It’s a little bit complicated, but I’m from Georgia, Saudi Arabia, Alabama, and New York! I was born in a small town about an hour outside of Atlanta, GA, and I lived there for about eight years until my parents decided to move to Thailand. My mom and dad are school teachers, and we’ve moved to Bangkok, Thailand, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and currently Abqaiq, Saudi Arabia so they can teach at different international schools. My parents, my little sister Molly, and I have lived in Abqaiq for five years now, and it’s a completely different world than what I’ve grown accustomed to in New York. Abqaiq is a remote compound in the north of the Rub’ al Khali desert, which is the largest sand desert in the world. It’s a very small community, with less than 1,000 residents, but everyone is very warm and friendly! I miss being able to visit Abqaiq, and hopefully, when COVID restrictions ease, I’ll be able to go back!

 

Last year, due to travel restrictions, I lived with my grandparents in Alabama for the year. A surprising number of people at Emma think I’m from Alabama! Alabama has become a second home to me. I spent a large amount of time living with my grandparents as a kid, so it holds a special place in my heart, and spending the extra year there during the pandemic only made me appreciate it more. Fairhope, the town where my grandparents live, is on the Gulf Coast, right at the very bottom of the state. I spent a lot of my time there going to the beach and swimming, riding my bike across town (especially during sunset), and cooking for my grandparents. 

 

 

I had never considered boarding school before I moved to Saudi Arabia. There, high schools only go up to the 9th grade, and so lots of students opt to go to boarding school. I ended up choosing Emma Willard because of the all-girls, inclusive environment, something I felt like I was distinctly lacking at home. Having to walk the two worlds of being both a domestic and an international student has made my experience at Emma feel especially unique. I can never truly identify solely with either group, but here at Emma, I feel included in both. There are lots of students here who are Third Culture Kids—students who share multiple homes and cultural identities. Clubs like MIASU [Multicultural International American Student Union], and events like FASO [Foreign and American Student Organization] dinner, help international and multicultural students feel connected with one another no matter how different our experiences may be. 

 

This year was not the senior year I was hoping for. I believe I speak for all of the Class of 2021 when I say that. However, I feel as though Emma Willard has helped me make the most of it, and I’m grateful to have even been able to spend these last few weeks on campus with my friends, teachers, and hall-mates. As spring semester comes to a close, I find myself thinking more and more about the future. What will college be like? Will I make friends like the ones I have here? Nobody knows the future, this past year has made me sure of that, but I do know that I will never lose the wonderful friends I have made here over these past 4 years, and the lifelong connections I have formed. 

 

 

This is probably obvious, but there is nothing I’m more passionate about in this world than music! I love making music, whether that be singing classically or playing guitar! I had always loved music, even when I was a really little kid. I took piano lessons for a few years, even though I wasn’t the biggest fan, and they helped lay the framework for my interest in music. 

 

Where I really fell in love with music was when I joined my first choir. My elementary school in Georgia had a youth choir, and even though I was only able to participate for a year, I developed a deep appreciation for the moving power of music. When I moved to Thailand, I went to a Catholic school and, while I’m not very religious, joined the cathedral choir there. In Malaysia, I was a part of different school music groups, but more importantly, I learned how to play the guitar. Playing the guitar has been so integral to my growth as a musician! While I take voice lessons and sing classically, I also enjoy singing folk music. I grew up around a lot of country and old folk music, so I take a lot of my inspiration from that when I perform. I’m hoping to expand my repertoire of instruments and learn some new ones! I’ve been thinking about learning how to play the handpan drum for a while. 

 

 

My favorite tradition at Emma is probably Apollo. I just love seeing what everyone brings to the school! The performances are always so entertaining, the food is good, and the memories I’ve made with friends at Apollo are even better. I can’t wait to see what happens this year! 

 

 

I’ve always been interested in snowboarding, but I’ve never actually been, or skiing for that matter. I’ve gone snowtubing a few times, but I don’t think that counts! I think there’s something so effortlessly cool about snowboarding—it’s like skateboarding with more obstacles! I’m planning to try it this winter in college! I hope it lives up to my expectations. 

 

 

As my senior year comes to an end, I want to thank all of the wonderful teachers and faculty who have made my fantastic four years at Emma possible! I especially want to thank the dining hall staff and the custodial staff for going the extra mile to keep Emma Willard up and running during the pandemic. It is so greatly appreciated! Thank you! :)