Anna started Keystone in 6th grade and has been an integral part of our class ever since. I still remember that one year when Anna shared her experience joining Keystone, and how grateful she was for her welcoming and her new friends. I think that is really a testament to what I love most about this school—the tight-knit community of close friendship and universal inclusivity. Anna herself embodies that model kind, studious, and passionate student anyone would like to befriend. In fact, her favorite memory of Keystone comes from last year. While much of the grade spent their off period on their phones (like me, Shaum, the writer) or finishing procrastinated homework due that day (also like me), Anna chose to attend an extra class. This was Dr. Caraway’s Political Science, and she says it is one of her favorite memories from Keystone. Inspired by the intellectual and human outcomes, she hopes to pursue a career in the subject.
In 8th grade—a long forgotten time for us now—Anna finished 2nd in the grade-wide Mario Kart tournament. Apparently, she has sought revenge for the past four years, and as our breaks are spent in the slounge (senior lounge) playing Nintendo games, she constantly dominates not only Mario Kart, but Super Smash Bros. as well.
Aside from her legendary skills at the game controller, though, Anna is one of the best at playing something else: the piano. In fact, in recognition of her being a top musician in the state, as well as her prolific concertizing, she was awarded the highest accolade given by the Musical Arts Center of San Antonio, the Artist Award. And based on her technically exciting stone soul performances, anyone could tell you she wholeheartedly deserves it.
Her piano journey began at the age of three. As her mother would play music for her on the family piano, she had already developed a musical ear. Whenever her mother made a mistake, Anna could not only immediately tell, but play for her how it was supposed to sound. Eight years of hard work and lessons later, she performed at none other than Carnegie Hall. Since then, her dedication has not waned, as she practices at least 2 hours every day. Fast forward to earlier this year, and she performed the epic and melodious Grieg Piano Concerto in A Minor with an orchestra to a live audience, with the performance also being broadcast over the radio. She is also president of the Junior Tuesday Musical Club, a local organization well- regarded among musical circles in San Antonio. As part of it, she performs multiple concerts each year, many of which are also broadcast on the radio. Beyond being president, she’s held at one point every position the club has to offer!
She also uses music to give back to the community. Often, school-aged children will perform at nursing homes Christmas carols—Jingle Bells and the like. Anna, however, is able to provide a full concert experience, flawlessly performing pieces of utmost difficulty. She regularly does so to people with Alzheimer’s at the Village at the Incarnate Ward, as well as for retired military officers at the Towers. On the other side of the audience’s spectrum, she also performs to young kids. As head of the San Antonio chapter of Back to Bach, she organizes concerts at schools around the city, including Keystone. Not only does she and her collaborators perform pieces of classical music, but also arrangements of popular songs, like those from Moana. Furthermore, she and her friends explain their instruments to the kids, and have an open-ended Q&A session after the concert. They become inspired by the performance and are excited to learn about music. Also, because of her great musical ear, she was chosen as a junior judge for the Gurwitz International Piano Competition.
In addition to all of the above, Anna still has other talents. Her writing is full of her unique voice (see https://keystonekeynote.com/4690/forum/debate/Annas-controversial-opinions-luigi-is-better-than-mario/ ), for which she was awarded a gold and silver key in the Scholastic Art and Writing competition. She also plays for our tennis team, where she won silver in girls’ doubles tennis on the regional level alongside her doubles partner, Nandini. Anna is a person of many talents, but what is unique about her is that she truly excels in each one of them.
