By being the first one in my family to receive an education past high school, it means a lot to continue in education. This is especially the case when considering my desire to get a Ph. D. My parents came from Romania, and had me and my three siblings once they landed here. Being the third child of four children means a lot when in Romania they would not consider having more than two. Having the opportunity to go to school at a private college known for its great psychology program has set me on the right foot for my goal of becoming a Neuropsychologist. To put it simply, Neuropsychologists study the brain and focus on its functioning and connections. What draws me into this path is the ability to work with people of all ages, expanding what there is to know about the brain, and how learning and memory is affected over time when taking into consideration neurodevelopmental disorders like ADHD. I was particularly interested in Neuropsychology when my mother started to lose her previously efficient short term memory. It would be a gift to go into the field for her sake, but also to help people with their conditions and provide answers to their unsolved questions. While only halfway into my undergraduate schooling, I am able to learn so much more about development and memory parallel to my career desires. Next semester I will be taking a class on Neuropsychology specifically, which I'm sure I'll fall in love with. I do think that education is critical to making the world a better, healthier place, and I hope to impact those in generations to come. I would love to positively impact the lives of many through my work and research and serve as inspiration that you can do anything you put your mind to. I am well aware that education alone is tough, and not having any financial support makes it tougher, but I want to be living proof that it is possible to balance both work and school and excel. Even when everything is against you, you have to remember what cause you're doing it all for. That is what makes all the long work hours and lack of free time worth it in college. Knowing that by the end, you'll be exactly where you want to be and serving the community at the same time.

By being the first one in my family to receive an education past high school, it means a lot to continue in education. This is especially the case when considering my desire to get a Ph. D. My parents came from Romania, and had me and my three siblings once they landed here. Being the third child of four children means a lot when in Romania they would not consider having more than two. Having the opportunity to go to school at a private college known for its great psychology program has set me on the right foot for my goal of becoming a Neuropsychologist. To put it simply, Neuropsychologists study the brain and focus on its functioning and connections. What draws me into this path is the ability to work with people of all ages, expanding what there is to know about the brain, and how learning and memory is affected over time when taking into consideration neurodevelopmental disorders like ADHD. I was particularly interested in Neuropsychology when my mother started to lose her previously efficient short term memory. It would be a gift to go into the field for her sake, but also to help people with their conditions and provide answers to their unsolved questions. While only halfway into my undergraduate schooling, I am able to learn so much more about development and memory parallel to my career desires. Next semester I will be taking a class on Neuropsychology specifically, which I'm sure I'll fall in love with. My siblings and I all have different paths we would like to pursue, and being the only one going into school both makes me uncertain, but hopeful. I do think that education is critical to making the world a better, healthier place, and I hope to pass that on and impact those in generations to come. I would love to positively impact the lives of many through my work and research and serve as inspiration that you can do anything you put your mind to. I am well aware that education alone is tough, and not having any financial support makes it tougher, but I want to be living proof that it is possible to balance both work and school and excel. Even when everything is against you, you have to remember what cause you're doing it all for. That is what makes all the long work hours and lack of free time worth it in college. Knowing that by the end, you'll be exactly where you want to be and serving the community at the same time.

By being the first one in my family to receive an education past high school, it means a lot to continue in education. This is especially the case when considering my desire to get a Ph. D. My parents came from Romania, and had me and my three siblings once they landed here. Being the third child of four children means a lot when in Romania they would not consider having more than two. Having the opportunity to go to school at a private college known for its great psychology program has set me on the right foot for my goal of becoming a Neuropsychologist. To put it simply, Neuropsychologists study the brain and focus on its functioning and connections. What draws me into this path is the ability to work with people of all ages, expanding what there is to know about the brain, and how learning and memory is affected over time when taking into consideration neurodevelopmental disorders like ADHD. I was particularly interested in Neuropsychology when my mother started to lose her previously efficient short term memory. It would be a gift to go into the field for her sake, but also to help people with their conditions and provide answers to their unsolved questions. While only halfway into my undergraduate schooling, I am able to learn so much more about development and memory parallel to my career desires. Next semester I will be taking a class on Neuropsychology specifically, which I'm sure I'll fall in love with. My siblings and I all have different paths we would like to pursue, and being the only one going into school both makes me uncertain, but hopeful. I do think that education is critical to making the world a better, healthier place, and I hope to pass that on and impact those in generations to come. I would love to positively impact the lives of many through my work and research and serve as inspiration that you can do anything you put your mind to. I am well aware that education alone is tough, and not having any financial support makes it tougher, but I want to be living proof that it is possible to balance both work and school and excel. Even when everything is against you, you have to remember what cause you're doing it all for. That is what makes all the long work hours and lack of free time worth it in college. Knowing that by the end, you'll be exactly where you want to be and serving the community at the same time.

Psychology was a field I discovered in High school which I had fallen in love with. During my senior year, I took AP Psychology, and right then I knew it was for me. I have always had a passion for helping and caring for others, coming from a background where I had no choice but to do so. I am a current Junior in College with hopes of becoming a Neuropsychologist with my own private practice and continuing doing what I love, helping and aiding others. Watching my parents age and seeing how they have been affected over time and never getting clear answers as to why has pushed me forward with this path I want to take. They both are impacted by disabilities and mental health struggles, and that itself compels me to go into this field and understand what happens from a biological standpoint. Not only have I been exposed to those who have been impacted by a mental illness, I have also been struggling with depression for about 6 years. Being in and out of therapy and hospitals only pushes me more to help others in the same way I have been helped all this time. During my years of schooling, I hope to also help them in the same way they have helped me by supporting my dreams.

Many often overlook the words of their parents or the meaning they are putting behind them. We are all guilty of it and it may just be an innocent little mistake. In contrast, some phrases may find their way deep within you. As a child of two Romanian immigrants, you find some challenges in expression and communication when talking to your parents. This can even impact your own interactions. But even then, sometimes you may understand a sentence completely, but not realize the emotional impact/meaning until much later. “I’m giving you what I wish I had” A simple saying that would present itself from time to time, specifically said by my Dad. From a new phone to even just a simple pack of rainbow-colored pens, this phrase will manifest itself. At first glance, it seems like a symbol to be grateful for what you have, and I thought so as well until I got older and made connections. My Dad grew up having so little handed to him. A pen? He’d be lucky to even have one in his sight. Calculator? Never heard of it. The simple items we are just handed today are the same items he never got the chance to hold, or know of. After moving to the U.S. in the 90’s with my older sister on the way, he took advantage of readily available things, like pens. He started collections, took pictures of everything, and even started collecting cameras to collect pictures. He was living his best life. As it came time to focus on his children, this became a less common occurrence. Instead, he was more focused on necessities and providing what was needed, which was very demanding. Not only because he now had a family and worked minimum wage, he did not know how to speak English. He was the perfect example of what hard work and dedication looks like. I find myself thinking about how things were in his past and it gives me a sense of how much selflessness is within him. Today, he can’t do what he could in the past. Both of my parents, by the time I reached middle school, had established disabilities and couldn’t work. The least they could do was give. They gave what they didn't have as children to their children, even if it wasn’t much. I will admire that endlessly, and even though we may have so little to live off of, they give whatever they can so we don’t have to feel that same insecurity ourselves. From picking up my Dad's ways, I learned the importance of expression, and how much of an impact it can have on someone from experiencing it firsthand. This naturally drew me into theater, the art of expression. Theater was my chance to show others who I was without having to worry about anything. I could truly be myself. This interest of mine arose as soon as I could maintain enough balance to entertain. I would perform anything: the newest song, a T.V. scene, karaoke. You name it, I did it. And, it was probably recorded too. During middle school, I started acting which allowed me to find my voice on stage. This only continued to grow in high school with my interest in stage managing and directing also emerging.

A trait of mine that is constantly brought up by those around me would be my energy/smile. I have been asked, how are you so happy all the time? Sometimes this question puzzles me as well, but it does make up a lot of who I am as a person. I believe that a smile can simply make a stranger's difficult day better, and half the time I do not realize I do it. I always seek joy in situations, and it helps me keep going. Knowing that a simple smile helps those around me only motivates me to continue. Making someone laugh instantly brings gratification, and that feeling of bringing joy is addicting. I have been compared to the sun and a living embodiment of it, and I never want to let go of that. It brings me a lot of joy that a great part of my character impacts others in the same way it impacts me. In a sense, I am incredibly lucky that I can flip the way someone sees the world by just being myself. As someone who identifies as nonbinary and is fem-presenting, I've encountered just as much support as I've been asked questions and experienced invalidation. Luckily, everywhere I go, I find those who support me and who I am at my core, which inspires me to be more myself. Coming from a family that is against both my identity and my trans fiancé, it means a lot when I find an environment that supports me. I have chosen to go to Flagler College, a liberal arts college in St. Augustine FL, and I have been fortunate enough to be surrounded by an entire school of those who support my community, whether in it or not. Psychology was a field I discovered in High school which I had fallen in love with. During my senior year, I took AP Psychology, and right then I knew it was for me. I have always had a passion for helping and caring for others, coming from a background where I had no choice but to do so. I am a current Junior in College with hopes of becoming a Neuropsychologist with my own private practice and continuing doing what I love, helping and aiding others. Watching my parents age and seeing how they have been affected over time and never getting clear answers as to why has pushed me forward with this path I want to take. They both are impacted by disabilities and mental health struggles, and that itself compels me to go into this field and understand what happens from a biological standpoint. Not only have I been exposed to those who have been impacted by a mental illness, I have also been struggling with depression for about 6 years. Being in and out of therapy and hospitals only pushes me more to help others in the same way I have been helped all this time. During my years of schooling, I hope to also help them in the same way they have helped me by supporting my dreams. This scholarship would help pay off my tuition for my upcoming fall semester, so I can spend more time focusing on school rather than trying to balance both working nearly full time at night and going to class during the day. Because I come from a low-income household, I am not getting any money from my family and I am expected to pay my way through school, especially because of my choice of a private school away from home. Flagler College is known for having a large Psychology program, and that is where I will be for the next 2 years to further my education. An important factor to note when considering my college path is that I major in Psychology and minor in Theatre Arts. This has proven to be helpful in my Psychology career, especially behavior-wise. Theatre is all about putting yourself in someone else's shoes and experiencing life unfamiliar to you. This benefits me by further understanding how people think, why people act the way they do, and what drives people. Theatre gives you a whole new idea about what life is and the circumstances that people go through, as well as it being a fantastic hobby coping-wise. By being involved with theater I have further expanded my empathy and my want to care for and help others. Understanding and listening have always come second nature to me and I would like to share my gift with those who can benefit from it. What I hope to get out of my education and give to those in my field is someone who inspires them, and the motivation to keep going when all odds are against you. Whether it be someone I am helping, or someone going through a similar education journey, I would love to be the person who can say, I did it, and so can you.

