Sharareh Drury’s first name means “sparkling flame.” She says her mom gave her that name because she knew that Sharareh was going to be special. 

Sharareh is of mixed heritage — her mom’s side of the family is from Iran and her dad’s side is from Ireland. She recently came to the StoryCorps booth in the Chicago Cultural Center where she spoke openly about being bullied as a child because of her background.

This interview was recorded through a partnership between StoryCorps and the Muslim American Leadership Alliance.