Senior Reflection

 1

As soon as the lights dimmed and Lauren Williams strutted onstage with her “yeah girl, you tell her,” I knew I was in for a rollercoaster of emotions. Periwig’s Winterfest selections featured thought-provoking student-written plays, including Na’imah Ford’s powerful message on stereotypes, a truly hilarious performance by Elijah Miller (the sweetest guy on the planet playing a male manipulator), a touching meet-cute in the supermarket written by the one and only Mr. August, and a reflective play about the beauty of life directed by Claire Jiang. Being able to share laughs with my closest friends, watch them and my prefectees transform into dynamic characters who beautifully conveyed the messages of their plays, and appreciate the arts as a viewer instead of a performer made me fall in love with theatre all over again. I thought of the butterflies dancing in my stomach before I would step out on stage. I remembered squinting into the audience, barely distinguishing faces under the blinding lights. In a place where you feel safe to become a new person, you embody their quirks, discover their challenges, and express their emotions. I felt the warmth of the theatre community engulf me with joy. Most of all, I was reminded that I perform to make other people feel. 

2

Leaving “Middle of Nowhere” Illinois and my family’s comfort was one of the hardest parts of my transition to Lawrenceville. But as soon as my prefect Delaney Musgrave welcomed me with her warm smile and persona, my worries disappeared. Sporting the purple and gold swag, she described the family she grew to love in McClellan. From the late nights with Avianna Zampardi (the best roommate I could ask for) in room 308, grinding out history papers, to each House Olympics that killed my voice  for the rest of the week, to the ridiculous karaoke nights spent belting Olivia Rodrigo in the common room, to experiencing the best type of comfort—a much-needed hug—McClellan has become my haven and my home. 

To all my McSiblings: thank you for showing me so much love and for helping me find my sense of belonging. I will forever cherish the memories we’ve created together. So much McLove for you all <3

3

When the posts and stories commemorating the 100 days left before graduation flooded my Instagram feed, I panicked: the beginning of my time at Lawrenceville felt like just yesterday. There are so many things I have yet to do, so many things I have yet to learn, and so many events creating a person I have yet to become. Over this process of reflecting, I realized that while leaving Lawrenceville is not the end of that journey, this school has begun the process of shaping me into my authentic self. Through the common room laughs and electrifying performances, I know Lawrenceville has transformed me into a more confident, compassionate, and vibrant human being, and shown me that the power and love of community can carry us through any hardship. To the underclassman reading this, I encourage you to embrace every challenge, lean into each emotion, and be unafraid to step out of your comfort zone: there’s a warm community waiting for you here which will inspire you to grow. So thank you, Lawrenceville, for giving me another family and home; for every lesson learned, and every friendship formed.