My name is Alayah Wilson. I am a recent graduate of the Detroit School of Arts, where my major was dance. Although I have been accepted into several different dance programs, I am choosing to start my college dance journey at Western Michigan University. Throughout my childhood, I rarely had much to say. I was often labeled as being quiet or shy. It was when I got accepted into my first pre-professional dance company, at the age of 11, that I realized that the art of dance had become my first true love. Dance gives me a way to express myself and speak in a way that words cannot. Whenever I find myself going into a shell, dance is the coping mechanism that gets me through. What motivates me to pursue dance at the colligate level is the impact that I want to have on those who watch me dance. I want my audience to feel every bit of energy, emotion, and passion that I put into my art. My dream is to dance for a professional dance company such as Alvin Ailey, Philadanco, or Complexions. Whether my dreams of becoming a professional dancer are fulfilled or not, getting my Bachelor of Fine Arts will allow me, at the very least, to teach the thing that I love to do. Whenever I can share my gift with a younger child or a fellow student, I get an instant sense of gratification. If there is anything that I love more than dancing, it's teaching it. I would love to use my skillset to teach the underserved community of children who may not have the opportunity to have organized dance as a part of their everyday lives. Going to college and doing what I love will not only help perfect my craft but allow me the opportunity to give people something to believe in and give them life. College can be extremely costly, especially when you attend schools with the more elite dance programs. I am hoping that applying for scholarships will help free up some of the financial burden that this may place on my mother. I know that studying dance while making sure I have sufficient study time, will be mentally and physically demanding. This may limit the amount of time that I'll have to participate in a work study program. It would fill my heart with so much gratitude to receive any financial support.

Throughout my childhood, I rarely had much to say. I was often labeled as being quiet or shy. It wasn't until I was enrolled into my first pre-professional dance company that I realized that the art of dance had become my first true love. Dance gives me a way to express myself and speak in a way that words cannot. What motivates me to pursue dance at the colligate level is the impact that I want to have on those who watch me dance. I want my audience to feel every bit of energy, emotion, and passion that I put into my art. Is it possible that what dance does for me can be done for others too? When I think back on my experience during the global pandemic, it felt hopeless and lonely. Having to interact with the world through a screen was traumatic. I found myself going into a shell and my grades began to suffer. Where dance was once a source of joy and fun, it quickly became a coping mechanism for my anxiety and intrusive thoughts. It made me aware that the art of dance was not just a hobby; it could be one of the many tools used to help heal the world. Not only was it my mission to find the original love, fun, and joy that dance once brought, it made me want to share my love for the art even more. I wanted my audience to believe dance has the power to heal. Every performance was that much more meaningful. I also knew that this was something that I wanted to do on a professional level. I felt like I’d finally found my voice and that I would have a powerful story share. My dream is to dance for a professional dance company such as, Alvin Ailey, Philadanco, or Complexions. Whether my dreams of becoming a professional dancer are fulfilled or not, getting my Bachelor of Fine Arts will allow me, at the very least, to teach the thing that I love to do and share its healing properties. Whenever I can share my gift with a younger child or a fellow student, I get an instant sense of gratification. If there is anything that I love more than dancing, it's teaching it. I would love to use my skillset to teach the underserved community of children who may not have the opportunity to have organized dance as a part of their everyday lives. Going to college and doing what I love will not only help perfect my craft but allow me the opportunity to give people something to believe in and give them life.

