My name is Sam Thein and I am 17 years old. I am a senior in high school, and have been doing pottery for two years. Before starting pottery, I played sports, and spent most of my time on the football field or basketball court. Coincidentally, as I started my sophomore year at school, I happened to take a pottery class, tore a ligament in my knee, and was temporarily unable to continue playing sports. My inability to play sports allowed me to put all my focus and energy into my pottery class. I followed a pattern of setting a goal, mastering it, and moving on to bigger challenges. Soon, I was creating quality pottery. I now have a pottery wheel at my house and am a member at White Bear Center for the Arts. I take pottery classes twice a week at WBCA and every day at school. I hope to someday teach pottery to others and I encourage everyone to try taking a class.