A Coatesville Story....

I can still remember the moment that I knew I wanted to be an actress. It was under very unconventional circumstances that I made the decision.

I was in second grade; a new student at Benner Elementary School in Coatesville, Pennsylvania. I had just started public school after attending a private Christian school a few miles away. I was used to being surrounded by disciplined little boys and girls dressed in long skirts and thick stockings; the boys in ties and collared shirts. Little soldiers for Jesus.

But not at Benner Elementary. This school was different. Benner was a melting pot of different races and socio-economic classes. The kids could wear what ever they wanted (which I loved). Some of them walked to school, while others were bussed in. They ran through the halls and were loud and rambunctious. Sometimes they talked back to the teachers and they didn't even get paddled for it, like we did at Grace Baptist.

I loved my new school. I especially loved English class because we were reading "James and the Giant Peach." I would get so excited when it was my turn to read aloud. I would use different voices for each character. And the teacher normally let me read 3 pages instead of 2, because I was fast and didn't stumble over my words. The smaller class sizes at Grace Baptist Christian School meant all the kids got more attention from the teachers and learned FAST. I'd been reading full books since kindergarten. My mom had just bought me the entire Little House on the Prairie book series and I was almost done.

But it became pretty clear that not everyone was impressed with my reading skills. Walking home from school in October, a few of the girls from my school decided to follow me.

"Hey Shannon. Why you always raising your hand in class? What? You think your white or something?" they asked me.

One of the girls pushed me hard from behind. "No." I replied picking up my pace, hoping they'd cross the street at the next light.

"Yes you do. You read like a white girl. You think your so pretty, don't you?" another girl said punching me in my back.

I dropped my school book. Bending over to pick it up, I prayed they didn't see the tears forming behind my eyes. "I never said that."

"White girl. You're not pretty! You won't be after I'm done with you." This time it was the older sister of one of the girls. She was big. Maybe 5th grade. Actually, it was probably her third time in the 5th grade.

I held my book bag tight and ran as fast as I could ducking into the little shop on the corner. The two older white ladies behind the counter looked at me curiously.

"Welcome to Hennnessy's pharmacy. How can I help you?"

I leaned against the door trying to catch my breath. Angrily brushing away my tears, I pointed to some candy behind the counter.

"Are you okay sweetie?" the dark haired woman asked handing me a few jolly ranchers.

Afraid to answer, I looked through the window and saw the group of girls waiting for me.

"Are those girls messing with you?"

I nodded. My mouth was frozen from fear.

"Well don't you worry about them. Sit down right here at the counter, and I'll get you some ice cream. What kind do you want?"

"I like cookies and cream."

As the lady with the light hair scooped me out some ice cream, the dark-haired lady went to the door and shooed the girls away. I sat nervously eating my ice cream.

"My name is Sandy," the dark haired woman said. I gave her a half-smile. "I'm Shannon."

"Why are those girls picking on you?" the light haired lady asked. I saw from her name tag she was Betty.

I shrugged.

"Well, they shouldn't be. Do you live around here?" Betty questioned.

"Yes. I live on Chestnut Street. Right next to the funeral home."

"Wentz Funeral home?" Sandy asked. "I know that house. I know the man who used to live in that old house. He and his wife were there for about 60 years. Hmmm. Is your mommy at home?"

"She'll be home soon. My big sister is at home though."

"Well, looks like those girls are gone," Betty said. "You let your mama know what happened. And here-take some candy with you. You stop in and say hi to us sometimes okay?"

"I will. Thank-you Miss Sandy. Thank you Miss Betty."

When I went home and told my mom about my run in with the bullies, that was the end of me walking home alone. From that point on, my older sister Angela came and picked me up from school everyday. And she was not happy about it. She had drama club after school. My mom told her she'd have to leave her practice at 2:45 to walk to Benner to pick me up at 3, then walk me back to her drama practice and take me with her. My own personal bodyguard. Not that that stopped the girls from taunting me on the playground and in the hallways. But at least my sister was there to protect me after school.

So for the rest of the year, I'd sit in the back of the auditorium after school while Angela was on stage rehearsing. Gordon Middle School was doing a production of "West Side Story" and Angie was playing Anita. And my older sister was AMAZING! She would sing and dance across that stage with such power and grace. I almost believed that she was really from Puerto Rico as she sang "America" at the top of her lungs.

Sitting and watching my sister in action, I knew that's what I wanted to do. My first day at Gordon, I rushed to the drama club meeting after school. I was finally old enough to get up on that stage and sing and dance and act and play. I knew from that first day in the back of the auditorium that being a performer was what I wanted to do. Nothing else (except maybe reading), provided such a beautiful escape from my life, my worries. On stage, I felt free. I felt more like me.