[Nevertheless] They're Seventeen

Haley turns seventeen today. 

They have done so much in the past year. 

They've stretched their abilities as an actor through creating the character Emma in the mini-production Stoops at Epoch Arts. Emma, a loud, speak-your-mind, doesn't care what anyone thinks, will tell you like it is type of person who even roughed up another character in the course of the play. This is quite the opposite of quiet, usually reserved Haley. 

They used their special effects make-up talents at Epoch Arts Haunted House, Halloween, and a Masked Ball, among other things.

They got a Harry Potter inspired tattoo.

Haley did a variety of things with their Breaking Silences group, from putting on a play where they played a survivor of human trafficking to helping host a paint night for children to sewing dresses for Dress a Girl. 

They researched and interviewed aspects of opioid addiction and put together a video, which they presented at Crave: An Arts Response to Opioid Addiction.

They sang and played ukulele (one that she built and decorated herself) at an Open Stage and performed in several skits at Dinner Show.

 

Haley's embodiment of Ozora in the Epoch Arts mainstage production Shadows of Truth completely blew away everyone who knows Haley. Ozora is manipulative, cunning, destructive, and just plain evil. Once those horns went on Haley's head and their bare feet hit the stage, they became Ozora- voice, body movements, mannerisms, and attitude. On stage, fellow actors (and friends!) were afraid of them. Offstage, no so much.

They applied and interviewed for a place in the Leadership and Service program at Camp Calumet in Freedom, NH, to which they were accepted. They leave in just a few days for this four-week program.

And they've done so much more. They're teaching themself to play ukulele, taught classes at homeschool co-op, volunteered at various events, provided dog-sitting services for a couple families, co-led a Paint Night, and helped with costuming for Shadows of Truth. And they and their girlfriend, Sophia, celebrated their one-year dating anniversary this year. 

Haley Elizabeth - you have grown so much during this past year. I admire your kindness and compassion, your many creative talents, and the way you do your best to live out your faith and be your true self. My hope for you is that you'll always remember that the Story is true and it beats within you.

Non-binary is a spectrum of gender identities that are not exclusively masculine or feminine‍—‌identities that are outside the gender binary (male/female). Non-binary people often use they/them pronouns. Haley came out as non-binary this morning on their seventeenth birthday.