You may not know it by looking at her, but 11th grader Casey Clarke is actually from Russia.  She was born in Kirov, Russia, and was adopted when she was just six months old.  Right after being adopted, she moved to the United States and has lived in Virginia ever since.  She earned her citizenship when she was in fifth grade.  

Clarke has many hobbies, such as singing, binge-watching TV, and reading books.  She loves music and enjoyed her time in the chorus last year, especially when she was able to sing two solos.  “I like singing so much because I am able to make music without needing to carry or set up an instrument.  My instrument is basically my throat,” she said.  Clarke has been taking singing lessons for two years and has sung in two recitals.  “I love singing because I can show my emotions through my voice.  After a long or stressful day, I just belt out a song at my house and it makes me feel so much happier,” she said.  

When Clarke isn’t doing schoolwork or singing, she enjoys learning how to play the guitar or watch TV.  Some of the TV shows she likes to binge watch are Supernatural, The Vampire Diaries, Pretty Little Liars, Gossip Girl, House, Reign, and  Sherlock.  Another one of her hobbies is shopping.  Her favorite store is Altar’d State because she likes the vintage and lace style of the clothes, as well as the fact that some of the proceeds go to charity.  

Clarke has very high goals.  She plans on graduating high school with multiple AP and college credits as well as an advanced diploma.  After high school, she wants to go to either the University of Virginia or the College of William and Mary, although her dream college is Harvard University.  “Once I finish college, I hope to become a doctor.  I will probably be either a pediatrician or a neurologist because I love children and know I want to go into medicine, but the brain is also really fascinating to me,” she said.