Having healthy eating habits is critical for maintaining overall health and well-being. A healthy diet provides the body with the necessary nutrients, vitamins, and minerals to function properly and to stay healthy. This includes a balanced intake of protein, carbohydrates, healthy fats, fiber, vitamins, and minerals, along with sufficient hydration. Healthy eating habits can have a significant impact on physical health, including reducing the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers. Eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein can lower cholesterol and blood pressure levels, helping to reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. In addition to physical health benefits, healthy eating habits can also have a positive impact on mental health. Proper nutrition can improve brain function and cognitive abilities, as well as reduce the risk of depression and anxiety. A healthy diet can also provide the body with energy and reduce feelings of fatigue, allowing individuals to be more productive and feel better overall. Moreover, healthy eating habits can also help regulate body weight and improve body composition, as well as reduce the risk of developing obesity and other related health problems. By following a healthy diet and practicing portion control, individuals can maintain a healthy weight and avoid the health risks associated with being overweight or obese. As an actor, having healthy eating habits is crucial. Being an actor takes a lot of stamina; long hours, emotional days and physically demanding characters. Having the fuel I need to make it through a rehearsal day is crucial; that's why I am always sure to carry healthy snacks on me. Some of my favorites are granola bars, trail mix, fruit, nuts, and homemade salads. Being a student also takes a lot of energy. I am sure to consume enough carbs to keep my brain working through long class days. Keeping hydrated also allows me to stay focused and feeling good as I attend lectures, after-school activities, or complete homework. As a vegetarian, being sure to consume a lot of protein is important to fulfilling my daily tasks. Personally, being vegetarian has improved my health greatly. I have more energy and my blood tests read much better at my yearly physicals. In conclusion, having healthy eating habits is crucial for maintaining physical and mental health. A healthy diet provides the body with the necessary nutrients and vitamins to function properly, reduces the risk of chronic diseases, and improves mental health. It is important to adopt healthy eating habits and make them a part of one's daily routine to reap the benefits of good health and well-being.

I think theatre & film can change the world, and I want to be a part of that. There is nothing I love more than creating. It sets my soul on fire and changes something in me in a way nothing else does because I love sharing other people’s stories. Whether those stories are purely entertaining, or they are intense and providing a strong message, I love giving a voice to people whose stories may otherwise go untold. In my mind, art is not only what brings us together and entertains us, but it can be a catalyst for change. I have always wanted to write, but I held myself back for so long. I didn't know where to start and I had no one to encourage me on this path. However, in college, I was finally given the chance to. Writing my first few screenplays was incredible. Knowing I could be a part of creating theatre and film pieces that have a lasting effect on our society and each individual who encounters them is beautiful. I am highly interested in innovative pieces, and I want to push boundaries and explore new ideas. My passion for new plays was sparked when I joined a theatre company at age 11 that focused on producing new works. We did shows about grief, teen suicide and depression, terminal illness, racism, bullying and so much more. Not only was it a really unique and special experience to tell stories no one had heard before, but it also proved to me that art could have a lasting effect on the world. There were shows I was a part of where people would come up to me to let me know this story quite literally changed their life. I watched people walk away from those shows with new perspectives and beliefs, armed and ready to take on those tough conversations and make a change themselves. I wanted to be doing this forever. With each stage of life, I will get new opportunities to tell different stories, from different perspectives and with the well-rounded skills I learn in school, I hope to be making art well into old age. Art is ever-changing and evolving, and I am beyond excited to see where it is years from now and how I’ve helped shape my little piece of it. I want to spend my life using advocacy through art to change the world.

I think theatre can change the world, and I want to be a part of that. There is nothing I love more than performing. It sets my soul on fire and changes something in me in a way nothing else does because I love sharing other people’s stories. Whether those stories are purely entertaining, or they are intense and providing a strong message, I love giving a voice to people whose stories may otherwise go untold. In my mind, art is not only what brings us together and entertains us, but it can be a catalyst for change. When I was 10, I was invited to audition for Annie and from the moment I stepped onto the stage, I absolutely fell in love with everything about theatre. Up until that moment I was very seriously considering becoming a hotel maid or tennis ball boy but standing under the lights something inside me clicked and I just knew this was how I wanted to spend the rest of my life. As I grew older, one of my mentors started to refer to me as “a great storyteller.” The more I heard that phrase, the more it made sense to me, and now it’s more than just words, it’s who I am. But it wasn’t just the lights and the stage and the music, it was knowing I could be a part of creating theatre and film pieces that have a lasting effect on our society and each individual who encounters them. I’ve been lucky to be involved in many new works in Nashville, and I want that to be something I’m involved with for my entire career. I am highly interested in innovative pieces, and I want to push boundaries and explore new ideas. My passion for new plays was sparked when I joined a theatre company at age 11 that focused on producing new works. We did shows about grief, teen suicide and depression, terminal illness, racism, bullying and so much more. Not only was it a really unique and special experience to originate roles and tell stories no one had heard before, but it also proved to me that art could have a lasting effect on the world. There were shows I was a part of where people would come up to me to let me know this story quite literally changed their life. I watched people walk away from those shows with new perspectives and beliefs, armed and ready to take on those tough conversations and make a change themselves. I wanted to be doing this forever. With each stage of life, I will get new opportunities to tell different stories, from different perspectives and with the well-rounded skills I learn in school, I hope to be making art well into my 80s. At 17 years old I sat in a Broadway theater and watched Elaine May shine in The Waverly Gallery. She was 86 years old at the time and never missed a single show. She was stunning. I remember the curtain going down, walking away in awe and thinking, “That is exactly what I want to be doing when I’m 86.” I want to look back on my long history of creating theatre and film pieces and see that they’ve had a lasting effect on our society and each person who encountered them. Art is ever-changing and evolving, and I am beyond excited to see where it is years from now and how I’ve helped shape my little piece of it. I want to spend my life using advocacy through art to change the world.