A trait of mine that is constantly brought up by those around me would be my energy/smile. I have been asked, how are you so happy all the time? Sometimes this question puzzles me as well, but it does make up a lot of who I am as a person. I believe that a smile can simply make a stranger's difficult day better, and half the time I do not realize I do it. I always seek joy in situations, and it helps me keep going. Knowing that a simple smile helps those around me only motivates me to continue. Making someone laugh instantly brings gratification, and that feeling of bringing joy is addicting. I have been compared to the sun and a living embodiment of it, and I never want to let go of that. It brings me a lot of joy that a great part of my character impacts others in the same way it impacts me. In a sense, I am incredibly lucky that I can flip the way someone sees the world by just being myself. Psychology was a field I discovered in High school which I had fallen in love with. During my senior year, I took AP Psychology, and right then I knew it was for me. I have always had a passion for helping and caring for others, coming from a background where I had no choice but to do so. I am a current Junior in College with hopes of becoming a Neuropsychologist with my own private practice and continuing doing what I love, helping and aiding others. Watching my parents age and seeing how they have been affected over time and never getting clear answers as to why has pushed me forward with this path I want to take. They both are impacted by disabilities and mental health struggles, and that itself compels me to go into this field and understand what happens from a biological standpoint. Not only have I been exposed to those who have been impacted by a mental illness, I have also been struggling with depression for about 6 years. Being in and out of therapy and hospitals only pushes me more to help others in the same way I have been helped all this time. During my years of schooling, I hope to also help them in the same way they have helped me by supporting my dreams. This scholarship would help pay off my tuition for my upcoming fall semester, so I can spend more time focusing on school rather than trying to balance both working nearly full time at night and going to class during the day. Because I come from a low-income household, I am not getting any money from my family and I am expected to pay my way through school, especially because of my choice of a private school away from home. Flagler College is known for having a large Psychology program, and that is where I will be for the next 2 years to further my education. An important factor to note when considering my college path is that I major in Psychology and minor in Theatre Arts. Theatre is all about putting yourself in someone else's shoes and experiencing life unfamiliar to you. By being involved with theater I have further expanded my empathy and my want to care for and help others. Understanding and listening have always come second nature to me and I would like to share my gift with those who can benefit from it.

As someone who identifies as nonbinary and is fem-presenting, I've encountered just as much support as I've been asked questions and experienced invalidation. Luckily, everywhere I go, I find those who support me and who I am at my core, which inspires me to be more myself. Coming from a family that is against both my identity and my trans fiancé, it means a lot when I find an environment that supports me. I have chosen to go to Flagler College, a liberal arts college in St. Augustine FL, and I have been fortunate enough to be surrounded by an entire school of those who support my community, whether in it or not. Psychology was a field I discovered in High school which I had fallen in love with. During my senior year, I took AP Psychology, and right then I knew it was for me. I have always had a passion for helping and caring for others, coming from a background where I had no choice but to do so. I am a current Junior in College with hopes of becoming a Neuropsychologist with my own private practice and continuing doing what I love, helping and aiding others. Watching my parents age and seeing how they have been affected over time and never getting clear answers as to why has pushed me forward with this path I want to take. They both are impacted by disabilities and mental health struggles, and that itself compels me to go into this field and understand what happens from a biological standpoint. Not only have I been exposed to those who have been impacted by a mental illness, I have also been struggling with depression for about 6 years. Being in and out of therapy and hospitals only pushes me more to help others in the same way I have been helped all this time. During my years of schooling, I hope to also help them in the same way they have helped me by supporting my dreams. An important factor to note when considering my college path is that I major in Psychology and minor in Theatre Arts. This has proven to be helpful in my Psychology career, especially behavior-wise. Theatre is all about putting yourself in someone else's shoes and experiencing life unfamiliar to you. This benefits me by further understanding how people think, why people act the way they do, and what drives people. Theatre gives you a whole new idea about what life is and the circumstances that people go through, as well as it being a fantastic hobby coping-wise. By being involved with theater I have further expanded my empathy and my want to care for and help others. Understanding and listening have always come second nature to me and I would like to share my gift with those who can benefit from it. What I hope to get out of my education and give to those in my field is someone who inspires them, and the motivation to keep going when all odds are against you. Whether it be someone I am helping, or someone going through a similar education journey, I would love to be the person who can say, I did it, and so can you.

“I’m giving you what I wish I had” A saying that would present itself from time to time, specifically said by my Dad. From a new phone to even just a simple pack of rainbow-colored pens, this phrase will manifest itself. At first glance, it seems like a symbol to be grateful, and I thought so as well until I got older and made connections. My Dad grew up having so little handed to him. A pen? He’d be lucky to even have one in his sight. Calculator? Never heard of it. The simple items we are just handed today are the same items he never got the chance to hold. After immigrating to the U.S. in the 90’s from Romania with my older sister on the way, he took advantage of readily available things, like pens. As it came time to focus on his children, this became a less common occurrence. Instead, he was more focused on necessities, which was very demanding. Not only because he now had a family and worked minimum wage, he did not know how to speak English. I find myself thinking about how things were in his past and it gives me a sense of how much selflessness is within him. Today, he can’t do what he could in the past. Both of my parents, by the time I reached middle school, had established disabilities and couldn’t work. The least they could do was give. From picking up my Dad's ways, I learned the importance of expression, and how much of an impact it can have on someone. This naturally drew me into theater, the art of expression. Theater was my chance to show others who I was without having to worry about anything. During middle school, I started acting and found voice on stage. This only continued to grow in high school with my interest in stage managing and directing also emerging. Picking a career I wanted to pursue was not the easiest decision for me. I knew already that I wanted to earn enough money to support both me and my parents and give back to them. It wasn’t until the beginning of my senior year when I started volunteering at my local community theater, where I had realized that I would so much rather be happy, spreading love to those around me, and enjoying my life, than be stuck doing something I don’t want to do. I also realized that with the amount of passion and love I have for this art, I won't have to worry about stability. I will find stability in theater, even if it may be a career filled with uncertainty. An important factor to note when considering my college path is that I major in Psychology and minor in Theatre Arts. This has proven to be helpful in my Psychology career, especially behavior-wise. Theatre is all about putting yourself in someone else's shoes and experiencing life unfamiliar to you. This benefits me by further understanding how people think, why people act the way they do, and what drives people. Theatre gives you a whole new idea about what life is and the circumstances that people go through, as well as it being a fantastic hobby coping-wise. By being involved with theater I have further expanded my empathy and my want to care for and help others. Understanding and listening have always come second nature to me and I would like to share my gift with those who can benefit from it.

A trait of mine that is constantly brought up by those around me would be my energy/smile. I have been asked, how are you so happy all the time? Sometimes this question puzzles me as well, but it does make up a lot of who I am as a person. I believe that a smile can simply make a stranger's difficult day better, and half the time I do not realize I do it. I always seek joy in situations, and it helps me keep going. Knowing that a simple smile helps those around me only motivates me to continue. Making someone laugh instantly brings gratification, and that feeling of bringing joy is addicting. I have been compared to the sun and a living embodiment of it, and I never want to let go of that. It brings me a lot of joy that a great part of my character impacts others in the same way it impacts me. In a sense, I am incredibly lucky that I can flip the way someone sees the world by just being myself. Psychology was a field I discovered in High school which I had fallen in love with. During my senior year, I took AP Psychology, and right then I knew it was for me. I have always had a passion for helping and caring for others, coming from a background where I had no choice but to do so. I am a current Junior in College with hopes of becoming a Neuropsychologist with my own private practice and continuing doing what I love, helping and aiding others. Watching my parents age and seeing how they have been affected over time and never getting clear answers as to why has pushed me forward with this path I want to take. They both are impacted by disabilities and mental health struggles, and that itself compels me to go into this field and understand what happens from a biological standpoint. Not only have I been exposed to those who have been impacted by a mental illness, I have also been struggling with depression for about 6 years. Being in and out of therapy and hospitals only pushes me more to help others in the same way I have been helped all this time. During my years of schooling, I hope to also help them in the same way they have helped me by supporting my dreams. This scholarship would help pay off my tuition for my upcoming fall semester, so I can spend more time focusing on school rather than trying to balance both working nearly full time at night and going to class during the day. Because I come from a low-income household, I am not getting any money from my family and I am expected to pay my way through school, especially because of my choice of a private school away from home. Flagler College is known for having a large Psychology program, and that is where I will be for the next 2 years to further my education. An important factor to note when considering my college path is that I major in Psychology and minor in Theatre Arts. This has proven to be helpful in my Psychology career, especially behavior-wise. Theatre is all about putting yourself in someone else's shoes and experiencing life unfamiliar to you. This benefits me by further understanding how people think, why people act the way they do, and what drives people. Theatre gives you a whole new idea about what life is and the circumstances that people go through, as well as it being a fantastic hobby coping-wise. By being involved with theater I have further expanded my empathy and my want to care for and help others. Understanding and listening have always come second nature to me and I would like to share my gift with those who can benefit from it.

As someone who identifies as nonbinary and is fem-presenting, I've encountered just as much support as I've been asked questions and experienced invalidation. Luckily, everywhere I go, I find those who support me and who I am at my core, which inspires me to be more myself. Coming from a family that is against both my identity and my trans fiancé, it means a lot when I find an environment that supports me. I have chosen to go to Flagler College, a liberal arts college in St. Augustine FL, and I have been fortunate enough to be surrounded by an entire school of those who support my community, whether in it or not. Psychology was a field I discovered in High school which I had fallen in love with. During my senior year, I took AP Psychology, and right then I knew it was for me. I have always had a passion for helping and caring for others, coming from a background where I had no choice but to do so. I am a current Junior in College with hopes of becoming a Neuropsychologist with my own private practice and continuing doing what I love, helping and aiding others. Watching my parents age and seeing how they have been affected over time and never getting clear answers as to why has pushed me forward with this path I want to take. They both are impacted by disabilities and mental health struggles, and that itself compels me to go into this field and understand what happens from a biological standpoint. Not only have I been exposed to those who have been impacted by a mental illness, I have also been struggling with depression for about 6 years. Being in and out of therapy and hospitals only pushes me more to help others in the same way I have been helped all this time. During my years of schooling, I hope to also help them in the same way they have helped me by supporting my dreams. An important factor to note when considering my college path is that I major in Psychology and minor in Theatre Arts. This has proven to be helpful in my Psychology career, especially behavior-wise. Theatre is all about putting yourself in someone else's shoes and experiencing life unfamiliar to you. This benefits me by further understanding how people think, why people act the way they do, and what drives people. Theatre gives you a whole new idea about what life is and the circumstances that people go through, as well as it being a fantastic hobby coping-wise. By being involved with theater I have further expanded my empathy and my want to care for and help others. Understanding and listening have always come second nature to me and I would like to share my gift with those who can benefit from it. What I hope to get out of my education and give to those in my field is someone who inspires them, and the motivation to keep going when all odds are against you. Whether it be someone I am helping, or someone going through a similar education journey, I would love to be the person who can say, I did it, and so can you.

