Kristen McCartney Perseverance Scholarship

My admiration for motion pictures has persisted since childhood. Despite protests from my parents, I often times spent hours glued to the television screen, captivated by the magic of Disney movies and romantic comedies. Yet, amidst this infatuation, one question continuously racked my brain: “Where are the people who look like me?”  Growing up in Charlotte, North Carolina, I was fortunate enough to experience a diverse community from a young age. Immersing myself in different cultures shaped my worldview and made me a global thinker. However, the depictions on-screen reflected a world much different from mine. The tough realization of underrepresentation became painfully clear when my sister, an aspiring actress, received a harsh reality check from her agent: "You're Black, Black", implying she did not fit the look for the overwhelming majority of roles. Although a hard pill to swallow, the truth wasn’t a lack of talent in the Black community, but rather a lack of opportunity for minorities in film. Understanding that racial background could potentially hinder someone's chances of obtaining acting roles sparked rage in my 10-year-old self. Fueled by disappointment and anger, I made a promise to my sister: I would create films that showcased stories and faces reflecting our own. Back then the "how" and "where" to start filmmaking remained mysteries, but my drive was unwavering. In 2018, I witnessed first-hand the impact of culturally representative films, first with the release of Black Panther, a groundbreaking film that empowered the African American community and made history, being nominated for several awards and jumpstarting the careers of numerous Black actors. Then again, with the release of Crazy Rich Asians, which starred a primarily Asian cast and production team, that potentially revolutionized Hollywood.   Inspired by how these films resonated across racial and ethnic lines, I felt confident about creating something similar. However, the challenge of being a woman in a male-dominated field loomed large. Convincing my family that film, an industry where less than 5% of filmmakers are women of color, could be my career required dedication. Over time I proved myself with my serious intentions and commitment to social change. "What Makes Us So Different," my first short film uses the analogy of cats and dogs to discuss racial prejudice in America, and earned me a top 9 finalist spot in the National Youth Free Expressions Film Contest. This achievement boosted my confidence and demonstrated my filmmaking capabilities. Now, as my senior year concludes, I am working on my second project, aiming to shed light on the often-unvoiced struggles of young men facing social pressure without healthy emotional outlets. My next chapter finds me at the University of Southern California, home to the nation's number one film school, studying Business of Cinematic Arts (BCA). Being granted the opportunity to learn firsthand from experienced directors, screenwriters, and producers, who will help me hone my skills and simultaneously provide me with the necessary connections to break into the film industry. No matter the path I follow in the entertainment field, I know the BCA program will help me serve my audience and focus on the business components of production and the creative aspects. This program fosters career excellence through required internships, the opportunity to create films, teachings from industry professionals, and guest speakers with extensive experience in production. I will continue harnessing the power of film: illuminating issues impacting marginalized communities, advocating for diverse representation on screens everywhere, and ensuring that no child ever questions their worth or beauty due to a lack of reflection in the stories they see.

Softball and making an impact on my community are things I am equally passionate about. Softball has always been more than just a sport–it has been one of my greatest teachers, instilling in me the value of hard work, how to deal with failure, and how to be a leader. As I transition to college, I am excited to continue pursuing my love for the game at the Division One level. Beyond the field, I am equally dedicated to serving my community. Through monthly volunteering at the local food bank, Christmas shopping for those in need, and coaching the next generation of softball players at my high school's youth camp, I am committed to making a difference. I demonstrated the most perseverance in my life at the age of 12 when I was diagnosed with scoliosis. I didn’t think much of it, as up until that point, I didn’t even know something was wrong. However, about two weeks before I started middle school, my condition worsened. The doctors told me that I had to wear a brace 23 hours a day, every day, for at least three years. That was a lot for a 12-year-old to take in, and I was absolutely terrified. The brace was the most uncomfortable thing I had ever worn in my life. It was hot, and often left rashes and bruises on my skin from the pressure. It also restricted my motion, rendering me unable to do something as simple as tying my shoes. Despite knowing its benefits, I hated wearing it. However, there was a pivotal moment in my journey when I sat down with my mom and had a heartfelt conversation about the brace that completely shifted my perspective. Tears were shed, but from that moment forward, I approached every challenge head-on and found it within myself to push through the hard days. I was determined to adapt and overcome and eventually found ways to work around the restrictions. I was still able to do everything I loved to do and refused to let the challenges of my back brace define me. Through it all, I persevered and emerged stronger on the other side. While there is no doubt that I plan to make an impact on the world through my future career in computer science, whether at a leading company like Apple or a smaller company, I am most passionate about making an impact through something that holds personal value to me. With the web development and design skills I gain from my computer science degrees, I aim to have a positive impact on the world by creating an accessible website dedicated to connecting, supporting, and empowering individuals with scoliosis–something I deeply needed in my journey. When I was diagnosed, there weren’t many resources available for me to connect with others who had scoliosis. I felt so alone and out of place, with no one to relate to. My hopes grew when I found a website specifically made for girls with scoliosis, believing I had finally found people I could connect with. Unfortunately, things didn’t work out. I reached out to a leading member but never heard back. This experience inspired me to want to create my own website–one that is active and consistently provides support to those who reach out. I believe that even a simple acknowledgment of their struggles can make a difference, but I aim to offer more. I want to give everyone with scoliosis the opportunity to connect with others in similar situations and to learn from those who have faced challenges they may experience in the future.

