Where You See Yourself: Section I

by Claire Forrest
Born with cerebral palsy and needing a wheelchair to get around her Minneapolis neighborhood, high school senior Euphemia Galanos dreams of a career in digital media, but the college that would best prepare her is located in a city that does not seem accessible.

Here are links to our lists for the novel: Section I, Section II, Section III
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. inevitably
    in such a manner as could not be otherwise
    Enjoy the ease of the long glide down the main Commons ramp into the North Wing. (A hall monitor inevitably thinks they’re the first person to come up with the “Hey, slow down, you got a license for that thing?” joke, and I inevitably wonder what happened to them to make them so unfunny.)
  2. emblazon
    decorate, adorn, or inscribe with a design
    Every year, the seniors at my high school sell these shirts in the school colors, emblazoned with the word SENIOR on the back and some secret acronym on the front.
  3. endowment
    the capital that provides income for an institution
    The idea behind the shirts is that the money raised is supposed to go to the Student Council’s endowment fund, but seeing as I’m on the Student Council, I know the money goes directly toward a party fund for a select few popular seniors.
  4. cavalier
    showing a lack of concern or seriousness
    As for me, I wonder what it would be like to be so cavalier about the whole college thing. What would it be like to narrow your list simply by name alone, or because you just thought it would be cool to live there?
  5. accommodation
    the act of providing something to meet a need
    “I’m allowed to have two lockers, though,” I explain. “It’s part of my IEP—never mind. Anyway, it’s part of my accommodations. It’s so I don’t have to lug all my stuff around for the whole day.”
  6. mitigated
    made less severe or intense
    The apology was made immediately, the taking of attendance continued, and the embarrassment mitigated.
  7. palsy
    a medical condition marked by uncontrollable tremor
    Having cerebral palsy basically means that because of a brain injury I got from being born too early, my brain is extra about everything: extra-tight muscles, extra sensitivity to startles like loud noises or, like now, Wilder touching my shoulder.
  8. profusely
    in very large amounts or quantities; extremely
    Ms. Wilson will find me in the hallway tomorrow and apologize profusely, promising me that this will never happen again, which, of course it won’t.
  9. relent
    give in, as to influence or pressure
    Mom and I look at each other for a moment. I can’t tell if she wants to fold and I can’t tell if I want her to. But she doesn’t. So I relent.
  10. exuberance
    joyful enthusiasm
    I watch her on the screen as she stands up from her desk chair, climbs onto her lofted bed, and flops down with exuberance. She makes it look so simple. Because for her, it is.
  11. initiative
    the first of a series of actions
    Cora discovered the band online, made up of three women in their twenties. She took the initiative and asked her college’s music committee to bring them to play in Northfield. And of course, she met the band afterward.
  12. emboss
    raise in a relief
    I run my fingers over the raised embossing on the cover: Prospect University, New York City.
  13. implicate
    bring into intimate and incriminating connection
    “We’ve seen great profits from the senior shirts, no thanks to the support of my co-chair.” He glares at Wilder, and I wonder if I’ll be implicated, too.
  14. deadpan
    speak in a deliberately impassive or serious manner
    “I’m mostly against the fast fashion industry. Did you know that thrown-away clothing accounts for nine percent of the world’s non-recyclable waste per year?”
    “I did not,” Seth deadpans.
  15. feign
    make believe with the intent to deceive
    The asker finds a hall monitor and asks them to pull their potential dance date out of their class just seconds before passing time, feigning some concern about a call in the office or like today, skipping class.
  16. smattering
    a small number or amount
    In the living room, before the dates come, we take lots of combinations of photos. Ones of the whole group, a smattering of people we know from classes and a few friends from the art club Cam is in at school. And of course ones of just me, Cam, and Harper.
  17. elation
    a feeling of joy and pride
    Around seven thirty, the doorbell rings. Before I even have a chance to turn around, I know by Harper’s face, a mixture of elation and a bit of apprehension, that it’s Calvin.
  18. apprehension
    fearful expectation or anticipation
    Around seven thirty, the doorbell rings. Before I even have a chance to turn around, I know by Harper’s face, a mixture of elation and a bit of apprehension, that it’s Calvin.
  19. encompass
    include in scope
    “These are my friends!” Harper sweeps her hand out to encompass all of us.
  20. dignitary
    an important or influential person
    Wilder tells me how he wants to go into International Relations. He talks about classes that bring in dignitaries from the UN as guest speakers.
  21. commiserate
    feel or express sympathy or compassion
    I see us commiserating over our shared workloads and stress.
  22. deliberate
    think about carefully; weigh
    She claims she was deliberating whether she wanted to be that close to home after all, but I think she waited partly to drive our parents up a wall.
  23. endorsement
    formal and explicit approval
    “Enjoy your class tomorrow, Effie. Here’s my official endorsement: Cannon is great and you should come here.”
  24. prospective
    of or concerned with or related to the future
    “I guess even though you’re my sister, I’m probably obligated to give you the official prospective student experience.”
  25. accessible
    capable of being reached
    While Cora fluffs her hair in the mirror, I open the door to the accessible toilet stall. Surprisingly, it’s one my chair can fit all the way into, and not just a slightly wider stall with grab bars.
  26. orthopedic
    of or relating to the treatment of bones or joints
    Like anybody, I have days when I like my body and days when I don’t, but I am also hyperaware of how skinny my legs are because I have no calf definition, and of the scars that run the sides of my hips from orthopedic surgeries when I was a kid.
  27. distinguished
    standing above others in character or attainment
    “Our distinguished guest is here!”
  28. vicariously
    indirectly, as, by, or through a substitute
    I was so excited when Cora told me you were coming. I’ve never hosted a prospective before, so I’m living vicariously here.
  29. rapport
    a relationship of mutual understanding between people
    I am amazed by the ease of their rapport.
  30. itinerary
    a proposed route of travel
    Mom set up this meeting, and it was clear to me that any other college visit I go on will have this meeting on the itinerary.
  31. quintessential
    representing the perfect example of a class or quality
    Isn’t having a roommate a quintessential part of the college experience?
  32. banter
    converse in a playful or teasing way
    I think about Cora and Rhea. How easily they get along and how they’re able to banter together. It’s clear to me that they have a lot of fun.
  33. meekly
    in a submissive or spiritless manner
    When she calls me to the table, I roll out meekly, trying to play it cool.
  34. bureaucratic
    of or relating to unnecessary procedures and red tape
    “Since this school is a bureaucratic mess, we thought we’d celebrate only having to be here six more months.”
  35. patronizing
    characteristic of those who treat others with arrogance
    “Trooper” or “fighter” are words people love to throw out at disabled kids. “A little fighter.” It’s so patronizing.
  36. quell
    overcome or allay
    I press my lips together, trying to quell the anxiety about what’s going to happen next.
  37. threshold
    the entrance for passing through a room or building
    Wilder holds the door open for me and I bump my chair over the threshold.
  38. tentatively
    in a hesitant manner
    “H-hi,” I say tentatively.
  39. meticulous
    marked by precise accordance with details
    The only place I want to be right now is on my bed recounting every meticulous detail of this night to my best friends.
  40. earnestly
    in a sincere and serious manner
    He’s looking back at me earnestly; he wants to know my answer.
Created on Fri May 24 16:35:20 EDT 2024 (updated Sat May 25 15:12:30 EDT 2024)

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