Art has always been vital in forming communities, igniting debates, and effecting change. I feel that it is my duty as an artist to use my work to positively influence the world. The ability to inspire, question, and stir thought is possessed by art. Through producing art that speaks to social issues, celebrates diversity, and pushes for positive change, I want to make the world a better and more welcoming place. Art has historically been utilized to promote social change, with artists like Picasso, Kahlo, and Banksy challenging norms and addressing pressing issues like war, personal struggles, and environmental degradation through their art. By making art that addresses the important concerns of our day, I hope to emulate these notable artists in my work. Whether it's through performance art, installations, paintings, or sculptures, my goal is to captivate audiences and compel them to consider their surroundings. Through examining subjects like mental health, environmental sustainability, and social justice, I want to encourage constructive change, question preconceptions, and start dialogues. I aim to use my art to positively impact the world by collaborating with non-profits and community organizations, utilizing seminars, exhibitions, and public art initiatives. I also intend to push for change and bring attention to significant issues using my position as an artist. I want to demonstrate the ability of art to be a positive force in the world through social media, gallery exhibitions, and open forums. I want to encourage people to get engaged, speak up, and take action on issues that are important to them by sharing my work both online and in person. An example of one of the pieces I have done that would spark discussions would be my piece I created from a woodcut. It speaks to the life cycle of the lion moth, how many stages of life it goes through, and how much we, as humans, impact their short lives. (attached picture below) To sum up, art can question the status quo, transform people's hearts and minds, and build a more fair and just world. I'm dedicated to using my artistic abilities to change the world for the better. I want to encourage others to take up art that speaks to societal issues, celebrates diversity, and pushes for positive change. By working together, we can use the transformative power of art to improve everyone's future.

I have always been passionate about using art as a tool to empower and express the creativity of young people in under-resourced communities. I firmly believe that providing a creative outlet for youth can improve their self-esteem, critical thinking skills, and overall well-being. That is why I have decided to take action and give back to the youth in these communities through visual art. After I graduate, I plan to open a storefront that serves as a hub for artistic expression and learning. The storefront will be a safe and welcoming space where youth can come to explore their creativity, learn new skills, and connect with like-minded individuals. I envision the storefront as a place where art is not only taught but also celebrated and shared with the community. In this space, I will offer a variety of art classes and workshops for youth of all ages. From drawing and painting to sculpture and mixed media, there will be opportunities for young people to experiment with different mediums and techniques. While I specialize in textiles and printmaking, I also aim to collaborate with other artists to offer a diverse range of art classes. I want to create a supportive environment where young artists feel comfortable taking risks and expressing themselves authentically. Additionally, I plan to invite established artists from the community as well as artists in the classes to showcase and sell their work in front of the shop. This will not only provide exposure and income for these artists but also inspire the youth who visit the storefront. By seeing local artists succeed and thrive, young people will be encouraged to pursue their own artistic dreams and aspirations. Undoubtedly, the term "community" is essential to the human experience. We get a sense of belonging when we are part of a vibrant community. It makes it possible for us to assist one another's and our environment's ongoing progress as well as our shared personal relatedness. This scholarship will enable me to complete my education in the arts, expanding my knowledge across a wide range of art forms. I have also established numerous connections in the art world that I aim to integrate into this community. Overall, my goal is to create a space that fosters creativity, community, and connection. I believe that by giving back to the youth in under-resourced communities through visual art, I can make a lasting impact on their lives and empower them to realize their full potential. Art has the power to heal, inspire, and transform, and I am committed to using it as a tool for positive change.

