For the past four years, I have worked at a girls day camp in the south side of Milwaukee. I was a JC (Junior Counselor) for two years during high school, and I am currently finishing off my second summer as an actual counselor. The camp divides the girls into older girls (6^th, 7^th, and 8^th graders) and younger girls (third, fourth, and fifth graders). As a JC, I worked with both older and younger girls, and my first year as a counselor, I had an amazing group of 14 younger girls. I expected younger girls again this summer, but I am ashamed to say I was disappointed to find out I would be working with the older girls. I anticipated the worst summer ever, I mean middle schoolers? Come on! However, this turned out to be a blessing, and I finally fully realized some key things that have slightly reconstructed some of my life missions.

The first thing I realized is the blatant need for good role models. In retrospect, thinking about the society we live in, this is fairly obvious, but as a college student I don’t spend too much time thinking about the lives of middle schoolers. However, as soon as I met my fifteen middle schoolers, it became a thought that consumed my mind. Through over hearing their conversations and the way in which they spoke, I learned that their main influences came from the media, and very little of it was the good kind. In talking to the them one on one, I also learned that they knew very little about college and higher education. For most of them, no member of their family had pursued a college career. I tried my hardest to combat this. Their family was definitely an example of hard work, but these girls need someone closer to their age who can show them the wider scope of possibilities and teach them nonconformity with the sexist, materialistic, and prejudiced messages spewed at them by society. I am determined to be that person for as many kids as possible, and having seen a difference in them by the end of the summer, my girls inspired me to seek out every opportunity to make an impact before it’s too late.

The second thing I realized is that something needs to seriously change with public education in Milwaukee. Hearing these girls talk about how their schools were run and how many of their teachers simply did not care was baffling. I heard stories of bullying, inaction, and impotency that nearly brought me to tears. These girls are not getting anywhere near the education they need and deserve. Not every school or every teacher is this way, but the fact that there is even one is completely unacceptable. Students should not be held back and negatively affected because of the ineffectiveness of a system that is supposed to help and care for them. I might only be one voice, but I will use it to advocate for change and better education, particularly in the south side of Milwaukee—where most of the children I know reside.

Lastly, and probably most importantly, I realized that each child is unique. Before this summer, in my mind they were just one, big cohesive group, but then they became the beautiful individuals they are today. They’re not “the girls,” but Ashley, Gaby, Gisell and Joyce. Each and every one of them has their own strengths, faults, talents, quirks, and dreams. They needed something different from me and required their own special attention. My girls reminded me to never define people by any group they belong to, but to see the individual beauty of each person.

I have grown as a person so much in the past seven weeks, and for that, I will forever be grateful to Team 4. Ladies, you will always have a special place in my heart.