TreyJaVu

Not Holding Back

2012-01-24T10:48:00.000-06:00

Tonight I’m sitting in Starbucks getting some things done on the computer, while sipping on my grande white chocolate mocha (with an extra shot of espresso, of course.)

I’ve been thinking a lot about this new year and new semester. I’m totally ashamed to say this, but I had some “new years resolutions” that I had been thinking of, and had full intentions of bringing them into my everyday life, but let’s be real for a second.

Do you think I kept them?
Do you think I even tried?
No?

You’re right.

My planned resolutions went straight out the window, right along with 2011. Pathetic, I know.

But as I’m looking back over this past semester/year, I can say that I had a successful semester, achieved some satisfying grades, and made some really great friends, but I didn’t do much to accomplish my goals, or bigger, God’s will.

It was a good semester of getting accustomed to this amazing city, getting settled into college life, and being away from my family. But now it’s time to get to work and fulfill God’s plan for my life. Whatever that means. (By the way, if any of you have had God tell you what he wants MY life to be, will you let me know? Thanks) Haha.

But I am not going to go through another year without “resolutions”.

This year, I’m determining myself make this a year of not holding back.

I don’t want to hold back how I’m feeling, struggles I’m going through, or sharing God’s good news that can change a souls’ eternity.

I want to be as authentic and as real as I possibly can. No more fluffy, fake emotions; but authentic. Sharing God’s love in everything I do.

So, hey, that’s my “new years resolution” for this 2012th year. It’s not the normal “lose ten pounds” or “save money” (which I should be doing those too) But I think I’ll just focus on this one for now.

What’s Yours?

"You and Me" Original Song

2012-01-10T21:45:00.000-06:00

I wrote this song last week, during break!

"It Will Rain" - Bruno Mars Cover

2011-12-22T16:37:00.000-06:00

I learned stuff at college.

2011-12-07T13:36:00.002-06:00

I had to write this paper for a class at Trevecca, this past week, and thought I'd share it here:

Going into this semester, as an official college student, independent from parents, and freedom, moving from Nebraska to Nashville, and not knowing anybody, I didn’t know for sure what to expect. It was definitely a new beginning, and a new start. I could be whoever I wanted to be.

I have learned a lot about myself in the past few months, but I don’t think I have really changed who I am. I have just learned more about who I am. It’s been a semester of change, but I’ve learned that change is a good thing. One element from the LEAP class that has helped is the Habitudes we read. The Habitude about “Big Rocks” taught me a lot about managing time, and figuring out what it most important. I’ve learned that within the whole transition from high school to college, you really have to reevaluate what is most important, and what isn’t. By taking the time to decide what your “needs” are, and what your “wants” are, you will be able to get through the semester/year with the right priorities.

Another lesson I learned from LEAP class, was the “Rivers and Floods” Habitude. It was a very good lesson to learn that you need boundaries and need to have standards, so you aren’t easily swayed into destruction. I love this illustration and comparison because I’ve come to realize that now more than ever, is when I need to have a firm stance in my standards and beliefs, because now that I’m in college, 14 hours away from my parents, I have freedom. I could choose to find ways of getting around some of the campus rules, and do what I want, but by being a “river” I choose to set my own boundaries, and live the best I can. Surely, I am not perfect, and I make many mistakes, daily, but I hope I never get so out of control that my life “floods” over my goals and the standards that I put into place.

So far my freshman year has been a smooth few months. There hasn’t been a time that I’ve regretted coming to college, or moving. It has been a semester of learning and growth. I have learned a lot about people and of course, my major. The social aspect is such a big part of college and the whole experience, that it only makes sense that you learn almost just as much about people, as you do about your studies. I’ve made a lot of friends, and have even grown away from some of those friends within this short time. It’s been a semester of transitions, and as you grow, you transition through friendships, and the people you hang around.