I am a recent high school graduate of the Detroit School of Arts who has a genuine love for the art of dance. Dance has always given me a way to express myself and speak in a way that words cannot. Although I'm able to perform and compete in most genres, including, ballet, jazz, tap, modern, lyrical, African, and hip-hop, I find the most joy when I am performing contemporary. One of my favorite contemporary pieces is "Have Nots." This piece was choreographed by Mr. Johnathan Jackson. Learning this piece was a challenge but, I loved the authenticity, fluidity, and the story behind the choreography. This dance paints a picture of how financial loss, grief and despair effected so many during the shut down caused by the pandemic. When I think back on my experience during the pandemic, it felt hopeless and lonely. Having to interact with the world through a screen was traumatic. I found myself going into a shell and my grades began to suffer. Where dance was once a source of joy and fun, it quickly became a coping mechanism for my anxiety and intrusive thoughts. It made me aware that the art of dance was not just a hobby; it could be one of the many tools used to help heal the world. Not only was it my mission to find the original love, fun, and joy that dance once brought, it made me want to share my love for the art even more. I wanted my audience to believe dance has the power to heal. Every performance was that much more meaningful. I also knew that this was something that I wanted to do on a professional level. I felt like I’d finally found my voice and that I would have a powerful story share. I am currently enrolled as a dance major at Western Michigan University. What motivates me to pursue dance at the colligate level is the impact that I want to have on those who watch me dance. I want my audience to feel every bit of energy, emotion, and passion that I put into my art. Is it possible that what dance does for me can be done for others too? Whether my dreams of becoming a professional dancer are fulfilled or not, getting my Bachelor of Fine Arts will allow me, at the very least, to teach the thing that I love to do and share its healing properties. Whenever I can share my gift with a younger child or a fellow student, I get an instant sense of gratification. If there is anything that I love more than dancing, it's teaching it. I would love to use my skillset to teach the underserved community of children who may not have the opportunity to have organized dance as a part of their everyday lives. Going to college and doing what I love will not only help perfect my craft but allow me the opportunity to give people something to believe in and give them life.

Dance has always been my true love. It has always given me a way to express myself and speak in a way that words cannot. What motivates me to pursue dance at the colligate level is the impact that I want to have on those who watch me dance. I want my audience to feel every bit of energy, emotion, and passion that I put into my art. Is it possible that what dance does for me can be done for others too? When I think back on my experience during the pandemic, it felt hopeless and lonely. Having to interact with the world through a screen was traumatic. I found myself going into a shell and my grades began to suffer. Where dance was once a source of joy and fun, it quickly became a coping mechanism for my anxiety and intrusive thoughts. It made me aware that the art of dance was not just a hobby; it could be one of the many tools used to help heal the world. Not only was it my mission to find the original love, fun, and joy that dance once brought, it made me want to share my love for the art even more. I wanted my audience to believe dance has the power to heal. Every performance was that much more meaningful. I also knew that this was something that I wanted to do on a professional level. I felt like I’d finally found my voice and that I would have a powerful story share. Whether my dreams of becoming a professional dancer are fulfilled or not, getting my Bachelor of Fine Arts will allow me, at the very least, to teach the thing that I love to do and share its healing properties. Whenever I have the opportunity to share my gift with a younger child or a fellow student, I get an instant sense of gratification. If there is anything that I love more than dancing, it's teaching it. I would love to use my skillset to teach the underserved community of children who may not have the opportunity to have organized dance as a part of their everyday lives. Going to college and doing what I love will not only help perfect my craft but allow me the opportunity to give people something to believe in and give them life.

Finishing high school is a requirement. Pursuing dance in college would be like a dream come true. Dance has always been my true love. It has always given me a way to express myself and speak in a way that words cannot. What motivates me to pursue dance at the colligate level is the impact that I want to have on those who watch me dance. I want my audience to feel every bit of energy, emotion, and passion that I put into this work of art. Is it possible that what dance does for me can be done for others too? When I think back on my ninth-grade experience, during the pandemic, it felt hopeless and lonely. Having to interact with the world thorough a screen was traumatic. I found myself going into a shell and my grades began to suffer. Where dance was once a source of joy and fun, it quickly became a coping mechanism for my constant anxiety and intrusive thoughts. It has made me increasingly aware that the art of dance was not just a hobby, it could be one of the many tools used to help heal the world. Not only was it my mission to find the original love, fun, and joy that dance once brought, it made me want to share my love for the art even more. I wanted my audience to believe that dance has the power to heal. Every performance was that much more meaningful. I also knew right then and there that this was something that I wanted to do on a professional level. Throughout my dance career, I have been to a numerous trainings, competitions, and auditions. During these experiences, I would often find that there were only a few brown faces. Sometimes this would make me feel sad and out of place. Sometimes it would even make me feel like I didn't belong. Going through this experience only made me want to work harder to not only prove to the teachers and judges but, to myself that I do belong and that I have a place in this world of dance. I finally felt like I had found my voice and that I would have a powerful story share. Majoring in dance would not only be a pathway to that professional career, but it will strengthen my ability to convey that story, improve me as an artist, and nurture the confidence that has allowed me to be confident in my own skin.

