‘I push myself to take on so many projects because I know I can do it and want to do it. I only have one life to live so I might as well do it!’

Massapequa

“As a kid, one of my favorite movies was “Pirates of the Caribbean.” I knew every line, I would dress up as the characters, and I’d act out the movie. However, it was in dance class that my family realized I was born to be on stage. Over the years, I have taken a ton of classes in acting, dance, singing, trumpet, piano and guitar.

“After a short time with piano and voice, I learned that I have the gift of perfect pitch. If someone drops a needle on the ground, I can tell the pitch at which it was dropped. For 10 years, I have taken piano lessons from Carolyn Miller, a country singer from Massapequa. I have also done many local plays, which led to acting in student films, music videos and television.

“My biggest milestone so far is a co-star role in an episode of the HBO Max reboot of “Gossip Girl.” I have been on sets before, but I never had a speaking part. I had my own trailer and everything! I love acting because you can be someone that isn’t yourself. It allows me to express how I feel, and it has also helped socially. I made sure to take every advantage I could during lockdown, like classes with the New York Film Academy.

Normally, when people think of night school, they think of people who failed. People go into it for other reasons though.

“I decided to graduate one year early from high school in part because of my acting career. Being finished allows me to have more time to work through my goals and focus on my craft. Normally, when people think of night school, they think of people who failed. People go into it for other reasons though.

“The Nassau BOCES Twilight Alternative High School Program allowed me to take 11th- and 12th-grade classes at the same time, and I’m so grateful for that. The classes were laid back and supportive. I was surprised to be chosen for the George Farber Outstanding Student Award through that program.

“My gap year before college will help me build my résumé as I pursue film editing. I’m excited to create and edit short films, write scripts, cast actors and find locations. I push myself to take on so many projects because I know I can do it and want to do it. I only have one life to live so I might as well do it! Through trying so much, I’ve realized that I’m capable of achieving what I want to do, and I know that anything’s possible if I believe in myself.”