Song: The Origin of Life
Terre Haute, IN
2025, Senior, Performing Arts
[Verse 1]
Hold my hand to the living water
Provide me the air to breath
I see the eyes of the marine life
Caught in plastic, no biodiversity
[Pre-Chorus]
All we have is a concrete jungle
Lost coral reefs to pollutant debris
Microplastics, a long-term struggle, nutritional deficiencies
[Chorus]
Oh, I want to see the origin of life
Free hands to help the turtles breathe
I want to see the blue coastal line, fish living among seaweed
So stop the waste in the water, recycle your bags
Drop sea temps and reduce greenhouse gas
Oh, protect the earth’s origin of life
[Verse 2]
I already see cracks in the concrete
But they’re struggling to hold the ocea back
Humans, dependent on healthy oceans
Yet we rule the hill of the garbage patches
[Pre- Chorus]
Whether the ocean provides through climate or recreation
We want to internalize an everlasting wonder
We want our children to grow up, splashes of splendor
And make a change in global effort
[Chorus]
Oh, I want to see the origin of life
Free hands to help the turtles breathe
I want to see the blue coastal line, fish living among seaweed
So stop the waste in the water, recycle your bags
Drop sea temps and reduce greenhouse gas
Oh, protect the earth’s origin of life
[Bridge]
You can reduce your carbon footprint
Conserve water; use environmentally friendly cleaners
And by the time you see the face of a blubbering fish
Think of the harm of a plastic dish
[Outro]
Oh, I want to see the origin of life
Free hands to help the turtles breathe
I want to see the blue coastal line, fish living among seaweed
So stop the waste in the water, recycle your bags
Drop sea temps and reduce greenhouse gas
Oh, protect the earth’s origin of life
Reflection
I came up with the idea by really looking into the various perspectives of why the ocean is important to biodiversity but also the humans that interact with it. I think it's important to remind ourselves that it's important to give back to the ocean if we want to see more positive results, and to recognize that some of this ocean damage has come because of the concrete jungles we have created. Through my exploration of the Contest theme, I’ve learned to always have a wonder for the world. I’ve learned to explore, because nature has no boundaries. It’s given me a perspective that we, as a young generation, need to lean into the conflicts that are happening now! To viewers of my work- I inspire you to go out and search beyond your capabilities. Always search for a snippet of inspiration and creativity everywhere you go, and learn to have a passion for a global conflict by doing something you love, such as music. Always reach out and never underestimate your own potential!