I found out today that I have been awarded the Next Step Scholarship
from Emerson. This means that half of my tuition is covered.
I
still can’t put my head around the fact that everything I put my mind to
I was able to make happen. Three years ago I had a GED and a dream to
become an Emerson student. I remember visiting Bunker Hill Community
College with my boyfriend and discussing with an advisor my options for
transfer and funding Emerson. The Next Step Scholarship was mentioned
and the competition seemed intimidating…but it was the only way. I set
forth on a journey to do whatever it took to become Emerson material.
For once in my life things are going good.
I’m going to take this moment to count my blessings. <3
Showing posts with label bhcc. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bhcc. Show all posts
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Thursday, May 2, 2013
My only concern about transferring to Emerson is...
...the lack of diversity.
I have spent the last two and half years at Bunker Hill Community College. A place so diverse we have students from close to 100 countries attending and 75 different languages being spoken on campus. Heck, I’m the minority…and I LOVE it. I have never found another place so open and accepting of every kind of person. I have never once been judged for my beliefs, economical background, personality, or how I dress. I am accepted and liked by many for who I am. We are all accepted and liked for who we are— differences and similarities alike.
Will I be able to say the same when I attend Emerson College? The one complaint I have heard from many students is that Emerson has close to zero diversity. Unless of course you are talking about the variety of rich, privileged, sheltered, white kids. The thought of that kind of atmosphere actually makes me nervous. I don’t want to be put back under the same microscope I was under during middle school and high school. I don’t want to be in an environment of adolescent minds that lack wisdom, insight, and real world experience.
With that said, no matter the environment I will not allow it to affect my progression as a filmmaker. Nor will I assume every student is like that. Innocent until proven guilty, right?
As I usually do, I will keep a positive outlook and focus my thoughts on the relationships I will build while at Emerson. I have never been one to let anything get in my way or discourage me from my path. I am beyond excited to finally start studying TV production and take an active role in the clubs, organizations, and opportunities offered by Emerson. I have waited my entire life to fulfill this desire of mine. The majority of my life was spent trying to figure out how to be involved in what I love to do. Finally, I have found my way.
I have spent the last two and half years at Bunker Hill Community College. A place so diverse we have students from close to 100 countries attending and 75 different languages being spoken on campus. Heck, I’m the minority…and I LOVE it. I have never found another place so open and accepting of every kind of person. I have never once been judged for my beliefs, economical background, personality, or how I dress. I am accepted and liked by many for who I am. We are all accepted and liked for who we are— differences and similarities alike.
Will I be able to say the same when I attend Emerson College? The one complaint I have heard from many students is that Emerson has close to zero diversity. Unless of course you are talking about the variety of rich, privileged, sheltered, white kids. The thought of that kind of atmosphere actually makes me nervous. I don’t want to be put back under the same microscope I was under during middle school and high school. I don’t want to be in an environment of adolescent minds that lack wisdom, insight, and real world experience.
With that said, no matter the environment I will not allow it to affect my progression as a filmmaker. Nor will I assume every student is like that. Innocent until proven guilty, right?
As I usually do, I will keep a positive outlook and focus my thoughts on the relationships I will build while at Emerson. I have never been one to let anything get in my way or discourage me from my path. I am beyond excited to finally start studying TV production and take an active role in the clubs, organizations, and opportunities offered by Emerson. I have waited my entire life to fulfill this desire of mine. The majority of my life was spent trying to figure out how to be involved in what I love to do. Finally, I have found my way.
Friday, January 11, 2013
Costa Rica Bound
After a night of doubt, the results are in... I'M GOING TO COSTA RICA!!
Last summer I started to research the Costa Rica study abroad program offered through my school. The more I learned about it the more I had to go on this trip! I spent the next several months writing and perfecting my essay and application requirements. I also spent months preparing myself for the interview. During random parts of my day, every day, up until the interview, I would ask myself questions I thought would be asked during the interview. I even started running several days a week to start preparing myself physically if I were to be chosen.
The night before the interview I stayed up late writing out bullet points and answers to memorize. I had to make sure that in the case of blanking out because of anxiety, that I wouldn't! I sat and rehearsed my answers for hours. I put every piece of myself into this. I haven't wanted something so bad since Tom Hiddleston.