Psychology was a field I discovered in High school which I had fallen in love with. During my senior year, I took AP Psychology, and right then I knew it was for me. I have always had a passion for helping and caring for others, coming from a background where I had no choice but to do so. I am a current Junior in College with hopes of becoming a Neuropsychologist with my own private practice and continuing doing what I love, helping and aiding others. Watching my parents age and seeing how they have been affected over time and never getting clear answers as to why has pushed me forward with this path I want to take. They both are impacted by disabilities and mental health struggles, and that itself compels me to go into this field and understand what happens from a biological standpoint. Not only have I been exposed to those who have been impacted by a mental illness, I have also been struggling with depression for about 6 years. Being in and out of therapy and hospitals only pushes me more to help others in the same way I have been helped all this time. During my years of schooling, I hope to also help them in the same way they have helped me by supporting my dreams. This scholarship would help pay off my tuition for my upcoming fall semester, so I can spend more time focusing on school rather than trying to balance both working nearly full time at night and going to class during the day. Because I come from a low-income household, I am not getting any money from my family and I am expected to pay my way through school, especially because of my choice of a private school away from home. Flagler College is known for having a large Psychology program, and that is where I will be for the next 2 years to further my education. An important factor to note when considering my college path is that I major in Psychology and minor in Theatre Arts. This has proven to be helpful in my Psychology career, especially behavior-wise. Theatre is all about putting yourself in someone else's shoes and experiencing life unfamiliar to you. This benefits me by further understanding how people think, why people act the way they do, and what drives people. Theatre gives you a whole new idea about what life is and the circumstances that people go through, as well as it being a fantastic hobby coping-wise. By being involved with theater I have further expanded my empathy and my want to care for and help others. Understanding and listening have always come second nature to me and I would like to share my gift with those who can benefit from it.

A trait of mine that is constantly brought up by those around me would be my energy/smile. I have been asked, how are you so happy all the time? Sometimes this question puzzles me as well, but it does make up a lot of who I am as a person. I believe that a smile can simply make a stranger's difficult day better, and half the time I do not realize I do it. I always seek joy in situations, and it helps me keep going. Knowing that a simple smile helps those around me only motivates me to continue. Making someone laugh instantly brings gratification, and that feeling of bringing joy is addicting. I have been compared to the sun and a living embodiment of it, and I never want to let go of that. It brings me a lot of joy that a great part of my character impacts others in the same way it impacts me. In a sense, I am incredibly lucky that I can flip the way someone sees the world by just being myself. Psychology was a field I discovered in High school which I had fallen in love with. During my senior year, I took AP Psychology, and right then I knew it was for me. I have always had a passion for helping and caring for others, coming from a background where I had no choice but to do so. I am a current Junior in College with hopes of becoming a Neuropsychologist with my own private practice and continuing doing what I love, helping and aiding others. Watching my parents age and seeing how they have been affected over time and never getting clear answers as to why has pushed me forward with this path I want to take. They both are impacted by disabilities and mental health struggles, and that itself compels me to go into this field and understand what happens from a biological standpoint. Not only have I been exposed to those who have been impacted by a mental illness, I have also been struggling with depression for about 6 years. Being in and out of therapy and hospitals only pushes me more to help others in the same way I have been helped all this time. During my years of schooling, I hope to also help them in the same way they have helped me by supporting my dreams. An important factor to note when considering my college path is that I major in Psychology and minor in Theatre Arts. Theatre is all about putting yourself in someone else's shoes and experiencing life unfamiliar to you. By being involved with theater I have further expanded my empathy and my want to care for and help others. Understanding and listening have always come second nature to me and I would like to share my gift with those who can benefit from it.

A trait of mine that is constantly brought up by those around me would be my energy/smile. I have been asked, how are you so happy all the time? Sometimes this question puzzles me as well, but it does make up a lot of who I am as a person. I believe that a smile can simply make a stranger's difficult day better, and half the time I do not realize I do it. I always seek joy in situations, and it helps me keep going. Knowing that a simple smile helps those around me only motivates me to continue. Making someone laugh instantly brings gratification, and that feeling of bringing joy is addicting. I have been compared to the sun and a living embodiment of it, and I never want to let go of that. It brings me a lot of joy that a great part of my character impacts others in the same way it impacts me. In a sense, I am incredibly lucky that I can flip the way someone sees the world by just being myself. Psychology was a field I discovered in High school which I had fallen in love with. During my senior year, I took AP Psychology, and right then I knew it was for me. I have always had a passion for helping and caring for others, coming from a background where I had no choice but to do so. I am a current Junior in College with hopes of becoming a Neuropsychologist with my own private practice and continuing doing what I love, helping and aiding others. Watching my parents age and seeing how they have been affected over time and never getting clear answers as to why has pushed me forward with this path I want to take. They both are impacted by disabilities and mental health struggles, and that itself compels me to go into this field and understand what happens from a biological standpoint. Not only have I been exposed to those who have been impacted by a mental illness, I have also been struggling with depression for about 6 years. Being in and out of therapy and hospitals only pushes me more to help others in the same way I have been helped all this time. During my years of schooling, I hope to also help them in the same way they have helped me by supporting my dreams. An important factor to note when considering my college path is that I major in Psychology and minor in Theatre Arts. This has proven to be helpful in my Psychology career, especially behavior-wise. Theatre is all about putting yourself in someone else's shoes and experiencing life unfamiliar to you. This benefits me by further understanding how people think, why people act the way they do, and what drives people. Theatre gives you a whole new idea about what life is and the circumstances that people go through, as well as it being a fantastic hobby coping-wise. By being involved with theater I have further expanded my empathy and my want to care for and help others. Understanding and listening have always come second nature to me and I would like to share my gift with those who can benefit from it.

A trait of mine that is constantly brought up by those around me would be my energy/smile. I have been asked, how are you so happy all the time? Sometimes this question puzzles me as well, but it does make up a lot of who I am as a person. I believe that a smile can simply make a stranger's difficult day better, and half the time I do not realize I do it. I always seek joy in situations, and it helps me keep going. Knowing that a simple smile helps those around me only motivates me to continue. Making someone laugh instantly brings gratification, and that feeling of bringing joy is addicting. I have been compared to the sun and a living embodiment of it, and I never want to let go of that. It brings me a lot of joy that a great part of my character impacts others in the same way it impacts me. In a sense, I am incredibly lucky that I can flip the way someone sees the world by just being myself. Psychology was a field I discovered in High school which I had fallen in love with. During my senior year, I took AP Psychology, and right then I knew it was for me. I've always had a passion for helping and caring for others, coming from a background where I had no choice but to do so. I am a current Junior in College with hopes of becoming a Neuropsychologist with my own private practice and continuing doing what I love, helping and aiding others. Watching my parents age and seeing how they have been affected over time and never getting clear answers as to why has pushed me forward with this path I want to take. They both are impacted by disabilities and mental health struggles, and that itself compels me to go into this field and understand what happens from a biological standpoint. Not only have I been exposed to those who have been impacted by a mental illness, I have also been struggling with depression for about 6 years. Being in and out of therapy and hospitals only pushes me more to help others in the same way I have been helped all this time. During my years of schooling, I hope to help them in the same way they have helped me by supporting my dreams.

A trait of mine that is constantly brought up by those around me would be my energy/smile. I have been asked, how are you so happy all the time? Sometimes this question puzzles me as well, but it does make up a lot of who I am as a person. I believe that a smile can simply make a stranger's difficult day better, and half the time I do not realize I do it. I always seek joy in situations, and it helps me keep going. Knowing that a simple smile helps those around me only motivates me to continue. Making someone laugh instantly brings gratification, and that feeling of bringing joy is addicting. I have been compared to the sun and a living embodiment of it, and I never want to let go of that. It brings me a lot of joy that a great part of my character impacts others in the same way it impacts me. In a sense, I am incredibly lucky that I can flip the way someone sees the world by just being myself. Psychology was a field I discovered in High school which I had fallen in love with. During my senior year, I took AP Psychology, and right then I knew it was for me. I have always had a passion for helping and caring for others, coming from a background where I had no choice but to do so. I am a current Junior in College with hopes of becoming a Neuropsychologist with my own private practice and continuing doing what I love, helping and aiding others. Watching my parents age and seeing how they have been affected over time and never getting clear answers as to why has pushed me forward with this path I want to take. They both are impacted by disabilities and mental health struggles, and that itself compels me to go into this field and understand what happens from a biological standpoint. Not only have I been exposed to those who have been impacted by a mental illness, I have also been struggling with depression for about 6 years. Being in and out of therapy and hospitals only pushes me more to help others in the same way I have been helped all this time. During my years of schooling, I hope to also help them in the same way they have helped me by supporting my dreams. An important factor to note when considering my college path is that I major in Psychology and minor in Theatre Arts. This has proven to be helpful in my Psychology career, especially behavior-wise. Theatre is all about putting yourself in someone else's shoes and experiencing life unfamiliar to you. This benefits me by further understanding how people think, why people act the way they do, and what drives people. Theatre gives you a whole new idea about what life is and the circumstances that people go through, as well as it being a fantastic hobby coping-wise. By being involved with theater I have further expanded my empathy and my want to care for and help others. Understanding and listening have always come second nature to me and I would like to share my gift with those who can benefit from it.

A trait of mine that is constantly brought up by those around me would be my energy/smile. I have been asked, how are you so happy all the time? Sometimes this question puzzles me as well, but it does make up a lot of who I am as a person. I believe that a smile can simply make a stranger's difficult day better, and half the time I do not realize I do it. I always seek joy in situations, and it helps me keep going. Knowing that a simple smile helps those around me only motivates me to continue. Making someone laugh instantly brings gratification, and that feeling of bringing joy is addicting. I have been compared to the sun and a living embodiment of it, and I never want to let go of that. It brings me a lot of joy that a great part of my character impacts others in the same way it impacts me. In a sense, I am incredibly lucky that I can flip the way someone sees the world by just being myself. Psychology was a field I discovered in High school which I had fallen in love with. During my senior year, I took AP Psychology, and right then I knew it was for me. I have always had a passion for helping and caring for others, coming from a background where I had no choice but to do so. I am a current Junior in College with hopes of becoming a Neuropsychologist with my own private practice and continuing doing what I love, helping and aiding others. Watching my parents age and seeing how they have been affected over time and never getting clear answers as to why has pushed me forward with this path I want to take. They both are impacted by disabilities and mental health struggles, and that itself compels me to go into this field and understand what happens from a biological standpoint. Not only have I been exposed to those who have been impacted by a mental illness, I have also been struggling with depression for about 6 years. Being in and out of therapy and hospitals only pushes me more to help others in the same way I have been helped all this time. During my years of schooling, I hope to also help them in the same way they have helped me by supporting my dreams. An important factor to note when considering my college path is that I major in Psychology and minor in Theatre Arts. This has proven to be helpful in my Psychology career, especially behavior-wise. Theatre is all about putting yourself in someone else's shoes and experiencing life unfamiliar to you. This benefits me by further understanding how people think, why people act the way they do, and what drives people. Theatre gives you a whole new idea about what life is and the circumstances that people go through, as well as it being a fantastic hobby coping-wise. By being involved with theater I have further expanded my empathy and my want to care for and help others. Understanding and listening have always come second nature to me and I would like to share my gift with those who can benefit from it.

