Editing Maria Pappas

{{Youmay|the student in Mr. Ratburn's class|[[Marina Datillo]], Prunella's friend}}
{{Character infobox/2
|image = Maria_1804a.png
|imagesize=180px
|grade = 3rd grade
|teacher=[[Nigel Ratburn|Mr. Ratburn]]
|school=[[Lakewood Elementary School]]
|gender = Female<ref name="Arthur's Eyes"/>
|full name=Maria Pappas<ref name="Maria Speaks" /><ref name="The Last Day" />
|other names=Ms. Pappas<ref name="Maria Speaks" />
|animal = Rabbit<ref name="comiccon2013highlights">Arthur (October 13, 2013). "[https://www.facebook.com/ArthurPBS/posts/10153330808875203 The female rabbit is named Maria and the male rabbit is named Alex. They’re both a bit shy. But we may hear from them in the future.]". Facebook. Retrieved October 14, 2013. {{C|[https://web.archive.org/web/20131227061712/https://www.facebook.com/PBSArthur/posts/10153330808875203 archived page]; retrieved December 27, 2013}}</ref>
|residence = [[Maria's house]], [[Elwood City]]
|family = [[Mrs. Pappas]] (mother)<br/>[[Steve]] (brother)
|book first appeared = [[Arthur's Teacher Trouble (book)|Arthur's Teacher Trouble]]
|cartoon first appeared = "[[Arthur's Eyes (episode)|Arthur's Eyes]]"
|portrayer=[[Stacey DePass]] ([[season 19|s19]]-present)<ref name="Maria Speaks" /><ref name="Binky Cant Always Get What He Wants" />
}}
'''Maria Pappas'''<ref>{{Refquote|G-g-good m-morning, Lakewood. I'm... Maria Pappas. Today, I'm reporting on an important issue -- kids and adults: stuttering.|"[[Maria Speaks]]"}}</ref> is a third grader in [[Nigel Ratburn|Mr.&nbsp;Ratburn]]'s class at [[Lakewood Elementary School]].

==Biography==
===Early life===
Maria is not in the [[:File:BSS80.png|class picture]] of [[Mrs. Robertson]]'s kindergarten class from three years ago.<ref name="Brain's Shocking Secret">"[[Brain's Shocking Secret]]"</ref> This implies she came to Lakewood in a later year or was in a different class.

Maria was present at Lakewood Elementary in second grade,<ref name="Arthur's Eyes">"[[Arthur's Eyes (episode)|Arthur's Eyes]]"</ref> but was not in [[Mr. Marco]]'s class.<ref name="Arthur and the True Francine">"[[Arthur and the True Francine (episode)|Arthur and the True Francine]]"</ref> Sometime during this year, she walked into the girls' bathroom when [[Arthur Read|Arthur]] had accidentally entered moments before.<ref name="Arthur's Eyes" />

===Third grade===
<!--====Seasons 1-5====-->
[[File:Class 2.JPG|thumb|left|Maria and some of her friends from class]]

When [[Francis Haney|Principal Haney]] announced that Maria and her new classmates were going to be in [[Nigel Ratburn|Ratburn]]'s class, she screamed with everyone else. However, she enjoyed Ratburn's puppet show of [[Jack and the Beanstalk]].<!--102a--><ref name="Arthur and the Real Mr. Ratburn">"[[Arthur and the Real Mr. Ratburn]]"</ref> She did not qualify to participate in the [[Spell-a-thon]] but she did watch from the audience.<!--102b--><ref name="Arthur's Spelling Trubble">"[[Arthur's Spelling Trubble]]"</ref> On a field trip to [[Rainbow Rock State Park]], she did not find any fossils.<!--103b--><ref name="Buster's Dino Dilemma">"[[Buster's Dino Dilemma (episode)|Buster's Dino Dilemma]]"</ref> When Arthur lost a library book, Binky investigated if she or others had stolen it.<!--104b--><ref name="Arthur's Lost Library Book">"[[Arthur's Lost Library Book]]"</ref> Before a big test, [[Buster Baxter|Buster]] bounced a crumbled piece of paper off her head, which annoyed her.<!--107b--><ref name="Buster Makes the Grade">"[[Buster Makes the Grade (episode)|Buster Makes the Grade]]"</ref> Maria played the role of a reporter for the class play about [[Thomas Edison]].<!--110b--><ref name="Francine Frensky, Superstar">"[[Francine Frensky, Superstar]]"</ref> In the winter, she went ice skating with [[John]].<!--121a--><ref name="Sue Ellen Moves In">"[[Sue Ellen Moves In]]"</ref> After Prunella's half-birthday, Maria went to her to have her fortune told through the [[Cootie Catcher]].<!--123b--><ref name="Misfortune Teller">"[[Misfortune Teller]]"</ref> She went on the class field trip to [[Crosswire Motors]], the [[Ice Cream Shop]], and the [[Elwood City Dump]].<!--126a--><ref name="My Dad, the Garbage Man">"[[My Dad, the Garbage Man]]"</ref> When Mr. Ratburn lost his voice and [[Rodentia Ratburn|his sister]] was substitute teacher, Maria found Ms. Ratburn's teaching style to be too easy. She was overjoyed when her regular teacher returned.<!--127b--><ref name="Arthur's Substitute Teacher Trouble">"[[Arthur's Substitute Teacher Trouble]]"</ref> Hoping to check out a copy of the new [[Scare-Your-Pants-Off Club]] book, she waited outside the library until it opened.<!--128b--><ref name="The Scare-Your-Pants-Off Club">"[[The Scare-Your-Pants-Off Club]]"</ref> [[Muffy Crosswire|Muffy]] rallied Maria and the rest of her class to take a stand against whoever stole Francine's bike, whom, at the time, they believed to be Binky.<!--129b--><ref name="Stolen Bike">"[[Stolen Bike]]"</ref>

[[File:Creepy cool eyes.jpg|thumb|right|Maria at the [[Elwood City Art Museum|art museum]], with [[Jenna Morgan|Jenna]] and [[Brian (4th grader)|Brian]]]]

Maria was present when [[Fred Rogers|Mister Rogers]] visited the school.<!--201a--><ref name="Arthur Meets Mister Rogers">"[[Arthur Meets Mister Rogers]]"</ref> On a trip to the [[Elwood City Art Museum]], Maria partnered with [[Brian (4th grader)|Brian]] and [[Jenna Morgan|Jenna]] to write a report on a work of art. She wore a green mask for their project.<!--202a--><ref name="Binky Barnes, Art Expert">"[[Binky Barnes, Art Expert]]"</ref> Maria signed up with everyone else (except Binky) for the [[TV-Free Week]].<!--207a--><ref name="Arthur's TV-Free Week">"[[Arthur's TV-Free Week]]"</ref> She and [[Steve]] competed in the Brother-and-Sister race in the [[Annual Picnic]].<!--220b--><ref name="Sue Ellen's Little Sister" />

[[File:Arthur Rides the Bandwagon 45.jpg|thumb|left|With a yellow [[Woogle]]]]

