When I look back on my childhood, my heart breaks. It aches for the happy toddler who did not know how unhappy I would be during the latter years of my childhood and for the adolescent who truly believed that the world would be a better place if she was not in it. During my preteen years, I became unfavorably aware of things that I never gave much thought as a child. Suddenly, it mattered where I bought my clothes, how skinny I was, that hormones had advertised themselves as pimples and scars all over my face, and that nobody at school had expressed any romantic interest in me. It is normal to become a little more self conscious during this formative period in one’s life, though I wish external factors had not made my becoming aware so unpleasant. My middle school experience is not one I look back on fondly, as those three years were characterized by cyberbullying and unfavorable company. After transitioning into high school, I fell deeper and deeper into depression. In 2021, my symptoms became hard to ignore. For the first time, I considered ending my life as a solution to the pain and stress I was experiencing. I felt like I was fading and nobody was noticing. Eventually, I went to the counselor and reported my suicidal ideation. In the following years, I was in and out of hospitals, therapy, and the high school that I graduated from had put special policies in place after I tried to jump from the third floor of the building. Unfortunately, mental health has traditionally been a taboo topic in black households. Being raised by a Jamaican parent, I can attest to the strict and sometimes emotionally harmful environment that can exist in our culture. My single mother did her best to support me, but a disconnect existed between us, given the difference in our cultures and generations. Music and therapy became staples for me. In addition to employing skills that I had learned to rewire my thinking, writing out my experiences in the form of song lyrics and playing my guitar have been a huge part of my healing journey. Given the profound impact music had on my healing, I aspire to give back through my musicality. I want to spread awareness, put difficult feelings into words, and give a voice to those who are usually not heard. For instance, I recently wrote and recorded a song that alerts the loved ones of people who are struggling to pay attention to the warning signs before their loved one does something drastic. My goal is to help even one person realize that they are not alone. After what I have been through, I now understand that goals do not need to be grand. Sometimes getting out of bed is an accomplishment. I have learned to celebrate the small victories, such as going months or even just weeks without having a panic attack, given that I used to have them on a daily basis. My experience with mental health has also shaped my view on relationships. Considering how much I was struggling when nobody knew, I have realized that I am not the only one struggling. I am working on being more considerate of how my actions affect those around me. I have also learned that building relationships takes vulnerability. Letting people in and building trust is healthy for relationships. After opening up, I have strengthened relationships that I already had and made new friends, who accept me despite my imperfections. My trauma has me stronger overall.

When I look back on my childhood, my heart breaks. It aches for the happy toddler who did not know how unhappy I would be during the latter years of my childhood and for the adolescent who truly believed that the world would be a better place if she was not in it. During my preteen years, I became unfavorably aware of things that I never gave much thought as a child. Suddenly, it mattered where I bought my clothes, how skinny I was, that hormones had advertised themselves as pimples and scars all over my face, and that nobody at school had expressed any romantic interest in me. It is normal to become a little more self conscious during this formative period in one’s life, though I wish external factors had not made my becoming aware so unpleasant. My middle school experience is not one I look back on fondly, as those three years were characterized by cyberbullying and unfavorable company. After transitioning into high school, I fell deeper and deeper into depression. In 2021, my symptoms became hard to ignore. For the first time, I considered ending my life as a solution to the pain and stress I was experiencing. I felt like I was fading and nobody was noticing. Eventually, I went to the counselor and reported my suicidal ideation. In the following years, I was in and out of hospitals, therapy, and the high school that I graduated from had put special policies in place after I tried to jump from the third floor of the building. Unfortunately, mental health has traditionally been a taboo topic in black households. Being raised by a Jamaican parent, I can attest to the strict and sometimes emotionally harmful environment that can exist in our culture. My single mother did her best to support me, but a disconnect existed between us, given the difference in our cultures and generations. Music and therapy became staples for me. In addition to employing skills that I had learned to rewire my thinking, writing out my experiences in the form of song lyrics and playing my guitar have been a huge part of my healing journey. Given my journey with mental health, I now understand that goals do not need to be grand. Sometimes getting out of bed is an accomplishment. I have learned to celebrate the small victories, such as going months or even just weeks without having a panic attack, given that I used to have them on a daily basis. My experience with mental health has also shaped my view on relationships. Considering how much I was struggling when nobody knew, I have realized that I am not the only one struggling. I am working on being more considerate of how my actions affect those around me. I have also learned that building relationships takes vulnerability. Letting people in and building trust is healthy for relationships. After opening up, I have strengthened relationships that I already had and made new friends, who accept me despite my imperfections. I want to give back to my community by spreading awareness, putting difficult feelings into words, and giving a voice to those who are usually not heard. For instance, I recently wrote and recorded a song that alerts the loved ones of people who are struggling to pay attention to the warning signs before their loved one does something drastic. My goal is to help even one person realize that they are not alone.

The lyric from GUTS that most resonates with my teenage experience is, “They all say that it gets better…but what if I don’t?” A common saying grownups tell us when we are going through a hard time is, “Everything is going to be okay.” When one is so accustomed to being let down, that sentiment can be hard to believe. When I look back at my adolescent years, my heart breaks. It aches for the teenager who truly believed that the world would be a better place if she was not in it. During my preteen years, I became unfavorably aware of things that I never gave much thought as a child. Suddenly, it mattered where I bought my clothes, how skinny I was, that hormones had advertised themselves as pimples and scars all over my face, and that nobody at school had expressed any romantic interest in me. It is normal to become a little more self conscious during this formative period in one’s life, but I wish external factors had not made my becoming aware so unpleasant. I was made to feel that I was not good enough because the girls in my grade called me ugly and other unkind words both through anonymous online forums and to my face; the boys in my grade called me loud, annoying, cringe. I heard these things so often, that they started to sound like facts. In 2021, my symptoms became prominent. I was shaking violently in class without knowing how to control it. For the first time, I considered ending my life as a solution to the pain and stress I was experiencing. I felt like I was fading and nobody was noticing. In the following years, I was in and out of hospitals, therapy, and the high school that I graduated from had put special policies in place after I tried to jump from the third floor of the building. I am in recovery, but sometimes the question dawns on me, “What if things never get better?” or “What if things around me get better, but I am stuck in a troubled mindset that prevents me from appreciating the change?” Despite how I may feel sometimes, I know that I am not the only one who feels this way from time to time. Olivia perfectly encapsulates this doubtful thinking pattern with that lyric from the closing track on the standard edition of GUTS, “teenage dream.”

