Abigail Kim ’25 used to find her identity within ballet. When asked about the interest she has explored the most throughout her time at Castilleja, she didn’t hesitate to state, “definitely ballet.” Kim started ballet at the age of five and quickly became pre-professional only four years later.
As her largest commitment outside school, ballet influenced Kim’s interactions with Castilleja resources. She regretfully turned down opportunities such as participating in the musical and dance production because of her commitment to ballet. “After going through various injuries, I decided to quit.” Quitting ballet freed up her out-of-school time which allowed her to dive into passions outside of dancing.
Outside of who she was as a dancer, being part of Castilleja’s Korean-American Student Association (KASA) is another big aspect of Kim’s identity. Funnily enough, Kim’s mother forced her to join KASA in 7th grade, a decision that was not her preferred choice. “My older sister started the affinity group, so I obviously was not inclined to join,” Kim said.
However, through her years at Castilleja, Kim started to appreciate her affinity group more and more. Because of her shyness, Kim initially found it difficult to make friends. But KASA enabled her to do so, even across different grade levels. Kim became a lead for KASA her junior year and has continued her leadership throughout her senior year as well.
In her seven years at Castilleja, Kim’s most unforgettable memory by far was creating a school dating show in her junior year. Her intentions set on finding a date to prom, Kim created “Casti Prom Com” with Priscilla Chan ’25. Although the memories corresponding to this experience give Kim mixed feelings, it was overall a fun experience that sprouted many new friendships.
Although Kim has grown significantly during her time at Casti, she initially struggled with branching out in her younger years. Before her participation in KASA and other clubs, Kim found it hard to create friendships with her peers and relationships with adults on campus. Although Kim can be loud and outgoing with her tight group of friends, she has had trouble creating relationships where she can truly be herself. If she could give advice to her younger self, she would say, “First of all, don’t be afraid to create relationships, like making friends, and take all the opportunities I can get.”
Being a naturally joyful person, Kim finds positivity in everything. Kim says she is especially joyful in the “small moments where you feel accomplished and happy that you’re doing something that you love.” Whether it’s being with family and friends or simply having things that work out in her favor, she chooses to find the positive in all of the negative that this world can bring.
