Level Up Scholarship 11/06/24 Dear Scholarship Committee, Imagination, one would say that video games stump the imagination and hinder social skills. But for me, it’s the opposite. The world of gaming opens a plethora of places, people, experiences and information that could only be possible in the virtual world. My love for art, graphic novels and anime began with gaming. I could only express myself through those platforms. One would think it would stifle socialization, but it didn’t. Talking to others was a challenge at first. When I entered gaming, that challenge of communication dissolved. I interact with other people regularly. I met strangers at events that are focused on video games and the anime world and found a comradery that wouldn’t be possible if we didn’t have like interests. Gaming helped make it seamless to connect with others. I feel it encourages positive interaction in an inclusive environment. How can you judge someone you haven’t seen? I learned there is an honor system in gaming. I believe this assisted in instilling positive and good principles in me. My parents have instilled a love of travel in me. I’d like to explore more of the world and experience and learn about other cultures. I feel my love of travel was also fueled by the worlds gaming introduced. This allowed me to want to experience our world in real time and discover the beauty of it. There is such a negative stigma for gaming. I’m used to that-overcoming barriers and negative stigmas. You see, I have ADD and I’m on the autistic spectrum. These obstacles are challenges that I’ve overcome. I currently have a 3.45, I’m a varsity athlete and I work as a Swim Instructor at my local YMCA. Having ADD and ASD didn’t hold me back from these goals, it gave me the fuel to push through. Being an awkward and extremely shy person wasn’t easy to navigate. But gaming, that helped me come out of my shell, meet new people, become competitive, encourage high self-esteem and overall, just want more in life. Gaming has influenced me to cross that social barrier that most people with autistic spectrum disorder have. It has been one of the most impactful activities in my life. I am grateful for that. I’m an avid drawer and sketcher and have a love and appreciation for visual and graphic arts. I’m a huge anime and Japanimation fan! A college degree is something I’ve always wanted to obtain for myself. I’m majoring in Visual Arts, minoring in animation with a Graphic Design concentration. My goal is to finish college, design & publish graphic novels/comics. I’d also love to inspire younger kids to have a love of inclusive art as I do. I’ve searched and found a few Universities that meets my needs. I’ve been accepted to all my schools of choice (Kentucky State University, Western Kentucky University & Murray State). If awarded this scholarship, it will gratefully assist with tuition and housing costs. Thank you for your time and consideration, Sincerely, Alex Weaver

I’ve often been told to "just be yourself and you will meet tons of people". This may come easy to some people, but to me it's one of the hardest things to do. I am diagnosed as being on the Autistic spectrum and I have ADD. Now this may be surprising to you, but I only like being around certain people. I have a small circle of friends who have accepted me and been true friends to me. My social awkwardness and SNAFU's have landed me in interesting situations to say the least. So, I choose to be reclusive at times. Actually, the majority of the time I choose that route. Fostering a healthy mental health environment is important to me. My parents have encouraged it and given me coping skills that will support that need in my life. When I was younger, I began watching anime. That small seed has planted an awareness of art and all its beauty in many forms. It opened up a world that I didn't know existed and made me feel like it was OK to be me...proudly. Art has been my way of escaping my social anxiety. I immerse myself in my sketches and drawings and peace washes over me. Art has impacted me in such a way that I want to encourage others who are like me to have the same experience. My parents are these social butterflies who know everyone. They are college sweethearts, and both were collegiate athletes. I believe they had to come to terms with me NOT being that person. They have supported me in anything I've wanted to achieve, and they continuously encourage my pursuit of drawing. They are a part of a great support network I have. I feel like I've made some accomplishments that have helped me slowly chip away at my social anxiety. I have a 3.4 GPA taking Honors and Advanced classes, I run Cross Country in the Fall and Track & Field in the Spring. I'm employed at the YMCA as a Youth Swim Instructor. This all seems to come easy, but I have to try really hard to just be in those environments successfully, without having panic attacks, or withdrawing from people in my space. The anxious experiences that I have can be crippling at times. I push through is as best as I can with coping skills I've adapted in school. Pursuing a college degree in art and art therapy is something I've wanted to achieve to combat the fear and anxiety I have. I want to advocate for others like me who felt alone or misunderstood. I want others with ADD & are on the Autistic Spectrum to know there is hope for a "normal" future. What is normal? I suppose I should say for people to have a future where they flourish, they are happy, they are welcomed and accepted. They are comfortable with who they are, and they don't want to change themselves. It took me a long time to get to that point by a fraction. I still struggle daily. I know that I am not alone. I know there are other teens and young adults who have the same struggle I do. I'm fortunate that I have loved ones to keep me positive and grounded. I am driven to help and encourage others like me. I truly believe art can be that vehicle to help me get to that point. Thank you for your time and consideration, Alexander Weaver

