I learned more about fairness from a handful of tardies than I ever did from a textbook. It started when I was running late to class one day and received a tardy on my record. I didn't think much of it at first, until a warning letter from the National Honor Society came.
As I dug deeper, I discovered that the National Honor Society had a strict policy on tardies, and that I was at risk of losing my membership after a few minor infractions. I was stunned by the fact. How could one mistake, one that everyone makes at some point in their lives, overshadow all the hard work and dedication I put into my studies?
Growing up with a sister with disabilities, I've always been aware that life isn't fair. I've seen firsthand the challenges and barriers that people with disabilities face, and I've learned to be empathetic and understanding of others' struggles. So when I received a lunch detention for my tardies, I wasn't too upset. I knew the mistake I had made, and I was willing to accept the consequences of my actions. I vowed to never be late to class again, not because I feared the consequences, but because I wanted to be the best version of myself.…show more content… To me, a few tardies seemed like a minor infraction compared to the challenges that people with disabilities face every day. So when the NHS threatened to revoke my membership over something so small, it felt like a slap in the face. I wondered if the NHS even saw me as a whole person, or just as a series of boxes to be checked off. It seemed as if they were just focused on maintaining their image of
