We get on “iPad Kids” now, but honestly, I was a T.V kid. Of course, I spent my fair share of hours outside playing with the kids in my neighborhood or at the local park, but curling up in front of my old TV brought me joy like no other. I wouldn’t just watch any show; my attention was focused on PBS Kids or Qubo, one of the few channels that were available since we couldn’t afford cable, not that I knew what that was at the time. For hours, I learned new animal species thanks to the Wild Kratts, or discovered new ways to spell thanks to my friends over at Word World. My love for math came from Cyberchase, where I saw kids save the day just by simply solving math equations. My mom would consistently remind me to focus on the lesson being taught, not just the colors on the screen. As I watched more and more of these shows, I became interested in the storytelling and visual adventures that decorated my T.V screen. When I got older and finally started watching shows meant for my age, a few things changed. I began to view things differently; I realized there were few to no characters who looked like me. I didn’t see myself; my skin tone, hair texture, or experiences seemed “lesser” than the characters I saw on screen. It became harder for me to connect with these stories, and from then on, insecurities and apprehension arose in me. I knew that I needed to be a change. I couldn’t live with the fact that many other kids like me had their voices and experiences unheard in things as simple as cartoons. Because of my love for cartoons and storytelling, I worked hard at creating my own pieces and narrations. I spent hours on YouTube learning anatomy, coloring techniques, and different art styles. As I kept practicing, I saw my skills developing, and my confidence began to rise as an artist. In my art, I primarily use mixed-media supplies. Before I had enough money for my own materials, I just used the art supplies that were available to me. I was used to working with what I got and always making things work. Although I received art supplies as gifts, I still saw the beauty in mixing the art supplies instead of dedicating one medium to one piece. Although this started as a practical choice, it became integral to my voice as an artist. Through my use of mixed media, I like to tie in themes of being of mixed culture and nostalgia into my art. My love of art and creativity still carries over to me today. When I graduate from college, my primary goal is to pursue sequential art, art that tells a story through narrative. I dream of illustrating children’s books and publishing my own stories. Books and media possess the incredible power to spark change and inspire anyone, regardless of their background. They can inspire empathy, offer comfort, and fuel creativity. Through my own stories, I want readers, especially young ones, to feel seen, to feel heard, and to know that they are never alone in their experiences. I strive to raise awareness and increase representation of mental health by featuring characters from diverse backgrounds, skin colors, and lived experiences. Too often, these topics are ignored or brushed aside. Everyone deserves to see themselves in the characters and stories that are created, and I am committed to making that impact through my creative voice.

One of my biggest goals is to pursue sequential art, or art that tells a story through narrative. In the future, I plan on illustrating my own children’s books, as well as other books for authors around the world. Books and media have the power to spark change and inspiration in anyone, no matter their background. Additionally, mental health is a cause that is especially important to me. As a minority child with anxiety, I never had either mental health or cultural representation in media, whether it’s in movies or books or media. As a result, I felt ostracized and alone in my experience. Through my storytelling and illustrations, I want to spread awareness and increase representation of mental health and other disorders by using characters of diverse backgrounds and experiences. I want readers, especially young ones, to feel seen and be reminded that they are never alone. In college, I plan to double major in Communication Arts as well as Psychology. While I aim to publish my books and support other creators, I am also deeply interested in becoming an art therapist. Art is a way to process feelings and emotions with no boundaries; It’s always been a safe space for me, a way to express emotions in a way I couldn’t equally portray with words. I hope to give others who are struggling with mental health that same outlet. Through art and storytelling, I strive to help future generations better understand themselves and positively process their emotions. Kids deserve to see themselves in the characters and stories I create. So many children have emotions that they need to process, but don’t have the words to do so. Whether it’s through a graphic novel or a safe space where they can be themselves, I want to offer awareness of mental health to children. They need a community to rely on and learn how to process emotions through art or other art forms that help with healing and comfort in themselves. Receiving this scholarship will be very instrumental in my dedication and focus on attending a school that offers programs that specialize in both Sequential Arts and Psychology. I will be able to have the tools to gain experience in my intended career, which will allow me to create a positive impact on communities around the world. This financial aid will help me achieve my dream of using art and stories to promote mental health and well-being, especially in youth. I want to give back through narratives that can give back to communities and others in a way I wish I could experience while growing up. With this scholarship, I can continue to use the power of art to inspire, uplift, and heal.

Loose Thread is the title of a piece I made during my time in AP art 2D. I decided to take the class so I could challenge myself and grow my talents. I remember my teacher telling me that all the pieces we made had to have a meaning, that we had to go in depth with our ideas, and expand on simple thoughts. ​This request scared me. The art I usually made consisted of things I just wanted to draw for fun; There was no underlying meaning, only sketches and small doodles of the most random things. ​I jotted down ideas and created millions of thumbnails. I wanted to portray how children of a young age are shut down from displaying unpleasant emotions, which ends up making them afraid to open up to others, as it is deemed incorrect and wrong. I’ve never talked about this feeling with anyone. ​Once I started working on this piece, it was as if I couldn’t stop. Although I struggled with the anatomy at certain points and couldn’t get the right shade in certain areas, the piece came out just how I wanted it to. I surprised myself; I had never made a piece this intricate, and I was proud of my first attempt. ​This creation allowed me to be completely vulnerable with myself. I was able to display a touchy subject and touch the hearts of those who looked at my work. Now, I express authentic ideas through my art.

