Who Am I?

I don't think it's unusual for people to say that their families have a big influence on who they are.  That is certainly true for me.  It makes sense.  It's bound to happen when you've spent the majority of your childhood with them.  My parents instilled many of my values and beliefs within me.  But they've also given me the freedom to develop my own worldview, even if it differs from their own.  I sometimes wonder if I would be as liberal or as open minded as I am were it not for them.  Then I look at my more conservative friends and think the same thing.  Perhaps if my parents were conservative or theirs were liberal our positions would be completely reversed.  And that right vs. left mindset is something that I'll carry with me for the rest of my life.   That's just an example of the huge effect parents can have.  I've been thinking about that a lot lately, in light of the upcoming election.

Theatre is also a huge part of my life.  It's something I really love to do, especially with the community I've found in Cape and Sword (the drama society at the Prep).  During the school year Cape and Sword takes up the majority of my time.  The people in Cape and Sword are my second family.  The Prep theatre is my home away from home.  It has taught me about dedication, community, resiliency, respect, loyalty, and love.  Frankly, I can't even begin to imagine my high school career, or my life, for that matter, without the Cape and Sword.

Finally, my interfaith work and my experiences with other religions and cultures have made a huge impact on my life.  Most directly, they've affected what I want to do professionally.  As a senior, I am now applying to colleges (ahhhhhh).  Largely due to of Face to Face and incredible people I met there, I'm applying to schools as a comparative theology major (or religious studies, depending on the school), with a focus on the middle east. I can't express how important I believe interfaith collaboration and understanding is as a tool for social change, both in our own communities, and around the world.  Additionally, Face to Face has really changed and expanded my view of the world, something for which I will be eternally grateful.