For seniors to graduate from Cibloa, we have to create and present a senior portfolio. Part of the process is to peer review someone else's portfolio. My partner, was Jared. I reviewed his portfolio, he reviewed mine. Writing this essay means to share how I will make an impact on my community with the lingering thought that the person who helped me get to the moment of presenting my graduating project doesn't get to reflect on his moment. And while my heart aches at that thought, I want to make sure that I make my moments count...for Jared. I'm a theater kid. My love for theater was born when I was in the 5th grade and was cast as Cat in the Hat in the Seussical Musical. My parents raised me to love Dr. Seuss, long before I portrayed Cat in the Hat. I’ve never known a life without Sr. Seuss. When I reflect on my childhood and think about what makes me “me,” my heart smiles at the thought that, like Cat in the Hat, I try to shape my world that is right in front of me. Cat in the Hat was the ultimate out-of-the-box thinker. I want to live a life outside of the box, exploring new adventures, inspiring those around me much like Dr. Seuss and his beloved characters have inspired me. I want to be the catalyst in the midst of chaos that brings a simple and uplifting solution. When COVID-19 hit, I was in the middle of rehearsing for the play Willy Wonka. At first, I thought we would be on hiatus for only two weeks. When those two weeks turned into a year and a half I struggled with depression, my grades slipped, and I didn’t feel like myself at all. I longed to perform on stage again. I didn’t realize how much I loved performing, going to rehearsals for hours on end each day, cramming in school, homework, and practices, until COVID-19 happened. Until that moment, I didn’t realize how much theatre was in my DNA. It was also in that moment I drew on Cat in the Hat and decided to shape my world for the better. I didn’t have theatre just yet, thank you Covid, but I was determined to shape my world. I found “me” again, brought up my grades, and realized, there is no one me-er than me. Covid is just a page in my story, not my whole story. The curtain will rise again. I tell you this story so you have a full picture of who I am and what motivates me. I will be studying Human Development and Family Studies with the intention of then pursuing my Masters Degree in Occupational Therapy. My goal is to work with children in the foster care system. I have seen the positive and negative effects of children navigating the system and I want to do what I can to make their experience as positive as possible. I currently work for the Boys & Girls Clubs and plan to apply with the local club in my college town to give me deeper knowledge and experience as I work on my degree. My mentor has taught me that book smarts, combined with real life experience, is the best way to serve those in my community. My goal is to be an example to youth living out, what might feel like, the darkest days of their life by showing them "the curtain will rise again" for them, too.