Hello, my name is Bezalel Lanier-Starr. I am a current freshman at Virginia Commonwealth University, where I study art! I grew up in Los Angeles and moved to Georgia when I was about ten years old. There, I attended DeKalb School of the Arts, a high school dedicated to honing students into their skills. I took multiple classes like visual art, theatre, and even media! I was able to flourish into the artist I am today, and I hope to continue my journey and accomplish my life goals in my creative career. Since I was a child, I’ve always known I’ve wanted to be an artist. From scribbling over white walls to spending hours tucked away in my sketchbook, creating has always brought me joy and comfort. As I’ve grown, I realized that this joy has become a newfound purpose, a purpose to uplift others with my talent. My primary goal is to pursue sequential art, which tells a story through narrative. I plan to illustrate children’s books as well as publish stories of my own. Books and media have the incredible power to spark change and inspiration in anyone, regardless of background. They can inspire empathy, offer comfort, and fuel creativity in the minds of anyone. Through my own stories, I want readers, especially young ones, to feel seen, to feel heard, and to know that they are never alone. My key goal is to raise awareness and increase representation of mental health by featuring characters from diverse backgrounds, skin colors, and lived experiences. Too often, these topics are ignored or brushed aside. I’ve grown up surrounded by countless cartoons, books, and graphic novels. I’ve always loved storytelling and watching characters go through adventures and experience personal growth. But I rarely saw myself in those stories because one of them looked like me, nor did they go through the same things I went through growing up. So, I decided to create my own stories with my art and creativity. Everyone deserves to see themselves in the characters and stories that are created, and I am committed to making that impact through my creative voice. To deepen the impact of my work, I plan to double-major in Communication Arts and Psychology. While I aim to publish my books and support other creators, I am also deeply passionate about becoming an art therapist. Mental health is critical to me since I’ve struggled with it since an early age. As a minority child with anxiety, I had neither mental health nor cultural representation in the media. As a result, I felt ostracized and alone in my experience. But luckily, with my art, I found a way to positively and appropriately manage my emotions and help me express myself when I couldn’t find the right words. Art is a way to process feelings and emotions with no boundaries. I hope to give others who are struggling with mental health that same outlet and help future generations better understand themselves and positively process their emotions. I want to be able to share stories that feature characters of all skin tones, religions, and backstories as possible. I want to help shape a future where every child knows that they are important and understands that they deserve to have their voices heard. By becoming an illustrator, I will be able to share unique stories and inspire kids around the world.

“Congratulations, Bella Starr! You were selected to be a part of the 2024-2025 cohort of the High Museum’s Teen Team!” I couldn’t believe what I was reading. Out of hundreds of applicants across the state of Georgia, I was hand-selected to be in a group of creative high school students to learn about curation, art history, entrepreneurship, and produce a project to be displayed within the world-renowned High Museum. This was easily the personal achievement I was most proud of. I first heard about Teen Team through the National Arts Honor Society. It was required for every member to obtain a certain number of credits to stay in the program. A few of the members mentioned going to the High Museum’s Teen Art Afternoon, an event for teenagers to do art workshops for free. When I first walked into the workshop, I was surprised by the number of teens in the place. There were so many teens having a great time with their friends and making a masterpiece to bring home. I got the opportunity to meet new people and try out fun mediums in a way that didn’t feel pressuring or stressful. I was able to just be in the space and interact with others with similar interests but different experiences. Already, I could tell that this palace was special through the impact they were making on teenagers across the Atlanta area. Being able to provide a space for teens to make art without expense was so amazing. When I learned that Teen Team was looking for new members for the new year, I instantly went to apply. I worked on my application whenever I got the chance and even had friends give me mock interviews so I could be fully prepared. Yet, a part of me wondered if I should even apply. Was I good enough to be a part of the High Museum? What would make me stand out from the hundreds of applicants? Still, I tried to push the anxious thoughts aside and continue working. Finally, I applied. The next couple of weeks were grueling; I constantly checked my email to see if the new members of Teen Team had been announced and desperately wanted to know whether I had made it. Then, the email came in. I was officially a member of the High Museum’s Teen Team. During the summer, we had to plan Teen Art Afternoon events. While planning, my team members and I would break up into small groups to discuss a theme for each event and an activity for the art workshop. Collaborating with my fellow team members was invigorating because we were able to problem-solve, review logistics, and compromise. Being a part of Teen Team challenged me to grow. I improved my time management, created art events for other teens to experience, and met new people who motivated me to do better. This achievement taught me that it’s important to take chances and take risks. If I let negative thoughts get to me, I would’ve never applied and never had to chance to be in such a unique and amazing program. Working during the summer and different events throughout the school year allowed me to challenge myself and embrace something new, while also providing for teens in the Atlanta area. The way art brings people together is so amazing and inspiring to me and others. This achievement allowed me to foster a community of creatives and come out of my shell as a leader and advocate of the arts.

