Personal Narrative: A Lessons Learned

I started drawing when I was 16. I was cursing 10th grade, or how is called in my country, Dominican Republic “Segundo de Bachillerato”. It was recess. I was alone in my classroom that day, besides two or three people who were just killing time there, and I didn’t had much to do with my time. I was at the last book of a series of books which names I can’t remember and If I recall correctly the last book was very boring for some reason so I didn’t wanted to read it anymore. So, looking for something to do, I stood from my seat and walked boringly down the aisle of chairs and that was, not my first interaction with art, but the first time I remember i liked art or paid attention to it. Yerkis, a guy of my class: short, chubby and well mannered

“How come y’all ain’t scared of us like you were Dally?” Johnny said. He had that scared look in his eyes, that told me he’d been badly hurt, but I could only tell because I had that same look for weeks after my mother died. I sighed, “You two are too sweet to scare anyone. First of all, you didn’t join in Dallas’s dirty talk, and you made him leave us alone. And when we asked you to sit up here with us, you didn't act like it was an invitation to make out for the night. Besides that, I’ve heard about Dallas Winston, and he looked as hard as nails and twice as tough. And you two don’t look mean.”

Growing up with a father in the military, you move around a lot more than you would like to. I was born just east of St. Louis in a city called Shiloh in Illinois. When I was two years old my dad got the assignment to move to Hawaii. We spent seven great years in Hawaii, we had one of the greatest churches I have ever been to name New Hope. New Hope was a lot like Olivet's atmosphere, the people were always friendly and there always something to keep someone busy. I used to dance at church, I did hip-hop and interpretive dance, but you could never tell that from the way I look now.

“As a former camper, I remember missing camp so much between leaving and starting back the next summer,” she said. “If this would’ve been offered to me as a kid I would have been stoked, and I think many present campers will feel the same way. They’ll get to pick their summer friendships back up and enjoy all the Warner-Tully traditions that we all love.”

I see the barn with the green painted 4-H clover at its top, I smell the fresh, dewy grass, and I hear the sounds of anxious campers asking questions about what the week has in store. Hearing the kids’ voices all around saying “What’s that?” and “Look at that!” makes my heart smile. These kids have no idea what a great week we have in store for them and I hope that I can help make their experience one they will not soon forget. The other teens and I have been training and preparing for months, just to make this one week amazing for these kids. Leading the kids toward Ratliff Hall, they are all looking around amazed by their surroundings. The door opens and we enter, the camp staff greets us by chanting and singing. This is a sound like no other that I have waited all year to

“Honey….” He started. I could tell what he had been about to say even before started talking. He wasn’t going to let me go to the camp.

“You play outstandingly for Campbell campers. Too good for this camp, indeed,” Pikeman complimented, “We ask you to become part of the Wood Scouts!”

“Hey Jake can I talk to you for a second.” he said very nonchalantly, I walked over and stood there nervously wondering what he wanted. “Jake, I know that you don’t like being here, and I know that you only come because your friends are on the team. But Jake, I see a lot of potential in you. I see a young man who isn’t sure about a decision he has made, and I want you to make me a promise.” He said all of this in such a calm and kind almost caring manner.

"What are you freshman doing here?" asked Brandon, a senior who hates the cross-country team,"I bet you all fifty dollars each that the three and a couple of your cross-country friends

I then looked at everyone who was staring at me, and then back at Cameron. I gulped "hi" I said. he smiled "hello, so uh, beating your high score on Flappy Bird?" he was so close.... "yeah, actually I did beat my high score.." he looked into my eyes and that perfect smile of his played his lips. "cool, whats your high score?" he said. we were talking, and everyone was watching us. the guys were watching us. "220" I said, rubbing my arm. he frowned "mines 190" he shrugged. I smirked "so uh, shouldn't we get back to Magcon?" I said. he nodded, "yeah, we should" he smiled. our hands were so close to touching. my heart was beating super fast. the only thing between us, was the metal gate. Cam was taller than me, that's for sure. he then leaned to me, and for a second my heart started beating faster. he whispered in my ear "mind if I have your number? just cause, well... it would be cool if we saw each other again" his soft breath hit my ear, and it made me tingle. I whispered back "sure". "when this whole thing is over, meet me at the balcony on the roof, oh and uh.. your friend can come too" he whispered. I nodded and smiled. he smiled at me and ran back to the stage. Nash raised an eyebrow and put his hands behind his back. I saw Matthew 'casually' walk close to Nash's side and hand him something, but I think I was the only one who saw it. Nash gave him back the thing, and walked up behind Cameron. he showed everyone his hand. I knew

"But you don’t understand Cal, we weren't doing anything wrong! That dog Tim just happened upon us" Scout yelled.

“Well, talking usually doesn’t mean talking, so if you will just get out of my way,” I growl, my limits being pushed. They still don’t let me pass, cornering me to the cliff side. I’m not scared of a little twenty foot drop, but they should. The other guys snicker and whisper to each other things I rather not hear. I block them out, my focus on Carl. He’s the one in charge of these boys and he’s going to regret stopping me.

I set off into the forest on the pathway that I have created so that the people like me can find sanctuary in my home until they are ready to venture off on their own journey. About an hour later I finally arrived at the end of the forest and I can see the society. It looks exactly the same as when I had left. I wait until dark so that I may take a candle from the Home of Scholars and

PROMPT #2: PROMPT #2: The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

The rest of the week flew by pretty quickly. Finally, Saturday was here. Homecoming was tonight and I couldn 't be more excited. Luke and I finally decided on a bow tie for him. Isobelle and I are getting our nails done right now. I decided on plain French tips. "What 's your plan for the night"? Asked Isobelle. "Well, Lucas won 't tell me where he 's taking me for dinner. He asked me if I liked seafood, so I guess we 're going to a seafood restaurant. "I 'm excited to finally meet some of your friends! You 've been here almost 2 months and I still haven 't been introduced to any of them. Who 's this boy that 's taking you to the dance? Is he cute"? She asked. "Yes! He 's gorgeous! And I 'm sorta his girlfriend, I guess," I