![user profile avatar](https://static.bold.org/profilePictures/headshot9660074d8ef1405cbf0a9394117eecca.webp)
Hobbies and interests
Acting And Theater
Babysitting And Childcare
Baking
Band
Choir
Coaching
Dance
Flute
French
Girl Scouts
National Honor Society (NHS)
Orchestra
Volunteering
Spending Time With Friends and Family
Teaching
Theater
Singing
Tap Dancing
Ukulele
Anna Staltari
465
Bold Points1x
Finalist![user profile avatar](https://static.bold.org/profilePictures/headshot9660074d8ef1405cbf0a9394117eecca.webp)
Anna Staltari
465
Bold Points1x
FinalistBio
Hello! My name is Anna Staltari and I am a senior at Morris Knolls High School. I am a part of Morris County's Academy for the Performing Arts where I have been studying vocal performance for the past four years. Next year, I will begin my collegiate education at Skidmore College, and plan to pursue degrees in both Theater and English, as well as a minor in Arts Administration. In addition to the arts, I am very passionate about community service. I have been a Girl Scout for the past thirteen years, and have earned my Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards, making me the highest achieving rank possible. In my free time, I enjoy reading, baking, painting, playing with my dog, and spending time with my family.
Education
Morris Knolls High School
High SchoolMiscellaneous
Desired degree level:
Bachelor's degree program
Majors of interest:
- Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
- English Language and Literature, General
Career
Dream career field:
stage director/performer
Dream career goals:
Sports
Field Hockey
Junior Varsity2020 – 20222 years
Awards
- The Freshman Unsung Hero Award (2020) and The JV Most Improved Player Award (2021)
Arts
Van Hoven Music Studio
MusicAnnual Piano Recitals2019 – PresentGateway to the Arts
TheatreQueen Aggravain in "Once Upon A Mattress," Lucy in "You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown," and Plankton in "SpongeBob the Musical", Student of voice, a Capella, acting, Performer’s Prep, Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Contemporary, and Hip Hop2015 – PresentMorris Knolls Choir
MusicMember of the Advanced Concert Choir, Treble Choir, Chorale (auditioned based), and Madrigals (audition based)2020 – PresentMorris Knolls Thespian Society
TheatreLead/Grace Fryer in "Radium Girls," Lead/Helena in "A Midsummer Night’s Dream," Featured Ensemble in "Godspell," Ensemble in "Mamma Mia," and Ensemble in "The Drowsy Chaperone"2020 – Present
Public services
Volunteering
Project Lead (club at Morris Knolls High School) — President: Worked closely with faculty to plan events for the incoming class. Oversaw 70+ members of the club. Worked directly with the freshmen as a mentor, and tour guide.2020 – 2024Volunteering
Girl Scouts — Gold Award Girl Scout, Creator and Director of Arts For All2022 – PresentVolunteering
Denville Polar Plunge — Vocal Performance of the National Anthem at the start of the event2019 – 2024Volunteering
Ayers/Knuth Farm Foundation — Assists customers with Christmas tree purchases by wrapping trees and tying them to car roofs to raise money for the historical preservation of the local farm.2018 – 2023Volunteering
Denville HUB Challenger Soccer — A peer mentor to guide/encourage students with various challenges and disabilities to participate in activities and games. This includes things such as soccer drills, warm ups, and scrimmages.2017 – 2023
Future Interests
Volunteering
Philanthropy
Entrepreneurship
Commitment to Excellence Scholarship
For the longest time, I thought I’d go into a career in Public Relations. I didn’t know exactly what this meant or what the job entailed, but I knew that it came up in Google when I searched what jobs were both fun, and paid well. These things were important to me because I love to perform, but I had heard many times before that there was a very little chance of finding a stable job in the arts. But how could I find fulfillment and motivation doing work that I didn’t feel passionate about?
After several years contemplating this internal conflict, I have come to the conclusion that in life, everyone has a calling. In chasing after our goals, and pursuing our greatest passions, we are able to fulfill this calling, and inspire others along the way. In this same regard, to me, “One Heart, One Beat” is a quote that stands for following dreams. It’s a message of self empowerment, and a reminder of the strength that we have, as individuals, to do what we love while also making a difference in the world. Additionally, it’s the recognition of everyone else as individuals, with their own personal goals and motivators; it is embracing all of the things that make us different. Effectively, “One Heart, One Beat,” is what makes us who we are, and how we choose to define our life’s purpose.
All this being said, I no longer plan on earning a degree in Public Relations. In fact, theater has always been my greatest passion, and that is what I want to pursue. From performing, to watching a show, to staging scenes, everything about the art feels extremely magical to me, and while thinking about my future, it is hard to picture my life without it. In applying the quote, “One Heart, One Beat” to my own life, it could be said that theater is what gives my heart its beat. For example, one of the most influential experiences in my life thus far, that has given me my greatest sense of purpose, was my creation of an inclusive performing arts program. This class, which I designed to give children with various challenges the opportunity to participate in musical theater, showed me how powerful the arts can be in forming connections with other people. It was such a rewarding feeling to share doing the thing that I love the most with others, and to first hand see how new confidence, friendships, and memories were formed. Being able to directly see the positive impact I had on the participants lives’ through the community that was formed, felt like taking a giant step towards achieving my goals and dreams.
As I work toward an eventual career, I strive to continue to pursue this passion in a variety of different ways. Above all else, I feel drawn to the prospect of keeping theater and performance alive in future generations, and for all people regardless of what makes us different. I want to write and direct shows that not only allow others to fulfill their own passions, but that tell meaningful, important stories. In this way, the quote, “One Heart, One Beat” means to me that while each, individually we are just one person with a dream, in joining together, we as a society, have the power to do anything. That is a prospect that for me, no amount of money could compete with.