The New York Times launched its annual “Tiny Memoir Contest for Students.” Five Rock Ridge Students supplied their own 100-word narrative of a meaningful life experience.

The few rules dictate that entries must fall to or below a 100-word maximum and should be a short, powerful, true story about a defining moment in their life. 

Here are the entries that were submitted by Rock Ridge students: 

On Top of the World

As the harness tightened around me, I felt everything being squeezed. Then the tow rope activated, and I ascended. The Caribbean blue grew more and more vast as I rose higher and higher, as if I were being consumed. I looked around; once I reached the peak, I felt as if I was floating on a bed of clouds. Green turtles swam throughout the water. The sun’s glint glided across the surface of the waves. A euphoric feeling washed over me. Suddenly, everything froze, and I descended abruptly. Retreating back to the world I knew.

– Dhruvsood Singh, 10th Grade

The Vending Machine Saga

Walking through the hall, the desire for a certain substance hit me: Red Gatorade. 

I found an issue, however, when I arrived at the vending machine and tried to pay. The slot was completely jammed.

So as one does, I attempted to unjam the machine. I acquired a Bobby pin and removed three-quarters, but couldn’t reach the rest.

Defeated, I traveled to the main office. Handed the office lady the coins. Informed her of the problem.

To my delight, she rewarded me with a teal Gatorade and a breakfast bar. 

I thanked her before skedaddling on to class, joyful.

– Myra Abdhulrehman, 10th Grade

Friends Are For Nerds

Friends don’t get you A’s. That’s what I told myself throughout middle school. Distance learning doesn’t make you social, especially in the already nerve-wracking sixth grade. Basic communication was a skill I lacked, and close friends were a thing I didn’t want. Too many distractions that wouldn’t help you pass school. But things like that didn’t help mentally, and when things don’t work mentally, they don’t work grade-wise. I barely trudged through 8th grade with the barest of grades, and for 9th, it was time for a change, to actually put my head up. 

– Arjun Chand, 11th Grade

The Green-And-Yellow-Plastic Dragon

The mellow taste of summer was fresh on my tongue as I attempted to convince myself again that this would be fun. And it was almost working–that was until the scaly metal green vessel of my dread, The Dragon, which my parents dubbed the “fiercest roller coaster in the West,” raced past my left. The people around me cheered as those in the carts exited, surprisingly, with all their limbs still intact. Okay, let’s think. It’s not like you’re in Legoland every day, and who knows–“Next group come on in!”

Then The Dragon swallowed me.

– Saketh Nandam, 11th Grade

My Mom’s Prized Doll

I walked out in a deep magenta skirt, nail polish matching perfectly, as Mom applauded her “beautiful boy.” 

She cheered excitedly, snapping photos of every ridiculous pose.

Sixteen now. That life should be behind me. Still, mid-pizza bite or homework question, I catch that familiar smile as she stares into her screen.

I know what’s coming. She shoves the photos toward me, tears in her eyes from laughing, while heat crawls up my neck.

Last night I saw that smile again—and instead of embarrassment came quiet wondering: Did she miss the son she had, or the daughter she imagined?

– Aayan Repala, 12th Grade

You can read through the previous winners from the 2024 contest here.