What do you remember about first coming to Bridge? How was it different from your previous school? 

I came to Bridge during 3rd grade. I remember first meeting Ms. Yaya, Ms. Trecker, and Ms. Russell - they were all so nice to me and showed me love. All my other schools before Bridge were boring so I thought this would be the same. These other schools didn’t teach me much, but that’s different here. For example, in the school I went to before Bridge, we just watched movies all day and played games. We didn’t do any real work. But Bridge is both of those things - you have to work hard here AND people are trying to make it fun. 

It was difficult at first when I got here because I didn’t even know how to read. I mean, I could a little bit, but not really. That’s how I met Ms. Russell. 

Tell me about your work with Ms. Russell. What has made that special for you? 

I met her in 3rd grade. First we started working in a small group. I didn’t know that I liked to read at first, but I couldn’t, and then once I started to learn I realized how much fun it could be. Ms. Russell taught me my As and Os - that even if they’re in a word they can sometimes be silent. We didn’t learn to read like that in my other school. I don’t even think we did reading. Or math. We mostly just watched videos. 

Me and Ms. Russell have stuck together. We have a bond. Some people think that you can’t have fun with someone who is older than you. But we’re actually like friends. She’s almost like a grandmother or something, like family - she helps me out a lot, she’s not just a reading teacher.  

I’d say the best book we’ve read together is called Starfish. It’s about a girl in 6th grade. She’s a little big. Her mom and everyone in school made fun of her because of her size. She used to hide her stomach or not eat, which would stress her out. Until her dad and her new neighbor and counselor taught her it’s ok to be big - they taught her to love herself. 

I was a little surprised when I read the book because it was actually something I could relate to. Me and Ms. Russell picked it out together. Before I came here I had problems where most people in my other school were making fun of me. But just like the main character Starfish, I’ve learned not to care about that stuff so much. 

Tell me about your work with Ms. Yaya and what that relationship has meant to you.

I first met Ms Yaya in 3rd grade. I didn’t know she was a step coach. She asked me and my mom if I liked to dance. I said yes, but she said I couldn’t join until 4th or 5th grade. I waited so so long to be on that team. I finally had to do a virtual tryout because it was during COVID. I was so happy that she picked me - I always wanted to dance like that. I never found someone who taught my favorite style - she taught hip hop. I did ballet before, but that never really satisfied me. When I met Ms. Yaya she showed me things that I learned quickly and wanted to practice all the time. 

When we came back to school, it got even more fun. Me and Ms. Yaya shared a real bond, too. It was like a dream come true - like imagine something you really wanted so badly and it actually comes true. She’s also like a best friend to me. She helps me with more than just dance, like how to deal with bullies without becoming violent. 

What was the trip to NYC like for you last weekend? What were your highlights?

It was my first time going to Times Square, even though I’ve been to NYC many many times. I woke up before everyone in my house that day getting ready for the trip. I couldn’t wait to meet Ms. Remo from World of Step. The food, the way they dress in Times Square - it was amazing. I mean those fashions in Times Square - I can’t compete with that. We met some really cool people who wanted us to dance with them. All the time I was there I kept thinking it was a dream: “I’m here with my team, I’m in Times Square, I can’t believe it.

How does being on the step team help you in school? 

Some people might think it’s a distraction. But step really helps me if I’m stressing or if I’m fidgeting. I just kind of put my arms behind my chair and move my legs a little as I quietly run through a step routine in my head. It really helps me out. Step has also made me a more confident person. People really hype me up when they tell me I’m a good dancer. That makes me feel proud of myself because I can see other people feel proud of me. It makes me feel great.