This story was created during the 2023 SAG-AFTRA & WGA strikes. Without the hard work of these incredible unions, the world of High School Musical The Musical The Series wouldn't exist. For more information about how you can help with the ongoing strikes, please refer to the link you can find on my profile.

They say that "If you're young and talented, it's like you have wings." Well, that's exactly what Emma looks like right now. There's so much to talk about:

1 - This girl can sing. There's no doubt about that. Nini took me down a rabbit hole of some of the covers that Emma's done. Start Of Something New from High School Musical. Wait For It from Hamilton. One of my personal favorites, Queen Of Mean from Descendants 3. Her range is phenomenal. Based on the sample size that Nini provided, she can sing a wide variety of songs of various kinds. At least in my time, you don't often see singers who can sing songs from multiple genres effectively, but Emma can do that, and so much more.

2 - I think the thing that I find most satisfying about her multi-talented nature is her work ethic. She doesn't seem like the kind of girl that'll complain about anything. She'll do what she's asked of without even giving it a second thought. She seems like the kind of girl that will come, every single day, and do anything and everything in her power to ensure the success of this production.

3 - On that point, I can see that she's a loyal, brave, and dedicated friend. From what Nini told me, Emma recently had to move because of the death of her parents, and other than her and Gina, she doesn't really have anyone else to call a friend, but she seems so in sync with my other Wildcats. She'll fit in just nicely I feel like with them. Who knows, maybe she'll become friends with all of them.

4 - Nini also told me that Emma is a songwriter. She writes her own original songs. The issue is, she tells me, is that she's afraid of sharing them, because of what people might think if she were to put herself out there. She also tells me she's heard her original music, and she loves every second of it, so if I can find a way to unlock that bravery that I can just tell is buried in there, deep inside of her, then we can get her seemingly excellent songwriting talents on this production, as well as all of the other talents that she is providing to us.

I really wish Emma would've gotten a chance to audition from the beginning, because I have a feeling, in her first go in auditioning for a show in which I am the one casting, she could've gotten Gabriella, or at the very least have gotten Taylor or even Kelcie. She's incredibly gifted, to put it simply, and she is exactly the kind of person that we need on this production, and I'll do whatever it takes to make her feel safe and welcome, because that is what she truly deserves. After so much time trying to find a place where she can feel like she belongs, she'll finally find it, here at East High.

Speaking of…

Emma asked to speak with me today, and here she is. I wonder what this could be about…

"Emma, hi. How are you doing?" I asked her.

"I'd have to say that I've never been better. I came to rehearsals yesterday at Nini's invitation, and I wasn't expecting all of that to happen. That was something else for sure." Emma remarks.

"Well clearly, what Nini said about your incredible talent was all accurate. Now you asked to meet with me, so what can I do for you?" I asked with a smile.

Something's up. I can feel it. Emma's lips are quaking. I can see her trembling in her seat. This is really strange…

"There's… something you should know about me if I'm going to be working alongside you this semester. It's something that only Nini, her moms, and Gina and her mom, know about, at least for right now. It's something that's very personal to me and is something that's a major part of who I am." Emma reveals.

"Well whatever it is, you're being very brave by sharing it with me, so please, what is it?" I asked her, trying to sound as welcoming and positive as possible.

"I have autism, a sensory disorder, and documented anxiety, and a whole host of other issues. With that, it puts me in a position where certain things, like places with really loud noises and certain sensory situations, make me very uncomfortable." Emma confesses.

"Wow… you're really brave for sharing that with me, and you said Nini, her family and Gina and her mom are the only other people who know?" I asked.

"Yeah, and aside from you and the other people I mention, I would like to keep it that way. I don't want a false perception of me." Emma requests.

"I don't think that will happen if you said something, but your request will be granted. Your secret is safe with us." I reassured her.

"Thank You Miss Jenn. That means a lot." Emma says in response.

"Of course. Now go off and show the world what you can do." I suggested.

"All day, every day." Emma says in response.

Emma is such a good kid. She just needs to learn to come out of her shell and show everyone her abilities. Hopefully, I can help her do just that, and so much more…