Over the years, I have participated in multiple community service projects both in and outside of school. At the school I attended, it was required to complete a certain number of hours depending on which club we were in. At first, I viewed this as a chore, just some stressful thing to worry about during the school year. So, begrudgingly, I searched for things to complete just to get my hours complete and out of the way. But, over time, even though I was more focused on achieving meeting requirements, each project deepened my appreciation for small acts of kindness and their impact on the people around me. One of the most powerful experiences I had was during the holiday season, when I volunteered at a local church to help distribute supplies to families in need. Outside the church, we passed out food baskets filled with entire turkeys and meals for holiday dinners, and we gave fun, bright, and colorful toys to parents to surprise their children on Christmas morning. While handing out these necessities, I caroled outside with a group in the chilly weather. Together, we sang Christmas carols and church songs, spreading holiday cheer to those waiting in line. Singing along with strangers in the freezing cold was surprisingly powerful; Together, we were all cheering for the same cause. We were all united in the same mission. The cold didn’t even matter. Seeing a kid’s bright smile light up their face made me feel warmer inside and gave me the push to stand strong and sing loud. I was incredibly grateful for the good spirits of those around me. These acts of kindness helped change someone’s entire holiday cheer around, and it was all thanks to those who simply chose to give. I also volunteered at an elementary school for their school festival, helping with face painting for little kids on a hot day. The kids excitedly requested things from their school logo to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles masks. I found photos online for inspiration, got their approval, and painted while answering their curious questions. Their reactions when I finally finished drawing on their faces were priceless. They answered so respectfully, and some even hugged me afterwards. As someone passionate about visual art and working with kids, this experience felt incredibly rewarding. Combining the things I love brought genuine joy and felt very rewarding. Being able to make an impact on a kid's life because it always carries on to their future. It reminded me that making a difference doesn’t require huge gestures. With generosity, effort, and creativity, even simple actions can have a lasting impact. The spirit of giving has shaped the way I view service, empathy, and generosity. Through kindness, I’ve learned that helping others uplifts me just as it supports them. Seeing someone smile because of something I did gave me a feeling of joy and warmth in my heart that’s hard to put into words. Giving my time and dedication to others made me realize that even small contributions matter and can make a meaningful difference in someone’s life. I hope that in the future, everyone can try to find the time to just do a gesture, no matter how big or small, to help foster a community. Whether it’s caroling in the cold or face painting a child’s face, every act of service matters.

Since I was a child, I’ve always known I’ve wanted to be an artist. From scribbling over white walls to spending hours tucked away in my sketchbook, creating has always brought me joy and comfort. As I’ve grown, I realized that this joy has become a newfound purpose, a purpose to uplift others with my talent and allow others to feel seen and represented. My purpose became important to me when I realized that I rarely saw people like me anywhere. They were never in the movies I watched, the shows I binged, or even the books I read. There were no characters that shared the same features, culture, or traditions; I felt invisible. No child should grow up unseen and erased from the millions of stories accessible to billions of people worldwide. Facing both blatant and subtle inequalities has shaped me as an artist. I realized how damaging marginalization can be, and I aspire to use my art to fix that. With my voice, I want to impact and represent minority groups and have people who are overlooked be shown. I aspire to highlight the stories that deserve to be told. Because I didn't see people who looked like me on screen, I felt discouraged since I didn't have any characters to relate to or look up to. People of all races, features, and skin tones deserve to have something to connect to and sympathize with. They deserve to be seen as the main characters, the heroes, and complex individuals who have their own story and aren’t just a supporting character. My goal is to pursue sequential art, which is art that tells a story through narrative. I plan to illustrate children’s books as well as publish stories of my own. Books and media have the incredible power to spark change and inspiration in anyone, regardless of their background. They can inspire empathy, offer comfort, and fuel creativity in the minds of anyone. To deepen the impact of my work, I plan to double major in Communication Arts as well as Psychology. While I aim to publish my books and support other creators, I am also deeply passionate about becoming an art therapist. Mental health is especially important to me since I’ve struggled with it since an early age. As a minority child with anxiety, I lacked both mental health and cultural representation in media, leaving me feeling isolated in my experience. But with my art, I found a way to positively and appropriately manage my emotions and help me express myself when I couldn’t find the right words. Art is a way to process feelings and emotions with no boundaries. I hope to give others that same outlet and help future generations better understand themselves, process their emotions, and experience healing through art. By weaving diversity and importance of mental health through my stories and art, I would be helping children of color around the world feel confident in who they are. With storytelling, I hope to instill that confidence into young readers and allow them to feel seen, to feel heard, and to know that they are never alone. Solving inequality starts with representation, and I strive to make that change, one story at a time.

“See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills— 4 to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, 5 to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts.” Exodus 31:2-5 This quote comes from Exodus in the Bible and features Bezalel, my namesake. My mother told me that my name would be Bezalel, no matter if I was a boy or a girl. My name means “in the Shadow of God,” meaning that no matter what, I will always be protected. Faith plays a huge role into my life. I make sure to pray nightly and express my gratitude. It allows me to always feel good about protecting all my loved ones, as well as strangers. Whenever problems come up in my daily life, I ask for his strength to get through those tribulations and prosper. I would ask for assistance for tests, family issues, or anything that came up. To this day, I still make sure to pray whenever I can and just express my gratitude. Through prayer, I am able to take time to reflect on my goals and my daily life. I ask for guidance whether its through a test or an art project that I am anxious about. Like Bezalel in the bible, I am also an artist in my daily life. Since I was a child, I’ve always known I’ve wanted to be an artist. From scribbling over white walls to spending hours in my sketchbook, creating has always brought me joy and comfort. Eventually, I decided that I wanted to pursue it seriously. I want to be able to share my art and be able to impact others, especially younger audiences. One of my biggest goals is to pursue sequential art, or art that tells a story through narrative. In the future, I plan on illustrating my own children’s books, as well as other books for authors around the world. Books and media have the power to spark change and inspiration in anyone, no matter their background. But, I had a hard time embracing that goal. Is art even relevant anymore? Will it keep me financially stable and allow me to live comfortably? I was nervous about my future. I didn't want to become another "broke artist" story, but I also didn't want to pursue something that didn't bring me any joy. So, I confided in my mother. She helped me stay focused and reminded me that no matter what happens, God will always protect us. She reminded me that art is so powerful and I will find a way to succeed. Through hard work, determination, motivation, and creativity, I will be able to flourish in my career. Additionally, coming from a Hispanic and Black household, my mom reminded me how lucky I am to pursue a higher education. Not all of my aunts were able to go to college, or even go to high school. I am a reminder that these future generations can and will have more opportunities to do great. Every time I visit my family, they remind me of how proud they are and wish me the best in my future endeavors. That alone serves as motivation to inspire those around me to pursue a higher education for a better future.

