My name is Hailey W. I’m 16 and in 11th grade. I was born in Denver, Colorado at Saint Joseph Hospital on June 26, 2001. I have lived in Aurora, Colorado my whole life. A turning point in my life was my sister being born. When she was born I took on a unnecessary responsibility; My sister, my responsibility. My parents usually are busy running around and working, so I stepped in and started to help take care of her. It changed my life drastically. I didn’t stay out late, I didn’t hang out with friends much, I just wanted to make sure she had someone to look up to. I need to be seen as her role model.
I enjoy music. Choir is my favorite class of the day. I enjoy learning how to make my voice better and read music better. I love choir and music but, I do have a secret liking of English. I enjoy putting my thoughts on paper and seeing them flow like a river. I also enjoy losing myself in a good book. Math is my least favorite subject but, I’m really good at it. Science is the only subject I’m good at and enjoy. Science just makes sense to me and I enjoy learning new things through experiments.
When I’m not in school, you can find me writing songs, playing any instrument I can get my hands on, and long boarding. I write lyrics as well as the notes for the guitar part. I can play 6 different instruments, guitar, bass, drums, piano, violin, and cello. Even though I love playing any instrument, I really love to play guitar and drums. I like the rush I get when banging on a drum and the way my hand hurts after playing a song. It makes me feel like I’m good at music. I grew up in a house where music was played constantly. I would wake up to my mom listening to country music quietly while she drank her coffee, and I would go to bed listening to my dad blare his rock music downstairs in the bar area. My parents loved going to concerts, they would go to a concert every other week when I was little. When I was about 7 or 8, my mom took me to my first concert, Oozy Osborne. From then on I have had a passion for music. Music has influenced the way I view my life.
Hey HAILEY i love your story in every way because it reminds me of my life, i don’t really have to take care of anyone like 24/7 and for that i think you are very smart and strong to be able to cope with taking care of yourself and your little sister. I have a 4 year-old nephew and a 7- month old niece, i have to help/ sometimes i volunteer to help my sister with her kids. Although sometimes it can be stressful and unfair at the times i want to do other things, but i get through it trying to do it out of love and a necessity. Music has always been there for me as well ever since i found out what it was, i want to go through with music as my career but i haven’t gotten over the fear of letting myself be known. And i’m almost always told i need a “real career”, which i do kind of agree in because i have a bunch of things i am interested in, just i don’t want to choose one career because that’s what i’ going to do forever. Sorry i got off track a lot but i just wanted to let you know you connected to me so much and it feels good to know i’m not the only one feeling this way 🙂
Dear Hailey,
Your post reminds me of something that happened to me. One time my brother was born and I had to take responsibility for him too. I had to make sure he ate a little something so we can wait for my mom to make us to eat. I couldn’t leave my brother alone anywhere. Also I had to be his role model as well.
Thanks for sharing your post. I look forward to seeing what you write next, because we have something in common. For example when you said “I stepped in and started to help take care of her. It changed my life drastically. I didn’t stay out late, I didn’t hang out with friends much, I just wanted to make sure she had someone to look up to. I need to be seen as her role model.” it reminded me of when i had to take care of my brother. I also like the details you put in your post.
Dear Hailey ,
I believe your story is very impacting and relating. i enjoying comparing your personal life with stories and other things i have heard and experienced.
Greetings Hailey! I love the story you wrote and how your experiences have impacted how you are now. I was inspired in a similar fashion for art as to how you got inspired to make music on your off time. I still have a long way to go before my dreams are realized, but I can see you’re very close to achieving your dreams. I wish you the best of luck in the years to come.
Hailey, your post was really inspiring. I have a personal connection. I don’t have a younger sibling but I had to be my own role model until I was about 15 and finally found a great role model. I basically basically had to raise myself and take care of my mom. I was and still am kind of like the parent in my house.
Dear Hailey,
I am interested your post because I found it very relatable since I am also in the 11th grade. I also really enjoy music, I’ve even got an award in fifth grade because i played the drums.
One thing you said that stands out for me is “I didn’t stay out late, I didn’t hang out with friends much, I just wanted to make sure she had someone to look up to. I need to be seen as her role model.” I think this is Interesting because I understand how people will look up to you and you cant ruin it fr them.
Hi Hailey,
I really enjoyed reading your post! When you mentioned your little sister and how it was your responsibility to be a role model for her, it really inspired me to do the same thing with kids younger than me. Adding on to that, I really liked how you are so motivated to help your parents when they are busy. When being responsible, people have to give up a lot of their activities, and I think you nailed that point in your first paragraph.
I’m also involved in music and I think it’s amazing that you can play six different instruments. I play the piano and cello, and these two instruments have had a huge impact on my life as well. Adding on to that, I think it’s really cool how both your parents like music and how music has had a big influence on your family.
Thank you for your post!
Hailey,
I found your post to be really unique and inspiring! That’s so amazing and mature of you to help out in your family through thick and thin. I’m sure your parents really appreciate your help and hopefully your baby sister will one day too! You’re love of music was both admirable and relatable as well. Thanks for posting!
Andrea
Dear Hailey,
I am interested your post because I found it very relatable since I am also 16 and in the 11th grade. I also really enjoy music, I’ve been in my school’s band for six years now.
One thing you said that stands out for me is: “I enjoy putting my thoughts on paper and seeing them flow like a river.” I think this is Interesting because I understand this feeling but have never been able to find the words to describe it very well.
Thanks for your project. I look forward to seeing what you write next.
Hailey, your story is great! I love how you show how much of an impact that music has had on your life. Your story with your sister is great too because it shows how you changed your own lifestyle based off of someone else being born.