“A platform to share my voice”: Sophie Shram, Arts & Culture Editor

Even though it was only four years ago, freshman year feels like such a distant past.

I remember being scared of getting lost in the halls of RV and being nervous talking to new people.

I remember joining the Holly Spirit and having to interview people being the bane of my existence.

Although I still get nervous sometimes, I’ve become more comfortable and confident in myself and talking to people is like second nature to me. My high school experience has been a lot of ups and downs, and with a pandemic in the middle of it, I think it’s safe to say that high school will be a time I’ll never forget. 

I’ve grown a lot as a person and have been able to find my voice throughout the years, and joining the Holly Spirit helped me out a lot more than I thought it would when I initially joined. I started as a staff writer and worked up to being an Editor, and along the way I’ve met so many great people and have written about many topics close to my heart.

As an Asian woman growing up in America, it was always hard for me to find myself represented in media, whether it be in movies, shows, books, the news, you name it, I couldn’t find Asian voices or people talking about Asian issues and experiences. The Holly Spirit was a platform for me to share my voice and find others who shared similar experiences, and then write about it. 

I’m really grateful to have been a part of the Holly Spirit and want to say a big thank you to Mrs. Sherman for reviving the school paper and being a rock to rely on during the chaos that is our pub cycles. I would also like to thank my section, the Arts & Culture section, and everyone that worked behind the scenes to keep everything running smoothly. You guys are amazing and I’m gonna miss you all. 

Overall, I’m really proud of what I accomplished in my high school years. I joined several clubs, made new friends,  improved my grades, and most importantly became someone my freshman self would be proud of. 

To everyone who still has time left in high school, my advice as a senior leaving for university is to cherish your time and live in the moment while you can. You have your whole life ahead of you, take this time to enjoy your teenage years! And to all those graduating with me, I wish you the best of luck in your future, and hope you’re doing something you love <3