On Being "Smart"

When I was in high school, I was inducted into what’s called the National Honor Society (NHS). The NHS is as follows:

The National Honor Society (NHS) is a premier organization for high school students, established in 1921 to recognize outstanding students based on four pillars: Scholarship, Service, Leadership, and Character. Membership is granted by local chapters for grades 10–12, requiring a minimum 3.0 GPA/85% average, service projects, and leadership roles

I remember standing on the stage of our high school theatre, dressed in pink skirt and pink cardigan. It was just a small group of us who had made it in. I seem to remember us all holding (fake) candles as part of the induction ceremony too.

I remember feeling very special and accomplished in that moment—something I didn’t often feel. Growing up with a disability usually meant that my default feelings were isolation, difference, not being understood, not being attractive, etc.