Orchestra really shaped and made my high school career. I made some really great friends and was constantly pushed. Orchestra for me was a team and individual activity. I played the viola for my school’s Chamber Orchestra, but also took private lessons and played in solo competitions. A lot of my time spent after school was spent practicing my school music and my solo pieces. I will never forget any of the trips my school orchestra class went on. My sophomore year we went on a trip to Canada and played with in Montreal with an elementary school. The young girl I was stand partners with only spoke French (which made communication difficult since I had only taken Spanish classes). My junior year we competed in the National Orchestra Festival in Pittsburgh, which was very nerve wrecking, but, in the end, very rewarding. My senior year I was Co-President of the orchestra allowing me to gain leadership experience. Through orchestra and playing my viola, I have grown to be who I am today. Playing the viola in an orchestra has taught me the values of commitment, honesty, and hard work.
I have wanted to go to Ohio State for a long time because both of my parents went here and I am from Columbus. My mom gave me the lanyard when I committed to Ohio State and now I to use it for my dorm key. This room key is very symbolic of my freshman year of college. I was nervous to move into Drackett because I knew I was going to be living with 3 other girls I did not know. I wasn’t sure how everything would play out. However, after going through the OWL program with two of my roommates I realized we would all get along great! Now my roommates are some of my greatest friends here at Ohio State and I lived with them all again my second year. This experience has really showed me to put myself out there and be open to new experiences at Ohio State because you never know who you’ll meet or what great experience you will have.