October's student of the month is sophomore Lauren Smith. An aspiring actor, director, author, movie mogul, and philosopher from Texas, Lauren took time out of her busy schedule to tell us more about herself.
ICA: Describe yourself as a person.
Lauren: I'm pretty fun to be around and quite creative.
ICA: What grade are you in, and what courses are you taking?
Lauren: I'm in 10th grade, bordering on 11th. I'm in the usual courses – English, Geometry, Physical Science, Government/History, and Old Testament.
ICA: What aspect of ICA do you enjoy the most?
Lauren: I enjoy Old Testament quite a bit.
ICA: Describe your hobbies, interests, and other things you like to do.
Lauren: I like painting, singing, acting, writing, working with cameras, and playing the piano.
ICA: Do you have a personal testimony you would be willing to share?
Lauren: I grew up in a Christian home and never had any problem believing in the existence of God. However, when I was 13, I went to church camp, where I decided to not only believe in God, but to put my faith in Him as a Savior as well.
ICA: What are some of your favorites?
Lauren: I like nachos. I have the entire The Lord of the Rings movie trilogy memorized, although The Dark Knight Rises recently became my favorite movie. My favorite Bible story is the story of Deborah. My favorite sport is soccer. My favorite band is Mumford & Sons, and my favorite solo artist is Patty Griffin. My favorite book is either Coraline by Neil Gaiman, The Fault in Our Stars by John Green, or The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak.
ICA: Are you a member of any organizations or church groups?
Lauren: I attend a weekly youth group called MOR at my church, and on Mondays I volunteer working the cameras in my church's healing rooms, conducting interviews with people who have experienced God's physical healing.
ICA: If you could use three words to describe yourself what would they be and why?
Lauren: Word One: Funky. Nobody else on the planet (or any possible others) is like me! Word Two: Confident. I don't let other people's opinions change me because I already know who I am. Word Three: Ambitious. I plan to be a movie director and perhaps win an Oscar.
ICA: What are your future plans or dreams?
Lauren: I hope to direct films as an adult and perhaps eventually start on an acting career. I also would like to publish a few novels and become a children's author.
ICA: After what motto do you model your life?
Lauren: Know who you are, dream big, create beautiful things, and remember from Whom you came.
ICA: What is your most treasured possession?
Lauren: My gigantic illustrated copy of The Hobbit. I've had it for most of my life, and I plan on reading it to my children someday.
ICA: Is there anything you have always wanted to do but haven't done yet?
Lauren: Go as a missionary to Mozambique.
ICA: If you could meet anyone, who would it be and why?
Lauren: Either Neil Gaiman because his work inspires me like crazy or Albert Einstein because his work inspires me like crazy.
ICA: What would others be surprised to learn about you?
Lauren: I once convinced my entire gym class that I was a failed NASA experiment given to my parents when I didn't turn out slimy, green, or with telepathic powers. I managed to do this on an April Fools' Day.
ICA: Of what accomplishment in life are you most proud?
Lauren: Last summer, my drama team and I put together three performances of The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde in order to raise money for the members of the Stained Glass Theater in Joplin, who had lost their director, two cast members, and their entire theatre in the tornado that destroyed the city in May of last year. In the play, I performed as Lady Bracknell. Not only am I quite proud of my performance (as well as the performances of my friends, all of whom did brilliantly), but we managed to raise over $17,000 dollars for the Stained Glass Theater. It's a memory that's going to last with me forever.