In primary school, I was referred to as the “smart kid” by my peers. An invisible bar had been set from that early in my life, pressuring me to live up to my so-called smart title. Not many eyes were batted when I memorized my times tables by the age of seven, and nothing less was expected than me testing into the gifted program or reading several levels above the rest of my classmates. Adults around me and I recognized that I had an aptitude for various careers, but aptitude does not equal affinity. Despite making mostly A’s in my classes, nothing made me happy like coming home and singing my heart out, sometimes to my mother’s annoyance. That is not to say that I did not enjoy the more academically-challenging subjects. I loved math, and my mom and I laugh upon reflecting on the way I used to geek out over the different types of clouds in the sky. I would give my mom lectures about scientific concepts, ranging from the differences between frogs and toads to facts about newly discovered dwarf planets. Seventh grade marked the beginning of an ongoing tumultuous period in my life. In elementary school, people called me smart but otherwise did not express many opinions of me. In elementary school, I was not berated and ridiculed for the clothes I wore or how my face looked. Before 2018, my mother had a happy daughter. Since I lost my confidence, things have been hard for my family. Circumstances were already tough with my mom filling the roles of both mother and father, but prior to then, I was content despite the untraditional nature of my family. In 2021, I was hospitalized and diagnosed with severe depression and anxiety. A later diagnosis of PTSD would explain the way I was triggered by anything that reminded me of seventh grade and how inferior I felt. It was also around this time that I began to realize how important music was to me. From a tender age, I knew that I wanted to “be a singer”, but the challenges that life threw my way gave music a new meaning in my life. When I would have a panic attack, my family would encourage me to sing, knowing that singing brought me joy. It was amazing, the way tension would instantly leave my body when I began to sing. Singing compounded with my longtime hobby of writing have served as two of my favorite coping mechanisms. An honor roll student choosing to pursue a career in music does not seem fitting, as many adults in my life have said or implied. Despite the advice I have been given to consider a different path, I have been persistent in my musical pursuits. I enjoy the traditional academic subjects, such as math, science, and history, but none of these disciplines have had as large an impact on me as music did. In five years, I see myself recording my songs professionally to heal listeners in the way that music has healed me. I am in need of financial assistance so that I can fulfill this dream as a testament to a battle overcome. Thank you for this opportunity.

For as long as I can remember, music has been an integral part of my life. Given my affinity for music, I knew from a tender age that I wanted to pursue a career in music. I have been singing for almost as long as I could talk. My love of music extended to paper and pen around when I was in third grade. I had dabbled in songwriting for a few years before then, but I consider “See Your Face,” by eight-year-old Alyssa to be my debut. For the past decade, I have been honing various music-related skills, which have allowed me to create more complex works than an amateur song written about an eight year old’s concept of what it feels like to miss a lover. I participated in chorus classes in school where my schedule allowed it. Choral courses provided much of the preliminary knowledge that would later help me to pick up instruments, such as the acoustic guitar and keyboard/piano. Now, I combine my love for songwriting, singing, instrumentation, and production to create multiple original works that I share on my online platforms. Upon reflection, I can say that music has not only served as a pastime for me but also a way of coping. Being human, my life has naturally seen many mountains and valleys. More recently, I was diagnosed with a few chronic disorders, which have presented many challenges for me, mood stability being among the most prominent. When I first started suffering from panic attacks, singing would instantly diffuse tension from my body. In 2022, my uncle suggested that I start learning guitar to accompany my singing and provide a healthy distraction from my problems. Reconciling my passions by writing out my feelings or experiences and putting them to music on my guitar or piano has proven to be therapeutic for me. Seeing how much music has impacted my life, I would love to inspire others and create music that can heal listeners in the same way that music has healed me. When it comes to making a worldwide impact, my goal is to spread awareness by putting difficult feelings into words and giving a voice to those who are usually not heard. For instance, I recently wrote and recorded a song that alerts the loved ones of people who are struggling to pay attention to the warning signs before their loved one does something drastic. Despite my various musical pursuits, singing has been and will always be most dear to me. I know that there is always room for improvement, which is why I would like to continue honing skills that will improve my vocal technique. I am hopeful that I will be considered for this scholarship as a step toward bettering my musicality in an undergraduate program and fulfilling my passion. Thanks.

My days as a Carpenter date way back to 2014 when she was starring on my favorite Disney show, "Girl Meets World." I was immediately drawn to the show because of the more mature tone that it took, and I was especially drawn to Carpenter's character, Maya Hart. Maya represented the character who did not come from a privileged background, which Disney did not typically portray. I believe that Carpenter played the role very well, giving Maya's character a charismatic edge. As I have followed Sabrina Carpenter since "Girl Meets World" ended, it has become apparent why she brought such charm to Maya Hart. Carpenter has that same charm and cheeky personality that Maya did. Her personality coupled with her dynamic singing voice has carried her far in the industry and kept me in her fandom. I have been following Sabrina Carpenter's music journey since the release of her debut album, "Eyes Wide Open." The clever lyricism and her seemingly effortless range made her music a pleasure to listen to. As I have followed her career, I have watched her musicianship evolve. Her most recent album, "emails i can't send," had many earworms and vulnerable songwriting that made me fall deeper in love with her. In addition to her talent and charisma, Sabrina Carpenter has shown endurance. It took almost a decade of hard work for her to finally get the recognition that she does today. Things were made especially hard for her, following the 2021 "drivers license" controversy. People sent death threats to Carpenter based on assumptions they had made about a situation that they knew very little about. The way Sabrina Carpenter handled this tumultuous period, even making art from her struggle, is admirable. I have loved and will continue to follow Sabrina Carpenter because she brings a lot of great talent and personality to the music industry, which is important to a music-lover like myself.

When I look back on my childhood, my heart breaks. It aches for the happy toddler who did not know how unhappy I would be during the latter years of my childhood and for the adolescent who truly believed that the world would be a better place if she was not in it. During my preteen years, I became unfavorably aware of things that I never gave much thought as a child. Suddenly, it mattered where I bought my clothes, how skinny I was, that hormones had advertised themselves as pimples and scars all over my face, and that nobody at school had expressed any romantic interest in me. It is normal to become a little more self conscious during this formative period in one’s life, though I wish external factors had not made my becoming aware so unpleasant. My middle school experience is not one I look back on fondly, as those three years were characterized by cyberbullying and unfavorable company. After transitioning into high school, I fell deeper and deeper into depression. In 2021, my symptoms became hard to ignore. For the first time, I considered ending my life as a solution to the pain and stress I was experiencing. I felt like I was fading and nobody was noticing. Eventually, I went to the counselor and reported my suicidal ideation. In the following years, I was in and out of hospitals, therapy, and the high school that I graduated from had put special policies in place after I tried to jump from the third floor of the building. Unfortunately, mental health has traditionally been a taboo topic in black households. Being raised by a Jamaican parent, I can attest to the strict and sometimes emotionally harmful environment that can exist in our culture. My single mother did her best to support me, but a disconnect existed between us, given the difference in our cultures and generations. Music and therapy became staples for me. In addition to employing skills that I had learned in therapy to rewire my thinking, writing out my experiences in the form of song lyrics and playing my guitar have been a huge part of my healing journey. Given my journey with mental health, I now understand that goals do not need to be grand. Sometimes getting out of bed is an accomplishment. I have learned to celebrate the small victories, such as going months or even just weeks without having a panic attack, given that I used to have them on a daily basis. My experience with mental health has also shaped my view on relationships. Considering how much I was struggling when nobody knew, I have realized that I am not the only one struggling. I am working on being more considerate of how my actions affect those around me. I have also learned that building relationships takes vulnerability. Letting people in and building trust is healthy for relationships. After opening up, I have strengthened relationships that I already had and made new friends, who accept me despite my imperfections. If I were to write my story, maybe I would exclude the traumatic events that I mentioned. None of us gets that privilege, but I think I am better for it.

