There is a song by Christian artist Matt Redman called Never Once. Although it is making a spiritual reference, I think the lyrics can be applied to everyday situations. My favorite line in the song is, “scars and struggles on the way but with joy our hearts can say, never once did we ever walk alone”. Middle school is a time where everyone is trying to figure out who they are and who their friends are. I have learned that the teachers at GPS are always there to help you emotionally and academically. They are always there for help class or to give you advice on situations. This is something unique and special to GPS. All they way through my 3 years in middle school I have learned that never once, will we ever walk alone. Teachers are available to meet with you anytime they are free to help you comprehend the material bettert I am thankful for the teachers that I have been taught by in middle school.
When my 12-year-old sister was diagnosed with stage 2 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma at the beginning of this school year, my family and I received an outpouring of love and support from GPS. This was a challenge all year as I watched my best friend and hero lose her hair and spend weekends at TC. Thompson while other girls her age were enjoying middle school. During this challenging time, I realized that I would never walk alone. Teachers were there to comfort me when I was upset and brought meals to my family when we were too busy with appointments to make dinner. Through every challenge I faced this year, friends and faculty from the middle school at GPS supported my family and me. Another challenge that I have faced during my time in middle school is the academics. The academics make GPS a special and unique place to be.
Although challenging, the classes that we take in middle school set a foundation for the classes we will be taking in high school. I think that GPS is a very special and unique place to be, At another school where many of my friends attend, whenever someone says a “big word” they say, “that’s a GPS word”. Although this comment is probably meant to be derogatory, I try to take it as a compliment. GPS is a place of high academic standing and is very challenging. During these hard times also, I knew that I would never walk alone. At CPS, we are given special, amazing opportunities that help us grow socially. In 6‘“ grade, that event or in this case, group of events, was Cat-Rat. I had an amazing experience with my cat and it makes me want to be just as good a cat when I’m a senior. Cat-Rat is unique to GPS and I think that’s what makes it so special.
Whenever I talk to my friends from other schools about my cat, they usually respond by saying, “wait so when you go to GPS in 6‘“ grade you get an actual cat?” In 7‘“ grade, the coordinate dances were a lot of fun. Getting to know the McCallie guys better is so much fun and you get to meet a lot of new people. In 8‘” grade, I think most of us could agree that Disney was the highlight of our year. I remember hanging outwith my closest friends in the pouring rain in Magic Kingdom. Despite the weather, this was one of the highlights of our trip. Even riding on the spinning teacups brought back childhood memories and let me relive them. I also remember telling my group that there was absolutely no way that I was going to ride Everest. The next thing I knew, I was getting on the roller coaster about to take off. I will always remember the girls who jokingly prayed for me and held my hand while we were going through the roller coaster. I was definitely not walking or riding roller coasters in this case) alone in Disney World.
During my 3 years of middle school at GPS, I have grown as a student, an athlete, a Christian, and as a friend. I have grown as a student by taking challenging courses that make you think instead ofjust taking notes and doing projects. I have grown as an athlete by always pushing towards a goal. Trust me, I have never been athletic. I have always been a dancer and very interested in the arts. It wasn’t until 6′” grade that I decided to follow my older sister’s footsteps and try out for the volleyball team, Little did I know that I would soon fall in love with this sport and everything to do with it, All 3 years, I was fortunate enough to make the team and be coached by amazing coaches who have left an impact on the way I play the game. I am thankful for the coaches who have instilled in me a love for the game to the point where I would love to play in college.
I have grown as a Christian by participating in multiple bible studies at school and taking the Old Testament course. As a 6‘h grader, a teacher started a bible study for 6′”, 7‘“, and 8’“ grade girls. She set an amazing example for one of my friends, and I. Going into our 8“ grade year, we wanted to be Godly examples for the younger girls So, along with help, we started a Friday morning bible study for the 6‘” and 7‘“ grade girls. It isn‘t easy to be a Christian at a diverse school. Even so, I love each and every one of these girls dearly and I hope we have been a good example for them. I hope we have taught these girls that through their years at GPS, they are never going to walk alone. GPS has also taught me how to be a better friend. I have learned that not all girls are nice and that not all of them are going to like you or want to be your friend.
You just have to accept that and move on I have had a lot of friendships that I thought were forever come to a halt and then have to slow down. I am thankful for the people at GPS who helped me through those hard times. I have kept any friendships from my elementary school and also made new friendships with girls who I wouldn’t have met if it hadn’t have been for GPS. I have become even better friends with 7. Most of you don’t know this but she and I are 3’E1 generation best friends I am so thankful for the opportunities GPS provides for us to grow. Also, I am so thankful for the coaches, bible study leaders, and friends who have helped me to know that I will never walk alone.
Going into high school, I am both scared and excited, Excited to be out of middle school, but scared to be in high school, I feel prepared academically and mentally for the walk across the lawn to high school. I will definitely miss all of the teachers I have become so close to in middle school but I am excited to see what God has planned for my years in the high schools I am definitely afraid of the academics. They have been a challenge for me in the middle school so I can expect that they will be harder in high school. But, I will always know that I’m not walking alone. I am taking good studying skills, a foundation for learning and lots of good friends with me to high schooli And I will always know that I will never walk alone.
