My parents always said I should go into acting or public defending. Although acting wasn't ever a serious option for me, during my time at Clements and in the theatre program, I discovered my true passion. When I joined the theatre in ninth grade, it was supposed to be easy. I had done theatre throughout elementary and middle school, and it was supposed to be an easy transfer over, into the advanced theatre class. But with the onset of COVID-19 at the end of my 8th-grade year and throughout 9th grade, involvement became more challenging. But when I came in person for the class, Mr Mundy's lectures about the themes of our scripts and stories reflecting the nature of humanity were like a bucket of cold water to the numbness that was quarantine. It was the first time I had truly understood works of art. It never felt like being talked to; it was like his excitement about the subject and its content transferred over to the entire class, getting us hooked on anything from World War II scammers to the pretence of being mad in the 1400s. I remember the moment I realized that theatre had its grasp on me. I was in freshman biology, and I was talking about how much I wanted to finish reading the play in class. But it wasn't just the plot or even the play that had me hooked, it was the experience of sitting there in class, listening to the context, the motivations, the exuberance. It was the energy of the class, so eager to learn and to understand what it is that made so many people obsessed this these works. Even then, I realized that I wanted that. The attention of an entire classroom hanging onto my every word. Being in a room with some of the brightest minds that could change the world in a few years and still being able to teach them something new that they will hang on to forever. How to have so much power to change lives and still choose to spend it planting knowledge. After my first year, I became a main costumer for Clements plays, working on shows from Twelfth Night to Rosencranz and Guildenstern. But the best part of the year was tech talks: being able to teach upcoming minds the ins and outs of the intricacies of costuming shows. Seeing the students light up when they understood and were able to do their tasks on their own helped cement the idea that teaching eager students was something I enjoyed. I had taken this fever of teaching to Angola and Portugal, tutoring students in English using classic Shakespeare and modern plays to allow them to have more options in the future, and to plant the seed of learning through my lectures. But what really decided my future was when my grandmother sat me down at the kitchen table, one of my law books in her hand, and asked me to teach her English. Being able to explain a subject I was so passionate about to help her improve a skill she'd been attempting to learn for years decided my career. All of the fascination from all the lectures and work in theatre and tutoring finally made sense. I was meant to make a difference in people's lives through teaching. In retrospect, it's clear that through the transformative power of education, ignited by my experiences in Clements Theatre, I've found not just a career path, but a calling to shape minds, inspire hearts, and ultimately make a lasting difference in the world.

My parents always said I should go into acting or public defending. Although acting wasn't ever a serious option for me, during my time at Clements and in the theatre program, I discovered my true passion. When I joined the theatre in ninth grade, it was supposed to be easy. I had done theatre throughout elementary and middle school, and it was supposed to be an easy transfer over, into the advanced theatre class. But with the onset of COVID-19 at the end of my 8th-grade year and throughout 9th grade, involvement became more challenging. But when I came in person for the class, Mr Mundy's lectures about the themes of our scripts and stories reflecting the nature of humanity were like a bucket of cold water to the numbness that was quarantine. It was the first time I had truly understood works of art. It never felt like being talked to; it was like his excitement about the subject and its content transferred over to the entire class, getting us hooked on anything from World War II scammers to the pretence of being mad in the 1400s. I remember the moment I realized that theatre had its grasp on me. I was in freshman biology, and I was talking about how much I wanted to finish reading the play in class. But it wasn't just the plot or even the play that had me hooked, it was the experience of sitting there in class, listening to the context, the motivations, the exuberance. It was the energy of the class, so eager to learn and to understand what it is that made so many people obsessed this these works. Even then, I realized that I wanted that. The attention of an entire classroom hanging onto my every word. Being in a room with some of the brightest minds that could change the world in a few years and still being able to teach them something new that they will hang on to forever. How to have so much power to change lives and still choose to spend it planting knowledge. After my first year, I became a main costumer for Clements plays, working on shows from Twelfth Night to Rosencranz and Guildenstern. But the best part of the year was tech talks: being able to teach upcoming minds the ins and outs of the intricacies of costuming shows. Seeing the students light up when they understood and were able to do their tasks on their own helped cement the idea that teaching eager students was something I enjoyed. I had taken this fever of teaching to Angola and Portugal, tutoring students in English using classic Shakespeare and modern plays to allow them to have more options in the future, and to plant the seed of learning through my lectures. But what really decided my future was when my grandmother sat me down at the kitchen table, one of my law books in her hand, and asked me to teach her English. Being able to explain a subject I was so passionate about to help her improve a skill she'd been attempting to learn for years decided my career. All of the fascination from all the lectures and work in theatre and tutoring finally made sense. I was meant to make a difference in people's lives through teaching. In retrospect, it's clear that through the transformative power of education, ignited by my experiences in Clements Theatre, I've found not just a career path, but a calling to shape minds, inspire hearts, and ultimately make a lasting difference in the world.

