mark balancio - senior photo essay

By Mark BalancioI’m not who I was

Found myself in a photograph, thought I just had to laugh because im not who I was.

Found a paper I plagiarized, that part of me long died, because im not who I was.

I used to be mad at myself, but i found my way around to forgetting that because im not who I was.

I wish you could see me now I wish I could show you how thatI’m not who I was

Growth

EndurancePerseverance

Determination

AcceptanceI hated the person who staired back at me in the mirror, now I realize the person who im looking at is someone who I now love.

BelieveThe person I was didnt believe in myself, I now believe I can do anything I put my mind to

“It doesn’t matter what we do until we accept ourselves. Once we accept ourselves, it doesn’t matter what we do.” - Charly Heavenrich

Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence. - Helen Keller

Faith

When I think of Utopia, I think of the person that is within me. I think of how far I have come as a per-son who thought i didnt amount to anything, who settled for mediocre and didnt push for success. I have Endured many storms, as much storms as you have faced. This is my story of what helped me in my journey of growth. This is my Utopia.

Utopia