When you imagine the role of a child growing up, you might picture children finding pleasure in the little things while their parents educate them on how to spread love among themselves and others. I would say that my childhood was distinct from everyone else's. Unlike others, my childhood responsibilities consisted of being a caregiver and eliminating everything outside of that. This resulted in rarely having the opportunity to leave the house or experience a childlike environment. Since I didn't have much of a voice in the situation, I subconsciously created a routine where I’d imagine what it's like to be a child experiencing an adequate amount of endearment. After many years of searching for myself, I connected with someone who finally made a difference in my life. Regardless of my circumstances, I've always had my head held high, which my cousin Myli admired. She believed in me and lavished me with all the affection she could muster in order to lift my spirits. She, her husband, and her children demonstrated what it was like to be free. They taught me how to live my life in a way I'd never known before. Most of all, Myli taught me how to love, cherish everything, and taught me the importance of giving back to others. I eventually grew tired of imagining and became accustomed to looking forward to school so that I could express myself through something as engaging as the arts. I took every little time I had to teach myself musical instruments and participate in programs such as theater, jazz band, and the Black Student Union at Anaheim High School. Although these things may typically seem small to others, these were the things that brought me hope. Not only did these programs provide me with the strength to push forward; they gave me the courage to give others the tranquility they had been longing for. With that being said, I believe that it's important to give back to the community in order to make a remarkable change in someone’s life. I never expected Myli, the BSU, or the vapa department at Anaheim High School to be the escape I needed to go on. If it weren’t for these people, I'm not sure where I’d be. So if there's one thing I'd like to accomplish in the future, it's to be the light that shines for someone else. Therefore, I plan to take advantage of my experience and give back to the community by using my artistic abilities, courage, and tenderness to empower those around me experiencing similar struggles. I hope to be the voice that offers direction and encouragement to provide the community with more than what they came in with. In the end, I saw a major improvement between where I was years ago and where I am today because of the support I was surrounded by. In other words, it is for these reasons that I continue to go forward in my life no matter the obstacle.

My song "Heart’s an Open Door" talks about loving someone even though you’re in an unhealthy relationship. The idea for this song came to me during a difficult period in my first relationship in December 2018. The gravity of "Heart’s an Open Door" is realizing you are worth more than what you give yourself credit for. The simple truth that I’ve come so far and matured as a person as a result of adversity adds value to this song. My artistic views and dreams for the future are to take the messages in my songs and use them as healing components for people all around the world. I feel "Heart’s an Open Door" has brought me through so much in my life, and can also be a journey for others. Thank you for listening and considering me as a candidate for this scholarship.

“ Heart’s An Open Door” is about loving someone while being in a toxic relationship. The idea of this song was sparked in December 2018 during a challenge in my first relationship. The song was first constructed through a melody and then completed with lyrics in January 2019. The significance of “ Hearts An Open Door” is respecting each other's boundaries even through adversity. Something that brings value to this song is how many people it has helped, including myself. I believe “Hearts An Open Door” reminds you of your worth even when you feel like you’ve lost it to someone. It also brings hope to the situation because you know that you aren’t alone. “ Hearts An Open Door” will forever be my guide.