I've always dreamt of singing. It didn't matter where I was in my dream, just as long as I was performing. I love being on stage and I often miss that feeling. Making people smile along with me, just through my voice. I didn't watch The Voice until I met my fiancé, Tyler. He supports me when it comes to my voice, too. He keeps telling me, "The worst thing they can say is 'no.'"

And sometimes I don't know if I believe him.

I always doubt myself and my "talents." I love singing. I've been doing it since I was 3 and I don't intend on stopping. I think one of my favorite songs to really sing is "Gravity" by Sara Bareilles. The lyrics are so powerful and they have helped me through all of my break-ups.

In elementary school, I was voted "Most Likely to Appear on American Idol." I took that as a big compliment. I remember once in 5th grade when I signed up for a talent show in my class and a girl asked me to print out the lyrics to No One by Alicia Keys.

She sang it, but the tune wasn't even there. I couldn't believe she entered a talent show and didn't have the talent to carry the song. So I went up when she got nervous and I helped her sing it. I was proud of myself for trying to sing as best I could, and I also helped a friend with her stage fright.

In 6th grade, I had an orchestra class with a man named Mr. Fusco. He had a karaoke machine hooked up and let people sing on Fridays. I was initially too shy, but when a duet decided to sing "You Can't Stop the Beat" from Hairspray, I knew I had to get up there. The two girls invited me up and I was in front of the crowd. Everyone clapped and some sang along. Others complimented me on the way out of the classroom.

The people in my class told me I had a beautiful voice and that I had real talent. Mr. Fusco said the same thing. He told me, "you have a beautiful voice, Carla. You should really consider following it."

So naturally, I entered the talent show at my middle school. I sang for students during the day and then my parents got to come see me that night. I sang "Breakaway" by Kelly Clarkson. It felt like a coming of age for me because the lyrics are about learning to fly and finding yourself with respect to where you come from.

6th grade was a difficult time for me. I was doubting myself more and more every day. Being on stage that year was comforting. It was the first time I had an actual place to perform with no one else around. It was just me. The feeling was honestly almost indescribable.

I was in the talent show again in 7th and 8th grade. I miss it. I miss that feeling. I wish I could pursue it sometimes. Not for the fame or the money or recognition. I just love the stage, I love my voice, I love making people happy. But sometimes I'm my worst critic, a lot of people are like that. Completely critical of their voices or actions or anything.

Maybe it's because I'm too anxious. I think I'm too anxious for my own good. Sometimes all I do is sit on my couch and worry about myself. I feel like it's my worst trait. I pay too much attention to myself, but never in a good way. I often feel a disconnect with my own happiness. But I just try to sing it out.

When I'm on a stage and there are lights on me, I want to perform. I want to sing. I want that joy. I wish I knew what my style was though. Sometimes I sing a song, but I don't feel like my voice connects well enough with it. What should I sing if I barely know who I am?

To put all of this simply, I think I want to sing someday. Maybe I'll try out for The Voice, maybe I'll just focus on my future career. Maybe I can do both. I don't know, and maybe that's the beauty of life. The unknown. Who knows what will happen? Maybe fate exists, maybe it'll happen. Until then, I guess I'll keep writing.

I'll keep writing short stories and poetry and articles because sometimes, the paper is my stage. I perform and demonstrate myself on here. You're reading my performance and I hope you like what I have to offer. It's a piece of me that I love. I hope you do, too.