My passion for choral music began in high school when I was admitted into the Advanced Women's (or Treble Voices) Ensemble. I wasn't new to music, but singing was a completely new area of study for me. I found a great deal of comfort and support in this class from the women that sang with me. The primary purpose of choirs and other musical ensembles is to make music collaboratively, but the lesser recognized purpose is to build community. Community is facilitated by both artistic directors and individual members who are committed to each other as well as their craft. This choir was a safe space for personal expression, and we often shared with each other our joys and struggles. The group became very close-knit, especially when we had to transition into a virtual setting due to social-distancing restrictions. Some of people that supported me included my director, my section leaders, and friends. In the two years I was part of the ensemble, I grew musically and personally. To this day, I credit Mrs. Hilland, my director, with boosting my confidence and allowing me to pursue my musical endeavors. Sara, one of the section leaders, is still one of my close friends. Some of my favorite memories are coaching rehearsals with her and organizing Galentines Day activities focused on positive affirmations. As I continue my education, I realize how important it is for women to have their own spaces, whether it is in their field or not. Now that I am without a women's choir, I am motivated to begin one when I complete my music degree, whether it is in a school or in my community. I have seen firsthand how women's choirs offer mental health support, socialization opportunities, and personal growth. The world is growing seemingly more hectic every day, and these offerings are increasingly important. A beautiful part of the music world is how connected it is- naturally, choirs will meet at least weekly, but they often mix with other ensembles to share music and collaborate together. Many choruses are involved with organizations that hold conferences, fundraise for scholarships, and run concert series. Essentially, it is my goal to offer a space for women to make music and friendships to support them through their lives, despite the liklihood of their careers and endeavors shadowing their voices.

For me, school and mental health are in no way mutually exclusive. I am one of thousands of women in school that are burdened with anxiety, depression, and sleep disorders whilst juggling challenging courses, work, and home life. Despite the toll it can take, I am committed to persevering through each day to better myself academically and personally. The main ways in which my mental health impacts me are reducing my energy and motivation, as well as inhibiting my focus and organization. These effects can add up quickly when I don't have a plan to combat them, and result in my academics dropping and my personal life getting messy. I employ a number of proactive strategies to account for the possibility of low points throughout each week and semester. Somethings that are helpful in keeping me on task and organized are my planning and calendar apps for my phone. Instead of my phone tempting me to doomscroll or binge-watch, I am encouraged to be productive. One app in particular, Habitica, is a gamified app to promote productivity. I can create tasks and checklists to complete for points, redeemable for in-game rewards. I use two separate calendars to separate home and school, and the visual aid is helpful when I need to sort my priorities. Another way I set myself up for success is by keeping my space clean. I use Habitica to set up a weekly cleaning itinerary; when my habitat is clean, my mind is, too. This includes decluttering, taking out trash, dusting, and more. Since mental health can take a toll on immunity and physical health, it is important to me that I have a healthy living space. This poses less of a distraction when I need to sit down and work on assignments. Should I have any kind of bad spell with my health, I know my room will be one less thing to worry about. A typical day for me involves waking up early for school, attending my classes, heading to work, and coming home in the evening to do homework and self-care. I am usually relatively drained by the end of the day, and don't have any inclination to cook or adequately wind down before sleep. I minimize this occurence by using my days off to the fullest- usually resting, taking care of appointments, and prepping snacks or meals to get me through the next week. Now, after work I can just heat up some pasta and have a better mindset to undertake my responsibilities. As much as planning brings me some structure and peace of mind, it isn't ultimately enough for me. I made the choice to seek therapy and medication to help regulate myself. Despite my best efforts, sometimes I miss assignments or come to class late as a result of being overwhelmed. Other times, I opt out of social gatherings from burnout, or neglect to take care of myself the way I should. However, since I started implementing my methods, my mood has improved, and I am more successful than I was previously. By prioritizing my mental health, I prioritize both my academic success and the quality of my personal life.

