Written By: Payton Chlewicki, Dessy Bunce and Samantha Sanchez

Illustrated by: Samantha Sanchez

Edited By: Payton Chlewicki and Dessy Bunce

               Hi, my name is Sarah Williams.

I just turned 7 years old and today is my first day in 2nd grade! Since Mommy and Daddy separated, I’m starting a new school. 

Mommy picked out a pink shirt with a unicorn on it and daddy bought me a new backpack , I can't wait to put it on!

‘BEEP BEEP’

“Oh no, Papi' s here!”

I quickly tie my hair up in a messy bun and run out the door to my daddy’s car.  I don't want to be late for my first day of school.

“Hi class, my name is Ms. Smith and I am your second grade teacher” Ms.Smith greeted.

Wow, my teacher is so beautiful! She has long straight hair and the prettiest smile!

I had to introduce myself to the whole class, it was so scary because I didn't know anyone.

Hi, my name is Sarah Williams and I just moved here” I said.

When a classmate asked me where I lived, I did not know what to say. 

Do I say with mommy? 

Or do I say with Papi?

I stood up in front of the class hesitating to answer. Before I got a chance,  Ms. Smith jumped in because she noticed my embarrassment and called on the next student.

After everyone went, the class got excited and started chatting.

“Okay settle down class. I want to introduce a project that lets me know who you are.”- Ms. Smith said.

“I want you to go home and ask your parents about your culture, and I want you to draw a self portrait and in a few words tell me about yourself."

I don’t know how I am going to do this project. Who am I? Where do I come from? I don’t even know my own address. 

Everyone rushes to start their project and are so sure of themselves. I don't even know where to start…

Mommy picks me up after school. She asks how my day was and I hesitate to talk about the project until we get home. 

When we got home, I asked mommy “Can you tell me who I am?” 

“What do you mean mija ? You are Sarita."

I pull out the assignment and show her exactly what I have to do. She reads it over and says, “Oh! So you want to learn about your culture?”

“Yes mommy, but I am just confused because you and daddy are different! I don’t know who I am, am I you or am I Papi?”

Mommy smiles at me and says, “Sarita, you are both of us! You are Hispanic and African American. With me, you speak Spanish because that is the language I grew up speaking. With Papi, you speak English because that is what he grew up speaking.” 

“But Mommy if I’m Hispanic, then why don’t I have long hair like you do? I also have darker skin than you!