Often times, people who are voted most individualistic are outgoing, confident people. They are often in touch with who they are, and express that no matter what others think.
Adria Daniels, who won the award this year, was once extremely self-conscious. During her middle school years, she wanted to “stay young forever,” and went to great lengths to do so. She would “pray to God her boobs wouldn’t grow” and would try different ways to make them seem smaller. She didn’t care much about her looks and was a tomboy.
Once she got into high school, Adria realized “it’s basically all about your looks, which is terrible but the truth.” From this realization, Adria decided to “embrace her inner woman.”
After Adria took pride in her look, things began to change. A once shy middle-schooler, she blossomed into a bubbly, self-assured teenager. “When you look good you feel good. And when you feel good, you start to believe in yourself and be beyond confident.”
Adria realized that being yourself is the most important thing, and other viewpoints don’t matter as long as you are happy with who you are and what you stand for. Adria’s newfound confidence made her realize “it didn’t matter to me that I was different.” Now she expresses herself by donning interesting outfits; often wearing articles of clothing from her mother Nancy’s closet.
While Adria is very open about herself, there are some things that people might not know about her. Although Adria has changed from her middle school years, she still has some of the tomboy in her. “I’m kind of a jock. I love to snowboard, surf, rock climb, and I go to the gym everyday.” Adria also has big dreams for the future, saying, “ I want to be a professional belly dancer, yoga teacher, artist, surf photographer, and marine biologist.”
Although Adria won most individualistic this year, she doesn’t believe the award should even exist. “An individual is who you are, so no one can be more individual than another. The most individualistic award is something everyone should win.”
Adria’s friend Michelle Gutman views Adria as “crazy, out going, and adventurous,” while her friend Meaghan DeCara views her as “a free spirit.”
When asked how she views herself, Adria said “I view myself as a little girl with big hair here to enjoy my life to the fullest, and make others happy so they enjoy their beautiful journey as well.”