Given my affinity for music, I knew from a tender age that I wanted to pursue a career in music. I have been singing for almost as long as I could talk. Upon reflection, I can say that music has not only served as a pastime for me but also a way of coping. Being human, my life has seen many mountains and valleys. More recently, I was diagnosed with a few chronic disorders. These disorders have presented many challenges for me, mood stability being among the most prominent. When I first started suffering from panic attacks, singing would instantly diffuse tension from my body. In 2022, my uncle suggested that I start learning guitar to accompany my singing and provide a healthy distraction from my problems. Reconciling my passions by writing out my feelings or experiences and putting them to music accompanied by my guitar or piano has been therapeutic for me. I would love to inspire others and create music that can heal listeners in the same way that music has healed me. When it comes to making a worldwide impact, my goal is to spread awareness by putting difficult feelings into words and giving a voice to those who are usually not heard. For instance, I recently wrote and recorded a song that alerts the loved ones of people who are struggling to pay attention to the warning signs before their loved one does something drastic. The song also includes the suicide hotline in the lyrics, something that I hope will make people who are suffering suicidal ideation more aware of what resources are available to them. I feel that the message of this song coming from a black female born of immigrant parents can be especially impactful because mental health is unfortunately a taboo topic in our culture. I want to give back to my community by taking the hardships that I have been through and turning them into art that can help even one person realize that they are not alone. As big as my dreams are, I recognize that I have to be realistic. There is not always an easy path to the top, especially for young, black females, like myself. I see my dreams coming to fruition as an all-around win because I can make a living doing what I love and inspire other young black women to chase their dreams as well. I am hopeful that I will be considered for this scholarship as a step toward making my dreams a reality.

When I look back on my childhood, my heart breaks. It aches for the happy toddler who did not know of how unhappy I would be during the latter years of my childhood and for the adolescent who truly believed that the world would be a better place if she was not in it. Most people believe that my struggle with mental health began when I was diagnosed with chronic depression in 2021 or even when I was bullied during middle school. In hindsight, I realize that my mental health was built on a weak foundation that was easy to shake with the first unkind comment. During my preteen years, I became unfavorably aware of things that I never gave much thought as a child. Suddenly, it mattered where I bought my clothes, how skinny I was, that hormones had advertised themselves as pimples and scars all over my face, and that nobody at school had expressed any romantic interest in me. It is normal to become a little more self conscious during this formative period in one’s life, though I wish external factors had not made my becoming aware so unpleasant. I was made to feel that I was not good enough because the girls in my grade called me ugly and other unkind words both through anonymous online forums and to my face; the boys in my grade called me loud, annoying, cringe. I heard these things so often, that they started to sound like facts. Wanting to separate myself from the main perpetrators, I applied for a different high school from the one that I would have naturally matriculated into. I got in and thought that the different crowd was what I needed. I ended up withdrawing from this school after attending for three semesters because I encountered a different source of stress, which I now realize was because my mindset had not changed. In 2021, my symptoms became hard not to notice. I was shaking violently in class without knowing how to control it. For the first time, I considered ending my life as a solution to the pain and stress I was experiencing. I felt like I was fading and nobody was noticing. Eventually, I went to the counselor and reported my suicidal ideation. In the following years, I was in and out of hospitals, therapy, and the high school that I graduated from had put special policies in place after I tried to jump from the third floor of the building. I cannot say that I am out of the woods with my own journey, as healing does not typically follow a linear path; however, I have grown a lot from where I started. I have started raising awareness about mental health to let people know that they are not alone. I intend to continue spreading awareness in the way I know best by creating songs that can help others to heal in the same way that music has healed me. If I were to rewrite my story, maybe I would exclude some of the traumatic events that I mentioned. None of us gets that privilege, but I think I am better for it.

Throughout my school career, I have had a love-hate relationship with most academic subjects. Despite my wavering like and dislike of the various subjects, I have loved math because it is consistent, logical, and useful. For someone as arts-oriented as myself, one would expect me to like the idea of questions having multiple answers than can be true. I cannot say that I fit that stereotype. I like knowing that if I put in a certain combination of operations, I will get a consistent answer. This applies not only to math problems, but to life. In a world of uncertainty, it is comforting to know that one and one will always add to equal two. I also love that math makes sense. I remember my calculus teacher, who loved to say, “Math is beautiful!” when teaching a new concept. I agree with her because there is beauty in the fact that math follows specific rules and patterns that can be explained with logical reasoning. Further, math is a subject that we truly will need beyond K-12 and even college. This does not only pertain to aspiring mathematicians and engineers. Math will come into play for the everyday citizen when doing supermarket transactions, making a budget, planning, and so much more. To “sum” it up, math is logical because it is consistent and useful because it is logical.

For as long as I can remember, music has been an integral part of my life. Given my affinity for music, I knew from a tender age that I wanted to pursue a career in music. I have been singing for almost as long as I could talk. My love of music extended to paper and pen around when I was in third grade. I had dabbled in songwriting for a few years before then, but I consider “See Your Face,” by eight-year-old Alyssa to be my debut. Upon reflection, I can say that music has not only served as a pastime for me but also a way of coping. Being human, my life has naturally seen many mountains and valleys. More recently, I was diagnosed with a few chronic disorders, which have presented many challenges for me, mood stability being among the most prominent. When I first started suffering from panic attacks, singing would instantly diffuse tension from my body. In 2022, my uncle suggested that I start learning guitar to accompany my singing and provide a healthy distraction from my problems. Reconciling my passions by writing out my feelings or experiences and putting them to music accompanied by my guitar or piano has been therapeutic for me. I would love to inspire others and create music that can heal listeners in the same way that music has healed me. When it comes to making a worldwide impact, my goal is to spread awareness by putting difficult feelings into words and giving a voice to those who are usually not heard. For instance, I recently wrote and recorded a song that alerts the loved ones of people who are struggling to pay attention to the warning signs before their loved one does something drastic. The song also includes the suicide hotline in the lyrics, something that I hope will make people who are suffering suicidal ideation more aware of what resources are available to them. I feel that the message of this song coming from a black female born of immigrant parents can be especially impactful because mental health is unfortunately a taboo topic in our culture. I want to give back to my community by taking the hardships that I have been through and turning them into art that can help even one person realize that they are not alone. Thank you for considering me.

