Freshman Eva Labeau remembers details about a toy duck from when she was two. 

This partly is because of HSAM or Highly Superior Autobiographical Memory; the ability to recall experiences and associate dates is a rare cognitive ability. While Eva only has it to a slight extent, she still can recall much more than many others can only imagine. 

Eva enjoys reading books and watching her favorite TV shows and often finds herself in conversations where she’ll be reminded of events that happened in the shows she watched. 

“I watch a lot of weird shows, and my family, [myself included], makes fun of me,” Eva said. “I love the show New Girl, and every time something comes up in a situation, I would think of [a similar scene].”

Much of her memory has been selective cases with connections from the past. 

Though having a great memory can be fun at times, it can also bring lots of challenges such as traumatic experiences or tough times. For Eva, she has found a way to use her excellent memory through an activity she finds very relaxing: art. 

Eva grew up with art surrounding her due to her talented family. Her dad is an art teacher as well as being an artist. Her mom is very musical, leaving Eva to continue the streak. Ever since she can remember, art has been an outlet for her throughout everything. With a big mural showcased in her house and paintings scattered throughout the halls, she finds it comforting to see the creative masterpieces that have run through her family for years.

“I always thought [the mural] was a normal thing,” Eva said. “I would go to a friend’s house, and it was weird to be in a less eccentric house; I had always thought it to be normal.”  

Before being a “VSCO girl” was a trend, Eva had already started her passion for making friendship bracelets. Since fifth grade, she would be creating pattern after pattern with a multitude of colors. Eva’s notable memory helps her with memorizing the patterns she needs to craft the intricate bracelets as well as being able to figure out tougher designs.

“I can easily look at a specific pattern of a bracelet I want to make,” Eva said. “I can keep it in my mind while I’m making [the bracelet], and it helps me a lot.” 

For a while, Eva considered starting a business in selling these ornate bracelets, but COVID-19 has pushed her plans back further. In a studio she shares with her family, she keeps her art supplies stored there and uses them as an escape to work on what she loves most.

Eva can proudly say she takes her art skills after her older sister, who also dabbles in similar activities. There hasn’t been a time in her life where she wasn’t being encircled by art lovers. 

“My sister is so much more talented than me, which I’m okay with,” Eva said. “I’m younger, and I have more time to learn from them.” 

Though she’s not taking any art classes in school, she finds it better to have control of her own skills. As a fully virtual student this year, she is grateful to have the chance to connect with herself and discover more ways to gain outlets. 

“My dad and I tend to do a lot of random art projects together,” Eva said. “I feel like it’s better for me personally to go at my own pace in doing what I want to do.”

She owes it to her parents for pushing the creative side of her when she was young. The bonds between her family through art have never been stronger and will only continue to grow as Eva explores her creative sides.

“I’m grateful it was thrown at me so young because it allowed me to learn that I love it,” Eva said. “It has helped me through so much and given me the opportunity to grow as a person.”