In the Easy Chair with Ocean Lulu Lombard

AGE: 16 years old.

SCHOOL & GRADE: I am a junior at Westerly High School.

I LIVE IN: Westerly!

RIGHT NOW I’M IN THE MIDDLE OF: Right now, my life is full of dancing. I was a dancer in the WHS StageDogs' production of "Hadestown," and I’m also getting ready for my dance recital at Michelle's L'Ecole De Danse this June. This year’s recital is inspired by "Alice in Wonderland," and I’m really excited to be portraying the role of the Queen of Hearts, as well as performing in tap, jazz, contemporary, pointe, and hip hop!

Some other exciting things I’m working on include raising funds for the American Heart Association to support both educational scholarships and heart research. Additionally, I’ve been invited by the Secretary of State's team to present at Rhode Island Civic Learning Week about the Bulldog Boutique and as one of Westerly’s civic liaison in the Secretary of States Civic Liason Program.

MY FAVORITE CLASS IS: Advanced Fashion Merchandising, which is taught by Mrs. Ljungberg. I’ve learned how to sew, and right now, I’m working on making a dress out of ties! I’m creating this dress for the Trashion Fashion Show, put on by the Ocean Community Chamber of Commerce, and I’m so excited to be part of this event. It’s a great way to support recycling old clothes and get creative with fashion in a sustainable way.

AFTER SCHOOL I LIKE TO: After school, you can usually find me at a practice or club meeting. My favorite thing to do is get involved in clubs that help me be an active part of my school, like Student Council, Varsity Athletes Above Substance Abuse (VAASA), The Barker Newspaper, Peer2Peer, and Character Ed.

I ALWAYS CARRY/WEAR: My gold necklace that was given to me by my grandparents, Gigi and Nutz. It’s my favorite piece of jewelry. The front has my initials, and the back has the date of my confirmation engraved on it. It’s such a special reminder of my family!

WHAT I WANT TO BE WHEN I GREW UP: I aspire to become a fashion show and event director, with a focus on marketing and public relations. Walking in both New York Fashion Week and Rhode Island Fashion Week has fueled my passion for fashion.

MY HEROES ARE: Definitely my parents and brother Dominick. I wouldn’t be the person I am today without them. They all work incredibly hard and always support me in everything I do. No matter what I aspire to, they are there, cheering me on.

MY FAVORITE AUTHORS: Mel Robbins, the writer of “The Let Them Theory.” I’m currently reading that book, and it’s so inspiring. The way Mel Robbins shares her story and perspective really resonates with me, and it’s been such an impactful read.

MY FAVORITE MUSICIANS ARE: Taylor Swift, SZA, Billie Eilish and Olivia Rodrigo. Fun fact: I’ve seen them all in concert, and I’ve had the chance to see Olivia Rodrigo twice with my godmother and aunt, Olivia!

LAST THREE SONGS I ASKED ALEXA/PANDORA/SPOTIFY TO PLAY: "Girl on Fire" by Alicia Keys, "Just Like Magic" by Ariana Grande, and "She's Always a Woman" by Billy Joel.

MY FAVORITE MOVIES: "Mamma Mia," "Grease" and "Just Go with It."

MY FAVORITE TV SHOWS: "The Office" and "Modern Family."

MY FAVORITE FOODS ARE: Lobster. My Nana and Bubba are from Kennebunkport, Maine, so I grew up visiting there and always having the best lobster. It’s such a special part of my childhood, and every time I have lobster, it reminds me of those trips and the memories with my family.

MY FAVORITE LOCAL RESTAURANTS ARE: Pooch's! The food is amazing, and the owners are incredibly generous. It’s so nice how they support all the local sports teams. They recently hosted the WHS Dance Team, which I’m a part of, and it was great.

SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES I MOSTLY USE: Instagram. I not only use it for personal use, but I serve as a Class Officer and the Social Media Representative for my class, the Class of 2026. In this role, I manage our class Instagram, post about events, fundraisers, and spotlight my fellow classmates!

TRAITS I MOST ADMIRE: Kindness and generosity, which is why I love my community of Westerly so much. It’s a place where I’ve seen these qualities firsthand, like when I co-hosted a golf tournament to raise money for the Bulldog Boutique. So many local businesses donated as tee sponsors and provided gift cards, and I’m incredibly grateful for their support.

PET PEEVES: When amazing dresses only get worn once and then sit in a closet forever. Why not give them a second life? That’s why I work on the Bulldog Boutique at Westerly High School with Mrs. Ljungberg, Ms. Steverman, and Mrs. Welch. We work to provide students with free access to clothing, from everyday wear to tuxes and formal dresses for prom! The Bulldog Boutique is currently being transformed from an old storage closet into a fully functioning boutique, thanks to the amazing Construction Department at WHS. I am incredibly passionate about this project and all the exciting things we’ve accomplished, including Channel 12 News doing a feature news story on us!

MY FAVORITE THING ABOUT OUR LITTLE CORNER OF THE WORLD: The beautiful beaches. Being here in the summertime is the best. You can always find me at the beach, whether I’m relaxing or out surfing.

CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT: My family, my boyfriend Easton, my friends and my adorable labradoodle Poseidon. I have so much love for all of them!

BEST ADVICE I EVER RECEIVED: "If you believe everything will work out, you’ll see opportunities." After tearing my ACL this season while playing varsity soccer and getting ACL surgery, it’s been a tough journey. But believing things will get better has kept me focused, pushing me to rise above and dedicate myself to other important roles, like being a class officer and vice president of the International Club.

IF I RULED THE WORLD I WOULD: Create spaces in every school district where students can access free clothing, ensuring everyone has what they need to feel confident and comfortable.

IF I WON THE LOTTERY, THE FIRST THING I WOULD DO IS: Travel to Paris. I’ve been studying French for four years, and I absolutely love the language and culture. I would try to book my trip during Paris Fashion Week!

THE GUESTS AT MY NEXT BIRTHDAY PARTY WILL BE: I’ll be spending my 17th birthday, which is also my golden birthday on June 17, at Girls State! It’s an amazing experience focused on mock government and leadership training, where we learn about responsible citizenship and how local and state governments work! But before I leave, I’ll definitely celebrate with my family, friends, and boyfriend!

— Interview arranged and edited by Nancy Burns-Fusaro