“See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills— 4 to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, 5 to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts.” Exodus 31:2-5 This quote comes from Exodus in the Bible and features Bezalel, my namesake. My mother told me that my name would be Bezalel, no matter if I was a boy or a girl. My name means “in the Shadow of God,” meaning that no matter what, I will always be protected. Although my name is very unique, I had a hard time accepting it. Whenever I would introduce myself, people would look at me quizzically and wonder what I had just uttered out of my mouth. Instead of embracing it, I quickly gave them a nickname to use instead. I continued to go by the nickname from elementary school to even now. Sometimes I forget that my real name is Bezalel. But I want to begin to embrace it. Even if it is somehow hard to pronounce, I want people to know my real identity, the Bezalel that was hidden but still has a lot to give. Not only did I have a hard time with my name, but I also had a hard time understanding what being a follower of God meant. Growing up, my mother and I would always be sure to be at church. Since I was little, I didn’t understand what was going on around me. I wore frilly dresses and acted as an angel in the Church plays, but even then, I didn’t quite comprehend what was happening around me. That was until I started to pray. I remember my mother asking me if I prayed, and truthfully, I responded no. Instead of being upset, she understood how I was confused and told me to just try it. That night, I found myself just talking to God as if he were my friend. I told him about my day, my plans for the week, and the end of the prayer, I would thank him for the roof over my head, the clothes on my back, and the food on my table. And because I didn't want to be selfish, I asked him to take care of close family members, which then turned into my classmates, which then turned into asking him to take care of people all over the world, even though I didn’t know them. After praying nightly, I found it calming. I was able to express my gratitude and feel good about protecting all my loved ones, as well as strangers. Whenever problems came up in my daily life, I would ask for his strength to get through those tribulations and prosper. I would ask for assistance for tests, family issues, or anything that came up. To this day, I still make sure to pray whenever I can and just express my gratitude. Specifically, I remember one time when I was incredibly anxious. I had just auditioned for DeKalb School of the Arts, and I wasn’t proud of my performance at all. I forgot lines during my monologue, and my drawing audition just wasn’t my best work. That night, I silently began to sob, scared that I hadn’t gotten in. Instead of letting the negative emotions swallow me whole, I decided that instead of focusing on how bad I did, I would express my appreciation for the opportunity in the first place. I closed my eyes and began to pray. I talked about how I was thankful for this opportunity and chance to prove myself, a way to come out of my shell. I thanked him for all the nice people I met at the event, and then ended the prayer with “Thank you for allowing me to attend this school. And if I don’t get in, thank you for redirecting me to something that will benefit me in the present and the future. Amen.” After a few weeks, I learned that I was accepted into the school! I was incredibly thankful to my family and, of course, God. Like Bezalel in the bible, I am also an artist in my daily life. Since I was a child, I’ve always known I’ve wanted to be an artist. From scribbling over white walls to spending hours in my sketchbook, creating has always brought me joy and comfort. I recently graduated from the DeKalb School of the Arts, a place where I could focus and hone my skills to the best of my ability. In my Junior Year, I took AP Psychology and unexpectedly fell in love with it. I was fascinated and strived to learn about how our mind works, the impacts of mental disorders, and all the diverse strategies therapists use to help others. Initially, I found myself torn between pursuing Psychology as my major in college and Visual Arts. However, I decided, why not both? One of my biggest goals is to pursue sequential art, or art that tells a story through narrative. In the future, I plan on illustrating my own children’s books, as well as other books for authors around the world. Books and media have the power to spark change and inspiration in anyone, no matter their background. Mental health is a cause that is especially important to me. As a BIPOC child with anxiety, I never had either mental health or cultural representation in media, whether it’s in movies or books, or media. As a result, I felt ostracized and alone in my experience. Through my storytelling and illustrations, I want to spread awareness and increase representation of mental health and other disorders by using characters of diverse backgrounds and experiences. I want readers, especially young ones, to feel seen and be reminded that they are never alone. Through art and storytelling, I want to help future generations better understand themselves and positively process their emotions. I want kids to see themselves in the characters and stories I create. So many kids have emotions that they need to process, but don’t have the words for. Whether it’s through a graphic novel or a safe space where they can be themselves, I want to offer awareness of mental health to children. They need a community to rely on and learn how processing emotions through art or other art forms always helps with healing and comfort in themselves. With this scholarship, I will be one step closer to completing my goal. I want to be able to continue to use the power of art to inspire, uplift, and heal. Not only with this scholarship benefit me, but also my mother, who made me into who I am today. I want to be able to free her from the stress she has from debt and tuition. I know that I am protected in the Shadow of God, and I know with faith and a hard work ethic, my goals will be achieved.