As I reflect on my life and the person that I have become, I cannot help but attribute a significant portion of my successes and personal growth to the love, support, and guidance that my mother has provided me throughout the years. My mother has been a constant source of strength, inspiration, and wisdom in my life, and her impact on me has been nothing short of profound. From a young age, my mother instilled in me the values of diligence, creativity, and integrity. She led by example, demonstrating these values in her own life through her dedication to her family, her career in music, and the church. Through her actions, she showed me the importance of setting goals and working tirelessly to achieve them, as well as the importance of treating others with kindness, respect, and empathy. Not only did my mother impart these values to me through her actions, but she also provided me with unwavering love and support, empowering me to believe in myself and my abilities. Whenever I faced challenges or setbacks, my mother was there to offer encouragement, guidance, and a listening ear. She taught me to never give up, no matter how difficult the circumstances, and to always believe in myself and my potential. She homeschooled my three sisters and me from pre-k through sixth grade. Looking back, I often wonder how she was able to teach all of us and our divergent brains. Not only did she successfully teach us all eight grades, but she also imparted to us her creativity and love for the arts. My mother is a musician and creative at heart. She's been a pianist since she was twelve. Her career in music has taken her all around the United States, but once her family started to grow, she made the decision to prioritize our education and well-being. Despite the challenges, she never gave up on us and always found ways to make learning fun and engaging. Her dedication and passion for teaching have had a lasting impact on all of us, shaping us into the individuals we are today. With all this to say, a mother has been through struggles of child loss through miscarriages and mental health decline. Even though I am the Rainbo baby that came after her loss, I can confidently say that my mother's resilience and strength through her darkest times are the reason that I am here today and why I believe so strongly in her love. Her ability to persevere through such difficult times has taught me the importance of resilience and the power of unconditional love. I am forever grateful for her strength and determination, as they have shaped me into the person I am today.

My favorite piece that I created is called "Exposed Healing"; it is an ink drawing that I made during my freshman year of college. I was in one of the hardest times of my life, and this piece truly captured every essence of my soul during that era. The piece is of a young girl floating in the water as she pulls back her skin to expose her heart, which has been shot by an arrow. After enduring the trauma I had suffered due to men and their mistreatment of my body and soul, she serves as a reflection of me. It showed me at my most vulnerable, just barely staying afloat in a blackened pond as I tried to heal from the actions of others. The water represents the healing power of vulnerability and the process of letting go, while the arrow symbolizes the pain and trauma that have affected her heart. Overall, Espossed Healing serves as a visual representation of inner strength and resilience in the face of adversity. It has been a few years since I have drawn this piece, and I have put it on display and have since had many people view it. I find it incredible that so many people can relate to this piece and how they interpret it. I have seen many people relate to the more physical attributes, such as heart conditions, while others have found meaning in the emotional connection that they found in the girl's vulnerability.

I've always had a special place in my heart for the arts. I find it fascinating that a creative endeavor can change people's perspectives and bring them together. However, because of the financial limitations that have stood in my way, my endeavors and opportunities in the arts have encountered many challenges. But I've persisted, letting my left and right brains work together in a very harmonic way while I pursue my artistic goals. In my opinion, the arts are a powerful form of communication that allows people to express themselves in ways that go beyond the limitations of spoken or written language. The capacity to express and evoke powerful emotions, whether through the visual arts, music, or literature, has a transcendental effect that can heal, inspire, and spark societal change. As I immerse myself in the creative process, I find comfort, inspiration, and a sense of belonging within the arts. But I haven't been able to completely realize my artistic ambitions because of my financial position. For someone with limited resources, purchasing art supplies, paying for classes at my college, and having the money to get to and from school can be an impossible challenge. It has been difficult to devote the necessary funds to my artistic endeavors due to the costs of education, artistic supplies, and workshop participation, as well as the requirement to cover basic living expenses. As a result, I frequently have to postpone or scale back my dreams. especially when it comes to my dreams of having a business through my art. I've learned to understand the critical function that both the right and left hemispheres of the brain serve in my effort to conquer these obstacles. The left brain concentrates on reason, planning, and problem-solving, whereas the right brain is frequently linked to creativity, intuition, and emotions. In my development as an artist, integrating both abilities is essential. The right brain stimulates my creativity, providing countless sources of inspiration and encouraging a distinctive aesthetic viewpoint. I am able to overcome challenges, come up with novel solutions, and explore illogical ideas thanks to my creativity, which frees me from the constraints of social norms. I can turn unprocessed feelings and ideas into tangibly expressive artistic works by using my right brain. The analytical and strategic skills of my left brain, on the other hand, help me deal with the frequently challenging realities of a tight budget. It makes it possible for me to create thorough plans, look for inexpensive substitutes, and locate underutilized resources. Applying my left brain helps me prioritize necessary needs and manage my money wisely so that I may set aside some money for my artistic endeavors. It also directs me when I apply for grant opportunities, scholarships, or community programs that can provide the support I need to continue my artistic journey. I've maintained my interest in the arts despite financial hardship. I have overcome the challenges posed by financial restrictions by using both the right and left sides of my brain. Despite being difficult, these restrictions have strengthened my creative tenacity and developed a distinct viewpoint that goes beyond simple aesthetics. I am dedicated to continuing to dismantle obstacles that prevent artistic expression since it is through art that a happier, more peaceful society can be imagined and welcomed.

