Yes, I Should Have Stayed at Agoura High School: Owning My Past, Facing the Truth
Yes, I should have stayed at Agoura High School. The truth is, middle school was rough. I had issues with the so-called "popular group"—a battleground where I never quite fit in. Shawn, the bully, made sure of that. He beat me up, pushed me to the edge, and for months, I cried myself to sleep. But I didn’t stay silent. I called the police on him, and though he didn’t know it was me at the time, justice caught up with him. Eventually, I believe he found out who stood against him, and that’s when the animosity truly began.
Despite the pain, I found new friends, people who stood by me and helped me push through. But the challenges didn’t end there. Calabasas High brought a new level of hardship—worse bullying, more isolation, and a social environment that tested every ounce of my resilience. It was a different kind of struggle, one that made me question the choices I had made.
Looking back, I realize that staying at Agoura High would have been the better path. The familiar halls, the community I once knew, and the chance to build on what I had started—those were opportunities I left behind. Sometimes, the grass isn’t greener on the other side; it’s just different. And in this case, different meant more hardship, more pain.
My generation faces countless crossroads like this—moments where the choices we make shape our futures in ways we don’t fully understand at the time. I stand firm in the belief that personal responsibility and reflection are our weapons against adversity. Yes, I faced bullying and rejection. Yes, I endured hardship. But I also learned that where you choose to stand matters. Staying at Agoura High would have given me a stronger foundation, a better chance to thrive.
This isn’t about regret—it’s about clarity. It’s about understanding that sometimes the best choice is the one that keeps you grounded, surrounded by the right people, and focused on growth. I own my journey, every difficult step and every lesson learned. But make no mistake: yes, I should have stayed at Agoura High School.
-Mitchell