On August 16, 2021, the first day of my freshman year, I was a shy and introverted person. I was still getting used to being around such a large community at a new school. I’d spent almost half of my middle school years completely on Zoom, and for a person already uncomfortable with making friends, I felt overwhelmed by my first few months at SHC.
I still wanted to immerse myself in the school community, so I joined the SHC Orchestra and attended meetings for various clubs to see what stuck. Eventually, I decided to stay with two clubs that felt right for me: Lasallian Vincentian Youth (LVY) and The Emerald. These are the communities that have most shaped my life at SHC.
In my sophomore year, I led my first-ever LVY event. I helped lead the Older Adults program, where I set up events for SHC students and the elderly to do crafts and other fun activities together. But for a first-time leader, I was definitely way more stressed than excited to be the one everyone listened to. I thought to myself: Did I have what it took to be someone people could rely on?
It turns out that I did! I was able to give instructions for the arts and crafts, lead everyone to the right event venue, and help make Older Adults a positive and community-building experience for everyone who attended.
In junior year, I took on my most challenging Emerald article yet – a clear, unbiased perspective of the rapidly escalating Israel-Hamas war. Even today, the conflict is fast-developing and emotionally charged for people on both sides. While writing, I had to make sure I was using reliable sources, giving a balanced perspective, and checking constantly for new updates and information about the war.
Finally, after my article was published on the Emerald’s website, I could breathe easy. However, I wasn’t prepared for all the compliments and positive feedback I got from the other writers and club moderators about my article. I’m happy I was able to provide a great piece on such an important global issue.
As a senior, I had the opportunity to perform “Snow on the Beach” by Taylor Swift and Lana Del Rey in a quartet for the winter Instrumental Music concert. This was my first time ever performing in a quartet, and as the player with the main part, I had to lead everyone. I was also a bit uncomfortable with the playing style required of me, since I’d always imagined “Snow on the Beach” to have a mellow, calm sound – not a loud, more powerful sound that needed to be projected toward the audience.
During our after-school rehearsals, I struggled with trying to combine the two visions for the song into my violin playing. I also found it difficult to be the “main” voice of the quartet. However, my years of experience in the SHC Orchestra taught me that music isn’t always easy – it sometimes takes painstaking practice and effort to achieve something great. Both nights, while performing, I was able to create a sound I was proud of – loud but not too brash, graceful but not too timid.
Over four years at SHC, I’ve learned so much about myself. I’ve grown from the shy person I once was into someone more confident, even if I still feel a bit uncomfortable leading people. I’ve realized that effort, combined with passion and energy, can create lasting memories. SHC has shaped me into a better person.
