It’s 7:20 am and in our small classroom, there are a few outspoken teens who have not yet fallen asleep. These young men and women join in the many discussions we have and use their personal experiences to interpret literature.
Among them is M, an intellectual young man with a big passion for music, money, shoes and big dreams. He never carries much with him; it’s usually just him and a set of earphones. He doesn’t always do what teachers ask of him, like the homework assignments or other tasks that to him are a waste of time. But I admire him and I think even his teachers are struck by his young, yet mature mind. I admire his intellect, his wit, his respect for family and his passions. When he speaks, you can’t help but listen to him. And if you listen to him carefully, in between his mumbling, you’ll hear his interpretive thoughts and ideas. You’ll hear and you’ll know that he is not a slacker and that he’s not just sitting at a desk for nothing. You’ll know that he does have inspiration and that he is trying to put a little extra effort to make it through high school and the tedious assignments.
The last bell rings. In his $400 sneakers, M walks to his locker, still thinking about his future and his dream music studio.