Eras Tour Farewell Fan Scholarship

Taylor Swift means so many different things to so many different people. To some, she's an artist who makes catchy songs. To others, she's an older sister figure, passing down her wisdom. To others still, she's a feminist icon, fighting for equal rights for all people. To me, she's all of those and more. Her music inspires me and at the same time helps me process the emotions from experiences she describes in her lyrics that also occurred in my life. Her determination to constantly do more and be better sparks a fire in me to continue to grow and develop my passions. Her down-to-Earth nature and genuine appreciation for those who support her is a constant reminder to never forget where you came from and to remain humble. All of these facets are always present but they have been extremely evident throughout the Eras Tour. Watching her perform gives a glimpse into the emotions she feels with every song she has written. Looking around the stadiums it is clear that not only are the songs meaningful to her, they are meaningful to the fans. As the concertgoers sing with Taylor you can see and feel their emotions, and it's as if everyone at the performance is processing their feelings with the help of the music. The same is true for me. Taylor puts into words feelings that I have been unable to verbalize myself and allows me to work through the emotions that come along with these experiences. While each of Taylor's tours has been bigger than the previous one, the Eras Tour stands high above the rest in terms of complexity. The moving set, the multiple costume changes, the three-hour-long setlist, and the graphics are all top-tier for the industry. She is constantly pushing herself to do bigger and better things than she has in the past. This has been an inspiration to me in my career. Seeing her constantly step out of her comfort zone and break barriers ignited a passion in me to further my career. I applied and was accepted into a Doctoral of Nursing Practice in Nurse Anesthesia program, and while it is scary to take such a big step up from bedside nursing, I know it was the right choice for my future. Taylor also constantly shows appreciation to her supporters, serving as a reminder to me to do the same. From giving away her "22" hat to a different fan each night to interacting with fans throughout the shows and on social media, she remains gracious and appreciative to her supporters. This is something I strive for in my own life. While I may not have fans of my own, I do have many people who have supported me through the various stages of my life, from childhood to college to my work as a Registered Nurse. My family, friends, and husband have been with me each step of the way, and showing my appreciation for them is extremely important. Taylor has played such a large part in my life as a role model and inspiration. From helping me work through emotions and experiences to motivating me to further my career to modeling the importance of showing appreciation for those around you, her Eras Tour has had a major impact on my life.