I strive to be able to make my passion a career, and be able to support myself by doing what I love. I love music, and I want to be a musician for a living. Whatever genre I end up doing, I want to glorify God with my music. I feel like I don’t need to particularly do “Christian” music, to be a light, and share God’s love. I will be accountable of who I am, by what I write, how I perform my music, and who I am off-stage. My major right now is Commercial Music with an emphasis in voice and music technology. It supports who I want to be, because I will be able to produce music, and learn a lot about my voice, and how to sing correctly. It’s what I’ve wanted to do for as long as I can remember, and music is the sole reason I came to college in Nashville.

I want to be the kind of person that is remembered for the things I’ve done in this life, for the glory of God. That’s a hard thing to say, because at times, I say that I want to be remembered by that, but does that show through me, by the things I do, and my actions? My life would look selfless, and I would be not only willing to help whomever needs help, but I would find joy in it.

I want to be creative, helpful, and caring. I want to share God’s love through my life, and career. I have dreams that I want to come true, I have goals that I’ve never told anyone. I want God to be my best friend, but not on a “buddy” level, rather, on a respectable level, where I never get caught up in self pride, and always remember that God is infinite, and I’m simply His creation.

Who's On My Playlist?

2011-12-04T16:16:00.000-06:00

This is the first week of December, and here's who's on my playlist this week!

First of all, Ally Rhodes. She's an amazing "YouTube" musician, from Nebraska! She's recently gone on tour to England, and just came out with her new album "Illuminated"

Check out her music here:
http://www.allyrhodes.net/
http://www.youtube.com/user/allysmusic14

Someone who else, is actually a friend of a friend of mine. haha. His name is Joshua Powell. He just recently came out with a three song EP, before he and his band are releasing their full length album early 2012. "I Ran Out Of Words" is on constant repeat.

Get his free EP here:
http://noisetrade.com/joshuapowellmusic

I'm Not Going Anywhere.

2011-12-03T18:01:00.000-06:00

I saw this video, because Perez Hilton posted it. It's so good.

Take time to watch it, because it's such a good take on beating the epidemic of bullying.

People may say what they want about you, but you don't need to listen to them.

You've got a millions reasons to be here, and not give up.

Thanksgiving in Ohio

2011-11-28T15:57:00.001-06:00

This Thanksgiving, I spent with my family in Ohio! My sister is pregnant, and not able to travel, so I flew up there from Nashville, and the rest of my family drove up there from Kansas City! It was great to be all together, since we hadn't all been together since my graduation in May.

We spent a lot of time together, over break.

My sister and her husband just bought a new house, so we did a lot of painting.

I had some fun while painting the kitchen.

Painting the living room

Love this little guy

Parents

Kids

Kids, Spouses, Grandkid

The Whole Family

Cleveland ---> Nashville

The Glee Project - Open Call Auditions

2011-11-25T15:00:00.001-06:00

The Glee Project came to Nashville. I live in Nashville.

So, of course, it only makes sense that I would go to their open-call auditions.

My friend, Michelle, and I decided to skip classes for the day, to take our chances at TV stardom.

Here's our day in pictures.

Audition Line.

We waited in line for over two hours.

Michelle and I

Michelle and Mckynleigh Abraham (from last season)

Dani Shay and I. She was on America's Got Talent,
and now she's auditioning for The Glee Project, also!

After waiting in line, in the cold, rainy weather, and getting to know the people around us, we finally got to go inside the Nashville Convention Center.

We were directed to go to the stairs, stay there and wait.
We had to wait for more people to come in behind us so we could go downstairs in a big group.
We finally got the "go ahead" to go down, until the camera crew came
and wanted us all to go back upstairs, and instead us using the stairs, they wanted us to use
the escalator, so they could film us all going down.

We all had to laugh at it all, and how it was so "TV" and fake. haha.
When we all got downstairs, they took us to a big "holding room." We all had to stand in line, in order of our assigned numbers, on the stickers we got while waiting in line, outside.
The "Oxygen" camera crew came again to interview a few people, and get some more shots of us auditioners.

When is was time, they took us to wait outside of the audition room.
That's where they then divided us into groups of five, and we would then go in,
in that group of five.
As we were waiting, a lady that works with the show (and has worked for American Idol, Coyote Ugly, The Voice, etc) gave us a few tips, and led us in some warm-ups

We went in, in our group of five, stood in a line, on sticky notes, and one-by-one
we told the judges who we were, where we're from, and what song we chose to sing.
Then we sang.

