Difficult lesson - Life is not a popularity contest

During a recent trip to an elementary school for Hi-Step, I was troubled by a conversation I overheard from two fourth-grade girls.

Hi-Step is a Jackson High School organization that travels to elementary schools to perform skits, sing and talk to the students. Basically, our main goal is to be a good influence on them.

After our skit, I found myself sitting on the floor surrounded by fidgeting fourth-graders. Immediately the questions about high school began.

"Is it hard?"

"Are your teachers nice?"

"Do you have to eat in the cafeteria?"

I did my best to answer each question. Then, a girl asked, "Are you popular?"

Because I was representing Hi-Step, and my objective was to set a good example, I stumbled through the answer, trying to explain that being popular wasn't important.

All you really need to do is try to be nice to everyone and to have fun in high school.

The girl replied, "Oh, well, I'm popular." She then turned to her friend and gossiped, "Oh my gosh! Have you seen Zack? He just got braces. That is so going to ruin his reputation!"

First, I was surprised that a fourth-grader was discussing, much less knew the meaning of, the word "reputation." Second, I was concerned that she believed someone's physical appearance could cause ruin to their reputation. Because of new braces, a boy that once was considered cute wasn't anymore.

At this moment, I realized the role physical appearance plays in our society. If fourth-graders already are concerned about it, just imagine the importance adults place on it.

Physical appearance doesn't determine who we are -- children in America need to be learning that. As cliche as it may sound, it's what's inside that really counts.

Parents need to throw away their Vogue magazines and teach their children what's really important.

Kara Bollinger is a senior at Jackson High School.