Personal Essay: Entering High School

My whole life I have been invested in doing what I love, focusing on my true passions, as well as finding new ones. I have been very involved in my high school, and have been lucky enough to be a part of multiple clubs and activities. Without these activities, my high school experience and life would be a lot different. I have been an active drama club member, a part of ‘Bottlecappers,’ a club advocating anti-drug, alcohol, and bullying to younger students in my district, and many other community service opportunities. I am lucky to have the opportunity to be in these activities, as they have shaped me to be the young adult I am today.

My life flipped for the better once I left the 8th grade, it was finally summer time and I was ready for it. But deep down I knew once summer was over high school here I come. I won't even lie, I was terrified to start as a freshman in high school. All of the rumors that I heard with baby freshman day, and all the stuff they do to freshmens on the first day of school. To be honest I was really nervous, instead of a couple butterflies in my stomach I had the whole family flying around. But once the first day of high school came up all those rumors that everyone was telling me was actually a lie. High school wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. As my freshman year went on a lot of doors opened up for me, there were sports, clubs, new people to me, everything you could possible think of. I didn't really get into sports as much as all of my friends, I was more into video games and playing outside in the woods just adventuring finding old vintage things and old buildings and all of the beautiful views. My freshman year wasn't really too special, I was too busy figuring out what everything was and where everything was located at. Then my sophomore year came along this is where I started to get the foundation of high school and blend in. everything kinda went downhill I made good grades don't get wrong, it's just I never showed up which I regret miserably. Once I got to my junior year everything is still constantly changing, a lot more people know of me. I was never

I came into my audition only auditioning for the ensemble, leaving the audition I ended up receiving the titular role of Pippin. There was also a dance audition, where we were asked to learn the choreography to All that Jazz from the musical Chicago, this was a challenging experience because I have had no professional dance training but I ended up doing very well and responding well to the choreographer and her teachings. This whole process helped me to develop my confidence and social skills. The auditions were the most like professional auditions I’ve ever attended, and therefore allowed me to better understand what the real musical theatre industry is like and give me a taste of what it would be like if I continued onto large productions. I was very lucky to receive the lead role, as I didn’t even audition for it, despite not seeing this at the time. There was a long break between auditions and the beginning of rehearsals, almost three weeks. This seemed like a very long period of time due to not being able to tell any of my fellow cast mates that I had received a

I would be the only fourth grader to attain a lead role featuring my own solo. It was an incredible feat because I never thought I could achieve the role against such tremendous competition. I was dedicated to performing perfectly spending hours rehearsing both in and out of school. From then on, I knew I could achieve anything as long as I had dedication and perseverance by my side. The following year, I went on to be Belle from Beauty and the Beast and when that spotlight was gleaming, I was at home. My directors, Ms. Qualshie and Mrs. Badillo, had been remarkable examples guiding me to be a cooperative team player. Every role had a purpose allowing us to work as a well-oiled

I participated in the Lion King Musical put on by D.C, Everest. My part was in the ensemble.

Along with my role as an Executive Producer, I was heavily involved in the theater department at my high school. When most people

When I read the audition scene, I was immediately drawn to how amazing the script was! Also, in my audition scene, I had to play piano, which I have been doing since I was four, so I believe that was an advantage for me.

Working on Makena Costlow’s AP Rain or Shine was a truly valuable experience for me, as I had never worked as a First or Second Assistant Director before, and I was able to gain a better understanding of why these positions are so important. Additionally, through my own work and my interactions with other crew members, I learned what a great deal about what it takes to keep a set running smoothly along with what kinds of attitudes are important for keeping the crew happy and enjoying their work.

In my younger years I was highly involved in show choir and school productions. Any way I could get on stage and strut my stuff I would take it. My sixth grade year of elementary school, the year before I would make the massive leap into middle school, I decided I would perform in my final production. The play was Aladdin and I had my eye on the role for the Genie and I wanted this role so much. I practiced this role day and night from singing to dancing to even some impressions anything that would ensure my little mind that I would get the part.

We all have different kinds of the first day of school experiences, but for every student, I feel that stepping into the first day of school as a freshman would mark as the most memorable day in all high school years. Before the first day of school, I quickly thought that my freshman year would turn into the toughest and saddest year in my experience. My best friend would not attend the same high school with me, which already gives me many conclusions of how sad and hard of a school year it would result. However, maybe things will turn out differently than we think if we just change something about our way of living it.

Then, it all fell apart. My teacher had left, she didn't tell anyone she was leaving. People cried, whined, and complained. We went through a million substitute teachers, some of them even quit. One of our subs. had a catchphrase of “Stop visiting!”. She looked like a baboon that had its banana taken away. There were a lot more terrible subs, and room 9 was sick of them, but that year I didn't chicken out of play auditions. I didn't know why but I got a sudden burst of confidence. I auditioned for The Music Man and I believe I did amazingly. I got a decent part as Ethel Toffelmeir. She was a pick a little lady and had a speaking and singing role. I was very excited.

The theatre department put on their second musical ever: In The Heights. I auditioned for the musical because musicals are rare as a result of them being extremely expensive to put on and I wanted the experience. I

“I regard the theatre as the greatest of all art forms, the most immediate way in which a human being can share with an other the sense of hat it is to be a human being,” said Oscar Wilde. This quote pretty much wraps up how I feel about the theatre, because not only does it combine all the art forms, it displays life’s true feeling. This notion is the precise reasoning that has led me to aspire to continue with theatre for my entire life. Thus being said, I believe that I have the qualifications, strength of candidacy, and future goals needed to do a fantastic job as student director.

Set Design was my first choice, followed by Costumes, and finally Stage Lighting. Much to my dismay, I was assigned to the lighting crew. Though disappointed, I tried to stay open-minded. I knew nothing about lighting, but followed the slogan which kept repeating in my head: "Dare to fail...."

To some, four years seems like a long time, but for me the past four years have flown by. In these quick four years, so much has changed and yet so much is exactly the same. You still go to school with most of the same people. You walk into the same familiar building and say hello to most of the same teachers. During these four years I have lost some friends, but I have gained real ones, which is one of the most important things to me. My outlook on life has changed. I have become a more open and understanding person and I have learned many valuable life lessons. I have made many great memories and I have learned to appreciate everything I have because nothing is permanent. My journey through high school is like a plane ride. It takes off freshman year and I go on a long, and sometimes bumpy, journey to get to my final destination. Even though in many ways I am still the same person as the one that walked through those school doors as a freshman, I have also changed in order to try to become the best version of myself and get to my final destination.