We walk past each other here and the first thing that goes through our mind is one another’s appearance. What we wear, how we talk, or who we associate with.
As a generation we have become completely oblivious to the fact we all are struggling with something. I have yet to come to a conclusion as to why we judge, or as to why we are all separated when sometimes we just need somebody to listen. Or more importantly, somebody to understand and accept everything.
We have friends but are those friendships true? And do they honestly know what you battle with at home? I give every student at any high school credit for their strength to hide their weaknesses. Saying you are strong is true to an extent because inside we are hurt and crave to be understood, and many of us never let that show.
“For about the past three years, I've been walking around with a fake smile to try and seem stronger than I really am but I’m not as strong or confident as I look,” said Marissa Johnson. “I've gone to Dunnellon just about as long as I've gone to school. But this year, I’m home schooling.”
“A lot of students are so judgmental. They don't know when enough is enough or how far is TOO far, I couldn‘t take it anymore,” said Johnson.
This is nothing out of the ordinary. It is happening to all of us who attend school here and it is time to step up and change the typical drama-and-gossip pattern of high school life. If everybody was to open up what really is being felt within themselves, they too would own up to surviving through some tough times at home and hiding it in front of other students here at Dunnellon. It is my prayer we develop ourselves into a school community that can comprehend each other’s feelings and understand each other’s actions.
“I hear the way people judge me every day,” said Shawna Jeroski. “Some even talk about me cheering with my weight. I got to the point last year I didn’t even want to come to school on my game days wearing my uniform.”
My question is: do we take the time to analyze what we say about others without ever coming to this perspective we have no idea what somebody could be struggling with at home? Do we think about how the feelings build up inside a person who is constantly judged and ridiculed?
“I don’t like having too many friends because I don’t trust people,” said Davis Dawkins.
My heart goes out to all of you here pulling yourself through difficult situations at home and at school. But do not keep your troubles to yourself. We together can only guess what anybody goes to sleep hurting with or worrying about. Let’s make this little place a community of trust and fellowship.