I was 7 years old when my mom took me on a grocery run to Joe Randazzo's. On the car ride home, I remember seeing buildings filled with murals and graffiti. The colors and stories each one told were unique. I was amazed by the creativity and expression of the artists. I grew up in Detroit, Michigan, a city with a rich history of murals. Murals have always been one of many ways Detroiters express themselves and tell their stories. They are a reminder of the city's resilience and its ability to overcome adversity. Inspired by the murals I saw in Detroit, I incorporated these characteristics into my own art. I wanted my art to tell stories that would make people think and feel. Today, I work as a traditional and digital artist, creating comics, books, and short animations. I am passionate about my work, and I am always looking for new ways to express myself creatively. I believe that my art has the potential to make a positive impact on the world, and I am excited to continue developing my skills as an artist. That's why I am pursuing a bachelor's degree (BFA) in computer animation. This degree will give me the skills and knowledge I need to create even more impactful art. Just like murals, animation can be used to tell powerful stories that can entertain, educate, and inspire audiences of all ages. I would love to be a part of a community of artists who are passionate about using their art to make a difference in the world. In addition to my passion, I have many academic achievements. I have maintained a high GPA and been on honor roll 3 times. I am a current Member of the National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS). I also founded the first Black Student Union at my school in my 9th grade year. Even though I moved to Florida when I was 9 years old, I never forgot the murals of Detroit. Seeing those colorful buildings left a lasting impression on me, and they continue to inspire me today. Murals are so much more than a drawing; they are a way to tell stories, connect with people, and build community. This scholarship will help me further my education and achieve my goals as an animation artist. I am grateful for the opportunity to apply, and I would like to extend a huge thank you to Mural Art & Consulting for this opportunity.

Veganism means a healthier life to me. I believe veganism is the most ethical and sustainable way to live. It is the only way to ensure that animals are not harmed for our benefit. It is also the best way to protect the environment, as animal agriculture is a major contributor to climate change, water pollution, and deforestation. I believe that veganism will have a positive impact on my future in many ways. First, it will help me to live a healthier life. Studies have shown that vegans tend to have lower rates of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and some types of cancer than meat-eaters. Second, veganism will help me to live a more sustainable life. By reducing my consumption of animal products, I will be helping to protect the environment and reduce my carbon footprint. Third, veganism will help me to live a more ethical life. I will be able to live with the knowledge that I am not contributing to the suffering of animals. In addition to the health benefits, veganism is also good for the environment. Animal agriculture is a major contributor to climate change. It is responsible for about 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Animal agriculture also uses a lot of water and land. It takes about 1,800 gallons of water to produce one pound of beef. It also takes about 10 acres of land to raise one cow. If we all choose to live a vegan lifestyle, we can make a big difference. We can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, conserve water, and protect the environment. We can also help to reduce the suffering of billions of animals each year. I'm glad to say that I've developed a liking for planting over the past 3 years. I started off with a succulent plant, then acquired more edible plants like lettuce and thyme. My most recent plant is a pineapple plant that is germinating. These plants help the planet and our health tremendously. Planting is a great way to connect with nature and improve your mental and physical health. It is also a great way to reduce your environmental impact. Plants help to clean the air, reduce noise pollution, and improve air quality. They also help to conserve water and energy. I am excited to see what the future holds for veganism. I believe that it is a growing movement that will continue to gain popularity in the years to come. I am proud to stand with the people apart of this movement and I am committed to living a less animal consumption lifestyle.

I have always been fascinated by animation since I was a kid. I loved watching animated movies and TV shows, and I would often draw my own characters. As I got older, my passion for animation only grew stronger. I started working as a traditional and digital artist, creating comics, books, and short animated stories. I also create visual art for people on commission. I am excited to learn about the latest technologies in animation and further my skills in this area. I believe that a degree in computer animation will open up many doors for me and allow me to work with an animation team to create new animated films. I am particularly interested in character development. I love the challenge of bringing characters to life and making them believable. I believe that animation can be used to tell powerful stories that can entertain, educate, and inspire audiences of all ages. I am confident that I have the skills and passion necessary to succeed in a career in computer animation. I plan to make a positive impact on the world through my art by creating stories that are inclusive and promote diversity. I want to create characters that represent all walks of life, and I want to tell stories that are relevant to people of all ages. I believe that animation has the power to change the world, and I am committed to using my art to make a positive difference. Thank you for the opportunity to apply for this scholarship. I am excited about the opportunity to attend college and to further my education. I am confident that I will make the most of this opportunity and that I will use my education to make a positive impact on the world. Thank you again WCEJ Thornton Foundation Music & Art for your time and consideration.

Hello, I’m Aniah jimmerson and I am currently a senior in high school. I want to become an animator by getting a bachelor's degree in computer animation. With my experience, I want to create amazing movies/shows for children to enjoy. I hope that in the future I will establish my own, art production studio, with many opportunities for other artists to spread their creative minds through art in film. I would say that I have sentimental value toward the arts because I started at such a young age. My involvement and childhood observations challenged my little brain. My dad is a creative artists, so this inspired much of my art journey. From the moment, I could pick up a pencil I was drawing. I remember doodling on anything I could find like paper, dry erase boards, homework, walls, cardboard, and more. Sometimes I would draw from observation of my favorite cartoons and shows. At this point in my childhood, I would spend my Saturdays watching Saturday cartoons. My favorite show was “Jem and the holograms”, which was a 1985 early animated tv show. I loved hearing their intro song “Jem….Jem is excitement ouu Jem…Jem is adventure ouu glamour & glitter, fashion & fame”. My face would fill with joy. I was always fascinated by how the illustrations would get on screen, let alone move. This sparked an animation interest that has elements of character design and more. Another huge impact on my art journey is my dad. My dad draws, carves wood, sews, designs, and makes music. Watching my dad create has been a pleasure and true inspiration. He is very precise and particular about the way he creates things. He takes his time so that love and thought go into his pieces. I would say that he is my favorite artist because he taught me that art is about the ability to create anything. My dad creating in multiple areas of art is the definition of being an artist. As a traditional and digital artist, I have learned from my dad that I can create anything, be diverse, and use different mediums. Inspired by Saturday cartoons and taking the passion for creating from my dad, I dedicate my time and practice to the creation of art. I worked my way up from mediums like pencils and crayons to charcoal pencils and digital drawing tools. Now I work with programs like photoshop, Krita, Inkscape, clip studio paint, etc. I also built a network of 24k people in the past 6 months, which helped me build media communication skills. Every day I continue to build on myself and my talent. Learning new art techniques and mediums. Although I haven’t reached my goal yet I am certainly working towards it. I just want to give a big thank you to Hilda Klinger Memorial for this scholarship opportunity.