When I look back on my childhood, my heart breaks. It aches for the happy toddler who did not know of how unhappy I would be during the latter years of my childhood and for the adolescent who truly believed that the world would be a better place if she was not in it. Most people believe that my struggle with mental health began when I was diagnosed with chronic depression in 2021 or even when I was bullied during middle school. In hindsight, I realize that my mental health was built on a weak foundation that was easy to shake with the first unkind comment. During my preteen years, I became unfavorably aware of things that I never gave much thought as a child. Suddenly, it mattered where I bought my clothes, how skinny I was, that hormones had advertised themselves as pimples and scars all over my face, and that nobody at school had expressed any romantic interest in me. It is normal to become a little more self conscious during this formative period in one’s life, though I wish external factors had not made my becoming aware so unpleasant. I was made to feel that I was not good enough because the girls in my grade called me ugly and other unkind words both through anonymous online forums and to my face; the boys in my grade called me loud, annoying, cringe. I heard these things so often, that they started to sound like facts. Wanting to separate myself from the main perpetrators, I applied for a different high school from the one that I would have naturally matriculated into. I got in and thought that the different crowd was what I needed. I ended up withdrawing from this school after attending for three semesters because I encountered a different source of stress, which I now realize was because my mindset had not changed. In 2021, my symptoms became prominent. I was shaking violently in class without knowing how to control it. For the first time, I considered ending my life as a solution to the pain and stress I was experiencing. I felt like I was fading and nobody was noticing. Eventually, I went to the counselor and reported my suicidal ideation. In the following years, I was in and out of hospitals, therapy, and the high school that I graduated from had put special policies in place after I tried to jump from the third floor of the building. Tragic as it was, my journey has given me a new perspective on goal-setting, relationship-building, and how to navigate a tough world. I now understand that goals do not need to be grand. Sometimes when struggling with depression, getting up in the morning and brushing my teeth is an accomplishment. I have learned to celebrate the small victories, such as going months or even just weeks without having a panic attack when I used to have them on a daily basis. My experience with mental health has shaped my view on relationships in various ways. Considering how much I was struggling when nobody knew, I have realized that I am not the only one struggling. I am working on being more considerate of how my actions affect those around me. I have also learned that building relationships takes vulnerability. Letting people in and building trust is healthy for relationships. After opening up, I have strengthened relationships that I already had and made new friends who accept me despite my imperfections. My hardships have also given me a reality check. I now understand that the world can be cruel. While we should strive to be the change we want to see, we also cannot wait around for the world to change for us to feel happy. Mean people and unfair standards will always exist. A firm foundation, certainty in your own worth, will help you to weather the storms that life presents. I cannot say that I am out of the woods with my own journey, as healing does not typically follow a linear path; however, I have grown a lot from where I started. I do not believe that I have to reach the highest point of self actualization to help others. I have already started raising awareness about mental health to let people know that they are not alone in the way I know best. I am pursuing a business degree with a music performance minor in college to learn how to properly navigate the music industry as a professional singer-songwriter. I intend to continue spreading awareness through music by creating songs that can help others to heal in the same way that music has healed me. If I were to rewrite my story, maybe I would exclude the traumatic events that I mentioned. None of us gets that privilege, but I think I am better for it.

For as long as I can remember, music has been an integral part of my life. Given my affinity for music, I knew from a tender age that I wanted to pursue a career in music. I have been singing for almost as long as I could talk. My love of music extended to paper and pen around when I was in third grade. I had dabbled in songwriting for a few years before then, but I consider “See Your Face,” by eight-year-old Alyssa to be my debut. For the past decade, I have been honing various music-related skills, which have allowed me to create more complex works than an amateur song written about an eight year old’s concept of what it feels like to miss a lover. I participated in chorus classes in school where my schedule allowed it. Choral courses provided much of the preliminary knowledge that would later help me to pick up instruments, such as the acoustic guitar and keyboard/piano. Now, I combine my love for songwriting, singing, instrumentation, and production to create multiple original works that I share on my online platforms. Upon reflection, I can say that music has not only served as a pastime for me but also a way of coping. Being human, my life has naturally seen many mountains and valleys. More recently, I was diagnosed with a few chronic disorders, which have presented many challenges for me, mood stability being among the most prominent. When I first started suffering from panic attacks, singing would instantly diffuse tension from my body. In 2022, my uncle suggested that I start learning guitar to accompany my singing and provide a healthy distraction from my problems. Reconciling my passions by writing out my feelings or experiences and putting them to music accompanied by my guitar or piano has proven to be therapeutic for me. Seeing how much music has impacted my life, I would love to inspire others and create music that can heal listeners in the same way that music has healed me. I want to be a musician who creates work that listeners can connect with the same way I connect with music from my favorite artists. When it comes to making a worldwide impact, my goal is to spread awareness by putting difficult feelings into words and giving a voice to those who are usually not heard. For instance, I recently wrote and recorded a song that alerts the loved ones of people who are struggling to pay attention to the warning signs before their loved one does something drastic. The song also includes the suicide hotline in the lyrics, something that I hope will make people who are suffering suicidal ideation more aware of what resources are available to them. A lot of people think of being scientists, firefighters, doctors, or philanthropists, to make an impact. I believe that I can give back to my community by taking the hardships that I have been through and turning them into art that can help even one person realize that they are not alone.

When I look back on my childhood, my heart breaks. It aches for the happy toddler who did not know of how unhappy I would be during the latter years of my childhood and for the adolescent who truly believed that the world would be a better place if she was not in it. Most people believe that my struggle with mental health began when I was diagnosed with chronic depression in 2021 or even when I was bullied during middle school. In hindsight, I realize that my mental health was built on a weak foundation that was easy to shake with the first unkind comment. During my preteen years, I became unfavorably aware of things that I never gave much thought as a child. It did not help that the girls in my grade called me ugly and other unkind words both through anonymous online forums and to my face; the boys in my grade called me loud, annoying, cringe. I heard these things so often, that they started to sound like facts. Wanting to separate myself from the main perpetrators, I applied for a different high school from the one that I would have naturally matriculated into. Upon acceptance, I enrolled, thinking that the different crowd was what I needed. I ended up withdrawing from this school after attending for three semesters because I encountered a different source of stress, which I now realize was because my mindset had not changed. In 2021, I considered ending my life. I felt like I was fading and nobody was noticing. In the following years, I was in and out of hospitals, therapy, and the high school that I graduated from had put special policies in place after I tried to jump from the third floor of the building. Tragic as it was, my journey has given me a new perspective on life. I now understand that goals do not need to be grand. I celebrate the small victories, such as going weeks without having a panic attack when I used to have them daily. I cannot say that I am out of the woods with my own journey, as healing does not typically follow a linear path; however, I have grown a lot from where I started. I have already started raising awareness about mental health to let people know that they are not alone in the way I know best, through artistic expression. I am pursuing a business degree with a music performance minor in college to learn how to properly navigate the music industry as a professional singer-songwriter. I intend to continue spreading awareness through music by creating songs that can help others to heal in the same way that music has healed me. If I were to rewrite my story, maybe I would exclude the traumatic events that I mentioned. None of us gets that privilege, but I think I am better for it.

