“I don’t really see myself as a beautiful and unique snowflake,” laughed Senior Haylo Piercey, referencing a favorite novel Fight Club.
Although her flamboyant outfits and sometimes actions may cause a second glance, Haylo Pierciey is fully confident in her identity.
“[For me] you can be as crazy as you want and people won’t give a crap because they know you’re crazy,” she said.
“My mom was really into the goth scene, I guess it’s hereditary.”
However, she doesn’t classify herself as the stereotypical “stairwell kid.”
“I’m not that much of a goth, I don’t do drugs at all, which a lot of people assume about me. I’m a pretty good kid.”
Growing up, Haylo moved around a lot, but prior to living here she encountered an adverse, not-so-accepting experience at a high school in Missouri.
“I was bullied so much, just for the way I looked.”
But life took a positive turn when she and her family moved to Lawrence.
“My life used to suck, it doesn’t suck as much anymore which is nice.”
Haylo finds both the Free State and Lawrence communities to be very accepting.
“They just think, ‘alright, go ahead.’”
Throughout her time at Free State she has become an active member of several clubs and can be seen singing her heart out in the front row of sophomore women’s choir.
“Music is a passion. I knit a lot. I’m into writing. Very artsy-fartsy.”
Everyday is a new adventure, and an opportunity to be yourself.
“Here I am.”