These are pretty much the highlights of my life. Picture #1 depicts the first hobby my parents suckered me into obsessing over- playing the piano. I studied with a tutor weekly and took part in recitals like the one pictured for about 6 conseuctive years (1990-1996) and then sporadically afterwards. I still play, on occaision, banging out a tune on my mom's old piano; it's nice to have an extra talent.
Picture #2 is much more profound; I accompanied the concert choir of the Children's Chorus of Maryland to Carnegie Hall in March, 1998, where we sang as the feature children's chorus. It's quite an honor for anyone to sing at Carnegie, and have the chance to meet other choruses and conductors from around the country. I'm in the front row, third from the right, 14 at the time. (Picture copyright by Group Photos, Inc.)
The final two photos have to do with the love of my life- writing. In my last two years of high school, I was fortunate enough to win both creative writing awards my school has to offer- the Warwick Rust Brown Poetry Prize and the Fulton Prize for fiction. (Links will take you to journal entries documenting those experiences.)
Picture #3 is from my junior year, March 30, 2001, and I'm standing with my headmistress on the right and Mrs. Plant, woman who started the whole prize on the left. The prize, as you might be able to see in my hands, is a silver, pewter bowl with my name, award and the date inscribed. (To look at some of my poetry, click here.)
In my senior year, on May 1, 2002, I won the Fulton Prize for my piece, "Mia's Vignette." I'm standing with the man who awarded it to me, the Head of the English Department. It's so amazing to cultivate hobbies, and then be recognized for them!