Maria went scuba diving with Muffy in the [[Crosswire Mansion]] swimming pool when Arthur delivered news that Buster was coming home.<!--301a--><ref name="Buster's Back">"[[Buster's Back]]"</ref> When the [[Magic Toolbox]] team came to film an episode with her class, Maria had to say something about the [[Solar System]].<!--304b--><ref name="And Now Let's Talk to Some Kids">"[[And Now Let's Talk to Some Kids]]"</ref> Maria bought a yellow/orange [[Woogle]], but later abandoned it in favor of the new [[bottle cap]] trend.<!--307a--><ref name="Arthur Rides the Bandwagon">"[[Arthur Rides the Bandwagon]]"</ref> Over spring break, she took a camp at the [[community center]]. One class was a [[karate]] class hosted by Mr. Ratburn.<!--308a--><ref name="Popular Girls">"[[Popular Girls]]"</ref> She and her class competed at the [[Medieval Fair]]<!--309b--><ref name="The Return of the King">"[[The Return of the King]]"</ref> and she was in the [[Library Card]] song.<!--311b--><ref name="Arthur's Almost Live Not Real Music Festival">"[[Arthur's Almost Live Not Real Music Festival]]"</ref>

[[File:Polly locket present.jpg|thumb|right|At Prunella's birthday party]]

She read a book at the library.<!--401a--><ref name="D.W.'s Library Card">"[[D.W.'s Library Card]]"</ref> She went on the teacup ride with Steve at the amusement park.<!--402b--><ref name="Muffy's New Best Friend">"[[Muffy's New Best Friend]]"</ref> When Buster found out he had [[asthma]], Maria went with her class inside Buster's lungs to see what asthma is. The tour may or may not have been a real experience.<!--403a--><ref name="Buster's Breathless">"[[Buster's Breathless]]"</ref> Prunella invited Maria to her birthday party, and she had a good time.<!--406b--><ref name="Prunella Gets it Twice">"[[Prunella Gets it Twice]]"</ref> She watched the school talent show.<!--407b--><ref name="To Beat or Not to Beat">"[[To Beat or Not to Beat]]"</ref> At [[Mill Creek Mall]], she met with [[3rd Grade Male Dog (Number 3)|a boy in Mrs. Fink's class]].<!--408b--><ref name="Prunella's Prediction">"[[Prunella's Prediction]]"</ref> She was reading a book at the library, but Francine mistook her for Arthur.<!--409b--><ref name="Buster's Best Behavior">"[[Buster's Best Behavior]]"</ref>

When the school population had a [[lice]] situation, she probably caught it from trying on Muffy's hat during the school assembly.<!--505a--><ref name="The Lousy Week">"[[The Lousy Week]]"</ref> She said something to Francine that upset her.<!--506b--><ref name="Francine Goes to War">"[[Francine Goes to War]]"</ref> She and Fern jumped rope in the park.<!--510b--><ref name="Muffy Gets Mature">"[[Muffy Gets Mature]]"</ref> Over winter break, she went shopping in the [[Mill Creek Mall]] and attended Muffy's [[Christmas]] [[Muffy Crosswire's Christmas party|party]].<!--Special 2000--><ref name="Arthur's Perfect Christmas">"[[Arthur's Perfect Christmas]]"</ref>

<!--====Seasons 6-10====-->
Maria helped raise money for the school band to purchase new uniforms and musical instruments.<!--602b--><ref name="Buster's Sweet Success">"[[Buster's Sweet Success]]"</ref> Playing with a doll, she was surprised when [[Hammer]] walked by her house.<!--607a--><ref name="The Boy with His Head in the Clouds">"[[The Boy with His Head in the Clouds]]"</ref> She attended the school's [[Athlete of the Year]] Award Ceremony.<!--609a--><ref name="The Good Sport">"[[The Good Sport (episode)|The Good Sport]]"</ref>

[[File:Lapp Family Farmhouse.JPG|thumb|left|At the [[:Category:Lapp family|Lapp family]]'s [[Lapp family farm|farm]]]]

Maria and her mother went to [[Crown City]] and bought pretzels from a shop in the [[Crown City Subway]] station.<!--702b--><ref name="Muffy Goes Metropolitan">"[[Muffy Goes Metropolitan]]"</ref> She had a role in the school's city centennial play, "[[Oh, Elwood!]]", as a present-day student.<!--705--><ref name="Elwood City Turns 100!">"[[Elwood City Turns 100!]]"</ref> She went on a field trip to [[Lapps' Farmhouse|Lapp Farm]] in [[Amish Country]] and helped with the barn-raising.<!--707b--><ref name="Buster's Amish Mismatch">"[[Buster's Amish Mismatch]]"</ref> She tried the static electricity exhibit and went on the overnight field trip at the Science Museum.<!--708a--><ref name="The World of Tomorrow">"[[The World of Tomorrow]]"</ref> When there was a fire in the teachers' lounge, she evacuated the building with her class and made it to safety. For the next few weeks, her class would attend school at [[Mighty Mountain Elementary School|Mighty Mountain]].<!--710--><ref name="April 9th">"[[April 9th]]"</ref> She became a big fan of [[U Stink]] at the PTA rally, and was even more excited when U Stink played alongside the [[Backstreet Boys]] at a concert.<!--Special 2002--><ref name="Arthur - It's Only Rock 'n' Roll">"[[Arthur - It's Only Rock 'n' Roll]]"</ref>

[[File:DW-57.PNG|thumb|right|Maria's desk group]]

She partnered with a preschooler to do a cross-school team project.<!--804a--><ref name="D.W., Dancing Queen">"[[D.W., Dancing Queen]]"</ref> On a hot day, she, Muffy, and Fern had agreed to put a dust ruffle on the side of their desk group. After a long series of escalating tension, Maria joined in the classroom riot. When Mr. Haney told them to stop, she helped clean up the classroom before the teacher returned.<!--807a--><ref name="Desk Wars">"[[Desk Wars]]"</ref> She had ice cream at the Ice Cream Shop with [[Maria's mother|her mother]].<!--810a--><ref name="Big Horns George">"[[Big Horns George]]"</ref>

[[File:Tippingthescales - reading singing.jpg|thumb|Rehearsing in the choir|left]]

As part of the [[Lakewood Elementary Choir]], she practiced the song "[[In the Good Old Summer Time]]" to perform in [[Crown City]]. After a closed road forced the bus to take a detour, she sang in [[Remy's Truck Stop|a diner]] with her choir.<!--901b--><ref name="Tipping the Scales">"[[Tipping the Scales]]"</ref> She enrolled in the [[Elwood City Kids' Circus]] camp with her friends. On performance night, she juggled pins alongside Arthur and Buster.<!--902a--><ref name="Francine's Big Top Trouble">"[[Francine's Big Top Trouble]]"</ref> She watched a soccer game.<!--903a--><ref name="Arthur Weighs In">"[[Arthur Weighs In]]"</ref> and rallied for Arthur and Brain in the checkers championships.<!--907b--><ref name="A is for Angry">"[[A is for Angry]]"</ref> Maria and Fern got treats from the Ice Cream Shop.<!--909b--><ref name="Buster the Myth Maker">"[[Buster the Myth Maker]]"</ref> On a sunny day, she and [[Alex]] read together from a book.<!--910a--><ref name="Binky Goes Nuts">"[[Binky Goes Nuts]]"</ref>

[[File:Class.JPG|thumb|right|Hearing Mr. Ratburn assigning homework]]

