My Identity

For the many years of elementary school and the first few years of middle school, most kids try out a bunch of different sports and activities to see what interests them the most. Only a select few dedicate their pre-teen years to a certain sport or activity. When I was in 7th grade, I was one of those kids who had tried everything. I played a variety of sports and participated in different clubs and activities. I soon began to realize, however, that everyone around me was discovering their niche. I was not especially good at any of the sports I had played so I felt a little discouraged. However, it did not take long for me to realize that my true talent was in dance. I had taken dance classes just for fun almost every year with my friends. I was a cheerleader for 9 years with my best friend as well. By the time we got older, most of my friends stopped taking classes for fun and focused more on the sports that they excelled in. I had a mini-epiphany and realized that I did not want to stop! I kept taking a class in 7th grade even though all my friends had quit, and in 8th grade I went to a new dance studio and signed up for a bunch of new classes. Almost immediately, I knew I had made a great choice. Everyone at the new dance studio had been dancing since they were 3 years old, and I was just getting started. It took a lot of commitment and dedication, but from where I stand today, it was definitely worth it. I spent the past four years of high school dancing almost every day, and taking more and more classes each year.I went from being super intimidated as a 13 year old girl with practically no intense dance experience, to being on the same competition team as the girls who have been dancing forever. The persistence it took for me to become the dancer I am today is part of my identity and I am sure that it will remain with me for my entire life as I continue to dance. Another part of my life that has affected my identity is my group of friends. I switched elementary schools when I was in 2nd grade and the friends that I made there are still my best friends today. It truly amazes me everyday that my friends have been able to stick together all this time. Each one of us participates in a different sport/activity so it would have been very easy for us to drift apart and not stay as close. We did not choose the easy option. We fought for our friendship and we will continue to fight for it forever. The love and care my friends and I share will always be a part of my identity. Another crucial part of my identity is the love I share with my family. My parents give me a speech every year before the first day of school telling me that no matter whhat happens at school, I will always be loved unconditionally at home. This exemplifies how much they care about me. My siblings have been my best friends for my whole life. Our fights never last more than an hour before we are back to laughing and having fun. My brother could have been mistaken for my parent during my junior year of high school as he cared so much about the college process and my SATs. When I asked him why he cared so much he replied simply, "I just want you to be happy." I tell my sister everything and we can act completely ridiculous around each other without a problem. My family is a part of me that I will never let go.