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Scarlet and the Niyays

Hi, my name is Scarlet Gibbs, class president. This is a story about how I met some new friends and learned so much. They changed my life and my perspective of people.

It was the day after winter break ended and nobody felt like coming to school. First period was going by as fast as a turtle could run. "Class," Mrs. Mathews said, sounding just like one of those teachers in movies. "We have a new student from Thailand. Mila Niyay will be in our art class from now on. She needs a partner." Mila looked different than everybody else in our class and she seemed to be nervous. "Mila how about you go sit next to Scarlet?" Mrs. Mathews pointed at me and I waved. Mila already had all of her supplies and she watched as I attempted to draw an owl.

I was going through the lunch line, when I bumped into someone. "Oh sorry," Mila said anxiously.

"It's okay."

After I paid the lunch lady, I decided to sit at the table where Mila was sitting. There were more people at that table who looked just like her. I noticed people staring and told Mila to ignore them. "Is this your brother and sister?" I asked her.

"Yes," Mila said introducing me to them. After that day Gina, Rob, Mila and I became great friends, especially Mila and I since we had 4 classes together.

"So I heard that you're class president," Mila said when we were swinging at the park. Her hair had a unique flower pin in it.

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"Yeah, I am, and I have to do a speech on Friday about a new holiday we should have but I have no idea where to start."

"Well if you come over to my house after school tomorrow then maybe I could help you," Mila suggested kindly. I liked that idea and agreed to go to her house. And I was actually dying to see what her house looked.

After school Mila and I walked to her house and the inside was decorated very nicely. Her mom was cooking dinner and was wearing a Thai dress, I guessed. When it was time for dinner, we had to sit on little cushions as we ate a very tasty menu of food; including tom yum soup, papaya salad, and pad Thai noodles.

Then Gina and Rob showed me around the rest of the house. My favorite part was the Thai soldier statue in the living room.

When I got home and went to bed, I knew what my class president speech would be about. I was more than grateful for Mila inviting me over to her house.

Friday came by faster than a cheetah could run and I was practicing my speech during advisory. Then at the beginning of 6th period everyone went to auditorium and Principal Nicks introduced me.

"Everyone please welcome, Scarlet Gibbs, class president." Mila wished me good luck and gave me a little push to the stage.

As I started my speech I was getting more nervous and nervous until Mila smiled at me.

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"Our world is very diverse. There are many cultures of people," I continued to say with more confidence.

"Most of us here are from England and we aren't used to different people. But that doesn't mean we have to ignore them or look at them as if they're aliens. While we eat dinner in our dining chairs, people in Thailand are eating dinner in cushions. We have indoor classrooms, but there are people in South Africa who have outdoor classrooms."

I looked around at the faces of my fellow students. "So my idea for our new school holiday is World Cultures Day, to celebrate the many cultures of the world and how we are all different yet alike in many ways."

Ever since that day, Oxford Middle School has been celebrating World Cultures Day every October 24th. On this day we eat different foods, dance many dances, and wear different clothes.

The Niyays have inspired me and my school more than they will ever realize.