I think theatre can change the world, and I want to be a part of that. There is nothing I love more than performing. It sets my soul on fire and changes something in me in a way nothing else does; I love sharing other people’s stories. Whether those stories are purely entertaining, or deeply heartfelt & moving, I love giving a voice to stories that may otherwise go untold. I believe art is not only what brings us together and entertains us, but also a catalyst for change. When I was 10, I was invited to audition for Annie. From the moment I stepped onstage, I fell in love with everything about theatre. Standing under the lights, something clicked and I just knew this was how I wanted to spend the rest of my life. But it wasn’t just the lights and the stage and the music, it was knowing I could be a part of creating theatre and film pieces that have a lasting effect on our society and each individual who encounters them. I am highly interested in new works; I want to push boundaries and explore new ideas. My passion for new plays was sparked when I joined a theatre company at age 11 that focused on producing new works. We did shows about grief, teen suicide and depression, terminal illness, racism, LGBTQIA lives and so much more. Not only was it a really unique and special experience to originate roles and tell stories no one had heard before, but it also proved to me that art could have a lasting effect on the world. There were shows I was a part of where people would come up to me to let me know this story quite literally changed their life. I watched people walk away with new perspectives and beliefs, armed and ready to take on those tough conversations and make a change themselves. I wanted to be doing this forever. Growing up, I didn't expect to be able to go to college. I knew my parents paying for or even helping with tuition was not in the cards; if I wanted to go, it was going to be on my dime. In high school, I managed to keep my grades up while balancing multiple jobs. After a few semesters of community college, I was able to transfer to Sarah Lawrence. Between my savings, loans, and scholarships I finally had enough to get started. My studies at Sarah Lawrence have completely transformed me as an artist in the best possible way. I am so grateful for my time here; it has made me a multi-faceted artist; no longer just an actor, but a director & writer as well. I am immensely proud of the work I have created, and cannot wait to start my last year. My professors have taught me life-changing skills and the relationships I have made with my peers are turning into long-lasting creative partnerships. By the time I leave Sarah Lawrence, I feel that I will be equipped & empowered to do what I love to do in the professional world. I am so greatly appreciative of every scholarship that is helping me get through. I want my work to have a lasting effect on society and each person who encounters it. I want to spend my life using advocacy through art to change the world.

One of my most inspiring community experiences began when I found The Theater Bug, a non-profit youth theatre in Nashville. From the moment I walked into my first rehearsal there, I knew I had found something special. What I didn’t know is that I’d spend the next seven years there, rehearsing, making mistakes, learning, building sets, figuring out who I am as a person and an artist, and eventually becoming a teaching assistant and director there. It became my artistic home, and it’s about the only place I can think of where I will willingly and happily clean a bathroom just because I love the place so much. The community features some of the kindest and most hard-working people I know. It’s the place where I met my very best friends and mentors. Almost all the shows performed there are original works written and directed by the Artistic Director, Cori Anne Laemmel. The Theater Bug does “issue-based” theatre, which means the shows have focused on topics of adoption, childhood illness, teen suicide and depression, bullying, special needs, grief, and trans issues. These shows always partner with another local non-profit that specializes in these subjects. These organizations are a part of the scriptwriting process and are often involved in the rehearsals to ensure we are presenting these subjects in a sensitive and impactful way. As a result, not only do young performers learn how to originate characters and develop new works, but they’re becoming advocates for others, and creating a more empathic community. I was able to originate eight roles there and it sparked my love for new works. Not only was it a really unique and special experience to originate roles and tell stories no one had heard before, but it also proved to me that art could have a lasting effect on our community. There were shows I was a part of where people would come up to me to let me know this story quite literally changed their life. I watched people walk away from those shows with new perspectives and beliefs, armed and ready to take on those tough conversations and make a change themselves. That's when I realized I wanted to be doing this forever. Being a part of performing arts doesn't just benefit the audience receiving the stories, but also the kids and teens in the community who get involved. I was cripplingly shy as a kid. I could hardly talk to strangers and felt a lot of anxiety in social situations. Doing theatre is what helped me find a voice for myself and taught me to nurture the artist inside me that so desperately wanted to be expressed. I don’t want any kid to ever feel like they don’t deserve to have their voice heard. One of the most powerful things about theatre is that there is space for every. single. person. We need every sex, gender, ethnicity, and body type to be represented in art, because that’s how the world is made up and representation matters. Theatre teaches kids that their voice and their opinion matters, and they can use that voice to make a change and advocate for those in need. Storytelling provides an escape. It is a beautiful thing. My experience at the Bug opened my eyes to how passionate I am about mentoring younger people. Because of The Theater Bug, I have become an active mentor to several young artists, cheering on their artistic projects and helping out where I can.

The first year I applied for colleges, though academically accepted, I didn't get accepted into the Theatre programs of any of my top schools. I made it into a few backups, but with little financial aid being offered, and at the end of the day, I could not afford nor did I want to go to any of these schools. The next year, Covid hit, which potentially would be putting me a year behind in college, because I didn't feel safe being in person at the time. Instead, I decided to start community college online with the plan of transferring when things felt safer, knocking out my first credits along the way. Come Fall 2021, campuses were finally reopening and I felt safe enough to attend in person. During this application period, I discovered Sarah Lawrence College, which is an extremely unique program. While I got into all my top schools, both academically and performance wise, this year, Sarah Lawrence had really caught my eye and felt like the right fit. Sarah Lawrence, which had become my top school, offered me a better scholarships than any of the schools I had applied to over a span of two years. It was like a sign that this was the place for me. Though that first round of college applications felt devastating, I couldn't be more excited about how it all turned out.

To me, financial freedom means simultaneously saving, investing, donating, having an emergency fund, and money to cover bills and spend for fun, all without any stress. I do my best to work towards this goal now. I save as much money as I can, especially as a college student paying my own tuition. I have a goal to save at least half of everything I make, but I try to save more when possible. This allows me to feel more confident about upcoming tuition bills, knowing I have parts of it that I am saving up. When it comes to investing, I have a Roth IRA I opened last year. I attempt to invest 10% of what I make when I can afford to, and my hope is that the practice becomes consistent in the future, and that the percentage rises. I also plan to have other investments in the future, specifically property. I also try to donate 10% of what I make, or at least set it aside so I have it when I am ready to donate. I realize I am better off than many, and giving back is really important to me. I have many foundations I really admire, such as the Trevor Project and Color of Change, but I also try to help out locally in my city as well. Having money to cover my bills is where most of my stress comes in. Tuition, food, transportation, clothing, and more, all left to me to cover. I sincerely hope that one day this will not be a source of stress for me. It is one of the biggest stressors in my life, especially with loans. I look forward to the day my loans are paid and I feel financially secure, with no worries about feeding or housing myself. Having an emergency fund in place also allows me to have financial freedom and peace. When my car stopped running this summer, I was able to reach into my emergency fund for repairs, not touching my savings at all. When I had an unexpected travel need to see a sick family member, I was able to provide for my travels without taking out of my savings. I am able to worry much less with this buffer in place. Lastly, I think financial freedom means you also have the ability to spend money on the fun things in life. Whether that be gifts for loved ones, traveling, life experiences, clothing or makeup that makes you feel good, or added comforts for your home. We only have one life, and while I'm a big believer in saving, I also think it's important to reward your hard work. Achieving financial freedom is one of my top goals for the next few years of my life. I am on my way towards it, and can't wait to feel truly secure and confident about my finances.

