What happens behind the scenes is what matters most by Grace Sparwasser

My driving goal in high school has been to leave a lasting impact. It was not just about earning the highest grade point average; it was about ensuring that I would be remembered for the impression I made on every individual I encountered. I made a commitment to balance my honors courses and extracurricular activities. So, after three and a half years of high school, I can ‘yes,’ I earned a high grade point average, but it is the extracurricular activities that have shaped who I am as a person and is my priority.
Upon entering high school, I immediately gravitated towards a club exclusively focused on managing lights and sound in the theater. The booth was like nothing I had seen before, brimming with intricate technology that initially seemed intimidating. My first show was operating the spotlight during a dance recital. The moment I switched it on, my confidence soared, and I knew I had found my place.
During my first solo show, I programmed the lights with trembling hands. I anticipated errors, but, aside from a few minor hiccups, everything ran smoothly. This marked a further turning point in my confidence. During this show, I brought a red notebook with me that would become my dedicated lights notebook, a companion I have carried to every production since, keeping me meticulously organized. I make lists for everything, and that notebook contains many of them. Preparation is my forte; writing things down gives me a sense of readiness for life’s unpredictability.
The pinnacle of my lighting achievement arrived two years into high school. I had invested hours into a specific show for the choir at my school, and yet my creative vision had not become a reality. After diligent research and numerous trials, I finally conquered the challenge, creating a mesmerizing display of colors and flashing lights. I still use those same lighting scenes today, and they have a jaw-dropping effect every time.
Just like the spotlight in a theater, which takes a few moments to heat up, my personal development into the young woman I am today required patience and time. In my junior and senior years of high school, I assumed a leadership role in the booth, responsible for training new members and guiding them towards becoming lights and sound experts. For instance, I organize and run workshops each semester to introduce new members to our club. Recently, I helped a sophomore design the lights for a ballet. Seeing her thrive under my guidance empowered me as a leader, and I am eager to mentor other members of the tech crew who look to me for expertise in lights and sound.
The experiences I have had working behind the scenes do not count toward my GPA, but the lessons I have learned from my directors, the actors, and stage crew will be what I carry with me throughout my life.