Growing Up at Woodhill Homes: A Day in the Life

My name is Sonny Graham and I’m 9 years old. I live at Woodhill Homes. I’m telling you my story because I would like people to know how I live and what I want to be when I grow up.

 

6:15 a.m. - Morning Alarm

On school days, my mom wakes me up at 6:15.

"Sonny!" she calls. "Time to wake up!"

I wake up in my Spiderman costume. It’s not pajamas, but a full costume, with fingers and toes. It makes me feel comfortable.

I don’t like waking up so early. Why can't kids all around the world wake up at 9 or 10 instead of 6:15? I'm not a grown person yet.

Sometimes, to help me wake up, I listen to a song.

Today, it's "Happier" by Marshmello.

Lately, I've been, I've been thinking / I want you to be happier, I want you to be happier...

I also own a marshmallow mask that I sometimes put on with my Spiderman costume.

 

6:30 a.m. - Morning Exercise and Walk to School Bus

I do exercises in the morning so I can get better at things, like boxing and wrestling.

Then it’s time to go to school. My mom and I walk to the bus stop. We talk about our neighborhood, and all the stray cats we see.

The bus driver tells me good morning and I wave at my mom as he drives away.

 

7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. - School

My school is only a few minutes away. I go to Saint Adalbart Catholic School on East 83rd Street.

My teacher’s name is Mr. Gainey. He’s a nice, fun person. He doesn’t really yell a lot except when somebody gets on his last nerve.

Today, he has our class read out loud about the International Space Station.

When he calls on me, I read:

"The international space station is a remarkable workplace in space. Exciting discoveries come from research being done there…"

Then our Spanish teacher comes in to teach us Spanish. We sing the numbers and the alphabet and some kids start dancing.

I do like Spanish, but sometimes it’s hard to say words.

 

3 p.m. - After School

After I get home on the bus, I usually go to the Woodhill Community Center and play games.

Today is Wednesday, so I’m going to my favorite after-school club. It’s called MBIO, which is a Swahili word for "the race."

Edward Horton runs MBIO. He does this program through his church.

MBIO is just for boys. Mr. Horton and his friends teach us about things like responsibility and handling anger. He teaches us how to hold our breath when we’re mad.

Later, we play games to help us concentrate, like an egg race.

 

5:30 p.m. - Back Home

I either go to boxing at 5:30 or walk back home around 6.

My mom lets me go outside and play with my friends before dinner.

The thing I like best about Woodhill is there are always kids outside to play. Except when it's raining, then no one's outside.

Most of my friends are down the hill. When I go up the hill they sometimes mess with me. Sometimes I say something back and sometimes I just go by myself.

 

7 p.m. - Homework and Dinner

Around 7 o’clock, my mom comes outside to tell me to do my homework. I sit at the kitchen table doing math and spelling while she makes dinner.

Tonight for dinner is spaghetti and broccoli. Broccoli is nasty.

At 9 o'clock, my mom tells me it's time for bed. I read a book first. It’s called The Superhero Instruction Manual.

"All right Sonny," my mom says. "Say your prayers."

 

I’ve heard they’re going to build Woodhill Homes all over again.

I hope when that happens, it looks better.

And, it’s also blue.