By going vegan! There's many ways being vegan helps your long term health. Many studies have shown that vegan diets contain more fiber, antioxidants, and beneficial plant compounds. It lowers blood sugar levels, lowering your chance of developing type 2 diabetes, improves kidney functions, and reduces your chance of having heart disease and arthritis. As of 2015, the World Health Organization declared that processed meat is sufficiently linked to an increased risk of cancer. Studies show that those with a healthy vegan diet are at a significantly lower risk of developing cancer. Cutting dairy from your diet helps your skin improve greatly, reducing the chance of acne and psoriasis. Also, 65-70% of adults are lactose intolerant, and so a vegan diet can prevent digestive issues. Because of a healthy gut, your mental health will also thank you. Studies show the biome of your gut is directly linked to your mental health; and we all know mental health is a huge part of a long, healthy life. And on top of this, being vegan is amazing for the environment; I could not recommend it more.

I hope to use my art to cultivate empathy and help others feel seen. Representation is incredibly important, and as an actor that is my responsibility to create. When someone can watch film or theatre and recognize themselves within a character, it lets them know they are not alone in the world. There are others like them, others who share their identity, problems or relationship dynamics. And as an audience watches this representation comes to life, the might see someone unlike themselves; maybe a different religion, gender, race, or political view. As they see these stories unfold, they may gain empathy for these people. Science has shown that these cases can create actual chemical changes in the brain; art can truly be a catalyst for change in the world. I know that art has personally had a huge influence on my life; it has shaped my beliefs and my feelings towards others. I want to create advocacy through my art to change the world.

I think theatre and film can change the world, and I want to be a part of that. There is nothing I love more than performing. It sets my soul on fire and changes something in me in a way nothing else does because I love sharing other people’s stories. Whether those stories are purely entertaining, or they are intense and providing a strong message, I love giving a voice to people whose stories may otherwise go untold. In my mind, art is not only what brings us together and entertains us, but it can be a catalyst for change. Knowing I could be a part of creating theatre and film pieces that have a lasting effect on our society and each individual who encounters them makes me incredibly excited. I am highly interested in innovative pieces, and I want to push boundaries and explore new ideas. I want to spend my life using advocacy through art to change the world.

My simple pleasures... a cup of coffee in the morning, new fuzzy socks, walks in the sunshine, cups of hot cocoa next to the Christmas tree, looking back on old family photos, shooting on film, cooking with my big sister, my mom's homemade apple pie, growing houseplants, fuzzy, soft blankets, big sweatshirts, thrifting, and so much more. All of these experiences and things make me feel comforted, safe, and warm. Some of them are nostalgic, some of them are shared with family and friends, creating special memories. Simple pleasures are some of the best parts of everyday life.

Opening a Roth IRA! It is easily the best financial decision I have made, especially as an actor. In my career, I don't necessarily receive a retirement fund or anything similar; having my Roth IRA in place helps me feel confident knowing I have financial security set in my future. I invest a little bit of my income every month, that way I am continually building it up all the time. Having a Roth IRA has brought me a lot of financial peace.

My favorite book is Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert. It has completely changed the way I view my life as an artist. It taught me to abandon the scarcity mindset; that is, the mindset that other artists are our competition, and that there's not enough room for all of us to work and succeed. It's simply not true! Gilbert taught me there is room for everyone, and we should be there to cheer each other on. She also taught me that art does not always have to be some incredibly profound thing that you have to share with others. Art doesn't even have to be always good; the fact that you created something is a success and something to celebrate all within itself. Your art doesn't also always need to be shared with others! You can make art for yourself, that is important to you and personal. Art doesn't have to be made for others consumption. And above all, any time you feel any idea or some inspiration passing through you, grab hold and go along for the ride; you never know what "big magic" you'll discover.

One of the biggest problems facing our world is the lack of mental health education in schools! It's like this big scary thing people feel like they can't talk about, so instead they just suffer in silence. Mental health struggles breed and grow in silence. Practically everyone experiences times of negative mental health in their life, so why is it such a taboo subject? We should start teaching about it as early as elementary school. Teachers could focus on identifying emotions and how to share what you're feeling with others. Once kids hit middle school, you can go a lot deeper, especially as pre-teens are entering the world of social media, which can be incredibly damaging. So many people don't realize how easy it is to fake your life on social media, and the comparison is incredibly detrimental when you're trying to find your way in the world. We should dive into all areas of mental health, not just depression. Depression is a common talking point these days when it comes to mental health, but there is much more stigma and misunderstanding around eating disorders, being bipolar, having OCD, etc. We can casually discuss all these topics, letting students know from an early age that it's normal if you struggle with these things, and you can always ask for help, no shame. Teach teens how to practice self-care in daily life. Normalize therapy, normalize checking on your friends, normalize mental health.

Someone I really admire from history is Billie Jean King, a woman who has been at the forefront of some of the most important social movements in the last 50 years. King was an admired tennis champion, and in 1972 she was named Sports Illustrated's Sportsperson of the Year. King was a leader in movements for gender equality, freedom for abortion, and LGBTQ rights. After winning the US Open, she publicly declared she would not participate the next year if the prize money for both sexes wasn't the same, and she successfully swayed them into an agreement. She was loud about the fight for abortion access, even admitting she had had one herself in a time where that was highly frowned upon. She would not silence her voice to make others comfortable. In 1981 it was discovered she was in a relationship with a woman, though she was married to a man. She held a press conference, where she came out and confirmed her relationship. She became the first publicly gay athlete. She lost all her endorsements, but it didn't matter to her. She divorced her husband and continued her relationship with her partner. I admire how brave Billie Jean King is. She never backed down or shied away from her beliefs, even when they could hurt her. She was authentically herself. She could've chosen to lie about being in a relationship with a woman, she could've kept her abortion quiet. It would have saved her endorsements and kept her respect among other athletes, but instead, she chose love and her beliefs, paving the way for so many athletes to come. She is truly a trailblazer, and someone I aspire to emulate in my own career path.

