Students and teachers explore their passion

Passions from Newsstreak Online on Vimeo.

The following is by outgoing Editor-in-Chief Emma DiNapoli.

The Webster Dictionary defines passion as intense emotion, or overpowering feeling or conviction. Harrisonburg High School students and staff have different definitions of passion, however, which they apply to their daily lives.

“Passion is when you love something with all of your heart,” senior Brendon Cummiskey said. “You’re passionate about something if losing it would destroy your world.”

A practical joker, Cummiskey says he is most passionate about “making people laugh” and about “having a good time” with his friends.

Senior Elisha Hill has realized his passion since the age of four, when he picked up his first baseball bat.

“I have been passionate about baseball since I started playing t-ball,” Hill said. “I still hold the record for my triple plays in t-ball. I just knew what I was supposed to be doing even back then.”

Hill is not just passionate about baseball, though.

“My mom sings and my dad plays piano, so we listen to a lot of music at my house,” Hill said. “I play guitar and sing, and music is really important to me.”

Hill is not the only senior passionate about his music. Chelsea Thurman has been passionate about music since childhood.

“Music is all around me,” Thurman said. “My family is very musical. Both of my parents are into music, so I’ve been around music so I was a little girl. I sing and do musical because of my parents.”

Thurman’s drive to succeed in music similarly stems from her parents.

“I think passion is an intense drive that propels you forward,” Thurman said. “I don’t think passion has to be love for someone else necessarily, but can be for things and activities, as long as you’re totally committed.”

Sophomore Juan Sanchez views passion in terms of dedication.
“[You’re passionate] when you dedicate yourself to doing something you want to accomplish,” Sanchez said. “My dad has inspired me to get involved with my church, which is what I’m passionate about.”

Senior Nelson Bude has been similarly inspired by his father.

“My father’s failure to get into college made me passionate about that [getting into college],” Bude said. “Being passionate means to be ready and willing to support and nurture something with your full heart.”

The key to senior Trevor Traub’s heart lies with machines of any make and build.

“My passion is cars,” Traub said. “I don’t like American cars, only foreign cars. I think passion is an extreme desire worth a high cost.”

Frustration and overcoming obstacles is a key element of junior Tabea Zimmerman’s two passions.

“Running and music are my passions,” Zimmerman said. “I think passions are something you love doing even if you get frustrated with and stick with because you love doing them.”

Math teacher Tricia Cummings discovered her passion for teaching three to five years into teaching.

“[I became passionate about teaching] once I realized teaching is not about disseminating information but about students learning and about students being involved in the learning process,” Cummings said. “Passion is to be intrigued, to be curious, to want to learn more and to get as much of it as you can.”

Cummings is not just passionate about teaching, though.

“I am passionate about mangoes,” Cummings said.

Let us know what your passion is! Comment below.