Personal Narrative: Why People Wear Scar Masks

People wear masks to masquerades to hide their physical features. However, the mask that I created for Servant Leadership actually highlights my insecurities instead of covering them up. Everyday I go through the motions with my classmates at a tiny school where each being thinks he/she knows everything about one another, but the truth is one never truly knows. Everyone has their own demons, and I certainly have mine.
The most obvious pictures on my mask are general things about me. For instance, I put images of basketball, softball, reading, and math, which are all things I enjoy doing. Some other pictures capture my future; my dream college is Colorado Mesa University (their mascot is the maverick) to major in radiologic technology. Then, although not obvious to the naked eye are pictures of
Scar from The Lion King, a cookbook, Instagram/Snapchat and a picture of family that all have a deeper meaning.
Scar is strategically placed on the lower right cheek near where my hairline would be; I had surgery on my cheek when I was a first grader. I remember being absolutely terrified as if it were yesterday. Then there is the cookbook that reminds me of not only my grandma, but also my great grandma whom I miss a lot. Everytime I think of baking for long period of time I think about when we used to spend the day making special Italian cookies together as well as homemade pasta. Family is a huge part of my life, but so are friends. I have met a lot of people at the camps I have attended or even opposing teams’ players that I like to keep in touch with. For me these are ways to see how people grow and their accomplishments as they get older. The
picture of family, out of all the pictures on the mask probably means the most to me. Family is my biggest weak spot. I would do anything to go back in time to spend more time with my father. He is very supportive of me and I am “daddy’s little girl”, but he has worked nights ever since I was young, so I did not see, and still do not see him as often as I would like. All of these make me realize how precious every moment in life truly is.
The front of my mask is orange and glittery, while the inside is pure black. This aspect shows how I always put on a smile and give in to others simply to make them content, when I, myself, am not. I constantly receive complements from my friends on various subjects related to me, yet somehow none of it matters. My insecurities of appearance, as well as not thinking I can ever be great at anything suffocates the compliments. Finally, the inner part of my mask is black because I have yet to know who I am, and what truly makes me happy. I need to find my light to the rest of the world, and that is my goal.