Ok, ok... I haven't wanted something this bad since Emerson College.
After my interview I felt good about everything. I felt confident about the quality of my interview and I knew I had a very strong essay. Though I wasn't being over confident, I still knew I gave it my all.
I was told come January 11th decisions for study abroad would be made. The anticipation was gruesome.
January 10th rolled around and suddenly several friends of mine received phone calls informing them of their acceptance into the study abroad program. I kept waiting for my phone to ring too... it never did. Once 5:00 pm rolled around, the time at which the International Center closes, I started to lose hope. I would get texts and read posts on Facebook about everyone's acceptance.
Even though I knew I gave a good interview, I started to think maybe my luck wasn't changing after all. I am use to a life where a lot is taken and not much good is given. A life where I am given more hurdles than breaks. I am so use to putting myself out there and receiving nothing in return... In fact, more would be taken from me.
I started to question my possibility of getting into the program. I gave it my best and what if my best wasn't enough? What if I am not meant to have nice things? What if I will never be chosen for anything I set out to be a part of?
I know that might seem like a lot of emotions for "just a study abroad trip"... but this trip represents so much for me. Since attending Bunker Hill I am actually making REAL progress in my life. Being chosen to go to Costa Rica would show that my hard work really does pay off. It would show that maybe I really am good enough to accomplish what I set out to do. It would also give me the opportunity to experience something life changing. Studying in Costa Rica has become a dream of mine; just like interning at the BBC has been a dream of mine.
With that said, I was bummed out the whole night of the 10th. My boyfriend kept trying to be optimistic but I'd rather be hurt that night and pleasantly surprised the next day than get my hopes up just to be let down. The whole night I had dream after dream about going to the International Center and asking about my acceptance. Every dream ended with me being chosen. When I would wake up, I would feel all sad again because it was all just a dream.
I knew that I had to put myself out of my misery by calling them. I needed to get an answer, whether it was a "yes" or a "no", I just needed to know. That way I could deal with it and move on. The office opens at 9:00 am but I didn't want to be that eager and call right away... So I waited for 9:40. haha
My heart raced as I called the office.
Office: "Hello"
Me: "Hi, I am calling about the study abroad decisions."
Office: "Ok, hold one moment please."
Heather: "Hello, this is Heather speaking..."
Me: "Hello Heather, my name is Sarah LaFlamme. I am calling about the study abroad decisions."
Heather: "Have you received a phone call yet?"
Me: "No, I was told today was the day to find out so I wanted to call."
Heather: "Ok, let me access the files. Please give me a moment."
Me: "Ok."
Heather: "So, you're going to Costa Rica?"
Me: "I hope so. That is what I applied for."
Heather: "You have been awarded the scholarship to study in Costa Rica."
Me: "Oh my gosh, really?! Thank you so much!"
Heather: "You actually did really well!" (talking about the point system/my grade)
Me: "I am so happy to hear that. Thank you!"
I was then told that I will be receiving a call in the near future with more information, as well as receive an acceptance package in the mail.
I am so happy and excited. I am also very proud of the hard work I put into this opportunity.
Maybe my luck is starting to change?
Last summer I started to research the Costa Rica study abroad program offered through my school. The more I learned about it the more I had to go on this trip! I spent the next several months writing and perfecting my essay and application requirements. I also spent months preparing myself for the interview. During random parts of my day, every day, up until the interview, I would ask myself questions I thought would be asked during the interview. I even started running several days a week to start preparing myself physically if I were to be chosen.
The night before the interview I stayed up late writing out bullet points and answers to memorize. I had to make sure that in the case of blanking out because of anxiety, that I wouldn't! I sat and rehearsed my answers for hours. I put every piece of myself into this. I haven't wanted something so bad since Tom Hiddleston.
Ok, ok... I haven't wanted something this bad since Emerson College.
After my interview I felt good about everything. I felt confident about the quality of my interview and I knew I had a very strong essay. Though I wasn't being over confident, I still knew I gave it my all.
I was told come January 11th decisions for study abroad would be made. The anticipation was gruesome.
