Uniquely You
"Eleven–year–old Sierra asked this question: “What is one thing about yourself that makes you unique? Do you have an interesting name that no on else in your school has? Do you have a one–of–a–kind talent? Share the thing about yourself that makes you stand out in a crowd.”

I am unique because my favorite sport is something that some people have never heard of before. It’s called luge, and it’s a sport in which people use sleds to race each other down an icy track. It’s a thrill that not many people get to experience, but I get to do it all the time!
-Layna, age 11, Colorado

One thing that makes me unique is that I get the opportunity to help my parents with their jobs. My mom is an interior designer, and my dad is a marine biologist. I get to help my mom choose wallpaper patterns for kids’ rooms and paint walls.
-Abigail, age 12, North Carolina

I think I’m unique because I’m the only student in my grade who is Jewish. While everyone else in my grade puts up Christmas trees, my family is lighting the menorah.
-Claire, age 11, Connecticut

Something unique about me is that I collect seashells. Every night after dinner, my family and I take a short walk along the beach and I collect shells. So far, I have 52 different types of shells.
-Analee, age 9, Hawaii

I’m unique because I am a Muslim. Whenever I go outside, I wear traditional clothing and a headscarf to hide my hair. Sometimes people look at me funny, but I’m not afraid of being made fun of because I’m different. I am proud of my Muslim heritage, and it’s what makes me unique.
-Amina, age 11, California

Something that is unique about me is that I am really good at basketball, but I use a wheelchair. People might think it’s difficult to play basketball in a wheelchair, but I think I’m pretty good, and I have a lot of fun, too.
-Gracelin, age 12, New Jersey

I am an avid coin collector. Nobody else at my school collects coins. My friends love my collection and think that it’s really cool. I stand out in the crowd because I know a lot about coins and the countries they come from.
-Katie, age 9, California

I’m the sixth out of 14 kids in my family! Whenever we all go somewhere together, we get lots of stares and comments, but I don’t mind. My big family is very special to me, and that’s what makes me unique.
-Hannah, age 13, Arizona

My braces definitely make me stand out! My bright yellow–and–blue braces reflect my outgoing personality.
-Sarah, age 12, Michigan

Something that makes me stand out is that I am originally from Russia. I moved to the United States last year, and I didn’t even speak English. Now I have lots of friends and have learned a lot, but being Russian is still the thing that makes me unique.
-Clara, age 8, Massachusetts

I’m unique because I have so many animals living at my house. We have 16 cows, 4 dogs, 5 cats, 7 goats, and 11 sheep!
-Qulinqa, age 11, North Carolina

I am unique because I have lots of freckles. My mom always says that when I was born, stars showered down on earth and fell on my cheeks. I stand out in a crowd with my freckles, and I am glad that I have them.
-Tierney, age 8, England

One thing that is unique about me is that I skateboard. There aren’t a lot of girl skateboarders, and I’ve been told that I am even better than some of my friends who are boys.
-Madeline, age 11, Wisconsin

I think that I am unique because I can speak four languages! My mom is from Greece, so I speak Greek, and my dad is from France, so I speak French. I also speak Spanish and, of course, English. It’s really cool to know so many languages.
-Jullisa, age 12, New York

The thing that makes me stand out is that I am the only girl on my town’s all–boys football team!
-Claire, age 11, Massachusetts

One of my eyes is a pale blue, and the other eye is hazel. It’s a special thing that makes me stand out, and I feel unique because most girls have the same eye color in both eyes.
-Vera, age 10, Washington

I think that I am unique because I design and make my own clothes. My mom owns a fabric store, so I use leftover fabric to create beautiful one–of–a–kind clothes for myself.
-Janie, age 12, Nebraska

I am unique because I am six feet tall. Other girls might feel self–conscious about being so tall, but I love it because I literally stand out in a crowd. I’m proud of my height!
-Shannon, age 13, New York