Psychology was a field I discovered in High school which I had fallen in love with. During my senior year, I took AP Psychology, and right then I knew it was for me. I have always had a passion for helping and caring for others, coming from a background where I had no choice but to do so. I am a current Junior in College with hopes of becoming a Neuropsychologist with my own private practice and continuing doing what I love, helping and aiding others. Watching my parents age and seeing how they have been affected over time and never getting clear answers as to why has pushed me forward with this path I want to take. They both are impacted by disabilities and mental health struggles, and that itself compels me to go into this field and understand what happens from a biological standpoint. Not only have I been exposed to those who have been impacted by a mental illness, I have also been struggling with depression for about 6 years. Being in and out of therapy and hospitals only pushes me more to help others in the same way I have been helped all this time. During my years of schooling, I hope to also help them in the same way they have helped me by supporting my dreams. This scholarship would help pay off my tuition for my upcoming fall semester, so I can spend more time focusing on school rather than trying to balance both working nearly full time at night and going to class during the day. Because I come from a low-income household, I am not getting any money from my family and I am expected to pay my way through school, especially because of my choice of a private school away from home. Flagler College is known for having a large Psychology program, and that is where I will be for the next 2 years to further my education. An important factor to note when considering my college path is that I major in Psychology and minor in Theatre Arts. Theatre is all about putting yourself in someone else's shoes and experiencing life unfamiliar to you. By being involved with theater I have further expanded my empathy and my want to care for and help others. Understanding and listening have always come second nature to me and I would like to share my gift with those who can benefit from it.

As someone who identifies as nonbinary and is fem-presenting, I've encountered just as much support as I've been asked questions and experienced invalidation. Luckily, everywhere I go, I find those who support me and who I am at my core, which inspires me to be more myself. Coming from a family that is against both my identity and my trans fiancé, it means a lot when I find an environment that supports me. I have chosen to go to Flagler College, a liberal arts college in St. Augustine FL, and I have been fortunate enough to be surrounded by an entire school of those who support my community, whether in it or not. A trait of mine that is constantly brought up by those around me would be my energy/smile. I have been asked, how are you so happy all the time? Sometimes this question puzzles me as well, but it does make up a lot of who I am as a person. I believe that a smile can simply make a stranger's difficult day better, and half the time I do not realize I do it. I always seek joy in situations, and it helps me keep going. Knowing that a simple smile helps those around me only motivates me to continue. Making someone laugh instantly brings gratification, and that feeling of bringing joy is addicting. I have been compared to the sun and a living embodiment of it, and I never want to let go of that. It brings me a lot of joy that a great part of my character impacts others in the same way it impacts me. In a sense, I am incredibly lucky that I can flip the way someone sees the world by just being myself. Psychology was a field I discovered in High school which I had fallen in love with. During my senior year, I took AP Psychology, and right then I knew it was for me. I have always had a passion for helping and caring for others, coming from a background where I had no choice but to do so. I am a current Junior in College with hopes of becoming a Neuropsychologist with my own private practice and continuing doing what I love, helping and aiding others. Watching my parents age and seeing how they have been affected over time and never getting clear answers as to why has pushed me forward with this path I want to take. They both are impacted by disabilities and mental health struggles, and that itself compels me to go into this field and understand what happens from a biological standpoint. Not only have I been exposed to those who have been impacted by a mental illness, I have also been struggling with depression for about 6 years. Being in and out of therapy and hospitals only pushes me more to help others in the same way I have been helped all this time. During my years of schooling, I hope to also help them in the same way they have helped me by supporting my dreams. An important factor to note when considering my college path is that I major in Psychology and minor in Theatre Arts. Theatre is all about putting yourself in someone else's shoes and experiencing life unfamiliar to you. By being involved with theater I have further expanded my empathy and my want to care for and help others. Understanding and listening have always come second nature to me and I would like to share my gift with those who can benefit from it.

A trait of mine that is constantly brought up by those around me would be my energy/smile. I have been asked, how are you so happy all the time? Sometimes this question puzzles me as well, but it does make up a lot of who I am as a person. I believe that a smile can simply make a stranger's difficult day better, and half the time I do not realize I do it. I always seek joy in situations, and it helps me keep going. Knowing that a simple smile helps those around me only motivates me to continue. Making someone laugh instantly brings gratification, and that feeling of bringing joy is addicting. I have been compared to the sun and a living embodiment of it, and I never want to let go of that. It brings me a lot of joy that a great part of my character impacts others in the same way it impacts me. In a sense, I am incredibly lucky that I can flip the way someone sees the world by just being myself. Psychology was a field I discovered in High school which I had fallen in love with. During my senior year, I took AP Psychology, and right then I knew it was for me. I have always had a passion for helping and caring for others, coming from a background where I had no choice but to do so. I am a current Junior in College with hopes of becoming a Neuropsychologist with my own private practice and continuing doing what I love, helping and aiding others. Watching my parents age and seeing how they have been affected over time and never getting clear answers as to why has pushed me forward with this path I want to take. They both are impacted by disabilities and mental health struggles, and that itself compels me to go into this field and understand what happens from a biological standpoint. Not only have I been exposed to those who have been impacted by a mental illness, I have also been struggling with depression for about 6 years. Being in and out of therapy and hospitals only pushes me more to help others in the same way I have been helped all this time. During my years of schooling, I hope to also help them in the same way they have helped me by supporting my dreams. An important factor to note when considering my college path is that I major in Psychology and minor in Theatre Arts. Theatre is all about putting yourself in someone else's shoes and experiencing life unfamiliar to you. By being involved with theater I have further expanded my empathy and my want to care for and help others. Understanding and listening have always come second nature to me and I would like to share my gift with those who can benefit from it.

A trait of mine that is constantly brought up by those around me would be my energy/smile. I have been asked, how are you so happy all the time? Sometimes this question puzzles me as well, but it does make up a lot of who I am as a person. I believe that a smile can simply make a stranger's difficult day better, and half the time I do not realize I do it. I always seek joy in situations, and it helps me keep going. Knowing that a simple smile helps those around me only motivates me to continue. Making someone laugh instantly brings gratification, and that feeling of bringing joy is addicting. I have been compared to the sun and a living embodiment of it, and I never want to let go of that. It brings me a lot of joy that a great part of my character impacts others in the same way it impacts me. In a sense, I am incredibly lucky that I can flip the way someone sees the world by just being myself. Psychology was a field I discovered in High school which I had fallen in love with. During my senior year, I took AP Psychology, and right then I knew it was for me. I have always had a passion for helping and caring for others, coming from a background where I had no choice but to do so. I am a current Junior in College with hopes of becoming a Neuropsychologist with my own private practice and continuing doing what I love, helping and aiding others. Watching my parents age and seeing how they have been affected over time and never getting clear answers as to why has pushed me forward with this path I want to take. They both are impacted by disabilities and mental health struggles, and that itself compels me to go into this field and understand what happens from a biological standpoint. Not only have I been exposed to those who have been impacted by a mental illness, I have also been struggling with depression for about 6 years. Being in and out of therapy and hospitals only pushes me more to help others in the same way I have been helped all this time. During my years of schooling, I hope to also help them in the same way they have helped me by supporting my dreams. An important factor to note when considering my college path is that I major in Psychology and minor in Theatre Arts. Theatre is all about putting yourself in someone else's shoes and experiencing life unfamiliar to you. By being involved with theater I have further expanded my empathy and my want to care for and help others. Understanding and listening have always come second nature to me and I would like to share my gift with those who can benefit from it.

A trait of mine that is constantly brought up by those around me would be my energy/smile. I have been asked, how are you so happy all the time? Sometimes this question puzzles me as well, but it does make up a lot of who I am as a person. I believe that a smile can simply make a stranger's difficult day better, and half the time I do not realize I do it. I always seek joy in situations, and it helps me keep going. Knowing that a simple smile helps those around me only motivates me to continue. Making someone laugh instantly brings gratification, and that feeling of bringing joy is addicting. I have been compared to the sun and a living embodiment of it, and I never want to let go of that. It brings me a lot of joy that a great part of my character impacts others in the same way it impacts me. In a sense, I am incredibly lucky that I can flip the way someone sees the world by just being myself. Psychology was a field I discovered in High school which I had fallen in love with. During my senior year, I took AP Psychology, and right then I knew it was for me. I have always had a passion for helping and caring for others, coming from a background where I had no choice but to do so. I am a current Junior in College with hopes of becoming a Neuropsychologist with my own private practice and continuing doing what I love, helping and aiding others. Watching my parents age and seeing how they have been affected over time and never getting clear answers as to why has pushed me forward with this path I want to take. They both are impacted by disabilities and mental health struggles, and that itself compels me to go into this field and understand what happens from a biological standpoint. Not only have I been exposed to those who have been impacted by a mental illness, I have also been struggling with depression for about 6 years. Being in and out of therapy and hospitals only pushes me more to help others in the same way I have been helped all this time. During my years of schooling, I hope to also help them in the same way they have helped me by supporting my dreams. An important factor to note when considering my college path is that I major in Psychology and minor in Theatre Arts. Theatre is all about putting yourself in someone else's shoes and experiencing life unfamiliar to you. By being involved with theater I have further expanded my empathy and my want to care for and help others. Understanding and listening have always come second nature to me and I would like to share my gift with those who can benefit from it.