After watching the classic horror film, ''[[The Squirrels (movie)|The Squirrels]]'', Maria was too frightened to go outside, but seeing a real squirrel in class changed her mind.<!--1002a--><ref name="The Squirrels">"[[The Squirrels (episode)|The Squirrels]]"</ref> As an end-of-the-year assignment, Mr. Ratburn challenged his class to choose one food that would sustain them if they were stranded on a desert island. Maria chose cheese as her food.<!--1003a--><ref name="Desert Island Dish">"[[Desert Island Dish]]"</ref> She waited with the class for the school bus to arrive for a field trip to the zoo, but the request for the bus was never delivered, so they had an impromptu spelling bee instead.<!--1010b--><ref name="Buster's Special Delivery">"[[Buster's Special Delivery]]"</ref>

<!--====Seasons 11-15====-->
[[File:Germophobia 12.jpg|left|thumb|Playing hide and seek]]

Maria played a game of [[hide and seek]] with her friends.<!--1101b--><ref name="Germophobia">"[[Germophobia]]"</ref>

She practiced rock climbing in the gym and went rock climbing for real on a mountain.<!--1205a--><ref name="The Chronicles of Buster">"[[The Chronicles of Buster]]"</ref> She and Alex went to see a movie<!--1207b--><ref name="I Owe You One">"[[I Owe You One]]"</ref> and she went with her mother to the [[Sugar Bowl]].<!--1210a--><ref name="The Perfect Game">"[[The Perfect Game]]"</ref>

[[File:When Carl Met George 22.jpg|thumb|right|Reading at the community center]]

When Buster discovered a list of numbers and names of students, Maria was number 23. However, it was later learned that this number had no significance.<!--1303a--><ref name="Arthur's Number Nightmare">"[[Arthur's Number Nightmare]]"</ref> On Mr. Ratburn's Student of the Month chart, Maria had the fourth lowest score, slightly behind [[Fern Walters|Fern]].<!--1304a--><ref name="MacFrensky">"[[MacFrensky]]"</ref> Maria was shocked to hear that [[Leah MacGrady|Mrs. MacGrady]] had cancer.<!--1305--><ref name="The Great MacGrady">"[[The Great MacGrady]]"</ref> At the community center, she read a book.<!--1306a--><ref name="When Carl Met George">"[[When Carl Met George]]"</ref> Maria attended a swim meet where she talked to [[3rd Grade Male Rabbit|a boy]] before the race began.<!--1306b--><ref name="D.W. Swims with the Fishes">"[[D.W. Swims with the Fishes]]"</ref> Maria briefly became a member of the [[Lakewood Pride Committee]] and ran in the track meet against Mighty Mountain.<!--1309b--><ref name="The Pride of Lakewood">"[[The Pride of Lakewood]]"</ref>

[[File:The Long Road Home 121.jpg|thumb|left|Congratulating George for finishing his walk]]

Maria watched the free throw contest between Brain (with [[Lydia Fox|Lydia]]) and [[Sam Scarborough]]<!--1401a--><ref name="The Wheel Deal">"[[The Wheel Deal]]"</ref> and George's report on Buster.<!--1401b--><ref name="The Buster Report">"[[The Buster Report]]"</ref> Muffy's new playground amusement park idea did not interest her.<!--1403b--><ref name="The Play's the Thing">"[[The Play's the Thing]]"</ref> She was interested, though, to see George walk all the way to Elwood City from Crown City.<!--1410b--><ref name="The Long Road Home">"[[The Long Road Home]]"</ref>

[[File:Molly Rattles clapping.jpg|thumb|right|Applauding Binky's musical performance]]

When George went on a radio show to win money for the school, Maria listened to the broadcast from the assembly in the school auditorium.<!--1501--><ref name="Fifteen">"[[Fifteen]]"</ref> In the same auditorium, she listened to Binky performing music for the clarinet.<!--1502a--><ref name="I Wanna Hold Your Hand">"[[I Wanna Hold Your Hand]]"</ref> Maria and her mother went to [[David's Toys]].<!--1504a--><ref name="Cents-less">"[[Cents-less]]"</ref> She took the [[Stoddard Wilkins Elementary Aptitude Test]], but did not take Mrs. MacGrady's relaxation lesson with the rest of her class.<!--1505b--><ref name="S.W.E.A.T.">"[[S.W.E.A.T.]]"</ref>

<!--====Seasons 16-19====-->
[[File:The Last Tough Customer - shush.jpg|thumb|left|Reading at the library]]

Maria welcomed [[Ladonna Compson|Ladonna]] to class when she moved to Elwood City.<!--1601--><ref name="Based on a True Story">"[[Based on a True Story]]"</ref> She participated in the first annual [[Lakewood Derby]].<!--1602b--><ref name="Muffy Takes the Wheel">"[[Muffy Takes the Wheel]]"</ref> When Lakewood started using the [[HUGO 3.0]], Maria was interested at first, but she later cheered for Brain when he defeated the computer.<!--1604a--><ref name="Get Smart">"[[Get Smart]]"</ref> She tried reading at the library, but the [[Shush Customers]] were too loud.<!--1606a--><ref name="The Last Tough Customer">"[[The Last Tough Customer]]"</ref> After earning points in the [[IRP]] system, she looked at toy trucks among the prizes available.<!--1608a--><ref name="Buster's Book Battle">"[[Buster's Book Battle]]"</ref>

Maria tried the ring toss game at the fair.<!--1708b--><ref name="Crime and Consequences">"[[Crime and Consequences]]"</ref> She went to the new ice cream shop [[Yumbobo]], but when Buster and Brain introduced Brain's Blending Lab, she returned to the Ice Cream Shop.<!--1710b--><ref name="Brain Freeze">"[[Brain Freeze]]"</ref>

[[File:TPP8.jpg|thumb|right|At the preschool fall pageant]]
Maria went with Steve to [[Wonder World]] when it opened a new roller coaster, [[The Buzzard]]. After waiting in line, they rode on it together.<!--1801b--><ref name="D.W. & Bud's Higher Purpose">"[[D.W. & Bud's Higher Purpose]]"</ref> When Jenna had a birthday party, Maria went to her house to celebrate.<!--1804a--><ref name="Best Wishes">"[[Best Wishes]]"</ref> Maria attended a pageant performed by the [[preschool]] class last fall, according to Arthur's memory of the event.<!--1809a--><ref name="The Pageant Pickle">"[[The Pageant Pickle]]"</ref> After [[Hurricane Sadie]], Maria attended Ladonna's surprise birthday party at the [[Tree House]]. Later, she and Jenna bought ice cream at the Ice Cream Shop's reopening.<!--1810--><ref name="Shelter from the Storm">"[[Shelter from the Storm]]"</ref>

Maria went to Muffy's dad's drive-in movie.<!--1901b--><ref name="Brain Sees Stars">"[[Brain Sees Stars]]"</ref> She and her class played a game of baseball with Sue Ellen's pen pal [[Tenzin Wangdu|Tenzin]] before he had to leave for home.<!--1902b--><ref name="Wish You Were Here">"[[Wish You Were Here]]"</ref> She watched George's puppet show at the PTA variety show.<!--1904b--><ref name="Dueling Detectives!">"[[Dueling Detectives!]]"</ref> On a rainy day, someone held an umbrella for Maria when she had to wait in a line.<!--1905a--><ref name="Buster Isn't Buying It">"[[Buster Isn't Buying It]]"</ref> Mr. Ratburn appointed Maria as the lead reporter for the [[Lakewood Elementary News]]. Initially excited for the opportunity, she was overcome with nervousness due to her stutter and could not do the show. By practicing talking with her friends and a speech therapist, Maria was able to host the next show a few weeks later.<!--1906a--><ref name="Maria Speaks">"[[Maria Speaks]]"</ref> When Buster and George tried to distract the Tough Customers with the sound of an ice cream truck, Maria also fell for the trick.<!--1907b--><ref name="Too Much of a Good Thing">"[[Too Much of a Good Thing]]"</ref> While she did not enter the [[Little Miss Crocus]] pageant, Maria went with [[Beulah McInnerny|Beulah]] to get a paper about it.<!--1908b--><ref name="Little Miss Meanie">"[[Little Miss Meanie]]"</ref> At the end of the school year, Maria and her whole class sang a song for Mr. Ratburn.<!--1910--><ref name="The Last Day">"[[The Last Day]]"</ref>

