the right medications that worked the best for me, my home life improved, I started to branch out and do things that I wouldn’t have done before, and I found a good group of friends who understand me. As bad as my freshman year was, it was essential for me to become the person I am today, and I am proud of the growth I have made,” Mallory Marmon, 11, said.
“The winter of my freshmen year, I started having extreme panic attacks. It came out of nowhere and got so bad that I couldn’t even walk into the school. This ultimately changed what I knew about myself. After this experience, I eventually got to learn how I tick. I stopped putting so much pressure on myself in school and in sports. I am a people pleaser; therefore, I was constantly putting others above myself which left me overexerted and stressed. Although this experience was awful, it is the reason I was able to find myself and finally realize it’s okay to put myself first sometimes,” Brynna Pierson, 12, said.
“The summer going into my sophomore year filled me with anxiety. Previously, I had gone to Bonner Springs for my entire life, so the idea of moving in and of itself was startling. I was stuck on not liking Spring Hill; I would not give in to my family telling me ‘everything will work out’ because, from my perspective, they were liars. It wasn’t going to work out; I wouldn’t make any friends; these were going to be the worst years of my life. Moving forced me to change, and I will forever be grateful that I did. Never in my life would I dream of the person I am now: confident and full of love. Being thrown into an unfamiliar environment was the fastest way for me to figure out who I truly am and what matters to me. The different activities, fellow students, and teachers that have interacted with me have truly changed me for the better, and I will forever be grateful for them,” Ava Rushing, 12, said.
Two SPUB members were able to pinpoint particular things that influenced a change within them.
“Growing up, I was always seen as a redneck girl who was always in on the farm action and doing it all dressed in a dress up princess dress covered in mud. When I got my own goats that were my responsibility, I finally understood what my whole family is so obsessed with. FFA taught me most of my knowledge of the technical side of agriculture, but it was truly the people I met along the way who inspired me. Agriculture is connected to everything I love. Through my years of soul searching, the one thing I have found to be consistent is agriculture. I would never be the person I am today without agriculture; in fact, I quite literally would not be alive. Who knew such a seemingly random topic could unite so many people?” Hannah King, 12, expressed.
“In seventh grade, my English class had a book project where we had to read a book that takes place in another country or culture, then compare and contrast with the U.S. I chose a book called “Sold” by Patricia McCormick. The story is about a 13-year-old girl named Lakshmi from Nepal who gets sold into sexual slavery by her gambling-addicted step-father. The book made me realize just how big of an issue sex trafficking really was even if the book had been written in 2006. After reading that book, I’ve been more cautious around strangers and people especially with me having a little sister. I don’t live in fear though mainly because I find myself fortunate enough to be in a situation where I don’t have to. I just hope no one has to deal with something like what Lakshmi went through,” Paityn Creach, 10, said.
When SPUB’s responses were sorted into groups, the remaining two experiences had a similarity — a decision
“Joining theater in high school changed my life drastically. It helped me meet almost all of my friends who help make me a better person and mean the world to me. It also allowed me to find a passion within the space, find a community, and help me figure out my future career,” Hannah Mueller, 12, said.
“Freshman year, I attended every summer workout for my sports, went to weights every day, and was genuinely still excited to be a high school athlete. By the time February of freshman year arrived, I was drained and no longer having fun. By the beginning of this year, junior year, I had suffered through two years of high school sports. I decided that although I was a decent enough player, I could no longer take the constant judgment and work that wasn’t seeming to pay off. After a bit, I learned that being a NARP (non-athletic regular person) wasn’t as bad as I had originally thought. Although at first I experienced so much loss, quitting high school sports was one of the best decisions I ever made,” Madi Brown, 11, said.
Change is unavoidable, but it is a process that builds us into the characters we are. Whether it is a specific item, person, or event, our surroundings are what change our being. From the outside, the root of these changes may be unknown, but everyone has something within their life that has sparked the change of their core.
