Identity is difficult. It’s complex; however, deeply ingrained in ourselves. How we present ourselves to our friends, families, coworkers or lovers differs based on every single person’s individual feeling towards their identity. Coming to terms with our identities can sometimes be the most difficult part of becoming an adult. Our early adult years are some of the most formative in our entire lives. All around us in every single class there are wonderful people who have identified themselves and really found their truth when they looked in the mirror one day. These are some of their experiences:
“Growing up gay in a Catholic household, I faced a longstanding internal conflict with my identity, I found it hard to truly understand my sexuality with the lack of a support system I had. Upon meeting others in my community, I finally learned what it means to express my truth (and) live my life freely. Now, I am happy to say that I have come to fully accept myself and I am proud to have conquered the struggle I have gone through to get to this point,” said Jake Keller, ’26.
“I came out as ace (asexual) in sophomore year of high school and got an incredibly negative reaction. I got assaulted. (Ultimately), I always knew I was bi (bisexual) but I didn’t come to terms with it until freshman year of college when I met my friend Mia. She was definitely a driving force for me, and she was also the first person to affirm me when I came out as non-binary,” said Kay Jordan, ‘24.
“It wasn’t until high school where I realized that I am attracted to men as well but still had a really hard time accepting it. It wasn’t until 2020, which was conveniently COVID year, that I stopped being in full denial and accepted it. Once I was able to do that, my gender identity and everything else that followed became apparent as I became more able to express myself freely, by finally starting to live on my own. As time has gone on, I’ve more or less adopted the mentality of it really doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks of me, as long as I know my truth that’s enough and that has helped me a lot figuring out who I am,” said Sir Walter Nelson ‘24.
Coming to terms at a young age that I have mental illness was difficult. Most kids don’t have to leave school for months at a time to seek out treatment just to feel better and be able to function. This made me feel awfully alone and as if I was somehow doing something wrong just by existing. While I don’t see mental illness as an identity per se, it definitely has an influence on who you are and the way you navigate the world … I still have to reassure myself that it’s okay to exist as I am and have come to embrace the lows with the highs when it comes to having mental illness. I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to receive treatment for my illnesses growing up, as I know this isn’t the reality for the majority of people struggling with mental disorders,” said Sydney Chmielewski, ‘24.
