Whether on stage or on campus, Selina Xu (12) is immediately identifiable. She uses her acting talent to promote change and inspire others to contribute in the community. Selina’s bright smile, unapologetic laughter and infectious energy are distinctive to her and leave an impact on everyone around her.

Selina first joined performing arts early on with choir and continued to explore her passion more seriously in high school through productions. Aside from allowing her to express and discover her creative voice, Selina enjoys performances because they allow her to create meaningful connections with her castmates.

“One of the biggest things for me is the sense of community that comes with it,” Selina said. “First, working with other people in the cast is such an amazing experience. There are so many talented performers, and every time I’m in a rehearsal, I get inspired by seeing all these other people who are not just talented but also committed. Theater has taught me a lot about what it means to take risks and commit yourself to the role and the performance.” 

As theater became a more prominent role in Selina’s life, from playing award-winning lead roles to directing her own show, she realized the transformative presence in her mindset. By becoming more secure in her stage presence, she was able to grow more confidence in social settings, contributing to her eminent bubbly nature. 

“Growing up, I was one who backed out of opportunities, and theater became the gateway through which I learned to take risks,” Selina said. “For example, simply physically, playing all these different characters forces you to really experiment, explore and step out of your comfort zone. But also, it taught me how to be vulnerable, and that vulnerability is powerful.”

Selina’s ability to transform into vivid depictions of nuanced characters through acting and sharing their stories enhances her propensity for storytelling as a whole. Similar to theater, Selina works to create more lenses to tell effective stories in journalism, demonstrated through her work in multimedia. Storytelling grew into a thematic interest for her, underscoring her passion for leaving a positive impact on the community. 

“In all the things that I do, with theater, journalism and choir, it’s interesting to me how they all give me a window into the real world,” Selina said. “I think that sometimes we all get bogged down in negativity but I think the projects that I work on have a real impact on the community. It’s inspiring to me and it reminds me that there’s a real possibility for change.”

Upper school performing arts director Laura Lang-Ree speaks to Selina’s energy in the various shows and settings where she worked with her. Since freshman year, Lang-Ree watched Selina grow into the nuanced actor and person she is today.

“I have such a high impression of Selina because she’s not only a warm, welcoming and kind person, but one of the hardest working theater students I’ve ever had,” Lang-Ree said. “She has incredible talent and an incredible voice and acting skills. When she’s crafting a character or working on a scene or in class, she is tenacious about how she approaches the process and goes after it like no one I’ve ever seen.” 

Selina’s animated personality does not go unnoticed in other settings as well. Close friend Katelyn Zhao (12) appreciates Selina’s energy ever since they met in 6th grade.

“Selina is always laughing,” Katelyn said. “She laughs the loudest in the room and she’s not afraid to. She always expresses her joy and shows that she cares. She is always the friend who hypes you up a lot.” 

Beyond Selina’s contagious smile and laughter, her hardworking nature also inspires many. Close friend Siddhi Jain (12) speaks to Selina’s commitment and dedication to the activities she devotes her time to.

“She is someone who never gives up,” Siddhi said. “She gets through a lot of things with a smile, and that is admirable because it is pretty easy to feel defeated, but that’s not Selina.”

By intertwining her commitment and work ethic with her full-of-life persona, Selina evolved into a beloved member of her community. Her goals for herself extend to growing into herself more and using her skills towards making change.

“No matter what I choose to pursue, I want my work to be grounded in empathy and meaningful communication and working together with other people to collectively create positive change,” Selina said. “That’s what’s most important to me at my core. I love people, I love working with people, I love that collective feeling of hope and fulfillment—and that’s something that I always like to channel.”