<!--====Season 20====-->
Maria cheered for Brain when he won the statewide science competition.<ref name="Buster's Second Chance">"[[Buster's Second Chance]]"</ref> She made a caveman cave diorama out of a volleyball. Maria later attended Arthur's [[piano]] recital.<ref name="Arthur and the Whole Truth">"[[Arthur and the Whole Truth]]"</ref>
[[File:Binky Can't Always Get What He Wants.png|thumb|left|With a cat at [[Cat Adoption Talent Show|C.A.T.S.]]]]
Maria worked as the "cat wrangler" at Lakewood's [[Cat Adoption Talent Show]] and helped families fill out adoption papers.<ref name="Binky Cant Always Get What He Wants" />

Maria wished Ladonna goodbye on the day her family left to move to Oregon.<ref>"[[When Duty Calls]]"</ref>
<!--
===Future life===
In a possible glimpse into the future, an adult Maria is in the crowd behind [[Muffy Crosswire|President Mary Alice Crosswire]] at the new president's inauguration.<ref name="The Election">"[[The Election]]"</ref> Maria wears a trench coat and holds a notepad, suggesting she will be a journalist.-->
==Personality==
===Quietness===
Maria is usually a bit shy.<ref name="comiccon2013highlights" /> In spite of this, however, she does often participate in class lessons. She is also willing to have lines in a class play, so long as they aren't solo lines.<ref name="Francine Frensky, Superstar" /> This is because she has a stutter and did not want everyone to know about it. However, with practice her speaking has improved and her confidence with it.<ref name="Maria Speaks" />

She once said something that upset Francine.<ref name="Francine Goes to War" />

===Grades===
Maria received a 'C' on one of Mr. Ratburn's quizzes.<ref name="All Worked Up">"[[All Worked Up]]"</ref> On an oral report for history, the grade she received was a 'B'.<ref name="Brain Gets Hooked">"[[Brain Gets Hooked]]"</ref> She is not the best speller in her class.<ref name="Arthur's Spelling Trubble" /> On the 'Student of the Month' chart, Maria ranks low compared to most other students; she had the fourth lowest (or ninth highest) score, slightly behind [[Fern Walters|Fern]] at eighth highest.<ref name="MacFrensky" />

===Sports===
Maria follows several sports, such as [[basketball]]<ref name="The Wheel Deal" /> and [[soccer]].<ref name="Arthur Weighs In" /> She herself participates on the [[Lakewood Elementary Track and Field Team|track and field team]].<ref name="The Pride of Lakewood" />

===Music===
Maria is a member of the Lakewood Elementary Choir.<ref name="Tipping the Scales" /> She also plays the [[tambourine]] for the [[Lakewood Elementary Band|school band]]<ref name="Brother, Can You Spare a Clarinet?">"[[Brother, Can You Spare a Clarinet?]]"</ref> and has a [[guitar]] in her bedroom.<ref name="Maria Speaks" />

===Other interests===
Maria has a butterfly collection, [[Goldy|a pet fish]], and pictures of marine animals in her room.<ref name="Maria Speaks" /> She also likes cats.<ref name="Binky Cant Always Get What He Wants">"[[Binky Can't Always Get What He Wants]]"</ref>


[[File:Buster's New Friend Bionic Bunny.jpg|thumb|Maria in line for Bionic Bunny's autograph|right]]
When the new ''[[Scare-Your-Pants-Off Club]]'' book was released, Maria waited outside the library to get it.<ref name="The Scare-Your-Pants-Off Club" /> Maria is also a fan of the ''[[Magic Cat]]'' books.<ref name="Binky Cant Always Get What He Wants" /> She can frequently be found reading in the library.<ref name="D.W.'s Library Card" /><ref name="Buster's Best Behavior" /><ref name="Sue Ellen's Lost Diary">"[[Sue Ellen's Lost Diary]]"</ref>

Maria plays [[hopscotch]]<ref name="The Long, Dull Winter">"[[The Long, Dull Winter]]"</ref> and [[jump rope]].<ref name="Muffy Gets Mature" /> She rallied for Arthur and [[Alan Powers|Brain]] in the [[checkers]] play-offs.<ref name="A is for Angry" /> She is also a fan of [[Bionic Bunny]].<ref name="Buster Gets Real">"[[Buster Gets Real]]"</ref><!--Buster Gets Real: She is in the movie theater.--><ref name="Buster's New Friend">"[[Buster's New Friend (episode)|Buster's New Friend]]"</ref> The music by the [[Finland|Finnish]] band [[Binky (band)|''BINKY'']] was a favorite of hers.<ref name="Meet Binky">"[[Meet Binky]]"</ref>

Maria owns a doll which she occasionally plays with,<ref name="The Boy with His Head in the Clouds" /> though she may also like toy trucks.<ref name="Buster's Book Battle" /> Maria has another doll that looks like her.<ref name="Maria Speaks" />

If she could only take one food to a desert island, she would bring a plate of [[cheese]].<ref name="Desert Island Dish" />
==Relationships==
===Relatives===
{{familytree/start|Steve and Maria are children of their mother}}
{{familytree| A|y|B |A=[[Maria's mother|''Mother'']]|B=''Father''}}
{{familytree| |,|-|^|-|.}}
{{familytree| A| | | B|A=[[Steve]]|B='''Maria'''}}
{{familytree/end}}

[[Maria's mother]] was with Maria at the [[Ice Cream Shop]],<ref name="Big Horns George" /> [[The Sugar Bowl]],<ref name="The Perfect Game" /> and [[David's Toys]].<ref name="Cents-less" />

Maria's older brother [[Steve]] also goes to Lakewood. They often talk with each other between classes and at lunchtime.<ref name="Buster's Special Delivery" /> The two were confirmed to be related by their participation in the brother-and-sister race at the [[Annual Picnic]].<ref name="Sue Ellen's Little Sister">"[[Sue Ellen's Little Sister]]"</ref> They also go on amusement park rides together, such as the spinning teacup ride<ref name="Muffy's New Best Friend" /> and [[The Buzzard]], a roller coaster.<ref name="D.W. & Bud's Higher Purpose" />

===Friends===
;[[Binky Barnes]]
Maria encouraged Binky after he missed his opportunity to star in a TV commercial.<ref name="Binky Cant Always Get What He Wants" />

;[[Fern Walters]]
They have been seen outside of school together, enjoying dessert snacks.<ref name="Buster the Myth Maker"/>
;[[Jenna Morgan]]
Maria and Jenna are good friends. They play together<ref name="Arthur Rides the Bandwagon"/> and visit each other's houses.<ref name="Maria Speaks"/> For a time, Jenna was one of the only people who knew Maria's secret about her trouble speaking.
;[[Muffy Crosswire]]
Maria follows Muffy's blog on her smartphone.<ref name="Binky Cant Always Get What He Wants" />
;[[Prunella Deegan]]
Despite being one school grade apart, Maria was invited to Prunella's birthday party.<ref name="Prunella Gets it Twice"/>
;[[Sue Ellen Armstrong]]
Seen walking together at the [[Harvest Day Celebration]].<ref name="Arthur's Number Nightmare"/>
==Physical appearance==
{{Main|Maria Pappas/Gallery/Designs}}
[[File:Maria 208a.png|thumb|100px|left|Maria, as she appeared in the early seasons]]
Maria is an anthropomorphic rabbit with a cream complexion. She wears a sky blue skirt, a cyan-and-light pink striped shirt, white knee socks, and light brown shoes. She has light brown hair in the form of a {{W|bob cut}}.

