Asked about her fondest memories from high school, Aya White reflected on the small moments. She recalled times playing around with her friends in art class and making things together. In the pandemic, virtual school was a challenge to her, like so many, as Aya missed being with her friends and classmates, especially for this last, senior year. At the same time that she missed her friends however, Aya made the time in this new space to learn new things, like drumming and creating digital art, and to discover how much she enjoys looking for new books in bookstores.

While she missed being out in the world connecting with others, Aya forged new and lovely connections with someone essential: herself. “I feel most like I am where I am supposed to be when I’m in my room at my computer, writing or drawing or coming up with ideas for things I’ll create. I hope to have many more of these moments in the future.” Aya, so able to identify and then stick with her passions, even when it is “really tempting to just lie around and do nothing,” (lol) knows that by compelling herself to engage and create, she can make her way in the world. Aya says she would tell her younger self “to have faith in yourself, learn to relax, do the things you imagine yourself doing.” We believe these wishes of faith, of ease and of pursuing your dreams and imaginings are evergreen for Aya and as she steps into the world beyond high school, we know she will continue to create the moments and memories, large and small, that come together and make a beloved life.