The most helpful piece of financial advice I have received is the advice to open a Roth IRA at a young age! A Roth IRA will compound as the years go on, and all I have to do is add money whenever I have extra. It's so nice to know I have money invested, and I try to contribute any leftover money I have from the month after paying my expenses. It has given me a great sense of financial secuirty.

Teaching about mental health in schools! It's like this big scary thing people feel like they can't talk about, so instead they just suffer in silence. Mental health struggles breed and grow in silence. Practically everyone experiences times of negative mental health in their life, so why is it such a taboo subject? We should start teaching about it as early as elementary school. Teachers could focus on identifying emotions and how to share what you're feeling with others. Once kids hit middle school, you can go a lot deeper, especially as pre-teens are entering the world of social media, which can be incredibly damaging. So many people don't realize how easy it is to fake your life on social media, and the comparison is incredibly detrimental when you're trying to find your way in the world. We should dive into all areas of mental health, not just depression. Depression is a common talking point these days when it comes to mental health, but there is much more stigma and misunderstanding around eating disorders, being bipolar, having OCD, etc. We can casually discuss all these topics, letting students know from an early age that it's normal if you struggle with these things, and you can always ask for help, no shame. Teach teens how to practice self-care in daily life. Normalize therapy, normalize checking on your friends, normalize mental health.

One of my most influential theatre experiences began when I found The Theater Bug, a non-profit youth theatre in Nashville. From the moment I walked into my first rehearsal there, I knew I had found something special. What I didn’t know is that I’d spend the next seven years there, rehearsing, making mistakes, learning, building sets, figuring out who I am as a person and an artist, and eventually becoming a teaching assistant and assistant director there. It became my artistic home, and it’s about the only place I can think of where I will willingly and happily clean a bathroom just because I love the place so much. The community features some of the kindest and most hard working people I know. It’s the place where I met my very best friends and mentors. Almost all the shows performed there are original works written and directed by the Artistic Director, Cori Anne Laemmel. The Theater Bug does “issue-based” theatre, which means the shows have focused on topics of adoption, childhood illness, teen suicide and depression, bullying, special needs, grief, and trans issues. These shows always partner with another local non-profit that specializes in these subjects. These organizations are a part of the script writing process and are often involved in the rehearsals to ensure we are presenting these subjects in a sensitive and impactful way. As a result, not only do young performers learn how to originate characters and develop new works, but they’re becoming advocates for others, and creating a more empathic community. I was able to originate eight roles there and it sparked my love for new works. Not only was it a really unique and special experience to originate roles and tell stories no one had heard before, but it also proved to me that art could have a lasting effect on our community. There were shows I was a part of where people would come up to me to let me know this story quite literally changed their life. I watched people walk away from those shows with new perspectives and beliefs, armed and ready to take on those tough conversations and make a change themselves. That's when I realized I wanted to be doing this forever. Being apart of performing arts doesn't just benefit the audience receiving the stories, but also the kids and teens in the community who get involved. I was cripplingly shy as a kid. I could hardly talk to strangers, and felt a lot of anxiety in social situations. Doing theatre is what helped me find a voice for myself and taught me to nurture the artist inside me that so desperately wanted to be expressed. I don’t want any kid to ever feel like they don’t deserve to have their voice heard. One of the most powerful things about theatre is that there is space for every. single. person. We need every sex, gender, ethnicity, and body type to be represented in art, because that’s how the world is made up and representation matters. Theatre teaches kids that their voice and their opinion matters, and they can use that voice to make a change and advocate for those in need. Storytelling provides an escape. It is a beautiful thing. My experience at the Bug opened my eyes to how passionate I am about mentoring younger people. I have the hopes to start mentoring more young people in my community, and writing and performing stories that advocate for underrepresented groups.

I think theatre and film can change the world, and I want to be a part of that. There is nothing I love more than performing. It sets my soul on fire and changes something in me in a way nothing else does because I love sharing other people’s stories. Whether those stories are purely entertaining, or they are intense and provide a strong message, I love giving a voice to people whose stories may otherwise go untold. In my mind, art is not only what brings us together and entertains us, but it can be a catalyst for change. I want to use advocacy through art to spread empathy and compassion in our world. The link I attached is for an original web series written and directed by me and another friend, featuring Juliet from Romeo & Juliet as a modern day vlogger. Our goal was to create a series that made Shakespeare more accessible to younger generations using one of our favorite Shakespeare plays! I also had the opportunity to play Juliet, and it was such a fun opportunity.

I have loved acting and photography for years and always pursued them wholeheartedly. I have been acting for the past 10 years of my life, and for the past 4 years, I have owned my own photography business. Once COVID hit, things changed. Theatre and film industries were shut down indefinitely, and it was not safe to keep running my photography business. Though this past year has been frustrating and disheartening at times, this challenge proved to be a time and space in which to grow new talents and explore other parts of my creativity I had not had the time for previously. Since I was no longer able to take photos of others, I decided to turn to self-portraits. I dreamed up new concepts and styles, learning how to set up and capture a shot without actually needing to be behind the camera. I even started documenting my quarantine through a self-portrait series. I turned to YouTube to learn more about graphic design and grew my Photoshop abilities. I started doing Zoom readings, helped my friends edit their new works, and even ended up acting in a full-length film that was recorded entirely through Zoom and Facetime. The biggest challenge for me came a few months into the quarantine process. My friend was writing a web series and wanted to bring me on board. She asked me not only to join as a writer, but also as a director, videographer, editor, and lead actor. Desperate to work on something creative in these times, I jumped in enthusiastically. We had the opportunity to pitch this idea to Island Shakespeare Festival, a professional theatre company in Washington state, and they decided to produce it. Over the next seven months, we took a short episode written on a Google Doc and turned it into a 10-episode web series. I have learned so much through this process. Learning to write scripts was so exciting, and now I have started writing new projects on my own. I also switched from a photographer to a videographer and video editor, which taught me so many new skills I am thrilled to utilize. Now that the episodes of our web series have all gone public, I am starting to write my own material, and I’m editing a COVID-safe short film I cast, directed, and filmed in the spring. I could not be more grateful for what this year has taught me. I feel that I was able to take a time where I lost so many creative opportunities and turn it into a period where I am working on innovative projects, growing as an artist, and pushing myself to learn new skills in writing, directing, filming, and editing. I have and will continue to work hard and create opportunity for myself when it seems there is none. I know I will carry these skills with me for a long time and continue to use them when things are feeling stagnant. Creating, reading, and learning new art this past year has not only saved my mental health, but also helped me improve as an artist in a way I’m really excited about. I have been taking classes at Columbia State Community College on scholarship, fulfilling as many of my general education credits as possible. After almost two academic years, it is time to transfer to a school where I can finish my degree and hopefully be challenged in a different way. Until now I have not had the opportunity to take my major-specific classes, and I am extremely excited to start those courses.