Not including her ears, she is a few inches taller than [[Arthur Read|Arthur]].<ref name=classmodelsheet /> In some instances, though, her height has varied from preschooler size<ref name="The Perfect Game" /> to [[Prunella Deegan|Prunella]]'s height.<ref name="Arthur - It's Only Rock 'n' Roll" />

{|class=wikitable
|Hair<br>{{perbang|C48435|Moderate orange}} ([[season 2|s2]])<ref name=artexpertcolor/><br>{{perbang|AC801A|Moderate amber}} ([[Arthur's Perfect Christmas|APC]])<ref name=christmascolor>[[:File:APC107.png|This image]] from "[[Arthur's Perfect Christmas]]"</ref><br>{{perbang|CD8332|Moderate orange}} ([[season 7|s7]])<ref name=amishcolor/><br>{{perbang|C37B2E|Moderate orange}} ([[season&nbsp;9|s9]])<ref name=castlecolor/><br>{{perbang|C3762E|Moderate orange}} ([[season 11|s11]])<ref name=germcolor/><br>{{perbang|E78928|Brilliant orange}} ([[season 18|s18]])<ref name=wishescolor/><br>{{perbang|DC852D|Brilliant orange}} ([[season&nbsp;19|s19]])<ref name=speakscolor/><!-- {{C|[[Season 1|s1]]-present; [[Arthur's Perfect Christmas|''APC'']]; [[Arthur - It's Only Rock 'n' Roll|''AIORnR'']]; [[Arthur Lost and Found|''ALaF'']]}},<br>Blonde {{C|[[Arthur's Tooth (book)|''AT'']], [[Arthur's Teacher Trouble (book)|''ATT'']]}},<br>Dark brown {{C|[[Arthur's Teacher Trouble (game)|''ATT'']]; [[Arthur's Off to School|''AOtS'']]}},<br>White {{C|[[Arthur's Eyes (book)|''AE'']]}}-->
|Complexion<br>{{perbang|FBE493|Light amber}} ([[season 2|s2]])<ref name=artexpertcolor>[[:File:202a_Maria_mask.png|This image]] from "[[Binky Barnes, Art Expert]]" (2x02a)</ref><br>{{perbang|E0D26B|Light gold}} ([[Arthur's Perfect Christmas|APC]])<ref name=christmascolor/><br>{{perbang|F7DA91|Light amber}} ([[season 7|s7]])<ref name=amishcolor>[[:File:BAM13.png|This image]] from "[[Buster's Amish Mismatch]]" (7x07b)</ref><br>{{perbang|EACC86|Light amber}} ([[season 9|s9]])<ref name=castlecolor>[[:File:Maria.png|This image]] from "[[Castles in the Sky]]" (9x01a)</ref><br>{{perbang|E6CB86|Light amber}} ([[season 11|s11]])<ref name=germcolor>[[:File:Germophobia 12.jpg|This image]] from "[[Germophobia]]" (11x01b)</ref><br>{{perbang|FDF199|Light gold}} ([[season 18|s18]])<ref name=wishescolor>[[:File:Maria s18.png|This image]] from "[[Best Wishes]]" (18x04a)</ref><br>{{perbang|FDF59E|Pale, light grayish gold}} ([[season&nbsp;19|s19]])<ref name=speakscolor>[[:File:13255924 10156940233515203 4033883712928501504 n.jpg|This image]] from "[[Maria Speaks]]" (19x06a)</ref>
|}
<!--
===Alternate apparel===

===Nose===
Maria's nose is normally a "Y"-shaped nose typical of rabbits. [[Maria/Gallery#Animation errors|On several occasions]], however, her nose has appeared like an aardvark's nose.<ref name="Stolen Bike" /><ref name="Fifteen" /><ref name="Arthur's Dummy Disaster">"[[Arthur's Dummy Disaster]]"</ref> Other times, she has had a bear's nose<ref name="Bitzi's Beau">"[[Bitzi's Beau]]"</ref> or a cat's nose.<ref name="Tipping the Scales" />-->
{{Clr}}