In our cherished fictional world of Hogwarts, where magic prevails, the Sorting Hat contributes to assigning students to one of the four houses. As I delve into a self-reflective journey, pondering upon the mystique that surrounds the Sorting Hat's decision, I find myself contemplating the question: Which Hogwarts House would I be sorted into, and how does Hufflepuff House resonate with my unique set of qualities? In this essay, I aim to unravel the connection between my inherent traits and the values cherished by the Hufflepuff House. Imprinted within the foundation of Hufflepuff House lies the ideals of inexhaustible dedication and loyalty. I have always strived to commit myself wholeheartedly to any endeavor I undertake. Be it academics, extracurricular activities, or personal relationships. My art as well has always been something I strive to put every ounce of commitment and bringing into. I find pride in being able to accomplish the artistic endeavors that I have committed to. Loyalty and steadfastness are an integral part of my character as well, when it comes to friendship I have no bounds for my loyalty. This deep-rooted loyalty enables me to build enduring connections and to consistently support and uplift those around me. I find that relationships are one of the most precious things in this world. It is extremely important to keep them thriving because, without friendships and loved ones around you, a person will never have a support group in their life. Hufflepuff House embodies a spirit of inclusivity and celebrates diversity in all its forms. I strongly believe that by embracing differences, we can open ourselves to a world of varied perspectives and enhance experiences. This outlook has led me to actively participate in group projects and collaborative endeavors, where I contribute my unique insights while respecting and valuing the contributions of others. Again my art education has led me to bring unique insight into school projects that others may not see. I find it important to bring artistic diversity into everything I do. Perhaps one of the most distinct qualities shared by Hufflepuffs is their inherent nurturing and caring nature. I find comfort in providing support, empathy, and kindness to those around me. Whether it be lending a listening ear to a friend in need or offering a helping hand to a struggling classmate, I take great joy in acts of compassion. This intrinsic inclination to care for others aligns impeccably with the essence of Hufflepuff House, which values empathy and compassion as pillars of personal growth. I even use this quality of nurturing my plants and helping them grow and find a sense of satisfaction when I am nurturing them. after thinking about the question of which Hogwarts House best fits my personality, I find myself drawn towards the Hufflepuff House. The values of loyalty, fairness, inclusivity, and nurturing resonate deeply within me. Hufflepuff's recognition and celebration of these traits, combined with my unwavering commitment to these values, make it apparent that Hufflepuff House would be the perfect fit for me. The Sorting Hat's choice is ultimately a mystical decision, but this exploration has allowed me to appreciate the compatibility between my core qualities and those revered by Hufflepuffs.

Covid-19 came vigorously into the united states when I started my first year of college. They passed out masks and soon quickly after classes went fully online. It was then that I learned my personal wellness throughout college was such an important factor in my health. Attending college can be a transformative experience, full of exciting opportunities and academic challenges. However, the demanding nature of college life can often put one's personal wellness at risk. To succeed academically, students must prioritize their personal wellness. Understanding that my physical activity, how I eat, how I manage stress and even expressing my emotions are crucial to my wellbeing was a turning point in my life. Developing a consistent self-care routine is fundamental for me to manage personal wellness while in college. Engaging in activities such as regular exercise, practicing mindfulness or meditation, and maintaining a balanced diet can nurture physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Establishing a schedule that includes time for rest, relaxation, and self-reflection can provide a solid foundation for managing the stresses of academic life. For my physical exercise, I've found yoga and hiking to be the best forms of working my muscles. For twelve years I was a ballerina and I realized yoga provided me with similar stretching techniques that I enjoyed during those years. Yoga gives me not only a way to stretch out all my stressed muscles during school but also gives my mind a break and a chance to just focus on my breathing and meditation. It's something that I enjoy doing in the mornings to start my day. As for hiking on sunny days, my mind can relax and seep in nature when I decompress from my rigorous classes. Along with learning to eat well and curate a life with physical activities, I also Have my art. It provides me with a way to relieve my stress and gives me a chance to express my emotions through creativity. Community comes with creativity as well I was able to make friends and build a supportive network through my creative endeavors at school as well. Managing personal wellness is a crucial aspect of college life. I have found by employing various strategies such as establishing a self-care routine, building a supportive network, practicing effective time management, and creating art, students like myself can maintain a healthy balance between their academic and personal lives. It is important to remember that personal wellness directly impacts academic success, as a healthy mind and body are better equipped to handle the rigorous demands of college. By prioritizing personal wellness, I can thrive both academically and personally, maximizing my potential for success in school and beyond.