When you think of the Regency era, what comes to mind? Jane Austen, balls, promenades, the ton. In the new Netflix series Bridgerton, based on Julia Quinn's novel series, the Regency era comes to life. More than just another period drama, Bridgerton is filled with mischief, gossip, the female suffragette movement, and more modern themes that we still encounter today. It is fascinating to see that the issues of 200 years ago still plague us as humans. This series is incredible visually and plot-wise. With every episode, Bridgerton sinks its claws further and further into you, getting you hooked on the tea (pun intended). You'll start getting addicted to the scandals of the age, a covert writer feeding gossip to the ton of London. Every clandestine whisper reels the watchers into the world of secrets and scandal. The dynamics and chemistry between the characters in the series are incredible and believable, especially regarding the Bridgerton family. Every snarky response and pointed finger has striking parallels to today's families, adding to the realism of the series. With the love interests in every season, I find myself giddy and on the edge of my seat awaiting their next promenade around the park or stolen kisses in the maze. Small acts of romance like this are so common in modern stories but sprinkled into a historical romance, they somehow mean more. Just a brush of a hand has the watchers giggling and begging for more. Music is an incredible element of every type of entertainment currently, and Bridgerton weaves in their music so well. The enchanting soundtrack incorporated into every ball scene gives the audience a sense of modernity, as most of the music is instrumentals of popular contemporary songs. The cinematography is a visual feast that feeds the eyes of every viewer. With every single shot, the audience is transported into Regency Era London, with horse-drawn carriages and saunters down the streets. With the use of soft lighting and striking colours in the costumes, the shots create an incredible background for the drama unfolding throughout the series. The camera's movements throughout the show as well, tracking Daphne Bridgerton through her presentation to the Queen or the dynamic panning sequences add to the chemistry and the ambience of every scene. The costumes may not be historically accurate, but they bring a colourful existence to the Regency era, often confused with having bland, boring outfits. Although critics complain about the lack of authenticity of the cast and costumes, Bridgerton is a fictional series which uses the diversity of its cast and costumes to get the watchers more and more invested in it. Without Kate Sharma being cast as a South Asian woman, I don't think the colourful outfits they had chosen for her would have worked nor do I think the show would have gained as much popularity as it is now. Having a diverse cast is a brilliant way to represent the class issues of that era while still connecting to its viewers. If you end up watching the entirety of Bridgerton and still want more, there's a clever prequel series called Queen Charlotte that leaves you in tears. Bridgerton not only breathes vibrant life into the Regency era but also serves as a poignant reflection on timeless themes, proving that the echoes of history still resonate deeply in our contemporary world. It's an amazing watch and you won't regret it.

