Dream School: UCLA

[dropcap size=big]A[/dropcap]ll  teens struggle to find a way to identify themselves, or for them to be noticed by peers as a unique individual who makes positive differences within their own community. Many people surrender this search in pursuit of the opposite, making their community worse for the sake of themselves, or being a very passive member of their community in hopes that the burning desire of passion will find them, and not the other way around. I was not one with many friends or family friends, and struggled for quite some time to find my place within my high school, but never gave up my search.

At the start of my Junior year, I noticed something that was distinct in our school’s daily bulletin: there was one voice missing. I didn’t know what happened to them, but one particular trait about myself I knew I received the most compliments on was my voice. That, coupled with encouragement of several peers and teachers, had me garner the courage to see if this could be my rightful place; and from that day on, nearly every morning, all students were greeted with a rich, deep: “Good morning Paso Robles High School!” After it became a particular norm, however, it was much more of a daily routine to me than something that I could identify myself with. But with my work drive and determination, naturally, I did not stop there.

Towards the end of my Junior year, I was approached with the opportunity of being a Master of Ceremonies for the school’s yearly Dance Show, and the joy I felt talking into a microphone towards a crowd was not only renewed that night, but became a burning desire; I found my passion. Now my voice can be heard at Football games, on our bulletin, at the Dance Show, Poetry Out Loud, and weekly videos of our school news. And I know I won’t stop there. I’ve done my contribution for spirit, positive energy, and enthusiasm to my school as Christopher Garcia, “the Voice of Paso Robles High School.”