My passion for choral music began in high school when I was admitted into the Advanced Women's (or Treble Voices) Ensemble. I wasn't new to music, but singing was a completely new area of study for me. I found a great deal of comfort and support in this class from the women that sang with me. The primary purpose of choirs and other musical ensembles is to make music collaboratively, but the lesser recognized purpose is to build community. Community is facilitated by both artistic directors and individual members who are committed to each other as well as their craft. This choir was a safe space for personal expression, and we often shared with each other our joys and struggles. The group became very close-knit, especially when we had to transition into a virtual setting due to social-distancing restrictions. Some of people that supported me included my director, my section leaders, and friends. In the two years I was part of the ensemble, I grew musically and personally. To this day, I credit Mrs. Hilland, my director, with boosting my confidence and allowing me to pursue my musical endeavors. Sara, one of the section leaders, is still one of my close friends. Some of my favorite memories are coaching rehearsals with her and organizing Galentines Day activities focused on positive affirmations. As I continue my education, I realize how important it is for women to have their own spaces, whether it is in their field or not. Now that I am without a women's choir, I am motivated to begin one when I complete my music degree, whether it is in a school or in my community. I have seen firsthand how women's choirs offer mental health support, socialization opportunities, and personal growth. The world is growing seemingly more hectic every day, and these offerings are increasingly important. A beautiful part of the music world is how connected it is- naturally, choirs will meet at least weekly, but they often mix with other ensembles to share music and collaborate together. Many choruses are involved with organizations that hold conferences, fundraise for scholarships, and run concert series. It is my goal to direct a choir that holds such values close, since I have so greatly benefitted from them. Essentially, it is my goal to offer a space for women to make music and friendships to support them through their lives, despite the liklihood of their careers and endeavors shadowing their voices.

I am currently a third-year student as a vocal music major at my local community college, and something that interests me is the community I have in the field of music, across the world and particularly in my city. My career of choice is a profession of choral directing in public schools and community ensembles. I have been a musician my entire life. In elementary school, my grandma volunteered her time to teach recorder lessons and other introductory music. You could always hear her coming down the hall with her cart full of auxiliary percussion clanging and jingling as she walked. It was in my early childhood that I learned some of the fundamentals of music, but it would be years later before I understood the impact music has on people. One year, my grandma was recognized as my school district’s Volunteer of the Year in honor of her influence on hundreds of students. I have current friends that remember her coming to their classroom, and reminisce on how positive she was and how much of her time she gave. Some years later, she was a panelist for auditions at a local talent show. She told me that one participant was shocked to see her at the judges table, nearly fifteen years after she had mentored them on flute. The former student explained that she had only been prepared for her auditions and career choice because of the guidance she received. I continue to see how people like her make up the fabric of musical communities in so many schools and ensembles. In my senior year of high school and my first year of college, I auditioned for and was awarded a scholarship for vocal music by my city’s master chorale. With their generous assistance, I have been able to alleviate financial stress from tuition costs and school choir dues.The chorale’s leadership committee also subsidized my membership dues, giving me greater performance opportunities than I usually had in school. The ensemble was made up primarily of seniors with a love for music, and each rehearsal I could see how passionate they were about young musicians. Their fundraising efforts and ticket proceeds directly benefitted their scholarships, and thus directly benefitted me. I was shocked to learn that my late great grandfather was once the chorale’s director, and honored to carry on the tradition of arts in my city. I am hopeful that I will one day pursue leadership in the chorale, or foster another ensemble with the same mission of serving the community through music. Recently, I started a job as a music instructor at an assisted living facility for seniors, particularly those with memory impairments. It is very rewarding to spend time listening and dancing to some of their favorite songs and watch their faces light up. After each lesson, I talk briefly with each individual. Time after time, they express how glad they are they decided to attend the class, and how lovely the music was. One woman made my day by telling me she found the afternoon both educational and entertaining. This job has been very eye opening as to how important music is to all generations. I believe that music is important to our society because of the joy and community it provides for people of all ages. I have experienced this joy firsthand, and seen it take on many forms for the people around me.