Since I was a child, I’ve always known I’ve wanted to be an artist. From scribbling over white walls to spending hours in my sketchbook, creating has always brought me joy and comfort. I recently graduated from the DeKalb School of the Arts, a place where I could focus and hone my skills to the best of my ability. In my Junior Year, I took AP Psychology and unexpectedly fell in love with it. I was fascinated and strived to learn about how our mind works, the impacts of mental disorders, and all the diverse strategies therapists use to help others. Initially, I found myself torn between pursuing Psychology as my major in college and Visual Arts. However, I decided, why not both? One of my biggest goals is to pursue sequential art, or art that tells a story through narrative. In the future, I plan on illustrating my own children’s books, as well as other books for authors around the world. Books and media have the power to spark change and inspiration in anyone, no matter their background. Additionally, mental health is a cause that is especially important to me. As a minority child with anxiety, I never had either mental health or cultural representation in media, whether it’s in movies or books, or media. As a result, I felt ostracized and alone in my experience. Still, growing up, I was inspired by the cartoons I watched, like Sailor Moon or My Little Pony. I also read multiple graphic novels and comic books, either online or tucked away in the corner of a library. I was intrigued by not only the different styles of art and storytelling, but also the positive messages they shared with those watching. In college, I plan to double major in Communication Arts and Psychology. While I aim to publish my books and support other creators, I am also deeply interested in becoming an art therapist. Art is a way to process feelings and emotions with no boundaries; It’s always been a safe space for me, a way to express emotions in a way I couldn’t equally portray with words. I hope to give others who are struggling with mental health that same outlet. Through art and storytelling, I want to help future generations better understand themselves and positively process their emotions. I want kids to see themselves in the characters and stories I create. Many kids have emotions that they need to process, but don’t have the words for. Whether it’s through a graphic novel or a safe space where they can be themselves, I want to offer awareness of mental health to children. They need a community to rely on and learn how processing emotions through art or other art forms always helps with healing and comfort in themselves. With my art and my voice, I hope to achieve that goal.

Since I was a child, I’ve always known I’ve wanted to be an artist. From scribbling over white walls to spending hours in my sketchbook, creating has always brought me joy and comfort. I recently graduated from the DeKalb School of the Arts, a place where I could focus and hone my skills to the best of my ability. In my Junior Year, I took AP Psychology and unexpectedly fell in love with it. I was fascinated and strived to learn about how our mind works, the impacts of mental disorders, and all the diverse strategies therapists use to help others. Initially, I found myself torn between pursuing Psychology as my major in college and Visual Arts. However, I decided, why not both? One of my biggest goals is to pursue sequential art, or art that tells a story through narrative. In the future, I plan on illustrating my own children’s books, as well as other books for authors around the world. Books and media have the power to spark change and inspiration in anyone, no matter their background. Mental health is a cause that is especially important to me. As a minority child with anxiety, I never had either mental health or cultural representation in media, whether it’s in movies or books, or media. As a result, I felt ostracized and alone in my experience. Through my storytelling and illustrations, I want to spread awareness and increase representation of mental health and other disorders by using characters of diverse backgrounds and experiences. I want readers, especially young ones, to feel seen and be reminded that they are never alone. In college, I plan to double major in Communication Arts as well as Psychology. While I aim to publish my books and support other creators, I am also deeply interested in becoming an art therapist. Art is a way to process feelings and emotions with no boundaries; It’s always been a safe space for me, a way to express emotions in a way I couldn’t equally portray with words. I hope to give others who are struggling with mental health that same outlet.

Even before my parents sat my siblings and me down, I already knew what they were about to announce. It was after school on a Friday evening, and everyone had just settled down from the day. They brought us to our living room, where my siblings and I sat directly across from them. My siblings had no idea what to expect, but I had an uneasy feeling in my chest. My parents' faces were grim. My mom was trying to put on a brave face, but I could still see her struggling to hold direct eye contact with the three of us. When they finally told us they were getting a divorce, I sat there in silence. I didn’t know how to feel. For the past year, maybe even longer, I’ve witnessed my parents’ terrible fights, some even over the silliest things. I would hear loud yelling, stomping, and things clashing around. As the oldest, I felt that it was my responsibility to take care of my siblings and protect them. As a distraction, we would all go to my room and just play games with each other until we decided it was “safe” again. My siblings weren’t biologically related to me. My mom married my stepdad when I was around 7 years old. But even though we weren’t blood related, we grew up together. We attended school together, giggled over the silliest things when we were supposed to be asleep, and all relied and supported each other whenever anything troubling arose. My stepdad, despite everything, helped me learn the importance of determination, discipline, and putting my entire effort into everything I pursued. So when they told us the news, instead of feeling, I decided not to. I shut down. I acted like I didn't care, even though I knew my whole world was about to change. Over the next few weeks, my stepfamily packed their things and eventually moved out of the house. It was eerily quiet. Just me, my mom, in this huge house that used to be filled with laughter and fun memories of thrilling movie nights or late-night baking. When it was the last time to say goodbye, I gave a tight embrace to my siblings. I even hugged my step-dad, though I know how much he hurt my mom, and I could never forgive him for that. But I still had love for him, and I think he still had love for me too. Their divorce made me realize I struggle with attachment. Even with my real father, who passed away when I was about 8 years old, I pretended his death didn’t affect me since I didn’t know him very well. I didn’t allow myself to be vulnerable around anyone or show that I was dependent on my loved ones. I am the one who was supposed to be strong for everyone else. I was the one who had to make everything seem okay. To this day, I pretend that they didn’t exist. I haven’t spoken to my father for about five years, nor my brother. My step-sister and I follow each other on social media, but whenever we talk, it’s as if we were strangers. Whenever my mom asks about it or mentions me going to therapy, I brush it off. I pretended to be strong because I knew she had to be strong for me. I’ve decided to seal off that part of my life from everyone. Whenever someone asks me if I’m an only child, I respond yes, even though I had siblings for almost half my life. Even now, I don't see myself reaching out to them. They remind me of a bittersweet time, a time that I can reminisce about but wouldn’t want to revisit for my well-being.