Cori Anne Laemmel changed my life for the better, and I owe her so much. Without her, I wouldn't be the actor or human I am today. I met Cori when I was 10 years old, auditioning for her children's theater company, The Theater Bug. I vividly remember the first time I saw her, wearing a vintage polka dot dress, sparkly shoes, fun, colorful glasses, and a coffee cup in her hand. She helped calm my nerves in my audition, and she ended up casting me in her play, which started our relationship that has now lasted over 10 years. Cori is not just a typical theatre educator though; she invokes empathy, compassion, and advocacy in her students. She shows them how everything they need is already within them and teaches them how to use their art to make the world a better place. Cori writes all the original plays and musicals performed at The Bug. I grew up performing and learning about topics such as grief, teen suicide and depression, terminal illness, racism, bullying and so much more. Cori always partnered with a local organization to make sure we were telling these stories with truth and care. Not only was it a really unique and special experience to originate roles and tell stories no one had heard before, but it taught me that art could have a lasting effect on the world. There were shows I was a part of where people would come up to me to let me know this story literally changed their life. I watched people walk away from those shows with new perspectives and beliefs, armed and ready to take on those tough conversations and make a change themselves. I learned that this was the kind of art I wanted to be doing this forever. Cori has been my mentor and friend since the moment we met, and she gave me my first directing and teaching jobs at The Theater Bug as a young adult. She has planted in me a love for new works and has encouraged me as I have begun to write my own projects. She is all of her student's number one fan. Any time I have ever come to her with doubts about my abilities, she has assured me that I can do anything and that it's okay if I fail because that's where the growth comes in. She has stood by me in times where I've struggled with my mental health. If I text her to let her know I'm having a rough day, she will invite me over for homemade pancakes; that's just the kind of person she is. She is one of the most dependable people I know. Cori has been so encouraging to me as I've pursued higher education. She wrote me recommendation letters, helped me prep my auditions for schools, and was a constant encouragement. She knew how bad I wanted this, and was an amazing support system. When I got into my top school, I called her and she was elated! She told me how proud she was and how she always knew I could do it. Without Cori, my path to higher education would have been tougher. Cori helped me find my voice as an artist, and identify why I was interested in the arts. She showed me how I could advocate for others, and instilled in me so much empathy for myself and others. She is truly an amazing teacher and friend, and I would not be where I am today without her support.

I think art can change the world, and I want to be a part of that. There is nothing I love more than performing. It sets my soul on fire and changes something in me in a way nothing else does because I love sharing other people’s stories. Whether those stories are purely entertaining, or they are intense and providing a strong message, I love giving a voice to people whose stories may otherwise go untold. In my mind, art is not only what brings us together and entertains us, but it can be a catalyst for change. My love for the arts, theatre especially, was instilled in me at a young age and has only grown over time. My decision to study the arts was never a question to me of if I would, but how I would accomplish that goal and earn my degree. I’ve always known I’d be putting myself through college. My parents, though they are extremely supportive, are not able to financially support my education. Between COVID-19 and my financial situation, figuring out the best way to pursue my higher education proved challenging, and led me to make the decision to attend online classes at my local community college with the intent of later transferring. This allowed me to live at home and continue working to save money for school, as well as stay COVID safe. I have been taking classes at Columbia State Community College on scholarship, fulfilling as many of my general education credits as possible. After almost two academic years, it is time to transfer to a school where I can finish my degree and hopefully be challenged in a different way. I will be attending Sarah Lawrence College in the Fall, and though I am extremely excited for this opportunity, there is still a lot of cost to cover even with financial help from the school. Until now I have not had the opportunity to take my major-specific classes, and I am extremely excited to start those courses. I am so thrilled at the prospect of studying the arts in an academic setting with other hard working, creative students. I absolutely cannot wait for the Fall. I have been working multiple jobs over the past two years, but the cost of tuition is still daunting. Between work and school, I spend a lot of my free time searching for scholarships and writing essays. I want this more than anything, and with no outside help financially I can definitely feel the stress. This scholarship would be such a blessing in my life, and allow me to focus on my studies with less of a burden on my shoulders. I want to look back on my long history of creating theatre and film pieces and see that they’ve had a lasting effect on our society and each person who encountered them. Art is ever changing and evolving, and I am beyond excited to see where it is years from now and how I’ve helped shape my little piece of it. I want to spend my life using advocacy through art to change the world. Thank you for your consideration.

I think theatre can change the world, and I want to be a part of that. There is nothing I love more than performing. It sets my soul on fire and changes something in me in a way nothing else does because I love sharing other people’s stories. Whether those stories are purely entertaining, or they are intense and providing a strong message, I love giving a voice to people whose stories may otherwise go untold. In my mind, art is not only what brings us together and entertains us, but it can be a catalyst for change. When I was 10, I was invited to audition for Annie and from the moment I stepped onto the stage, I absolutely fell in love with everything about theatre. Up until that moment I was very seriously considering becoming a hotel maid or tennis ball boy but standing under the lights something inside me clicked and I just knew this was how I wanted to spend the rest of my life. As I grew older, one of my mentors started to refer to me as “a great storyteller.” The more I heard that phrase, the more it made sense to me, and now it’s more than just words, it’s who I am. But it wasn’t just the lights and the stage and the music, it was knowing I could be a part of creating theatre and film pieces that have a lasting effect on our society and each individual who encounters them. I’ve been lucky to be involved in many new works in Nashville, and I want that to be something I’m involved with for my entire career. I am highly interested in innovative pieces, and I want to push boundaries and explore new ideas. My passion for new plays was sparked when I joined a theatre company at age 11 that focused on producing new works. We did shows about grief, teen suicide and depression, terminal illness, racism, bullying and so much more. Not only was it a really unique and special experience to originate roles and tell stories no one had heard before, but it also proved to me that art could have a lasting effect on the world. There were shows I was a part of where people would come up to me to let me know this story quite literally changed their life. I watched people walk away from those shows with new perspectives and beliefs, armed and ready to take on those tough conversations and make a change themselves. I wanted to be doing this forever. With each stage of life, I will get new opportunities to tell different stories, from different perspectives and with the well-rounded skills I learn in school, I hope to be making art well into my 80s. At 17 years old I sat in a Broadway theater and watched Elaine May shine in The Waverly Gallery. She was 86 years old at the time and never missed a single show. She was stunning. I remember the curtain going down, walking away in awe and thinking, “That is exactly what I want to be doing when I’m 86.” I want to look back on my long history of creating theatre and film pieces and see that they’ve had a lasting effect on our society and each person who encountered them. Art is ever changing and evolving, and I am beyond excited to see where it is years from now and how I’ve helped shape my little piece of it. I want to spend my life using advocacy through art to change the world.