Through my art education, I've learned hard work, diligence, and persistence can lead to opportunities I never knew I could obtain. My art education through high school and college has shaped me to have a personal drive and creativity that can help me overcome my mental limitations. As a high school student, I was extremely fortunate to have two amazing artists as my teachers. They were the ones that pushed me to go above and beyond what I thought I was capable of at the time. I never had official training in art before high school, even though I had an extremely creative family and learned to draw from how books as a child. I had no idea my creativity could reach such bounds. Without the persistence and drive to not give up on myself that my teachers instilled in me I wouldn't be the artist I am today. As a high school senior, these teachers guided me to enroll in ap art courses, submit pieces of my work to art shows and try to win awards. When I went into my Ap art 3D class, my teacher gave me the freedom to do whatever I wanted with my art thesis. But every time I believed that I was finished with the project, she would ask "How can you improve upon what you have done so far?". I learned to think about my art installations from an outside viewpoint and see the flaws and the beautiful parts. It was challenging to be told to do better, but my teachers constantly pushed me to become a better artist with every project. Doing these things and learning that I was capable to win awards, gave me a newfound confidence in myself. And that confidence gave me new wants to push myself and persevere as I tried new things in my creative process. I found that as I grew in my art abilities, it became a cathartic process that helped me relieve stress and anxieties. The method of creating and putting my emotions into what I was painting or building gave me an emotional release that I couldn't find anywhere else. During my most complex mental challenges with depression, I would pore my whole soul into my art, and it was what got me through. Without those high school teachers, I would never have the opportunity to have an outlet to do so, and I honestly might not be here today without them. Entering college, I was confident that one day I wanted to teach art and give that same opportunity to other kids. So I have had the dream to pursue my art career. With that, I have been given so many opportunities by my college professors to reach others in that journey. My drawing professors have shown me how to break past my fears and let go of perfection in art. And thus I have passed another barrier, I know I will have many more barriers with my art, but I am confident that as I continue my education my teachers will be there to help me through them. And the purpose that each teacher has instilled in me and helped shape me into the artist I am today is the reason I continue to pursue my creative endeavors.

My journey in arts started with my great-grandmother and a her art lessons. My grandma tremendously influenced my grandpa, mom, sisters, and me. We would make the 21-hour drive from Georgia to Nebraska every Christmas to see my relatives. My parents would drop us off at my great grandma's; as soon as possible after driving across six states with four daughters cramped in a a Ford expadition. Grandma would craft with us and teach us how to do all sorts of arts from sewing to oil painting and drawing. As my she tried to keep me entertained I developed my love for the arts. As I grew up the interests I had developed, and thus my art evolved. I would obsess over things like horses or fairies and learn how to draw them as best I could. My creativity stems mostly from all the fantasy books I would read as a kid. The one that stuck out most and that has inspired me to this day was The Spider Wick Chronicles. Tony Diterlizzi was the illustrator for these books, and I fell in love with all of the whimsical creatures and his beautifully ary yet dark works. My works of art are mostly created with inks and I have been focusing on Portraits that use line and perspective strongly. I love to have a piece of work that the longer you look at it the more you notice little doorways into little worlds of fantasy and creativity. My drawings are meant to take to viewers out of this world and show them the beauty of nature and creations. I had amazing art teachers in high school and college that have helped me achieve new goals in my art journey. And Because of them, I wanted to become an art teacher. but as I've continued through my college experience I came to realize that I want to open a business that gives opportunities for artists to grow in their art journey as well. I had such an amazing community of artists that surrounded and supported me and one day in the future I want to be able to provide that to others. whether that be art teaching or helping creators sell their works. Community is needed in any aspect of life but I have found it is such a beautiful and needed thing in the art world. So as my journey continues to purge new grounds I want to build that community and make a way for an open studio that provides that for artists around the world. This business/studio would be a storefront for artists to sell but also a studio for artists to learn from each other and have a space to create as well as be immersed in the community. With this scholarship, I hope to continue on my art path and finish my college courses learning as much as I can to achieve that goal for myself as well as the artist in the future.

