On the Cover
By Briana, age 18, Pennsylvania
Hey ya'll! My name is Briana. I am currently in the second semester of my freshman year of college in South Carolina. I started writing for SDM when I was about 15 or 16. I came across it surfing the web, and I love to write, so I thought I'd give it a shot! Now it's about 3 years later, and I still try as often as possible to contribute to the magazine! :)
As I said, I'm in college. I'm currently majoring in musical theatre, and I absolutely love it. Ever since the 5th grade I've been in love with performing. I starred in my first show, the well-known musical Annie, at my school when I was only 11! I only had a small role as an orphan, but I only went up from there. From then on I was in every musical my school put on. I got my first lead role in 8th grade as Marian the Librarian in The Music Man. Until the end of my high school career, I had a leading role in every show.
Not only was I a major participant in my school's drama club, I also meddled in various other extracurricular activities. I played the flute for 6 years, as well as sang in the school choir. I was also a part of the video club for a few years and was a member of the National Honor Society. I obviously didn't let all these activities distract me from my studies. In the 11th grade I was 5th in my class of about 95, and I graduated Summa Cum Laude with a 3.92 GPA. I received a merit scholarship to the college I am now attending.
So enough about then, let's talk about now! :) I'm a pretty cool chick, so I've heard. Haha. I can be very laid back and chill, but I can also be very uptight & paranoid. I attribute this to my being a Gemini! I'm a very loving person and I treat everyone with kindness and gratitude. My family and friends mean the world to me and my life would be sooo boring without them! I've been told I'm a very "sunny" person and that I'm very lighthearted and easily make people happy. Also, I'm a die-hard fashionista - I love buying and wearing clothes. Also, I absolutely looooooovvveeee the beach! I love everything about it! The colors, the feelings, the smells, the sounds! I just love to lie on the beach and soak in the sun! I also really like to be in the ocean. No wonder I go to school by the beach! ;D
I am very strong in my beliefs. I am strongly against underage drinking, any use of drugs, and sex before marriage. I often finding myself judging others based on these things, but I try not to let it get in the way of my friendships. If they decide to engage in these things, that's on them, although I don't approve. What's important is that I follow my own morals and values. I'm very much into love and peace. I've been repeatedly referred to as a hippie and I'm proud of it! I feel like people are so afraid to love one another outwardly; everything is always a sneaky, fear-ridden game. I feel like you should be able to be loving toward your friends and family without it being awkward. But that's just me.
So, just like any 18 year old girl, I have plenty of hobbies! I absolutely love to sing and dance, I am a self diagnosed shopaholic, and I really like to be creative. I watch waaaayyy too much TV and I have an unhealthy obsession with Diet Coke. I love to read, although I find myself constantly buying new books and then taking FOREVER to read them! Also, I love taking pictures - I'd really like to take a photography class someday.
For my career, there are a few things I'd like to do. My first pick would to be either on Broadway or in the movies. And if I couldn't do that I'd love to be a performer at Disney World! Other careers I'd love to do would be to be a fashion designer, magazine editor, or a photographer. :)
So that's just a little bit about me. Here are a few quotes that have inspired me. I hope they'll do the same for ya'll! :)
Peace & Love,
Briana
"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." - Eleanor Roosevelt
"Happiness is the secret to all beauty. There is no beauty that is attractive without happiness." - Christian Dior
"Happiness is like a butterfly; the more you chase it, the more it will elude you, but if you turn your attention to other things, it will come and sit softly on your shoulder." - Henry David Thoreau
"Be who you are and say what you mean because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind."- Dr. Seuss
"Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself." - Unknown
"Women should be two things: classy and fabulous." - Coco Chanel
"For attractive lips, speak words of kindness. For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people. For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry. For poise, walk with the knowledge that you will never walk alone. People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; never throw out anyone." - Audrey Hepburn