January 10th rolled around and suddenly several friends of mine received phone calls informing them of their acceptance into the study abroad program. I kept waiting for my phone to ring too... it never did. Once 5:00 pm rolled around, the time at which the International Center closes, I started to lose hope. I would get texts and read posts on Facebook about everyone's acceptance.
Even though I knew I gave a good interview, I started to think maybe my luck wasn't changing after all. I am use to a life where a lot is taken and not much good is given. A life where I am given more hurdles than breaks. I am so use to putting myself out there and receiving nothing in return... In fact, more would be taken from me.
I started to question my possibility of getting into the program. I gave it my best and what if my best wasn't enough? What if I am not meant to have nice things? What if I will never be chosen for anything I set out to be a part of?
I know that might seem like a lot of emotions for "just a study abroad trip"... but this trip represents so much for me. Since attending Bunker Hill I am actually making REAL progress in my life. Being chosen to go to Costa Rica would show that my hard work really does pay off. It would show that maybe I really am good enough to accomplish what I set out to do. It would also give me the opportunity to experience something life changing. Studying in Costa Rica has become a dream of mine; just like interning at the BBC has been a dream of mine.
With that said, I was bummed out the whole night of the 10th. My boyfriend kept trying to be optimistic but I'd rather be hurt that night and pleasantly surprised the next day than get my hopes up just to be let down. The whole night I had dream after dream about going to the International Center and asking about my acceptance. Every dream ended with me being chosen. When I would wake up, I would feel all sad again because it was all just a dream.
I knew that I had to put myself out of my misery by calling them. I needed to get an answer, whether it was a "yes" or a "no", I just needed to know. That way I could deal with it and move on. The office opens at 9:00 am but I didn't want to be that eager and call right away... So I waited for 9:40. haha
My heart raced as I called the office.
Office: "Hello"
Me: "Hi, I am calling about the study abroad decisions."
Office: "Ok, hold one moment please."
Heather: "Hello, this is Heather speaking..."
Me: "Hello Heather, my name is Sarah LaFlamme. I am calling about the study abroad decisions."
Heather: "Have you received a phone call yet?"
Me: "No, I was told today was the day to find out so I wanted to call."
Heather: "Ok, let me access the files. Please give me a moment."
Me: "Ok."
Heather: "So, you're going to Costa Rica?"
Me: "I hope so. That is what I applied for."
Heather: "You have been awarded the scholarship to study in Costa Rica."
Me: "Oh my gosh, really?! Thank you so much!"
Heather: "You actually did really well!" (talking about the point system/my grade)
Me: "I am so happy to hear that. Thank you!"
I was then told that I will be receiving a call in the near future with more information, as well as receive an acceptance package in the mail.
I am so happy and excited. I am also very proud of the hard work I put into this opportunity.
Maybe my luck is starting to change?
Friday, December 28, 2012
The flame flickers no more
Published on July 18th 2012
Link to original post
As a little girl all I knew was performance. Then one day I became old enough to be self aware. This is when the anxiety and insecurities rushed in. I withdrew from not only performance but from people as well. I allowed myself to close up and not immediately show who I am because of fear of judgement. This unfortunately lasted many years. It hasn't been until my experiences at Bunker Hill Community College where I was able to find confidence in who I am and embrace my personality. This new found confidence and acceptance along with the recent inspiration from Tom Hiddleston's acting has repositioned me back on path towards performing once again.
I have always been in love with the idea of bringing a character to life. Being able to temporarily live a different existence and channel those emotions and experiences from within in order to project them to tell a story and affect an audience has always fulfilled me. I want to make people feel and I want to make people think.
Tom Hiddleston said it best during an interview with BBC Breakfast "As an actor what you'll do is with each character you're revealing different facets of yourself and I think all of us have the capacity to inhabit every extremity of the human condition." Amen to that.
I have been away from my art for so long that it will take time and practice before I start heading to "real" auditions again. Like with any form of art you must use it or you will slowly start to lose it. I need to rebuild what I have lost and continue to build on top of that.
Thank you Bunker Hill for the quality people you house and for the opportunities and services you offer to students. Thank you to all I have met at Bunker Hill and for inspiring me, supporting me, and changing my life. Thank you to Ryan, my boyfriend, who loves and supports me unconditionally no matter what I want to do with my life. And thank you Tom Hiddleston for catching my eye in the movie Thor which lead me to seek out other films you have been in. Watching how you can portray emotions vocally, physically, and internally have reignited the flame within to do the same thing.
