Author: yhalis

When it comes to discussing the future, I’ve always had plenty to say; predicting revolutionary technologies, theorizing new discoveries about our universe, and eagerly awaiting new realms of human endeavor. But when it comes to discussing my future, I’ve always been at a loss for words. Throughout my life, I have remained a firm believer that the universe will take me where I need to go, and never really had a sense of direction. Because of this, I was never one to take initiative and was often afraid to make my own decisions. For as long as I can remember, while growing up, I didn’t know where I belonged and struggled to conceive my place in the world. However, the time I have spent at Freestyle Academy has allowed me to express a creative side of me that had previously laid dormant. Having the opportunity to sharpen my craft as a student of film, digital media, and English has helped teach me indispensable lessons that have been the catalyst for my growth, not only as a disciple of the fine arts but as a human being. I owe it to Freestyle Academy, and the two individuals in that picture, for helping me find my sense of direction and allowing me to take control of my life’s trajectory. I joined the school when I was 16, and I am now 18, and going to college. While I still don’t fully understand my place in the world and the path I will take to get there, the past two years full of unforgettable experiences have undoubtedly prepared me for the future and anything life throws my way. So for those of you who are reading, thank you for joining me on my journey, and for witnessing the end of one chapter, alongside the beginning of a new one!

The month of April has always been my undisputed favorite, but perhaps Im a little biased because that’s when I was born. For my 18th birthday on April 3rd, I had the privilege of eating out with my beloved family. In celebration of this occasion, I was treated to a dinner at the restaurant Nobu. I didn’t think much of the dinner at first; it was hard for me to even begin to fathom that I was now an adult. However, when my brother Noam delivered a speech and began to shed tears, the significance of the moment started to sink in. All the things I’ve done, the people I’ve met, choices I’ve made, have all led me to that moment, and now the next chapter of my life has begun. When I look at this photograph of my birthday dessert, I think back to that incredible day that I was blessed to experience, and I appreciate how far I’ve come in life and who I’ve become.

On my family’s recent trip to New York City, we were able to go to the top of the Empire State Building, a historical landmark in our nation’s history. Despite the building’s age, it surprisingly still holds a lot of relevance in our current lives. At the time of its creation, the Empire State was the tallest building in the world; although this may no longer be the case, still stands tall and overlooks the beautiful streets of Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Jersey. Remarkably, it took only 14 months to construct and was seen as a marvelous feat of engineering and construction (meanwhile, the new freestyle campus has taken almost two years). The Empire State is a testament to the knowledge and capability of man and proves that we can accomplish anything that we put our minds to.

Groove is in the heart. Music is an expression of oneself, and the type of music you listen to often has a lot to say about you as an individual. The beauty of music is that it means something different to everyone, and this beautiful painting in San Francisco perfectly captures that message.