It doesn’t matter if you’ve never even met her. If you’ve attended Enloe High School in recent history, you recognize the name Sarah Coltrane. With a personality as fiery as her hair and an outstanding work ethic, Sarah has helped define the school for the past four years. She is president of two honors societies (Tri-M and National Art Honors Society), has played in the pit for three musicals, is a chorus student conductor, a member of Crescenloe, and that’s just scratching the surface of her involvement at Enloe. If you’re interested in the genuinely countless organizations and clubs she’s a part of, ask anyone involved in Enloe’s music, art or German (did you know Sarah is president of German club?) departments. But this article is dedicated to going beyond what Sarah spends her time doing. This is an attempt, which will not even come close to being sufficient, to capture the dazzling person that Sarah is at her core.
The impetus behind all of Sarah’s commitments is a genuine love of learning. Sarah is on a constant quest to learn more, and she shares everything she discovers. Ms. Mann, Sarah’s visual arts teacher, said, “She is always willing to help others and share how she has created things. Her information is not that she just keeps but she shares it.” Friend and fellow Crescenloe member Nic Sanchez echoed this sentiment, saying, “[Sarah] loves learning. To me she was put on this earth to learn and absorb all the information she can and expel it in all these different ways.” Sarah’s curiosity spans many subjects, showing a special interest in both the arts and sciences. Friend since middle school Nate Branscomb explains that Sarah’s broad range of interests stands out to him, saying, “Because she’s so interdisciplinary, I think she’s going to bring a new lens to whatever she ends up doing in the future.” Sarah is a student at heart, and her ability to always be learning is admirable, and sure to be a valuable asset as she moves on to the next chapter of her academic career. Her love of art shows in her creativity outside of the classroom too. Nate says he values her creativity in their friendship, recounting one of his favorite memories with Sarah, saying, “[One time] we got together with the intent of making a song and a music video. While that obviously never [was finished], that was such a fun day. I hope it happens eventually. It was a really great time because Sarah’s such a creative person.”
Her compassion and dedication to what she commits herself to is obvious, so it’s no surprise that she’s risen to leadership roles in many areas of her life. Good friend Siddhant Mishra says Sarah’s knack for leading comes from passion, saying, “There are a lot of great leaders, but one thing that Sarah does is [that] she enjoys being a leader. In the process, she tries to help everyone enjoy [the activity] as much as she does.” Ms. Mann says Sarah’s people skills set her apart, saying “She’s just very kind and caring, and people realize that she wants to include everybody.” This trait of being able to make anyone feel included and cared for is core to Sarah as a person. Nic said, “She makes you feel like you’re her best friend and like you’ve known each other for years … it makes you feel so comforted and welcomed … it takes away all you defenses and makes you feel like you can just be yourself around her.” Sarah’s kind approach to leadership is what makes her so successful.
Despite the fact that Sarah is already such a principled and kind person, she still puts in time and energy into personal growth. Sarah has a remarkable ability to set goals for herself and achieve them. She is keenly aware of what she how she wants to grow. Nate recalls how Sarah has pushed him to be better, saying, “There was this day we were talking and I was like, ‘oh my god, I remember all the ways we said we wanted to grow and we did that. We’re doing what we set out to do.’ Growing alongside her is a really strong lesson that change is possible.” Ms. Hallihan, Sarah’s chorus teacher, said, “I’ve taught Sarah for four years … the thing I notice about her growth, it’s almost like she’s cultivating herself into this very capable human being who’s not just enjoying life, but who is also successful at life.” Despite her desire to grow and evolve as a person, she has a strong sense of self. “Sarah will always change the tone of the environment instead of letting it change her,” Nic said, “She’s like not sorry to be herself.” Nate agrees, concluding, “Sarah has such a strong understanding of who she is and who she wants to be … and even if she doesn’t know exactly, she’s willing to figure it out and just grow.”
On top of being a prolific student, leader, and person, Sarah is the best friend you could ask for. Her intelligence and intuition shines in her friendships, with many of her friends citing her as their go-to for advice and help with personal problems. Siddhant said, “she gives great advice, she’s very emotionally intelligent. Throughout the last like five six-ish years, I’ve been able to rely on her.” Ms. Hallihan highlights her versatility, saying, “She can be really funny but she’s also really insightful … she can have those hard vulnerable conversations with you.” Nate builds on this, describing Sarah as “a very smart person, not just academically … But emotionally, she has a very strong introspective intelligence.” Nic said her dedication to connection is what distinguishes her friendships, saying, “The whole point to her when she talks to people is to create that connection.” He finishes, “Whoever she’s talking to, she’s always like, ‘there is something I can learn from you.’”
Even with the above 100o+ words, there is an essence of Sarah that you can only understand through firsthand experience. To describe her spirit is impossible, but this article would be incomplete without a final try. Nate’s best attempt to capture her personality is that she’s a “force of nature,” finishing after another minute of thought, “a very chaotic force of nature.” Nic sums her up as “the biggest personality you will ever meet, but she still somehow finds a way to make room for you.” Ms. Hallihan tries by describing her as, “a very authentic, genuine human who has a love of life and great ambition as well as a great desire to enjoy the fun things in life who is also just very good at snortboxing.” Siddhant described her as a human pop-up book, “she’s always popping up. Every time you see her, you’re just blown away by whatever she’s doing, you can never really expect it, but it’s in a good way.” “Sarahs going to surprise you,” said Ms. Mann, “we all know that she’s a great student, very smart, intelligent. But she is wickedly funny, she’s truly just a ray of sunshine. She has the energy drive, passion for anything she sets her mind to. When she does give her attention and energy into a project she gives it fully but as a person, I think, she’s just so bright. She’s sparkly, she’s a sparkly disco ball, with a laugh track.”
This fall, Sarah Coltrane will go change the lives of every single person at NC State University, where she will study Textile Design. Sarah is a one-of-a-kind person. To anyone reading this, find a way to get a little Sarah Coltrane in your life. You won’t regret it. Sarah, as you go off to join the pack, take some words from those who know and love you best.
Siddhant:
“Keep being Sarah Coltrane … If Sarah stays Sarah Coltrane, Sarah’s going to do wonderful things.”
Nic:
“Sarah, I don’t think the world is ready for a red headed president, but your talent, ambition, and passion, can take you to the moon. Second NC state alum to go to space, and I believe in you so much and you’re going to change the world.”
Nate:
“I am so excited to see the person that you are becoming… I’m excited to continue to grow with you and to become our best selves together.”
