Yoshimi Garcia was given the Freedom From Religion Foundation Student Activist Award of $2,000, endowed by a West Coast couple that prefers anonymity.
By Yoshimi Garcia
I decided to comment on the prayer suggestion because I’ve had religion pushed on me since I was little, specifically by people in my school district. I’ve been bullied and left out of groups and social events because of my beliefs (or lack thereof).
The community I’ve grown up in has allowed other kids to do that to me. In fact, the community has encouraged shunning anybody who’s different. But I do feel bad for the people who’ve encouraged the trash talking of me, a 16-year-old, just because I don’t share their beliefs.
When the first news articles were released about this issue, I was genuinely scared for my life because I felt they had placed a target on me for being different in a place where differences aren’t accepted.
I know I was doing my job correctly as a student board representative when I said, “I don’t think religion should be brought in schools,” because I’ve asked many students in our district for their opinion on the matter and most have agreed with me. Although there was a lot of fallout, I’m glad I said something.
Now, I’ve noticed teachers treating me differently, for better or worse. I am treated differently by board members; some of them refuse to look at me when I talk now. A community member even came up to one of my fellow board representatives after a meeting and asked if I believe in stealing and lying because of my unshared religious beliefs. That was incredibly ridiculous and inappropriate.
This situation has taught me to always stand up for what I believe in.
Yoshimi, 16, is a high school junior. Yoshimi is involved in wrestling, tennis and is a junior drum major for several of their school’s bands. After high school, she plans to join the Air Force and work on college courses at the same time.
