We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Sarah Michele Hubbard a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Sarah Michele, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
I grew up changing my “dream job” several times a year. I wanted to be a princess, a doctor, a vet, a princess again, a teacher, a marine biologist, a lawyer, a fashion designer, then a businesswoman- like my mom. I’d go back and forth because my passions changed as I grew up.
On April 11, 2024, I learned that the night prior I lost a childhood friend of mine to a domestic violence driven murder-suicide;Emali was suddenly taken from us in the most unfair way. Realizing that I will never be graced with her smile or watching her take her daughter out to lunch I understood that the only way I can prevent another case like this and help victims families receive closure and justice is to practice law. I’ve always had a passion to help people, growing up I was always inclusive and friendly which translated into me wanting a career that would put me in a people centered environment. Preventing a repeat of this is almost impossible, but I can raise awareness and make sure victims are never forgotten. I wear the purple bracelet for Emali everyday, and I’m grateful I get to share her story to anyone that asks about it or asks why I want to practice law.
Finding purpose is not a straight path, it has a lot of red lights, detours, and missed turns. Finding my way at this point has been chaotic and I’m sure my passions will change more as I grow. I’m only 18, I’m not required to know everything.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
As a pageant titleholder, I am supporting the Ronald McDonald House in Bangor, Maine. The RMH in Bangor offered my family housing in 2006 when I was a patient in the NICU after I was born 6 weeks early. While my family didn’t accept the offer, we were still grateful for the opportunity. RMH offers housing to families while they have a member in the local hospital receiving medical treatment, whether it be a sudden illness, long term treatment, surgeries, or other reasons to be hospitalized.
In my reign this year I have donated goods on their wishlist such as food items and cleaning supplies that get placed in the kitchen spaces and apartment style rooms for the families, as well as toys for their “gift store” so that holidays aren’t added stress while they spend time with their family. While a small toy or canned goods don’t seem like a large contribution, to a family that has a hospitalized child, their child should be their priority.
Being able to give to these families so they don’t have to stress about where their next meal is coming from or when they can do laundry next warms my heart as their priority should be their family. Some families are residents for a few weeks while some are for months, and I believe that supporting them when they need it most can change their lives.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
3 qualities that impacted my journey are communication, empathy, and dedication. Sometimes the impacts were more of 2 steps forward, 3 steps back but still got me to the point I’m at today.
My communication was such a hit or miss over the years, up until my senior year of high school I was terrified to ask questions- fearful that if I asked anything that I would be judged by the room. Always prefacing with “dumb question but…” which never encouraged me to seek assistance. I struggled in silence, and sometimes my grades reflected it, which just led to me staying after class to get help. Luckily I discovered courage to ask questions anytime, and suddenly I understood more, and others had the same questions I did. I finally was able to communicate my thoughts and confusion to others and we worked together to understand. While it took me almost 6 years of public education to speak up, I’m grateful I learned it now instead of 2 years into college.
Never be afraid to help yourself understand.
Empathy is a trait I’m so grateful to have, as it’s always helped me work better with others which will benefit me when I begin to practice law. However it also caused me to be a people pleaser for many years, which taxed on my mental and physical health throughout high school. Whether it was too many clubs, helping others before doing my work, or staying up late for someone else. While in high school, I realized I was overwhelming myself to satisfy others when I listed off all the activities I did. After realizing how exhausted I was, I picked my favorite clubs and groups and deepened my passions within them which saved my mental health and improved my experience.
Saying ‘no” is not a bad response, prioritize yourself because it will change your life for the better.
Dedication will always benefit you, whether it’s beginning a new routine, working to get a promotion, or trying for an internship. Sometimes it’ll lead to failure but rejection is acknowledgement of effort. If you are able to look back on a rejection or failure and understand that you did all you could to succeed, you can’t be upset at yourself for it.
Be dedicated to being your best self.
To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
My parents let me try everything. Literally. Everything. Growing up I played field hockey, soccer, baseball, cheerleading, gymnastics, t-ball/softball, lacrosse, and track. I was a Girl Scout for 13 years, I graduated with 4 Varsity sports: cheerleading, lacrosse, indoor track, and outdoor track. I learned how to play the trumpet, drums, piano, guitar, and to sing. I was involved in sports, drama, music, community service- genuinely anything available in our area, I tried. My parents pushing me to try new things and allowing me to stop if I wasn’t passionate sent the mindset that I don’t have to stay where I don’t feel welcome. Now, as I changed my “dream career” a few times during my senior year, my parents supported me because they knew they had raised me to research and attempt, learning from failure instead of dwelling on it.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/official.sarahm/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-michele-hubbard-835131237
Image Credits
Stewart Smith Professional Photography
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