Fresh voice: Alicia not Thomas

By ALICIA THOMAS – Guest Writer

When I first stepped into Clarke Central High School, I knew I had some big shoes to fill because everyone knew my siblings who graduated from CCHS in 2009 and 2011.

Since enrolling at Clarke Central High School, freshman Alicia Thomas has been associated with her older sister, Amber, and her older brother, Aaron. Instead of following in her older siblings’ shoes, Alicia has decided to establish her own identity. Cartoon by Caleb Hayes.

Although we’re a close family, I really didn’t want to be judged by their accomplishments — especially since everybody said they were smart. It was pretty scary when people started staring at me at school as if they had seen me before.

Someone asked, “Are you related to a boy named Aaron Thomas?” I replied, “Yeah, that’s my older brother.” At that moment they decided I would no longer be called Alicia. Rather, I would be known as “Aaron’s sister” for the remainder of cheerleading camp.

What a short-lived identity I had established for myself.

After that encounter, I met CCHS English department teacher David Ragsdale at the ninth grade orientation. My sister, Amber, always spoke very highly of him.

He asked if I would be interested in writing for the Odyssey Newsmagazine. I guess he thought I could write because Amber wrote articles.

To be honest, I’m more interested in drawing and photography. That afternoon I told my mom about the conversation and she encouraged me to participate.

I remember saying to her, “I’m just not ready to fill my sister’s shoes.”

Ragsdale is not the only teacher to draw connections within my family. CCHS Principal Dr. Robbie P. Hooker simply calls me “Thomas”. I guess that is easier than getting our family’s names mixed up since all of our names start with an A.

My name is Alicia and my siblings are Amber and Aaron Thomas. However, I have established myself as my own person. I have to study a little harder than my siblings to get good grades and I love to socialize with my friends. Once you get to know me, you’ll know me as Alicia rather than “Aaron’s sister” or “Thomas”.