Mr.Yeung was my high school History teacher when I was a junior. He didn’t just teach me historical events, but he taught me to believe in myself and strive for greatness. I’ve had his class before during the pandemic, but we never had a strong connection because of all the screens and stress of remote learning. Years later, I found myself sitting in his third-period U.S History class. I’ve always hated history class. I could never remember who was involved with what, dates never stuck in my mind, resulting in me getting B’s on almost all my tests. My transcript showed this as well; While having all high A’s, there goes History stubbornly remaining a B. Still, I strived to try my best in the class, no matter how much I would dread it. But something unexpected happened. I never hated or dreaded coming to that class. I found myself loving it in actuality. Mr.Yeung was an incredible teacher. He didn’t rely on flashy teaching methods or difficult worksheets to complete. He would simply present a board with slides filled with bullet points while we took notes. Although the method is simple, his passion for his topics made me engaged. He didn’t just recite facts, instead, he told stories and inspired us to have serious discussions about what we learned about. For the first time, I wasn’t solely focused on passing the class and getting good grades, I genuinely wanted to learn about the material and be a part of thoughtful discussions. His class became a safe place for me to truly be curious and try to understand the material. I asked questions since he fostered an environment of security and genuine assistance. And no matter how big the question was, he would try to answer it to the best of his ability. Aside from being a great teacher, he was also a great motivator. Whenever I scored decently on a test, he would tell me that I was capable of doing better. So, I studied harder. I visited libraries, reread chapters from the textbook, and watched videos of people explaining various topics in more depth. Whatever I could do, I found a way to implement it into my studying so I can do the best of my ability. Eventually, I found my rhythm and started doing super well on his tests. At the end of the year, I got the award “Emerging Excellence Award,” which meant that I was the most improved scholar in my grade in U.S history. That award meant more than just an A on my transcript, it showed that I had genuinely improved. Even now, during my senior year, I visit Mr.Yeung’s class almost every day after school. Whether it’s to ask for genuine advice or discuss what’s going on in my day-to-day life, I can always count on him to listen and motivate me to continue to strive for greatness. He advises me to keep pushing to the finish line, no matter how hard school or life gets. Mr.Yeung didn’t just help me love history, but he helped me to raise expectations for myself. He taught me that anything is possible when you believe in your potential and put in the effort.

One of my biggest goals is to pursue sequential art, or art that tells a story through narrative. In the future, I plan on illustrating my own children’s books, as well as other books for authors around the world. Books and media have the power to spark change and inspiration in anyone, no matter their background. Mental health is a cause that is especially important to me. As a minority child with anxiety, I never had either mental health or cultural representation in media, whether it’s in movies or books, or media. As a result, I felt ostracized and alone in my experience. Through my storytelling and illustrations, I want to spread awareness and increase representation of mental health and other disorders by using characters of diverse backgrounds and experiences. I want readers, especially young ones, to feel seen and be reminded that they are never alone. In college, I plan to double major in Communication Arts as well as Psychology. While I aim to publish my books and support other creators, I am also deeply interested in becoming an art therapist. Art is a way to process feelings and emotions with no boundaries; It’s always been a safe space for me, a way to express emotions in a way I couldn’t equally portray with words. I hope to give others who are struggling with mental health that same outlet. Through art and storytelling, I want to help future generations better understand themselves and positively process their emotions. I want kids to see themselves in the characters and stories I create. So many kids have emotions that they need to process, but don’t have the words for. Whether it’s through a graphic novel or a safe space where they can be themselves, I want to offer awareness of mental health to children. They need a community to rely on and learn how to process emotions through art or other art forms that help with healing and comfort in themselves. Receiving this scholarship will be very instrumental in my dedication and focus on attending a school that offers programs that specialize in both Sequential arts and Psychology. I will be able to have the tools to gain experience in my intended career, which will allow me to create a positive impact on communities around the world. This financial aid will help me achieve my dream of using art and stories to promote mental health and well-being, especially in youth. I want to give back through narratives that can give back to communities and others in a way I wish I could experience while growing up. With this scholarship, I can continue to use the power of art to inspire, uplift, and heal.

