Courage Is Contagious by Nick Haramis

Author:Nick Haramis
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
Published: 2017-10-23T16:00:00+00:00

Adasendis De La Cruz

NINTH-GRADER

I’m in love with a sport most girls don’t play. When I was younger, my father and I watched boxing matches on TV, and I decided to learn the sport. My mother was worried I would get hurt, but my dream of becoming a boxer stuck. After three years of boxing classes, though, she’s seen how good I am and worries much less. Most people say that pretty girls shouldn’t fight, but I don’t care what most people say. I only care what certain people say, among them Michelle Obama, who taught me that it’s not just okay—but right—to pursue your dreams. You’d never know the challenges she faced by looking at her. And she instilled in me a similar sense of poise and determination.

A few months ago, I interviewed for a spot in an organization that gives kids the opportunity to box at a real gym while also getting help with their homework. I was nervous, and my teacher came with me. She told me to act professionally, and not to joke or dance or be silly—the way I act when I’m playing around with my friends. I sat up straight and made eye contact with the interviewer, who spent most of the time telling me how good the program was. He asked me if I wanted to be a member, and I said I’d have to check with my mom. (She wants me to become a lawyer because I’m good at arguing, or a model because I’m always wearing her heels.) But looking at all the people training in the gym, I knew what my goal was. The interview was a success. I’d be able to go to his gym and train on Saturdays—which meant that I’d be able to get more one-on-one attention from coaches and train with people who felt as passionate as I did about the sport. I was also excited to have a real ring to practice in, rather than have to push desks out of the way. When I left the interview, I called my mom right away to tell her the news. She was so excited she told the whole family.

For the first few weeks, I felt welcome there, and I met a lot of other kids who also love boxing. But later, there seemed to be some confusion. My teacher reluctantly pulled me out of class one morning to tell me she had bad news: The man I interviewed with told her I could no longer come to the gym for free because he thought I didn’t need the help. He mistook my professionalism and eloquence for privilege. Maybe I shouldn’t have sat there with my back straight and my hands folded in my lap. Maybe I should have worn baggier clothes. Maybe I should have fed the stereotype.

I felt like my dreams had fallen apart. The man didn’t know anything about me. He didn’t know that I came from a poor neighborhood. He didn’t know that I’ve

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