Independence I was always the kid that was being held in for recess, parties and free time because I didn't have all my work done. I used dance as an outlet for my mental health and stress. I never understood why other people were able to do things so easily. After years of academic struggle and the 2020 covid year, which was especially difficult for me, I was diagnosed with ADHD for attention my sophomore year in high school. Once I found this out it gave me a sense of relief that my brain just works differently and why dance and the arts were so helpful in my life. I think it is so important for people to have access to creative expression and outlets. All of my struggles and experiences in school are the reason for my love of the arts. Dance relaxes me and resets my mind to allow me to focus properly. Once I was able to improve my grades I realized that dance played a major role in my success. I knew I could not give up dance once I graduated from high school. It is my passion and a part of me that I want to pursue for the rest of my life while also influencing others to love the arts and use it to help them. I plan to major in dance and communication science and disorders to become a speech pathologist in urban school districts. I am hoping to be able to use my dance background and love for the arts to influence high need kids that wouldn't otherwise have the opportunities and access to the arts. Arts are being cut from urban school districts at an alarming rate due to lack of funding. I would like to work with kids and help them to manage their difficulties in life through art therapy and my experiences. My goal is to provide speech therapy while creating district art programs for kids. I would also like to learn to write grants to bring in other experiences and programs to the schools. I am a living example that can relate to the struggles so many urban students have in school. I want to use the arts to help people and make a difference in their lives while influencing them to love something that no one can take away from them. I plan to show them how the arts can be a creative outlet that they can use for the rest of their lives. If more kids have access to the arts I believe not only would this improve their lives but it would create a whole new generation of people that love the arts and will prioritize it in schools and the world. I am a true example of the benefits of the arts and how it can change someone's life for the better. This will be the first time in my life I will be on my own with a clear perspective and understanding of my own needs and how to use the arts in order to help me in my college experience and life. This will be the true beginning of my independence.

The arts are important to me because they were my happiness in school. Arts helped me get through all of my school struggles. I was always the kid that was being held in for recess, parties and free time because I didn't have all my work done. I used dance as an outlet for my mental health and stress. I never understood why other people were able to do things so easily. After years of academic struggle and the 2020 covid year, which was especially difficult for me, I was diagnosed with ADHD for attention my sophomore year in high school. Once I found this out it gave me a sense of relief that my brain just works differently and why dance and the arts were so helpful in my life. Arts are important to me because it is so important for people to have access to creative expression and outlets. All of my struggles and experiences in school are the reason for my love of the arts. Dance relaxes me and resets my mind to allow me to focus properly. Once I was able to improve my grades I realized that dance played a major role in my success. I knew I could not give up dance once I graduated from high school. It is my passion and a part of me that I want to pursue for the rest of my life while also influencing others to love the arts and use it to help them. I plan to major in dance and communication science and disorders to become a speech pathologist in urban school districts. I am hoping to be able to use my dance background and love for the arts to influence high need kids that wouldn't otherwise have the opportunities and access to the arts. Arts are being cut from urban school districts at an alarming rate due to lack of funding. I would like to work with kids and help them to manage their difficulties in life through art therapy and my experiences. My goal is to provide speech therapy while creating district art programs for kids. I would also like to learn to write grants to bring in other experiences and programs to the schools. I am a living example that can relate to the struggles so many urban students have in school. I want to use the arts to help people and make a difference in their lives while influencing them to love something that no one can take away from them. I plan to show them how the arts can be a creative outlet that they can use for the rest of their lives. If more kids have access to the arts I believe not only would this improve their lives but it would create a whole new generation of people that love the arts and will prioritize it in schools and the world. I am a true example of the benefits of the arts and how it can change someone's life for the better.

The arts are important to me because they were my happiness in school. Arts helped me get through all of my school struggles. I was always the kid that was being held in for recess, parties and free time because I didn't have all my work done. I used dance as an outlet for my mental health and stress. I never understood why other people were able to do things so easily. After years of academic struggle and the 2020 covid year, which was especially difficult for me, I was diagnosed with ADHD for attention my sophomore year in high school. Once I found this out it gave me a sense of relief that my brain just works differently and why dance and the arts were so helpful in my life. Arts are important to me because it is so important for people to have access to creative expression and outlets. All of my struggles and experiences in school are the reason for my love of the arts. Dance relaxes me and resets my mind to allow me to focus properly. Once I was able to improve my grades I realized that dance played a major role in my success. I knew I could not give up dance once I graduated from high school. It is my passion and a part of me that I want to pursue for the rest of my life while also influencing others to love the arts and use it to help them. I plan to major in dance and communication science and disorders to become a speech pathologist in urban school districts. I am hoping to be able to use my dance background and love for the arts to influence high need kids that wouldn't otherwise have the opportunities and access to the arts. Arts are being cut from urban school districts at an alarming rate due to lack of funding. I would like to work with kids and help them to manage their difficulties in life through art therapy and my experiences. My goal is to provide speech therapy while creating district art programs for kids. I would also like to learn to write grants to bring in other experiences and programs to the schools. I am a living example that can relate to the struggles so many urban students have in school. I want to use the arts to help people and make a difference in their lives. I am a true example of the benefits of the arts and how it can change someone's life.