My name is Sophia Estelle Kershaw, I was a high school student at Los Altos High School that was dual enrolled in Freestyle Academy. I had so many interests varying from STEM subjects such as forensics science and data science, as well as more creative hobbies such as fashion design, sculpting, film and more. After some exploring I realized I love film, design, teamwork, and data analytics more.
Some of my core values included grit, competency, versatility, and teamwork. My work style was often sporadic creativity so being a part of a community that could inspire me to think differently is crucial for me. I appreciated people of different backgrounds and cultures when I received feedback because it helped me understand how vast the world is. I found it important to explore different lines of work or views through different people within a team to strengthen and appreciate each other. I worked best when working overtime on long term goals and never giving up on me or the people around me. I felt the most achieved when I helped the right people and express the right stories.
In my free time I loved to sing, I enjoy covering R&B, hip hop, classical, blue jazz, rap songs and more. Along with singing I also dance frequently, typically breakdancing and hip hop. I don’t have a classical background in dancing or singing so my skill set isn’t as meticulous as it could be, however singing and dancing made me feel free. It gave me the adrenaline I can’t get from a movie, it was my way of escaping stress.
When deciding to be a Freestyle student, I wanted to get involved in the technology at this program. Growing up I wasn’t exposed to computers or cameras much and I knew it was holding me back artistically and made me complacent at my current skill level in many of my passions. I hoped by the time I graduated I would be able to use windows and mac comfortably, understand the structure of a computer, be able to use recording and filming equipment naturally, and evolve my editing skills to aid my photography and film work. I hoped artistically I could see how boundless opportunities are and evolve my music skills and be a versatile storyteller and not hold myself back.
I recognized having the opportunity to be a Freestyle student was a blessing, having access to equipment, reasonable work schedule, and options to network were at my fingertips everyday. At this program I wasn’t burnt out and actually had the freedom to express myself and create instead of being talked at all the time and feeling like my education was meaningless. It was a unique opportunity where you can’t find it anywhere else for the most part. I felt grateful that I had that freedom at Freestyle Academy and was treated as an equal. Down below is my first film project ever at Freestyle!