I didn't make it past that first round, but Michelle did, and was the only one to make it from
our group. She moved to the second round, then she got cut, there. :(
Overall, we both left with no regrets, and had a great time! It was such a great experience

The thing to keep in mind when auditioning for a TV show, they are looking for someone with a
"story" or something that makes the person stand-out, just as much as they are looking
for someone with talent.
In the group of five, ahead of our group, only two people made it through to the next round.
A person who played ukelele as he sang, and a guy who doesn't wear shoes...

Also, the the group, two ahead of us, there were five girls.
The Glee Project workers made a big deal with us having to stay in our order of the numbers
that they gave us.
But in this group, everyone was in order, except for one girl, who was like, number 115, in a group
of girls who were 249-253. It was obvious that she was the only person who was going through
to the next round because it was obvious that they placed her in that group, and the film crew went in
especially with that group of girls, just to film the audition for that one girl, who they placed.

But it's TV, and that's how it'll be!
I would totally do the whole process over again, though!

"Telling The World" New Video

2011-11-19T15:55:00.000-06:00

I heard that this song was my little cousin's favorite song from the movie "RIO" so we covered it! Hope you enjoy!!

My 11/11/11 in 11

2011-11-12T11:00:00.000-06:00

Here is my 11/11/11 in 11 pictures.

11:11 and 11 seconds on 11/11/11

Blogging

Voice Lessons with Kelsi

Quiz in "Intro to Biblical Faith"

Hanging out with my roommate.

Gas.

Toys R Us

Walmart for Hangers. Someday I will fit my body through one.

No explanation

Duct Tape Flowers

Gifts for our RA, Drew. Happy 21st Birthday!

"Ours" Cover by Trey & Haden

2011-11-10T18:13:00.000-06:00

It's the second Thursday in November, so that means it's time for the second "Thursday Cover" :)

Is that you, Kellie Pickler?

2011-11-08T15:02:00.002-06:00

Kellie Pickler and I

Some friends and I were going to a movie in Smyrna, TN, and went to Target first to buy some candy. I do and get the new Miranda Lambert album, and a worker told us that Miranda, Blake Shelton, and Kellie Pickler were all down the street at a new hot dog restaurant called, Maddie's. So we all go there, and wait in the parking lot. Miranda and Blake weren't there, but we waited for Kellie because she was in her bus. She was so sweet! She took pictures with all of us, and signed MacKenzie's boot!

Kellie's Bus

Kellie and Julie

Kellie and MacKenzie

Beautiful Fall

2011-11-08T14:44:00.000-06:00

T-Swizzle? Is this real life?

2011-11-07T22:36:00.000-06:00

Last week was pretty crazy.

Taylor Swift was launching her new perfume, Wonderstruck, at BELK in the Cool Springs Mall. We got there 2 hours early and waited for her to walk by us, not knowing for sure if we would be able to meet her... By golly we did! She walked past us, touched us, signed Kenzie's boot, and looked into my eyes and said "Thank You." dhgwhefiwuhaksjghwkdhaskjlghakjldhadf. I can't believe this. I kind of freaked out.

Got interviewed on Live TV. Channel 4, 5 o'clock NEWS.

Julia Nunes in REAL LIFE.

2011-11-06T02:42:00.000-06:00

I went to see one of my favorite YouTube musicians in concert on Thursday night, at The Basement here in Nashville. It was so great watching her live and actually meeting her after watching her videos on the internet for the past 3 1/2 years!

Spiritual Deepening Week!

2011-09-29T23:40:00.000-05:00

This past week was "Spiritual Deepening Week" at Trevecca! We had the honor of having Susie Shellenberger come and speak at the six chapel services this week! Take a look at a couple brief clips of her speaking.

Blake Houchin - Faculty Showcase.

2011-09-29T03:07:00.000-05:00

Tuesday night was a concert put on by Blake Houchin, a professor in the music department. He sang the lead vocals while other faculty members and a few students played around him. The set-up on stage was pretty impressive, with about 4 guitars, keyboards, bongo drums, trap-set, saxophone, trumpet, and many more instruments! My suite-mate, Andrew Riley, was a part of the band, and played the Bari Sax.

