1. As a child
It started with an argument over stick-on earrings. This may sound ridiculous, but when you're a five-year-old girl these arguments can get heated. I'm walking around at recess. At some point my heart-shaped pink stick-on earrings attract the attention of Hannah, one of my best frienemies. "Um," she laughs "are you wearing stick-on earrings?" Busted. I glance at her newly pierced ears. The cubic zirconium nearly blinds me. "You’re a liar because your ears aren't really pierced. You're wearing stick-on earrings. So you're a liar." Now I'm mad. No frienemy of mine is going to call me a liar. I want to hit her. I want to rip her hair out. But I just yell "I AM NOT A LIAR" and run away from school. I'm walking home. Suddenly headlights are in my eyes and a car stops. My after school dance teacher shrieks "Erin! What are you doing?!" My plan is ruined. I am soon greeted by my parents and headmaster, who says that this is the final straw. I am expelled from the French American School.
2. As a student
Art has been engrained into my very existence. This is something that I realized in the 5th grade, and is the reason why I chose to apply to Arts & Communication Magnet Academy- the school that would ultimately shape me into the person that I am today. Neither of my parents are what I would consider to be “artists”. My mom is a physician and my dad is a real estate consultant. My brother, Adam, used to have me illustrate projects for him when I was in elementary school. Though he is five and a half years older than me, I had a better handle on visual art than anyone else in my family. I am no Picasso or Fra Filippo Lippi. Regardless, being a student at ACMA for seven years gave me the opportunity to expand my artistic horizons and for that I am greatly appreciative.
3. As a friend
I felt like an outsider, boarding the bus filled with dozens of unfamiliar faces. Through a little serendipity, I chose one of the last empty rows- behind Lakin. As the bus rolled along, I let my gaze fall to her hands, where she was already in the process of completing a friendship bracelet. Embroidery floss was strewn across her lap and a look of intense concentration fell across the multicolored strings. Absentmindedly, I watched as each knot unfolded a pattern. I was startled when Lakin turned around and asked “Would you like to make a bracelet?” I responded almost immediately. “Sure. Thanks.” I had been secretly hoping she would offer. She gestured for me to move over to the seat next to her. I moved, and she introduced herself. We clicked almost instantly. My apprehension faded and for the next few hours we talked freely and laughed. By the time the bus reached Green Lake we were friends.
4. As part of a majority group
Like most people of my generation, I have trouble with the deep learning style. When doing homework, I find myself distracted often. I check my phone, look out the window, log into my facebook. Though I hate to admit it, I would consider myself a media addict. I was diagnosed with ADHD at the age of five and have been medicated ever since. One of the only things that I can truly focus all my attention on and get lost in is my art. When I am drawing or painting I forget about my surroundings and establish a flow in my work that remains uninterrupted for long periods of time.
5. As part of a minority group
In the fall, I attended the University of San Diego, a Catholic University. I am not Catholic myself. I actually consider myself a Unitarian Universalist. I attended a pre-orientation retreat that was focused on the Catholic faith. I did not really understand what was going on most of the time, and it was pretty awkward. Though only just over fifty percent of the student population at USD was actually a practicing Catholic, I never met another student that identified with my religion.
