Isha Patel

As I rushed out of the library door engulfed in rage, I couldn’t believe what I done. The letters C-R-O-I-S-S-A-N-T flashed in my brain on repeat. How could I, the only Asian in my class, misspell such a simple word. I had lost my chance to win the state spelling bee and there was absolutely nothing I could do about it.

On the way back to the 5th grade quarters, after I simmered down a bit, I ran into my music teacher, Mrs. Stephens. I told her about everything. From how I completely blanked right before my turn to how I just stood there until time ran out. She replied with one single phrase, “Everything happens for a reason.” At the time, I didn’t understand what she meant. I thought, this stuck-up old woman must have some audacity to tell me I deserved to be eliminated from the spelling bee, but I brushed it off and went back to class. Now I realize, I have lived my life surrounding that statement.

For instance, when I moved cities in middle school, I was devastated leaving my friends and childhood behind. For months on end, I moped around my bedroom and begged my mom until we could move back home. But that day never came. And once again I heard Mrs. Stephens voice whisper, “Everything happens for a reason.” I gradually began to accept the fact that I’m staying in Kennesaw and made new friends and joined community service groups. At last, I felt like I found my place, where I could thrive both academically and socially. But of course, there were more challenges to come with the start of high school.

Freshman year of high school was a peculiar one. My sister, who I tell everything, just moved away to college and I felt as though I had to do everything on my own. I had to take harder classes, find my way around the school, and even order my own food at restaurants. Let me tell you, it was rough, yet this experience happened for a reason as it taught me to be more independent.

Today, I am back where I started. New town. New school. New friends. New life. I can only hope the phrase “everything happens for a reason” will continue to guide me through the next four years.