Losing my little brother in 2020 was a very difficult time of my life. My little brother Civario was 7 when he started a fire and died of smoke inhalation. For a long time after this, I blamed myself for my brother's death. My brother was autistic, obsessed with fire, and started a fire in my room. I blamed myself for not locking the closet doors and having a candle I didn't need. It took a lot of therapy and many long nights to heal. Everything I ever owned was gone, and so was my brother. That night, I had to start from scratch as I waited for my parents to become responsive in the hospital. It took about a year, but I finally began to gain the courage to continue and live on for my brother. I told myself I have to live life to the fullest especially since my brother didn't get to experience his like after age 7. This loss was extremely hard, but believing it was my fault was even harder. I struggled with depression, suicidal feelings, and anger. What happened to my family would normally break others, but we had to continue on and use our situation to help others. My mom was a big part of why I went on. I live everyday trying to make my proud knowing what she went through. Though this was a very hard time for me, I never let it define my character. I did everything in my power to heal and go on with life. I began to pursue my love for singing. This past year, I have been performing at many local venues as I began making my own music. These shows and opportunities have shown me the possibilities of overcoming my situation. I have been blessed to collaborate with many local artists and musicians in my town. Many people know me as a very hard-working individual. I never let my struggles get in the way of my dreams. This took a lot of brain power to finally be at peace. I began recording and producing my own music last year. From thinking I'll never be happy again to having a career plan, I am extremely proud of myself. As I'm headed to college for music production in the fall, I will be attending Drexel University in Philadelphia. I am extremely grateful and happy with where I'm at in life.

“Where words fail, music speaks.” I’ve had a great passion for music since my first recording session at age 10. I’ve always looked up to great artists and producers such as Alicia Keys, Whitney Houston, Swizz Beatz, and Metro Boomin. Recently I’ve been working on many independent and collaborative projects. As I developed my own home studio, I enjoy producing and creating original music, covers, and remakes. This past year has been full of performances, studio sessions, and great experiences. In this past year I’ve performed live at many local events, where I made great connections and memories. I’ve been blessed to perform at SK814 action sports park, Mcgarvey's pub, Altoona Grand Hotel, 4D’s lounge, Studio 404, Grin Gallery, and more. I was able to put on my own live music event, “The Hip-Hop Club,” which had an amazing turn out. The show consisted of many performances from local musicians including myself. We invited local art vendors as well. This event brought many members of our town together. In addition to “The Hip-Hop Club,” I also have an upcoming event planned for halloween. For this event, I’ve invited two alternative bands to establish diversity within the genres. I truly enjoy putting together these events. I look forward to bringing the community together as often as possible. As many local artists gain exposure and profit. I’ve been involved in Chorus and Vocal Ensemble all through junior high through to my senior year. Being involved in these groups, I’ve performed at all of our annual winter, spring, and local performances. These classes greatly strengthened my musical skills and musicianship. I’ve been working part time at the Greenbean Coffee House as a barista for two and a half years now. My job really helps me get more involved within the community as we provide many donations and special events for the community. I enjoy R&B music and spend a lot of my free time creating and producing songs. Music truly helped me get through my personal hardships and struggles my entire life. After losing my little brother in 2020, I made a goal to find a career I will love. With a strong goal to make my family proud I’m excited to start my musical education journey after high school. After deep thought, I’ve been determined to build a career in the music industry. I aspire to be a music producer in my future, but many factors of my journey may change. I am eager to establish my life long career in the music industry. Thank you for your time and consideration.

“Where words fail, music speaks.” I’ve had a great passion for music since my first recording session at age 10. I’ve always looked up to great artists and producers such as Alicia Keys, Whitney Houston, Swizz Beatz, and Metro Boomin. Recently I’ve been working on many independent and collaborative projects. As I developed my own home studio, I enjoy producing and creating original music, covers, and remakes. This past year has been full of performances, studio sessions, and great experiences. In this past year I’ve performed live at many local events, where I made great connections and memories. I’ve been blessed to perform at SK814 action sports park, Mcgarvey's pub, Altoona Grand Hotel, 4D’s lounge, Studio 404, Grin Gallery, and more. I was able to put on my own live music event, “The Hip-Hop Club,” which had an amazing turn out. The show consisted of many performances from local musicians including myself. We invited local art vendors as well. This event brought many members of our town together. In addition to “The Hip-Hop Club,” I also have an upcoming event planned for halloween. For this event, I’ve invited two alternative bands to establish diversity within the genres. I truly enjoy putting together these events. I look forward to bringing the community together as often as possible. As many local artists gain exposure and profit. I’ve been involved in Chorus and Vocal Ensemble all through junior high through to my senior year. Being involved in these groups, I’ve performed at all of our annual winter, spring, and local performances. These classes greatly strengthened my musical skills and musicianship. I’ve been working part time at the Greenbean Coffee House as a barista for two and a half years now. My job really helps me get more involved within the community as we provide many donations and special events for the community. I enjoy R&B music and spend a lot of my free time creating and producing songs. Music truly helped me get through my personal hardships and struggles my entire life. After losing my little brother in 2020, I made a goal to find a career I will love. With a strong goal to make my family proud I’m excited to start my musical education journey after high school. After deep thought, I’ve been determined to build a career in the music industry. I aspire to be a music producer in my future, but many factors of my journey may change. I am eager to establish my life long career in the music industry. Thank you for your time and consideration.

