"Intelligence is the ability to adapt, to change."

          I is for intelligent. For years, people put a label on me, marking me intelligent. When I was going into first grade, I was tested into a private school. A school for the "intelligent." I went through the classes not realizing how different I was. After first grade, I moved and was back into public school. In all honesty, I prefer public schools over private.

          I remember being teased because I was in gifted classes and went to a private school. At, first it upset me, and me being stubborn I didn't tell anyone. I pushed through all the teasing and got where I am today. It's not as though the teasing has stopped; I just manage it differently.

          The one thing that my "intelligence" got me was four 1st places, one 3rd place, and an honorable mention in science and social studies fair. I have always enjoyed the anticipation and creation I was given to do these projects.

          To me, intelligence is just how someone adapts and responds to a different environment. The "intelligent" people blend into their surroundings. The "smart" people learn about their environment and people. I'm standing on a fine line of "smart" and "intelligent". When I move and go to a new school, I immediately learn about the school and the people there. Then again I try to blend into a crowd. Nowadays, I don't have to try to blend in with a crowd because I have my own crowd, the gifted students.

          The gifted students, they are honestly amazing, not including me. They always stick together like a weird, crazy family. We get along and we have each other's back. There is very little that can break up the gifted kids. When one of us has trouble, the others are always there for them.

          Back in fifth grade, I was having trouble with another student, and I remember them being there for me. They were always so supportive and helpful. In third grade when I lost my grandfather and constantly broke down crying, they understood and helped me through my problems.

          The gifted kids could have a fight with another and in a short time, everything was behind them. We rely on each other to keep us sane and going. If you mess with one, you have to mess with all of us. There is nothing that can break us. No distance, argument, or person can take us down. That is what I really love about gifted, the unbreakable friendships you make.