Below the surface: how our upperclassmen express themselves
Updated: Nov 2
What is your favorite way to express yourself and why?
“My favorite way to express myself is through music in general. I think everywhere I go, I'm listening to music or thinking about music or doing something related to music, and I think it's really important for self-expression. I think you can tell a lot about somebody from who they support, who they listen to. You know, I know a lot of my other beliefs are represented through my music, like not using Spotify for their views on ICE and their financial support of ICE. Not supporting artists who deal with various crimes and accusations. And I feel very strongly about those things. And then also I play music, and drumming's been such an amazing outlet for me to discover more about my capabilities and also just have a lot of fun doing it and performing for people. All those things tie back to my love of music.”
What art forms do you like? Is there a specific piece of art (music, art pierce, writing, play, ect.) that has stuck with you?
“I love theater. I fell in love with theater when I was really young, like maybe first or second grade, and I've always been so impressed by how it's basically a movie performed live, and you've got an orchestra, and you've got tech people, you've got your stage managers, you've got construction people, every everyone who contributed to it. I think it's the most impressive thing, and I love doing it in theater. I always feel very impressed and very proud of what we're able to accomplish on such a small scale compared to what Broadway musicals look like. But I think musicalists tend to really stick with me because they express so much through the dancing and the singing and the writing and the acting, and I think those really have made an impact on me, especially ones that promote LGBTQ stories.”
Why do you think self expression is important?
“I think self-expression is important because I think being unique is important. I feel like conforming to what everybody else thinks about you and having other people decide who you are isn't good for your mental health because then you start to think that's all your worth, and I think self-expression helps you know your own self-worth.”
What does your personal style speak about who you are?
“My personal style represents who I am, but I don’t know how. I don’t think I really have a specific style. I feel like people know I'm very out there, and people think I'm loud, which I am. I’m very expressive, and I think you can see that in my style.”
Do you think physical appearance is the only way people express themselves at Eagle Rock? What other ways are there?
“I definitely don't think that physical appearance is the only way of self-expression, especially in Eagle Rock. There's so many different extracurriculars that are offered at this school, like theater and band and sports and stuff that give people a way to express themselves to other people that isn't just with how they look.”
What clubs are you a part of? Do you consider that a way to express yourself?
“I'm part of the theater company, and that's about it. I definitely think that's a way to express myself because I'm able to perform two times a year to half of the school in a night, and I think that people who don't know me can still know things about me through the theater things that I do.”
Do you express yourself differently outside of school vs inside? What is different about it?
“I would say I do express myself differently just around my friends versus my family, but overall I'm pretty much the same person.”
Do you think our school provides enough ways for students to show who they are? Why or why not?
“Yeah, I think they do. I just think that a lot of the sports get a lot of the recognition versus like art clubs or clubs that aren't as known, but I do think that they offer a lot of resources and opportunities for people to express themselves.”
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