Obviously, I have not always and only been a teacher. Before I started teaching in 2000, I was a student. A college student, a high school student, a middle school student, an elementary school student.
I went to a few different schools in a few different states. Actually I went to 3rd grade alone in three different states--that's what happens when you are a transient kid. Finally we landed in Las Vegas, the end of 3rd grade. Strangely enough, we stayed.
Even though we moved around, there was always one constant from school to school to school. I was always involved in music and theatre. The music room or back stage always gave me a place to belong.
My love of theatre never waned. Not when I dyed my hair and started wearing combat boots. Not when I started spending hours listening to punk rock through my headphones. Not when I was bullied and called a freak. Never. My private retreat from the chaos of adolescence was the soundtrack to musicals. Secretly listening to Les Miserables, knowing all the words to Grease, going out of my way to find weird and interesting plays to read. My love for theatre never waned.
Until my sophomore year of college, I never went to a college or professional sporting event. It just wasn't my thing. Even when I started going to things in college, I was more take it or leave it. Still liked music more.
So, now I'm 42-years-old and a brand new sports fan. A real fan.
Splitting my allegiance was hard. My entire life I have loved musical theatre. I started my affair with it when I was 5-years-old, playing a munchkin in a community rendition of The Wizard of Oz.
Sports are fun to watch. The camaraderie of cheering together, beer, and snacks. I’ve never “rooted” for a team.
In the meantime, if you offered me tickets to a musical or a football game...musical it is.
After attending the Las Vegas Academy of the Arts and subsequently returning 6 years after graduation to teach, my love grew and my access to amazing art and theatre was a few steps away.
17 years later, I still 
LVA, I still theatre, but now...
LVA, I still theatre, but now...
I frickin’ hockey.
hockey.
Last night was the 5th game of the Stanley Cup playoffs, right here in Las Vegas. ( A year ago I couldn’t even tell you when the Cup was and the only hockey player I could name was Wayne Gretzky.)
Last night was also the night that the CEO of the Smith Center invited me to be his guest at Hamilton. ( BTW, we had a fancy pants dinner at the Smith Center before the show, and Myron projected the game.)
I could neither afford a ticket to the Stanley Cup, nor a floor ticket to Hamilton, so when one was offered, I went.
Sitting in the 3rd row, my amazing friend Jennifer Rios by my side, I suspended disbelief and nerded out for 3 hours for one of the most amazing musicals I have ever seen.
At intermission, I went to the lobby and discovered that the Knights lost.
Despite the loss, I am, like so many others, a Vegas Golden Knights fan. It’s not about the winning—though that feels damn good— it’s about being able to step outside myself and take a look around Las Vegas and see that we have finally evolved beyond the stereotype of Sin City.
That misnomer that “we have no culture”, needs to be squashed.
We are the home of colleges and universities, UNLV being named the most diverse campus in the nation.
We are home to a 5,800 square foot performing arts center.
We are home to the Golden Misfits, who came out against all odds and showed the world that ice hockey in the desert can be amazing.
We are home to so much more than what people perceive. Vegas is a symbol for all of us who people underestimate, judge on looks alone, or write off before giving us a chance.
I may not be #Vegasborn, but I’m #VegasStrong, and proud that I now, on any given Thursday night, have to choose between Lin Manuel Miranda’s color blind cast rapping and dropping historical knowledge and reminding us that “immigrants, they get the job done” or watching a talented group of athletes, many also immigrants, bring new hope, and new pride to a place that my family and I call home.
I am glad that today's Vegas kids can see their hometown as a place with just not just culture, but diversity, and character. We accept all kinds here. We cater to everyone, whatever way you want to spend your Thursday, or any other night, we probably have it.
My love for theatre has never waned, I've just made room in it for hockey.
After last night I truly believe that the lyrics to Hamilton speak to me and speak to my city, whether it be at a musical or in an arena.
Vegas can say on so many levels,
“Hey yo, I’m just like my country, I’m young, scrappy, and hungry.”
We are more than just neon. Viva Las Vegas.
#thisteachersjourney
