A Letter to Ruby

Dear Ruby,

          My name is Hannah.   I am a high school student, but I can pretty much guarantee that your IQ surpasses mine immensely.   Last year, I enrolled in AP English 11, an advanced, college-level English class offered at my school.  Known to be incredibly difficult with a huge amount of work, intricate discussions and complex essays, I felt proud to be a student in one of the hardest classes at my school.

However, as you grow up, I to notice your increasing vast amount of knowledge (You do have the “fourth-smartest person in the history of the world” as your father after all (264)).  Although at first I felt less of myself when you talk about things such as “‘the provision for oil drilling in next year’s budget resolution’” at the age of ten, your passion for the environment greatly impresses me (295).  Before you talk with an important, high-ranking government official, you tell your dad, “‘The flying made me nervous.  But I’m okay now’” (294).  Your ability to speak so passionately about what you care about in front of an intimidating official without feeling nervous encourages me to speak about my passions with more confidence.  Unfortunately in AP English 11 with its difficult discussions, I often failed to speak about my thoughts in front of my classmates, but hopefully you have inspired me to care less about what others are thinking and more about what I feel passion for.   When you have the opportunity to talk with newspapers and news stations about your passion, you say, “‘I want to do it…people are finally ready to listen’” (296).  Your eager and enthusiastic attitude toward the oil issue also inspires me to teach those who are willing to listen about my own passions and to speak up more in AP English.  Ruby, thank you so much, for your fervent, adoring and intelligent personality have taught me to speak out for what I believe in.

Thanks again,

Hannah Zaim