Maria Strachan: The Writer, The Singer, The Dancer
Rumit Pancholi
June 30, 2005
The cash register beeps a few times as a teenage girl says, “…and so your total comes to $39.99.”
Is it okay if I pay in nickels and pennies? It’s all I have.” A bald, stocky man in his late 50s looks her in the eye.
"Sure, that’s fine, sir,” answers junior Maria Strachan with a wide, friendly smile on as she waits for the customer to pay. Just another typical day behind the counter at Craft Country, a local craft store located next to one favorite teen hangout—the movie theater.
The movie theater, Sherwood High’s football stadium and other places are just a few places Strachan finds ideal for meeting friends, to relax or simply to enjoy the afternoon following a tough, or just plain tedious, day of school.
I hate school,” exclaims Strachan without hesitation. Why? She explains that though she’s interested in subjects such as Journalism and Biology, the idea of an institution that strictly stresses getting excellent grades reduces her interest in school itself.
Nonetheless, Strachan believes that there is a high degree of “nice people at Sherwood.” Now in her third year as a student of SHS, she admits that she enjoys this aspect of school—friends. Even after realizing she hates school, the fact that her friends are there keeps her optimistic.
Yet, her optimism took a blow by the horrid tragedy of last Tuesday, September 11th. Strachan considers how the attacks launched on the United States affected her. “I’m a very insecure person. It was terrible what happened. I cried because I’m afraid of war…” She acknowledges that the catastrophe will live in her memory forever and believes the same for millions around the world. Strachan gets extremely emotional when she thinks about tragic events, especially those of September 11th.
In order to release her emotions, Strachan writes poetry. She explains, “I write because I like it, cause it gets my feelings out without punching a hole in a wall.” Poetry isn’t the only thing Strachan writes; she likes free-writing and fiction, as well. She is very much into literature, and although it isn’t the field she would pursue as a career, it is something she enjoys.
When Strachan isn’t writing, she turns to other forms of art—dance and singing. She dances and sings to songs by Britney Spears. Because Spears’ performances are an inspiration to her, she likes the pop singer so much. Besides Spears, Celine Dion is yet another singer that inspires Strachan, one whom she regards as an “amazing vocalist.” Strachan loves singing and dancing and admires both pop sensations to the fullest extent.
Strachan values happiness as much as she values music. In a response to the most important things in life, she says, “Trying to be happy and not worry so much. I’m happiest when I’m not worried, but I’m always worried so I’m never happy.” She explains that what worry her are her friends and people in general and, therefore, they are who prevent her from being happy. So, any funny quote or anecdote would surely allow that moment’s happiness by her roaring laughter.
Is it okay if I pay in nickels and pennies? It’s all I have.” A bald, stocky man in his late 50s looks her in the eye.
"Sure, that’s fine, sir,” answers junior Maria Strachan with a wide, friendly smile on as she waits for the customer to pay. Just another typical day behind the counter at Craft Country, a local craft store located next to one favorite teen hangout—the movie theater.
The movie theater, Sherwood High’s football stadium and other places are just a few places Strachan finds ideal for meeting friends, to relax or simply to enjoy the afternoon following a tough, or just plain tedious, day of school.
I hate school,” exclaims Strachan without hesitation. Why? She explains that though she’s interested in subjects such as Journalism and Biology, the idea of an institution that strictly stresses getting excellent grades reduces her interest in school itself.
Nonetheless, Strachan believes that there is a high degree of “nice people at Sherwood.” Now in her third year as a student of SHS, she admits that she enjoys this aspect of school—friends. Even after realizing she hates school, the fact that her friends are there keeps her optimistic.
Yet, her optimism took a blow by the horrid tragedy of last Tuesday, September 11th. Strachan considers how the attacks launched on the United States affected her. “I’m a very insecure person. It was terrible what happened. I cried because I’m afraid of war…” She acknowledges that the catastrophe will live in her memory forever and believes the same for millions around the world. Strachan gets extremely emotional when she thinks about tragic events, especially those of September 11th.
In order to release her emotions, Strachan writes poetry. She explains, “I write because I like it, cause it gets my feelings out without punching a hole in a wall.” Poetry isn’t the only thing Strachan writes; she likes free-writing and fiction, as well. She is very much into literature, and although it isn’t the field she would pursue as a career, it is something she enjoys.
When Strachan isn’t writing, she turns to other forms of art—dance and singing. She dances and sings to songs by Britney Spears. Because Spears’ performances are an inspiration to her, she likes the pop singer so much. Besides Spears, Celine Dion is yet another singer that inspires Strachan, one whom she regards as an “amazing vocalist.” Strachan loves singing and dancing and admires both pop sensations to the fullest extent.
Strachan values happiness as much as she values music. In a response to the most important things in life, she says, “Trying to be happy and not worry so much. I’m happiest when I’m not worried, but I’m always worried so I’m never happy.” She explains that what worry her are her friends and people in general and, therefore, they are who prevent her from being happy. So, any funny quote or anecdote would surely allow that moment’s happiness by her roaring laughter.
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