If there’s anything I’ve learned in high school, it’s that sometimes you find joy in the most unexpected of places.
Going into my freshman year, dance was my life. The studio was my second home, and my world revolved around it. By the time sophomore year rolled around, I realized something needed to change, but when I finally made the decision to cut back, I felt like I’d lost a part of myself. I wasn’t sure where I fit anymore. Having poured so much time and energy into dance, I had missed out on connecting with my high school community, and it began to feel like it was too late to find my place.
Then, one day, on a whim, I decided to audition for the spring musical. I had no idea what I was doing, but something told me to go for it. And from that first audition, I never looked back.
On the EGR stage, I found that missing part of myself. I got to continue doing something I love so much with people I grew to cherish. Rather than resenting my high school experience as one where I had missed out, I began to make the most of the time I still had left.
Looking back, I realize that those moments of doubt, those moments where I wondered if I would ever truly feel like I belonged, were necessary. They pushed me toward the path that led to this extraordinary community. High school is fleeting, and there will always be regrets – things you wish you had done differently, opportunities you missed. For me, that was not joining theatre earlier. But I’ve come to understand that the beauty of life lies in the unexpected twists and turns. Even if we think we’ve missed out, there’s always the chance to start something new, to discover a part of ourselves we didn’t even know was there.
When I think back on high school, I will choose to look back on my experience with pride and gratitude. Not only for all the laughs, good times, and moments of success I had, but for the courage I found to step into the unknown and the strength I gained by pushing through the tough times that led me to where I am now. It wasn’t always easy, but along the way, I found lifelong friendships both within and outside of theater, and in that process, I also found my passion for something I never thought I’d be a part of – Journalism. The Vision helped me understand the world in a different way, and through it, I found a voice I didn’t even know I had.
The unexpected communities I found at East have become a defining part of who I am today. Through The Vision, I discovered not only a passion and a voice, but also the chance to step up and lead. My years in drama gave me a renewed sense of purpose and reminded me that there’s so much good in the world -sometimes it just takes a second, and the right people, to help you see it.
