I started off the year with my friends, celebrating the beginning of 2010. I really realized enjoyed my new group of friends, the new person I was, the new confidence I had, and I was ready to take a hold of that and turn it into success; into power.
So I was directing my first one-act play, something that I had been so excited to do since I was a freshman. I absolutely adored my cast, and the show was a COMPLETE SUCCESS! Not only did I have a great show, but I made wonderful friendships with my cast.
Then we had our first Simply competition and... we got first! I never felt closer to my choir before, I really loved the whole idea of sisterhood that we had. I was definitely developing my leadership skills and I enjoyed Simply so much. (Even if the hairpiece didn't match my hair anymore!)
Well, after my wonderful summer of 2009, I was so inspired by film and Interlochen that I kept working on my short film Ana, reedited, and even entered it into a film festival. And guess what? I won Best Documentary. It was actually insane! I was going to go see the screening, but I was in Blast at school -- something that I had been working hard in.
In the spring, we had Drama Club banquet and I was voted Best Director for my one-act I directed. I was so happy. My drama teacher thought I was a promising director and actually chose me (out of everyone) to encourage me to apply for a directorship with a professional theater. I made it to the final round of interviews (it came down to me and one other guy). Even though I didn't end up getting the directorship, I realized how much I loved directing, I was so proud of myself, and I realized how much my teacher meant to me.
That summer I landed an internship with a local documentary filmmaker and I knew I wanted to be a filmmaker (yay!). I went to Michigan with one of my best friends, and I realized how close we had gotten over the last few years. Like family.
Then, I went to Canada in late August. I was a little nervous, I'll admit it, I didn't know if I would make friends, etc. etc. But guess what? I did. And they were amazing. We would stay up all night talking about everything. Experiences, our various countries (I had some friends from Canada and even one from England!), school, relationships, everything.
I realized, just like I did at Interlochen, the bubble outside of my hometown. People, experiences, flirting, friendships outside in the world. I had fun. I took risks. I felt fun. I felt relaxed. I felt gutsy. I felt pretty. I felt free. But most of all, I could be myself. And I loved it.
I again went back to school feeling excited to take the year by the horns. I had been voted Drama Club President, I had the charity film festival to look forward to, I was in Showstoppers, and it was senior year!
I continued to hang with my friends, getting closer to them. I got a nice role in the school musical, and I even got the solo in my show choir!
School, activities, and college appications got really crazy this year -- it was stressful. I definitely got through with my friends. From our graduation bucket list to talking all night about the future, I feel like I'm part of a family with my friends. I love it.
So I'm 18 this year, and I'm ready to take the next year by storm. I think if 2009 was the year of confidence and 2010 was the year of opportunity, then 2011 is the year of success! From graduating to college to just having fun, I'm so excited for 2011!