Link to original post
As a little girl all I knew was performance. Then one day I became old enough to be self aware. This is when the anxiety and insecurities rushed in. I withdrew from not only performance but from people as well. I allowed myself to close up and not immediately show who I am because of fear of judgement. This unfortunately lasted many years. It hasn't been until my experiences at Bunker Hill Community College where I was able to find confidence in who I am and embrace my personality. This new found confidence and acceptance along with the recent inspiration from Tom Hiddleston's acting has repositioned me back on path towards performing once again.
I have always been in love with the idea of bringing a character to life. Being able to temporarily live a different existence and channel those emotions and experiences from within in order to project them to tell a story and affect an audience has always fulfilled me. I want to make people feel and I want to make people think.
Tom Hiddleston said it best during an interview with BBC Breakfast "As an actor what you'll do is with each character you're revealing different facets of yourself and I think all of us have the capacity to inhabit every extremity of the human condition." Amen to that.
I have been away from my art for so long that it will take time and practice before I start heading to "real" auditions again. Like with any form of art you must use it or you will slowly start to lose it. I need to rebuild what I have lost and continue to build on top of that.
Thank you Bunker Hill for the quality people you house and for the opportunities and services you offer to students. Thank you to all I have met at Bunker Hill and for inspiring me, supporting me, and changing my life. Thank you to Ryan, my boyfriend, who loves and supports me unconditionally no matter what I want to do with my life. And thank you Tom Hiddleston for catching my eye in the movie Thor which lead me to seek out other films you have been in. Watching how you can portray emotions vocally, physically, and internally have reignited the flame within to do the same thing.
I can feel my future in the air
Published on April 9th 2012
Link to original post
I am seven courses away from graduating with my associates degree at Bunker Hill Community College. This both excites and terrifies me at the same time.
I am a year away from Emerson. And once I become an Emerson student I will be two years away from graduating with my BA and starting work in my career field. That thought scares the shit out of me.
When you are younger all the things you want to do with your life are but mere dreams. You fantasize about the future, what you want to accomplish and who you will become. I am on the verge of no longer dreaming.
Now, I am not saying my exact dreams are coming true or that I will ever really stop dreaming. Nor am I specifically referring to my fantasies. What I am referring to is the fact that my future doesn't seem so far away anymore. I am close to starting my career and by George that makes me feel so old...and dare I say "grown up"?
I also worry that my expectations won't be met. What if Emerson doesn't do for me what I always thought it would? What if my hard work isn't enough and I am never met with opportunities? What if everything I have dreamed my life would be, isn't at all how it ends up?
I guess those are the things you have to deal with as you get older. I may not know what is in store for my future, but I can promise to never stop working toward making my dreams come true. Let's just hope I am not met with disappointment.
I know life doesn't always go according to plan, but I hope that whatever it is I am meant to do, it will bring me happiness.
Link to original post
I am seven courses away from graduating with my associates degree at Bunker Hill Community College. This both excites and terrifies me at the same time.
I am a year away from Emerson. And once I become an Emerson student I will be two years away from graduating with my BA and starting work in my career field. That thought scares the shit out of me.
When you are younger all the things you want to do with your life are but mere dreams. You fantasize about the future, what you want to accomplish and who you will become. I am on the verge of no longer dreaming.
Now, I am not saying my exact dreams are coming true or that I will ever really stop dreaming. Nor am I specifically referring to my fantasies. What I am referring to is the fact that my future doesn't seem so far away anymore. I am close to starting my career and by George that makes me feel so old...and dare I say "grown up"?
I also worry that my expectations won't be met. What if Emerson doesn't do for me what I always thought it would? What if my hard work isn't enough and I am never met with opportunities? What if everything I have dreamed my life would be, isn't at all how it ends up?
I guess those are the things you have to deal with as you get older. I may not know what is in store for my future, but I can promise to never stop working toward making my dreams come true. Let's just hope I am not met with disappointment.
I know life doesn't always go according to plan, but I hope that whatever it is I am meant to do, it will bring me happiness.
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