My name is Abby Colwell, And I am a junior at the University of North Georgia. I am majoring in Arts with a focus on Drawing and painting. I will be graduating in the fall of 2024 with a Bachelor of Arts, my career Goal is to have a studio one day where I can create and sell my art. Aswell as being able to teach underprivileged kids and adults that want to express themselves through Arts. I came from a Family that was highly rooted in the Arts. My great-grandparents, grandparents, mother, and sisters all have creativity flowing in their veins. Whether that be with music or clay the Colwell family has fallen in love with the Arts for generations. My Great Aunt was the one who influenced me the most when it came to Art. She was my first memory of creating that I can remember. We made little jewelry pieces and painted on her trailer house porch in the Florida breeze. All of my siblings would be out playing "House" with the cousins but me and my aunt Judy would be threading countless beads onto impossibly thin thread. We come out covered from head to toe in handmade jewelry holding our best paintings for all to see. These memories will always be with me and inspire me to give kids the same opportunity that my Aunt gave me before she passed. She passed of cancer about four years ago when I was a senior in high school. She left me many of her art supplies after her passing and it inspired me to start creating again. I was able to express my sadness through the art that I was creating and being able to put her supplies to use and honor at the same time. It was a truly therapeutic experience and a very helpful way to express my grief. This experience is why I want to help those in underprivileged communities be able to have access to art. I want children and adults who go through such excruciating experiences to be able to express themselves through art. I want to provide an outlet not just in my community but eventually to as many communities as I can. Because art is an expression of thoughts, emotions, and movements. It is a way some people need to express themselves and I believe everyone should be able to have access to expression in their lives no matter their status or financial situation. I am applying for this scholarship to help finish the last few years of my degree. As a college junior and soon-to-be senior, my scholarship opportunities are limited. I've found that many rewards are given to incoming freshmen. I benefited from those early on, and I currently have The Hope scholarship that pays for a portion of my tuition each semester. I will, however, require additional financial aid to pay for my remaining educational expenses and tuition. I value your thoughts and am hoping you can assist me in pursuing a career in the arts. I'm passionate about this, and I have a solid plan to make it my career for the rest of my life.

We saw a mass decline in mental health during 2019s Caronavires lockdown. The average person in the United States was shut away without human contact for three months during the pandemic. We also saw a massive rise in self-care and mental health awareness during this time. People were able to acknowledge that they were not doing well mentally because of the shutdown and were able to come together to provide support and awareness. I believe mental health awareness is extremely important for me because, right after the Covid lockdown I lost a friend to suicide. He was the first person id ever known directly that lost his life to his depression. I've never felt more saddened and more confused in my life after losing him. I had just helped him plan out a tattoo and helped decide how he wanted it and everything was "fine". That day I found out that a person's mental health can change on a dime without any warning. We need to bring awareness to provide support for those that are struggling. I can not express how important the awareness that the world saw a glimpse of during the lockdown is and how we need to bring that back to full fruition. The easy access to therapists and the long walks outside are only the beginning to give people a chance to thrive with their mental wellness. I've struggled with my mental health in the past and have struggled with anxiety throughout my whole life. I've found when my mental health is at its lowest my anxiety is at its highest. The things I do to make sure my mental wellness is at its fullest potential are very simple but I think it helps me in unique ways. firstly I use my art to express all of my emotions and I use my sketchbooks as sort of journals as a way to decompress my thoughts. Secondly, I try to spend at least a couple hours a day outside or at least as close as I can get. without nature, in my life, I find that I start to lose a sense of peace and I lose my connection with nature that helps my mental state thrive. thirdly I have a person that I know I can always talk to and who can help me bring my emotions to the surface as well as talk through any negative or overwhelming thoughts I have. Without just these three things that I try and use to bring my mental health to a stable spot I genuinely don't think id be where I am today. And I know that keeping your mental health at its best requires different solutions for different people but I think it's most vital that we as a humanity need to provide opportunities for people to be aware of what helps their mental health.