“Where words fail, music speaks.” I’ve had a great passion for music since my first recording session at age 10. I’ve always looked up to great artists and producers such as Alicia Keys, Whitney Houston, Swizz Beatz, and Metro Boomin. Recently I’ve been working on many independent and collaborative projects. As I developed my own home studio, I enjoy producing and creating original music, covers, and remakes. This past year has been full of performances, studio sessions, and great experiences. In this past year I’ve performed live at many local events, where I made great connections and memories. I’ve been blessed to perform at SK814 action sports park, Mcgarvey's pub, Altoona Grand Hotel, 4D’s lounge, Studio 404, Grin Gallery, and more. I was able to put on my own live music event, “The Hip-Hop Club,” which had an amazing turn out. The show consisted of many performances from local musicians including myself. We invited local art vendors as well. This event brought many members of our town together. In addition to “The Hip-Hop Club,” I also have an upcoming event planned for halloween. For this event, I’ve invited two alternative bands to establish diversity within the genres. I truly enjoy putting together these events. I look forward to bringing the community together as often as possible. As many local artists gain exposure and profit. I’ve been involved in Chorus and Vocal Ensemble all through junior high through to my senior year. Being involved in these groups, I’ve performed at all of our annual winter, spring, and local performances. These classes greatly strengthened my musical skills and musicianship. I’ve been working part time at the Greenbean Coffee House as a barista for two and a half years now. My job really helps me get more involved within the community as we provide many donations and special events for the community. I enjoy R&B music and spend a lot of my free time creating and producing songs. Music truly helped me get through my personal hardships and struggles my entire life. After losing my little brother in 2020, I made a goal to find a career I will love. With a strong goal to make my family proud I’m excited to start my musical education journey after high school. After deep thought, I’ve been determined to build a career in the music industry. I aspire to be a music producer in my future, but many factors of my journey may change. I am eager to establish my life long career in the music industry. Thank you for your time and consideration.

“Where words fail, music speaks.” I’ve had a great passion for music since my first recording session at age 10. I’ve always looked up to great artists and producers such as Alicia Keys, Whitney Houston, Swizz Beatz, and Metro Boomin. Recently I’ve been working on many independent and collaborative projects. As I developed my own home studio, I enjoy producing and creating original music, covers, and remakes. This past year has been full of performances, studio sessions, and great experiences. In this past year I’ve performed live at many local events, where I made great connections and memories. I’ve been blessed to perform at SK814 action sports park, Mcgarvey's pub, Altoona Grand Hotel, 4D’s lounge, Studio 404, Grin Gallery, and more. I was able to put on my own live music event, “The Hip-Hop Club,” which had an amazing turn out. The show consisted of many performances from local musicians including myself. We invited local art vendors as well. This event brought many members of our town together. In addition to “The Hip-Hop Club,” I also have an upcoming event planned for halloween. For this event, I’ve invited two alternative bands to establish diversity within the genres. I truly enjoy putting together these events. I look forward to bringing the community together as often as possible. As many local artists gain exposure and profit. I’ve been involved in Chorus and Vocal Ensemble all through junior high through to my senior year. Being involved in these groups, I’ve performed at all of our annual winter, spring, and local performances. These classes greatly strengthened my musical skills and musicianship. I’ve been working part time at the Greenbean Coffee House as a barista for two and a half years now. My job really helps me get more involved within the community as we provide many donations and special events for the community. I enjoy R&B music and spend a lot of my free time creating and producing songs. Music truly helped me get through my personal hardships and struggles my entire life. After losing my little brother in 2020, I made a goal to find a career I will love. With a strong goal to make my family proud I’m excited to start my musical education journey after high school. After deep thought, I’ve been determined to build a career in the music industry. I aspire to be a music producer in my future, but many factors of my journey may change. I am eager to establish my life long career in the music industry. Thank you for your time and consideration.

