Community is the foundation on which I have built my identity, giving me strength, confidence,

and integrity. It’s the warm glow that surrounds my fondest memories; a pathway to guide me
back to what gives me purpose.

Subtle warm breezes fluttered the sheet music on the stands as we began our song, as every song
started, with silence. “One, two, three, four.” After weeks of practice, we knew the song by heart;
each hit, riff, and groove was memorized. I let the jazzy chords fill my ears, looking across the
audience scattered on the grass before us. “Okay, here we go. Just feel it.” At first it was like
every other time; then suddenly as I started singing the second verse, we found that elusive
“pocket” that every group of musicians yearns to find. Every note was in tune and the bass and
drums led the groove in perfect synchronization. I wasn’t just singing so that I could sound like
Ella Fitzgerald; I was singing the way that fit for this band, this song, this moment. It was joyous,
building off each band member's sudden exhilaration. Each individual part became sublime when
it fell into place in context with the perfect whole; I felt my voice simultaneously stand out and
harmonize.

This feeling of belonging as a unique individual, equally important within a group, took root as a
value in my early childhood. I was born in Heartwood Cohousing, and grew up feeling that the
residents of the 24 houses in the community were my family. The neighborhood often awoke to
the sounds of gravel crunching as a ragged bunch of unrelated kids dragged our bikes off the
ground and made our way to each house: breakfast at my house (#10), hotdogs at #8, down the
path to #12 to play games, and up to #19 for triple-chocolate smoothies. Days spent running
through the woods finished at the common meal where families shared a meal together in one
giant room. In this multigenerational community, I felt safe and seen by adults and kids, equally
empowered to make my voice heard and to listen respectfully. This being my childhood fostered
the strong value for community I carry today.

After such a childhood, I felt immediately at home in Animas High School when 180 students
welcomed me into their dynamic, intellectual, rambunctious, humorous environment. Everyone
enters on an even playing field in a school with little hierarchy between grades. Teachers sought
and listened thoughtfully to student opinions; peers encouraged, challenged and supported me in
and out of the classroom. Presenting projects at public exhibitions quickly built a strong knack
for public speaking and allowed me to communicate with another wide range of people. Familiar
with the workings of a close knit community, I found my place as a connector. As a Student
Ambassador, I work with peers and teachers to spread awareness about what AHS is. I give
school tours to prospective families and community members, welcome new students every year,
and lead freshman orientation days. Comfortable speaking with everyone, I discovered the power
and purpose of my authentic voice.
Trusting my belonging, support and value in community has empowered me to be my authentic
self. In academic essays, projects and class discussions I’ve spoken out freely on topics I’m
passionate about like gender equity, sexual harassment and the treatment of women in society,
writing a spoken word poem about my experience as a woman subject to society’s beauty
standards and the male gaze. Working in restaurants, I have proven my competence regardless of
usually being the youngest worker. Going into college and beyond, I will continue to trust my
empathetic heart and strong sense of self to guide me in connecting with communities of people
who will keep challenging my world views. By leading with my values and expressing my
authentic truth, I hope my voice will have a lasting echo.