Since I was a child, I’ve always known I wanted to be an artist. From scribbling over white walls to spending hours in my sketchbook, creating has always brought me joy and comfort. Today, I attend a high school focused on the Arts. It’s a place where I can focus and hone my skills to the best of my ability. In my Junior Year, I took AP Psychology and unexpectedly fell in love with it. I was fascinated and strived to learn about how our mind works, the impacts of mental disorders, and all the diverse strategies therapists use to help others. At first, I found myself torn on whether I should pursue Psychology as my major in college or Visual Arts. However, I decided, why not both? One of my biggest goals is to pursue sequential art, or art that tells a story through narrative. In the future, I plan on illustrating my own children’s books, as well as other books for authors around the world. Books and media have the power to spark change and inspiration in anyone, no matter their background. Mental health is a cause that is especially important to me.. As a minority child with anxiety, I never had either mental health or cultural representation in media, whether it’s in movies or books, or media. As a result, I felt ostracized and alone in my experience. Through my storytelling and illustrations, I want to spread awareness and increase representation of mental health and other disorders by using characters of diverse backgrounds and experiences. I want readers, especially young ones, to feel seen and be reminded that they are never alone. In college, I plan to double major in Communication Arts as well as Psychology. While I aim to publish my books and support other creators, I am also deeply interested in becoming an art therapist. Art is a way to process feelings and emotions with no boundaries; It’s always been a safe space for me, a way to express emotions in a way I couldn’t equally portray with words. I hope to give others who are struggling with mental health that same outlet. To give back to my community, I’ve used my passion for art to connect with children. I volunteered at an elementary school for their school festival, helping with face painting for little kids. The kids excitedly requested things from their school logo to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles masks. Their reactions when I finally finished drawing on their faces were priceless. They answered so respectfully, and some even hugged me afterwards. As someone passionate about visual art and working with kids, combining the two in a way that brought genuine joy felt very rewarding to me. Being able to make an impact in a kid's life because it always carries on to their future. This small experience truly showed me the power and impact of creativity. Through art, I aim not only to entertain but also to raise awareness and representation. Through art and storytelling, I want to help future generations better understand themselves and positively process their emotions. I want kids to see themselves in the characters and stories I create. So many kids have emotions that they need to process, but don’t have the words for. Whether it’s through a graphic novel or a safe space where they can be themselves, I want to offer awareness of mental health to children. They need a community to rely on and learn how processing emotions through art or other art forms always helps with healing and comfort in themselves.

Community service is essential to making a community come together and creating meaningful change. Over the years, I have participated in multiple community service projects both in and outside of school, each project deepening my appreciation for small acts of kindness and their impact on those around us. In school, I’ve been involved with my school’s BETA club as well as the National Honor Society. Through these organizations, I have accomplished multiple things, such as creating fundraisers to help people from the LA fires, to collecting toiletries to donate to homeless shelters. While I’ve valued these experiences, the community service efforts that have impacted me most deeply occurred outside the classroom. During the holiday season, I volunteered at a local church to help distribute supplies to families in need. Outside the church, we handed out food baskets for holiday dinners, and we gave toys to parents to surprise their children on Christmas morning. While giving out baskets and necessities, I caroled outside with a group. Together, we sang Christmas carols and church songs, spreading holiday cheer to those waiting in line. By singing along with others, I realized how simple it is to help those in need. Singing along with people I’ve never met for the same cause felt powerful. Being able to uplift others' low spirits and see a kid’s bright smile on their face made me grateful for the good spirits of those around me. I also volunteered at an elementary school for their school festival, helping with face painting for little kids on a hot day. The kids excitedly requested things from their school logo to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles masks. I found photos online for inspiration, got their approval, and painted while asking their curious questions. Their reactions when I finally finished drawing on their faces were priceless. They answered so respectfully, and some even hugged me afterwards. As someone passionate about visual art and working with kids, combining the two in a way that brought genuine joy felt very rewarding to me. Being able to make an impact in a kid's life because it always carries on to their future. Making a difference doesn’t require huge gestures. With generosity, effort, and creativity, a lot can be accomplished. Even the small contributions matter. Whether it’s caroling in the cold or face painting a child’s face, every act of service can make a difference and add value to someone's life. The key for future generations stems from awareness and empathy. We need to encourage serious conversations about those in need and how we can help local communities. By staying informed and not turning a blind eye, we can foster groups dedicated to helping millions of people that extend past communities and into the world.

