Stepping into the Spotlight: A Graduate's Reflection

If graduating is the culmination of hundreds of long hours spent trapped in classrooms and of nights spent bent double over a desk, then why does the very thought of it bring so much pain? Why do my eyes fill with tears when I picture a day without a cafeteria lunch or a night without an assignment from Mr. Morris? I should be overjoyed at the prospect of moving on and beginning a new chapter of my life filled with exciting challenges, but I am far from it; simply put, I have loved my time at Shore. Year after year I have been blessed with the chance to learn from wonderful and supportive teachers and to be a part of a student body that has made every passing day better than the last. But for me, however, no part of my Shore experience has been more potent than the sense of security and trust I feel as I walk the halls, and It was not until this year, my tenth year at Shore, that I was able to appreciate how empowering that kind of community can be.

As far back as I can remember, I have had a crippling case of stage fright. Whenever I would present in front of a class or perform onstage, my words would get caught in my mouth, and my entire body would shake. Nothing terrified me more than stepping into the spotlight. This year, however, everything changed when I enrolled in Advanced Theater Arts, or ATA. The decision to take ATA was a tremendous step for me because it meant I would have to face my fear in the most straightforward way possible. This was a milestone; it marked the first point in my time at Shore that I had taken a real risk and stepped out of my comfort zone. Needless to say, when the time came for me to perform my monologue, I was terrified beyond belief. The thought of being that vulnerable in front of the whole school petrified me to my very core.

But, as soon as I stepped out onto the stage and gazed out into a sea of familiar faces a wave of comfort rolled over me. My mind cleared, and I was able to perform to the best of my ability. It was that moment, on stage, that flung the doors of my mind open, revealing a love of acting I did not know I possessed. After that first performance, I found myself jumping at every opportunity to get up on stage and perform in front of an audience, and with each passing performance taking that first step out onto the stage became more and more natural. Facing my fear of public speaking has been the most rewarding endeavor of my life. Not only did it augment my abilities as an actor and as a speaker, but also my personality as a whole. It has made me a more courageous person, a person who is not afraid to be true to what is best in himself.

But alas, I cannot take credit for this courage, because I am not its source. The only reason I was ever able to take such a risk was the overwhelming support of the Shore community. The safety I have felt as I have walked through the hallways is emblematic of Shore. It is a place where students push each other to be better in every aspect of school, and more importantly, it is a place where students are willing to take risks because they know that if they fail, their peers, their teachers, their coaches, and their advisors will be there to cushion their fall. It took me nine years to come to that realization—nine years of staying safely within my comfort zone. Nine years of drifting through Shore without fully appreciating the beauty and the opportunity that surrounded me.

Nevertheless, I am grateful that I was able to discover what I'd been missing in time to benefit from everything Shore has to offer. This past year has instilled in me a new and powerful sense of who I am and who I wish to be. I am eternally grateful for everything Shore has done for me. It has become my home, and it will always hold a special place in my heart.