This concert was really impressive, and just a fun time! They played music by Rod Stewart, Phil Collins, Sting, and Journey, just to name a few.

The whole band, after the show

The "GUNGOR" Experience.

2011-09-26T02:34:00.000-05:00

Waiting in line with friends -- My friend Maggie & her "All-Access" badge for helping with the Concert Team

Friday night Trevecca had the honor of hosting the band, Gungors` album release concert. It was such an amazing concert, and most definitely one of the best concerts I had ever been to. With over 1,000 people there, and people sitting on the floor, it was a sold out crowd! I had seen Gungor perform a couple summers ago at Camp Electric, at Trevecca, and I couldn't wait to see them again! Their music is so real, and genius-ly (is that even a real word?) written. So. Good.

Even though this was their Album Release "Concert." It felt SO much more than just a "concert." It fellt more like an "experience." It was a night where the audience could just sit back and "take in" the music performed. The audience sat in awe as the bandmates of Gungor did what they know best by playing several different instruments, having both, an orchestra and boys choir, and simply just, performing.

After the concert, Michael and Lisa Gungor (the lead members) met fans, and my friends and I got to talk to Lisa!

Trevecca Live Article in "Trevechoes"

2011-09-21T23:04:00.000-05:00

Article by Katie O'Connell

The Nina Griggs Gunter Servant-Leader Award Ceremony

2011-09-15T14:35:00.000-05:00

This morning, Trevecca hosted the "Nina Griggs Servant-Leader Awards Chapel" where Senator Elizabeth Dole was awarded the Servant-Leader award, and Senior, Vera Pendergraft, was awarded the Student Servant-Leader Award.

It was a huge honor to have Senator Elizabeth Dole on campus, because along with having many other honors, she has served five United States Presidents, was the first female Senator from the state of North Carolina, and served as the president of the American Red Cross.

I had the privilege of being asked to help with chapel this morning, so after the ceremony, I got to meet Senator Dole at a Meet & Greet.

Club Rush & Benson Brew

2011-09-10T17:15:00.000-05:00

Thursday night was a big night on campus for students! Since the SGA (Student Government Association) Welcome Week is over, Benson Hall, the only guys dorm, had their own welcome week continuation, this past week. Benson Hall sponsored events such as, a cookout, a worship service, and the "Benson Brew" which girls were invited to! There was live music along with coffee, hot chocolate, and brownies. So, of course I mixed the two beverages into one. Best combination ever.

At the "Club Rush," all of the clubs and things you can get involved with at Trevecca, had a booth to show off what their individual "club" does. It all varied from ART club, to Social Work club, to the school newspaper!

CLUB RUSH

BENSON BREW.

The Advice, Jimmy Needham, & Rush of Fools CONCERT!

2011-09-02T13:42:00.000-05:00

Last night was the Welcome Week concert in TCC! Check out this video and a few pictures from the night.

The Advice

Jimmy Needham

Jimmy Needham and his band

Rush of Fools

Friends after the concert

LEAP Day and Block Parties and Mini Golf, Oh My!

2011-09-01T19:20:00.000-05:00

TREVECCA WELCOME WEEK is full underway with events and outings hosted by the Student Governent (SGA) to welcome the incoming freshmen and transfers!

This past Saturday, all the freshmen had LEAP day at Camp Widjiwagan. The day included several different activities, such as, making a flag for our individual LEAP groups, building boats out of cardboard and duct tape and racing them in the lake, supper, and praise and worship with a great message.

It was such an amazing day to get to know our LEAP groups even more and work together as a team and family. I am on the Bright Orange team, and we made our flag and decided our mascot would be a Troll. It was so much fun, yelling and supporting our team in friendly competition.

Building our boats, My groups' flag; B.O. TROLLS!, Racing boats, Night worship led by "Refuge" & "Everpraise"

Sunday night, we had and All School Praise and Worship service! MORE great music and message!

