Evelyn Miller
2008 MAX Fellow
Joyce Kilmer School, Boston, MA
In 2008, MAX Fellow Evelyn Miller wrote her personal essay about protesting the Iraq War. At our 2023 Gala, she said:
“The courage essay contest gave me a chance and identified my courage… I always held on to that — this organization recognized me. I’m very grateful that this contest is there for other students… it changed my life in a positive way. In school… I wasn’t treated as a great student… and to be recognized by an outside organization that I could take risks and do more with the tools given to me‚ I’m very grateful.”
At the age of 19, she moved to Hong Kong to study abroad, where she obtained a her Bachelor’s Degree in English, followed by a Master’s Degree in Public Policy Analysis, during a time of upheaval in that country. Evelyn is currently serving in the Peace Corps in Nepal as a teacher.
Evelyn’s Essay
Emma Davenport, Teacher
Joyce Kilmer School
“Did you ever have to say or do something scary? Well, that is called courage. I can remember a time when I showed courage.”
The time was about 2003, a little between the months of March and June so it was warm out and there were flowers everywhere. My mom and I were in the Peace and Justice group. We would go to Lexington every Wednesday to protest at the rotary by the Minute Man Monument. If people agreed with what we were doing, they would honk their horn, but sometimes people would drive by and swear at us!
I can remember one time I went and a man with red hair, driving in a black Cadillac, drove by me and gave me the middle finger. I was 6, so I did not pay much attention to it.
Another time when we were protesting, I had to show the most courage. I was doing my regular routine when a police officer came over. He was driving a black and white Cadillac. He was also wearing a black uniform with a badge, a nightstick, and a gun! When I saw his face, he had black hair and a few freckles on his cheeks and under his eyes. His look made me feel a little scared inside.
He came over to my mom and me and said we had to leave. I didn’t move. He walked over to me, and I stared at him confidently, because I knew I wasn’t doing anything wrong. He got mad, took out a pen and paper, wrote down our license plate numbers, and said our cars were going to be towed. I stood my ground and didn’t move. He got mad, got into his car, and drove away.
Courage can mean many things. Like standing up to a school bully or reading a paper in front of the whole school. So when I think of courage, I think of that time.