My little brother passed away when he was just 7. Civario had autism and was considered nonverbal. He liked what he liked, and what he liked would soon become an obsession. As an example, wherever we went, he had to flush their toilet before we could do anything. The random obsessions grew as he got older, and they started to become dangerous. But it wasn't long before they became out of control. I bet you couldn't guess the next and last one—fire. Civario had lit a fire in my room, and he got in through our connecting closet doors. All the doors had locks on the top, for his and our safety. I just wasn't thinking that night; obviously, I didn't know he would do that. But I'm the one who didn't lock the closet door. I'm the one who made him go upstairs just because he was listening to a song I didn't want to hear. I'm the one who would call him “so annoying” for just walking into my room. I’m the one who was jealous of the attention that our mother was giving him. I'm the one who had a lighter on my nightstand for a candle I didn't need. It’s really not that hard to walk around every day with just the thought of my little brother passing away. But goodness, is it hard to walk around every day with the thought of my little brother's death being my fault? Those were my words the first week of 10th grade. Music has really helped me get through these times. As I went to therapy every week, I was determined to take care of my mental health. It took me a while, but I had to realize and accept that this was not my fault. Now I'm a senior in high school with a 4.0 GPA. I established a career as an independent artist, and I've been blessed to sing at many local venues with many local artists. As I continue my career in music, I will always have the thought of my brother in my mind. Though he wasn't here with me through it all, I know he will continue to be with me throughout my journey. His memory means so much to me because he was really just an innocent soul thriving for a good time. As I go off to college in the fall for music production, I will never forget how I got to this position.

My little brother passed away when he was just 7. Civario had autism and was considered nonverbal.  He liked what he liked, and what he liked would soon become an obsession. As an example, wherever we went, he had to flush their toilet before we could do anything. The random obsessions grew as he got older, and they started to become dangerous. But it wasn't long before they became out of control. I bet you couldn't guess the next and last one... fire. As my brother was upstairs playing, we were about 5 minutes into a show when my stepdad sat up fast and said, “Do you guys smell smoke?” My mom said yes and bolted up the steps behind my stepdad.  I was following my mom until I got half way up the steps, and a wave of heat almost took me out. As the heat wave almost killed me, I watched my mom walk straight into the flames, determined to save my brother. This I will never unsee. I got out and started calling 911 and knocking on all my neighbors' doors until one answered. The fire trucks came, and I watched them carry my bloody, sobbing mom down the cement steps to the side of my house. Soon enough, a firefighter asked if I knew anything about what had happened to my mom, brother, and stepdad. I told him no, and he proceeded to tell me that my stepdad and mom had a lot of complications, but they would be okay. He didn't even get to finish his sentence before I asked, “Okay, so what about my brother, the little boy? Is he ok?” I could just tell by the look on his face; he looked at me heartbroken, put his head down, and started shaking it. At that moment, I realized I had taken everything I ever had for granted and that life would never be the same. Civario had lit the fire in my room, and he got in through our connecting closet doors. All the doors had locks on the top, for his and our safety. I just wasn't thinking that night; obviously, I didn't know he would do that. But I'm the one who didn't lock the closet door. I'm the one who made him go upstairs just because he was listening to a song I didn't want to hear. I'm the one who would call him “so annoying” for just walking into my room. I’m the one who was jealous of the attention that our mother was giving him. I'm the one who had a lighter on my nightstand for a candle I didn't need. It’s really not that hard to walk around every day with just the thought of my little brother passing away. But goodness, is it hard to walk around every day with the thought of my little brother's death being my fault? Those were my words the first week of 10th grade. Music has really helped me get through these times. As I went to therapy every week, I was determined to take care of my mental health. It took me a while, but I had to realize and accept that this was not my fault. Now I'm a senior in high school with a 4.0 GPA. I established a career as an independent artist, and I've been blessed to sing at many local venues with many local artists. As I go off to college in the fall for music production, I will never forget how I got to this position.

Zendaya has been a prominent figure in the entertainment business for many years now. I remember dancing and singing along to her Disney series as a young kid. She starred in many films in the early 2000s, and she began pursuing her musical career. As a performer, she had many successes in acting and in music. I aspire to also become a strong figure in the entertainment business. I look up to many of her qualities. I mainly admire her humble demeanor.  Many celebrities rely on social media drama to keep their names prominent in the industry. Zendaya is not in that category of people. She hasn't stopped improving as a professional in many years without social media influence. She also stared in the series "Euphoria," an extremely popular drama. This series really shows her acting skills and passion for entertainment.  This series also demonstrated the hardships of addiction. I respect her role and her approach to displaying this role. In addition to great feedback from her own music journey, the Euphoria series also released a sound track where she was on most tracks. Another project she participated in was "The Greatest Showman," a musical. I admire her diverse interest in the industry, as she has evolved from Disney series to musicals to dramas and many more. I hope one day I can leave an impact on the next generation the way she has left one on mine.

