My Story

My name is Tamara Frieson, but most people know me as Tammy. I'm originally from Birmingham, Alabama, but I am currently based in Manhattan, New York. Before coming to college, I'd always been passionate about the arts and imagined myself going into musical theatre as a career. Although singing, acting, and dancing are all passions of mine, journalism has inspired me to combine my love for arts, fashion, and entertainment with my passion for advocacy for the diversity, equity, and inclusion of everyone, specifically focusing on minority groups.

So, if you're wondering how I got here, let me fill you in. I had been training for musical theater for almost fifteen years since the age of four. I attended the Jefferson County International Baccalaureate School and the Jefferson County Academy of Theatre and Dance in high school, and, I was a part of the Red Mountain Theatre Performing Ensemble. Getting my education from an International Baccalaureate (IB) Program AND being a part of two academies was, quite literally, the hardest thing I've ever done in my twenty years of living. Don't get me wrong, I was highly passionate about it and did what needed to be done to succeed, but it was hard.

When it was time for the college application season, I barely slept, couldn't think clearly, and always fell asleep in class. It got so bad that and one of my friends from high school, who carpooled with me every morning, had to switch off driving every so often, depending on how much sleep I got. Nevertheless, with a surprising amount of honor chords, I made it through and received my IB diploma. I did not end up going to school for musical theatre but instead found a new passion of mine that had been baking inside of me for a while. That passion was journalism.

I know what you might be thinking... Tammy, how did you dedicate most of your childhood life to training for musical theatre and then randomly switch to journalism? Well, it wasn't that random. Growing up, my wonderful parents continued to expose me to the arts. I was always painting, coloring, or drawing when I was little and was surprisingly really good at it. Now, I don't know if they introduced me to art because they were tired of me telling them I was bored all time or if they were using it as a distraction to get me to stop bothering them for a little while, but for whatever reason, it worked. I have a very creative mind and have always been very determined to complete a task once I start it and become very passionate about it (which is why you can read about me on this website I created). I am overwhelmingly thankful to my parents for introducing me to my love of art early in my life.

Now, my love for advocacy and journalism began in my senior year of high school when I joined and was voted to be on the executive boards of many of the organizations and clubs at my school. I was in the National Society of High School Scholars, the International Spanish Honor Society, the International Thespian Honor Society, the Beta Club, the Spanish Club, the French Club, and Model UN. Not to mention I was President of the Spanish Honor Society, President of our 2022 senior class, Dance Captain of the Red Mountain Theatre Performing Ensemble, President of the Theatre Academy and its Thespian troupe, President of the Black Student Union, etc... Now it just sounds like I was a power-hungry teenager who didn't know how to go home after school and watch tv, but I truly cared about every club and organization I was a part of. And throughout all of it, I was always having fun.

While previously being an American Studies major with a Critical Race and Ethnicity Studies Concentration I am now studying English Language and Literature at Pace University. This major allows me to explore different cultures and how they interact with American society while also fine-tuning my writing abilities. In journalism, it is essential to focus on all aspects of a topic to reveal the truth. Truth and honesty are important in writing, as it allows the audience to relate to and connect with the information being told. Honesty is what I make sure to reveal in all of my articles.

Now, I'm in the stage of life where I begin building towards my future and slowly start putting puzzle pieces together that create the big picture of what I want my life to be. In the words of Lin-Manuel Miranda, "[I'm] only nineteen, but my mind is older," except now I'm twenty. Looking forward, I am determined to build the life and career that I want through persistence, determination, optimism, focus, skillfulness, and faith.

The Purpose

I wanted to create a digital space for my creativity to run freely, as well as be able to inspire others in the process. This website is a chance to reflect on my work and display any personal written documents, poems, art pieces, and photography I am proud of. If you have found yourself here, welcome! It's so lovely to meet you :) Thank you for your support!