When I look back on my childhood, my heart breaks. It aches for the happy toddler who did not know of how unhappy I would be during the latter years of my childhood and for the adolescent who truly believed that the world would be a better place if she was not in it. Most people believe that my struggle with mental health began when I was diagnosed with chronic depression in 2021 or even when I was bullied during middle school. In hindsight, I realize that my mental health was built on a weak foundation that was easy to shake with the first unkind comment. During my preteen years, I became unfavorably aware of things that I never gave much thought as a child. Suddenly, it mattered where I bought my clothes, how skinny I was, that hormones had advertised themselves as pimples and scars all over my face, and that nobody at school had expressed any romantic interest in me. It is normal to become a little more self conscious during this formative period in one’s life, though I wish external factors had not made my becoming aware so unpleasant. I was made to feel that I was not good enough because the girls in my grade called me ugly and other unkind words both through anonymous online forums and to my face; the boys in my grade called me loud, annoying, cringe. I heard these things so often, that they started to sound like facts. Wanting to separate myself from the main perpetrators, I applied for a different high school from the one that I would have naturally matriculated into. I got in and thought that the different crowd was what I needed. I ended up withdrawing from this school after attending for three semesters because I encountered a different source of stress, which I now realize was because my mindset had not changed. In 2021, my symptoms became prominent. I was shaking violently in class without knowing how to control it. For the first time, I considered ending my life as a solution to the pain and stress I was experiencing. I felt like I was fading and nobody was noticing. Eventually, I went to the counselor and reported my suicidal ideation. In the following years, I was in and out of hospitals, therapy, and the high school that I graduated from had put special policies in place after I tried to jump from the third floor of the building. I cannot say that I am out of the woods with my own journey, as healing does not typically follow a linear path; however, I have grown a lot from where I started. I do not believe that I have to reach the highest point of self actualization to help others. Unfortunately, mental health has traditionally been a taboo topic in black households. Being raised by a Jamaican parent, I can attest to the strict and sometimes emotionally harmful environment that can exist in our culture. Through my music, I intend to elevate black voices, especially those of listeners who themselves have struggled with mental health. I am pursuing a business degree with a music performance minor in college to learn how to properly navigate the music industry as a professional singer-songwriter. I intend to continue spreading awareness through music by creating songs that can help others to heal in the same way that music has healed me. Receiving this scholarship would mean I am one step closer to funding my dreams and helping to create the change that I want to see in society.

For as long as I can remember, music has been an integral part of my life. Given my affinity for music, I knew from a tender age that I wanted to pursue a career in music. I have been singing for almost as long as I could talk. My love of music extended to paper and pen around when I was in third grade. I had dabbled in songwriting for a few years before then, but I consider “See Your Face,” by eight-year-old Alyssa to be my debut. For the past decade, I have been honing various music-related skills, which have allowed me to create more complex works than an amateur song written about an eight year old’s concept of what it feels like to miss a lover. I participated in chorus classes in school where my schedule allowed it. Choral courses provided much of the preliminary knowledge that would later help me to pick up instruments, such as the acoustic guitar and keyboard piano. Now, I combine my love for songwriting, singing, instrumentation, and production to create multiple original works that I share on my online platforms. Upon reflection, I can say that music has not only served as a pastime for me but also a way of coping. Being human, my life has naturally seen many mountains and valleys. More recently, I was diagnosed with a few chronic disorders, which have presented many challenges for me, mood stability being among the most prominent. When I first started suffering from panic attacks, singing would instantly diffuse tension from my body. In 2022, my uncle suggested that I start learning guitar to accompany my singing and provide a healthy distraction from my problems. Reconciling my passions by writing out my feelings or experiences and putting them to music accompanied by my guitar or piano has proven to be therapeutic for me. Seeing how much music has impacted my life, I would love to inspire others and create music that can heal listeners in the same way that music has healed me. I want to be a musician who creates work that listeners can connect with the same way I connect with music from my favorite artists. When it comes to making a worldwide impact, my goal is to spread awareness by putting difficult feelings into words and giving a voice to those who are usually not heard. For instance, I recently wrote and recorded a song that alerts the loved ones of people who are struggling to pay attention to the warning signs before their loved one does something drastic. The song also includes the suicide hotline in the lyrics, something that I hope will make people who are battling suicidal ideation more aware of what resources are available to them. A lot of people think of being scientists, firefighters, doctors, or philanthropists, to make an impact. I believe that I can give back to my community by taking the hardships that I have been through and turning them into art that can help even one person realize that they are not alone.

For as long as I can remember, music has been an integral part of my life. Given my affinity for music, I knew from a tender age that I wanted to pursue a career in the music industry. I have been singing for almost as long as I could talk. My love of music extended to paper and pen around when I was in third grade. I had dabbled in songwriting for a few years before then, but I consider “See Your Face,” by eight-year-old Alyssa to be my debut. For the past decade, I have been honing various music-related skills, which have allowed me to create more complex works than an amateur song written about an eight year old’s concept of what it feels like to miss a lover. I participated in chorus classes in school where my schedule allowed it. Choral courses provided much of the preliminary knowledge that would later help me to pick up instruments, such as the acoustic guitar and piano. Now I combine my love for songwriting, singing, instrumentation, and production to create multiple original works that I share on my online platforms. Upon reflection, I can say that music has not only served as a pastime for me but also a way of coping. Being human, I have had to navigate mountains as well as valleys. More recently, I was diagnosed with a few chronic disorders, including PTSD, which have been a major roadblock. When I first started suffering from panic attacks, singing would instantly diffuse tension from my body. In 2022, my uncle suggested that I start learning guitar to accompany my singing and provide a healthy distraction from my problems. Reconciling my passions by writing out my feelings or experiences and putting them to music accompanied by my guitar or piano has been therapeutic for me. Seeing how much music has impacted my life, I would love to inspire others and create music that can heal listeners in the same way that music has healed me. When it comes to making a worldwide impact, my goal is to spread awareness by putting difficult feelings into words and giving a voice to those who are usually not heard. For instance, I recently wrote and produced a song that alerts the loved ones of people who are struggling to pay attention to the warning signs before their loved one does something drastic. The song includes the suicide hotline in the lyrics, a detail that I hope will make people who are dealing with suicidal ideation more aware of what resources are available to them. A lot of people think of being scientists, firefighters, doctors, or philanthropists, to make an impact. I believe that I can give back to my community by taking the hardships that I have been through and turning them into art that can help even one person realize that they are not alone.

