WOS: Who is a woman that inspires you?

Eva Morris is a Berkeley High School sophomore who is most inspired by her vocal coach. Her coach has been a second mother to her, helping her through physical and mental struggles to keep working and improving Morris’ singing. “(She’s) always been there when I needed somebody, always there to motivate me when I wasn’t feeling like I wanted to do anything with my life, and she’s just such a strong, powerful woman, and I find that really aspirational,” Morris said. During Morris’ first singing competition at the age of 12 she had a big case of stage fright, but her vocal coach found her having a mental breakdown and built Morris back up. Morris’s vocal coach has been one of the most supportive people in her life.

For BHS sophomore Natalie Jones, an inspiring woman in her life is her older cousin Joey. Joey inspires Jones to be creative through her artwork and sports, motivating Jones to be her uninhibited self through Joey’s confidence and strength. “She is a really good artist and she just loves to do the things she enjoys and she’s such a hard worker,” Jones said. A big point of influence that Joey had for Jones was that her older cousin had joined a D1 crew team without any prior crew knowledge. “She’s just so brave … she’d never done crew before in her life and just hopped on and joined them,” said Jones. She pushes Jones to take risks, stay committed to the things she feels passionate about and always try new things.

BHS senior Camila Reyes Mendez is inspired by her close friend BHS senior Azucena Levy. “She is just, honestly, such a strong, independent woman who does what she says she does,” Mendez said, emphasizing that Levy’s will and confidence has built and supported Mendez herself. Levy is a model and motivation for Mendez in the way that she never hesitates to give a helping hand and build and encourage others around her. “She uplifts other women and I think that that’s something that I can really look up to,” Mendez said, adding that Levy has an inherent desire to help people and strengthen others to their fullest potential. Mendez concluded by saying it’s inspiring how Levy is “always willing to help.”

An inspiring woman in BHS freshman Amar Kaku’s life is theater director, choreographer, teacher, and family friend Erika Chong Shuch. Known for her work in a variety of performances around the bay and all over the world, Shuch’s work has seen the stage in many theaters. Kaku got the chance to intern on one of Shuch’s productions, experiencing firsthand Shuch’s art in the making. “I’m a theater person and to watch this beautiful Asian woman work and create this piece of art was just so inspiring,” Kaku said. Not only has witnessing Shuch’s career been a catalyst for Kaku’s own ambitions but it has also introduced them to a caring role model. “She is such a loving person, even if she just met you,” Kaku said.