Sneaking into the movie theater to watch Spider-Man: Into the Spider Verse was one of the greatest decisions I’ve ever made. Not only did I absolutely love the film, but for the first time in my entire childhood, I saw someone with the same background as me on the big screen. Because of this movie, I was inspired to pursue a career as an artist so I can provide future generations with the same experience it gave me. Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse follows Miles Morales and his journey to becoming the new spiderman of his universe. His story also delves into the relationship with his parents: Rio, his Puerto Rican mom and Jefferson Davis, his African American father. As a Afro-Latina who also has a black dad and Puerto Rican mom, I have never felt more seen. Watching Miles interact with his family, especially his mom, was an experience I’ve never felt while watching a piece of media; It was deeply personal. And the fact that he also is a “No Sabo” felt very aligned with my experience with Spanish. Growing up, I mostly watched shows with mostly white-casts and almost no people of color, especially black people or Hispanic people. Seeing a Black, Hispanic superhero character like Miles was a completely new experience and one that I am extremely thankful for. This movie gave me that representation that I didn’t know I needed, and it reminded me how important it is for BIPOC kids to see themselves on the big screen and media. Another reason Spiderman: Into the Spider Verse was incredibly impactful was because of its animation style. The creators were able to go outside the box and incorporate various styles of animation into one movie by breaking the traditional norms of animated movies. Because of its originality and creative choices, this movie inspired me to pursue a career in illustration, especially character development and design. After the movie’s massive popularity, there was a trend of creating one’s own Spider-Man characters, aka a spider-sona. I loved designing my own. I had to figure out how I wanted the characters' costume to look, their special powers, and even their “normal” appearance when they're out of the costume. This trend introduced me to a whole new level of creativity in the art community. Even after the trend faded, I was still passionate about character design. I began to create characters that were from universe’s that I came up with. I watched tutorials and everything to know about character creation and practiced repeatedly in my sketchbook. Eventually, I found myself not only creating characters, but also giving them backstories, relationships, and their own worlds to live in. Today, I am developing my own graphic novel about an original cast of characters. I am incredibly thankful to the creators and animators who spent some much time and devotion to Spider-man: Into the Spiderverse. I will forever be grateful to this movie and the new world the creators opened up for me. Watching Miles Morales get through his life as Spider-Man made me believe that I can get through my own obstacles through life if I continue to work hard. Through my art, I hope to inspire children who are looking for their representation in media, just like how I was.

Alcohol markers have always been one of my favorite art mediums to use. For my 12th birthday, my parents got me a 40-set Ohuhu marker set after noticing how I started to take art seriously and genuinely wanted to improve. Everyday, I would binge-watch Youtube tutorials learning how to blend the colors, creating soft or harsh shadows, accurately color skin, and everything else I wanted to incorporate into my art. I began to use my markers for every masterpiece in my sketchbook. Through my dedication to mastering this art medium, I began to see improvement in my art work. I was able to blend two contrasting colors seamlessly or accurately place highlights and shadows in the right area. My growing passion for art motivated me to audition for an arts school that could assist me with my development in illustration skills. The school required me to submit a portfolio of works with a specific theme, as well as multiple sketchbooks that featured some of my typical work in my own art style. Through my repeated practice, I was able to provide a substantial amount of landscapes or characters I illustrated with the use of my markers. After a couple weeks of submitting my portfolio, I was accepted into the school. Now as a senior preparing to graduate, I have seen significant growth and improvement in my personal style. Alcohol markers have made me more confident in my choices as an artist. Through its bold application, I am able to portray my emotions through my chosen subjects whether it’s nature, animals, or people. They have helped me go with the flow when it comes to making art. While using markers, it is easy to make a mistake like choosing the wrong color for a certain area. However, it is difficult to remove those mistakes. Instead of starting over or getting entirely frustrated, alcohol markers give me the ability to problem solve and find ways to get around the mistake. Dealing with permanency allowed me to realize that there are truly no real mistakes in art. Making art is a process that comes with both intentional and unintentional actions. Many of my pieces utilize alcohol markers. I use them for coloring a main subject, or adding detail to a watercolor piece. Through their use, I am able to create vibrant art that exudes a sort of childish energy, a mood that I like to play around a lot with in my artwork. Showcasing childlike wonder through my art pieces helps me show my emotions without strict rules or boundaries. Colors like dandelion yellow or cotton candy pink help me effectively present the emotions that I want my audience to feel. For me, expressing childlike wonder through art is a way to express myself, free from boundaries and strict rules.

“Cleaning Days” is a comic that captures personal family moments from my childhood. It showcases how a small family tradition, like cleaning, can bring people together and create meaningful connections. Using bright colors and cluttered symbols, I represented how chore days, filled with loud Puerto Rican music, brought unity and joy into my household. Through the comic format, I portrayed my old memories of cleaning in a sequential format, since I always loved storytelling whether it’s watching cartoons or reading graphic novels. By capturing this moment in comic form, I am able to turn this fond memory into a moving visual story. Growing up, my mom always emphasized the importance of cleanliness in a home. She would always tell me “A clean room means a clean state of mind.” So, every Sunday morning, she’d blast her loud Spanish music on her old stereo and begin to clean every surface of the house. Of course, she couldn’t do this alone, so she would ask for my help. I would pretend to be asleep while hearing the loud music play around the house although I eventually had to get up and help her with the chores. When I finally emerged from my room, half-asleep, she would greet me with a cheerful “Buenos Dias!” and immediately tell me what she wants to accomplish for the day, leaving me confused and groggy in the middle of my hallway. As soon as I left my room, my senses were bombarded: the smell of Fabuloso drifting through the house, mixed with the sweet plantains and sunny-side up egg waiting for me in the kitchen, and the Top 50 Salsa songs blaring from the stereo throughout the house. Grabbing gloves, I prepared to mop, wipe down every surface, wash piles of laundry, change the sheets, vacuum my room, and help wherever else I was needed. Cleaning days wouldn’t be the same without my mom taking her quick dance breaks in between every chore or her singing loudly enough to be heard over the blasting. She would call me over mid-song , and continue to do a small bachata move or a twirl with her mop like it was her dance partner, pretending that she was in the music video from back in the day. I pretended to be embarrassed, but deep down, I loved watching her enjoy the music she grew up with. I used to find cleaning days a miserable way to spend my Sundays. But looking back it made me realize how grateful I am for them. What once felt like a chore, now feels like a cherished memory I’ll always hold close to me.