The most challenging thing I did the past six months was direct and film my first movie. It's something I've always wanted to do, but always put off because I was too nervous, or too scared. Finally, I decided I was just going to go for it. My friend wrote me a screenplay, and I cast it, found a crew, did rehearsals, and then costumed, story-boarded, directed, and filmed it. I'm now in the process of editing it, and it's one of the most rewarding and bold things I've ever dived head first into.

I think theatre can change the world, and I want to be a part of that. There is nothing I love more than performing. It sets my soul on fire and changes something in me in a way nothing else does because I love sharing other people’s stories. Whether those stories are purely entertaining, or they are intense and providing a strong message, I love giving a voice to people whose stories may otherwise go untold. In my mind, art is not only what brings us together and entertains us, but it can be a catalyst for change. When I was 10, I was invited to audition for Annie and from the moment I stepped onto the stage, I absolutely fell in love with everything about theatre. Up until that moment I was very seriously considering becoming a hotel maid or tennis ball boy but standing under the lights something inside me clicked and I just knew this was how I wanted to spend the rest of my life. As I grew older, one of my mentors started to refer to me as “a great storyteller.” The more I heard that phrase, the more it made sense to me, and now it’s more than just words, it’s who I am. But it wasn’t just the lights and the stage and the music, it was knowing I could be a part of creating theatre and film pieces that have a lasting effect on our society and each individual who encounters them. I’ve been lucky to be involved in many new works in Nashville, and I want that to be something I’m involved with for my entire career. I am highly interested in innovative pieces, and I want to push boundaries and explore new ideas. My passion for new plays was sparked when I joined a theatre company at age 11 that focused on producing new works. We did shows about grief, teen suicide and depression, terminal illness, racism, bullying and so much more. Not only was it a really unique and special experience to originate roles and tell stories no one had heard before, but it also proved to me that art could have a lasting effect on the world. There were shows I was a part of where people would come up to me to let me know this story quite literally changed their life. I watched people walk away from those shows with new perspectives and beliefs, armed and ready to take on those tough conversations and make a change themselves. I wanted to be doing this forever. With each stage of life, I will get new opportunities to tell different stories, from different perspectives and with the well-rounded skills I learn in school, I hope to be making art well into my 80s. At 17 years old I sat in a Broadway theater and watched Elaine May shine in The Waverly Gallery. She was 86 years old at the time and never missed a single show. She was stunning. I remember the curtain going down, walking away in awe and thinking, “That is exactly what I want to be doing when I’m 86.” I want to look back on my long history of creating theatre and film pieces and see that they’ve had a lasting effect on our society and each person who encountered them. Art is ever changing and evolving, and I am beyond excited to see where it is years from now and how I’ve helped shape my little piece of it. I want to spend my life using advocacy through art to change the world.

My love for the arts, theatre especially, was instilled in me at a young age and has only grown over time. My decision to study Acting was never a question to me of if I would, but how I would accomplish that goal and earn my degree. I’ve always known I’d be putting myself through college. My parents, though they are extremely supportive, are not able to financially support my education. Between COVID-19 and my financial situation, figuring out the best way to pursue my higher education proved challenging, and led me to make the decision to attend online classes at my local community college with the intent of later transferring. This allowed me to live at home and continue working to save money for school, as well as stay COVID safe. I have been taking classes at Columbia State Community College on scholarship, fulfilling as many of my general education credits as possible. After almost two academic years, it is time to transfer to a school where I can finish my degree and hopefully be challenged in a different way. I will be attending Sarah Lawrence College in the Fall, and though I am extremely excited for this opportunity, there is still a lot of cost to cover. Until now I have not had the opportunity to take my major-specific classes, and I am extremely excited to start those courses. Outside of college, I have taken many different kinds of theatre and film classes, and I am excited at the prospect of studying these topics in an academic setting with other hard working, creative students. I cannot wait for the Fall.

My favorite artist is Florence Pugh. She is unapologetically herself, and aims to create and play roles that are about strong women working for what they want, instead of roles where women characters are passable and undeveloped. She strives for body positivity and equality in Hollywood, and she embodies everything I aspire to be as an artist myself.

I’ve loved acting and photography for years and always pursued them wholeheartedly. I’ve been acting for the past 10 years of my life, and for the past 4 years, I’ve owned my own photography business. Once COVID hit, things changed. Theatre and film industries were shut down indefinitely, and it wasn’t safe to keep running my photography business. Though frustrating at the time, this gave me time and space to grow new talents and earn new titles. Since I was no longer able to take photos of others, I decided to turn to self-portraits. I dreamed up new concepts and styles, learning how to set up and capture a shot without actually needing to be behind the camera. I even started documenting my quarantine through a self-portrait series. The biggest challenge for me came a few months into the quarantine process. My friend was writing a web series and wanted to bring me on board. She asked me not only to join as a writer but also as a director, videographer, editor, and lead actor. Desperate to work on something creative in these times, I jumped in enthusiastically. We had the opportunity to pitch this idea to Island Shakespeare Festival, a professional theatre company in Washington state, and they decided to produce it. Over the next seven months, we took a short episode written on a Google Doc and turned it into a 10-episode web series. I have learned so much through this process. Learning to write scripts was so exciting and now I’ve started writing new projects on my own. I also switched from a photographer to a videographer and video editor, which taught me so many new skills I’m thrilled to utilize. I also loved having the chance to direct, which I had done little of in the past. Now the episodes of the series we made are going public every week, I’m starting to write my own material, and I’m casting, directing, and filming my very first short film. I couldn’t be more grateful for what this year has taught me.