Psychology was a field I discovered in High school which I had fallen in love with. During my senior year, I took AP Psychology, and right then I knew it was for me. I have always had a passion for helping and caring for others, coming from a background where I had no choice but to do so. I am a current Junior in College with hopes of becoming a Neuropsychologist with my own private practice and continuing doing what I love, helping and aiding others. Watching my parents age and seeing how they have been affected over time and never getting clear answers as to why has pushed me forward with this path I want to take. They both are impacted by disabilities and mental health struggles, and that itself compels me to go into this field and understand what happens from a biological standpoint. Not only have I been exposed to those who have been impacted by a mental illness, I have also been struggling with depression for about 6 years. Being in and out of therapy and hospitals only pushes me more to help others in the same way I have been helped all this time. During my years of schooling, I hope to also help them in the same way they have helped me by supporting my dreams. My Dad grew up having so little handed to him. The simple items we are just handed today are the same items he never got the chance to hold. After immigrating to the U.S. in the 90’s from Romania with my older sister on the way, he took advantage of readily available things, like pens. As it came time to focus on his children, this became a less common occurrence. Instead, he was more focused on necessities, which was very demanding. Not only because he now had a family and worked minimum wage, he did not know how to speak English. I find myself thinking about how things were in his past and it gives me a sense of how much selflessness is within him. Today, he can’t do what he could in the past. Both of my parents, by the time I reached middle school, had established disabilities and couldn’t work. The least they could do was give. This scholarship would help pay off my tuition for my upcoming fall semester, so I can spend more time focusing on school rather than trying to balance both working nearly full time at night and going to class during the day. Because I come from a low-income household, I am not getting any money from my family and I am expected to pay my way through school, especially because of my choice of a private school away from home. Flagler College is known for having a large Psychology program, and that is where I will be for the next 2 years to further my education. An important factor to note when considering my college path is that I major in Psychology and minor in Theatre Arts. Theatre is all about putting yourself in someone else's shoes and experiencing life unfamiliar to you. By being involved with theater I have further expanded my empathy and my want to care for and help others. Understanding and listening have always come second nature to me and I would like to share my gift with those who can benefit from it.

As someone who identifies as nonbinary and is fem-presenting, I've encountered just as much support as I've been asked questions and experienced invalidation. Luckily, everywhere I go, I find those who support me and who I am at my core, which inspires me to be more myself. Coming from a family that is against both my identity and my trans fiancé, it means a lot when I find an environment that supports me. I have chosen to go to Flagler College, a liberal arts college in St. Augustine FL, and I have been fortunate enough to be surrounded by an entire school of those who support my community, whether in it or not. Psychology was a field I discovered in High school which I had fallen in love with. During my senior year, I took AP Psychology, and right then I knew it was for me. I have always had a passion for helping and caring for others, coming from a background where I had no choice but to do so. I am a current Junior in College with hopes of becoming a Neuropsychologist with my own private practice and continuing doing what I love, helping and aiding others. Watching my parents age and seeing how they have been affected over time and never getting clear answers as to why has pushed me forward with this path I want to take. They both are impacted by disabilities and mental health struggles, and that itself compels me to go into this field and understand what happens from a biological standpoint. Not only have I been exposed to those who have been impacted by a mental illness, I have also been struggling with depression for about 6 years. Being in and out of therapy and hospitals only pushes me more to help others in the same way I have been helped all this time. During my years of schooling, I hope to also help them in the same way they have helped me by supporting my dreams. An important factor to note when considering my college path is that I major in Psychology and minor in Theatre Arts. Theatre is all about putting yourself in someone else's shoes and experiencing life unfamiliar to you. By being involved with theater I have further expanded my empathy and my want to care for and help others. Understanding and listening have always come second nature to me and I would like to share my gift with those who can benefit from it. What I hope to get out of my education and give to those in my field is someone who inspires them, and the motivation to keep going when all odds are against you. Whether it be someone I am helping, or someone going through a similar education journey, I would love to be the person who can say, I did it, and so can you.

A trait of mine that is constantly brought up by those around me would be my energy/smile. I have been asked, how are you so happy all the time? Sometimes this question puzzles me as well, but it does make up a lot of who I am as a person. I believe that a smile can simply make a stranger's difficult day better, and half the time I do not realize I do it. I always seek joy in situations, and it helps me keep going. Knowing that a simple smile helps those around me only motivates me to continue. Making someone laugh instantly brings gratification, and that feeling of bringing joy is addicting. I have been compared to the sun and a living embodiment of it, and I never want to let go of that. It brings me a lot of joy that a great part of my character impacts others in the same way it impacts me. In a sense, I am incredibly lucky that I can flip the way someone sees the world by just being myself. Psychology was a field I discovered in High school which I had fallen in love with. During my senior year, I took AP Psychology, and right then I knew it was for me. I have always had a passion for helping and caring for others, coming from a background where I had no choice but to do so. I am a current Junior in College with hopes of becoming a Neuropsychologist with my own private practice and continuing doing what I love, helping and aiding others. Watching my parents age and seeing how they have been affected over time and never getting clear answers as to why has pushed me forward with this path I want to take. They both are impacted by disabilities and mental health struggles, and that itself compels me to go into this field and understand what happens from a biological standpoint. Not only have I been exposed to those who have been impacted by a mental illness, I have also been struggling with depression for about 6 years. Being in and out of therapy and hospitals only pushes me more to help others in the same way I have been helped all this time. During my years of schooling, I hope to also help them in the same way they have helped me by supporting my dreams. An important factor to note when considering my college path is that I major in Psychology and minor in Theatre Arts. Theatre is all about putting yourself in someone else's shoes and experiencing life unfamiliar to you. By being involved with theater I have further expanded my empathy and my want to care for and help others. Understanding and listening have always come second nature to me and I would like to share my gift with those who can benefit from it.

A trait of mine that is constantly brought up by those around me would be my energy/smile. I have been asked, how are you so happy all the time? Sometimes this question puzzles me as well, but it does make up a lot of who I am as a person. I believe that a smile can simply make a stranger's difficult day better, and half the time I do not realize I do it. I always seek joy in situations, and it helps me keep going. Knowing that a simple smile helps those around me only motivates me to continue. Making someone laugh instantly brings gratification, and that feeling of bringing joy is addicting. I have been compared to the sun and a living embodiment of it, and I never want to let go of that. It brings me a lot of joy that a great part of my character impacts others in the same way it impacts me. In a sense, I am incredibly lucky that I can flip the way someone sees the world by just being myself. Psychology was a field I discovered in High school which I had fallen in love with. During my senior year, I took AP Psychology, and right then I knew it was for me. I have always had a passion for helping and caring for others, coming from a background where I had no choice but to do so. I am a current Junior in College with hopes of becoming a Neuropsychologist with my own private practice and continuing doing what I love, helping and aiding others. Watching my parents age and seeing how they have been affected over time and never getting clear answers as to why has pushed me forward with this path I want to take. They both are impacted by disabilities and mental health struggles, and that itself compels me to go into this field and understand what happens from a biological standpoint. Not only have I been exposed to those who have been impacted by a mental illness, I have also been struggling with depression for about 6 years. Being in and out of therapy and hospitals only pushes me more to help others in the same way I have been helped all this time. During my years of schooling, I hope to also help them in the same way they have helped me by supporting my dreams. This scholarship would help pay off my tuition for my upcoming fall semester, so I can spend more time focusing on school rather than trying to balance both working nearly full time at night and going to class during the day. Because I come from a low-income household, I am not getting any money from my family and I am expected to pay my way through school, especially because of my choice of a private school away from home. Flagler College is known for having a large Psychology program, and that is where I will be for the next 2 years to further my education. An important factor to note when considering my college path is that I major in Psychology and minor in Theatre Arts. Theatre is all about putting yourself in someone else's shoes and experiencing life unfamiliar to you. By being involved with theater I have further expanded my empathy and my want to care for and help others. Understanding and listening have always come second nature to me and I would like to share my gift with those who can benefit from it.

As someone who identifies as nonbinary and is fem-presenting, I've encountered just as much support as I've been asked questions and experienced invalidation. Luckily, everywhere I go, I find those who support me and who I am at my core, which inspires me to be more myself. Coming from a family that is against both my identity and my trans fiancé, it means a lot when I find an environment that supports me. I have chosen to go to Flagler College, a liberal arts college in St. Augustine FL, and I have been fortunate enough to be surrounded by an entire school of those who support my community, whether in it or not. Psychology was a field I discovered in High school which I had fallen in love with. During my senior year, I took AP Psychology, and right then I knew it was for me. I have always had a passion for helping and caring for others, coming from a background where I had no choice but to do so. I am a current Junior in College with hopes of becoming a Neuropsychologist with my own private practice and continuing doing what I love, helping and aiding others. Watching my parents age and seeing how they have been affected over time and never getting clear answers as to why has pushed me forward with this path I want to take. They both are impacted by disabilities and mental health struggles, and that itself compels me to go into this field and understand what happens from a biological standpoint. Not only have I been exposed to those who have been impacted by a mental illness, I have also been struggling with depression for about 6 years. Being in and out of therapy and hospitals only pushes me more to help others in the same way I have been helped all this time. During my years of schooling, I hope to also help them in the same way they have helped me by supporting my dreams. An important factor to note when considering my college path is that I major in Psychology and minor in Theatre Arts. Theatre is all about putting yourself in someone else's shoes and experiencing life unfamiliar to you. By being involved with theater I have further expanded my empathy and my want to care for and help others. Understanding and listening have always come second nature to me and I would like to share my gift with those who can benefit from it. What I hope to get out of my education and give to those in my field is someone who inspires them, and the motivation to keep going when all odds are against you. Whether it be someone I am helping, or someone going through a similar education journey, I would love to be the person who can say, I did it, and so can you.

Psychology was a field I discovered in High school which I had fallen in love with. During my senior year, I took AP Psychology, and right then I knew it was for me. I have always had a passion for helping and caring for others, coming from a background where I had practically no choice but to do so. I am a current Junior in College with hopes of becoming a Neuropsychologist with my own private practice and continuing doing what I love, helping and aiding others. Watching my parents age and seeing how they have been affected over time and never getting clear answers as to why has pushed me forward with this path I want to take. They both are impacted by disabilities and mental health struggles, and that itself compels me to go into this field and understand what happens from a biological standpoint. Not only have I been exposed to those who have been impacted by a mental illness, I have also been struggling with depression for about 6 years. Being in and out of therapy and hospitals only pushes me more to help others in the same way I have been helped all this time. During my years of schooling, I hope to also help them in the same way they have helped me by supporting my dreams. This scholarship would help pay off my tuition for my upcoming fall semester, so I can spend more time focusing on school rather than trying to balance both working nearly full time at night and going to class during the day. Because I come from a low-income household, I am not getting any money from my family and I am expected to pay my way through school, especially because of my choice of a private school away from home. Flagler College is known for having a large Psychology program, and that is where I will be for the next 2 years to further my education. I can't see myself at any better of a school. An important factor to note when considering my college path is that I major in Psychology and minor in Theatre Arts. This has proven to be helpful in my Psychology career, especially behavior-wise. Theatre is all about putting yourself in someone else's shoes and experiencing life unfamiliar to you. This benefits me by further understanding how people think, why people act the way they do, and what drives people. Theatre gives you a whole new idea about what life is and the circumstances that people go through, as well as it being a fantastic hobby coping-wise. By being involved with theater I have further expanded my empathy and my want to care for and help others. Understanding and listening have always come second nature to me and I would like to share my gift with those who can benefit from it.