I’ve often been told to "just be yourself and you will meet tons of people". This may come easy to some people, but to me it's one of the hardest things to do. I am diagnosed as being on the Autistic spectrum and I have ADD. Now this may be surprising to you, but I like being around certain people. I have a small circle of friends who have accepted me and been true friends to me. My social awkwardness and SNAFU's have landed me in interesting situations to say the least. So, I choose to be reclusive at times. Actually, the majority of the time I choose that route. When I was younger, I began watching anime. That small seed has planted an awareness of art and all its beauty in many forms. It opened up a world that I didn't know existed and made me feel like it was OK to be me...proudly. Art has been my way of escaping my social anxiety. I immerse myself in my sketches and drawings and peace washes over me. Art has impacted me in such a way that I want to encourage others who are like me to have the same experience. My parents are these social butterflies who know everyone. They are college sweethearts, and both were collegiate athletes. I believe they had to come to terms with me NOT being that person. They have supported me in anything I've wanted to achieve, and they continuously encourage my pursuit of drawing. They are a part of a great support network I have. I feel like I've made some accomplishments that have helped me slowly chip away at my social anxiety. I have a 3.4 GPA taking Honors and Advanced classes, I run Cross Country in the Fall and Track & Field in the Spring. I'm employed at the YMCA as a Youth Swim Instructor. This all seems to come easy, but I have to try really hard to just be in those environments successfully, without having panic attacks, or withdrawing from people in my space. The anxious experiences that I have can be crippling at times. I push through is as best as I can with coping skills I've adapted in school. Pursuing a college degree in art and art therapy is something I've wanted to achieve to combat the fear and anxiety I have. I want to advocate for others like me who felt alone or misunderstood. I want others with ADD & are on the Autistic Spectrum to know there is hope for a "normal" future. What is normal? I suppose I should say for people to have a future where they flourish, they are happy, they are welcomed and accepted. They are comfortable with who they are, and they don't want to change themselves. It took me a long time to get to that point by a fraction. I still struggle daily. I know that I am not alone. I know there are other teens and young adults who have the same struggle I do. I'm fortunate that I have loved ones to keep me positive and grounded. I am driven to help and encourage others like me. I truly believe art can be that vehicle to help me get to that point. Thank you for your time and consideration, Alexander Weaver

I've often been told to "just be yourself and you will meet tons of people". This may come easy to some people, but to me it's one of the hardest things to do. I am diagnosed as being on the Autistic spectrum and I have ADD. Now this may be surprising to you, but I like being around certain people. I have a small circle of friends who have accepted me and been true friends to me. My social awkwardness and SNAFU's have landed me in interesting situations to say the least. So, I choose to be reclusive at times. Actually, the majority of the time I choose that route. My parents are these social butterflies who know everyone. They are college sweethearts, and both were collegiate athletes. I believe they had to come to terms with me NOT being that person. They have supported me in anything I've wanted to achieve, and they encouraged any pursuit I've ever had. They are a part of a great support network I have. I feel like I've made some accomplishments that have helped me slowly chip away at my social anxiety. I have a 3.4 GPA taking Honors and Advanced classes, I run Cross Country in the Fall and Track & Field in the Spring. I'm employed at the YMCA as a Youth Swim Instructor. This all seems to come easy, but I have to try really hard to just be in those environments successfully, without having panic attacks, or withdrawing from people in my space. The anxious experiences that I have can be crippling at times. I push through is as best as I can with coping skills I've adapted in school. Pursuing a college degree is something I've wanted to achieve to combat the fear and anxiety I have. I want to advocate for others like me who felt alone or misunderstood. I want others with ADD & are on the Autistic Spectrum to know there is hope for a "normal" future. What is normal? I suppose I should say for people to have a future where they flourish, they are happy, they are welcomed and accepted. They are comfortable with who they are, and they don't want to change themselves. It took me a long time to get to that point by a fraction. I still struggle daily. I know that I am not alone. I know there are other teens and young adults who have the same struggle I do. I'm fortunate that I have loved ones to keep me positive and grounded. I am driven to help and encourage others like me. College is the means to help me get to that goal. Thank you for your time and consideration, Alexander Weaver