For as long as I can remember, music has been an integral part of my life. Given my affinity for music, I knew from a tender age that I wanted to pursue a career in music. I have been singing for almost as long as I could talk. My love of music extended to paper and pen around when I was in third grade. I had dabbled in songwriting for a few years before then, but I consider “See Your Face,” by eight-year-old Alyssa to be my debut. For the past decade, I have been honing various music-related skills, which have allowed me to create more complex works than an amateur song written about an eight year old’s concept of what it feels like to miss a lover. I participated in chorus classes in school where my schedule allowed it. Choral courses provided much of the preliminary knowledge that would later help me to pick up instruments, such as the acoustic guitar and keyboard/piano. Now, I combine my love for songwriting, singing, instrumentation, and production to create multiple original works that I share on my online platforms. Upon reflection, I can say that music has not only served as a pastime for me but also a way of coping. Being human, my life has naturally seen many mountains and valleys. More recently, I was diagnosed with a few chronic disorders, which have presented many challenges for me, mood stability being among the most prominent. When I first started suffering from panic attacks, singing would instantly diffuse tension from my body. In 2022, my uncle suggested that I start learning guitar to accompany my singing and provide a healthy distraction from my problems. Reconciling my passions by writing out my feelings or experiences and putting them to music on my guitar or piano has proven to be therapeutic for me. Seeing how much art, namely music, has impacted my life, I would love to inspire others and create music that can heal listeners in the same way that music has healed me. When it comes to making a worldwide impact, my goal is to spread awareness by putting difficult feelings into words and giving a voice to those who are usually not heard. For instance, I recently wrote and recorded a song that alerts the loved ones of people who are struggling to pay attention to the warning signs before their loved one does something drastic. The song also includes the suicide hotline in the lyrics, something that I hope will make people who are suffering suicidal ideation more aware of what resources are available to them. A lot of people think of being scientists, firefighters, doctors, or philanthropists, to make an impact. I believe that I can give back to my community by taking the hardships that I have been through and turning them into art that can help even one person realize that they are not alone. Performance: https://youtu.be/YaDcfgnVwx4?si=7TjSoAK986eqrAfH

For as long as I can remember, music has been an integral part of my life. Given my affinity for music, I knew from a tender age that I wanted to pursue a career in music. I have been singing for almost as long as I could talk. My love of music extended to paper and pen around when I was in third grade. I had dabbled in songwriting for a few years before then, but I consider “See Your Face,” by eight-year-old Alyssa to be my debut. For the past decade, I have been honing various music-related skills, which have allowed me to create more complex works than an amateur song written about an eight year old’s concept of what it feels like to miss a lover. I participated in chorus classes in school where my schedule allowed it. Choral courses provided much of the preliminary knowledge that would later help me to pick up instruments, such as the acoustic guitar and keyboard/piano. Now, I combine my love for songwriting, singing, instrumentation, and production to create multiple original works that I share on my online platforms. Upon reflection, I can say that music has not only served as a pastime for me but also a way of coping. Being human, my life has naturally seen many mountains and valleys. More recently, I was diagnosed with a few chronic disorders, which have presented many challenges for me, mood stability being among the most prominent. When I first started suffering from panic attacks, singing would instantly diffuse tension from my body. In 2022, my uncle suggested that I start learning guitar to accompany my singing and provide a healthy distraction from my problems. Reconciling my passions by writing out my feelings or experiences and putting them to music on my guitar or piano has proven to be therapeutic for me. Moreover, using music as a healthy coping mechanism helped me to get through high school and graduate with a 3.98 GPA. Seeing how much music has impacted my life, I would love to inspire others and create music that can heal listeners in the same way that music has healed me. When it comes to making a worldwide impact, my goal is to spread awareness by putting difficult feelings into words and giving a voice to those who are usually not heard. For instance, I recently wrote and recorded a song that alerts the loved ones of people who are struggling to pay attention to the warning signs before their loved one does something drastic. The song also includes the suicide hotline in the lyrics, something that I hope will make people who are suffering suicidal ideation more aware of what resources are available to them. A lot of people think of being scientists, firefighters, doctors, or philanthropists, to make an impact. I believe that I can give back to my community by taking the hardships that I have been through and turning them into art that can help even one person realize that they are not alone. I have performed a few covers and original songs at local restaurants, but I want to pursue music wholeheartedly. I am seeking this scholarship to help propel me into making my dream a reality. Thank you.

For as long as I can remember, music has been an integral part of my life. Given my affinity for music, I knew from a tender age that I wanted to pursue a career in music. I have been singing for almost as long as I could talk. My love of music extended to paper and pen around when I was in third grade. I had dabbled in songwriting for a few years before then, but I consider “See Your Face,” by eight-year-old Alyssa to be my debut. For the past decade, I have been honing various music-related skills, which have allowed me to create more complex works than an amateur song written about an eight year old’s concept of what it feels like to miss a lover. I participated in chorus classes in school where my schedule allowed it. Choral courses provided much of the preliminary knowledge that would later help me to pick up instruments, such as the acoustic guitar and keyboard/piano. Now, I combine my love for songwriting, singing, instrumentation, and production to create multiple original works that I share on my online platforms. Upon reflection, I can say that music has not only served as a pastime for me but also a way of coping. Being human, my life has naturally seen many mountains and valleys. More recently, I was diagnosed with a few chronic disorders, which have presented many challenges for me, mood stability being among the most prominent. When I first started suffering from panic attacks, singing would instantly diffuse tension from my body. In 2022, my uncle suggested that I start learning guitar to accompany my singing and provide a healthy distraction from my problems. Reconciling my passions by writing out my feelings or experiences and putting them to music with my guitar or piano has been therapeutic for me. Seeing how much art, namely music, has impacted my life, I would love to inspire others and create music that can heal listeners in the same way that music has healed me. When it comes to making a worldwide impact, my goal is to spread awareness by putting difficult feelings into words and giving a voice to those who are usually not heard. For instance, I recently wrote and recorded a song that alerts the loved ones of people who are struggling to pay attention to the warning signs before their loved one does something drastic. The song also includes the suicide hotline in the lyrics, something that I hope will make people who are suffering suicidal ideation more aware of what resources are available to them. I believe that a music degree will help me to effectively foster my musical skills to excel as a professional musician after I graduate. A lot of people think of being scientists, firefighters, doctors, or philanthropists, to make an impact. I want to give back to my community by taking the hardships that I have been through and turning them into art that can help even one person realize that they are not alone.

