Born and raised in Richmond, Indiana, I am the older of two children. My parents have raised me to value the importance of education by modeling this in their own lives. My father has a degree in Business Administration and my mother is a Registered Nurse. From my early educational years, they taught me to set realistic goals and complete all tasks to the best of my abilities. Throughout my entire life, my father has fought Crohn’s Disease, which caused ten major surgeries and three near-death experiences resulting in permanent disability. Through these hard times he taught me to work hard and overcome life’s challenges. Recently, my mother has been diagnosed with Behcet’s Disease and my parents continue to teach me to persevere.
Throughout my life, I have desired to become a musical educator. In elementary school, my music teacher made the music class fun and creative. My favorite memory from that class was being able to compose my own music on the board while my teacher played it on the piano. She taught me that anyone could create music, even a child. It was her influence, along with my musical family and the desire to help others that has started me on the course to become a music teacher. During sixth and seventh grade I had the opportunity to be involved with “Circle the State with Song” children’s choir. This was a goal that I had set for myself in fourth grade and had worked very hard to obtain. While in this choir I sang with peers from around the state. In achieving and excelling the goal of being in “Circle the State” I was also accepted into the statewide honor choir. The directors of these choirs also influenced my future plans by displaying the importance of practicing for long hours to achieve a set goal.
I continued my musical aspirations in high school as early as my freshman year. At Richmond High School, it is uncommon for a freshman to be accepted into Chamber Choir, as it is the most elite of all four choirs. Despite that the Chamber Choir consisted of upperclassmen, I was accepted into their ranks as a freshman. Chamber Choir at RHS is a class that starts at 7:10 AM, approximately one hour prior to the start of the school day. I have consistently been punctual and present to this early class all four years of high school. While being involved in Chamber and Symphonic Choir, I also became active in the Gospel Revs, a community choir based out of Earlham College. I continued, as well, to be involved in Richmond High School band and currently hold the sixth chair out of eighteen clarinets.
In my desire to become a music teacher, I have also gained experience in musical theatre by being a part of Richmond Civic Theatre. I have performed in five productions that required a lot of my extra-curricular time. I have spent sixteen hours per week for the past ten months preparing for the musicals and I am currently practicing to play the role of “Gertie” in the musical production “Oklahoma!”
What mainly sets me apart from other students is that I have pursued my career goal from early in my youth by gaining necessary experience. While I have done this, I have also accumulated a 3.95 GPA causing me to rank 10th in my graduating class of approximately 400 seniors. I have used my time at school wisely by completing homework during the school day so I could be active in school clubs, tennis, my church, and community organizations. As secretary of the Richmond Mayor Youth Advisory Committee, I meet with the mayor once a month to discuss problems, decisions, and solutions that will impact the youth of Wayne County, Indiana.
By setting a clear career goal and using effective time management skills, I can be a successful Scholar. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Current Whereabouts:
I am currently into community and school theatre. Working with my church youth and music departments. High school choir and band functions including competitions, games and concerts.
Life & Professional Aspirations:
I want to be an Elementary Music teacher and help work in the music department of my home church with my father. I also want to further my degree in Sign Language to be a professional interrupter.
High School: Richmond High School in Richmond, IN
class of 2012
Activities & Accomplishments:
Kick Off Mentor Council Member Aug 2010 to Present
Student Council Council Member Aug 2009 to Present
Band Member June 2005 to Present
Choir Member Aug 2003 to P
Best Memories:
My best high school memory is gaining great friends. All through elementary, I had a few friends, but they were not very close friends. I tried my best to be part of them, even joining Girl Scouts. They were a very tight click and were very rude. When I started high school, I thought for sure I would be all alone. Our high school is a combination of 2 junior highs. Within a few weeks I met the best friends ever. My best friend in my same grade and 2 other that were a grade ahead of us. I am now a senior, I still have my best friend and am still in very close contact with our other 2 friends that have gone on to college.
