Author's Statement

Dear Readers,

            Jessica here! First off, I would like to take a moment to thank you for reading my Zine.  I truly hope you find it inspiring and informational.  As a child, I used to dream of all the wonderful things I would do with my life once I got old enough. I would often dream of going to all the world’s largest amusement parks and becoming a famous ice-skater.  As a high school student, I often thought of how I could not wait to be older so I could travel the world and all the exciting places it holds.  Many of my thoughts consisted of “when I get older”, “once I have the money to”, or “when I finish college” statements.  I was always living in the future and waiting for my life to start.  What I have recently realized is you must live every day to the fullest.  If you sit around waiting for your life to begin, it never will and you will miss out on all the small amazing moments of the present. 

            What I hope you are able to take away from this Zine is any information needed to achieve your dreams.  I understand all too well the challenges life contains.  I have moved many times, been through my parents’ divorce, and my best friend’s death.  However, I have also been lucky enough to have two nephews, eight wonderful siblings and a wonderful mom and dad, the ability to run hurdles in high school, and the opportunity to attend college.  Without the challenges, the wonderful moments in life such as these would not be nearly as amazing an appreciated.  After all, you can’t enjoy a rainbow without living through a little rain. 

            My Zine contains advice and encouragement on how to live your own everyday fairytale.  It opens with the story of when my family moved from Colorado to West Virginia; this was one of the craziest (in a good way) experiences of my life thus far, and it was a time in which I had numerous daily adventures. The rest of this month’s Zine contains an interview with Dr. Karen Anderson giving advice for those dreaming of a career in the field of psychology, an analysis of Dr. Seuss’s poem “Oh, the Places You’ll Go” --which is a wonderful example of reaching for your dreams--, and an argument (for year-round schooling) supporting the idea that perhaps the traditional route is not always the best way to enjoy life.  

            After reading this issue of “Dance Through the Storm”, I hope each and every one of you feels a sense of enthusiasm and will strive to accomplish your dream.  Whether it be visiting a place you have always dreamed of, going back to school to pursue the career you truly want, or simply enjoying the little moments in life, I hope this zine encourages and inspires you to accomplish this things.  So, as the wonderful Dr. Seuss once said, “Your mountain is waiting… So, get on your way!” (after reading this zine of course) :)

~Jessica~