I Changed the Law!

I  was on a field trip to Town Hall when the mayor said something strange. He said that throwing snowballs in my town had been illegal for 100 years.

But I didn’t see why we shouldn’t be allowed to throw snowballs. So I went to a meeting of our town board. They help make the rules. I asked if a 9-year-old like me could change the law. The board members said I could try. They told me to write a speech and present it two months later.

I spent weeks creating a PowerPoint presentation. I researched why it was good for kids to play outside in winter. I collected persuasive letters from my classmates and put them in my presentation. I also watched videos on the best way to make a speech.

I was on a field trip to Town Hall when the mayor said something strange. He said that throwing snowballs in my town was against the law. It had been against the law for 100 years.

I didn’t understand why. So I went to a meeting of our town board. They help make the rules. I asked if I could change the law. The board members said I could try. They told me to write a speech.

I spent weeks creating a PowerPoint. I looked up why it was good for kids to play outside in winter. I put letters from my classmates in my presentation. I watched videos on the best way to make a speech.

When the day arrived, I wasn’t that nervous. My dad told me, “You can make a difference.” My principal said she was proud of me, even if I didn’t get the law changed. Their words made me feel calm.

The small room was packed with about 150 people. My family, friends, and classmates came to watch me. So did reporters with TV cameras. There weren’t even enough seats for everyone. No one said a word while I spoke.

On the day of the speech, I wasn’t that nervous. My dad told me, “You can make a difference.” My principal said she was proud of me, even if I didn’t get the law changed. Their words made me feel calm.

The small room was packed. There were about 150 people. My family, friends, and classmates came. So did reporters with TV cameras. There weren’t even enough seats for everyone. No one said a word while I spoke.

After I finished my speech, the mayor took a vote to see who wanted the law changed. All of the board members did! The mayor said, “Dane Best, looks like you just changed the law.”

Suddenly, everyone started clapping. There were cameras in my face. The reporters asked me how I felt. I turned around and saw everyone looking at me. Now I was nervous! But I also felt proud.

Then we all went outside. The mayor handed me a snowball. I wanted to chuck it at my younger brother, Dax, but I threw it in the street instead. I’m hoping for a big snowstorm this winter so I can have a real snowball fight!

If there’s one thing I want to tell other kids, it’s that it doesn’t matter how young you are. You have a voice. 

After my speech, the mayor asked who wanted the law changed. All of the board members did! The mayor said, “Dane Best, looks like you just changed the law.”

Everyone started clapping. There were cameras in my face. The reporters asked me how I felt. I turned around. I saw everyone looking at me. Now I was nervous! But I also felt proud.

Then we all went outside. The mayor handed me a snowball. I wanted to chuck it at my younger brother, Dax. I threw it in the street instead. I’m hoping for a big snowstorm this winter. I want to have a real snowball fight!

There’s one thing I want to tell other kids: It doesn’t matter how young you are. You have a voice.