Being asked what my favorite book is has to be one of the most difficult questions for me to answer. As an avid reader for most of my life, I have been introduced to multiple different worlds, characters, and experiences. I have had many different favorite books throughout different phases of my life, but one main constant has been the Harry Potter Series.This answer might be a bit cliché for a millennial who grew up in the middle of the Harry Potter craze, but these books were a strong foundation throughout my childhood. I always enjoyed reading, but reading the Harry Potter books transformed reading from an occasional hobby to a life long passion. Harry Potter showed me how transformational books can be, and they became a bonding experience between my friends and I. We would read the books together, discuss them in detail, and role play as the characters at recess. My group of friends would line up at Barnes and Noble before midnight dressed as our favorite characters anxiously awaiting to release of the next book. Some of my fondest memories as a child center around my love for these books. These books resonated with me for various different reasons, but one of the main reasons I loved the books is because of the characters. J.K. Rowling wrote strong female characters that I could look up to. Hermione was a character who showed me that girls can also be the smart, brave, and kind hero. Luna demonstrated that it was okay to be unique and a little bit odd. In addition to the strong female characters, J.K. Rowling filled her books with life lessons about acceptance and inclusion. Even after 20 years since reading the first book, these books still have a great importance in my life.

George R. R. Martin once said, "A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies." I have found this quote to be spot on. Reading has allowed me to explore different perspectives, people, countries, and ideas. Books have open my eyes to issues that other populations and people have experienced. One of these books is titled Red, White, and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston. This book was an inspiring story that brought to light issues and struggles that are often experienced by the LGBTQ+ community. Red, White, and Royal Blue left a monumental impression on me because of the impactful writing style that McQuiston uses to captivate the reader. The book tells the story of two young adults who do not identify as heterosexual. One of the men, Henry, must keep his sexual identity a secret because of his high profile family who oppose to his lifestyle. Henry's story inspired me because it exposed the hardships that arise when someone who is apart of the LGBTQ+ community is not supported by their family. As someone who has close friends and a family member who has experienced this same hardship, it exposed me the I could be a better ally to those people in my life. This book shined a light on important issues, and inspired me to take action and give support. My cousin experienced discrimination from members of our family when she came out as a lesbian. I believe this book helped and inspired me to speak out against the discrimination and help educate family members about the LGBTQ+ community.

In 2015 I started my teaching career, fresh faced and ready to change the world. I was naive to the challenges that would be faced running my own classroom. Being an educator has brought me face to face with the numerous issues adolescents face in today’s society. One of the main issues I have witnessed in the school setting, is prejudices and racism against students of colors and minorities. In 2020 our school wanted to provide solutions to better support minorities in our school. Our administrator created a diversity council and I became on of the teacher sponsors. The diversity council at my high school had multiple different goals to address the issues in the school community. What is unique about this council is that is completely student led. Teachers served as a mentor role to help guide them in their ideas and plans. I helped students create informational materials, plan activities that support equality and diversity, and help provide curriculum materials that promote inclusion. It was a joy to help guide student leaders who have a passion for encouraging diversity in their school. Being a part of this council inspired me to be more involved with equality and diversity initiatives in the community. In September I will start my degree in applied theatre at Goldsmiths, University of London. This masters program is aimed at early-career practitioners with a background in theatre, education, activism or social change. My goal is to use this program as a way to encourage equality and diversity within my community.

By the age of ten, I had started and failed at five different sports and playing the piano. As I witnessed (from the bench) my peers excel at hitting the ball or making a basket, it was clear to me that I had not found my calling. When I was in the fourth grade, my church started a children’s theatre choir and our director organized a musical production. My director cast me in the main speaking role, and my ten- year- old self could not have known the monumental impact that one decision would have on me. Since that early moment, theatre has been my creative outlet that has brought much joy to my life. My involvement in theatre arts programs gave me a place to develop my confidence, leadership skills, and a sense of purpose. Theatre became my passion and gave me a focus for my future. Without these creative art programs, I would have still been the girl sitting on the bench watching her more athletic peers. Theatre took me from the sidelines to the stage. Theatre helped me express my creativity and gain recognition, but it quickly grew into something even more powerful. I realized the theatre experience was no longer about me, but the collaborative art. I saw what the power of theatre could do to educate, advocate, and challenge minds and ideas. I witnessed theatre bring people of different backgrounds together and build relationships. My experiences in the theatre arts at a young age, greatly impacted my decision to become a theatre educator. This decision has helped me expand my own creativity while inspiring students to be creative in their every day life.