A trait of mine that is constantly brought up by those around me would be my energy/smile. I have been asked, how are you so happy all the time? Sometimes this question puzzles me as well, but it does make up a lot of who I am as a person. I believe that a smile can simply make a stranger's difficult day better, and half the time I do not realize I do it. I always seek joy in situations, and it helps me keep going. Knowing that a simple smile helps those around me only motivates me to continue. Making someone laugh instantly brings gratification, and that feeling of bringing joy is addicting. I have been compared to the sun and a living embodiment of it, and I never want to let go of that. It brings me a lot of joy that a great part of my character impacts others in the same way it impacts me. In a sense, I am incredibly lucky that I can flip the way someone sees the world by just being myself. Psychology was a field I discovered in High school which I had fallen in love with. During my senior year, I took AP Psychology, and right then I knew it was for me. I have always had a passion for helping and caring for others, coming from a background where I had no choice but to do so. I am a current Junior in College with hopes of becoming a Neuropsychologist with my own private practice and continuing doing what I love, helping and aiding others. Watching my parents age and seeing how they have been affected over time and never getting clear answers as to why has pushed me forward with this path I want to take. They both are impacted by disabilities and mental health struggles, and that itself compels me to go into this field and understand what happens from a biological standpoint. Not only have I been exposed to those who have been impacted by a mental illness, I have also been struggling with depression for about 6 years. Being in and out of therapy and hospitals only pushes me more to help others in the same way I have been helped all this time. During my years of schooling, I hope to also help them in the same way they have helped me by supporting my dreams. This scholarship would help pay off my tuition for my upcoming fall semester, so I can spend more time focusing on school rather than trying to balance both working nearly full time at night and going to class during the day. Because I come from a low-income household, I am not getting any money from my family and I am expected to pay my way through school, especially because of my choice of a private school away from home. Flagler College is known for having a large Psychology program, and that is where I will be for the next 2 years to further my education. An important factor to note when considering my college path is that I major in Psychology and minor in Theatre Arts. Theatre is all about putting yourself in someone else's shoes and experiencing life unfamiliar to you. By being involved with theater I have further expanded my empathy and my want to care for and help others. Understanding and listening have always come second nature to me and I would like to share my gift with those who can benefit from it.

A trait of mine that is constantly brought up by those around me would be my energy/smile. I have been asked, how are you so happy all the time? Sometimes this question puzzles me as well, but it does make up a lot of who I am as a person. I believe that a smile can simply make a stranger's difficult day better, and half the time I do not realize I do it. I always seek joy in situations, and it helps me keep going. Knowing that a simple smile helps those around me only motivates me to continue. Making someone laugh instantly brings gratification, and that feeling of bringing joy is addicting. I have been compared to the sun and a living embodiment of it, and I never want to let go of that. It brings me a lot of joy that a great part of my character impacts others in the same way it impacts me. In a sense, I am incredibly lucky that I can flip the way someone sees the world by just being myself. Psychology was a field I discovered in High school which I had fallen in love with. During my senior year, I took AP Psychology, and right then I knew it was for me. I have always had a passion for helping and caring for others, coming from a background where I had no choice but to do so. I am a current Junior in College with hopes of becoming a Neuropsychologist with my own private practice and continuing doing what I love, helping and aiding others. Watching my parents age and seeing how they have been affected over time and never getting clear answers as to why has pushed me forward with this path I want to take. They both are impacted by disabilities and mental health struggles, and that itself compels me to go into this field and understand what happens from a biological standpoint. Not only have I been exposed to those who have been impacted by a mental illness, I have also been struggling with depression for about 6 years. Being in and out of therapy and hospitals only pushes me more to help others in the same way I have been helped all this time. During my years of schooling, I hope to also help them in the same way they have helped me by supporting my dreams. This scholarship would help pay off my tuition for my upcoming fall semester, so I can spend more time focusing on school rather than trying to balance both working nearly full time at night and going to class during the day. Because I come from a low-income household, I am not getting any money from my family and I am expected to pay my way through school, especially because of my choice of a private school away from home. Flagler College is known for having a large Psychology program, and that is where I will be for the next 2 years to further my education. An important factor to note when considering my college path is that I major in Psychology and minor in Theatre Arts. Theatre is all about putting yourself in someone else's shoes and experiencing life unfamiliar to you. By being involved with theater I have further expanded my empathy and my want to care for and help others. Understanding and listening have always come second nature to me and I would like to share my gift with those who can benefit from it.

A trait of mine that is constantly brought up by those around me would be my energy/smile. I have been asked, how are you so happy all the time? Sometimes this question puzzles me as well, but it does make up a lot of who I am as a person. I believe that a smile can simply make a stranger's difficult day better, and half the time I do not realize I do it. I always seek joy in situations, and it helps me keep going. Making someone laugh instantly brings gratification, and that feeling of bringing joy is addicting. I have been compared to the sun and a living embodiment of it, and I never want to let go of that. It brings me a lot of joy that a great part of my character impacts others in the same way it impacts me. I am incredibly lucky that I can flip the way someone sees the world by being myself. Psychology was a field I discovered in High school which I had fallen in love with. During my senior year, I took AP Psychology, and right then I knew it was for me. I have always had a passion for helping and caring for others, coming from a background where I had no choice but to do so. I am a current Junior in College with hopes of becoming a Neuropsychologist with my own private practice and continuing doing what I love, helping and aiding others. Watching my parents age and seeing how they have been affected over time and never getting clear answers as to why has pushed me forward with this path I want to take. They both are impacted by disabilities and mental health struggles, and that itself compels me to go into this field and understand what happens from a biological standpoint. Not only have I been exposed to those who have been impacted by a mental illness, I have also been struggling with depression for about 6 years. Being in and out of therapy and hospitals only pushes me more to help others in the same way I have been helped all this time. During my years of schooling, I hope to also help them in the same way they have helped me by supporting my dreams. This scholarship would help pay off my tuition for my upcoming fall semester, so I can spend more time focusing on school rather than trying to balance both working nearly full time at night and going to class during the day. Because I come from a low-income household, I am not getting any money from my family and I am expected to pay my way through school, especially because of my choice of a private school away from home. Flagler College is known for having a large Psychology program, and that is where I will be for the next 2 years to further my education.

A trait of mine that is constantly brought up by those around me would be my energy/smile. I have been asked, how are you so happy all the time? Sometimes this question puzzles me as well, but it does make up a lot of who I am as a person. I believe that a smile can simply make a stranger's difficult day better, and half the time I do not realize I do it. I always seek joy in situations, and it helps me keep going. Knowing that a simple smile helps those around me only motivates me to continue. Making someone laugh instantly brings gratification, and that feeling of bringing joy is addicting. I have been compared to the sun and a living embodiment of it, and I never want to let go of that. It brings me a lot of joy that a great part of my character impacts others in the same way it impacts me. In a sense, I am incredibly lucky that I can flip the way someone sees the world by just being myself. Psychology was a field I discovered in High school which I had fallen in love with. During my senior year, I took AP Psychology, and right then I knew it was for me. I have always had a passion for helping and caring for others, coming from a background where I had no choice but to do so. I am a current Junior in College with hopes of becoming a Neuropsychologist with my own private practice and continuing doing what I love, helping and aiding others. Watching my parents age and seeing how they have been affected over time and never getting clear answers as to why has pushed me forward with this path I want to take. They both are impacted by disabilities and mental health struggles, and that itself compels me to go into this field and understand what happens from a biological standpoint. Not only have I been exposed to those who have been impacted by a mental illness, I have also been struggling with depression for about 6 years. Being in and out of therapy and hospitals only pushes me more to help others in the same way I have been helped all this time. During my years of schooling, I hope to also help them in the same way they have helped me by supporting my dreams. This scholarship would help pay off my tuition for my upcoming fall semester, so I can spend more time focusing on school rather than trying to balance both working nearly full time at night and going to class during the day. Because I come from a low-income household, I am not getting any money from my family and I am expected to pay my way through school, especially because of my choice of a private school away from home. Flagler College is known for having a large Psychology program, and that is where I will be for the next 2 years to further my education. An important factor to note when considering my college path is that I major in Psychology and minor in Theatre Arts. Theatre is all about putting yourself in someone else's shoes and experiencing life unfamiliar to you. By being involved with theater I have further expanded my empathy and my want to care for and help others. Understanding and listening have always come second nature to me and I would like to share my gift with those who can benefit from it.

A trait of mine that is constantly brought up by those around me would be my energy/smile. I have been asked, how are you so happy all the time? Sometimes this question puzzles me as well, but it does make up a lot of who I am as a person. I believe that a smile can simply make a stranger's difficult day better, and half the time I do not realize I do it. I always seek joy in situations, and it helps me keep going. Knowing that a simple smile helps those around me only motivates me to continue. Making someone laugh instantly brings gratification, and that feeling of bringing joy is addicting. I have been compared to the sun and a living embodiment of it, and I never want to let go of that. It brings me a lot of joy that a great part of my character impacts others in the same way it impacts me. In a sense, I am incredibly lucky that I can flip the way someone sees the world by just being myself. Psychology was a field I discovered in High school which I had fallen in love with. During my senior year, I took AP Psychology, and right then I knew it was for me. I have always had a passion for helping and caring for others, coming from a background where I had no choice but to do so. I am a current Junior in College with hopes of becoming a Neuropsychologist with my own private practice and continuing doing what I love, helping and aiding others. Watching my parents age and seeing how they have been affected over time and never getting clear answers as to why has pushed me forward with this path I want to take. They both are impacted by disabilities and mental health struggles, and that itself compels me to go into this field and understand what happens from a biological standpoint. Not only have I been exposed to those who have been impacted by a mental illness, I have also been struggling with depression for about 6 years. Being in and out of therapy and hospitals only pushes me more to help others in the same way I have been helped all this time. During my years of schooling, I hope to also help them in the same way they have helped me by supporting my dreams. This scholarship would help pay off my tuition for my upcoming fall semester, so I can spend more time focusing on school rather than trying to balance both working nearly full time at night and going to class during the day. Because I come from a low-income household, I am not getting any money from my family and I am expected to pay my way through school, especially because of my choice of a private school away from home. Flagler College is known for having a large Psychology program, and that is where I will be for the next 2 years to further my education. An important factor to note when considering my college path is that I major in Psychology and minor in Theatre Arts. Theatre is all about putting yourself in someone else's shoes and experiencing life unfamiliar to you. By being involved with theater I have further expanded my empathy and my want to care for and help others. Understanding and listening have always come second nature to me and I would like to share my gift with those who can benefit from it.