==Behind the scenes==
===Appearances===
This list contains 232 items {{C|'''bold''' indicates a speaking role}}
<div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:100%>
*{{Arthur}}: (217)
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
*1x01a "[[Arthur's Eyes (episode)|Arthur's Eyes]]"
*1x02a. "[[Arthur and the Real Mr. Ratburn]]"
*1x02b. "[[Arthur's Spelling Trubble]]"
*1x03b. "[[Buster's Dino Dilemma (episode)|Buster's Dino Dilemma]]"
*1x04b. "[[Arthur's Lost Library Book]]"
*1x06a. "[[Locked in the Library! (episode)|Locked in the Library!]]
*1x06b. "[[Arthur Accused! (episode)|Arthur Accused!]]"
*1x07b. '''"[[Buster Makes the Grade (episode)|Buster Makes the Grade]]"'''
*1x10a. "[[Arthur's Birthday (episode)|Arthur's Birthday]]"
*1x10b. '''"[[Francine Frensky, Superstar]]"'''
*1x11a. "[[Arthur's Baby (episode)|Arthur's Baby]]"
*1x12a. "[[Arthur Writes a Story (episode)|Arthur Writes a Story]]"
*1x12b. "[[Arthur's Lost Dog]]"
*1x13b. "[[Buster's New Friend (episode)|Buster's New Friend]]"
*1x17b. "[[Arthur, World's Greatest Gleeper]]"
*1x21a. "[[Sue Ellen Moves In]]"
*1x22b. "[[Team Trouble]]"
*1x23a. "[[Bully for Binky]]"
*1x23b. "[[Misfortune Teller]]"
*1x24a. "[[Arthur's Tooth (episode)|Arthur's Tooth]]"
*1x26a. "[[My Dad, the Garbage Man]]"
*1x27b. "[[Arthur's Substitute Teacher Trouble]]"
*1x28a. "[[I'm a Poet]]"
*1x28b. "[[The Scare-Your-Pants-Off Club]]"
*1x29a. "[[My Club Rules]]"
*1x29b. "[[Stolen Bike]]"
*2x01a. "[[Arthur Meets Mister Rogers]]"
*2x01b. "[[Draw!]]"
*2x02a. "[[Binky Barnes, Art Expert]]"
*2x02b. "[[Arthur's Lucky Pencil]]"
*2x05a. "[[Arthur's Underwear (episode)|Arthur's Underwear]]"
*2x05b. "[[Francine Frensky, Olympic Rider]]"
*2x07a. "[[Arthur's TV-Free Week]]"
*2x07b. "[[Night Fright]]" 
*2x08a. "[[Arthur vs. the Piano]]"
*2x08b. "[[The Big Blow-Up]]"
*2x09a. "[[Lost!]]"
*2x11b. "[[Buster Hits the Books]]"
*2x14a. "[[Sue Ellen's Lost Diary]]"
*2x15a. "[[Grandma Thora Appreciation Day]]"
*2x15b. "[[Fern's Slumber Party]]"
*2x16a. "[[Love Notes for Muffy]]"
*2x16b. "[[D.W. Blows the Whistle]]"
*2x18a. "[[Arthur vs. the Very Mean Crossing Guard]]"
*2x18b. "[[D.W.'s Very Bad Mood]]"
*2x20b. "[[Sue Ellen's Little Sister]]"
*3x01a. "[[Buster's Back]]"
*3x01b. "[[The Ballad of Buster Baxter]]"
*3x03a. "[[Arthur Goes Crosswire]]"
*3x03b. "[[Sue Ellen and the Brainasaurus]]"
*3x04a. "[[Background Blues]]"
*3x04b. "[[And Now Let's Talk to Some Kids]]"
*3x05b. "[[Revenge of the Chip]]"
*3x06b. "[[Meet Binky]]"
*3x07a. "[[Arthur Rides the Bandwagon]]"
*3x07b. "[[Dad's Dessert Dilemma]]"
*3x08a. "[[Popular Girls]]"
*3x08b. "[[Buster's Growing Grudge]]"
*3x09a. "[[Arthur's Treasure Hunt]]"
*3x09b. "[[The Return of the King]]"
*3x11b. "[[Arthur's Almost Live Not Real Music Festival]]"
*3x12a. "[[What Scared Sue Ellen?]]"
*3x13a. "[[Arthur's Dummy Disaster]]"
*3x15a. "[[Arthur and D.W. Clean Up]]"
*3x15b. "[[The Long, Dull Winter]]"
*4x01a. "[[D.W.'s Library Card (episode)|D.W.'s Library Card]]"
*4x01b. "[[Arthur's Big Hit]]"
*4x02b. "[[Muffy's New Best Friend]]"
*4x03a. "[[Buster's Breathless]]"
*4x05b. "[[The Rat Who Came to Dinner]]"
*4x06b. "[[Prunella Gets it Twice]]"
*4x07a. "[[Binky Barnes, Wingman]]"
*4x07b. "[[To Beat or Not to Beat]]"
*4x08a. "[[1001 Dads]]"
*4x08b. "[[Prunella's Prediction]]"
*4x09b. "[[Buster's Best Behavior]]"
*4x10b. "[[That's a Baby Show!]]"
*5x01a. "[[Arthur and the Big Riddle]]"
*5x01b. "[[Double Dare]]"
*5x02a. "[[Kids are from Earth, Parents are from Pluto]]"
*5x03a. "[[It's a No-Brainer]]"
*5x05a. "[[The Lousy Week]]"
*5x05b. "[[You Are Arthur]]"
*5x06a. "[[The Election]]"
*5x06b. "[[Francine Goes to War]]"
*5x08b. "[[Bitzi's Beau]]"
*5x10b. "[[Muffy Gets Mature]]"
*6x02b. "[[Buster's Sweet Success]]"
*6x03a. "[[Prunella's Special Edition]]"
*6x04b. "[[Brother, Can You Spare a Clarinet?]]"
*6x05a. "[[The Boy Who Cried Comet]]"
*6x06a. "[[Citizen Frensky]]"
*6x07a. "[[The Boy with His Head in the Clouds]]"
*6x09a. "[[The Good Sport (episode)|The Good Sport]]"
*7x02a.  "[[Francine's Split Decision]]"
*7x02b. "[[Muffy Goes Metropolitan]]"
*7x03a. "[[Ants in Arthur's Pants]]"
*7x05.  "[[Elwood City Turns 100!]]"
*7x06b. "[[Jenna's Bedtime Blues]]"
*7x07b. "[[Buster's Amish Mismatch]]"
*7x08a. "[[The World of Tomorrow]]"
*7x10.  "[[April 9th]]"
*8x01b. "[[Bitzi's Break-up]]"
*8x03b. "[[Bugged]]"
*8x04a. "[[Fernkenstein's Monster]]"
*8x04b. "[[D.W., Dancing Queen]]"
*8x05a. "[[Vomitrocious]]"
*8x07a. "[[Desk Wars]]"
*8x10a. "[[Big Horns George]]"
*9x01a. "[[Castles in the Sky]]"
*9x01b. "[[Tipping the Scales]]"
*9x02a. "[[Francine's Big Top Trouble]]"
*9x02b. "[[George Blows His Top]]"
*9x03a. "[[Arthur Weighs In]]"
*9x03b. "[[The Law of the Jungle Gym]]"
*9x05b. "[[All Worked Up]]"
*9x07b. "[[A is for Angry]]"
*9x09b. "[[Buster the Myth Maker]]"
*9x10a. "[[Binky Goes Nuts]]"
*9x10b. "[[Breezy Listening Blues]]"
*10x01. "[[Happy Anniversary]]" 
*10x02a. "[[The Squirrels (episode)|The Squirrels]]"
*10x03a. "[[Desert Island Dish]]"
*10x08a. "[[Binky vs. Binky]]"
*10x09a. "[[Do You Speak George?]]"
*10x10a. "[[What's Cooking?]]"
*10x10b. "[[Buster's Special Delivery]]"
*11x01b. "[[Germophobia]]"
*11x04b. "[[Brain's Shocking Secret]]"
*11x06a. "[[The Making of Arthur]]"
*11x07b. "[[Mr. Alwaysright]]"
*11x08a. "[[Francine's Pilfered Paper]]"
*11x08b. "[[Buster Gets Real]]"
*12x01a. "[[Is That Kosher?]]"
*12x02b. "[[The Frensky Family Fiasco]]"
*12x03b. "[[Bats in the Belfry]]"
*12x05a. "[[The Chronicles of Buster]]"
*12x07a. "[[War of the Worms]]"
*12x07b. "[[I Owe You One]]"
*12x09b. "[[Do You Believe in Magic?]]"
*12x10a. "[[The Perfect Game]]"
*13x01.  "[[The Great MacGrady]]"
*13x02a. "[[The Silent Treatment]]"
*13x02b. "[[Kung Fool]]"
*13x03a. "[[Arthur's Number Nightmare]]"
*13x03b. "[[Brain Gets Hooked]]"
*13x04a. "[[MacFrensky]]" {{C|First identified as Maria}}
*13x05b. "[[Prunella and the Disappointing Ending]]"
*13x06a. "[[When Carl Met George]]"
*13x06b. "[[D.W. Swims with the Fishes]]"
*13x08a. "[[Fernlets by Fern]]"
*13x08b. "[[Prunella and the Haunted Locker]]"
*13x09b. "[[The Pride of Lakewood]]"
*14x01a. "[[The Wheel Deal]]"
*14x01b. "[[The Buster Report]]"
*14x03b. "[[The Play's the Thing]]"
*14x05a. "[[Tales of Grotesquely Grim Bunny]]"
*14x07b. "[[Muffy and the Big Bad Blog]]"
*14x08a. "[[Arthur Unravels]]"
*14x08b. "[[All the Rage]]"
*14x09a. "[[D.W., Queen of the Comeback]]" (Flashback) 
*14x10b. "[[The Long Road Home]]"
*15x01. "[[Fifteen]]"
*15x02a. "[[I Wanna Hold Your Hand]]"
*15x03a. "[[Buster's Secret Admirer]]"
*15x04a. "[[Cents-less]]"
*15x04b. "[[Buster the Lounge Lizard]]"
*15x05b. "[[S.W.E.A.T.]]"
*15x07a. "[[Prunella the Packrat]]"
*15x07b. "[[What's in a Name?]]"
*15x09b. "[[The Trouble with Trophies]]"
*16x01. "[[Based on a True Story]]"
*16x02a. "[[Flippity Francine]]"
*16x02b. "[[Muffy Takes the Wheel]]"
*16x04a. "[[Get Smart]]"
*16x06a. "[[The Last Tough Customer]]"
*16x07b. "[[Brain's Biggest Blunder]]"
*16x08a. "[[Buster's Book Battle]]"
*16x10a. "[[So Funny I Forgot to Laugh]]"
*16x10b. "[[The Best Day Ever]]"
*17x03b. "[[Buster Bombs]]"
*17x04a. "[[Opposites Distract]]"
*17x05a. "[[All Thumbs]]"
*17x06a. "[[Speak Up, Francine]]"
*17x08b. "[[Crime and Consequences]]"
*17x09a. "[[Caught in the Crosswires]]"
*17x10b. "[[Brain Freeze]]"
*18x01b. "[[D.W. & Bud's Higher Purpose]]"
*18x02b. "[[Surprise!]]"
*18x03a. "[[The Case of the Girl with the Long Face]]"
*18x03b. "[[The Substitute Arthur]]"
*18x04a. "[[Best Wishes]]"
*18x04b. "[[The Tardy Tumbler]]"<!--Behind a balance beam in Prunella's dream.-->
*18x05a. "[[Fountain Abbey (episode)|Fountain Abbey]]"
*18x05b. "[[Arthur Calls It]]"
*18x08a. "[[Arthur Read: Super Saver]]"
*18x09a. "[[The Pageant Pickle]]"
*18x10. "[[Shelter from the Storm]]"
*19x01b. "[[Brain Sees Stars]]"
*19x02a. "[[Sue Ellen Adds It Up]]"
*19x02b. "[[Wish You Were Here]]"
*19x04b. "[[Dueling Detectives!]]"
*19x05a. "[[Buster Isn't Buying It]]"
*19x06a. '''"[[Maria Speaks]]"'''
*19x07b. "[[Too Much of a Good Thing]]"
*19x08b. "[[Little Miss Meanie]]"
*19x09a. "[[Mr. Ratburn's Secret Identity]]"
*19x09b. "[[Besties]]"
*19x10. "[[The Last Day]]" {{C|First identified as Pappas}}<!--This is first not Maria Speaks because of U.S. airdate-->
*20x01a. "[[Buster's Second Chance]]"
*20x01b. "[[Arthur and the Whole Truth]]"
*20x02a. "[[Fern's Flights of Fancy]]"
*20x01a.  "[[Mr. Ratburn and the Special Someone]]
*20x01b.  "[[The Feud]]"
*22x02a. "[[When Rivals Came to Roost]]"
*22x03b. '''"[[Binky Can't Always Get What He Wants]]"'''
*22x04a.  "[[Muffy's Car Campaign]]" 
*22x04b.  "[[Truth or Poll]]"
*23x02. "[[When Duty Calls]]"
</div><div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:100%>
*{{PFB}}: (3)
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
*1x05. "[[Among the Hmong]]"
*2x04. "[[The Case of the Coin Purloined]]"
*4x01. "[[Finding Family in Chennai]]"
</div><div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:100%>
*Specials: (4)
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
*''[[Arthur's Perfect Christmas]]''<!-- (2000)-->
*''[[Arthur's New Friend]]''
*''[[Arthur - It's Only Rock 'n' Roll]]''<!-- (2002)-->
*''[[D.W. and the Beastly Birthday]]''
</div><div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:100%>
*Books: (3)
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
*''[[Arthur's Teacher Trouble (book)|Arthur's Teacher Trouble]]''<!-- (1986)--> {{C|First appearance}}
*''[[Arthur Lost and Found]]''<!-- (1998)-->
*''[[Arthur's Off to School]]''<!-- (2004)-->
</div><div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:100%>
*Games: (1)
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
*'''''[[Arthur's Teacher Trouble (game)|Arthur's Teacher Trouble]]'''''<!-- (1992)-->
</div><div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:100%>
*Online: (4)
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
*''[[Arthur Comics: So Funny I Forgot to Laugh!]]''
*''[[Arthur Family Health]]''<ref>Appears in "April 9th Story"</ref>
*''[[Arthur's Top 20]]''<ref>Appears in "Train Puzzles"</ref>
*''[[Buster's Growing Grudge (comic)|Buster's Growing Grudge]]''
<div class="mw-collapsible-content"></div></div>

