In first grade, when I saw a girl in my class Irish Dance, I immediately knew that I wanted to join a school.  My parents were more than supportive, they looked around and by the beginning of second grade, I was a beginner at a local school.  I absolutely loved it... except for the part where I had to keep my arms at my sides.  Each year I got better and better and each year my love for the art grew.  It was freeing and fun.  It was so much fun to be a part of something, to perform, and to wear the kelly green accessories.  My jumper was my favorite.  It was a black base with a Celtic knot in the middle.  However, I realized that dancing was so much more than just the dresses.  It gave me confidence and a goal to work towards.  I wanted to be the best I could be.  This enthusiasm and genuine love for the art allowed me to feel good about myself and that I could excel in something.

      My sister, Erin, is someone really influential in my life.  She is three years and three days younger than me.  We always played Barbies together when we were younger, but in the past year or so, we have become very close.  She is still the one I blame if I can't find a shirt or if the bathroom is dirty, but she is now my best friend.  Erin has showed me the quality of unconditional love.  I'm not going to lie, I can be really mean to her sometimes and vice-versa, but we always somehow come back to each other.  She always knows the right things to say when I'm in a bad mood and doesn't hesitate to rant about someone if they hurt me.  She is the most loyal, loving girl I have ever met.  Between all of that, she even finds time for humor and can have me laughing so hard.  Little by little, each day she helps me become a better person.

       Coming to Mount was the best decision I ever made.  In eighth grade, after being in public school since kindergarten, my parents were shocked I wanted to take the test.  It was not an easy decision to make.  Our middle school, Tohickon, held seventh, eighth, and ninth graders.  Going to Mount would mean leaving my friends behind a year early.  I also did not know any of the incoming freshman.  I was petrified.  However, when I visited Mount, I just got a feeling that I knew it was the right school for me.  It is hard to describe, but somehow, that feeling was right.  At Mount, four short years later, I have made the best friends and had some of my best memories.  The memories I will always had of the times spent delirious after hours of studying or rejoicing over our term break that no other school has are unmatched and have formed life-long friendships.  Although it was hard to make the decision, I never regret deciding to attend Mount.