For as long as I can remember, I have been the theatrical one of the family. I was always called “dramatic” and was told I was “overreacting” (which, to be fair, I sometimes was); the point is, it was always just me who had this flair for the dramatic. Until I got to high school.

I joined the mixed choir my freshman year, no audition, just a bunch of people who wanted to sing (or fill a schedule requirement). We were absolutely terrible, but that didn't matter much. I was just happy to meet people who shared my love of performing. That same year, I went out for the musical — and absolutely bombed my audition, thus being cast in the ensemble. But again, I didn't really care. I was thrilled to be onstage with so many people who shared my passion, to have an environment I could really be myself in. My love for these choir geeks and theater dorks started here, and never went away.

I wasn't going to join another choir my sophomore year because of a full schedule, but my choir director talked me into dropping one elective and letting him put me into the female ensemble. This time, the girls in the group had to audition to get in, so I knew they all wanted to be there. Sure, tensions got a little high with the amount of estrogen in that room, but we had so much fun and created so many memories I still talk about today. Again, I also went out for the musical and was cast as a pit singer this time. I remember being so excited (even though now I complain about having had to sit on those hard bleachers in a dark corner for three hours at a time). I looked forward to spending time with these girls I barely knew almost every single day. I made friends that year that have lasted me into my freshman year of college, and I’m forever grateful for them.

My junior year, I was just going to stay in the female ensemble and not go out for the chamber choir, the highest group you could get into in my high school. Looking back, that was really stupid of me, because I had been dreaming of being in Chambers since middle school. But the friends I had made through the music groups sat me down the day before auditions and taught me everything I needed to know before I walked into the audition. And it paid off, because I got into Chambers.

I got the news in my bio class and ran around the room crying, causing my teacher to become extremely concerned for my mental health, probably. The joy I felt that day was incredible, and it never would've happened if the friends I had made through music hadn't pushed me. I experienced so much that year from the programs I was involved in, including singing with my choir in the Princeton Chapel to 1,000 people and not messing up my solo. That memory is one that always comes to mind when people ask what my favorite memories are. We did “High School Musical” that year, and even though I hated the show, performing still gave me that insane rush. I never felt happier than when I took that final bow on closing night with the people who had grown to be my family. I was at home.

I stayed in Chambers my senior year, and I did the musical for what would be the last time ever. Through all of the lasts, my friends got me through them with a smile on my face (and a lot of tears). I never knew how much I’d miss these people who’d become “my people” until I performed at my last Chambers event and took that final bow one last time. I had grown so much as a person because I had so many friends around me who supported me and shared my love and passion for being as dramatic as possible. So yes, I was (and still am at heart) a choir geek and a theater dork, but I wouldn't change that for the world.