What The World Needs: Adopted by Ride the Cyclone

Seventeen: School Board Meeting

"Oh my gosh I'm so nervous!" I said anxiously.

I was sitting next to Sophia in the back seat of Mrs. Rivera's car. We were driving to the school board meeting to hopefully get rid of Miss Ryan and her discriminatory behavior. If it works, I'll be safe. If not, I'm asking to switch schools, or rather, ask Kholby. "We'll be fine. They'll just ask us for the phone recording, probably. I also prepared a speech if we need to use it."

"You'll be fine, mija. You're just like your father." Mrs. Rivera said, pulling up to the school building. "Good luck, ladies!"

"Thanks, Mama!" Sophia called back to her mom.

We walked in nervously. "Hi ladies!" Ms. Roberts said.

"Hi Ms. Roberts." We replied in unison.

"I'm just giving you a run-down of what's going to happen. So I'll explain the situation of Miss Ryan's discrimination issue, you'll present the recording and we'll explain why it violates the BC Human Rights Code, especially in an educational setting. Then they'll vote, and we should know about 15 minutes after. You got this, ladies."

Then the meeting got started. "Good evening everyone." Ms. Roberts began. "I am here with two Grade 8 students from Glanford Middle School with an issue that violates the BC Human Rights Code, which bans discrimination against students."

Sophia pulled out her phone with had the voice recording from last month when Miss Ryan went on her anti-American rant. After it had finished playing, the school board went silent. "I also have one more, from a year ago." Sophia told the board.

Then the recording, which was from Miss Ryan was Sophia's substitute in her ELA class last year, discriminating her for being Latina. The school board went silent. "According to the British Columbia Human Rights Code, our school does not discriminate against students, regardless of their race, religion, gender identity, sex, economic status, among others. Debra Ryan has violated this code multiple times. We voted to give her a second chance. But her second chance cannot be granted again."

The head of the board then spoke. "The Human Rights Code bans all discrimination. Debra has been accused of multiple violations of the Code. I vote to terminate her teaching position with School District 61 in Victoria. All in favor, say 'aye'."

The vote was unanimous. Then Miss Ryan said, "America and Latina were behind this?!" She shrieked.

"All because they wanted the student body to remain diverse." One of the Glanford reps said.

"They can't fire me!"

"Debra Ryan, you signed up for this. You've violated the Code multiple times." Ms. Roberts added.

Then after an intense argument, Ms. Roberts took me and Sophia into the hall. "I am so proud of you, girls. Congratulations, Katrina Wardell and Sophia Rivera. I will make sure this goes onto your Reynolds recommendations. You two are both upstanders, supporting the Human Rights Code. I will have a special assembly this Friday and will contact the superintendent. Feel free to invite your families!"

Then Mrs. Rivera picked us up. "How did it go?"

"Do you wanna say it?" Sophia said, nudging me.

"We won!" I exclaimed.

"And Ms. Roberts is putting a special assembly on Friday. Can you come?"

"When is it?"

"9am."

"I'll be there!"

Then I arrived back at Kholby's apartment. "How did it go?" He asked.

"We won! And there's an assembly on Friday that I need you to be there for. At 9am."

"I'll be there!"

Then I texted Rosie.

Kat: WE WON!

Rosie: OMG IT WORKED?!

Kat: It did, and that SD61 Trunchbull is banished from SD61!!!!

Rosie: YAHOO🎉🎉🎉

I then fell asleep, knowing Miss Ryan was gone from SD61. Forever.

Hi everyone,

I am so so sorry I haven't updated in so long because I just finished school and going to camp tomorrow. Hope you had enjoyed the book so far!
Thanks for reading! Love y'all!!