Attention Over Intimidation By: Megan Lyvers On a warm spring day, the trees whistled in the wind as the

Holy Trinity first grade class lined up for recess. Julie Reczek was placed in line behind a chubby boy who towered two heads above her. She listened intently as the boy insulted one of Julies best friends. In the blink of an eye, Julie raised her muscular forearm and slugged the boy right in the cheek. His head whipped back and smacked the alabaster column. Blood dripped down the column as the boy gripped his nose and stumbled to the principals office. Little Julie saw that her work was done and skipped happily off to recess. Julie has always had a toughness about her., said her mother, Gina Reczek. Gina also stated, Julie has a problem with running her mouth and controlling her temper when it comes to a subject that she feels strongly about. Julie began to control her aggressive temper after she began singing in the fifth grade. At the time, Julie couldnt sing on key whatsoever. Singing has always been a challenge because of the fact that Julie is half deaf in one ear. Julie stated, Being half deaf makes it really difficult to sing. I have to practically stand on top of the piano just to make sure Im in the right key. Julies younger brother, Alex, said, I used to cover up my ears whenever Julie was practicing, her shrill voice used to make me cringe. The first time Julies family heard her sing in front of an audience was at her voice teachers recital. When Julie stepped up to the microphone, her family sat with bated breath. As soon as Julie sang the first note, her familys jaws dropped to the floor. They were absolutely blown away by the sweet melody. From that point on, Julies musical career began to take shape.

Julie always knew that she wanted to sing, but she chose to develop her voice on her own, with the help of a voice teacher. Her vocal role model, Renee Flemming, inspired Julie to take vocal classes in high school. She initially applied to Manual as a High School University student, but decided that being a vocal student at the Youth Performing Art School (YPAS) would suit her better. The vocal director at YPAS, Doctor Glasscock, forced Julie to audition to become a vocal major, as a late freshman. Glasscock informed Julie that a proper audition would be held, with two other judges, a student observer, and an accompanist. Unfortunately, Glasscock did not stick to his word. The only two people in the audition room were Glasscock and Julie. Despite the lack of a proper audition, Julie belted the song that she had prepared. Upon finishing, Glasscock bluntly stated, Julie, you have no future in singing. Julie stood, dumbfounded; her dreams were crushed. Julie was not accepted into the vocal arts program as a major. After he told me that, I never wanted to sing again. Julie said as tears welled up in her eyes. Despite Glasscocks discouraging statement, Julie began to pick up singing again. Julie stated, Im kind of an attention whore, so singing is the perfect way for me to show off. From taking all of the vocal classes at YPAS, Julie finally realized that becoming a singer would create hardly any revenue in the long run. Lately, she has had her heart set on becoming a forensic psychologist. Perhaps, it is easier dealing with dead corpses than snooty vocal teachers. As Julie makes the daily trek between YPAS and Manual, Glasscocks voice is engraved in the back of her brain. The chilly air whips her long blonde hair as she enters the vocal room. She braces herself for the grueling 90-minute choir class ahead. Julie corrects her posture, gains

her composure, and prepares to warm up. Constantly, Julie is reminded of how harsh human beings can be. With that, she opens her mouth and continues to sing.