Monday morning, the freshmen with their LEAP groups went out and picked up trash and junk that had been thrown out in alleys and creeks in the community around campus. I think many would agree with me when I say that it was so beneficial, and I had a great time being a part of it! It was so interesting to see that we as God's servants don't need to go overseas or travel far distances, when there is a need for God's love to be shown, within walking distance. From picking up mattresses, to old furniture, to misc. garbage left on the side of the road, it was hard work, but fun to participate with the whole freshmen class!

Picking up trash and junk for our Service Project! There were so many thrown out mattresses!

Monday night was the Block Party! It was perfect for hanging out with friends and meeting new people! There was SO much food (including the Cupcake Bus from The Cupcake Collection!) and music! One of the leaders of the Student Government, got on stage and taught all of us a dance that we'll do at games and such! Dr. Dan Boone and his wife even got on stage with him and taught us! I think it's pretty safe to say that Trevecca has THE coolest President. period.

Friends at the Mixer. Watch the video below to see some of the dance we learned!

Free Cupcakes from "The Cupcake Collection" and dancing!

On Tuesday, SGA hosted "Caddyshack Tuesday" putt putt golf at "Grand Ole Golf & Go-Karts" where they had contests for "best dressed" and "best score" It was so much fun hanging out with friends, golfing and racing the go-karts! Also, Wednesday night, was dodgeball night in the Moore Gym! People got teams together, dressed up, and went head to head against each other!

Mini Golf and Go-Karts with Amanda and Michael (above) -- Dodgeball (below)

TONIGHT is Concert night!! With "The Advice", "Rush of Fools", and "Jimmy Needham" playing in TCC!

Trevecca Nazarene University - MOVE IN DAY!

2011-08-27T01:41:00.000-05:00

From left to right: My dorm room, Trevecca Entrance, and singing karaoke at the "new student Mixer."

It's finally that day! The day that most students couldn't wait for, where we start a new chapter in our lives! We are finally on our own, and take on the title of, "College Student."

Today was filled with so many welcome activities by just as welcoming people! Since I moved in a day early, I had more free time to help others move in and get settled, and get some things done around campus.

One of my suite-mates has been here for a couple weeks already for a physics research program, and one of their projects was to launch a big balloon into the sky, and monitor where it goes and such through GPS and some other "Physics" things. :) So I started out my morning by watching the launch in the field by the chapel. I guess it went up about 120,000 feet before it burst. Pretty Impressive, if you ask me.

The Physics Program students getting everything set up, and launching the balloon.

Then everybody started coming! The parking lots were packed with students and their families all coming to move their new college student in. It was crazy and hectic while everybody was filling out the papers and getting all set and organized, but it all seemed to run smoothly, with the help of staff, many upperclassmen, and volunteers from local churches.

Left to Right: Volunteers offering free lemonade while moving in, checking in to get dorm keys, and picking up the SLAP cards (You can buy a SLAP card, and it'll get you into most events for free, plus some discounts at select restaurants.)

At night, after supper and after everyone got settled into their new dorm rooms, there was a "mixer." It was great seeing people again that I met back at June orientation, as well as meeting new friends! There was live music, free soda and pizza, as well as two fire pits to make s'mores with, and karaoke! (which some friends and I sang "Everybody" by Backstreet Boys, and can I just say that we rocked it?) :)

Karaoke and Live Music with friends at the Mixer.

Overall it was a great day, and a great start to this semester and school year, here at TNU. This whole next week is filled with many more fun welcome activities that I'm SO looking forward to, as well as classes starting on Tuesday!

"This Year"

2011-08-09T23:39:00.000-05:00

The other night, I went to a get-together with all of the people that I went on tour with at the beginning of July for a choir I was in. I didn't know anybody who would be in the choir, when it started and I joined, back in April, but we've all grown so close to each other that it was so hard to say good-bye to everyone after the party.

I'm leaving for college in 13 days, and there's are good chance that I will never see most of those people ever again. I was feeling down on the hour and 1/2 drive home from the party, so I put my iPod on shuffle, and it went directly to "This Year" by Meghan Tonjes. Now, I have over 2,000 songs of my iPod, and I'm not one for "magic" and "crazy-ness" but rather, I really think that God put that song randomly put that song on, for a reason.

