Profile Article - Angie Thorne

Angelique Thorne took the same momentous step as many other first years when she decided to leave home and study at Rhodes. Leaving a family behind is never an easy task, even if it is in pursuit of a dream, and it is made even harder if the family you’re apart of is so close, you consider yourselves inseparable. This was the case with the Thorne family, and now as her first year comes to an end, it is obvious that “daddy’s little girl, mommy’s sweet angel” has managed to grow into her own person while preserving her roles as big sister and daughter.

Angie is brave enough to admit that coming to Rhodes was not a clear-cut decision. She juggled with career options and the consequences of leaving home before she made any final decisions and realised it was time to “leave the nest and enter into the independence of adulthood”. So far, the move has proven to be a positive one, despite all the difficulties Angie has had to face this year because “moving away from home has taught [her] so much about life, the person [she is] and the one [she plans] to become.”

Amongst the learning curbs of finding oneself, a family is likely to be the only support system you can count on to remain encouraging amidst the doubt of first year at university. How did the distance affect a daughter and sister like Angie if “keeping in contact on a daily basis was a mutual decision from both sides, so as to remain a big part of each others lives”? After all, she is a Drama student whose life regularly gets lost to rehearsals and practicals. “Often, quick 5 minute phone calls or random sms’s just have to suffice” just as long as they know what’s going on in each others’ lives.

However, these quick catch-up sessions did not manage to fill the void of leaving behind Bryan, Angie’s 10-year old brother. “We’ve always shared an indescribable bond… He’s the one person I would give up my life for, and not being there for all the ‘first-time’ experiences in his life, somehow makes me feel disconnected from him.” Despite the efficiency of technology, the freedom to call on a big sister whenever help is needed, it still seems that the deeply personal part of their relationship is being lost when Angie isn’t there for important photographs or personal achievements. Even though Bryan may not always understanding why his sister has gone, he still admires and respects her for following her dream and this undeniable support has played a big part in Angie having made it this far.


On a lighter note, Angie excitedly brings up her boyfriend – Jon. As a couple, they met at the beginning of their first year and despite all odds have kept the relationship strong for the past eight months. “On many occasions he has been the one to catch me when I fell and found the strength in me I always knew I had”. As she continues talking about the time they’ve spent together and how they’ve grown as individuals, I realise that he has had the most distinctive role in helping Angie adapt to life here at Rhodes.

“Although there have been many ‘ups and downs’ along the way, one thing has remained constant– I’ve stayed true to myself.” And this battle, fighting to combine who you’ve always been, who you hope to grow into and who the world wants you to be, is the hardest one of them all. Having made it through a first year at university, Angie will confirm that there will always be external forces pushing your boundaries, tempting you to change yourself and what you stand for, as you pursue the approval and friendship of your fellow Rhodents.
So how does Angie know that she’s managed to win this battle for herself? “I still have my personal morals and values grounded within me, regardless of the obstacles and challenges I’ve had to overcome whilst adapting to my new found way of life.”




Angelique’s blog: http://www.blogger.com/profile/07965020006347699871
Angelique’s facebook profile: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=536843012&ref=ts