Name: Beth Anne Kadien

Track: “Duty to Rescue Friendships”

Education: Georgetown University ’14

Hometown: Memphis, Tennessee

Who’s the current occupant of your dream job? Sheena Wagstaff, if I am being honest. She is the Chairman of the Curatorial Department of Modern and Contemporary Art at the Met. If not her, then the Director of Museum Education at the Met.
 
How was your 18-year-old self naive? When I was 18, like most 18-year-olds, I thought I was untouchable. That my feelings weren’t breakable. My senior quote was from Andy Rooney, “Life’s tough, I’m tougher.” I wasn’t wrong, but it sure has felt like I was.

What one-word description would you find most flattering? Inspiring

What ethical question confounds you? Where is the line drawn for what is unforgivable?

In a sentence, be the biggest critic of your writing: Why is she writing like this is a conversation with herself…does she realize people are planning to read this?

How would you hope to be impressed by your future self? At my high school there is an annual speaker who is named the Chair of Ideas, and they give a speech about whatever they want to the high school and middle school, followed by a more private talk with the senior class. Aldous Huxley was one, and a lot of truly talented alumni have done it. If I were asked one day to be Chair of Ideas, that would mean I was really great at something people cared about.

Who is another Calling My Shot contributor whom you admire? It may seem that naming my best friend is a cop-out, but to me it’s the honest truth. Ryan Whelan has shown his true colors to me since we met on our freshman floor. He is honest, fiercely loyal, and he works impossibly hard for what he cares about. Every time I am with him I learn, and I value his wisdom more than I can eloquently write.