The song talks about how "This Year is going to be better, I'm going to be stronger and a braver me. This year, I'm gonna make it, because I said I would, and I'll do all the things you said I never could." That's a broken quote from the chorus, but that's the main idea of it.

I've come to realize that moving to Nashville and going to college at Trevecca is what I've wanted for so long. I've also come to realize that it's not going to be as easy as I thought it would be to leave all of my friends and family. But I am so excited to meet new people and start new in Nashville!

"This year is gonna be better

And you're gonna see

Im gonna be stronger and a braver me

And im gonna make it 'cause I said I would

And do all the things you said I never could"

- Meghan Tonjes

Trevecca Nazarene University - Orientation.

2011-06-23T23:49:00.000-05:00

This past weekend I headed to Nashville for college orientation. I had an amazing time, and I can not wait to move there in August, and start classes August 30th! I met some incredible people, and everyone was so nice. The whole weekend was so great. Here are some pictures with captions explaining. :)

6:10 a.m. flight out of Omaha to our layover in Memphis, where I HAD to get Starbucks and edit.

I then got to the campus and had a Music Majors Luncheon for all the music majors and they're parents. After that I had to sign up for testing. I had to sing for the "head of the music department" people, take a music theory test, piano placement test, and aural test. I soon enough found out that I need to learn piano, and I know nothing about music theory. Thanks High School choir.

They had several different activities planned to fill the time over the weekend. There was a "Mixer" to get to meet your new classmates, "Blow Up Boone" where they had inflatables up, and a DJ, but then it turned into a big dance, which was more fun. :) etc.

I got to meet/pick my roommate and suite-mates. I am SO excited. They are all so great.

On Friday night, I went downtown with my roommate and two of my suite-mates, and Amanda.

free time in the dorms...

Needless to say, I met some pretty amazing people, and I can't wait to get to know them even more this fall. We be rockin' TNU.

On Saturday, (the last day of orientation) I signed up for classes, and got everything set and ready for me to move in August. Then my dad toured Nashville a little bit before we were going to fly home. It turned out that our flight home was cancelled due to engine problems with the plane, so the airline got us a hotel, and the next flight home we could get was the next morning. Let me tell ya. I wouldn't rather be stuck in ANY other city... BUT we didn't have a car. So we were pretty much stuck at the hotel for that night. So good thing we got to tour a little bit, and my dad got to see some of the sights, since it was his first time in Nashville.

Top: My dad and I went to the famous "Pancake Pantry" About a 20 minutes wait in line, but SO worth it.
Bottom: My dad and I also went to the Ryman Auditorium. It was my 2nd time, but I still get goosebumps. Amazing.

My dad and I on our flight home, back to Nebraska. It was Father's Day. :)

My (High) School Experience.

2011-06-13T20:16:00.000-05:00

It's hard to believe that High School is now over. Now I'm heading out to college in Nashville. Something I've always wanted to do. I couldn't be more anxious about going, and leaving Nebraska, but it's so many mixed feelings.

By moving here, and third grade being my first year at this school, I had no idea what to expect. I had said goodbye to the small school in the "village" and moved to (what seemed to be) a HUGE school. I can only remember the memories that have made me laugh over the years, and others that have made me sad.

It was about 4th grade, and I was SO scared. I had gotten sent to the principals office for exchanging money on the playground. (I was a rebel. I know). I'm not sure my parents even know about this story... Hi mom! :) That was the very first time I had gotten sent to the principals office. BUT it wasn't the last time. In middle school, some friends and I had the idea of handing out gospel tracts to everyone as they got off the bus, and as they were walking into school. It was a great idea of spreading the gospel, until the assistant principal started taking all of the tracts away from the kids that we handed them out to... We didn't see anything wrong with it, but apparently, it was a bad thing to do. Now, we didn't get into trouble, by getting sent to the principals office, but we were told not to do it ever again. Now, that was the last time I got sent to the principal's office for doing something "bad"

HIGH SCHOOL.