I’ve loved acting and photography for years and always pursued them wholeheartedly. I’ve been acting for the past 10 years of my life, and for the past 4 years, I’ve owned my own photography business. Once COVID hit, things changed. Theatre and film industries were shut down indefinitely, and it wasn’t safe to keep running my photography business. Though frustrating at the time, this gave me time and space to grow new talents and earn new titles. Since I was no longer able to take photos of others, I decided to turn to self-portraits. I dreamed up new concepts and styles, learning how to set up and capture a shot without actually needing to be behind the camera. I even started documenting my quarantine through a self-portrait series. The biggest challenge for me came a few months into the quarantine process. My friend was writing a web series and wanted to bring me on board. She asked me not only to join as a writer but also as a director, videographer, editor, and lead actor. Desperate to work on something creative in these times, I jumped in enthusiastically. We had the opportunity to pitch this idea to Island Shakespeare Festival, a professional theatre company in Washington state, and they decided to produce it. Over the next seven months, we took a short episode written on a Google Doc and turned it into a 10-episode web series. I have learned so much through this process. Learning to write scripts was so exciting and now I’ve started writing new projects on my own. I also switched from a photographer to a videographer and video editor, which taught me so many new skills I’m thrilled to utilize. I also loved having the chance to direct, which I had done little of in the past. Now the episodes of the series we made are going public every week, I’m starting to write my own material, and I’m casting, directing, and filming a short film in the spring. I couldn’t be more grateful for what this year has taught me, and I now consider myself a proud actor-photographer-writer-videographer-editor-director. I hope to continue to grow and collaborate with my fellow students, further developing these skills in my higher education. My decision to study Acting was never a question to me of if I would, but how I would accomplish that goal and earn my degree. I’ve always known I’d be putting myself through college, as my parents, though they are extremely supportive, are not able to financially support my education. For that reason, I have been taking classes at Columbia State Community College on scholarship, fulfilling as many of my general education credits as possible. During this time, I've been working three jobs to save up for my education. After almost two academic years, it is time to transfer to a school where I can finish my degree and hopefully be challenged in a different way. Until now I have not had the opportunity to take my major-specific classes, and I am extremely excited to start those courses. Outside of college, I have taken many different kinds of theatre and film classes, and I am excited at the prospect of studying these topics in an academic setting with other hard working, creative students. I know that pursuing a higher education will give me the tools I need to become a better artist. I want to learn and grow more than anything else, and this scholarship would be a huge help to helping me get there. Thank you for your consideration.

I think theatre can change the world, and I want to be a part of that. There is nothing I love more than performing. It sets my soul on fire and changes something in me in a way nothing else does because I love sharing other people’s stories. Whether those stories are purely entertaining, or they are intense and providing a strong message, I love giving a voice to people whose stories may otherwise go untold. In my mind, art is not only what brings us together and entertains us, but it can be a catalyst for change. When I was 10, I was invited to audition for Annie and from the moment I stepped onto the stage, I absolutely fell in love with everything about theatre. Up until that moment I was very seriously considering becoming a hotel maid or tennis ball boy but standing under the lights something inside me clicked and I just knew this was how I wanted to spend the rest of my life. As I grew older, one of my mentors started to refer to me as “a great storyteller.” The more I heard that phrase, the more it made sense to me, and now it’s more than just words, it’s who I am. But it wasn’t just the lights and the stage and the music, it was knowing I could be a part of creating theatre and film pieces that have a lasting effect on our society and each individual who encounters them. I am highly interested in innovative pieces, and I want to push boundaries and explore new ideas. My passion for new plays was sparked when I joined a theatre company at age 11 that focused on producing new works. We did shows about grief, teen suicide and depression, terminal illness, racism, bullying and so much more. Not only was it a really unique and special experience to originate roles and tell stories no one had heard before, but it also proved to me that art could have a lasting effect on the world. There were shows I was a part of where people would come up to me to let me know this story quite literally changed their life. I watched people walk away from those shows with new perspectives and beliefs, armed and ready to take on those tough conversations and make a change themselves. I wanted to be doing this forever. With each stage of life, I will get new opportunities to tell different stories, from different perspectives. I want to look back on my long history of creating theatre and film pieces and see that they’ve had a lasting effect on our society and each person who encountered them. Art is ever changing and evolving, and I am beyond excited to see where it is years from now and how I’ve helped shape my little piece of it. I want to spend my life using advocacy through art to change the world.

I’ve loved acting and photography for years and always pursued them wholeheartedly. I’ve been acting for the past 10 years of my life, and for the past 4 years, I’ve owned my own photography business. Once COVID hit, things changed. Theatre and film industries were shut down indefinitely, and it wasn’t safe to keep running my photography business. Though frustrating at the time, 2020 gave me the time and space to grow new talents and earn new titles. Since I was no longer able to take photos of others, I decided to turn to self-portraits. I dreamed up new concepts and styles, learning how to set up and capture a shot without actually needing to be behind the camera. I even started documenting my quarantine through a self-portrait series. The biggest challenge for me came a few months into the quarantine process. My friend was writing a web series and wanted to bring me on board. She asked me not only to join as a writer but also as a director, videographer, editor, and lead actor. Desperate to work on something creative in these times, I jumped in enthusiastically. We had the opportunity to pitch this idea to Island Shakespeare Festival, a professional theatre company in Washington state, and they decided to produce it. Over the next seven months, we took a short episode written on a Google Doc and turned it into a 10-episode web series. I have learned so much through this process. Learning to write scripts was so exciting and now I’ve started writing new projects on my own. I also switched from a photographer to a videographer and video editor, which taught me so many new skills I’m thrilled to utilize. I also loved having the chance to direct, which I had done little of in the past. Now the episodes of the series we made are going public every week, I’m starting to write my own material, and I’m directing, and filming a short film this month. I am no longer just an actor and photographer, but also a director, cinematographer, and writer. I couldn’t be more grateful for what this year has taught me and how much I've grown. I can't wait to bring these new skills with me into my future.