This drawing is called Exposed Healing and it is a visual representation of how one heals from abusive relationships. It is a pen and ink drawing on 12 x 18 inch watercolor paper. It is of a girl floating in a black pool of lily pads, as her chest is exposed for all to see and her heart is pierced with an arrow. I was inspired to draw this piece after I broke up with my now ex-boyfriend let's call him “Bobl”. I wanted to transfer all of the pain that I was feeling into my art and use it as a process that not only would expose my pain but also heal it. The relationship that Joseph and I were in was not healthy for me and I had many experiences during it that I was unaware would affect me for the foreseeable future. It not only broke my heart as many people feel after a breakup but it also broke me mentally and changed my physique in a nearly detrimental way. So I created a girl lying in the water with closed eyes and a turned face. I wanted her to seem like she was almost ashamed of exposing her frail body and broken heart to the world. Because I almost felt ashamed for letting all those negative experiences happen to me and letting my heart be broken so easily. As for the Water Lilies or Lotus flowers I used them because they represent rebirth, but it is also symbolic of good fortune, peace, and enlightenment in addition to their religious significance. I put These water lilies for just that reason I wanted to show that as the water washed over the girl in the pond, it would cleanse her and make her reborn and provide peace and enlightenment once she arose from her situation. Just like how after I was done grieving my losses and expressing my pain I too could be reborn and learn from my experiences. The heart with an arrow shot through it is also depicted in the drawing. It is a common image used to represent relationships, and romance, and to express love for people and things. But I wanted it to not be in a symbol cartoon heart that we often see it in and show an anatomically correct heart instead. I think this provides the viewer with more of a grotesque view of the romance and love that occurred and show the rawness of it all as it is trying to be stitched back up with surgical sutures. This drawing was a healing inspiration for me and I hope that those who are able to see it too can have a sort of closure and resolution with what they have gone through in extremely difficult times.

It is easy to go through life without ever really thinking about the impact we have on our communities. We might volunteer for a local organization or pick up litter on the street, but often our day-to-day lives don’t involve much community interaction. However, it is important to think about the role we play in our communities and how we can make a positive impact not just in the future but right now. Growing up I was constantly surrounded by the missions community and the church. By living among those who had the sole purpose of impacting communities and serving, I found out how vital the act of service is. With an attitude of serving impressed upon me at such a young age, I've always had it in my heart to try and positively impact my community. However, as I got older I started to go out of my comfort zone and do things like missions overseas. That led me to fall in love with different cultures and it opened my eyes to see the incredible need for art in communities around me and in other nations. Once I graduate I want to create a studio for my community that is accessible to the underprivileged and at-risk communities mainly in North Georgia. I have already started to make connections in North Georgia with different nonprofits in order to make this dream come true! I want to create a safe place for people to express themselves and create an environment where people feel like they can escape too if needed. Sometimes art can be an escape and can be something a community needs in order to thrive. I believe a community studio would bring people together and give people the outlets they need to express themselves. This studio would also be a place where people who aren't able to go to school could get apprenticeships and start a career in their craft. I want to have workshops that show community members how to start a career in what they apprenticed in and how to make it into a living. Not just visual arts would be provided but woodworking, welding, and even musical arts would be available to the community. So as I continue through school I will be learning as many different art forms as I can and I am also trying to make connections in order to make this dream come true. And as for my community right now I am helping at-risk kids and the community through the HUB of Habersham and am providing art classes and mentoring for kids based in Habersham. I hope that this community work I am doing now will also provide for the community in the future.

