Extracurricular Activities
Besides photography, I have many other interests. Outside of school I do Irish Dance. I've been doing dance since I was 7. I started because of the costumes and because most of my friends were doing it–now I'm the only one left! Part of the reason for this is because I dance for my own enjoyment; I don't get wrapped up in the competition. I love learning a step and eventually and getting it right; it's very satisfying. Dancing is a way for me to forget about the stress of school and life and just focus on dance and doing my best. I'm going to continue with Irish Dance as long as I can. I've thought about quitting before, but I can never bring myself to do it. I keep finding myself going back to it and falling in love all over again. The feeling I get when I'm jumping across the stage is indescribable, and after I finish a dance I know I did very well, I feel accomplished and satisfied. Dance is a fun and entertaining way for me to stay in shape and to increase my flexibility and agility.
Track and Field
All the jumping and timing from Irish Dance has really helped me with hurdling and high jump in Track. I started running track when I was six years old at a track camp I did every summer until I got too old. The camp is called Future Olympians and it is run by my grandpa. Track is a major part of my family. My grandpa ran it at Stanford and coached it for different high schools for numerous years. My mom and dad ran it as well. Now I am continuing the tradition. I run the 100m and 300m hurdles, do high jump, and occasionally a 4 x 100m or 4 x 400m relay. The 100m hurdles is my favorite event. My personal record is 16.74 seconds but I plan to get under 15.8 seconds next track season (and break the school record!) and qualify for CCS Finals. This past track season, I've also grown to love the 300m Hurdles. I got 2nd place in PALs and next year, I also plan to break the school record (47.1 seconds). To get in shape for Track, I run Cross Country. I'm not amazing when it comes to long distance running, but I love Cross Country for the close team atmosphere and because it puts me in great shape. Overall, I just love moving and doing something instead of sitting around at home.
Academics
Along with AP Photography, the classes I am taking this year (junior year) are AP Biology, AP English, AP Calculus BC, AP US History, and Spanish 7-8 Honors. When I tell people this, most say I'm crazy–five APs?! But I don't find them all that challenging. When a subject is interesting, it makes learning it easier, and all the classes I take interest and captivate me, even if I don't always understand all the concepts. Besides photography, my favorite classes are Biology, History, and Spanish. I really want to become fluent in Spanish someday so this class is a big help in achieving this dream. Biology really fascinates me and makes me question things in our world. History allows us to look back on the past and see what past lives were like. English this year has allowed me to greatly improve in my writing. Calculus is...well....hard, but I love that satisfying feeling I get when I solve a complicated problem. I like all my classes and even when I'm overwhelmed with homework, I'm still glad I've decided to take the courses that I do.
Volunteer Work
The second Sunday of every month, I volunteer at my church (Trinity Presbyterian Church) to teach Sunday School to children in kindergarten through fifth grade. I help with my sister and with one other person. Together we all are able to control the children and lead them in telling stories, doing crafts, and interpreting the Bible into a way that is more kid-friendly and easier to understand. I love being able to connect with the children and to know I am helping to make a difference in their lives through their understanding of the teachings in the Bible. I've began volunteering in the beginning of my Freshman year (September 2009) and I have continued ever since. Through volunteering, I have grown as a person. I love knowing that I am giving back to the church that I have grown up with all my life.