Finishing high school is a requirement. Pursuing dance in college would be like a dream come true. Dance has always been my true love. It has always given me a way to express myself and speak in a way that words cannot. What motivates me to pursue dance at the colligate level is the impact that I want to have on those who watch me dance. I want my audience to feel every bit of energy, emotion, and passion that I put into this work of art. Is it possible that what dance does for me can be done for others too? When I think back on my ninth-grade experience, during the pandemic, it felt hopeless and lonely. Having to interact with the world thorough a screen was traumatic. I found myself going into a shell and my grades began to suffer. Where dance was once a source of joy and fun, it quickly became a coping mechanism for my constant anxiety and intrusive thoughts. It has made me increasingly aware that the art of dance was not just a hobby, it could be one of the many tools used to help heal the world. Not only was it my mission to find the original love, fun, and joy that dance once brought, it made me want to share my love for the art even more. I wanted my audience to believe that dance has the power to heal. Every performance was that much more meaningful. I also knew right then and there that this was something that I wanted to do on a professional level. I felt like I’d finally found my voice and that I would have a powerful story share. Majoring in dance would not only be a pathway to that professional career, but it will strengthen my ability to convey that story, improve me as an artist, and nurture the confidence that has allowed me to be confident in my own skin. Whether my dreams of becoming a professional dancer are fulfilled or not, getting my Bachelor of Fine Arts will allow me, at the very least, to teach the thing that I love to do and share its healing properties. Whenever I have the opportunity to share my gift with a younger child or a fellow student, I get an instant sense of gratification. If there is anything that I love more than dancing, it's teaching it. I would love to use my skillset to teach the underserved community of children who may not have the opportunity to have organized dance as a part of their everyday lives. Here I am, present time, in my senior year of high school. I am grateful. I am humble. Even though I may not be the straight-A student that I used to be, or the best communicator, I know what I want. Going to college and doing what I love will not only help perfect my craft but allow me the opportunity to give people something to believe in and give them life.

Finishing high school is a requirement. Pursuing dance in college would be like a dream come true. Dance has always been my true love. It has always given me a way to express myself and speak in a way that words cannot. What motivates me to pursue dance at the colligate level is the impact that I want to have on those who watch me dance. I want my audience to feel every bit of energy, emotion, and passion that I put into this work of art. Is it possible that what dance does for me can be done for others too? When I think back on my ninth-grade experience, during the pandemic, it felt hopeless and lonely. Having to interact with the world thorough a screen was traumatic. I found myself going into a shell and my grades began to suffer. Where dance was once a source of joy and fun, it quickly became a coping mechanism for my constant anxiety and intrusive thoughts. It has made me increasingly aware that the art of dance was not just a hobby, it could be one of the many tools used to help heal the world. Not only was it my mission to find the original love, fun, and joy that dance once brought, it made me want to share my love for the art even more. I wanted my audience to believe that dance has the power to heal. Every performance was that much more meaningful. I also knew right then and there that this was something that I wanted to do on a professional level. I felt like I’d finally found my voice and that I would have a powerful story share. Majoring in dance would not only be a pathway to that professional career, but it will strengthen my ability to convey that story, improve me as an artist, and nurture the confidence that has allowed me to be confident in my own skin. Whether my dreams of becoming a professional dancer are fulfilled or not, getting my Bachelor of Fine Arts will allow me, at the very least, to teach the thing that I love to do and share its healing properties. Whenever I have the opportunity to share my gift with a younger child or a fellow student, I get an instant sense of gratification. If there is anything that I love more than dancing, it's teaching it. I would love to use my skillset to teach the underserved community of children who may not have the opportunity to have organized dance as a part of their everyday lives. Here I am, present time, in my senior year of high school. I am grateful. I am humble. Even though I may not be the straight-A student that I used to be, or the best communicator, I know what I want. Going to college and doing what I love will not only help perfect my craft but allow me the opportunity to give people something to believe in and give them life.

@itsslayah___