JUNE

WHAT I LEARNED IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

A Graduation Speech by Ben Hunter

I learned a lot during my years in elementary school. When I started, I was just a little pipsqueak. I was excited and scared at the same time. I wanted to make friends and play, and learn cursive and math. Now, as I look back, I realize that as important as my teachers’ assignments were, the things I learned about life from my teachers, especially Ms. Washington, and from my family, friends, and frenemies were even more important.

One thing I learned is to be nice to other people. Even when they make you mad. Usually they’re not really trying to be mean. They’re just thinking about themselves. Or sometimes, like with parents (and a shout-out to my mom here), they love you and are only trying to take care of you, even if they drive you crazy.

The second thing I learned is that if someone is being mean, you can find someone else to hang out with—“Go where the love is,” like my sister, Angelina, says.

Another thing I learned is that you have to be nice to yourself. Maybe you have to be nicer to yourself when other people aren’t nice to you. Don’t be too hard on yourself. Life is hard enough.

But there are great things to look forward to. Like dogs, even when they act crazy, and baseball, even when you strike out, and watching scary movies with your mom while eating chocolate, and riding your bike with your best friend. I wish everyone a great summer full of all the things you love to do and only a few of the things you don’t. See you in middle school!