Wednesday, March 4, 2020
I remember coming to school one day in sixth grade at CPS, and our teacher telling a few of my friends and I that a new student would be coming tomorrow and that she would be in our class. She told us that her name was Joanne, and my friends and I were so excited to meet her. The next day, Joanne came into school, and I remember her being so quiet, but I knew that a language barrier wouldn't be enough to keep my friends and I from getting to know her. Over the next few years, I remember coming home from school every day and thinking to myself how proud I was of Joanne for making so much progress since she first started school here. I know that coming into a new place by herself and not speaking the same language must have been so frustrating to deal with, but there was never a day where I didn't see her laugh, smile, or joke around with me, and she always came in every day being a little more talkative and comfortable than the last. I remember one day in seventh grade, when I went to my locker and saw a little note there waiting for me. It read, "Thank you for nice to me," and right then, I realized how much of a difference you can make in someone's life just by being kind. I am so glad that I kept that little note.
Joanne taught me that being kind and inclusive, no matter how small the gesture, never goes unnoticed, and that you can find happiness in the smallest of things. Her determination and excitement to learn continues to inspire me to keep working hard in school, and my friendship with her will forever be held so close to my heart. Whenever I see someone who looks a little scared, anxious, or in need of friend, I will never hesitate to step up and try to make them feel welcomed, because Joanne helped me to understand how much it really does help. I wish we went to the same high school so I could have continued to see her and talk to her every day, and I will forever miss the little jokes we had with each other, the doodles she drew in my notebook, and how happy it made me hearing her laugh. I will forever be grateful for the short time I had with Joanne, and I wish that I could see her just one last time to thank her for showing me how much friendship means to me.
All my love,
Julia Romero