I am currently a third-year student as a vocal music major at my local community college, and something that interests me is the community I have in the field of music, across the world and particularly in my city. My career of choice is a profession of choral directing in public schools and community ensembles. I have been involved in the world of music since I was very young- my grandmother was an elementary music educator, and she taught me how to read music and play the flute. After she retired, she volunteered her time at the schools in my district, teaching the recorder and having general music sessions with kindergarten kids. One year, she was recognized as the district’s volunteer of the year for her impact on hundreds of students. Some years later, she was a panelist for auditions of a local talent show. She told me that one participant was so shocked to see her at the judges table, fifteen years after she had mentored them. Today, she is fully retired, but still a contributing member to the music scene in my city. I am proud to follow in her footsteps as a music educator, and I am eager to work with public school programs. My grandma, as well as my city’s music programs, are a huge inspiration to me in regards to community service. In my senior year of high school and my first year of college, I auditioned for and was awarded a scholarship for vocal music by my city’s master chorale. The chorale’s leadership committee subsidized my membership dues, giving me greater performance opportunities than I had in school. The ensemble was made up primarily of seniors with a love for music, and each rehearsal I could see how passionate they were about young musicians. Their fundraising efforts and ticket proceeds directly benefitted their scholarships, and directly benefitted me. I was shocked to learn that my late great grandfather was once the chorale’s director, and honored to carry on the tradition of arts in my city. With their generous assistance, I have been able to alleviate financial stress from tuition costs and school choir dues. I am hopeful that I will one day pursue leadership in the chorale, or foster another ensemble with the same mission of serving the community through music. As previously mentioned, I attend a public community college full time. Our program is very strong due to support from our school’s president and positive reception from families and musicians around our region, and resultingly, I have traveled to several states and countries for choral conferences and festival performances. In each city, I have been touched by the joy and unity musicians share with each other. Over the last few years, I have worked several part-time and gig jobs whilst studying full-time. I am staying at my community college two years longer than is traditional due to tuition expenses, the cost of living away from home, and an eagerness to expand on my musicianship before transfer auditions. Most of my time is spent working, studying, and resting, but I feel very accomplished and optimistic for the future. I am incredibly grateful for my community and everything I have been able to learn and experience with this support. I am enthusiastic for my future career and volunteer efforts, and I hope to make an even bigger impact on my community than it has made on me.

I have been a musician my entire life. My grandmother fostered my love for music when I was very young; she taught me how to read and perform music. Her passion extended into volunteering in my classes as a music teacher, and I have been heavily inspired by her to pursue sharing music in schools and communities. For several years, I played the flute in school ensembles. In my sophomore year of high school, I joined choir for the first time and developed my love for singing. At this time, I am in my sixth year of studying voice since I first joined choir in anticipation of a career in choral education. Choir has been a creative outlet of immense importance to me. In high school, I participated in all four choral ensembles, and served as a section leader in three of the four. I also served as the program’s co-president with one of my dear friends and fellow section leader, which taught me a lot about the behind-the-scenes of the work I wanted to pursue. My director was thoroughly supportive of my ambitions, and she encouraged me to take on voice lessons and solo performances. The emphasis on team work and humility has helped shape me into the person I am today, and I aspire to embody the qualities my director impressed on me. I opted to attend a community college over a traditional four-year college or university due to financial reasons, which has paid off greatly. Five days a week, I study with professors and friends that contribute to my home-town music scene, and I receive dozens of opportunities to do the same. I have learned basic piano skills and advanced music theory, studies that I implement into my choral and solo performances. The music department is proud to offer weekly applied lessons for students in ensembles. My voice teacher is a huge reason for my progress as a musician. Prior to college, I didn’t have any experience in jazz music, but I knew I loved it. I grew up listening to some of the greats, and I loved exploring standards and new compositions. As a member of my school’s vocal jazz ensemble, I am always learning appropriate technique and style for jazz music. I took both Jazz Appreciation and Jazz Improvisation to build my knowledge in this subject. Everyone in my Jazz Improvisation class was an instrumentalist, and there was a little bit of a learning curve for me as a vocalist. I played what I could on a keyboard, and took thorough notes of different theory concepts and jazz language. I practiced singing different arpeggiated chords with solfège, and I became proficient with chord qualities and inversions. This class was fascinating, and listening to the instrumentalists helped me focus on my phrasing and originality. I have carried what I’ve learned from these classes into my vocal jazz ensemble, as well as some solo performances with school combos. I want to continue to study music so I can be prepared for teaching and performing in different environments. I often reflect on my progress by examining my musicianship when I first began singing in comparison to where I stand now. Without my music education, there is nearly no way I could have advanced as far as I have. I am passionate about the way music motivates people to improve, and the community it gives them in return. I aspire to be a music educator with a focus in vocal music, and I hope to perform in my region with various ensembles, including jazz combos and choirs.