===Development and design===
[[file:Maria prototype 222 teacher trouble.jpg|50px|thumb|right|Maria in ''[[Arthur's Teacher Trouble (book)|Arthur's Teacher Trouble]]'' (1986)]]
<!--<gallery type="slideshow" widths="200">
Maria Arthur's Eyes book.png|''[[Arthur's Eyes (book)|Arthur's Eyes]]'' ([[1979]])
Maria Arthur's Valentine.jpg|''[[Arthur's Valentine]]'' ([[1980]])
Maria Arthur's Tooth book.png|''[[Arthur's Tooth (book)|Arthur's Tooth]]'' ([[1985]])
Arthur's Teacher Trouble - Maria old dress.png|''[[Arthur's Teacher Trouble (book)|Arthur's Teacher Trouble]]'' ([[1986]])
</gallery>-->
Maria first appeared in [[Marc Brown]]'s 1986 book ''[[Arthur's Teacher Trouble (book)|Arthur's Teacher Trouble]]''. Although a similar rabbit girl had been appearing as early as ''[[Arthur's Eyes (book)|Arthur's Eyes]]'' (1979), Maria's design for the TV series was based on an unnamed background character in ''Arthur's Teacher Trouble''.<ref name=ecccomicconreply>Earwig (October 15, 2013). [http://elwoodcitycentral.createaforum.com/arthur-news/arthur-ny-comic-con-2013/msg1747/#msg1747  "Re: Arthur @ NY Comic Con 2013". Reply #18]. ''Elwood City Central Forum''. Create a Forum. Retrieved October 25, 2013. {{C|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20131227061832/http://elwoodcitycentral.createaforum.com/arthur-news/arthur-ny-comic-con-2013/msg1747/#msg1747 archived page]<!--; retrieved December 27, 2013-->}}</ref><!--In ''Arthur's Teacher Trouble'', Maria had glasses. This was carried over to [[:File:AE83.png|one brief scene]] in the episode "[[Arthur's Eyes (episode)|Arthur's Eyes]]". However, she did not have the glasses in the [[:File:Posing-layout-1995-arthur-school-hall1.jpg|original layout]] of the scene.<ref>Waldren, Robert (November 29, 2010). "[http://rwaldren.wordpress.com/2010/11/29/robert-waldren-portfolio-006/ Work from 1994-1995 - ''Cinar Animation, Montréal - LAYOUT & POSING'']". ''The Pencil Trade - Robert Waldren's e-Portfolio''. WordPress. Retrieved December 3, 2013. {{C|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20131227062039/http://rwaldren.wordpress.com/2010/11/29/robert-waldren-portfolio-006/ archived page]; retrieved December 27, 2013}}</ref>-->

