There are three main aspects of my life outside of academics that make me who I am. These three areas include music, computers/electronics, and volunteer/church service.
Piano playing is a huge part of my life. Since third grade, I continue to take private lessons, practice and learn to master song after song through determination and discipline. However, I do not only learn songs but use them as inspiration for expressing myself. Ever since I learned the piano, I have been composing my own music. I am in the process of digitizing my songs and creating videos of more than a dozen songs I have composed over the years. I received a standing ovation at my recital for one of my own compositions that I played. One of my earliest songs, “Breezy Meadow,” was one I wrote when I was twelve. I composed it for my grandmother on her 80th Birthday.
I not only play for myself and family, but also for others in the community, this includes playing for the residents at the Light of Hearts Villa Assisted Living Home and events for various fraternals and Slovak clubs.
Another main aspect of my life is computers/electronics. I joined a computer coding club at school and learned how to work as a team and lead others. I was invited by my computer teacher to take part as a team member along with three other students to represent our school for a programming competition held at Baldwin Wallace University. Our school team came in 5th place out of a total of 35 teams from different schools. This experience only solidified the idea of wanting to pursue a career in this field. I am also involved in my engineering class at school and was awarded student of the quarter from Polaris Vocational School for my leadership and teamwork. I was selected by my teachers and received five different awards from school for high GPA and excellence in classes, such as government and chemistry. I set up and currently maintain a private server on my home computer for my friends and fellow students for gaming and school group projects.
The final aspect of my life that is important to me is volunteer and community work. I have been active in the various Slovak Clubs in Cleveland. I – along with my sister, dad, aunt, uncle, and grandmother – are members of Branch 24 of the First Catholic Slovak Union. I, as my parents did, dance and perform in the Lúčina Slovak Folklore Ensemble of Greater Cleveland. We practice weekly and travel all over to perform for various communities, clubs, and festivals. We were featured performers at the First Catholic Slovak Union’s 125th Anniversary Celebration in 2015 and at the Society’s 2018 Quadrennial Convention, both in Cleveland. Our ensemble was invited to Slovakia several times to perform at festivals and we also appeared on television. This is all volunteer work, which we do to continue to spread and pursue our Slovak Culture and Heritage. I am a member in my local church’s hand bell choir. I started playing bells in the third grade as an extracurricular activity at St. Joseph and John’s School and afterwards joined the adult hand bell choir in church. We practice weekly and perform at Masses throughout the month. I have volunteered and worked with my father at various events such as the Knights of Columbus pancake breakfast and participated in Join Hands Day at the Light of Hearts Villa.
– Submitted by Matthew Oros, Branch 24
Editor’s note: Matthew will be attending Baldwin Wallace University after high school graduation. He plans on majoring in Computer Science with a minor in Music. He was accepted into and will be attending the “Young Composers” summer program at Cleveland Institute of Music. You can listen to Matthew perform his own compositions as well as other music by visiting the website he designed, https://mattheworosmusic.com/ , or going to his YouTube channel MatthewOrosMusic.
