Inspirational Stories
Story by Sheri E. (Age 17)
Not too long ago, I was hanging with my 2 friends at the mall. I was really excited to hang with them outside of school because this is the first time we hung out in a while. We walked around the mall for a while and then went by one store which sells diamonds and jewelry . When we almost walked in the door to look, four other teens started yelling "hey, hey you guys, come here!" We walked over to them and they were trying to make us steal some diamonds from the store for them. They were saying stuff like "don't worry you won't be caught!" and "Come one don't be a wimp!"
Me and my friends looked at each other and we all say no and no thanks. They said "Really?!? Come on!!!" I said" We are not going to steal diamonds for you guys! That's ridiculous " They then said " Fine. We'll just ask someone else." We all walked away together then we looked back and saw them asking more teens to do the same thing. We looked at each other and gave each other high fives. We felt proud to not go under peer pressure. We would have gotten in so much trouble if we got caught. From then on, we never fell into peer pressure. It might be hard but you can overcome peer pressure too.
Story by Sarah D. (age 14)
I've just moved to a new city. I'm at a completely different and new school. It the first day of school and I am very willing to make new friends. After 2nd period I already made a new group of friends. They all seem very nice and caring. I sit next to all 6 of them at lunch and we talk the whole time. I barely ate any of my lunch! Then, toward the end of lunch, they started talking about meeting in the back of the school after school. I said sure why not. I didn't really know what we were going to do but I want to keep them as my friends. After school I walk to meet them behind the school. Then I smell something really weird and disgusting. I turn the corner and see all my friends. I smile at them but it turns almost immediately to a frown when I realize they are smoking pot.
They ask me if I want a smoke. I then think about my sporting career. I want to be a professional softball player and this might ruin my ultimate dream. I can't let this one decisions ruin my future dream and my future health. I say "No. Sorry, I can't." One of them says, "Well, if you don't, we won't be your friends!" I pause but then I say "fine." THEN I WALK AWAY. I was really, really proud of myself that I walked away. But I got kind of sad because I no longer had friends. The next day, at lunch, I was looking for a seat when some girls invited me over to sit with them. This is fantastic and I cant believe I made new friends. Now (3 months later) we all are really great friends and are even talking about all of us going to college together. My coach even said that I could get a college scholarship for softball. They are a much better influence on me and I am very happy I simply said no!
Sometimes the biggest act of courage is a small one.
~Lauren Raffo
Not too long ago, I was hanging with my 2 friends at the mall. I was really excited to hang with them outside of school because this is the first time we hung out in a while. We walked around the mall for a while and then went by one store which sells diamonds and jewelry . When we almost walked in the door to look, four other teens started yelling "hey, hey you guys, come here!" We walked over to them and they were trying to make us steal some diamonds from the store for them. They were saying stuff like "don't worry you won't be caught!" and "Come one don't be a wimp!"
Me and my friends looked at each other and we all say no and no thanks. They said "Really?!? Come on!!!" I said" We are not going to steal diamonds for you guys! That's ridiculous " They then said " Fine. We'll just ask someone else." We all walked away together then we looked back and saw them asking more teens to do the same thing. We looked at each other and gave each other high fives. We felt proud to not go under peer pressure. We would have gotten in so much trouble if we got caught. From then on, we never fell into peer pressure. It might be hard but you can overcome peer pressure too.
Story by Sarah D. (age 14)
I've just moved to a new city. I'm at a completely different and new school. It the first day of school and I am very willing to make new friends. After 2nd period I already made a new group of friends. They all seem very nice and caring. I sit next to all 6 of them at lunch and we talk the whole time. I barely ate any of my lunch! Then, toward the end of lunch, they started talking about meeting in the back of the school after school. I said sure why not. I didn't really know what we were going to do but I want to keep them as my friends. After school I walk to meet them behind the school. Then I smell something really weird and disgusting. I turn the corner and see all my friends. I smile at them but it turns almost immediately to a frown when I realize they are smoking pot.
They ask me if I want a smoke. I then think about my sporting career. I want to be a professional softball player and this might ruin my ultimate dream. I can't let this one decisions ruin my future dream and my future health. I say "No. Sorry, I can't." One of them says, "Well, if you don't, we won't be your friends!" I pause but then I say "fine." THEN I WALK AWAY. I was really, really proud of myself that I walked away. But I got kind of sad because I no longer had friends. The next day, at lunch, I was looking for a seat when some girls invited me over to sit with them. This is fantastic and I cant believe I made new friends. Now (3 months later) we all are really great friends and are even talking about all of us going to college together. My coach even said that I could get a college scholarship for softball. They are a much better influence on me and I am very happy I simply said no!
Sometimes the biggest act of courage is a small one.
~Lauren Raffo