For as long as I can remember, music has been an integral part of my life. Given my affinity for music, I knew from a tender age that I wanted to pursue a career in music. I have been singing for almost as long as I could talk. My love of music extended to paper and pen around when I was in third grade. I had dabbled in songwriting for a few years before then, but I consider “See Your Face,” by eight-year-old Alyssa to be my debut. For the past decade, I have been honing various music-related skills, which have allowed me to create more complex works than an amateur song written about an eight year old’s concept of what it feels like to miss a lover. I participated in chorus classes in school where my schedule allowed it. Choral courses provided much of the preliminary knowledge that would later help me to pick up instruments, such as the acoustic guitar and keyboard piano. Now, I combine my love for songwriting, singing, instrumentation, and production to create multiple original works that I share on my online platforms. Upon reflection, I can say that music has not only served as a pastime for me but also a way of coping. Being human, my life has naturally seen many mountains and valleys. More recently, I was diagnosed with a few chronic disorders, which have presented many challenges for me, mood stability being among the most prominent. When I first started suffering from panic attacks, singing would instantly diffuse tension from my body. In 2022, my uncle suggested that I start learning guitar to accompany my singing and provide a healthy distraction from my problems. Reconciling my passions by writing out my feelings or experiences and putting them to music accompanied by my guitar or piano has been therapeutic for me. Seeing how much art, namely music, has impacted my life, I would love to inspire others and create music that can heal listeners in the same way that music has healed me. When it comes to making a worldwide impact, my goal is to spread awareness by putting difficult feelings into words and giving a voice to those who are usually not heard. For instance, I recently wrote and recorded a song that alerts the loved ones of people who are struggling to pay attention to the warning signs before their loved one does something drastic. The song also includes the suicide hotline in the lyrics, something that I hope will make people who are suffering suicidal ideation more aware of what resources are available to them. A lot of people think of being scientists, firefighters, doctors, or philanthropists, to make an impact. I believe that I can give back to my community by taking the hardships that I have been through and turning them into art that can help even one person realize that they are not alone.

For as long as I can remember, music has been an integral part of my life. Given my affinity for music, I knew from a tender age that I wanted to pursue a career in music. I have been singing for almost as long as I could talk. My love of music extended to paper and pen around when I was in third grade. I had dabbled in songwriting for a few years before then, but I consider “See Your Face,” by eight-year-old Alyssa to be my debut. For the past decade, I have been honing various music-related skills, which have allowed me to create more complex works than an amateur song written about an eight year old’s concept of what it feels like to miss a lover. I participated in chorus classes in school where my schedule allowed it. Choral courses provided much of the preliminary knowledge that would later help me to pick up instruments, such as the acoustic guitar and keyboard/piano. Now, I combine my love for songwriting, singing, instrumentation, and production to create multiple original works that I share on my online platforms. Upon reflection, I can say that music has not only served as a pastime for me but also a way of coping. Being human, my life has naturally seen many mountains and valleys. More recently, I was diagnosed with a few chronic disorders, which have presented many challenges for me, mood stability being among the most prominent. When I first started suffering from panic attacks, singing would instantly diffuse tension from my body. In 2022, my uncle suggested that I start learning guitar to accompany my singing and provide a healthy distraction from my problems. Reconciling my passions by writing out my feelings or experiences and putting them to music with my guitar or piano has been therapeutic for me. Seeing how much art, namely music, has impacted my life, I would love to inspire others and create music that can heal listeners in the same way that music has healed me. When it comes to making a worldwide impact, my goal is to spread awareness by putting difficult feelings into words and giving a voice to those who are usually not heard. For instance, I recently wrote and recorded a song that alerts the loved ones of people who are struggling to pay attention to the warning signs before their loved one does something drastic. Despite my various musical abilities, singing has been and will always be most dear to me. I know that there is always room for improvement, which is why I would like to continue honing skills that will improve my vocal technique. I am hopeful that I will be considered for this scholarship as a step toward bettering my musicality in an undergraduate program and fulfilling my passion. Thanks.

For as long as I can remember, music has been an integral part of my life. Given my affinity for music, I knew from a tender age that I wanted to pursue a career in music. I have been singing for almost as long as I could talk. My love of music extended to paper and pen around when I was in third grade. I had dabbled in songwriting for a few years before then, but I consider “See Your Face,” by eight-year-old Alyssa to be my debut. Now, I combine my love for songwriting, singing, instrumentation, and production to create multiple original works that I share on my online platforms. Upon reflection, I can say that music has not only served as a pastime for me but also a way of coping. Being human, my life has naturally seen many mountains and valleys. More recently, I was diagnosed with a few disorders, which have presented many challenges for me, mood stability being among the most prominent. When I first started suffering from panic attacks, singing would instantly diffuse tension from my body. In 2022, my uncle suggested that I start learning guitar to accompany my singing and provide a healthy distraction from my problems. Reconciling my passions by writing out my feelings or experiences and putting them to music on my guitar or piano has proven to be therapeutic for me. As big as my dreams are, I recognize that I have to be realistic in realizing that there is not always an easy path to the top, especially for young, black females, like myself. In addition to talent and affinity for music, it is beneficial for an aspiring musician to have a decent concept of how things work in the business world. I am pursuing a business major with a music minor in order to best be able to properly market something that I genuinely enjoy. I see my dreams coming to fruition as an all-around win because I can make a living doing what I love and inspire other young black women to chase their dreams as well. When it comes to making a worldwide impact, my goal is to spread awareness by putting difficult feelings into words and giving a voice to those who are usually not heard. For instance, I recently wrote and recorded a song that alerts the loved ones of people who are struggling to pay attention to the warning signs before their loved one does something drastic. The song also includes the suicide hotline in the lyrics, something that I hope will make people who are suffering suicidal ideation more aware of what resources are available to them. Unfortunately, mental health has traditionally been a taboo topic in black households. Being raised by a Jamaican parent, I can attest to the strict and sometimes emotionally harmful environment that can exist in our culture. Through my music, I intend to elevate black voices, especially those of listeners who themselves have struggled with mental health. I am hopeful that I will be considered for this scholarship as a step toward making my dreams a reality.

For as long as I can remember, art has been an integral part of my life. Given my artistic passions, including singing and songwriting, I knew from a tender age that I wanted to pursue a career in the arts. I have been singing for almost as long as I could talk. My love of music extended to paper and pen around when I was in third grade. I had dabbled in songwriting for a few years before then, but I consider “See Your Face,” by eight-year-old Alyssa to be my debut. For the past decade, I have been honing various music-related skills, which have allowed me to create more complex works than an amateur song written about an eight year old’s concept of what it feels like to miss a lover. I participated in chorus classes in school where my schedule allowed it. Choral courses provided much of the preliminary knowledge that would later help me to pick up instruments, such as the acoustic guitar and keyboard/piano. Now, I combine my love for songwriting, singing, instrumentation, and production to create multiple original works that I share on my online platforms. Upon reflection, I can say that music has not only served as a pastime for me but also a way of coping. Being human, my life has naturally seen many mountains and valleys. More recently, I was diagnosed with a few chronic disorders, which have presented many challenges for me, mood stability being among the most prominent. When I first started suffering from panic attacks, singing would instantly diffuse tension from my body. In 2022, my uncle suggested that I start learning guitar to accompany my singing and provide a healthy distraction from my problems. Reconciling my passions by writing out my feelings or experiences and putting them to music on my guitar or piano has proven to be therapeutic for me. Seeing how much art, namely music, has impacted my life, I would love to inspire others. I am hopeful that I can reach a wider audience with my music and heal listeners in the same way that music has healed me. When I first started writing songs, I wrote about more cliche topics like love and heartbreak. As my problems have gotten deeper than middle school crushes who did not reciprocate my feelings, my songwriting has reflected that. I recently wrote and produced a song for my upcoming debut album, intended to raise awareness about mental health and, more specifically, suicidal ideation. I want voices that are usually tuned out to be heard. My own experiences have reinforced my desire to pursue singing and songwriting professionally. I am praying that I will be considered for this scholarship as a step toward making my dreams a reality. Thank you for this opportunity.

