Editor’s note: Matias uses the pronouns “they/them” when referring to themselves. 

It’s not difficult to spot junior Francis Matias out and about in the hallways — especially considering they’re almost always wearing their bright, rainbow-striped hat. Although shy at first, given some time, Matias easily becomes the most extravagant and outspoken person in many of their classes. Even when they’re performing along with their a capella team, while mixed along with the voices of their fellow members, it’s almost as if Matias’ voice is audible through the rest.

When Matias was in sixth grade, they first began questioning their sexuality. It wasn’t until four years later when Matias was finally capable of figuring themselves completely out; Matias identifies themselves as an agender lesbian.

“I figured out I liked girls when I was in sixth grade, and then when I started questioning my gender, I was in eighth grade,” Matias said. “I figured everything out sophomore year. Last year, I kind of solidified it.”

Despite looking at Matias, a person who is obviously confident and comfortable in their own skin, it wasn’t always this way for them; it took a long time to come to terms and fully understand themselves.

“It was a long process. I went through a lot of inner turmoil,” Matias said. “When I was in eighth grade, I had super long hair. One day I took a hat, and just tucked my hair into the hat and put on some masculine clothing. I looked into the mirror and I was like, ‘Damn, I look good.'”

Matias was born with the birth name of Miranda, but when they began to get comfortable in their skin, they changed their name. The initial change was from Miranda to Mir and overtime, they got to the name Francis. Many of Matias’ friends agree that the name change was something they had seen coming for quite some time, and the switch to Francis was very natural for them.

“It wasn’t like meeting a new person. I kind of saw it already, and we’ve been friends for the longest time,” junior Angeline Lariosa said.

Though Matias is very proud of their origin, there are also a lot of other unique qualities about them. Matias is very talented; they are dabbling in drawing, writing, and singing. At West, they’re involved in a cappella, poetry slam, and have had work published in the literary magazine.

“Ever since I was in middle school, I’ve loved to sing,” Matias said. “I don’t know about a career, but I know I want to write a song when I’m older so I can have to something to express my love for singing and creating, kind of like how I am with my writing and poetry.”

Through their years at West, Matias has formed tight bonds with faculty members.

“Frankie is a very talented writer in my eyes. We have candid conversations of the philosophical, socratical type about life and everything,” academic advocate Michael Blair said. “Frankie’s grown a lot [over the past few years].  Now they’re solely in their head, and are more capable to let all of those thoughts out.”

Not only has Matias’s confidence boost aided them positively, but has also influenced others around them. Just recently, a close relative of Matias’s came out to them.

“It was my eighth-grade cousin who I used to be really close with. When I had just come out, she was my closest confidant, and she actually just came out to me and asked me a bunch of questions,” Matias said. “I’m really glad she came to me, especially because I know how scary it can be as an eighth grader. I feel like, if anyone, I’m glad I can be someone she can look up to.”