Elena Valdovinos: My First Upside-Down Rollercoaster Experience

Choosing a story to tell was difficult for me. I thought about whether a long and meaningful story would fit a 5-minute time limit, or if a shorter, more relatable story would give me more creative freedom to add humor and sarcasm. I ended up picking a memory from maybe two years ago, in which I was peer-pressured into doing something I wouldn't normally do. I had never been on a rollercoaster with a loop or a corkscrew in it, and I had always been a nervous nelly when it came to intense rides.

In telling this story to my classmates, I had to practice leaving out parts that weren't necessary, and I had to wrack my brain to remember exactly how I was feeling. I really enjoyed telling my story to other people, and it was fun to see how they reacted. It put a massive smile on my face.

I think that listening to other classmates' stories helped me get to know them better, and it was a fun way to connect with others. I learned about important parts of these people's lives, like how one classmate moved across the country during the pandemic with her family and their dog and tortoise. I don't think that I really learned anything about myself, but I really enjoyed connecting with these people.