Senior reaches out to acting, giving a hand to others

As Thomas shares her passions for music, foreign languages, she dreams of sharing her experience in college

by chavon chester

 It seems as if she’s always known what she’s wanted to be. Her love for the stage and for creativity blossomed at a young age, and ever since, senior Jenna Thomas has wanted to be in the spotlight. To perform. To write. To be a singer and an actress.

 “The singing and the writing came from elementary school,” Thomas said. “I just always loved to sing, and I’ve always loved to write. ‘Lord of the Rings’ really set up my music love because of the movie sound track. I was playing the flute at the same time, and I would translate the music into flute and play along. It also got me into acting because when I saw those actors, I just wanted to be able to do things like that.”

 Over the years, her goals and ambitions kept growing. She kept writing, keeping notebooks upon notebooks piled high with stories and incomplete plays in her room. She kept acting, getting involved with various school plays, theater and Masque Players, North’s drama club

 She kept playing the flute as part of marching band, and eventually switched over to treble choir. She even began to delve into foreign languages, becoming heavily involved with French, and eventually becoming club president.

 But it was in high school that a new interest emerged.

 “High school was really when I wanted to get into philanthropy,” Thomas said. “I want to reach out to areas that need aid and need help. There’s just so many places that need it.”

 Though she dreams big, her goals aren’t without plans. After graduation, Thomas will head off to Webster University, where she plans on majoring in Musical Theater as well as obtaining a minor in Foreign Relations, so that she can reach out to the people in need in different countries.

 One day, she’d like to start a charity for students who are not able to afford studying abroad, since she feels that it’s an incredible, but expensive opportunity that many can’t afford.

 “My dream is to be involved on a global scale,” Thomas said. “Being able to connect with people all across the world and share interests and befriend each other. It broadens your horizons and what’s going on around you. I think it’s important to not limit yourself to one country’s mind set.”

 Thomas, at just 18, is dreaming big. Her goals are not the easiest to achieve, but she recognizes the dangers in her way. She knows that it takes a lot of time and work to be out there.

 She knows that if she doesn’t start performing at Webster, it’ll be difficult to get started on her acting path. If casting directors aren’t interested in her, it’ll be too hard to find a job.

 But despite, of all, Thomas, continues to work hard towards her dreams.

 “I just want to reach out to people,” Thomas said.