How to make my hair stand out?

I have straight, light-ish brown hair that comes down a few inches past my shoulders. Sometimes I put it up, sometimes leave it down and pin the front pieces back (they always fall in my eyes and my face is just weird, idk). It's fine, but it's getting pretty boring and I'm looking for ideas on how to make it stand out from the crowd next year at school (9th grade). I might be able to dye it if I can convince my mother to let me, and I can cut it however I want but I don't think I want to get a pixie or anything. My hair is really difficult to get into fancy new styles, seeing as it takes a tremendous amount of effort to even get it in a high ponytail. So how do you think I could make it more interesting? I have super-duper pale skin, blue eyes, and a kind of roundish/squareish face.