I want to build the future—literally. Our world’s fate lies entirely in the hands of the next generation, and I am devoting myself to their development. As somebody who experienced a rocky childhood, ridden with the trauma of early onset mental health issues and losing a parent paired with financial difficulty, I know all too well how formative a child’s early years are, and how crucial a stable mentor figure is to shaping their future. I have worked with children for over four years, throughout high school and now college. I have been a summer camp counselor, ran after-school care, babysat, taught ballet to preschoolers, and volunteered with children living in low-income communities. I am now attending university for Art Education in order to get my teaching license, and I will be entering the classroom in the fall of my next semester. I have had a passion for art my entire life, and throughout my years of working with children, my favorite part has always been having the privilege to support their artistic journeys. I believe that art can change the world, and yet we live in a society that teaches us that art is something to be left in childhood; I plan to change this. I want my students to understand that art is a language, one that transcends borders and time, and one that should be built upon throughout life. Art is so much more than paint and paper. Art can support development in endless ways, and can facilitate learning about endless other things. Especially for students that have experienced trauma or difficulties with learning or connecting with other children, art can bridge the gap between their self-limiting beliefs and what they are truly capable of. This is something I have not only seen, but experienced firsthand—art has been a crucial part of my healing journey, one which is ever-developing. I heal a little bit more every time I see a child’s pride in their work, or hear that I am a safe space for them. This scholarship will enable me to continue my education and empower me to build a future generation of powerful changemakers, one art project at a time.

It was the first day of Freshman year, 8th period - I had spent the previous seven miserably bored and lonely, having entered my first year at a full-time school knowing no one from middle school. I walked towards my last period, Honors English, mildly hopeful for my favorite subject but not expecting much. A tall man with a warm smile, a long scarf, and a single rolled-up pant leg displaying his novelty socks greeted me at the door. The room I entered was like another world, an instant escape from the bland halls and classrooms where I had spent the past five hours. It was lit only by a lamp and large window, filled with warm light, and any wall space not covered by bookshelves was littered with artwork, poetry, posters, and the like. The next hour was filled with talk of chocolate milk and first-day activities, although they weren't the usual rubric filling-outs or the "about me" Google Slides. Rather, Mr. A. only had two rules: work hard and be nice. For the next 8 months, I would eagerly await my last period of the day. Mr. A. truly embodied and taught with these values: work hard and be nice. He invited open discussion about important topics and taught engagingly, but most importantly, he created a safe space. His room quickly became one of the only places I felt secure while struggling with mental health issues and trauma. Throughout my Sophomore year, I continued to visit this teacher, as none I had after him compared. He inspired my love for poetry, which became a key aspect of my recovery. As a Junior, I became his teacher's assistant, a role I will continue to take on during my Senior year. I ate lunch in his room when I had no one to sit with and visited in the mornings to do crossword puzzles. During my many hours spent there, not only have I felt the impact of his kindness, but I have witnessed his impact on the many others who frequent his room. He talks to everybody with genuine interest and care for their ideas, stories, and points of view. He never hesitates to do the most for his students and make everybody feel welcome in his classroom. Seeing how he interacts with his students has truly changed how I talk to others, both personally and at work - I work with children and know firsthand the silent struggles students of all ages can experience. Witnessing how Mr. A. has created such a safe space has shaped how I interact with the children I work with. I hope to extend that feeling of safety to all those around me, especially younger children, into my adult life and career, because the impact it has had on me is tremendous.