Zephrun’s Imperium

Hey, all! 

School started last month and I am happier than ever. I post a lot when I'm sad, but y'all deserve to know when I'm happy, too; I have my lows, but I have my highs too.  Two big things have happened, which I figured I should update people about. 

First is the Iowa All State Choir process! So, each school is allotted seven spots to audition people. However, you can put a whole quartet in each of those spots. Our school is fairly large, so our director holds auditions TO audition, which happened last weekend. BUT because I made it last year, I automatically made it into a quartet (along with three other sopranos who made it last year). On Sunday, I got put into a quartet with myself singing soprano, my best friend singing alto (she's never made it past auditions to audition before, but I have seen her grow SO much as a singer and I really think she can make it this year!), and two boys I'd never met before; a sophomore bass and a junior tenor who are both super nice. Today we're having our first rehearsal at my house and my mom is making cake! 

And second is a class I'm taking called CAPS: Center for Advanced Professional Studies. It's essentially a program to help students develop career skills in a specific field. Many of you know already, but I want to be a middle school english teacher! There are perhaps 15 other students doing the teaching program with me and they are the most awesome people. We have a huge football player who wants to be a PE teacher (he was super scary at first, but it turns out, we're a lot alike!), a lady who wants to teach biochemistry, a friend of mine who's interested in teaching kindergarten, an aspiring history teacher, a girl who wants to do special ed, and so many more! It's so inspiring to be with the people who are going to cultivate the future. Anyway, part of the CAPS Ed experience is getting placed in three classrooms for three weeks each. Yesterday we were given our lanyards and our first placement assignments. I am happy to announce that I will be placed in the elementary art classroom I had as a kid! I will be with K-2nd grade, which is a little out of my comfort zone, but I am nevertheless quite excited. My other placements are going to be in a middle school english class, and an elementary school library. 

You know, I thought I hit rock bottom during the pandemic and they say when that happens there's no place to go but up. But I fell deeper and that was hard for me to stomach. And yet... things have gotten better. And I never have to re-live my past. As Iroh says, "You can't always see the light at the end of the tunnel, but if you just keep moving, you will come to a better place." I truly believe that. 

Have a nice day. 

- Star