Marques D. Rodriguez Memorial Scholarship

Art is a special interest of mine, years of practice and dedication placed into a creative I truly enjoy has been a wonderful journey ever since I picked up a pen. Creativity was instilled in me growing up, I enjoyed collecting sketchbooks and art materials to create these wild imaginations that were flooding my mind with curiosity and wonder, I began to draw many things such as monsters and ghouls or robots and cartoon characters. These pieces began messy and crude but over time I taught myself through art books, cartoons, music, and my knack for observation. As a kid i was quiet, isolated, and prefer to be by myself, I always closed myself out from people due to my fears and trauma which lead me to become sad, enraged, and frustrated that i cant truly express myself the I truly want to. Then, i discovered a painting from a certain artist, the painting presented a branch of an almond tree blossoming its flowers in a bright blue background. I was entranced by its beauty, the complex lines and its bright colors inspired me to express myself in a new way, a way that was enjoyable and challenging enough for me that id be hooked for life. Books upon books about their history and lives gave me the know how to create art, but not exactly the skills to do so, I decided then and there to follow my dream of art and to express myself in the way they do, to create pieces that gives me happiness and to inspire others to follow the arts and to help others express themselves. For the first couple of years since i began it was rough and challenging. I had unsteady hands and a gnawing fear of perfection, that i must create a piece that i approved of. I nearly gave up many times thinking that maybe the arts wasn't for me, but then i realized something. Vincent Van Gogh, a tragic artist who thought his works were nothing but insignificant and bleak painted the most famous pieces of our time such as the Starry Night, Almond Blossoms, Cafe Terrace at Night and his many self-portraits had never truly given up at creating art. He was riddled with fear and anger for his craft, but he transformed those emotions into loud and vibrant pieces that still are remembered up to this day. When i realized that i suddenly saw the world in a much different color, it was like a dewdrop fell Infront of me and blinded me with color and inspiration in that very moment. I began to understand art was truly for me and i began to fall in love with it every single day since then, I picked up a pen and began my 16-year journey into honing my craft and using it to shape the world as i know it. I used many mediums to create so many pieces of art, starting from a sketchbook then to a canvas and now a digital tablet. Medium after medium i practiced and did my best that i won many awards in art competitions i was apart of, it finally clicked on me that the arts were my talent, my joy, and my expression to show the world that i can shape it and prove to myself that i can do it. To close this essay, I wish to pursue an art degree for college and to work for a graphic design job so i can keep learning the craft i truly love and the craft i worked hard for.

I've been involved in music for as long as I can remember. I started playing music in the 5th grade, playing violin. Since then, I've grown into percussion and I am actively trying to learn other instruments for college (trying to pursue music education). I've been singing for most of my life. I can go on and on about how music has been a major part of my life. It's brought me joy in any moment and every moment. I'm involved in music at school, church, and youth group. I'm also trying to write music of my own. Whenever I'm feeling sad, I put in my headphones and listen to an artist I love and it makes me happier. Playing my guitar keeps me at peace whenever I feel angry. Without music, I feel like my life feels empty. I literally sing every day, whether it's before bed or in the shower! Music can portray any emotion far better than words can. For example, you can tell someone you're feeling like you're in love, and you can try to describe how you feel, but a song like, for example, Mia and Sebastian's Theme, can portray it very well. Music is also a universal language. For example, if you're visiting a foreign country, you're not going to know what they're saying, but you can communicate feelings through music. I aspire to go to college and study music education to be able to spread that gift to others. I also love to teach others, so it just combines two of my favorite things! I've recently applied to five colleges in my state (Florida) and I will be auditioning to four of them for the music program. As I learn how to teach music, I also plan to continue playing music, as well. I look forward to these next four years learning more about a strong passion of mine, as well as more leadership, independence, and more discipline. It will not be easy, but that's how we learn; through failures and challenges. That's how we grow as students and as people. From watching musicals to performing marimba solos, I am surrounded by music, and so is the rest of the world. Embracing this worldwide gift makes me happy and helps me forget my worries. When I'm in the moment of performing, I concentrate everything into what I'm doing, and it makes me really happy. And I want others to know that feeling.