Performing right up to expectations
Louis Laws shares his story on community volunteering and his life’s ambitions
If there’s one thing that keeps me motivated to move forward, it’s the opportunities that come my way.
But these opportunities wouldn’t have happened if it weren’t for hard work and a heap of determination to better myself and make the most out of each occasion. Now at 17 years old, as the head boy of Nelson College, I’m making the most of the time I have at school and in Nelson.
Looking back 10 years ago, I would never have expected my life to go this way.
I was an easygoing kid not too worried about where I was going, or where I would be in the next few years or so. It was within the next few years I started asking myself what I was out to achieve, and where my passions truly lay.
I found this path when I came to Nelson when I got interested in performance on stage. I got involved in all forms of performance; acting, musical theatre, playing in bands, helping out in productions back stage, even directing. The entire range in the theatre gave me coverage into all my interests, it gave me confidence and a knack for exceeding myself each time. I like to see myself as a jack of all trades but a master of none. I’m endlessly jumping on to projects within the community, seeing each experience as a motivation for something else I can focus on for the future.
This year at Nelson College I found myself interested in community service; acts of kindness in any approach to better the community. I kick-started the NC Bros at Nelson College, a voluntary group that helps out community events or projects.
Saying yes to most things has also gotten me into some remarkable places. This year alone I’ve been an ant for the Giants, a light bulb for Light Nelson, a rock god for Live Arts and a Wrestler in the Shakespeare Festival.
At the moment I’m managing to keep my head above water. Sometimes I find when you really are stressed out it’s alright to take some time for yourself and do one thing at a time.
I’m looking at my options along the lines of media or film, possibility management or marketing. I don’t want to limit myself in my career.