When I was in first grade, I loved my teacher so much. While she was strict about staying on task and making progress, she deeply cared for each and every student, supported us in our educational journeys, and always knew how to have fun once our work was done. My favorite day out of the whole week was our “Fun Fridays:” after all the tests were completed, everyone had free reign in the classroom to read our own books, draw whatever we wanted, or even play board games she had in class. Many times during our Fun Fridays, my teacher’s daughter, Sydney, would visit us. Sydney was a fifth grader at the same school as me, and I thought that she was the prettiest, coolest person ever. After a year of Fun Fridays with Sydney, I developed quite the attachment. As we both grew, I focused on my grades and school, but became quite shy and drawn back; she, on the other hand, became a theatre kid. When I was in sixth grade and deciding what electives to pick for middle school, I attended the high school’s musical, “Anything Goes.” Sydney was a sophomore and was playing the leading role, Reno Sweeney. While I had only decided to go to the show to support her, I unexpectedly fell instantly in love with theatre. I was in complete awe of the colorful lights, the beautiful sets, the detailed costumes, and the stunning singing and dancing. There was no question in my mind that I wanted to do theatre, too. I hugged her after the show, and explained how much she inspired me to pursue this newfound passion, which in turn, inspired her to keep pursuing her love for theatre. On the first day of drama in seventh grade, I was absolutely terrified. For most of the first year, I struggled with stage fright; I hated singing in front of people and improv was my worst nightmare. Although I grew to love theatre, I wasn’t a natural like my friends, who had been involved in shows since they were six years old. As the year went on, I started to realize how much this new hobby of mine meant to me. When I would hang out with my friends outside of school, we would make music videos or short films, and when I was at home alone, I would belt out “Defying Gravity” or sing every single part of “One Day More.” After six years of taking dance classes and singing lessons, watching musicals, searching for monologues, performing in shows, trying to understand Shakespeare, making short films, and tap dancing down the aisles of grocery stores, I am a proud, full fledged theatre kid, who is in college as a theatre major. Through it all, Sydney has been by my side, attending my shows, helping me with college auditions, and giving me tips on how to simply navigate life. Although she started out as my first grade teacher’s daughter, she has become a mentor, friend, role model, and truly like family. I know for a fact that without Sydney in my life, I would not be where I am today, and for that, I will forever be grateful.