When you think of the Regency era, what comes to mind? Jane Austen, balls, promenades, the ton. In the new Netflix series Bridgerton, based on Julia Quinn's novel series, the Regency era comes to life. More than just another period drama, Bridgerton is filled with mischief, gossip, the female suffragette movement, and more modern themes that we still encounter today. It is fascinating to see that the issues of 200 years ago still plague us as humans. This series is incredible visually and plot-wise. With every episode, Bridgerton sinks its claws further and further into you, getting you hooked on the tea (pun intended). You'll start getting addicted to the scandals of the age, a covert writer feeding gossip to the ton of London. Every clandestine whisper reels the watchers into the world of secrets and scandal. The dynamics and chemistry between the characters in the series are incredible and believable, especially regarding the Bridgerton family. Every snarky response and pointed finger has striking parallels to today's families, adding to the realism of the series. With the love interests in every season, I find myself giddy and on the edge of my seat awaiting their next promenade around the park or stolen kisses in the maze. Small acts of romance like this are so common in modern stories but sprinkled into a historical romance, they somehow mean more. Just a brush of a hand has the watchers giggling and begging for more. Music is an incredible element of every type of entertainment currently, and Bridgerton weaves in their music so well. The enchanting soundtrack incorporated into every ball scene gives the audience a sense of modernity, as most of the music is instrumentals of popular contemporary songs. The cinematography is a visual feast that feeds the eyes of every viewer. With every single shot, the audience is transported into Regency Era London, with horse-drawn carriages and saunters down the streets. With the use of soft lighting and striking colours in the costumes, the shots create an incredible background for the drama unfolding throughout the series. The camera's movements throughout the show as well, tracking Daphne Bridgerton through her presentation to the Queen or the dynamic panning sequences add to the chemistry and the ambience of every scene. The costumes may not be historically accurate, but they bring a colourful existence to the Regency era, often confused with having bland, boring outfits. Although critics complain about the lack of authenticity of the cast and costumes, Bridgerton is a fictional series which uses the diversity of its cast and costumes to get the watchers more and more invested in it. Without Kate Sharma being cast as a South Asian woman, I don't think the colourful outfits they had chosen for her would have worked nor do I think the show would have gained as much popularity as it is now. Having a diverse cast is a brilliant way to represent the class issues of that era while still connecting to its viewers. If you end up watching the entirety of Bridgerton and still want more, there's a clever prequel series called Queen Charlotte that leaves you in tears. Bridgerton not only breathes vibrant life into the Regency era but also serves as a poignant reflection on timeless themes, proving that the echoes of history still resonate deeply in our contemporary world. It's an amazing watch and you won't regret it.

If you've at least seen one episode of Season Three of Stranger Things, you'd know that Steve, Eleven, and Robin are the obvious choices for the team. Steve, throughout the series, has been there for every one of the children and would lay his life down for a greater cause. From the very first season, he has proved himself as innovative and loyal, realizing the consequences of his actions and their effects on other people in town. Once he realizes that this is bigger than Hawkins, bigger than everything he's ever known, he still steps up to be there for the kids, emotionally (with Dustin's middle school dance), and physically (when they are consistently fighting monsters that no one understands). Even in the face of fear, Steve has struggled, to make sense of things as he helps out in any way he can. He takes charge in dangerous situations, devising plans and strategies to outsmart their adversaries. Even when faced with overwhelming odds, he can step up, more than a majority of the adults in the series. His ability to remain calm under pressure and think on his feet makes him an invaluable asset to the group. Eleven is unmistakably the brawn of the team. As her powers continue to progress and exponentially increase throughout the show, she has matured and has become a valuable asset to the group, other than just "the kid with the powers". Eleven's telekinetic and telepathic powers make her a formidable ally and a crucial asset in confronting the supernatural threats that plague the world, she's used her experience to become a better person, and with her new parental figures in her life, has become so much more emotionally intelligent. She willingly puts herself in harm's way to protect her friends and confront the creatures threatening their safety. Overall, Eleven's character in "Stranger Things" is defined by her extraordinary abilities, her resilience in the face of adversity, and her unwavering loyalty to her friends, making her an invaluable asset to the team in their battles against the forces of darkness. Robin Buckley would seem like an unlikely choice for a team, considering her lack of experience fighting the monsters that lurk in the shadows, but she has shown remarkable resilience and is an excellent asset in this battle. Robin is depicted as intelligent, resourceful, and quick-witted, which has been a wonderful aid in the battle against both the Russians and the monsters. She demonstrates proficiency in languages, particularly Russian, which becomes crucial to the investigation of the origin of the monsters under Hawkins. She survived being tortured by Russians and refused to give up information pertaining to the team, reflecting her remarkable loyalty to the children she had just met. Unlike Steve, she has no previous connections to any of these characters, and yet she perseveres in protecting them, just for the principle of it. The only thing she reveals is that she can decode Russian messages, which is only due to the amount of pressure she was under, and the drugs that they put her on. Robin's analytical mind and problem-solving skills make her an invaluable asset to the team. She contributes unique insights and perspectives that help the group navigate through various challenges and mysteries. Robin is most likely the most intelligent, alive person (RIP Bobby) on the team, and through her working with both Eleven and Steve, can defeat the challenges to come.