Chesa is currently performing with Theater Pro Rata, a local theater company. Catch Chesa in her upcoming performance of Fefu and her Friends at the Searle Mansion in Minneapolis!

Two photos from Chesa’s 8th grade year at FSMN

A current photo of Chesa

What is one of your favorite memories of being a student at FSMN?

One of my fondest memories from FSMN was the talent show! On one particularly special year, my best friend and I did a choreographed dance and lip-sync to the song Barbie Girl by Aqua. Getting the chance to be on a real stage, to do something I loved, and to have that something be celebrated by all my friends, family, and teachers felt incredible. It gave me the confidence to be myself and pursue performing more seriously during my time in school. Being celebrated for your passions is such an important part of a kid’s development, and I feel very lucky I had that at FSMN.

What drew you back to work with the FSMN community now?

I have always been curious about coming back to the FSMN community. It was such a formative part of my schooling. I wanted to see what it felt like to be back in that space with my new lived experiences and perspective. Lastly, I wanted to see how the principles that guide and shape this school have adapted to this ever-changing world. I am happy to say that in the short time I have been back, it is wonderful to witness a community that continues to value compassion, creativity and life-long learning.

Is there a Quaker value you particularly still connect to/practice in your adult life?

I believe that we as humans all inherently deserve respect, love, care and compassion, to name a few. I think this is a lesson that Quakerism instilled in me – that at our core or at our most vulnerable, we are all deserving of these rights.