e Little River Review - Gorham High School!

Jewel Holiday
Nicknames
Nicknames
I believe in nicknames, particularly one of my most notorious label of: “Bernard’s Sister.”
My brother is two years older than I and the from the very �rst day I was granted entrance into the public
school system I was given the title of “Bernard’s Sister”. It originated from our bus driver- an older man
disclosed by his snow white hair and sometimes toothless grin, whenever he forgot to wear his dentures
to work. It then steadily entangled itself into my life. Teachers, administrators, and lunch ladies that I did
not even know existed would greet me in the hallways with “How’s it going, Bernard’s Sister?” or “Hello
Bernard’s Sister.” Even my partner in crime at the time would occasionally call me this. I absolutely
loathed it. I would go home and complain to my mom with “How do they even know we’re related?” and
“ We don’t even look alike!”
As time went on I yearned to not let my wretched nickname de�ne me. I cut and dyed my hair,
painted my nails, and acted completely di�erent from my brother all so absolutely no one would group
us together anymore. I also tried to accomplish as many achievements as possible so I would earn my
own reputation and have other adjectives that I actually liked describe me. During the time I spent in
elementary school, I became one the �rst in my class to graduate to chapter books and master the art
of shoe tying. I was also selected to read my D.A.R.E speech at my ��h grade graduation and to star
in two plays as a bear and a singing narrator. In my pre-teen stage I was one of the top accumulators of
accelerated reader points in my school and was bestowed a plaque for outstanding citizenship. Now as
a young adult I’ve conquered several advanced placement tests, Shakespeare, handling my money, and
almost driving.
Over the years I unintentionally picked up my new nicknames: the “Fraction Queen”-from my
(now non-existent) love of fractions in sixth grade; “Earring Girl”- from my adoration of uniquely shaped
earrings, and even some negative ones such as “�e Teacher’s Pet”. �en when my little brother and I
began to share the same school I was on the receiving end of the nickname of Wayne’s Older Sister. I liked
this one way better than Bernard’s sister because now I was distinguished as the older one.
I have come to the realization that these nicknames don’t subtract from me as a person but add to
the makeup of me. I even like some of them, because in the end I know I’ll still be me. I now realize that
even when I’m six feet under I’ll be the fraction queen, the teacher’s pet, and even Bernard’s Sister. I’m
okay with that. I believe in being your own person.
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