[font="times new roman"] Unique. Different. Peculiar. Each describes someone who is diverse. And while this may be true, my personal definition differs. A diverse person does not just stand out in a crowd, they stand up. Some people just can not hide in the shadows, they must shine. And, as a teenager, it is hard to dimly glow, let alone outshine the darkness.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] Every high school in America is besot with the same perplexities; drugs, alcohol, violence, teen pregnancy. But I am different, I stand out- and up. I refuse to let anything enter my body that could do me harm, I will not smoke, drink or have sex. Why? Because I am different, I am diverse, and I am strong. I can not fall prey to these things; I chose not too, and that is enough. [/font]
[font="times new roman"]While other teens are smoking behind the bleachers I am fighting. I am on the streets, grassroots fashion, getting kids to quit. I educate, I inform and I make a difference, because I am different. I know how many chemicals are in a cigarette and how many of them can give you cancer. I know how many people die each day from tobacco related illnesses, and I let others know. Maybe because of me someone else will stand, but if not- I will. [/font]
[font="times new roman"] I lobby at the state capitol to pass bills against underage drinking, standing steady and firm. I will not let alcohol touch my lips; I will not let it cloud my senses. I have better things to do than wasting away at a shady party. I refuse to let my mother open the door to a cop, sent to inform her of my death from driving drunk. I have control and I will not slip. Maybe someone, someday, will see it my way- but I will still stand.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] I will not use violence as an out; I stand up in my own way. Instead of punches I throw out words, but not harsh ones. I debate it out, sort it out and argue it out. I will yell at you, but I will not make you bleed. I refuse to let a senseless act cripple my life or anyone else I know. I don’t have to battle the world with bullets, I battle with my might. I stand to be counted and display my clean hands. Someday someone might join the battle, but if not I will still stand. [/font]
[font="times new roman"] I will not lower my standards or let my integrity slip, not even for one night of fun. Sex is not an option, one night stands are not my style. I am free to live my life in a way that makes me different, and I do. I might be unpopular because of it, I am different and it counts. So while the tall girl in homeroom drops out to raise her baby, I am learning, becoming and preparing. I will always be different, because I have ideas and thoughts that no one else has, because I tried to learn in school. I will not let anyone cause me to slip from my goals. If someday someone follows my lead, fine- either way I will still stand. [/font]
[font="times new roman"] Every person is diverse and unique; it is the spice of life. The real story comes from how we are unique, how we stand up. Is a person diverse because they have different skin, different hair, more money or more friends? No, everyone can fall into one of those blanket categories. The truly diverse are that way because they chose to be. They chose to stand out, and up. They chose to face the darkness of life with a positive attitude, and they chose to shine out of that darkness. They let others see the light and chose for themselves, whether to stand up out of the muck and follow, or wallow a little longer. And if someone stands because of me, so be it. One more person has risen and lit a torch for others to follow. But if no one else will stand and be different, I still will.[/font]