Crossroads Middle School, Pennsylvania

Montana
Final Draft
Pay It Forward: My Story

“That’s all it is? That’s all? You just want them to change the world. That’s all. Well, I’m glad you didn’t give them anything hard.”

“Mrs. McKinney-”

“Miss McKinney, I am on my own. Now you listen here. Trevor is twelve years old. And you want him to change the world. I never heard such bull.”
– Pay It Forward

Reuben St.Clair had just become a teacher. All his life people never asked him about his face.He had a scar on his face. That bugged him, because they always looked down. They didn’t want to stare.

On his first day he let people ask him questions to get to know him. Only one student asked him about his face. He was Trevor McKinney. “He could see past his teacher’s face.” Reuben gave all the social studies classes an extra credit assignment:

THINK OF AN IDEA FOR WORLD CHANGE, AND PUT IT INTO ACTION.

Trevor thought of an idea called Pay it Forward. He did a good deed for three people. Then he told them to Pay it Forward. Then they do a good deed for three people and tell them to pay it forward to three other people. Eventually it multiplies and after 16 levels about 43,000,000 people get affected.

For language arts class, our teacher gave us an assignment to try to start the P.I.F. movement. So I did a good deed for three people and told them all to pay it forward too. I told them anyone could change the world, you just have to try.

My first idea was to give Emily money to by herself a teddy bear. Her dad is paralyzed from about the waist down. She wanted to make her dad a pillow in an ECO (Extra Curricular Offerings) . I gave her ten dollars to buy herself a teddy bear. Then she told me she would pay me back.

That’s when I said “No, you Pay it Forward.”

She asked “What is that?”

Then I explained to her that instead of paying me back, pay it forward to three other people. In other words, do a good deed for three other people and tell them to Pay it Forward.

I don’t really think she will Pay it Forward right now because she recently sprained her ankle. I’ve told and encouraged her to Pay it Forward. I think the type of person that will most likely pay it forward is a person who cares. From what I’ve seen Emily is that way.

It was kind of weird being my first idea. I was proud that a normal kid like me can change the world or at least try. That’s right, anyone can change the world and do anything if they just try.

My second idea was to go grocery shopping for my grandmother because she doesn’t go out often. She just stays at home and cleans all day. I called my grandma and asked her for a list of groceries she needs. I wrote them down. Since my mom helped me think of the idea, she drove me to Giant. I bought my grandma’s groceries and took them back to her in her trailer. She thanked me and said how much

I told her “No need to pay me back, just Pay it Forward.” Then I explained to her how to pay it forward.

It was easier because it was my second idea and it was to family to pay it forward to family. I was more comfortable speaking to my grandma about P.I.F. than Emily because she’s a friend. It did help that it wasn’t my first idea. I think my grandma will try to P.I.F, but she may have a hard time with it because she almost always is at home. All I can do to help is encourage her.

For my third idea I made a meal for a family who is always busy with dance and struggling. There are 3 kids and a dad in a wheel chair. They really appreciated it. The one daughter smiled cutely and shouted thank you. They loved my mac-and-cheese.

They thanked me and said “Is their anything I can do to pay you back of help you.”

I told them “Pay it Forward. Do a good deed for three other people and tell them to pay it forward.”

I felt nervous because it was my best friend’s family. I now know nothing is impossible.

From this experience I learned how anyone can do anything. Now every time I have the chance to Pay it Forward I will. You should too!