I am currently a third-year student as a vocal music major at my local community college, and something that interests me is the community I have in the field of music, across the world and particularly in my city. I have been involved in the world of music since I was very young- my grandmother was an elementary music educator, and she taught me how to read music and play the flute. After she retired, she volunteered her time at the schools in my district, teaching the recorder and having general music sessions with kindergarten kids. One year, she was recognized as the district’s volunteer of the year for her impact on hundreds of students. Some years later, she was a panelist for auditions of a local talent show. She told me that one participant was so shocked to see her at the judges table, fifteen years after she had mentored them. Today, she is fully retired, but still a contributing member to the music scene in my city. I am proud to follow in her footsteps as a music educator, and I am eager to work with public school programs. My grandma, as well as my city’s music programs, are a huge inspiration to me in regards to community service. In my senior year of high school and my first year of college, I auditioned for and was awarded a scholarship for vocal music by my city’s master chorale. The chorale’s leadership committee subsidized my membership dues, giving me greater performance opportunities than I had in school. The ensemble was made up primarily of seniors with a love for music, and each rehearsal I could see how passionate they were about young musicians. Their fundraising efforts and ticket proceeds directly benefitted their scholarships, and directly benefitted me. I was shocked to learn that my late great grandfather was once the chorale’s director, and honored to carry on the tradition of arts in my city. With their generous assistance, I have been able to alleviate financial stress from tuition costs and school choir dues. I am hopeful that I will one day pursue leadership in the chorale, or foster another ensemble with the same mission of serving the community through music. As previously mentioned, I attend a public community college full time. Our program is very strong due to support from our school’s president and positive reception from families and musicians around our region, and resultingly, I have traveled to several states and countries for choral conferences and festival performances. In each city, I have been touched by the joy and unity musicians share with each other. I am incredibly grateful for my community and everything I have been able to learn and experience with this support. I am enthusiastic for my future career and volunteer efforts, and I hope to make an even bigger impact on my community than it has made on me.

I have been a musician my entire life. In elementary school, my grandma volunteered her time to teach recorder and other introductory music. You could always hear her coming down the hall with her cart full of auxiliary percussion clanging and jingling as she walked. It was in my early childhood that I learned some of the fundamentals of music, but it also shaped my musicality. I soon moved from playing recorder to playing flute, and would continue to play in my school ensembles into part of high school. Just before the pandemic and its effects hit in my sophomore year, I had successfully auditioned for an advanced choir at my high school, the treble choir. I loved expressing myself with my voice in the choir- it was both deeply personal and profoundly collaborative. Suddenly, the collaborative element became muddy with the restrictions on in-person meetings. It took some time to adjust to the "new normal" of a virtual choir, but music became an anchor for my mental health by giving me a routine and a zeal. Choir was the highlight of my day, and made the rest of my classes and daily activities much less dreary. The next year, I was a member of the treble choir and the most-advanced chamber choir. Additionally, I was honored to be a section leader in the treble choir. Despite still being in a virtual setting, I was completely enamored with the choral art. I took a lot of pride in learning my part and helping others learn, too. The music was important, but even more important to me were the connections I had with other members. Oftentimes during sectionals, we would check in with each other and offer support however we could. By the next year, we were fully in-person for all campus activities, choir included. I continued working as a section leader, this time in the chamber choir. Almost everyone was new to the ensemble, and it was a major shift to go not only from a virtual to in-person setting, but also to move up to a new, more advanced group. Throughout the year, everybody was incredibly focused on giving their all and showing up for each other. We grew as musicians, and also as friends. Thinking back to my other classes, nothing else gave me even close to the same level of personal relationships. Mid-year, my director expressed that the pandemic had given her some doubts in her career and purpose. Her words resonated with me as I was in the middle of trying to select a major and apply for college. I realized how much of an impact her work had on me, personally and professionally. I had grown so much since my first year in choir, and I'd had several incredible performances and workshop opportunities over the years. I decided I would major in music with the end-goal of being a teacher like her- a kind, patient, and ardent lover of music and people. Flash forward to today, I am a community college music major involved in every vocal ensemble on campus. The choirs I sing in have traveled all around the world and across our state, performing at various festivals, concerts, and events. I work as the choral department's assistant, and I'm passionate about music, the people who sing it, and who we sing to. I anticipate a career as a public school teacher and a community choir director. I'm immensely grateful for the opportunities I have had, and I want to continue the traditions I have experienced by way of the youth in my circles.