A trait of mine that is constantly brought up by those around me would be my energy/smile. I have been asked, how are you so happy all the time? Sometimes this question puzzles me as well, but it does make up a lot of who I am as a person. I believe that a smile can simply make a stranger's difficult day better, and half the time I do not realize I do it. I always seek joy in situations, and it helps me keep going. Knowing that a simple smile helps those around me only motivates me to continue. Making someone laugh instantly brings gratification, and that feeling of bringing joy is addicting. I have been compared to the sun and a living embodiment of it, and I never want to let go of that. It brings me a lot of joy that a great part of my character impacts others in the same way it impacts me. In a sense, I am incredibly lucky that I can flip the way someone sees the world by just being myself. Psychology was a field I discovered in High school which I had fallen in love with. During my senior year, I took AP Psychology, and right then I knew it was for me. I have always had a passion for helping and caring for others, coming from a background where I had no choice but to do so. I am a current Junior in College with hopes of becoming a Neuropsychologist with my own private practice and continuing doing what I love, helping and aiding others. Watching my parents age and seeing how they have been affected over time and never getting clear answers as to why has pushed me forward with this path I want to take. They both are impacted by disabilities and mental health struggles, and that itself compels me to go into this field and understand what happens from a biological standpoint. Not only have I been exposed to those who have been impacted by a mental illness, I have also been struggling with depression for about 6 years. Being in and out of therapy and hospitals only pushes me more to help others in the same way I have been helped all this time. During my years of schooling, I hope to also help them in the same way they have helped me by supporting my dreams.

A trait of mine that is constantly brought up by those around me would be my energy/smile. I have been asked, how are you so happy all the time? Sometimes this question puzzles me as well, but it does make up a lot of who I am as a person. I believe that a smile can simply make a stranger's difficult day better, and half the time I do not realize I do it. I always seek joy in situations, and it helps me keep going. Knowing that a simple smile helps those around me only motivates me to continue. Making someone laugh instantly brings gratification, and that feeling of bringing joy is addicting. I have been compared to the sun and a living embodiment of it, and I never want to let go of that. It brings me a lot of joy that a great part of my character impacts others in the same way it impacts me. In a sense, I am incredibly lucky that I can flip the way someone sees the world by just being myself. Psychology was a field I discovered in High school which I had fallen in love with. During my senior year, I took AP Psychology, and right then I knew it was for me. I have always had a passion for helping and caring for others, coming from a background where I had no choice but to do so. I am a current Junior in College with hopes of becoming a Neuropsychologist with my own private practice and continuing doing what I love, helping and aiding others. Watching my parents age and seeing how they have been affected over time and never getting clear answers as to why has pushed me forward with this path I want to take. They both are impacted by disabilities and mental health struggles, and that itself compels me to go into this field and understand what happens from a biological standpoint. Not only have I been exposed to those who have been impacted by a mental illness, I have also been struggling with depression for about 6 years. Being in and out of therapy and hospitals only pushes me more to help others in the same way I have been helped all this time. During my years of schooling, I hope to also help them in the same way they have helped me by supporting my dreams.

My mindset in general and that of which revolving around volunteering has changed dramatically after actively volunteering. My journey first started at a local community theater as a stagehand and continued with operating light and sound boards during productions just a few years back. Prior to this experience, I thought volunteering was just a waste of time, not productive, and also not an enjoyable experience. It was when I volunteered and began putting myself out in the community to notice that none of these were the case. I've always had the natural inclination to help others, it was what I have been doing my entire life as I grew up with disabled parents and surrounded by many with mental health challenges. Naturally, empathy was built into me, and by beginning to volunteer I saw what kind of impact I could make outside the walls of my home. Theatre as an art is a coping mechanism for a lot of people I have come to realize, and it has also started to find its way into benefiting me as well while working on shows and establishing community. It took volunteering for this small local theater to start doing more volunteer work and helping out those who needed it. Seeing people who are satisfied and have bright smiles on their faces after being helped gives you all the reason to keep giving and experience the same joy you get seeing theirs. Being courageous is contagious and it does not take much to make someone feel on top of the world and lucky to be here. This scholarship would help pay off my tuition for my upcoming fall semester, so I can spend more time focusing on school rather than trying to balance both working nearly full time at night and going to class during the day. Because I come from a low-income household, I am not getting any money from my family and I am expected to pay my way through school, especially because of my choice of a private school away from home. Flagler College is known for having a large Psychology and theater program, and that is where I will be for the next 2 years to further my education. I can't see myself at any better of a school. However recently, it has come to my attention that tuition will be raising about 4k next year, which is already having me scramble money-wise, and trying to find out my options from this point forward.

Psychology was a field I discovered in High school which I had fallen in love with. During my senior year, I took AP Psychology, and right then I knew it was for me. I have always had a passion for helping and caring for others, coming from a background where I had practically no choice but to do so. I am a current Junior in College with hopes of becoming a Neuropsychologist with my own private practice and continuing doing what I love, helping and aiding others. Watching my parents age and seeing how they have been affected over time and never getting clear answers as to why has pushed me forward with this path I want to take. They both are impacted by disabilities and mental health struggles, and that itself compels me to go into this field and understand what happens from a biological standpoint. Not only have I been exposed to those who have been impacted by a mental illness, I have also been struggling with depression for about 6 years. Being in and out of therapy and hospitals only pushes me more to help others in the same way I have been helped all this time. During my years of schooling, I hope to also help them in the same way they have helped me by supporting my dreams. This scholarship would help pay off my tuition for my upcoming fall semester, so I can spend more time focusing on school rather than trying to balance both working nearly full time at night and going to class during the day. Because I come from a low-income household, I am not getting any money from my family and I am expected to pay my way through school, especially because of my choice of a private school away from home. Flagler College is known for having a large Psychology program, and that is where I will be for the next 2 years to further my education. I can't see myself at any better of a school. An important factor to note when considering my college path is that I major in Psychology and minor in Theatre Arts. This has proven to be helpful in my Psychology career, especially behavior-wise. Theatre is all about putting yourself in someone else's shoes and experiencing life unfamiliar to you. This benefits me by further understanding how people think, why people act the way they do, and what drives people. Theatre gives you a whole new idea about what life is and the circumstances that people go through, as well as it being a fantastic hobby coping-wise. By being involved with theater I have further expanded my empathy and my want to care for and help others. Understanding and listening have always come second nature to me and I would like to share my gift with those who can benefit from it.

Psychology was a field I discovered in High school which I had fallen in love with. During my senior year, I took AP Psychology, and right then I knew it was for me. I have always had a passion to help and care for others, coming from a background where I had practically no choice but to do so. I am a current Sophomore in College with hopes of becoming a Neuropsychologist with my own private practice and continuing doing what I love, helping and aiding others. Watching my parents age and seeing how they have been affected over time and never getting clear answers as to why has really pushed me forward with this path I want to take. They both are impacted by disabilities and mental health struggles, and that itself compels me to go into this field and understand what happens from a biological standpoint. During my years of schooling, I hope to also help them in the same way they have helped me by supporting my dreams. This scholarship would help pay off my tuition for my upcoming fall semester, so I can spend more time focusing on school rather than trying to balance both working nearly full time at night and going to class during the day. Because I come from a low-income household, I am not getting any money from my family and I am expected to pay my way through school, especially because of my choice of a private school away from home. Flagler College is known for having a large Psychology program, and that is where I will be for the next 2 years to further my education. I can't see myself at any better of a school. However recently, it has come to my attention that tuition will be raising to be about 50k next year, which is already having me scramble money-wise, and trying to find out my options from this point forward. An important factor to note when considering my college path is that I am a double major in both Psychology and Theatre Arts, and this has proven to be helpful in my Psychology career, especially behavior-wise. Theatre is all about putting yourself in someone else's shoes and experiencing life unfamiliar to you. This benefits me by being able to further understand how people think, why people act the way they do, and what drives people to do things. Theatre gives you a whole new idea about what life really is and the circumstances which people go through, as well as it being a fantastic hobby coping-wise. By being involved with theatre I have further expanded in empathy and my want to care for and help others. Understanding and listening have always come second nature to me and I would like to share my gift with those who can benefit from it.

Psychology was a field I discovered in High school which I had fallen in love with. During my senior year, I took AP Psychology, and right then I knew it was for me. I have always had a passion to help and care for others, coming from a background where I had practically no choice but to do so. I am a current Sophomore in College with hopes of becoming a Neuropsychologist with my own private practice and continuing doing what I love, helping and aiding others. Watching my parents age and seeing how they have been affected over time and never getting clear answers as to why has really pushed me forward with this path I want to take. They both are impacted by disabilities and mental health struggles, and that itself compels me to go into this field and understand what happens from a biological standpoint. During my years of schooling, I hope to also help them in the same way they have helped me by supporting my dreams. This scholarship would help pay off my tuition for my upcoming fall semester, so I can spend more time focusing on school rather than trying to balance both working nearly full time at night and going to class during the day. Because I come from a low-income household, I am not getting any money from my family and I am expected to pay my way through school, especially because of my choice of a private school away from home. Flagler College is known for having a large Psychology program, and that is where I will be for the next 2 years to further my education. I can't see myself at any better of a school. However recently, it has come to my attention that tuition will be raising to be about 50k next year, which is already having me scramble money-wise, and trying to find out my options from this point forward. An important factor to note when considering my college path is that I am a double major in both Psychology and Theatre Arts, and this has proven to be helpful in my Psychology career, especially behavior-wise. Theatre is all about putting yourself in someone else's shoes and experiencing life unfamiliar to you. This benefits me by being able to further understand how people think, why people act the way they do, and what drives people to do things. Theatre gives you a whole new idea about what life really is and the circumstances which people go through, as well as it being a fantastic hobby coping-wise. By being involved with theatre I have further expanded in empathy and my want to care for and help others. Understanding and listening have always come second nature to me and I would like to share my gift with those who can benefit from it.

Psychology was a field I discovered in High school which I had fallen in love with. During my senior year, I took AP Psychology, and right then I knew it was for me. I have always had a passion to help and care for others, coming from a background where I had practically no choice but to do so. I am a current Sophomore in College with hopes of becoming a Neuropsychologist with my own private practice and continuing doing what I love, helping and aiding others. Watching my parents age and seeing how they have been affected over time and never getting clear answers as to why has really pushed me forward with this path I want to take. They both are impacted by disabilities and mental health struggles, and that itself compels me to go into this field and understand what happens from a biological standpoint. During my years of schooling, I hope to also help them in the same way they have helped me by supporting my dreams. This scholarship would help pay off my tuition for my upcoming fall semester, so I can spend more time focusing on school rather than trying to balance both working nearly full time at night and going to class during the day. Because I come from a low-income household, I am not getting any money from my family and I am expected to pay my way through school, especially because of my choice of a private school away from home. Flagler College is known for having a large Psychology program, and that is where I will be for the next 2 years to further my education. I can't see myself at any better of a school. However recently, it has come to my attention that tuition will be raising to be about 50k next year, which is already having me scramble money-wise, and trying to find out my options from this point forward. An important factor to note when considering my college path is that I am a double major in both Psychology and Theatre Arts, and this has proven to be helpful in my Psychology career, especially behavior-wise. Theatre is all about putting yourself in someone else's shoes and experiencing life unfamiliar to you. This benefits me by being able to further understand how people think, why people act the way they do, and what drives people to do things. Theatre gives you a whole new idea about what life really is and the circumstances which people go through, as well as it being a fantastic hobby coping-wise. By being involved with theatre I have further expanded in empathy and my want to care for and help others. Understanding and listening have always come second nature to me and I would like to share my gift with those who can benefit from it.

