numero deux.

Going into my senior year of high school, I have done many noteworthy things throughtout my high school career. Music is something that is a huge and important part of my life, and I actually plan to become a music educator when I grow up so I can enstill my passion for music in children. all my life, I have always been one of the best clarinet players in my section, being named principle chair throughtout middle school, and that did not change when I entered high school. Only a freshman, I recieved higher scores during chair placements than a few seniors, and my sophomore and junior year I was named principle chair both times. I even held the ranking of upper woodwind captain for marching band for two years. Also in my sophomore and junior year I was selected to be part of the All City high school band which I was one of the top five clarinetists in the Omaha Public School district. Aside from all of my musical achievements, I also have demonstrated some leadership positions as well. I am a member of the National Honor Society and was the only junior to be elected to an officer position as Historian. Though I am pretty busy with other thinsg during the school year, I still make the room to play a varsity sport. I have played volleyball since middle school, and I have always been one of the more outgoing leaders on the team. Being the smallest one on the team, I play the libero and defensive specialist position, and I am the only one who is not afraid to get hurt and dive after everything on the gym floor. Though we may not have the best team, I love playing volleyball and I would not trade it for any other sport. As my senior year approaches, I plan to make sure that I stay the well rounded student that I aim to be.


Our world is not even close to being considered perfect. There are still so many people who are discriminated against just because of their race, gender, age, sexual orientation, and ability. Diversity and making sure everyone is accepted is an issue that I strive to make extinct. In March of 2007, I had the opportunity to miss two days of school to attend a camp called, IncluCity which was a camp designed to educate students on the issues of racism, sexism, hetero sexism, ageism, ableism, faithism, and all of the other things people everywhere are affected by. I was completely changed by this camp. Just those four days opened my eyes to so many new ways. I strongly believe that everyone who attended this camp with me, or the ones that followed could truly say that they are changed as well. The theme of the camp was "Get Your Eyes Checked", which I believe fit absolutely perfect. Everyone there when we first arrived was oblivious to the world through another person's eyes. And by the end, we are all one. Just one race - the human race. This lead me to become passionate about diversity, and that is one of the main things I look for in a college. I also wrote my Junior Research Paper on Gay Rights, and how I believe they are people, too and should not be treated like anything other than what they are, humans. And I believe this is true for everyone. Whether you're Christian, Buddhist, Atheist, Taoist, what have you, or just like to get up at 7am and sing silly camp songs, that camp changed my life, and it made me realize that the word "gay" is not a synonym for "stupid".


Though everyone may say this, I really do mean it. My mother has been someone who has been an extreme influence on me. She has inspired me in so many ways, and I am very thankful to still have her in my life. In 1998, my mom endured some terrible events. I remember quite vividly the day her father died, and I cannot fathom how she felt at that moment. Later that same year, my mom found out she was pregnant with my little sister, which was kind of a surprise but yet something that was greatly needed. After my sister was born in mid July of 1999, my found noticed she had a strange lump on her neck. Not thinking anything of it, my mom just thought maybe she had pulled a muscle during the childbirth. So one day she headed out to the doctor and she was diagnosed with Hodgkin 's Disease, which is a type of cancer. She had to go through radiation and chemo therapy, and was very very sick. but she eventually got better, and it's been almost 10 years now. She's now cancer free and doing better than ever. The things that happened to my mother really showed me that a little hope, love, and optimism, and determination can get you through anything. And that attitude has made me the person I am today.


I am still sort of undecided about which college I would like to attend. But I know that the one I do pick will be a perfect fit for me. The ones I am considering are very diverse, on the smaller side, and places I could really see myself. I believe I would be able to shine at any college, since I am pretty sure I am a professional at making the the best at every situation.

blog numero uno.

I honestly am having the time of my life by being involved in the Summer Scholars program. I have met some incredible people, and have rekindled a lot of relationships with friends who I have not seen in a while. I think this program is great because it gives us a real picture of what college is actually like, without holding out hands through the process.

I would have to say that the thing that motivates me the most I think would have to be all my friends and the time we ALL are willing to put out there so we all understand the material in our classes. Personally, I hate doing my homework or studying alone and it's great that I have people who are there with me.

I think the most challenging thing is taking the college class. It's not too different from taking an AP course, but it being condensed into 5 weeks makes it a lot tougher. I'm taking philosophy, and as one would probably assume, it's not the easiest thing in the world. And just taking it in summertime, the time when my mind is focused on friends, being barefoot, swimming, and sleeping in, that makes the challenge even harder.

Another thing, being a part of the program has also allowed me to break out of my shell. Around my friends at school, I'm pretty much the dork who is WAY too optimistic, and doesn't sweat the small stuff. And the week in residence helped me to become a TON more outgoing, and now I can happily call myself an extrovert. I've learned a lot about myself in the sense that I can just simply be, me. (As cliche as that sounds).

The team building exercises at Carol Joy Holling were a great start and end to the week. It establishes a little trust in your teammates and strengthens bonds. The planned activities we had each night were also a fantastic ending and each day and I looked forward to them!
Just like I'm amped for the rest of the summer!