All Nonfiction
- Bullying
- Books
- Academic
- Author Interviews
- Celebrity interviews
- College Articles
- College Essays
- Educator of the Year
- Heroes
- Interviews
- Memoir
- Personal Experience
- Sports
- Travel & Culture
All Opinions
- Bullying
- Current Events / Politics
- Discrimination
- Drugs / Alcohol / Smoking
- Entertainment / Celebrities
- Environment
- Love / Relationships
- Movies / Music / TV
- Pop Culture / Trends
- School / College
- Social Issues / Civics
- Spirituality / Religion
- Sports / Hobbies
All Hot Topics
- Bullying
- Community Service
- Environment
- Health
- Letters to the Editor
- Pride & Prejudice
- What Matters
- Back
Summer Guide
- Program Links
- Program Reviews
- Back
College Guide
- College Links
- College Reviews
- College Essays
- College Articles
- Back
Eight Times
The first time I remember holding my mother’s hand as she told me to let go, to not be fearful.
The second time I remember story telling on the reading carpet and snack sharing days.
The third time I remember trustworthy friends and playing tag on the baseball field.
The fourth time I remember choosing and discovering the truth.
The fifth time I remember making new friends: with new hopes and new promises.
The sixth time I remember people leaving, a new school, and unfamiliar places with unfamiliar names.
The seventh time I remember walking by myself, the scent of independence and freedom at the edge of my feet, butterflies growing in the pit of my stomach.
The eighth time I remember graduation and the impending doom of high school in the back of my brain.
8 grades. 8 years. I survived.

Similar Articles
JOIN THE DISCUSSION
This article has 0 comments.
This piece is a tribute to the eight grades I have gone to. I wrote this poem because I just graduated from middle school. I wanted to describe the changes I feel upon entering each grade. I hope people will realize that life is full of mistakes and learning lessons. School is just a little part of our lives but it can shape the way we deal with situations. I was inspired by my friends, who've always encouraged me, to write this piece.