For the past four years, I have pretty much parked in the same spot. Every day for school. Even if there was a closer spot, which there usually was when I had early morning show choir rehearsal, I still parked in my spot.

In high school I stressed out about a lot of things. Which I'm sure nothing will change when I'm in college... Symposiums, finals, musicals, performances, making the stupid playbill for Seussical with Lyndsee. (that was by far the hardest thing I had done, this past semester.)

Lyndsee and I with the finished product. Seussical Playbill!

High School brought happiness as well as stress. I loved dressing up on spirit days, and making fun costumes randomly with Alicia. My favorite time was probably when our senior class color for the student section at a basketball game was purple. So Lyndsee, Alicia, and I dressed in purple. A lot of purple. (We even had capes.) nbd. Even though we knew that the opposing team was purple, we still dressed up. good times. The Black and Yellow dance has to come in a close second though with Mallory, Alicia, and Alyssa. Wrapping ourselves in caution tape is #winning. Caution tape along with Duct tape, never fails you.

As music is a big part of my life, it was a big part of my life at school as well. I was involved in several music/acting activities. (Athletics weren't my "forte") haha. get it? "forte". #stupidmusicjoke. I was "Buffalo Bill Cody" in "Annie Get Your Gun" and "The Mayor of Whoville" in Seussical. I also played a president in "The Mouse That Roard" spring play. The funny thing is, that, I never was in One-Act. I auditioned my Junior year, but didn't make it. So, I didn't a main part, I wasn't too upset about that. There were a lot of talented people. The funny thing was that I didn't get any part. So I went to go talk to the director, to see if I could just be an extra, he said "no." So I didn't try out my Senior year.

My parents and I after night 1 of 3 of Seussical

Yertle the Turtle, Bird Girl, Mr. Mayor, Gertrude, and the Cat

The one thing that I was involved in all four years of high school was Rhapsody. Rhapsody is our Show Choir. I loved being a part of that. It was so much fun performing and taking the bus rides, to albion and such. Albion was my favorite place we went to for choir. My Junior year, we sang "Seasons of Love" from the musical, Rent. There are solos in the song, so people could audition for them. Kyra and I auditioned, and got the solos! It was so much fun. That day goes in to my "top ten days of Junior year" :)

Here is the video of "Seasons of Love"

The best thing that I decided to do my senior year, was to be the School Mascot, "Howie the Husky" Alicia and I switched being it at different games. It was so much fun to just go out the the field or court and just have fun in a huge costume that made you sweat like crazy. I became pretty good at doing a Cart-Wheel in the costume. (I never did it in-front of the crowd... too worried about loosing my "head") haha. But with a good running start, I probably could've won a Mascot Cart-Wheeling contest. ;)

Getting into the Costume

But High School was a lot more than just having fun with music, or being the mascot. I actually had a little bit of homework. (well, not really my second semester, senior year. I didn't take math or science, so school was a breeze...) But finals were so stressful. I can only imagine how they are going to be in college.
Speaking of classes and homework, the best class I took was Journalism. I took Journalism "1", junior year, and "2" my senior year. First of all, Mr. Vrana has to be like, the best teacher. Ever. So amazing. I don't think I'll ever forget going and selling ads for the yearbook, and then going to either Mcdonalds or Runza to get some food. We had to sneak our food back into the school. It was always a challenge to hide it under a sweatshirt or something while walking past the principal's office. Somehow we snuck the food in, and somehow we got the yearbook done. It's a mystery on how we do it, but it always gets done. Every year!

Now I've graduated, and officially become a member of the long list of AHS alumni. School in general is a crazy thing, and High School in particular is a lot crazier. Every year I have gained friends and lost friends. Not like I've "lost" them, we still talk, but just like time, people change as well. It'll be hard moving to Nashville at the end of august, with the chance that I will never see some of my friends, ever again. It was always a great time hanging out in my basement, jumping on the trampoline, or watching movies. Those memories I'll never forget. Just like High School. But things are changing, and we're all going our separate ways. Onto new and greater things.

My family and I after graduation

Now I'm not sure how to end this...