Josh Cameron Profile: Freshman Has Acted in 33 Plays

By Jacob Montenegro

Staff Writer

When Josh Cameron was 7, he saw the shows Oliver  and Annie and he was amazed. He loved the drama, how suspenseful the shows were and how well the actors played their characters.

He decided he wanted to try acting, but there was a problem. “I wanted to start acting, but my parents said that I would be too shy.”

But Josh was determined, so his parents said that they would let him give it a try. They signed him up for a show and he has turned out to be a great actor.

Now a freshman, Josh has been in a total of 33 plays, both inside and outside of school, including Emperor Jones, Fiddler on the Roof, 13, and Shakespeare’s Much Ado about Nothing. Last year, he played a main role in Woodlynde’s high school production of Footloose, even though he was still in Middle School. Dr. Simmons said "Last year for the upper school play, the main actor who was going to play a huge role, stepped down and Josh stepped up to the role and learned all of the lines and he was a great actor."This year, he is going to act in Grease, which premieres March 6.      

Josh enjoys acting because he likes to be in character and be someone different every time he is in a play. He also loves the thrill of acting.

“I used to get butterflies a lot, but my director said that getting butterflies was good,” Josh said, “because when you get butterflies, you are more cautious on stage and you can channel your nervous energy to remember your lines and ques.”

Josh’s favorite play that he has been in is Ragtime. He liked the story and there were excellent actors in it and it was emotional. “The play was historical and it was very dramatic,” Josh said.

Josh has other hobbies, as well, like watching his favorite T.V. show, “Everybody hates Chris,” which he thinks is hysterical. The main character Chris reminds him of himself. “I can see myself in the same situations and I can relate to the show,” Josh said. “The show gives me the chance to laugh at the stupid things a kid my age would do.”  

Josh has been attending Woodlynde for seven years. He plays basketball and runs for the Cross-Country team, which he likes because he gets to talk to his friends on the team while he runs. “I find cross-country interesting because I get a lot of exercise, and not a lot of kids do cross-country and it’s a great experience,” Josh said.

He added: “Cross-Country builds stamina [and] endurance, and it teaches you not to give up.”

Caroline Kothari: Going Gluten and Dairy-Free Works Wonders

By Caroline Kothari

Staff Writer

I have psoriasis on my scalp. Scalp psoriasis is a common skin disorder that produces raised, reddish, and often scaly patches. It can spread beyond the scalp to the forehead, back of the neck, or behind the ears. I have had this ever since I was little and it’s really annoying. 

My doctors have always told me not to drink milk because it affects my health. For the last 17 years of my life, I have not been following the doctor's advice because I have always thought that just changing my diet wouldn’t help my psoriasis. However, it turns out that it really does make a difference.

Recently, my mom decided what if this would actually work? So, after we got back from Italy in August, my mom told me that we should go on a gluten and dairy-free diet for a month and see how it turns out.

Being gluten free means I can’t eat bread, pasta, pastries, donuts, bagels etc. Being dairy free means I can’t drink milk, or have yogurt or butter, etc. Many of these gluten foods I used to eat all the time. My favorite foods that are gluten that I can’t eat are bread and pasta. 

So as I went through the month, things started to turn around for me. My psoriasis started clearing up and my head started looking like normal. It was like magic and I was thrilled. 

In addition, I felt so much more energetic and happy. I felt like I was drinking multiple cups of coffee a day, but I wasn’t. It was the change in diet!  I loved how I felt, so my mom decided we should do this for the rest of our lives. Sure, sometimes we may go off it for holidays, but other than that, we will be completely gluten and dairy free.

Not only does this diet help my psoriasis and my energy level, it also helps my mood. Now, trivial situations that used to seem like a big deal are actually not at a big deal at all. Being less sluggish helps my mood regulate because when I am not exhausted, I can actually function and feel good about everything in life. 

I think becoming gluten and dairy free has absolutely been the best thing for me. In fact, I think everyone should try it. This diet will make you feel like you’re Superman or Superwoman. It may be a bit more work, but it is worth it.