My involvement in Highschool included many service projects through my church, the YMCA, and ballet studio, as well as school clubs like The Fellowship of Christian Athletes and National Art Honor Societies. But with all that volunteer experience I found that my mindset never really changed. Yes, I loved helping others but I didn’t find a true shift in mindset till started going to other countries and serving. My favorite all-time service experience was when I lived in Mexico, and I think it is the one that changed me the most. I volunteered with a nonprofit organization called Youth with a Mission (YWAM) In Ensenada. I participated in many volunteer opportunities over my six months in Mexico. And I traveled to over six different locations throughout the whole of Mexico. I served in ways I never thought id ever do. We built homes, cleaned, spoke at rehab facilities, painted walls, did childcare, cooked food, collected firewood, and did many more amazing things. In every community we visited, we were able to help differently. Each community needed something different and was so highly thankful for our service. It was overwhelming with the number of needy people in these communities needs. I was so blessed to be able to give my service to these people as it opened my eyes to a new world of joy as a server. But by far, the volunteer project that stuck out the most was helping build a home for a needy family. It was shocking to see what the family was living in before we helped build their new home. They lived in a little shack of cardboard and piled wood with no immediate water access or beds to sleep on. The team I worked with was able to put up a two-bedroom home with a living room and kitchen in just two days for this family. We even worked to furnish the home and provide kitchen supplies, cleaning supplies, and blankets. It was a beautiful moment when we brought the family to the house and gave them the key. I will never forget the gratitude they had and the joy it brought our team to see a family that was going to thrive in that community. It is essential that we serve our communities but can also serve any community we encounter. From all the volunteer projects, I’ve learned that if you have a heart of service and are willing to help people in need, you will intern meet new people, especially if you are new to an area. It also strengthens your ties to the community and broadens your support network, exposing you to people with common interests, neighborhood resources, and fun and fulfilling activities. You can gain many connections and community wherever you go by just being willing to serve someone. It changed my mindset, and I would go as far to say that helping others changed my personality! I am a completely different person then before going to Mexico. I’ve learned to be grateful for what I have, when I started doing good for others and the community, it provided me with a natural sense of accomplishment. My role as a volunteer gave me a sense of pride and identity. And the better I felt about myself, the more likely I was to have a positive view of my life and future goals.

Growing up I was constantly surrounded by the missions community and the church. By living among those who had the sole purpose of impacting communities and serving, I found out how vital the act of service is. It is easy to go through life without ever really thinking about the impact we have on our communities. We might volunteer for a local organization or pick up litter on the street, but often our day-to-day lives don’t involve much community interaction. However, it is important to think about the role we play in our communities and how we can make a positive impact. With an attitude of serving impressed upon me at such a young age, I've always had it in my heart to positively impact my community. But as I got older I started to do missions overseas and I fell in love with different cultures and saw how much people needed art in their lives. There are very few cultures that rely heavily on the arts and tech as much as the United States does. So now I don't want to just impact my community but impact the World and go as many places as I can spreading art to those places that lack it. I plan to impact my community as much as I can right now by providing community service but what I most ardently want is to open a traveling art studio for those who have no access to the arts. As a studio Arts major I am learning as many different mediums as I can so that one day I will be able to start an organization that provides the underprivileged with arts. I also believe that it is important to stand up for what you believe in and fight for causes that positively give back to people around the world. It's important that We start standing up for the truth and avoiding the “herd” mentality is consistent with the exalted nature of mankind as compared with living animals. This consistency creates an equilibrium between our subconscious selves and our conscious selves. What differentiates humans is the cognitive ability that allows them to take full ownership and control of their actions and their consequences. Standing up for the truth creates a realization of self, which in turn leads to confidence that can influence others to do the same. In essence, this creates a “counter-culture” which promotes good and contributes towards the feeling of achievement