For as long as I can remember, music has been an integral part of my life. Given my affinity for music, I knew from a tender age that I wanted to pursue a career in music. I have been singing for almost as long as I could talk. My love of music extended to paper and pen around when I was in third grade. I had dabbled in songwriting for a few years before then, but I consider “See Your Face,” by eight-year-old Alyssa to be my debut. For the past decade, I have been honing various music-related skills, which have allowed me to create more complex works than an amateur song written about an eight year old’s concept of what it feels like to miss a lover. I participated in chorus classes in school where my schedule allowed it. Choral courses provided much of the preliminary knowledge that would later help me to pick up instruments, such as the acoustic guitar and keyboard/piano. Now, I combine my love for songwriting, singing, instrumentation, and production to create multiple original works that I share on my online platforms. Upon reflection, I can say that music has not only served as a pastime for me but also a way of coping. Being human, my life has naturally seen many mountains and valleys. More recently, I was diagnosed with a few disorders, which have presented many challenges for me, mood stability being among the most prominent. When I first started suffering from panic attacks, singing would instantly diffuse tension from my body. In 2022, my uncle suggested that I start learning guitar to accompany my singing and provide a healthy distraction from my problems. Reconciling my passions by writing out my feelings or experiences and putting them to music on my guitar or piano has proven to be therapeutic for me. Seeing how much art, namely music, has impacted my life, I would love to inspire others and create relatable music that can heal listeners in the same way that music has healed me. When I first started writing songs, I wrote about more cliché topics like love and heartbreak. As my problems have gotten deeper than middle school crushes who did not reciprocate my feelings, my songwriting has reflected that. Upon surveying the small viewerbase that I have already acquired, sixty percent responded that they connect with the music that I write more than my covers of other artists’ work. Those responses have reaffirmed the idea that I could make a difference in other people’s lives just by doing what brings me joy. My own experiences have reinforced my desire to pursue singing and songwriting professionally. As big as my dreams are, I recognize that I have to be realistic in realizing that there is not always an easy path to the top, especially for young, black females, like myself. In addition to talent and affinity for music, it is beneficial for an aspiring musician to have a decent concept of how things work in the business world. I am pursuing a business major with a music minor in order to best be able to market off of something that I genuinely enjoy. I see my dreams coming to fruition as an all-around win because I can make a living doing what I love and inspire other young black women to chase their dreams as well. I am hopeful that I will be considered for this scholarship as a step toward making my dreams a reality.

For as long as I can remember, art has been an integral part of my life. Given my artistic passions, including singing and songwriting, I knew from a tender age that I wanted to pursue a career in the arts. I have been singing for almost as long as I could talk. My love of music extended to paper and pen around when I was in third grade. I had dabbled in songwriting for a few years before then, but I consider “See Your Face,” by eight-year-old Alyssa to be my debut. For the past decade, I have been honing various music-related skills, which have allowed me to create more complex works than an amateur song written about an eight year old’s concept of what it feels like to miss a lover. I participated in chorus classes in school where my schedule allowed it. Choral courses provided much of the preliminary knowledge that would later help me to pick up instruments, such as the acoustic guitar and keyboard/piano. Now, I combine my love for songwriting, singing, instrumentation, and production to create multiple original works that I share on my online platforms. Upon reflection, I can say that music has not only served as a pastime for me but also a way of coping. Being human, my life has naturally seen many mountains and valleys. More recently, I was diagnosed with a few disorders, which have presented many challenges for me, mood stability being among the most prominent. When I first started suffering from panic attacks, singing would instantly diffuse tension from my body. In 2022, my uncle suggested that I start learning guitar to accompany my singing and provide a healthy distraction from my problems. Reconciling my passions by writing out my feelings or experiences and putting them to music on my guitar or piano has proven to be therapeutic for me. Seeing how much art, namely music, has impacted my life, I would love to inspire others and create relatable music that can heal listeners in the same way that music has healed me. When I first started writing songs, I wrote about more cliché topics like love and heartbreak. As my problems have gotten deeper than middle school crushes who did not reciprocate my feelings, my songwriting has reflected that. Upon surveying the small viewerbase that I have already acquired, sixty percent responded that they connect with the music that I write more than my covers of other artists’ work. Those responses have reaffirmed the idea that I could make a difference in other people’s lives just by doing what brings me joy. My own experiences have reinforced my desire to pursue singing and songwriting professionally. I am hopeful that I will be considered for this scholarship as a step toward making my dreams a reality.

Whether a so-called left- or right-brained person, most people have some degree of appreciation for art. For others, art is an indelible part of their being. I belong to the latter group. Art has always been a part of who I am, and I cannot imagine a future without it. Understandably, art itself is very broad, including visual arts, performing arts, and other specific disciplines generating many skills beyond those that can be considered art. All of that being said, it should come as no surprise that my hobbies, and dare I say talents, are primarily centered around art. I have many artistic passions, but the one most dear to me is music. Three-year-old Alyssa loved Hannah Montana. This is ironic because, given that the series first aired in the same year that I was born, I was not old enough to understand the plot of the show. What I did know was that music was an integral part of the storyline. If I were to interview my younger self, I would have said that Hannah Montana was my favorite singer. I also believe that Hannah Montana was the catalyst for my lifelong passion for singing. From that tender age of three, I have aspired to become a professional singer. The skills that I have honed throughout my childhood have all been connected to the fostering of the abilities towards the musical artist whom I one day intend to be. When I was eight years old, I wrote my first official song. Despite its amateur lyrics, I still believe that it was quite impressive for my age. Singing songs for my older sister was not enough for me, so when I turned eleven, I begged my mother to let me start uploading videos on the Internet. I remember giving her an earful on why it was important for me to do so; starting a channel would get me the necessary exposure to kickstart my career. My mother ended up falling asleep during my effusion, though she still allowed me to follow through with my proposition. During my first year on the Internet, I sang without showing my face. I first revealed my face with my debut music video for a song that I had written about a middle school crush. Many people from my school found the video. Some responded with jeers, while others gave support. At the time, I only had subscribers in the double-digits. I would later grow to amass over two thousand followers across all of my social media platforms. This is a prospect that I had prayed for but could not have foreseen. Music came to mean so much more to me when I became ill in 2021. When things got rough, I would sing, and tension would instantly start to leave my body. At sixteen, I started learning how to play the acoustic guitar, upon my uncle’s suggestion. He thought that learning how to play an instrument would be a good escape from my situation. It proved to be such while also serving as a great accompaniment to my singing. I have since picked up playing the piano, applying my theory and choral knowledge. As implied by the lifelong history that I have recounted, I would not be who I am without music. I have been met with controversy when I express that music is what I want to pursue. Some people feel that it would be a waste of my intellect to pursue music, but I feel that it would be a waste of my gift not to pursue it.