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2005 was the first of my thirteen years in competitive dance. This photo is from my very first performance called "Build Me Up Buttercup."
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This was the year that Hurricane Katrina hit the United States. It was called one of the worst natural disasters in US history. However, this event did bring Americans together as they sought to rebuild our nation. (https://www.infoplease.com/spot/hurricane-katrina-timeline) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5iHUM6D0fnM)
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In 2005, the North Carolina State Lottery Act was signed into law. Now, 30% of its revenue is put towards funding NC schools every year. (https://www.nclottery.com/About_Story)
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In 2008, my mother, father, brother and I moved from Binghamton, New York to Raleigh, North Carolina. Shortly after, I began fourth grade with a new teacher, in a new school, and in a new town. The transition was hard but I'm so happy we moved to Raleigh!
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In 2008, the state of North Carolina decided to purchase Grandfather Mountain located in Linville, NC and turn it into a State Park. (https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/article9012461.html)
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This was the year that Barack Obama became the first African American President of the United States. (https://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/05/us/politics/05campaign.html) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73ksUPU0Nbo)
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On this day in 2011, 30 tornados were reported across the state causing damage in many cities and towns throughout North Carolina. (https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nc/triad/weather/2017/04/14/six-years-since-the-largest-tornado-outbreak-in-nc-history) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TN5exI9uEgQ)
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In May of 2011, Osama Bin Laden was killed by US forces in Pakistan. Bin Laden was believed to be the individual behind the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, a day that changed our country forever. (https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/osama-bin-laden-killed-by-u-s-forces)
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In 2011, I met my childhood best friend Sarah Mitterling. We met at a YMCA summer camp and still make time to see each other. She is currently a junior studying at UNC Asheville.
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The day after my birthday in 2014, I passed the North Carolina drivers exam and received my limited provisional drivers license.
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In 2014, North Carolina legally recognized same-sex marriage. On that same day, Wake County Deputy Sheriff Chad Biggs and his partner exchanged vows in the Wake County Courthouse in Raleigh, NC. They are the first gay couple to be recognized by the state. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCO4ZxJ9qRo) (https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article10091693.html)
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On December 10, 2014, President Barack Obama announced that he would reopen the American Embassy in Havana after 56 years. He hoped this would improve relations with Cuba. (https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2014/12/17/obama-cuba-alan-gross-prisoner/20526497/)
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During the summer of 2017, I traveled out of the country for the very first time. I had the amazing opportunity to attend a service trip in Pozos, Mexico with my scholarship program. It was the best three weeks of my life and I learned so much about the Mexican culture!
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During this year, the US experienced it's first total solar eclipse for the first time in 99 years. Americans could view this eclipse from Oregon to South Carolina. NC State even joined in on the celebrations by setting up viewing stations throughout the Brickyard. (https://www.space.com/33797-total-solar-eclipse-2017-guide.html) (https://sciences.ncsu.edu/event/eclipse-day-celebration/)
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In 2017, Governor Cooper repealed HB2, the controversial "bathroom bill" that required individuals to use bathrooms that matched their sex assigned at birth. This law, originally passed by Governor McCrory in 2016, caused many members of the LGBTQ community to feel concerned and unsafe. (https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/hb2-repeal-north-carolina-legislature-votes-overturn-controversial-bathroom-bill-n740546)
