Something had gone terribly wrong, and sophomore Emily Burns knew it. Within a few seconds, she and her sister came so close to the water they could almost touch the sharks circling below. She tried desperately to keep her feet above the shark-infested water. Suddenly, she was dunked completely under the water. Their focus turned from the sharks to the water below. Emily was almost drowned from the repeated dunking. Soon enough, Emily and Abby were pulled back to the boat, and helped out of the harnesses.

Emily Burns takes yearly vacations. She’s gone on cruises, road trips and once flew to New York with her family and one of her role models, Altranicia Starr. In Ms. Starr’s seventh and eighth grade theater arts classes Emily started to open up to people and find out who she was. Ms. Starr was like a mother to Emily, constantly believing in and encouraging her.

“It was such a blessing getting to give back to the person who showed me that I have talent and worth,” Burns said. “Ms. Starr inspired me to chase my dreams and to never give up.”

Ms. Starr was always there for Emily, and inspired Burns to follow her career of teaching.

“I want to be a theatre arts teacher one day so I can give to other students what she gave to me. I can’t imagine anything better than giving someone the confidence and support to grace the stage. That’s what Ms. Starr did for me.”

Last summer, Burns took a road trip to Destin, Florida, participating in activities like enjoying a “Pardi Gras” celebration and singing along at the “Howl at the Moon” dueling piano bar. She was almost attacked by sharks at one point while parasailing.

“It was a wonderful trip, and even though every second was enjoyable, my favorite moments of the trip included parasailing and walking the shores at night. There’s something really freeing about flying through the sky without a care in the world. I also loved walking the shore at night because I got to spend time talking with my sister, and letting my worries wash away with the sand,” Burns said.

Burns greatly appreciates any time at all that she can spend with her family and friends.

“Spending time with my family and growing closer; that’s really what it’s all about,” Burns said.

Burns always enjoys going on new trips, and plans to take one around the country with her closest friends after finishing high school.

“I want to travel everywhere,” Burns said. “I love seeing new things and chasing new adventures. I would love to travel the world someday, going anywhere the wind blows, and every piece of the earth.

Burns’s favorite part of almost all of her previous vacations has been the people she spent them with.

“No matter what, I know the memories we make will last forever, and that’s what it’s all about; enjoying life and spending time with the people you love,” Burns said.