1. I didn’t expect to love TXT as much as I do now. I discovered their music during my sophomore year of undergrad, a time I felt disconnected from the world, with no one to turn to. When my sister showed me TXT’s music, I didn’t expect it to stay with me long-term. But I kept coming back to it again and again, and slowly, almost without realizing, fell in love with their sound. 2. From sorority sisters I’ve bonded with for life to a stranger in the elevator holding a Soobin photocard, the most important MOA characteristic is open-mindedness. Whether we’ve interacted once or a hundred times, MOAs consistently create a welcoming space that reflects the group we support. That brief elevator moment turned an unexpected conversation into the beginning of a true friendship, showing the strength of MOA’s togetherness. 3. My TXT bias is Taehyun. I love his dry sense of humor, quick wit, and charisma. While some outside the fandom see him as cold or reserved, those who know him recognize how warm and thoughtful he truly is. I relate to that, as I can also come across as distant at first, even when I care deeply. His kindness and dedication to his craft are also incredibly inspiring. 4. My ultimate bias is Taehyun! I relate to him as a fellow “ST” personality type, and I admire how thoughtful and intentional he is in the way he shows care for others. He inspires me to be more open and intentional in how I express care in my relationships. 5. My favorite TXT song is “Tinnitus (Wanna be a rock).” Musically, I love its groove and atmosphere, and it always lifts my mood. Lyrically, the song resonates with me on a much deeper level through its exploration of burnout and emotional isolation, feelings I’ve related to heavily as a college student balancing heavy responsibilities. I appreciate the vulnerability of this song’s theme and lyrics, because sometimes, I too just wanna be a rock. 6. I saw TXT during their tour in 2023, my first K-pop concert. The moment they stepped on stage, my sister and I froze, knowing this would change our lives. By the end, we were both in tears, not just from excitement, but from how deeply TXT’s music made us feel emotions we didn’t even know we were holding back. 7. My favorite TXT album concept is The Name Chapter: Temptation, holding a special place in my heart as my first official “MOA” comeback. The concept photos are ethereal, but it also stands out to me as a message of growth while longing for the comfort of youth, a feeling that is very familiar in college and beyond. I admire how TXT explored that longing while ultimately choosing growth and maturity by the end of the story, becoming a meaningful transition from adolescence into young adulthood. 8. I am currently a full-time Master of Social Work student at Georgia State University while also balancing two jobs. Alongside classes/coursework, I work an unpaid practicum and an assistantship to cover tuition, totaling about 40 hours per week. My savings are currently covering my other living expenses. 9. Receiving this scholarship would help ease the financial stress of graduate school. My current assistantship position has been unstable, and I am unsure whether I will secure another to cover tuition next semester. Even if I do, assistantships require significant time and energy for limited pay, making stability difficult. 10. TXT has inspired me to become a more compassionate and supportive person. Witnessing the members' genuine care for each other inspired me to do the same for people in my life, encouraging me to practice more intentional empathy in my relationships and future work as a mental health therapist. 11. After graduation, I plan to earn my LMSW + LCSW to become a licensed mental health therapist. In the mental health field, compassionate care can make a life-changing difference, and I hope to contribute positively to the well-being of the communities I serve. I no longer want to just be a rock. I want to be the strong, unwavering, supportive rock for others that TXT has been for me.

When we don’t know where to turn, we turn to art. When I was 16, a very close friend of mine died, and I felt I had nowhere to turn. As I became lost in the grief, I too turned to art. In the animated series “Given”, I was able to see a representation of how heartbreaking a death can be, especially when it was unexpected. Grief lingers, no matter how long your loved one has been gone, and the music in this show captured the essence of what it felt like to be completely and utterly alone, even with people around you. However, it also showed how things will get better. This gave me a lot of hope for my loss, as I was shown examples of how to move on from death. “Given” was instrumental for my mourning process and growth into the person I am today.