I think theatre can change the world, and I want to be a part of that. There is nothing I love more than performing. It sets my soul on fire and changes something in me in a way nothing else does because I love sharing other people’s stories. Whether those stories are purely entertaining, or they are intense and providing a strong message, I love giving a voice to people whose stories may otherwise go untold. In my mind, art is not only what brings us together and entertains us, but it can be a catalyst for change. Knowing I could be a part of creating theatre and film pieces that have a lasting effect on our society and each individual who encounters them is what drives me. I’ve been lucky to be involved in many new works in Nashville, and I want that to be something I’m involved with for my entire career. I am highly interested in innovative pieces, and I want to push boundaries and explore new ideas. My biggest artistic ambition is to make theatre that advocates for those in need and has a lasting impact on my community. For the past two years I decided to take classes at Columbia State Community College on scholarship, fulfilling as many of my general education credits as possible. During these two years I have worked three jobs simultaneously all while balancing my school work in order to save up for my tuition. I managed to keep straight A's and even made the President's list. After two academic years at this school, it is time to transfer to a school where I can finish my degree and hopefully challenge me in a different way. Up till now I have not had the opportunity to take my major-specific classes, and I am extremely looking forward to those. Outside of college I have taken many different kinds of theatre and film classes, and I am excited at the prospect of studying these topics in an academic setting with other hard working, creative students. My biggest concern with school is my ability to afford it. My parents are unable to contribute to my higher education, so I am taking on the full cost myself with no help from anyone else. I really want this opportunity, and any help I can get will mean the world to me. I sincerely thank you for your consideration.

I think theatre can change the world, and I want to be a part of that. There is nothing I love more than performing. It sets my soul on fire and changes something in me in a way nothing else does because I love sharing other people’s stories. Whether those stories are purely entertaining, or they are intense and providing a strong message, I love giving a voice to people whose stories may otherwise go untold. In my mind, art is not only what brings us together and entertains us, but it can be a catalyst for change. When I was 10, I was invited to audition for Annie and from the moment I stepped onto the stage, I absolutely fell in love with everything about theatre. Up until that moment I was very seriously considering becoming a hotel maid or tennis ball boy but standing under the lights something inside me clicked and I just knew this was how I wanted to spend the rest of my life. As I grew older, one of my mentors started to refer to me as “a great storyteller.” The more I heard that phrase, the more it made sense to me, and now it’s more than just words, it’s who I am. But it wasn’t just the lights and the stage and the music, it was knowing I could be a part of creating theatre and film pieces that have a lasting effect on our society and each individual who encounters them. I’ve been lucky to be involved in many new works in Nashville, and I want that to be something I’m involved with for my entire career. I am highly interested in innovative pieces, and I want to push boundaries and explore new ideas. My passion for new plays was sparked when I joined a theatre company at age 11 that focused on producing new works. We did shows about grief, teen suicide and depression, terminal illness, racism, bullying and so much more. Not only was it a really unique and special experience to originate roles and tell stories no one had heard before, but it also proved to me that art could have a lasting effect on the world. There were shows I was a part of where people would come up to me to let me know this story quite literally changed their life. I watched people walk away from those shows with new perspectives and beliefs, armed and ready to take on those tough conversations and make a change themselves. I wanted to be doing this forever. With each stage of life, I will get new opportunities to tell different stories, from different perspectives and with the well-rounded skills I learn in school, I hope to be making art well into my 80s. At 17 years old I sat in a Broadway theater and watched Elaine May shine in The Waverly Gallery. She was 86 years old at the time and never missed a single show. She was stunning. I remember the curtain going down, walking away in awe and thinking, “That is exactly what I want to be doing when I’m 86.” I want to look back on my long history of creating theatre and film pieces and see that they’ve had a lasting effect on our society and each person who encountered them. Art is ever changing and evolving, and I am beyond excited to see where it is years from now and how I’ve helped shape my little piece of it. I want to spend my life using advocacy through art to change the world.

I think theatre can change the world, and I want to be a part of that. There is nothing I love more than performing. It sets my soul on fire and changes something in me in a way nothing else does because I love sharing other people’s stories. Whether those stories are purely entertaining, or they are intense and providing a strong message, I love giving a voice to people whose stories may otherwise go untold. In my mind, art is not only what brings us together and entertains us, but it can be a catalyst for change. When I was 10, I was invited to audition for Annie and from the moment I stepped onto the stage, I absolutely fell in love with everything about theatre. Up until that moment I was very seriously considering becoming a hotel maid or tennis ball boy but standing under the lights something inside me clicked and I just knew this was how I wanted to spend the rest of my life. As I grew older, one of my mentors started to refer to me as “a great storyteller.” The more I heard that phrase, the more it made sense to me, and now it’s more than just words, it’s who I am. But it wasn’t just the lights and the stage and the music, it was knowing I could be a part of creating theatre and film pieces that have a lasting effect on our society and each individual who encounters them. I’ve been lucky to be involved in many new works in Nashville, and I want that to be something I’m involved with for my entire career. I am highly interested in innovative pieces, and I want to push boundaries and explore new ideas. My passion for new plays was sparked when I joined a theatre company at age 11 that focused on producing new works. We did shows about grief, teen suicide and depression, terminal illness, racism, bullying and so much more. Not only was it a really unique and special experience to originate roles and tell stories no one had heard before, but it also proved to me that art could have a lasting effect on the world. There were shows I was a part of where people would come up to me to let me know this story quite literally changed their life. I watched people walk away from those shows with new perspectives and beliefs, armed and ready to take on those tough conversations and make a change themselves. I wanted to be doing this forever. With each stage of life, I will get new opportunities to tell different stories, from different perspectives and with the well-rounded skills I learn in school, I hope to be making art well into my 80s. At 17 years old I sat in a Broadway theater and watched Elaine May shine in The Waverly Gallery. She was 86 years old at the time and never missed a single show. She was stunning. I remember the curtain going down, walking away in awe and thinking, “That is exactly what I want to be doing when I’m 86.” I want to look back on my long history of creating theatre and film pieces and see that they’ve had a lasting effect on our society and each person who encountered them. Art is ever changing and evolving, and I am beyond excited to see where it is years from now and how I’ve helped shape my little piece of it. I want to spend my life using advocacy through art to change the world.

This year was a tough one, so the songs that most inspire me now are ones that make me feel less isolated. The songs that feel like a hug when I listen. The songs that somehow say what I was thinking but couldn't put words to. These songs have been on repeat since quarantine, and now they feel like old friends to me. Most of them are new artists for me, which feels right since this has been a year of growth for me. I hope I never get tired of these songs.