Writing by Emma Richman
Photography by Jennie Carr
Meet Clara Barnickel who just started kindergarten at Bedford Hills Elementary. While running around in her rainbow boots and digging for gems in her mining kit, she paused every so often to show us a little sass and answer some of our burning questions.
What do you like to do with your friends?
We have girl dinner.
What’s girl dinner?
When you eat all together and have fun.
What do you eat?
Shirley Temple!
Can I come to girl dinner?
No. You’re too big!
What’s your favorite food?
Shell mac and cheese.
What color cheese?
White.
Do you like anything in your mac and cheese?
Ketchup.
What do you want to be when you grow up?
A fashion designer.
How many gems did you find?
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. Wait a second — I think there’s more!
Do you think the gems have powers?
No, they’re not real gems. They’re just metal.
If you had $100, what would you buy?
A lot of toys.
What would they do?
Talk by theirselves.
I hear you like vampires.
Yes. They’re stupid.
Do you think vampires are scary?
Yes. But they’re stupid.
I have a super important question.
No.
Yes.
No.
Yes.
No!
(Runs away.)
What’s your favorite ice cream flavor?
Vanilla with rainbow sprinkles.
Do you ever put whipped cream on top?
No! Never!
If you opened your own ice cream shop, what flavors would you have?
I would only have poop-flavored chocolate.
Do you think it would taste good?
No. It would taste like poop!
Who is the funniest person you know?
(Points to her stuffed animal kitten.)
Does it have a name?
His name is just Kitty.
Tell me something silly.
Beep bop beep bop skibidi toilet.
What does “skibidi” mean?
Skibidi means you’re cool.
How did you get so strong?
I’m not so strong..hey, who took my muscles?
I don’t know. Who?
You!
What’s your favorite sport?
Football!
Do you play?
No. My mom plays football, and I help coach my brother.
Who is better: your mom or brother?
Mama!
What’s your favorite silly word?
Winnie the Poop.
This article was published in the September/October 2024 edition of Connect to Northern Westchester.
Emma Richman
Emma Richman is a sophomore at Northwestern University studying journalism. Her passion for writing and storytelling is what led her to journalism. In her free time, Emma is an avid swimmer and biker. She enjoys listening to music, playing guitar and spending time with friends.
