Medium Skilled =    Highly Skilled =    Professional =

My name is Lida Kartashova and I'm a freshman at Rolling Meadows High School. I was born in the beautiful St. Petersburg, Russia, and have lived there until I was 6 when I moved to Illinois. When I first moved here I knew no English so I ended up being very shy.

High School- The thought of new people, classes, teachers, and stress freaked me out so I decided to stay quietly invisible. My plan didn't work though because soon I broke out of my shell, joined the Poms team, made friends, and am generally a people person. I am a spunky, energetic, creative, and passionate about everything that I do. Although I am stereotyped as a regular "girly girl", I do things that one of that normal stereotype would not do. I love hiking outdoors as much as I love shopping at Woodfield Mall; they're both kinda my stress relievers. I love animals including bugs (although spiders generally freak me out), and plan to go to Africa to help fight AIDS.

My start in acting began when my friend opened up to me about how much she wanted to be and actress. So I practiced with her, we made up little skits, and I criticised her. But what I soon realized was that I loved acting and wasn't half bad at it. In the meantime my friend gave up, but I continued to try out for school plays, and if I didn't make one it really didn't bring me down. It just made me want it more.

A/B Honor Roll 4 years in a row.

As a typical teenage girl I am interested in activities such as shopping, singing, dancing, acting, being arounf friends, movies, and of course eating. Sports are also a big componenet of my life. Anything from running to swimming is good with me. Just have to move.

While in this business I want to make it on the 'big screen'. I realized that as much as I loved theater, I cannot talk loud enough for people to hear me 35 rows down. Being in front of a camera is where I'm most comfortable with myself and my surroundings.

1. Quick learner
2. Friendly
3. Happy and Exciting
4. Sociable
5. Intelligent