In high school, I strove to be unique and unequivocally different than my peers that surrounded me. So much so that anything that classified me a similar to others I pushed out of my life. I was convinced that being like other people was bad. Thus I thrived off of my uniqueness, even if that uniqueness was something that I was judged for. I altered everything I owned so that all my belongings stood out and could be separated as different than my peers' belongings. Starting this essay I didn't know exactly why I wanted most ardently to be different than others, but as I continued writing I realized where this thought process stemmed from. It was because I grew up as the youngest of a large family. I had clothes, toys, and other belongings that were either perfect duplicates or passed down from the eldest child to the next and next till they came into my possession. I craved individuality as I was pushed into uniformity. Whether that was with my belongings, religion, or even my looks, I was identical to my sisters in every way. I craved it so much that as I got into high school, I began to push away anything that put me into a group. I would pick vague singers and listen to their music instead of the oh-so-loved Taylor Swift, even if deep down I truly did admire her music. Just like how I refused apple products, no matter how well they worked, I didn't like how everyone I knew had the latest iPhone. But all that self-individualizing came to a crashing halt when I entered college. I realized then how different every person I met was. I discovered how beautiful it was to see people's uniqueness intermingling and how desirable it was to have income with others. So I began to allow myself to have common interests with people and I realized what my actual uniqueness was by doing so. I acknowledged that parts of me were unique and not just me pushing against the norm. One of my unique aspects that has come to light in conversations: is my ability to see nature in things no matter what it is. I find the beauty in things that normally wouldn't be classified as naturally beautiful but I can pull it out and accentuate that beauty. Whether with my creative expression in art or when I have a normal conversation with someone I find the beauty in that person and try to bring it out of them. I still strive to be unique but I think it comes from a different place now. Before high school, I strove to be unique in the way that I didn't want to be like anybody else, and thus I rejected anything that made me similar to anybody. Now I embrace the unique parts as well as the parts that are shared with others. The parts that are very similar to the person sitting next to me in my classroom, and the parts that are similar to the Professor that is teaching me. So even though I am unique in my creativity and personality, I strive to make a community that is shared. I want to give back to my community by one day providing kids with an art studio. A haven to be able to show their individuality and celebrate it but also find community in commonalities among themselves. And with that comes a safe space for children to be expressive and not feel alone.

I've applied for hundreds of scholarships over the past three years and have received hundreds of different prompts. With these prompts came the realization that I've been at a disadvantage because of my family's socioeconomic and financial status. I wouldn't say I was acutly aware of our poverty as a child, but I think the way of life has never left me. I was a child that wouldn't ask for toys or fast food because I knew I'd never get it unless I worked to pay for it myself. With these fears came lessons, and I am grateful for the lessons on handling money and the drive to save it wherever possible. But I struggled with my parent's financial burdens as a nine-year-old. I would sneak around the kitchen and rummage for food because our parents didn't have money for snacks. So I ate raw cheddar cheese from a Walmart bag for a secret snack. I got a job at 11 years old walking dogs and babysitting to be able to buy myself new jeans for the upcoming school semester. I knew I dressed differently from all the kids at school, and I made sure never to let my friends come over to my house out of embarrassment. Everyone I knew had big fancy houses with their own rooms, and I lived in a crowded, tiny suburban home with all six of my family members doubling up on the rooms. But what was I supposed to do? My brain was trained to live in a state of poverty and feel ashamed about it. As I grew up and went to college, I started writing essays for scholarships to pay for school. And with them, I realized my hardships of shame were just mindsets and that if I worked hard enough, I could do whatever I put my mind to. Even something that seemed impossible, like paying for school. With the hardships that came with my financial status, I learned that with those financial issues, I had given myself a unique outlook on life and people. I had empathy for those who had significant financial burdens, and I had the want to help my friends and family who were struggling and needed help. That compassion for poverty has strengthened my relationships as I won't judge if a friend needs help paying for a meal, I won't be upset or disgusted by someone asking me for money, and I will always give when I can.

I remember when tangled came out in 2010, it became my new obsession of the month as a nine-year-old. Like many children, I loved the music, the story, and the characters. But something stood out to me about Rapunzel, and it wasn't her long blond hair or extraordinary singing abilities; it was her creativity and hope. I remember being able to identify with how creative she was. And how many things she did alone at home; I was homeschooled and had way too much time to myself, which gave me ample time to paint big pictures, dabble in candle making, paper mache, and chess. As I grew up, Rapunzel stayed my favorite Disney character; she inspired me to be independent and strong but also showed me it was okay to fall in love and rely on people. As she swung that cast iron skillet around as a defense, I learned to carry myself fiercely and independently. I learned how to make my own decisions and opinions and to stick up for myself. Along with those qualities, she showed me that you could never judge a person by appearance, and everyone is the same. Deep down, we all have dreams and aspirations. You need to learn a little about the person to find those aspirations. Like many children and adults, Disney is close to my heart and will always be. Disney's characters shaped us when we were young and still made us laugh when we became adults. All the characters from our childhood stories have beauty and lessons to learn from them. But I can confidently say that rapunzel formed me, teaching me creativity, hope, independence, and most of all, how to dream and have aspirations. All these things combined have brought me to where I am today. My dream to teach art to impoverished schools is now coming true as I get my college degree because I had hope in a dream just like Rapunzel taught me.