The class of 2022 is made up of 458 seniors. Of those seniors, one is passionate about writing poetry on racial injustice. She plans on getting a tattoo the minute she turns 18. The past few weeks of her life have been filled with grief in mourning for her late brother. Meet Lauren Hulsey, senior.

TKC: What are you passionate about?

LH: I’m really passionate about poetry. I love writing poetry and music. Usually I’m walking down the hallway or I’m sitting in my bed and I think of a line and I write that one line down and it just sits in my notes. And [about] a month later I’m looking through my notes and I see that [line] and I finish it. I can write a whole poem, a page or two long, in [about] 30 minutes.

TKC: What topics do you write about?

LH: Really everything. If you give me a topic, I can probably write about it. I have three about racial injustice and the justice system. [My concern for racial injustice] has a lot to do with everything that has been going on. People are getting profiled and everyone is getting stereotyped no matter what race they are. If you are not white, all eyes are on you. Something about it bothers me, and I write my poems to spread awareness, but I’m too scared to show them to the public.

TKC: How do your English classes help you write poetry?

LH: Sophomore year, when I had Dr. Canan, she had us always picking [new vocabulary] words. So I use a lot of big words in my poetry.

TKC: What is your biggest struggle right now?

LH: My biggest struggle right now is that I just lost my big brother. He passed away in a car accident and it’s taken a really big toll on my life and I’m trying to do what I need to do to get through this. I’ve been staying busy. I’ve been writing, I’ve been talking to the counselors. Our new grade level counselor, Ms. Giden, is amazing. She really lets you know that she is there for you and I love her for that.

TKC: What is your favorite article of clothing to wear?

LH: I love hoodies [and] I always have [one] with me. If it’s not on, it’s in my backpack. If it’s not in my backpack, it’s on.

TKC: What’s your favorite meal of the day?

LH: I love dinner because I love to cook. Sometimes I cook dinner or my mom cooks. I recently was playing in the kitchen and I was just throwing a whole bunch of stuff together. I made shrimp, sausage and chicken alfredo, it was just so good.

TKC: Who is your role model?

LH: I know a lot of people are going to say this, but my mom. My mom has [gone] through so much in her life and no matter what [is going on], she will never fold. She won’t break down, she won’t let life get the best of her, she always stays on top of everything she needs to. I aspire to be like my mom.

TKC: What are you currently looking forward to?

LH: I’m going to be 18 next month so I’m really excited about that. One of the first things I’m doing when I turn 18 is I am going to get a tattoo because I don’t have to ask my mom [for permission]. My cousin is a really good artist [and] I’m a Scorpio, [so he drew a] scorpion with a heart incorporated into a rose on the stinger and it’s really pretty.

TKC: What makes you feel confident?

LH: I feel most confident when my hair is done. I love my natural hair to the fullest, even if it’s me picking out my hair and wearing an afro, as long as I look decent going into my day as far as my hair, then I feel pretty good.

TKC: If you could have dinner with one celebrity, who would it be?

LH: I would [have dinner] with Taraji P. Henson She is such a strong Black role in movies, and she has a really bright and nice personality. I’d love to learn from her because [she’s] a strong woman.