I have been a musician my entire life. In elementary school, my grandma volunteered her time to teach recorder and other introductory music. You could always hear her coming down the hall with her cart full of auxiliary percussion clanging and jingling as she walked. It was in my early childhood that I learned some of the fundamentals of music, but it also shaped my musicality. I soon moved from playing recorder to playing flute, and would continue to play in my school ensembles into part of high school. Just before the pandemic and its effects hit in my sophomore year, I had successfully auditioned for an advanced choir at my high school, the treble choir. I loved expressing myself with my voice in the choir- it was both deeply personal and profoundly collaborative. Suddenly, the collaborative element became muddy with the restrictions on in-person meetings. It took some time to adjust to the "new normal" of a virtual choir, but music became an anchor for my mental health by giving me a routine and a zeal. Choir was the highlight of my day, and made the rest of my classes and daily activities much less dreary. The next year, I was a member of the treble choir and the most-advanced chamber choir. Additionally, I was honored to be a section leader in the treble choir. Despite still being in a virtual setting, I was completely enamored with the choral art. I took a lot of pride in learning my part and helping others learn, too. The music was important, but even more important to me were the connections I had with other members. Oftentimes during sectionals, we would check in with each other and offer support however we could. By the next year, we were fully in-person for all campus activities, choir included. I continued working as a section leader, this time in the chamber choir. Almost everyone was new to the ensemble, and it was a major shift to go not only from a virtual to in-person setting, but also to move up to a new, more advanced group. Throughout the year, everybody was incredibly focused on giving their all and showing up for each other. We grew as musicians, and also as friends. Thinking back to my other classes, nothing else gave me even close to the same level of personal relationships. Mid-year, my director expressed that the pandemic had given her some doubts in her career and purpose. Her words resonated with me as I was in the middle of trying to select a major and apply for college. I realized how much of an impact her work had on me, personally and professionally. I had grown so much since my first year in choir, and I'd had several incredible performances and workshop opportunities over the years. I decided I would major in music with the end-goal of being a teacher like her- a kind, patient, and ardent lover of music and people. Flash forward to today, I am a community college music major involved in every vocal ensemble on campus. The choirs I sing in have traveled all around the world and across our state, performing at various festivals, concerts, and events. I work as the choral department's assistant, and I'm passionate about music, the people who sing it, and who we sing to. I anticipate a career as a public school teacher and a community choir director. I'm immensely grateful for the opportunities I have had, and I want to continue the traditions I have experienced by way of the youth in my circles.

