Small Actions, Big Impact

By Veronica Coates | VOX Staff

Photo by Octavia Fugerson | VOX Staff

The first day I walked into VOX’s downtown Atlanta teen office, I kind of panicked. I didn’t know who was going to help me with my writing or if I even was going to write a story. As I walked into a big room filled with other teens, I thought, What am I going to do? There were so many people with talents and ideas that I thought were so much better than mine.

As the day went on I learned that I had advocates, adults who work there and help support the teen staff, to guide me through my time at VOX. I gained a sense of security knowing that those same advocates were experienced journalists. Erica Kamara, in particular, was the editor who guided me in matters of professional and personal issues from the very beginning.

Erica’s peaceful and genuine smile, her infectious laughter, her encouraging sidebars and the nurturing, yet firm way she coaches me through my stories has inspired me. She gives without expecting anything in return. Her actions motivate me to give laughter, love, and sincere, positive praise to everyone I come into contact with in hopes of affecting another life just as positively as she has mine.

My First Confidant

I knew I wanted my first story to be about my father as soon as I joined the VOX staff. But I needed help focusing my ideas. At VOX, when you write a story, the editors take turns editing your writing so you’ll learn different styles and get to know the editors, too.

Erica was my first editor. When we initially sat down to talk about my story, I was kind of nervous because I thought she was just going to edit my grammar and punctuation. She did that, and so much more! She praised the courage and strength I displayed in tackling such a difficult story.

I never thought I would end up telling Erica about the abuse I endured when my father wasn’t around, but when I did, I felt this huge weight lift off my shoulders. She was the first person outside my immediate family or close friends who knew, and it seemed easier telling her because she was objective and approachable. It felt so good to have someone to talk to who didn’t judge me or try to cuddle me. When I’d told people before, I felt like their actions and feelings were either fake or out of pity.

I wasn’t looking for sympathy. I just wanted people to know that issues like abuse shouldn’t be pushed under the rug because they happen every day. I wanted my readers to know that they weren’t alone in the world because, for a long time, I felt alone. We all need someone who will tell us the truth, but also be empathetic and encouraging. Erica is that person for me.

Never-ending Smiles and Laughter

Erica isn’t just a person to share my deepest hurts with. She gives teens at VOX much more. Every day I walk into the office, she seems to radiate happiness. Every time I’ve come to VOX, she has smiled and said hello, making me and the other VOXers feel welcomed.

“Hey, Veronica, how are you?” Erica said one day.

“I’m OK,” I replied. “How about you?”

“I’m fine. Just wanted to know if you started on the blog we talked about.”

Little things like that let me know she listens to what I say and cares about what is going on in my life. I never knew a simple question or smile could show how much people listen and care enough to push you to go that extra mile.
Even when Erica feels down and tired, she always gives VOX teens her all. I remember one time I came to VOX and she was really sick. I mean, she was congested and had a runny nose, but she was still the upbeat Erica I know. It seems minor, but her happiness despite being sick amazed me.

It’s hard for me to understand why she is so nice and happy, even when she’s not feeling well. If it were me, I would have probably been very quiet and given a little attitude to anyone who said anything to me. But I’m gradually learning that just because I’m miserable doesn’t mean I have to make someone else’s day miserable, too. I’m also learning to smile a little more or say things to help improve other people’s days. Erica has shown me how without even trying.

Modeling the New Me

I truly believe that because of Erica, people have started to see me as a more positive person. I don’t walk around school or home frowning all the time. I laugh and smile a lot now, even if I’m sick. Sometimes I help encourage my old teacher to smile when he has this look that says, “I can’t wait to go home.” I walk up to him and make a joke about him missing his old students and a smile blossoms on his face. Even though I can’t make his whole day great, I feel warm and fuzzy knowing that for one moment I’m a part of someone’s happiness. I actually like it when my teachers are happy, especially the ones who’ve had a big influence on my life.

The people who have most noticed the change in me are my friends. I used to walk around with an expression that came off as an attitude, but really wasn’t. I would also give people the silent treatment if I was mad or wasn’t feeling well.
I would listen to my friends, but I never was very good at giving them advice. Now I give people heartfelt encouragement.

Erica showed me how my friends’ issues are just as important as my own. For example, one of my friends has a problem with how she looks, and every day I tell her to stop focusing on what she doesn’t like about herself and try to love what she does. It’s hard to have to tell her this all the time, but I truly believe that she’s a beautiful person, and I want her to believe it, too.

I’ve learned that sometimes it’s difficult to stay positive and say nice things to people, but if you’re sincere, it becomes easier as you continue to try. I am not completely reformed. I will never be Erica, but I have learned from her. I am a solitary person and I don’t smile all the time, but that’s OK because no one is perfect. I have learned that when I let my inner self shine, I help someone else shine, too. That’s what Erica taught me.

Veronica is a junior at Washington High who earned a perfect score on her Georgia High School Graduation Writing Test! GO “350!”