The Geeks Shall Inherit the Earth - Alexandra Robbins [153]
A sophomore at a school in rural Pennsylvania hides her religious beliefs from evangelical Christian friends. She said, “With some of my friends I have to undermine my true beliefs so I can maintain a good relationship. I think high school is similar to the political atmosphere of today: Tailor your image to the audience around you for your best benefit. I find it funny when adults say that teens don’t think before they speak, because when it comes to social situations, everything you say and do has an impact, and teens definitely realize this.”
NOAH, PENNSYLVANIA | THE BAND GEEK
Leigh was collecting bags of recycling for Noah to shuttle to volunteers’ cars. On Noah’s second trip back, he saw several students helping Leigh—and not just the regular volunteers. One of the least popular students in school lugged two heavy bags to the curb. People may not like him, but he’s willing to help, Noah thought.
The next day, Noah saw the unpopular boy sitting alone in the library. Noah went over to him. Students avoided the boy only because he seemed to be in his own world, an indoor street musician playing his guitar in the halls. “Hey, I wanted to thank you for helping us out the other day,” Noah said.
The boy smiled. “Oh sure, no problem. You’re awesome, Noah Giancoli!”
Noah was shocked that he knew his name. They had never spoken before. Within minutes, Noah recruited him as a regular volunteer.
Slowly, Noah’s year was improving. Volunteers were finding fewer pieces of trash in the recycling bins, an encouraging sign. Noah had persuaded a popular girl, a nerd, and a quiet boy from his calculus class to join the club and a student with autism in the school’s special needs program signed up. Nearly every week, administrators asked Noah how the program was going. He was proud to inform them that students had recycled more than four tons of paper.
Bolstered by his success with the recycling program, Noah turned his attention to another interest. He was spearheading an effort to persuade the administration to set up a dual-enrollment program with a local university for Mandarin and Arabic classes. Two outcasts whom he didn’t know approached him in the hall. “Can you explain what the whole Chinese thing is about? Is it a class? Do I sign up?” Several other students asked him similar questions.
Noah explained the process. He added, “If you have any other questions, let me know. I’d be happy to talk with you.” Maybe it’ll only be one or two people at a time, he thought, but hopefully, I’ll come to be known by more people.
In English, Noah noticed Bill, a wannabe jock, throwing a tissue into the recycling bin. Bill was a heavyset boy whom athletes harassed because he was on JV. “Hey, Bill, c’mon, read the sign,” Noah protested. “We can’t recycle those.”
“Oh, sorry. I didn’t realize it was such a ‘big deal,’ ” Bill said, lifting the tissue from the bin.
“Well yeah, it’s a big deal because the environment is important, and we’re trying to start our new program. You know Adam? He’s getting volunteer hours and bidding for our scholarship!”
“Whoa, really?” Bill seemed genuinely interested in hearing more.
At that point, two jocks put Bill in a headlock and gave him noogies. “Oooh, Bill’s gonna be a tree-hugger! How gay are you?!” one of them said. Bill wasn’t laughing.
Offended, Noah scowled at them. “All right guys, that’s enough,” he said. He tugged Bill from the headlock. Noah wasn’t sure whether he interpreted correctly that the jocks glanced at him with a silent respect before they walked away.
“Thanks, Noah,” Bill said as he dusted himself off.
“Bill, you shouldn’t hang out with them. Seriously, they just bully you.”
“But, like, we’re teammates. Next year it’ll be better!”
Noah couldn’t remember the last time he had been bullied. Frederick had left him alone