I don’t think there's a minute or even a second of a day that I don't think about this loss, and replay it in my head over and over again. You may ask “Who's that little boy in your phone case and on your binder?” and 10 times out of 10 I will say “My dead brother” with a straight face. My mom has so many speeches on how it brought the community together, how our story has saved so many other families, and how our strength encourages others. I know in her mind, just like mine, those things could never replace what's now gone forever. Let me tell you who Civario is. Civario is my 9-year-old little brother in heaven. He passed when he was just 7. Civario had autism. Because of that reason, he was nonverbal. Let me rephrase, that he was considered nonverbal. As he got older he became better at communicating; it just took him longer to turn his thoughts into words. He might not have been the most talkative but he was very smart. He liked what he liked, and what he liked would soon become an obsession. As an example, toilets. When he was 5-6 years old he was so amazed by just a flushing toilet, any toilet. Anywhere we went he would immediately look for the bathroom and go flush the toilet. The obsession grew and soon he started flushing our makeup, toothbrushes, and anything else he could find. We would tell him no, take his iPad, and ground him, but punishments and authority did not phase him. Eventually, there were locks at the top of every door in the house. The random obsessions grew as he got older, and they started to become dangerous. But it wasn't long before they became out of control. I bet you couldn't guess the next, and last one… fire. My mom, my stepdad, and I could feel each other being distant. So we decided to just watch a series together. We were about 5 minutes into our show and my stepdad sat up so fast and said “Do you guys smell smoke?” My mom said yes and bolted up the steps behind my stepdad. I was following my mom until I got halfway up the steps and a wave of heat almost took me out. As the heat wave almost killed me, I watched my mom walk straight into the flames, determined to save my brother. I knew I needed to get out and call 911. But I watched my mom run into a room of burning flames and that's something I'll never unsee. I got out and started calling 911 and knocking on all my neighbors' doors till one answered. Even though it felt like forever, soon the fire trucks came and I watched them carry my bloody burnt sobbing mom down the cement steps to the side of my house. A firefighter asked if I knew anything about what had happened to my mom, brother and stepdad. I told him no and he proceeded to tell me that my stepdad and mom had a lot of complications but they would be okay. At this point, I had a gut feeling about it. He didn't even get to finish his sentence before I asked “Okay so what about my brother, the little boy, is he ok?” I could just tell by the look on his face, he looked at me heartbroken, put his head down and started shaking it. At that moment, I realized I had taken everything I ever had for granted and that life would never be the same. It's been three years and though I miss my brother greatly, I finally realized my purpose in life. Music has been my outlet throughout this journey, and my mom has been my rock. This past year, I have been working and making as much music as possible. I was able to put on my hip-hop show that had a great turnout. I've decided to make a career out of my passion for music. My motivation is truly my future. I strive every day to learn something I didn't know, create some sort of content, and make my mom proud.

As a young girl, my mother always annoyed me. Nagging me to clean my room, nagging me to do my school work; I always wondered as a kid, "Does she even want me to have any fun?" After our loss of my little brother, Civario, I realized many things. I spent many hard months alone in my room, crying into my pillow. I often wondered why the universe would have taken my little brother. I became sick to my stomach for weeks. For lack of food, lack of motivation, and lack of happiness. I became angry at myself for not getting anywhere, but I couldn't. I began to realize that life is short... After a hard day in high school, I'd come home complaining about my peers, and teachers. My mom had always taught me that people management is important. "Your entire life, you will have bosses you hate, coworkers you can't stand. You can't just not work, the same way you can't just stop school. What can you control?" What can I control? This question comes to my head frequently in my everyday life. At the age of 15, I was focused on getting a job fast. Within a year a six months, I was able to buy my car. This was a great accomplishment, but I can't forget without my mom's help, rides, and support, it wouldn't be possible. Even since I was a little girl I had a strong love for music and singing. I had a great opportunity to begin recording in a studio, my original music. In the past year, I have sung at over 10 shows as an artist. I have over 10 original songs, most of them I produced on my own. I've had many troubles with people in the industry, but I always focused on what I could control. When I was in bed sobbing over the loss of my brother, I never thought anything would make me happy again, but music did. My mother has been by my side through this entire journey. After a rough junior year, I finally came to a realization. Life is short, and why live life if there's nothing to live for? I began assessing my hopes and dreams, and from then on I've been more determined to excel in my future. With my great love for music, I've decided to go for a Music Industry degree at Drexel University. I don't think I've ever been more excited for change.