Depression runs in my family, and I am no exception. We are all affected at different levels, and for me, that level has been diagnosed as “mild to severe”. It was initially very difficult for me to get through life day to day, but with my family and doctors’ support I am stable and more confident in my day to day life. When I think of how mental health has affected my family, I first think of my younger sister. Her chemical imbalances, coupled with physical health issues, put a lot of strain on my parents for years. She was in and out of hospitals, and remained in a virtual school setting even after physical distancing restrictions were lifted. Throughout most of this time, I was still in high school dealing with my own struggles. My mom encouraged me to get a referral for mental health counseling, which I did. My counselor guided me through cognitive distortions, listened to my concerns, and prescribed medication for my depression and anxiety to help me focus on my daily routines. The main way I coped was through school. Even when I was the most tired, my choir class would get me out of bed and out the door. Singing with my peers relieved a lot of stress and brought me a lot of comfort. Whether in rehearsal or on stage, I loved making music and forming friendships through this avenue. My choir director, Mrs. Hilland, was immensely impactful during my high school years. I demonstrated a lot of passion for choral music, and Mrs. Hilland helped foster and grow that passion to eventually lead to me selecting music as my college major. I participated in all four choral ensembles, and served as a section leader in three of the four. I also served as the program’s co-president with one of my dear friends and fellow section leader, which taught me a lot about the behind-the-scenes of the work I wanted to pursue. The emphasis on team work and humility has shaped me into a lot of who I am today- someone who takes initiative and does any job at hand. I still undergo therapy and take anti-depressants, but my health still has its ups and downs. I still have days where I feel weighed down with anxiety and stress, or times where even choir isn’t enough of an outlet for me. When I am overwhelmed to this degree, it can be grueling to participate in a group that relies on every member and their voice. I also struggle with my general classes when I am in this headspace, and I have trouble completing my work on time, or at all. I have had to retake a few classes because of the state of my mental health. I am very grateful for the people and passions that I have to support me. I know this may follow me throughout my life, given my family history, but I am not entirely unprepared to continue this fight.

I have been a musician my entire life. In elementary school, my grandma volunteered her time to teach recorder and other introductory music. You could always hear her coming down the hall with her cart full of auxillary percussion clanging and jingling as she walked. It was in my early childhood that I learned some of the fundamentals of music, but it also shaped my musicality. I soon moved from playing recorder to playing flute, and would continue to play in my school ensembles into part of high school. Just before the pandemic and its effects hit in my sophomore year, I had successfully auditioned for an advanced choir at my high school, the treble choir. I loved expressing myself with my voice in the choir- it was both deeply personal and profoundly collaborative. Suddenly, the collaborative element became muddy with the restrictions on in-person meetings. It took some time to adjust to the "new normal" of a virtual choir, but music became an anchor for my mental health by giving me a routine and a zeal. Choir was the highlight of my day, and made the rest of my classes and daily activities much less dreary. The next year, I was a member of the treble choir and the most-advanced chamber choir. Additionally, I was honored to be a section leader in the treble choir. Despite still being in a virtual setting, I was completely enamored with the choral art. I took a lot of pride in learning my part and helping others learn, too. The music was important, but even more important to me were the connections I had with other members. Oftentimes during sectionals, we would check in with each other and offer support however we could. By the next year, we were fully in-person for all campus activities, choir included. I continued working as a section leader, this time in the chamber choir. Almost everyone was new to the ensemble, and it was a major shift to go not only from a virtual to in-person setting, but also to move up to a new, more advanced group. Throughout the year, everybody was incredibly focused on giving their all and showing up for each other. We grew as musicians, and also as friends. Thinking back to my other classes, nothing else gave me even close to the same level of personal relationships. Mid-year, my director expressed that the pandemic had given her some doubts in her career and purpose. Her words resonated with me as I was in the middle of trying to select a major and apply for college. I realized how much of an impact her work had on me, personally and professionally. I had grown so much since my first year in choir, and I'd had several incredible performance and workshop opportunities over the years. I decided I would major in music with the end-goal of being a teacher like her- a kind, patient, and ardent lover of music and people. Flash forward to today, I am a community college music major involved in every vocal ensemble on campus. The choirs I sing in have traveled all around the world and across our state, performing at various festivals, concerts, and events. I work as the choral department's assistant, and I'm passionate about music, the people who sing it, and who we sing to. I anticipate a career as a public school teacher and a community choir director. I'm immensely grateful for the opportunities I have had, and I want to continue the traditions I have experienced by way of the youth in my circles.

