Raymond VIllegas

May 4, 17

Prof. Sroka

Writing

All Black Shoes

It was the last day of 6th grade at Rivera Middle School. The school was pretty

fun, since we didnt do much work. We would mostly talk and have a bunch of fights

there, since it wasnt a strict school. As I was saying my final goodbyes to my friends

and teachers, I had them sign my Rivera Bulldogs soccer shirt, so I could remember all

of the good times we had together. I would miss all of them, even the lunch ladies, their

food was pretty good. As I stepped out the school, I would soon find out it would be my

last time too. My life would completely change as I would go home.

BUZZ BUZZZZ, my phone rang as I laid down on the couch. My mom was calling

me like usual, but this call was a little different.

Mijo, do you have all black shoes? My mom had asked me

No, why mom? I responded.

It was a little strange that my mom had called to ask if I had all black shoes. Why

would I need all black shoes? Was she buying me new all black shoes? Or was she just

asking? I didnt know the answer to those questions, but I let my mom speak to reveal

what she was doing.

OK, we will get you new ones. My mom told me

 Uhh, porque ma I asked in spanish

Ill tell you when I get home, bye mijo She said as she hung up.

I was nervous. What will I be doing? Will I be in that church parade again? I love

God, but I dont want to be in that boring parade again. More questions would soon

begin to roam my mind. I didnt know why I needed all black shoes because at my

school we didnt have to wear a specific color. I was positive I was going to the same

school, but my fate would have changed later on.

My mom walked in, yelling as usual. She called me over to the kitchen and

handed me her phone. I was nervous, what did I do this time? It was a voicemail, a

voicemail that would change my life.

As I began to listen to the voicemail, I soon recognize the ladys voice. It was my

sisters secretary at school, Foundation Academy. My palms became wet with sweat

because why would they call during summer break. I had a little chill as the voicemail

ended. I would be going to Foundation Academy, starting September. I couldnt believe

that I was going to the strictest, most mean, boring school ever.

No no no, I dont want to go there I complained to my mom

I dont care, youre going there and that's the bottom line. We are going to buy

your all black shoes later on in the summer. She responded.

I didnt want to go to that school because the rumors state that the teachers

made kids cry and torture them with 3 hours of homework each night. I also heard that

the math teacher was extremely strict, like to the point if you coughed while she was

talking, she was going to give you a detention. I told my friends about this, they all
laughed. They knew about the horrors of this school. I wasnt prepared for the horrors of

the new teachers and their devilish homework.

I got my black shoes at footlocker, some Jordan 6 Chrome lows. They werent all

black, a little sliver was there on the side. My parents also got my uniform pants and

white polo shirt from the mall. I prayed this was a dream, but it wasnt. I kept pinching

myself all day, this would lead to my mom just looking at me if I was crazy. I would be

starting school tomorrow, at least I would be looking fresh with my new shoes.

I woke up at 6:00 to my mom screaming to get up. Its happening, I would be

going to the school of horrors. We arrived at the school around 7, we went straight into

the main office. There were other new kids, but I was the only kid without all black

shoes. All the new kids said the liked my sneakers though, but the teachers didnt,

especially Ms.Goss she yelled at me for the little sliver on them. They told me I couldnt

wear them, so I had to buy vans instead. What a great first impression Ive made. The

new kids had to take a MAP test and get a guide around the school. It was boring,

proving that this school is horrible and boring.

I also got in trouble that day for banging on the bathroom doors, even though it

wasnt me. Ms. Lightfoot let me out with a warning because she believed me. As we

went upstairs, Ms. Lightfoot sent us to our new classrooms. I was sent to 7C. All the

kids stared at me, as if I was an outsider. I was nervous because I didnt know anyone

there. All the kids were whispering, making me feel anxiety. Were they talking about

me? Or was it that they liked my fresh Jordans? Mrs. McRae greeted me and sat me in

my new seat.
 She continued her lesson and it looked so complex. Math was always easy for

me, but Foundations math was way beyond complex. They were too advanced for me,

way too hard. To the point where I ended Quarter 1 with a failing grade. This didnt bring

me down, this only made me try harder.

I knew I wasnt ready, but I gave it my best shot. I made a couple new friends

that would stick around till this day in the 8th grade, I also made a bunch of new friends

in the 8th grade. I stopped being lazy and I brought my math grade by 20 points by the

end of the 4th Quarter of my first year, I had finish with with 2 honor rolls out of 4.

Foundation changed me. They helped me improve my academics, stop being a

troublemaker, and made me into a hard worker. The rumors and myths werent true,

Foundation is actually a wonderful place. Even Ms. V, the math teacher, was a pretty

cool teacher, but she does give a lot of homework.

As I look back, Foundation Academies helped shape my identity. They made me

into who I am. A hard working, smart, caring, and wonderful student. I dont know where

I would be without Foundation, without my new friends, teachers, and the lunch ladies. I

would probably still be a lazy person, and I wouldnt be an excellent writer either, thanks

to Ms. Sroka. In reality, this schools helped shaped me into who I am. Im a better

student now, just because of this mean,boring, strict school. This is who I am, a

hardworking kid with all black shoes.