Autobiography

Birthdate

On March 15, 1995, at Grossmont Hospital, I was born to Heather and Jeffery Russell. I was the first of what ended up growing to be four children. Not only being the first child born in my generation in both sides, I also held the place of being the first girl to be born on the Russell side in 67 years.

Family

In my immediate family, I have three siblings, of which are named Amanda, Alexis, and Jeffery Jr. Two years after I was born, my sister Amanda came into my life, and was the only sibling I had for 13 years. Eighth grade was different for me, seeing as how I was informed that my mother and father were having another baby. I was stoked, and in July of 2009, my now three year old sister was born, a surprise but also a blessing. I figured that after that, there'd be no more "surprises". However, in my junior year of high school, I was once again let know that my mother was pregnant. Another surprise and another blessing happened May of 2012 when my brother came into the world.

Childhood & Schooling

During my childhood, I attended Northmont Elementary from preschool to 5th grade. My time there was ideal for a child, my mom worked as a "duty" or supervisor there, and everyone knew both her and me in the most positive ways. From sixth to eighth grade, I went to Parkway Middle School, where everyone from my school, as well as the surrounding schools were going. My first semester went without a hitch, tons of friends, great teachers, grades all of it. Second semester started and a new girl came to school, who I immediately took in, invited to my huge group of friends, showed her everything. In ninth grade, I moved to Campo and attended Pine Valley Academy, a charter school in Pine Valley. After making friends, but after only 9 months of living in Campo, I was moved to Lakeside and finished out 9th grade year on homeschool. First semester of 10th grade, I was enrolled in El Capitan. I made a total of 0 friends and spent my breaks and lunches on the phone with my mom so I didn’t seem like as much of a loser. I switched to a HomeChoice Program for the remainder of 10th grade. 11th grade, I started at what would me my savior. West Hills High School and quickly found out who I wanted to be and who I wanted to surround myself around.

Hobbies/Interests/Activities

As a toddler, I used to watch my dad leave on weekends, packing a big duffle bag with coolers and loading up a weird four wheeled and two wheeled thing up into our truck. I always used to beg for him to let me go, but he would always tell me there would be nothing for me to do, and I’d be bored. Almost christmas time, my dad came home with an even smaller four-wheeled thing in the back of our truck. I ran outside and just knew it was mine. Ever since that November day, I have rode quads, dirt bikes, dune buggies, anything that I could to create another bond with my dad.

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star is most likely every child’s first song. At 2, I had sang that and just about anything else I could figure out the words to. Growing up, no matter what hardship I was going through, music got me through it. I was in every single school talent show from second grade to tenth and I absolutely feel free and unstoppable whenever I turn on any type of music. Karaoke, or not, I belt out anything I can from country to rap to pop to indie. Being able to match of lyrics and background music to the exact way you feel is truly something else. I do not think in a million years I would give up singing. It will always be in my life and apart of who I am.

Anecdotes

When I was 7, my family and I went on one of our numerous family desert trips. Sunday morning, on our way back from the local store Pair-A-Dice, my quad’s engine seemed to be acting funny. I hadn’t realized that the “choke” was still on, which made it die any time I tried to idle. Scared, I just wanted to get back to camp as quickly as possible, my throttle was pushed as far back as possible, and I couldn’t even see my mom or sister anymore. Just my dad, trying to wave me down, Seconds later, I was in the air and crashing in to a “kiddie track”. I bruised three ribs, and broke my wrist that day, all because I didn’t want my quad to stop. I sucked it up the rest of the weekend however, and just promised to be more careful.

In sixth grade, I was friends with practically the whole school. Knowing everyone, when a new girl came I immediately became friends with her. She decided she liked my life and instead of joining it, she took it away from me. She manipulated every single one of my friends, and by the end of sixth grade I didn’t know anyone that liked me. Seventh grade started, and a girl that I was acquaintances with, started talking to me, and was the only person I had for the next two years. I made the best of the situation and realized that if one person saying something can change someone's mind so drastically, then they were obviously not my friend to begin with and not worth dwelling over. 

Career Goals

When I grow up, I plan on becoming an elementary school teacher. I’d become one because it’s self-satisfying, they make decent money, and once I have children, it’ll be nice to be on the same schedule as them both during school, and having time off. I would make an incredible teacher because I have young siblings that I get to see grow and develop, so I have a hands-on experience with seeing how easily their minds are manipulated in both positive and negative ways, I also understand the delicacy of their personalities and how they're future outlook can be dependent upon their early learnings.