Indie pop artist mxmtoon's song "learn to love you" has the most important message to me. So often, we try to care for ourselves in unloving ways. In her song, Maia discusses the value in believing in yourself and living life at your own pace. I am a generally stressed person that is hard on myself. It is so easy to compare myself to others, especially as a growing musician. In learning to love yourself, you learn to celebrate others and respect where they are in their journey of life. When I love myself, I allow myself to grow instead of stifling myself with deprecation and shutting down. From the time we are kids, we are encouraged to follow our dreams. As we get older, we have to be reminded of the importance of following these dreams with patient yet brilliant confidence, being kind when we fail and motivated by our successes. "learn to love you" resonates with me no matter what headspace I am in, and it is therefore the most important message to me.

My best back to school tip is to be organized! People always recommend that you keep your backpack and schoolwork neat, but I think it is equally important that your room is tidy. After a long day at school, you should be able to relax without the stress of cleaning up your area. When your physical surroundings are clear, your mind can be also. Right before the fall semester began, I made a point of going the extra mile to make my room neat. I immediately noticed a difference in how I approached my work and downtime such that I was more motivated to complete my tasks and had more time to myself throughout the week. @bobreysaidso (Instagram)

come to the council and they will assess solutions to all of your dreams you'll enter the hall and then you'll address each one of them as "the esteemed" pour out your visons and make your request to this most wonderful team they'll deliberate and then they'll bequest every last thing that you need! it's all so grand! oh, you're so blessed! except that it's not a real thing.

Just before my recent eighteenth birthday, my parents took me to what I assumed would be a nice dinner with lighthearted discussion. To my dismay, they instead spent the evening giving me various pointers and warnings regarding the complicated realm of money. At the time, I was considerably dismissive and unappreciative of their support. Just mere months later, I feel more financially prepared going into college and life in general. The most helpful piece of financial advice I have ever received was from my dad during that memorable dinner. He made my head spin with his many mentions of stocks, credit, interest, and numbers, but the number one thing to stick with me was his encouragement to open a savings account. He instructed me to simply deposit a small portion of my paycheck each month and gradually increase the amount deposited as my income and spending allowed. My mom seconded his comments and suggested I explore what our bank has to offer. I have since opened two savings accounts with their own respective purposes. I learned that I can take some of the stress out of depositing funds by setting up an automatic deposit on a regular basis. My bank walked me through the concept and benefits of a savings account with interest. The most helpful piece of financial advice I ever received was truly the gift that kept on giving. Essentially, just one tip led me to numerous others that have granted me some peace of mind. My dad's suggestion has definitely helped me to acquire some basic financial awareness and will be key as I navigate my finances from now on.

The rapidly worsening climate is one of my most major sources of stress. During the height of the pandemic, I consumed a variety of media relating to climate activism, greenwashing, and everything in between. This consumption was not particularly healthy, such that I became overwhelmed with so much new information and thus reasons to stress. In an attempt to combat my climate anxiety, I looked for ways to be less of my own problem. Climate advocators largely share the ideology that every change is impactful. Essentially, an individual's choices, good and bad, make some kind of difference on our climate. This was enlightening for me as I had previously held a more ignorant disposition in which I abandoned hope and disregarded evidence pointing towards positive change. This principle motivated me to reduce my intake of animal products and eventually switch to a vegetarian diet. I share vegetarian dishes and meals with friends and family to help them make small changes in their life, too. Zero-waste practices are not realistic for me yet, but they have inspired me to closer examine the routines and materialistic tendencies I cling to. Since kindergarten, my peers and I have held a basic understanding of eco-friendly actions such as recycling, turning off lights, and carpooling. As I go about my daily life, I try to be concious of when I can implement these basic practices. It is also important to me that I stay reasonably educated concerning the constantly changing news such that I can make informed choices to positively impact our climate.

I will pursue a career in music, specifically choral direction. I believe that a key component of music is everything leading up to polished, performance ready pieces. Essentially, rehearsals and practices are just as valuable as concerts and final products. When I am a director, it will be my job to prepare students for performances. The world is defined by its individuals. A person does not need international recognition in order to have an impact on the world since to impact even one person is to impact the world. I plan to make a positive impact on the world as a choir director by helping groups of individuals succeed in their processes and products. I know that it will be important for me to clearly define success in the context of a competitive and unfortunately undermining area of study. Thus, I will create a welcoming and supportive environment for performers to grow and present themselves authentically.