Nine years old. At that age, most girls worry about little things- printing their back-to-school shopping list, or sleeping with all of their stuffed animals at once so none of their feelings get hurt. When I was nine, I was worried about dinner, if we could afford it, and how I was going to tell my friends they couldn’t come over to my house anymore. Of course, at that age, my innocence shielded me, and I wasn’t fully aware of what was happening. Daddy didn’t have to work anymore! Week-long sleepovers at Nora’s house! Free food from the church down the road! Honestly, homelessness was very exciting to a little girl. At least for the first few weeks. But as we moved from house to shelter, to house, to shelter, it wasn’t very fun anymore. My parents started arguing, then fighting, then crying, and it was all so much for a nine-year-old to handle. I thought they didn’t love each other anymore, and I cried myself to sleep thinking they were going to divorce the next day. I started working for neighbors- taking care of pets, mowing lawns, cleaning, etc. All of my hard-earned money went to paying for my family’s meals. My childhood had been taken from me, ripped from my hands in an instant. During this time, my adolescent brain looked for a way to escape. With no house, nature became my home. I spent my days on walks in the forest, picking blackberries, climbing trees, and catching frogs in streams. I explored abandoned houses and wondered if little girls like me used to live there. I wondered if they were taken from their homes, too. I made flower crowns and snuck into gardens, watching cucumbers and tomatoes grow. I no longer felt alone, because everything around me became my friend. Days turned into weeks, weeks to months, and eventually turned into three years. My family slowly began crawling back up above the poverty line. They started their own businesses, which began taking off. Soon, we were able to go to the store again instead of the food pantry. We could each have our own plate instead of sharing servings. We could go on house tours and find a new place for all of my toys. Today, I am seventeen years old. My family and I live with my grandmother. I worry about paying for college, finding a house of my own, and how I am going to afford adulthood. Ironically, when these thoughts come to me, I get transported back to my childhood. Though I am no longer houseless, my mind still carries habits and behaviors from when I was. I want to use my experiences to help others. Today, 12% of Americans and 14% of North Carolinians live below the poetry line, and these numbers are climbing. Nothing prepares you for being homeless, and it is such a deep hole to try and get out of. I plan on getting my real estate license when I turn 18, and attending college. I'm studying business and environmental science, much like when I was a kid, working for my neighbors and spending days in the forest. I am starting my own company that takes a monetary percentage from houses sold and uses the profits to create sustainable tiny homes for houseless people. The only thing I want to do in my life is help people, and I can’t wait for the day that I meet a nine-year-old girl, hold her in my arms, and tell her that she has nothing to worry about anymore.

One of the most unique things about me is my dedication. I have been a cheerleader for the past five years, and it is my favorite thing in the world. However, I did not always feel that way. In the sixth grade, I tried out for the middle school squad on a whim, simply because it looked fun and a few of my friends cheered. During the process, I realized that I actually enjoyed the things I was learning and doing. I did not make the squad that first year, and that rejection was absolutely devastating. I then decided that I would do whatever it took to improve myself and make the team the next year. This decision was a crucial factor in the way that my life would play out from that moment forward. I began a quest to learn as much about cheerleading as possible by reading articles, memorizing videos, and taking notes at football and basketball games. At the advice of the school’s cheerleading coach, I stretched and conditioned daily, challenging myself to attempt my splits every night before bed. I practiced jumps, kicks, and cartwheels on my driveway every weekend and even joined the cross-country team at my local YMCA to improve my endurance. I had never before been so singularly devoted to a cause. I was successful in the next year’s tryout, but I did my best to continue improving myself and avoid becoming complacent, continuing to practice everything from advanced tumbling skills to the ability to smile straight through a three-hour game. All of this dedication paid off when finally I achieved my ultimate goal of becoming a member of the Alexander Central High School varsity cheerleading squad. Even after suffering a torn ACL that required surgery with an arduous recovery process and no promise of returning to my previous skill level during my junior year, my intrinsic dedication helped me to put my all into my physical therapy and allowed me to return to athletic activities with no restrictions after only six months. I am living proof that one small event can completely change the trajectory of one’s life. Had I not experienced a fateful failure at my very first cheerleading tryout, I would not be the cheerleader and the person that I am today. I attribute my dedication to that event, and that dedication has allowed me to be voted senior captain of my squad, be recognized as an All-American Cheerleader by two different organizations (NCA and UCA), and help my squad win our program’s first-ever NCCCA State Championship, all after overcoming a serious injury. I believe that his drive will help me to give back to my community once I have graduated college. I have been accepted to The University of Alabama and The University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. Both of these excellent schools offer an accelerated master's degree program in nutrition that allows graduates to take the exam to become Registered Dieticians when they graduate. As a Registered Dietician, I will be able to work at a hospital, school, or assisted-living facility as a consultant who helps individuals understand their unique nutritional needs and come up with a plan that allows them to both meet those needs and enjoy their daily meals. This is no easy task, as the things that people should eat and the things they want to eat are often at odds. I am confident that my dedication will allow me to conduct research and find creative ways to satisfy my clients and make sure that they are happy and healthy.