I'm a privileged white female from the suburbs... or well, that's what everyone thinks when they see me. I hear other students talk about how their parents don't make enough money then say I wouldn't understand, even though my mum can't get a job and our sole income is from a 40% disability check from the VA (that's less that $18,000 per year). I hear other students talk about how their parents fight then say I couldn't comprehend it, even though my mum was arrested for physical assault when I was eight. I hear other students talk about how poor their relationships are with their parents then tell me it's something I wouldn't know, even though my dad left and my mum almost killed herself. Man, and that's not even all of it. Of course, I don't know the full extent of what it is like to be shunned by society, but it leaves a jabbing pain in my soul when my peers say I could not possibly understand what they are facing. Don't get me wrong, it's not like I'm too distraught over all that has happened in my life, I think hardships are things everyone are bound to face because we are living, breathing, feeling things. If it was all easy, then how could we grow? For me, all of my struggles gave me maturity and outlook. They gave me the opportunity to become someone who is resilient. They gave me the ability to forgive and to be patient. Because of the adversity in my life, I've became someone who is capable of anything I put my mind to, since I know that if I was able to overcome what has came, I will be sure to overcome what will come. Jack Terry's story inspires me in that through all he's faced, he not only got back to his feet, but also shared his story to inspire others too keep moving forward. Granted, it takes work, and Mr. Terry did just that. His education, his military rankings, and his family didn't just come out of thin air, he earned it. In reminds me of my mother in a sense too. She came to this country, not knowing a lick of English and having no money, yet through her work in the fruit fields of California and later in the military as a marine, she was able to get an education and a steady income so that my sister and I could have a better life than she did. To me, I know I have to keep working hard to honor her efforts, but to also honor the efforts of everyone else who has persistently strove to do something meaningful in their lives. In my life, I want to continue pursuing art, but more specifically music, since I was fortunate enough to be able to learn how to play the saxophone. Because of the serendipity music produced in my life, I was able to become the outgoing, auspicious, and uplifting young lady I am today. Going into my adulthood, I plan on creating music that helps people get through life and inspired them to keep on. I also plan on teaching music whenever I get the opportunity to since music is something that can bring opportunity for a better life to those in need of it. There is a lot of tradition and soul searching that music provides, and the community is generally welcoming and loving, so I'd gladly welcome everyone into it. In all, I hope to leave a positive impact in other's lives through my work.

I still remember the glisten of it when my sister first opened the case she brought home. Since my sister was a flutist, I was intrigued as to why she had brought a large case home. I watched every movement as she put the instrument together until she played. At that moment, I swore that I was going to learn how to play saxophone. Fast forward to my freshman year, and I was a percussionist in marching band and saxophonist in the wind ensemble and jazz band. Nonetheless, I decided I was going to be the best musician and student I could be all year. When the second semester came, there was an event for my band program where students played as soloists or in chamber groups in front of judges. This excited me because it meant that I could get help on how to become a better musician. So, I signed up for four performances. Those four included an octet, a quintet, a duet, and a solo. I learned about how to balance volume depending on the different group sizes, the importance of having good tone, how to subdivide, and how to play musically. Then, at the end of the night, my band director asked me to come see him. There in his office was him, the assistant band director, and all four judges I played for. Then, they all congratulated me for working so hard throughout the day and taking advantage of the opportunity to not only share my music but expand upon it. But, not everything came so easy, later that year, I had to quit playing percussion and switch to marching tuba.I was no longer enjoying the people I was with because they were drama-queens and the tuba section needed more numbers. Et voila, I was learning a new instrument. This came with a challenge. I’m a woodwind player and tuba is a brass instrument so the mechanics and the embouchure are different. But, after a lot of practice, I was able to play well and easily switch between the two. While it meant that I had to sacrifice half of my time I usually spent practicing saxophone, it helped me gain a better understanding of time management and expanded my capabilities as a musician, which came in handy my junior year. In my junior year, my school’s drama club decided they wanted a live band to play music for their musical. This responsibility was left to the jazz band. But, theatre music isn’t like jazz band at all. I had to learn two new instruments: flute and clarinet. Luckily, I already knew how to learn a new instrument because of my time as a tuba player, but this time I didn’t have four months to get good, I had a month. So, I hit the grind and every day after school I’d pick up either the flute or the clarinet and I’d start practicing. By the time the musical was in full motion, I was playing the part comfortably. In some songs I was playing saxophone, in others I was playing flute, some I had to play clarinet, but in most of the songs, I was switching between all three. While it took a lot of focus and effort, it was exciting and enjoyable, as well as a great learning experience for me. Now, I’m choosing to pursue a degree and a career in music. I would like to make my own music and teach. I know that it means I have to continue working hard, but it’s something I’m looking forward to accomplishing.