Ben Whitmore has always felt out of place in school. Not because of special needs, physical inability, or social awkwardness; but for being intelligent. Obviously, this is not something Whitmore boasts about, it has actually been an ongoing struggle for someone who does not want to be known as having a “smarty pants” attitude.
“ At a young age, my mom would take me to Borders to buy books because my dad would never let me have a video game system; it wasn’t stimulating enough for him.” Whitmore’s parents did not deprive their child of having fun, but pushed literacy at a young age enabling him to be one of the smartest kids in his class. “I was made fun of when I was little for always using big words. I became self-conscious about it.“ Whitmore says. “But if I know a word that is more accurate for what I am trying to say, I am going to use it.
“In the first grade I came home from school one day and told my parents I was bored in class, “ he recalled. Whitmore’s parents did not take his comment lightly, instead they went to his teacher for a conference to see how they could further their sons interest in school. Later that week, Whitmore came home from his soccer game and started writing about it. The next day he gave the letter to his teacher and she wrote back. This was the start of him and the teachers “pen pal” relationship. This was his way of being ahead of the class, without any of the students knowing.
Whitmore, now a sophomore communications major at Roger Williams University, has overcome his self-conscious feelings towards his intelligence. “Last year I went to the writing center to get my paper edited, and the director of tutoring asked me if I wanted a job.” Whitmore’s’ attitude towards his literacy and impressive grammar skills has come a long way from feeling insecure, to now having a sense of pride towards his language.
“I am now a writing tutor, a member of the Hawks Herald Newspaper, and a DJ for WQRI,” says Whitmore. He says he hopes to continue his love for the English language in the future.
“ I want to continue in the profession of writing after college. It is what I love to do,” Whitmore says with a confidence filled smile.
