Khalil
Portrait with Zachary Maxwell Stertz
Description: A dark-skinned teen in a three piece tuxedo proudly holds an award at a ceremony. He is smiling while standing on stage at the microphone. Behind him is a sparkly golden background featuring enlarged award images.
Portrait with Zachary Maxwell Stertz
“One of my most memorable moments was in second grade. There was a talent show and I did a step routine with some students in my class. It was the first time I had a routine, and we won first place in front of everyone’s parents. My mom was there. Everyone was clapping.
Me and my mom have a strong bond. We talk all the time. If I have any opportunity to do something with my mom, I’m there. She’s my rock. I do things for her to be proud of me.
One of my dreams is to become a comedic actor. I see myself accepting an Oscar for the leading role in a comedic film. The name of the original film I imagine is titled, Trial and Error. To me, it’s something I think about. In life, you live and you learn. I’m not a perfect person. I’ve made mistakes, but you live and learn. It’s about progression. It’s my life, summed up.
I started learning that I was outgoing during freshman year. People tell me I’m funny, and after a while people come to you to brighten up their day, I started to think about what I could do with it. I can make the saddest person on Earth crack up. I like to make people happy. I have a way with people.
I feel like negativity is pointless. You don’t get anywhere with negative energy around you. I feel like if people were more positive, a lot of the bad stuff in the world wouldn’t even happen. You never know what people are going through and if you smile at them, it can go a long way to help make their day or change something for them. I don’t outcast people. I crack jokes with everyone and some people look up to me cause I include them when others don’t. It hits me on a personal level, when people say they look up to me because I see I can have an impact on them.”
Milwaukee, 2019