Annual Report 2012-2013 | Page 13

There seemed to be no question in my family that I would go to Bishop McNamara High School. Both of my sisters attended and graduated from here, my father previously coached the wrestling team, and in addition to being close with the faculty, we lived close to the school. Still, my mother forced me out of bed early Saturdays to go to other high schools’ open houses. I hardly paid attention because I knew I would go to Bishop McNamara and in my little eighth grader mind, I thought high school would be one of the best times of my life. I also took the chance, during the year, to visit Austin, Texas, to look at St. Edwards University. I had no interest in the school (no tech theatre major) but my best friend happened to go there. But don’t tell my mom that! In retrospect, I was right. Going to Bishop McNamara was one of the best things that ever happened to me. I cannot imagine the person I would have become otherwise. But despite it being one of the best things to happen, it did not come without personal struggles and academic pitfalls. As a result, I began to look into film and media studies, and realized that St. Edwards and the city of Austin would be one of the best places for me to pursue and personally grow in. Coming from a middle school class of thirty, I was pretty apprehensive about making friends and opening up.