Aurora '26

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I am fresh off the heels of my last Ethnic Walk in college. Wow... am I ever nostalgic. First of all... no, I didn't win a prize, but I think I won a lot more. 

I feel so much more confident because of my opportunities to be on these stages. I have actually been observing what happens to me on stage and during practice, and I feel myself becoming a different person through these experiences. 

I initially wasn't going to walk for this Aurora. This used to be a place I loved and laughed and rejoiced, but it had turned into one of isolation and despair. I thought long and hard about whether participating was worth it. The only reasons I could think of for not doing so were because of other people. On the other hand, the pros said that I would enjoy it and love it, and it would be a perfect farewell to my time here. I decided I owed it to myself to do this for myself. And so I did. 

When I'm on stage... I lose myself. I get to be someone who is admired from a distance. People might not even recognize me when they see me around college, but I'm sure my stage look makes an impression. As I've done these performances so so many times, I have gained more confidence in myself on stage, not just off it. 

Also... coincidentally... I was able to pay a tribute to my very first costume, in the sense that my outfit for both was similar. 

This is a picture from my first ethnic walk, at the College Auditions '23
This is me on stage, at Aurora '25

Anyway... before you ask me what the point of this post is... It's just a nostalgic reminiscence of my marvelous tenure on stage. 



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