humans of bob jones

bob jones high school / madison, al / one story at a time

[humansofbobjones-blog]

Lacey

“I guess in middle school I went through some hard stuff. And in elementary school. When I was in like 5th or 6th grade my adopted dad and my mom got a divorce and things were kind of rocky and so I started doing art and then when I got into middle school more stuff happened and I needed an outlet, I guess so I started dying my hair. And I started dyeing my hair before before I even started thinking about makeup. So I started dyeing my hair and it was, like, orange. I dyed it orange because for some reason I thought orange was a good idea. So I started that, and it was just sort of a coping thing at first. Then a couple years ago I started doing art. And I liked art but I didn’t do art everyday; it wasn’t my priority. And my mom noticed too."

"While I was struggling to come up with stuff to do for like a possible career, she said "You know, something that you literally do everyday that you do so good and never paid any attention to is your makeup. You don’t do art do everyday and you kind of force yourself to do it sometimes." Which is true. Even now I have to really be in the mood to do art. And she was like, "but you do makeup everyday and you don’t even think about it and you’re really freaking good.” And I was like “Homie you right!” And I guess I started doing that and now I do people’s makeup all the time. So now I’m literally going to go to college for makeup, which sounds dumb, but there’s a lot of things you can do with it."

“I think a lot of people feel like they have to go to the schools their parents went to or like major in the majors their parents think is great, like the parents live vicariously through their children. And then they end up hating what they’re doing and I don’t want to end up like that. I’m gonna have to start off locally just to get my grounding but I would love to do hair and makeup one day for like, the big leagues. I’m gonna go to Virginia Tech, I’m gonna get my roots there cause I thought about going to Paul Mitchell but after further research on them , they really only focus on the products. And I want to learn how to do the stuff better than I already do so I’m gonna go there. And I hope one day I’ll end up working with models and the Kylie Jenners of the world. But if I just have to do the local weddings, that's okay too. I don't care about money. Money is whatever. I just don't want to grow up regretting the decision I made. And I know I wouldn't hate it. It's something I love doing.”

“I’m a super human. A super human of Bob Jones.”

[humansofbobjones-blog]

Samantha

Sam's been a member of Advanced Production for as long as I can remember. BJHS AdProd is one of the best drama departments in the state and the Southeast. They're major contenders at SETC nearly every year & they always give us an opportunity to miss class with their during school performances. But what does it take to put together such a phenomenal show? 

“Being in drama is like being in a sport. Rehearsal can last for hours, especially during competition season. It’s a little different but just like students go to the football games, everyone comes to see the musical, which is nice.” 

We got a little sidetracked gushing over Broadway and talking about auditions for the upcoming musical, which brought us back to another important aspect of her passion for the arts: dance.

 “I grew up in a really strict household. I wasn’t allowed to go out and party with everyone else, so I guess I decided tap dancing in my garage was a good way to pass the time. I took hip hop, tap, and jazz when I was younger for four years but only recently got back into it for the musical.” 

We shared our senior year stresses about everything from homecoming to college. 

"Drama is definitely a hobby. It's not something I'm looking at as a career. I want to be a cosmetologist. But I'm looking at a film acting program in Dallas, Texas. It's a 15 month program-an Associate's. So I would like pursue that.”

"My older sister was really into the technical side of theater and we went to one of the shows she worked on, and this girl sang “Good Morning Baltimore.” My mom turned to me and said, 'That’s you. You’re going to be up on that stage singing'....I sing so that I don’t have to talk to people. That sounds strange, I know, because most drama people are so bold and outgoing, and I am-but singing is different. It’s a different way to express yourself.”

“Do you remember that guy in elementary school who used to make fun of us? Because we both had really hairy arms? Everytime I see you I think about that!”

 I laughed so hard I almost dropped the camera. 

“YES! My sixth grade boyfriend! I used to kick him in the shins, I was so mad at him. But it’s okay now. We embrace our natural form. We’re forever bonded by our arm hair.

[humansofbobjones-blog]

Elizabeth

9/9/16

I’ve known Elizabeth for almost 10 years. We went to elementary school together and had a few classes at Discovery together, but we fell out of touch in high school. When I contacted her about being the first Humans of Bob Jones feature, I knew exactly what I would ask her about: color guard. Even though we hadn’t been in contact for a while, I knew from her instagram and just the pure joy on her face when she performs it’s something she is incredibly passionate about. 

“High school [was] when I really flourished and figured out what I kind of fit into. [Through color guard] I was able to make friends and kind of like find people who have the same kind of passions and interests as me. I thought in seventh grade, “Yeah, I want to try this,” so I did, and I made it, and that was it.”

 I asked her if the flags were as heavy as they looked and she answered with a laugh. “Yeah they are! Nobody really understands how hard it is. But I think that rifle is the hardest. I spin all three, and saber is kind of hard, but it’s the most fun for me, so rifle is the toughest.”