Over the course of her four years at RUHS, Drama President and High Tide Online Features Editor Allison Sutton has grown and changed from an unsure underclassman to a goal-driven senior. Having a father in the military, she moved around frequently before her attendance at RUHS.
“One of my main challenges was adjusting to change,” Sutton said. “I had to learn how to adapt to new environments, new people, new places, new curricula and throughout that, I think I’ve grown a lot as a person, but it also has tested my limits and inspired me to seek opportunities in whatever environment I’m in.”
Facing a lack of opportunities and frequent changes due to the constant moving, she had to learn to find opportunities and open doors for herself. This led her to her go-getting mindset, especially in her goals to be a publisher in New York City. According to Sutton, she’s learned that “doors won’t open for you unless you turn the handle.” Within her time at RUHS, she has found her passions, one of which is musical theatre.
“My freshman year, I didn’t think I was going to join the drama department. I tried out for volleyball and didn’t make it, […], but I joined drama class to satisfy my performing arts credit. I ended up loving the people and the place, and obviously the activities. […] I was very locked in on the mentality that I wanted to be an actor, but throughout my time here, I realized that technical theater is also a creative outlet and something that I’m passionate about,” Sutton said. “In joining the department, I’ve been able to explore new facets of creativity, but I’ve also been able to test my limits as a leader, as a friend, and as a team member because our department is so interconnected. […] I think that once I became part of the team, I found my strengths, and how I could use them to help others.”
Melissa Staab, the drama teacher and director, has known Sutton well over her high school career. As the drama president, Sutton has worked closely with Staab and created a strong relationship.
“I’ve watched [Sutton] go from someone in the ensemble to performing leading roles. She’s also open to trying new things. She’s been on Tech Crew, she’s been a director, [and] she’s written original songs that have been put into our productions. […] Allison is very smart, intelligent and has always put 100% into everything she does. She’s a really strong student,” Staab said.
Aside from drama, Sutton has other pursuits that she invests her time into. She is a songwriter, and she uses music as her main creative outlet to process and understand her emotions.
“I would say that my biggest accomplishment has been growing as an artist. When I first started writing music, it was very private. It was only for me, and I was very insecure about the things that I wrote. Now I can confidently express myself, and I find ways to share my songs with people, and in doing so, I am able to connect with fellow artists, audiences, and people that inspire me,” Sutton said.
After graduation, Sutton will attend UC Berkeley to get her bachelor’s degree in English. After college, she aspires to become a book publisher, aiming to connect authors and readers, as well as capture authors’ voices. According to Sutton, as an underclassman she felt lost about who she was and hoped to be in the future.
“If I could give my younger self some advice, I would tell her not to be afraid of authenticity. I was very obsessed with becoming what I thought people wanted to see,” Sutton said. “Now I’ve realized being true to myself is the best way to make myself happy and form real relationships with others.”
