“Never give up” is something that everyone has been hearing their whole life. Even if there are times where we just want to ball up on the ground and do nothing, these three little words can change one’s perspective on what they can achieve as a person.
Someone who has taken these words to the next level is Sophia Icsezen. She has been able to be in the top three percent of her grade while also being able to participate in extracurricular activities. She claims that the secret is to find the balance in everything. “It’s really about prioritizing time and how you can focus.” I was up all night my freshman and sophomore year, but once junior year came rolling around, I was able to find a balance.” says Icsezen.
Icsezen continues to inspire her peers not just through her academic achievements, but also through her genuine passion for the art of theater. In addition to her studies, she dedicates her time to after school rehearsal almost every single day until 6:30.“Theater takes up a lot of time, so sometimes I would have to take out my computer and get some work done whenever I could.” Icsezen says. She has portrayed many characters such as Violet from It’s a Wonderful Life, Alice from Alice and Wonderland, and Meg from Little Women. She has had a great passion for this art, especially being able to make her way up to the president level of the theater company here at Lamar. “Being in theater has brought me into a small community within Lamar’s 3,000 students, and it has taught me to be a leader and how to be responsible.” Icsezen explains.
Icsezen dreams of becoming an archaeologist, driven by a deep fascination with history and the stories of ancient civilizations. She especially was inspired by her own Turkish culture, being extremely fascinated by the history and art it has to offer. “I got to go to this place in Turkey called Cappadocia, we saw all these cool cave churches and ancient murals, and I was like, what if I’m the one that could discover these things!” Icsezen says. Icsezen plans to study archaeology in college, where she hopes to gain hands-on experience through fieldwork and research.
After a long university application process, and a nerve wracking early admissions procedure, Icsezen was able to get into her dream school: the University of Chicago. Icsezen is excited about the idea of going to the University of Chicago in the fall of 2025. This school is known for its strong academics and amazing campus, making it a great place for students to learn and grow. Icsezen loves the idea of being around other students who are also curious and eager to learn new things. She is also looking forward to joining the local theater, where she hopes to take part in fun productions and explore her passion for acting even more. With her hard work in school and love for the arts, history, and many more, Icsezen is ready to take on all the challenges and opportunities that the University of Chicago will bring her way.
