I have known Melody Young since kindergarten. Young grew up with mutism, and since kindergarten her actions have had to convey for her. She never fails to make a room laugh, and though she doesn’t say a single word, her actions express her feelings. Young plays the viola in countless ensembles and always takes her music seriously while making jokes here and there. She cares about her friends and family and it really shows in her relationships.
Young participates in Tri-M, DSSYO, FBLA, NHS, and the UWS orchestra. Outside of school, most of her time is spent practicing the viola whether it’s at home or in numerous rehearsals she attends. During rehearsals for our school concerts, I see Young having fun but also making sure she is prepared. Her section looks up to her and even though I’m not in her section, I look up to her too.
Considering Young’s mutism, I was able to have a conversation with her via Google Docs. She was able to fill out the document with her answers, and if there was a question she did not want to answer, she was able to skip over it and move on. The interview was pretty casual as I asked about the things I wanted to know, and the things that make her unique and impactful.
“Music wasn’t just contained to the school orchestra room. I slowly started getting more confident on a stage as I watched and learned, growing more confident in myself in other settings too. I used to be much more shy and uncertain about myself until about the summer before sophomore year. That was when I really started getting involved in the Duluth-Superior music community,” Young typed.
Students from around the school have noticed Young’s hard work and how determined she is to get her stuff done. I know that when I look at Young, I see a person who wants to help, who is willing to listen if you need someone, and who doesn’t let her challenges get the best of her.
“Melody is a great person. she may not have a voice but she is heard especially by her peers,” junior Callum Bradley said.
I have noticed staff members affected by Young as well, whether they have her in class or have taken a trip with her. Ecology teacher Donald Polkinghorn attended orchestra’s Disney trip as a chaperone and was able to get to know Young one on one.
“She is a fun person to be around. She is cool and funny. I loved getting to know her more,” Polkinghorn said.
Some of her friends find Young to have a sense of humor, to be a person who turns frowns into smiles. Even though she doesn’t speak, she doesn’t let that affect her. In class, I see Young laughing and smiling, and when it’s time to work she’ll get as much as she can done.
