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Photo by Willamae Boling |
Machelle Tran
Although she’s quiet, there’s something about her that attracts attention. Perhaps it’s the black clothing, or her studded belt, or her mp3 player blaring screamo and alternative music. Or maybe it's her straight hair with the side-swept fringe that's long enough to be stylish but short enough to still have the punk, kick-ass edge.
You’re probably thinking “another Goth kid.” But don’t be too quick to judge her. Machelle is far too mellow and cool to fit any label. “People always think I’m Goth or Emo because of my clothes but I don’t really identify myself like that.”
Machelle is a junior at Cross Keys High School in Dekalb County. Although she doesn’t fit into any of the usual high school stereotypes, she sees herself as an artist, and for all the good reasons. Not only is she an accomplished painter and sketcher, but she also likes to sing, play the guitar, and write. She aspires to be a musician, an entreprenuer and a film director.
“I’d like to direct a drama ... something like American Beauty,” she says. “The sign of a good movie is its impact on someone’s life. It’s easy to make a movie with a good and suspenseful plot, but to actually have an impact on the audience sets it apart from other movies.”
Machelle’s family has an interesting background as well. Although her parents are originally Chinese, they immigrated to Atlanta before she was born. Now, the 17-year-old girl lives with her parents, her 19-year-old brother, his girlfriend, and their year-old son. “But with school and work,” she says, “I hardly ever get to spend much time with them.”
Machelle joined the Raise Your Voice Summer Program after being an avid VOX reader for two years. She decided to participate. She says: “I want to influence others through my writing and art. There's no better feeling than picking up a story or listening to a song and feel that you're not alone. Through VOX, I make that promise for all Atlanta Metro area teens that yeah, indeed, no one is ever alone. I promise.”
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