As a child, there was nothing like walking into the hushed serenity of the local library, greeted by soft murmurs and the pitter-patter of keyboards typing like trickling raindrops. Seeing my friends on the shelves instantly encased me in warm comfort; Henry Higgins and the Penderwicks would smile down at me, each carrying unforgettable escapades within their idiosyncratic worlds. Inspired, I would scrawl my own tales in purple ink, shaping castles out of commentaries and palaces out of paragraphs. 

My love for stories was largely fostered by my fifth-grade teacher, Mrs. Walden. She never scoffed at me for wanting to read in the library during recess. She was always willing to read my short stories and offer constructive criticism. She encouraged me to join Readers Rally Club, which I remained a part of for eight years. She is a mentor that I will always look up to, and I could never thank her enough for constantly motivating me to pursue my love for literature.

Today, I’m still captivated by stories’ ability to reveal unexpected magic everywhere; I see it hiding inside rainbow dishwater bubbles, within the laugh lines of an elder’s face, and among families of dancing honey-speckled leaves. I want to share this magic with others through my work. I hope to become an English teacher and/or educational filmmaker to expand the reach of storytelling for young people.

I am currently in the post-production stage of wrapping up my short film, Boba, which follows the changing relationship between two best friends, Margot Park and Piper Lee, as they navigate high school, femininity, change, and what it means to be Korean-American.

My photo/video portfolio: https://ehannahso99.wixsite.com/hannahso/copy-of-concerts-1