According to [[Peter K. Hirsch]], Maria (and [[Alex]]) were created to keep the classroom from looking too empty.<ref name="toonzone">Liu, Ed (October 17, 2013). "[http://www.toonzone.net/2013/10/nycc-2013-arthur-aardvark-ages-panel-wonderful-time-day/ NYCC 2013: The “Arthur: Aardvark for the Ages” Panel Was a Wonderful Time of Day]". Toon Zone News. Retrieved October 25, 2013. {{C|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20131227061805/http://www.toonzone.net/2013/10/nycc-2013-arthur-aardvark-ages-panel-wonderful-time-day/ archived page]<!--; retrieved December 27, 2013-->}}</ref> Like many other recurring extras, Maria was given a name for the storyboard artists' convenience. On [[:File:Mr. Ratburn's Class Modelsheet.JPG|one reference sheet]] from 1996, she is labelled "#2 Maria".<ref name=classmodelsheet>Earwig (February 9, 2013). [http://elwoodcitycentral.createaforum.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=88.0;attach=88 Arthur class size comparison.pdf] (PDF; must be logged in to view). [http://elwoodcitycentral.createaforum.com/arthur-characters/the-named-characters-speculation/msg899/#msg899 "Re: The Named Characters Speculation". Reply #9]. ''Elwood City Central Forum''. Create a Forum. Retrieved September 21, 2013. {{C|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20140917052006/http://elwoodcitycentral.createaforum.com/arthur-characters/the-named-characters-speculation/msg899/#msg899 archived page]; retrieved September 17, 2014}}</ref> Maria is likely named after someone who worked at [[Cinar]] at the time.<ref name=ecccomicconreply />
[[File:Class Names.JPG|thumb|left|Maria's name, in "[[MacFrensky]]"]]

Maria's given name appeared in written form in "[[Arthur's Number Nightmare]]" (2009). However, the context of this episode could not narrow down the name to this character. "[[MacFrensky]]", which aired the next day in the U.S., proved that the last unnamed girl in Mr. Ratburn's class was Maria. The ''Arthur'' crew has since confirmed this on social media<ref>Arthur (December 28, 2012). "[https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=137197789771210&set=o.43562115202&type=3&theater&notif_t=like&notif_id=1454782537086306 That's Maria. She's in my class at Lakewood Elementary]". Facebook. Retrieved December 28, 2012. {{C|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20150305235810/https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=137197789771210&comment_id=118476 archived page]; retrieved March 5, 2015}}</ref> and at live appearances.<ref name="toonzone"/>

Maria's surname, Pappas, first appeared in written form in "[[The Last Day]]", airing in the U.S. on May 23, 2016. A day later, it was confirmed in dialogue of "[[Maria Speaks]]".
<!--
===Minor speaking roles===
Maria is the final student in Mr. Ratburn's class not to have a solo speaking role in the TV series.

On several occasions, she had spoken when everyone was talking at once, therefore making her words indistinct.<ref name="Buster's Dino Dilemma" /><ref name="The Squirrels" /> Because she is usually in the background, she is often too far away to be heard over the main characters' dialogue.<ref name="Based on a True Story" /><ref name="That's a Baby Show!">"[[That's a Baby Show!]]"</ref> Other times, she has spoken in unison with other people. While the words are clear, the sound of her voice is not.<ref name="Francine Frensky, Superstar" /><ref name="Tipping the Scales" /><ref name="The Last Day" />
Some language dubs of {{Arthur}} have made changes not present in the English version. In the Hebrew dub of "[[Buster Makes the Grade (episode)|Buster Makes the Grade]]", Maria says "ow!" when the crumpled paper ball hits her head.<ref>"[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kahQJLd9Lc ארתור - בסטר ישאר כיתה?]". Retrieved August 14, 2015.</ref> In the original version, she remains silent.-->

At [[Arthur: Aardvark for the Ages|New York Comic Con]] in October 2013, [[Peter K. Hirsch]] mentioned Alex and Maria by name.<ref name="toonzone"/> The ARTHUR Facebook page added, "[...] we may hear from them in the future".<ref name="comiccon2013highlights" /> An episode featuring Maria was announced May 9, 2014.<ref name="Twitter s19">@ArthurRead (May 9, 2014). "[https://twitter.com/ArthurRead/statuses/464891342078742528/ Maria will be featured in her very own episode in Season 19. Stay tuned :)]". Twitter. Retrieved May 12, 2014. {{C|[https://web.archive.org/web/20140927224333/https://twitter.com/ArthurRead/statuses/464891342078742528/ archived page]; retrieved September 27, 2014}}</ref> Its title, "[[Maria Speaks]]", was revealed May 2015.<ref name="KET">KET (May 1, 2015). "[http://www.ket.org/tvschedules/episode.php?nola=ARUR++001906 KET - Arthur - Maria Speaks/Postcards from Binky]". KET. Retrieved May 2, 2015. {{C|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20150502181024/http://www.ket.org/tvschedules/episode.php?nola=ARUR++001906 archived page]}}</ref> The episode aired May 24, 2016 on [[PBS Kids]].

===Depiction in other media===
{{missing|book history}}
[[File:LB Maria.png|right|thumb|75px|Maria in ''[[Arthur's Teacher Trouble (game)|Arthur's Teacher Trouble]]'']]

*In the [[Living Books]] computer games that are based on the books, Maria had a light yellow complexion and brown hair in ''[[Arthur's Teacher Trouble (game)|Arthur's Teacher Trouble]]''. When the player clicks on the poster behind her, the drawing comes to life and looks between Maria's ears. Clicking on Maria herself makes her say, "I thought I'd win," which was her first distinct speaking line ever. It is unknown exactly who voiced her, since the voice actors for minor characters were listed together with no distinction.

*[[Postcards from Buster]]

*A [[Arthur puzzles (Fortune East Group)#Arthur's Eyes|puzzle]] produced by [[Fortune East Group]] depicts Maria with a white complexion and blonde hair.

==Quotes==<!--
{{See also|#Minor speaking roles|l1=Maria Pappas § Minor speaking roles}}-->
Note: These do not include quotes from "[[Maria Speaks]]" or "[[Binky Can't Always Get What He Wants]]".
;Quotes by Maria
{{Boxquote|text=I thought I'd win.|saidby=Maria|reference=''[[Arthur's Teacher Trouble (game)|Arthur's Teacher Trouble]]''}}
{{Boxquote|text=We don't believe it!|saidby=[[Alex]], [[Fern Walters|Fern]], and Maria|reference="[[Francine Frensky, Superstar]]"}}
;Quotes about Maria
{{Boxquote|text=If you say that again you're going to get it!|saidby=[[Francine Frensky|Francine]] to Maria|reference="[[Francine Goes to War]]"}}

==Gallery==
{{Main|Maria Pappas/Gallery}}

{{See also|:Category:Images of Maria Pappas}}

==Notes and references==
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[[Category:Rabbits]]
[[Category:Female]]
[[Category:Pappas family]]
[[Category:Kids]]
[[Category:3rd Graders]]
[[Category:Mr. Ratburn's Students]]
[[Category:Brown hair]]
[[Category:Original Characters]]
[[Category:Characters]]
[[Category:A to Z]]
[[Category:Characters with medical conditions]]
[[Category:Secondary Characters]]