Being in Honors English- Claire Riley

If I hadn't done anything, I'd be in CP English. Not that I didn't like that class, it was fine. But how do I explain that I don't feel smart.
How do I explain that when I was there, after fighting a year as a freshman, as the leader of every presentation group, I was still held back?
How do I explain that after getting "outstanding!" written on my paper over and over, I was still held back?
How do I explain that after working harder than I've ever worked in that class only to be labeled as a "try hard," I was STILL held back?

Being in this honors class has meant the world. I know it doesn't seem like much. It's a high school course, and kids including me complain ALL THE TIME about work. But just the idea of getting to sit where others who genuinely care about their grade is awesome. Getting to feel like I'm actually improving in my work and getting a quality education is awesome. Writing has been the only academic I've never stopped enjoying, and I don't plan to stop anytime soon.

Being in this class means that I've earned it. It means that I'm seen as above average at something that I've worked hard on to improve. I feel on top of the world when I sit down in my seat and get asked by peers what I wrote. Why am I the example? Aren't you guys the geniuses? 

Being in this class I've read the most interesting books. What's better? I found people just as interested in reading as me. Mrs. Kopp's recommended books never failed to intrigue me, and I've had so much fun talking about them.

Being in this class makes me feel smart. I feel like I have something colleges can finally look at and say, "oh, so she likes to write huh?"

In my next two years, I hope to go into some AP English classes. English has always been a bigger part of my school life than the rest of my academics, and I'm happy to say I excel at something that I could get a job in later on.

I'm so happy the school board and the English department has let me into this class, even after I almost gave up hope. I'm so grateful that Mrs. Valleau put up with my crap about wanting to go higher, even without the recommendation or the grades. I'm so happy I was able to spend my time in this class this year, have so many valuable lessons, and enjoy my time feeling like the smartest kid in the world...or at least for 45 minutes. :)