She sits in class and reads; understanding all parts of her book. The smell, the texture, and the content. As the “Bless me, Ultima” 9th grade honors English class unit comes to an end, students start to realize that there might be hope for the future and that there is use to what students learn in class.

One of A-Wests English 9 honors students Aaron Nyquist read “Bless Me, Ultima” as an assignment this year. He wasn’t particularly thrilled with the start of the book, as it goes on there seems to be some thrill.

“At the beginning it started off like every other book, having to get to know the characters and the story line. Really it was boring for the first few chapters. I had heard from teachers and former freshmen that it was a great book, so it kept me reading,” explains Nyquist.

All books have a story or a long adventure to tell; it’s about how its told.

“Luckily as the book went on I realized that through Antonios adventure, he’s taught us skills for later in life such as growing up and the approach of maturity,” continues Nyquist.

Although many students may think of this book as boring, there has to be a deeper meaning behind it. There’s a reason that it’s an assignment; teachers are giving students the chance to expand our knowledge of what students think they already know. 

“As the end of the book approaches, it’s shown me that the most difficult things in life aren’t meant for you to just walk through easily but to shuffle through like you’re walking in a rainstorm because there’s always a rainbow on the other side. I think that’s why we were taught about this book,” concludes Nyquist.

Another A-West student Annabelle Haney expresses the same reaction as Nyquist.

“As Aaron was saying, it wasn’t the most enjoyable book at the beginning. As a few twists and turns appeared I was more invested in what the book was trying to show us,” claims Haney.

Books come in all shapes and sizes and throughout the author’s words, they teach a lesson.

“A big theme in the book was revenge, this was important to me because it showed me that it’s not always the best option even if it seems like it is. It taught me that identity is a big part in becoming of age, be who you want not what others want for you,” explains Haney.

Lessons aren’t always vague but relate to a bigger meaning,  just dig deeper and find the overall picture.

“Since the unit is almost over, I’m starting to step back and realize that even though every assignment I receive isn’t the most enjoyable, it doesn’t have to be,” concludes Haney.

It might not seem like it now but what individuals learn and go through today has a grave impact on how things are perceived in the future.