On the first day of seventh grade, I was very nervous to be going to a high school. I didn’t know anyone and the older kids towered over me. I had also heard that the older kids had a habit of making fun of the ackies so I was wary of negative interactions with them. My day started pretty ok, I was learning my way around the school, and none of the older kids had even looked at me, which was a good sign. Then came time for gym class. At my old school we didn’t have to change into a uniform for gym so this was a new concept for me. I changed into my uniform in the locker room and I already felt uncomfortable in the long, baggy shorts and big blue t-shirt. Gym class itself was okay because everyone else was also wearing these outfits. When I came back into the locker room, though, I began to panic. I realized my backpack was wide open. I had not brought a lock to school so I couldn’t use the locker. I took everything out of my backpack and looked around. I realized everything was gone. My pants, shirt, shoes, and all the jewelry, some of which was my mother’s and was very important, was gone. On the first day I had decided to wear my favorite clothes too. I realized that I would have to finish the rest of the day wearing this uniform, and even worse no one else would be wearing it. I knew that I had become the stereotypical ackie, wearing their gym uniform, and I was terrified of being targeted by the older kids. I obviously made it through the day, as now I am a seasoned senior, but I have to say that ruined my first day of school and made me really scared as a little kid.

Many other students have similar experiences, for example Cecilia Thyen 20’ said,” My whole backpack was stolen, including my laptop.” Marley Kravitz 21’ says, “I had to go home with one of my friends one night because my Ventra card was stolen and my house keys.” Clearly stealing is still something that occurs everywhere, even in high schools. According to a recent, large epidemiological study of adults says that “11.3% of the general population admitted to having stolen in their lifetimes.” It can be detrimental to someone’s day and affect them for a long time to replace the things that were stolen. Somethings can never be replaced.