Psychology was a field I discovered in High school which I had fallen in love with. During my senior year, I took AP Psychology, and right then I knew it was for me. I have always had a passion to help and care for others, coming from a background where I had practically no choice but to do so. I am a current Sophomore in College with hopes of becoming a Neuropsychologist with my own private practice and continuing doing what I love, helping and aiding others. Watching my parents age and seeing how they have been affected over time and never getting clear answers as to why has really pushed me forward with this path I want to take. They both are impacted by disabilities and mental health struggles, and that itself compels me to go into this field and understand what happens from a biological standpoint. During my years of schooling, I hope to also help them in the same way they have helped me by supporting my dreams. This scholarship would help pay off my tuition for my upcoming fall semester, so I can spend more time focusing on school rather than trying to balance both working nearly full time at night and going to class during the day. Because I come from a low-income household, I am not getting any money from my family and I am expected to pay my way through school, especially because of my choice of a private school away from home. Flagler College is known for having a large Psychology program, and that is where I will be for the next 2 years to further my education. I can't see myself at any better of a school. However recently, it has come to my attention that tuition will be raising to be about 50k next year, which is already having me scramble money-wise, and trying to find out my options from this point forward. An important factor to note when considering my college path is that I am a double major in both Psychology and Theatre Arts, and this has proven to be helpful in my Psychology career, especially behavior-wise. Theatre is all about putting yourself in someone else's shoes and experiencing life unfamiliar to you. This benefits me by being able to further understand how people think, why people act the way they do, and what drives people to do things. Theatre gives you a whole new idea about what life really is and the circumstances which people go through, as well as it being a fantastic hobby coping-wise. By being involved with theatre I have further expanded in empathy and my want to care for and help others. Understanding and listening have always come second nature to me and I would like to share my gift with those who can benefit from it.

Psychology was a field I discovered in High school which I had fallen in love with. During my senior year, I took AP Psychology, and right then I knew it was for me. I have always had a passion to help and care for others, coming from a background where I had practically no choice but to do so. I am a current Sophomore in College with hopes of becoming a Neuropsychologist with my own private practice and continuing doing what I love, helping and aiding others. Watching my parents age and seeing how they have been affected over time and never getting clear answers as to why has really pushed me forward with this path I want to take. They both are impacted by disabilities and mental health struggles, and that itself compels me to go into this field and understand what happens from a biological standpoint. During my years of schooling, I hope to also help them in the same way they have helped me by supporting my dreams. This scholarship would help pay off my tuition for my upcoming fall semester, so I can spend more time focusing on school rather than trying to balance both working nearly full time at night and going to class during the day. Because I come from a low-income household, I am not getting any money from my family and I am expected to pay my way through school, especially because of my choice of a private school away from home. Flagler College is known for having a large Psychology program, and that is where I will be for the next 2 years to further my education. I can't see myself at any better of a school. However recently, it has come to my attention that tuition will be raising to be about 50k next year, which is already having me scramble money-wise, and trying to find out my options from this point forward. An important factor to note when considering my college path is that I am a double major in both Psychology and Theatre Arts, and this has proven to be helpful in my Psychology career, especially behavior-wise. Theatre is all about putting yourself in someone else's shoes and experiencing life unfamiliar to you. This benefits me by being able to further understand how people think, why people act the way they do, and what drives people to do things. Theatre gives you a whole new idea about what life really is and the circumstances which people go through, as well as it being a fantastic hobby coping-wise. By being involved with theatre I have further expanded in empathy and my want to care for and help others. Understanding and listening have always come second nature to me and I would like to share my gift with those who can benefit from it.

Math has always been a subject that came so easily to me. There is always an answer in math, and that itself is satisfying. Knowing that you correctly followed a series of steps to get to one answer is very gratifying. Although I have always been good at memorizing, other subjects that required it such as history just seemed boring to me. For whatever reason, spending that time memorizing a formula or procedure just felt better. I relate math to puzzles, I spend countless hours at a time on puzzles and puzzle building, and when you complete it you get this feeling that is incomparable to any other experience. I do find though, I like the instant gratification that math gives. An example of this is knowing you must reach a whole number at the end of your problem, and getting there, or knowing instantly that the problem you have been working on for an extensive period of time is correct. To most, this would sound strange, but in high school I was glad I skipped precalculus completely and dove into calculus, without it being a graduation requirement or anything, because math never seemed to challenge me a great deal. It felt nice that I had a subject that I could instantly figure out that not many could. Math felt like a gift to me.

“I’m giving you what I wish I had” A saying that would present itself from time to time, specifically said by my Dad. From a new phone to even just a simple pack of rainbow-colored pens, this phrase will manifest itself. At first glance, it seems like a symbol to be grateful, and I thought so as well until I got older and made connections. My Dad grew up having so little handed to him. A pen? He’d be lucky to even have one in his sight. Calculator? Never heard of it. The simple items we are just handed today are the same items he never got the chance to hold. After immigrating to the U.S. in the 90’s from Romania with my older sister on the way, he took advantage of readily available things, like pens. As it came time to focus on his children, this became a less common occurrence. Instead, he was more focused on necessities, which was very demanding. Not only because he now had a family and worked minimum wage, he did not know how to speak English. I find myself thinking about how things were in his past and it gives me a sense of how much selflessness is within him. Today, he can’t do what he could in the past. Both of my parents, by the time I reached middle school, had established disabilities and couldn’t work. The least they could do was give. From picking up my Dad's ways, I learned the importance of expression, and how much of an impact it can have on someone. This naturally drew me into theater, the art of expression. Theater was my chance to show others who I was without having to worry about anything. During middle school, I started acting and found voice on stage. This only continued to grow in high school with my interest in stage managing and directing also emerging. Picking a career I wanted to pursue was not the easiest decision for me. I knew already that I wanted to earn enough money to support both me and my parents and give back to them. It wasn’t until the beginning of my senior year when I started volunteering at my local community theater, where I had realized that I would so much rather be happy, spreading love to those around me, and enjoying my life, than be stuck doing something I don’t want to do. I also realized that with the amount of passion and love I have for this art, I won't have to worry about stability. I will find stability in theater, even if it may be a career filled with uncertainty. I have been accepted into Flagler College and I plan on majoring in Theater Arts. I see myself as a professional stage manager/director in the future. This scholarship will support my future goals in theater and paying for college. With the demanding amount of money I must pay to attend this institution, any help would be more than appreciated. I will be getting a job leading up to my first semester there this fall, but I will be unable to keep up with the cost after just a few months. By receiving this scholarship, I will be able to limit the amount of hours I work during college so I can focus on my education and theater. I plan to work in Flagler's theater after school hours, and obtain the experience I need so that I can give back to my parents and the community which helped shape me to be who I am today.

Psychology was a field I discovered in High school which I had fallen in love with. During my senior year, I took AP Psychology, and right then I knew it was for me. I have always had a passion to help and care for others, coming from a background where I had practically no choice but to do so. I am a current Sophomore in College with hopes of becoming a Neuropsychologist with my own private practice and continuing doing what I love, helping and aiding others. Watching my parents age and seeing how they have been affected over time and never getting clear answers as to why has really pushed me forward with this path I want to take. They both are impacted by disabilities and mental health struggles, and that itself compels me to go into this field and understand what happens from a biological standpoint. During my years of schooling, I hope to also help them in the same way they have helped me by supporting my dreams. This scholarship would help pay off my tuition for my upcoming fall semester, so I can spend more time focusing on school rather than trying to balance both working nearly full time at night and going to class during the day. Because I come from a low-income household, I am not getting any money from my family and I am expected to pay my way through school, especially because of my choice of a private school away from home. Flagler College is known for having a large Psychology program, and that is where I will be for the next 2 years to further my education. I can't see myself at any better of a school. However recently, it has come to my attention that tuition will be raising to be about 50k next year, which is already having me scramble money-wise, and trying to find out my options from this point forward. An important factor to note when considering my college path is that I am a double major in both Psychology and Theatre Arts, and this has proven to be helpful in my Psychology career, especially behavior-wise. Theatre is all about putting yourself in someone else's shoes and experiencing life unfamiliar to you. This benefits me by being able to further understand how people think, why people act the way they do, and what drives people to do things. Theatre gives you a whole new idea about what life really is and the circumstances which people go through, as well as it being a fantastic hobby coping-wise. By being involved with theatre I have further expanded in empathy and my want to care for and help others. Understanding and listening have always come second nature to me and I would like to share my gift with those who can benefit from it.

Psychology was a field I discovered in High school which I had fallen in love with. During my senior year, I took AP Psychology, and right then I knew it was for me. I have always had a passion to help and care for others, coming from a background where I had practically no choice but to do so. I am a current Sophomore in College with hopes of becoming a Neuropsychologist with my own private practice and continuing doing what I love, helping and aiding others. Watching my parents age and seeing how they have been affected over time and never getting clear answers as to why has really pushed me forward with this path I want to take. They both are impacted by disabilities and mental health struggles, and that itself compels me to go into this field and understand what happens from a biological standpoint. During my years of schooling, I hope to also help them in the same way they have helped me by supporting my dreams. This scholarship would help pay off my tuition for my upcoming fall semester, so I can spend more time focusing on school rather than trying to balance both working nearly full time at night and going to class during the day. Because I come from a low-income household, I am not getting any money from my family and I am expected to pay my way through school, especially because of my choice of a private school away from home. Flagler College is known for having a large Psychology program, and that is where I will be for the next 2 years to further my education. I can't see myself at any better of a school. However recently, it has come to my attention that tuition will be raising to be about 50k next year, which is already having me scramble money-wise, and trying to find out my options from this point forward. An important factor to note when considering my college path is that I am a double major in both Psychology and Theatre Arts, and this has proven to be helpful in my Psychology career, especially behavior-wise. Theatre is all about putting yourself in someone else's shoes and experiencing life unfamiliar to you. This benefits me by being able to further understand how people think, why people act the way they do, and what drives people to do things. Theatre gives you a whole new idea about what life really is and the circumstances which people go through, as well as it being a fantastic hobby coping-wise. By being involved with theatre I have further expanded in empathy and my want to care for and help others. Understanding and listening have always come second nature to me and I would like to share my gift with those who can benefit from it.

Psychology was a field I discovered in High school which I had fallen in love with. During my senior year, I took AP Psychology, and right then I knew it was for me. I have always had a passion to help and care for others, coming from a background where I had practically no choice but to do so. I am a current Sophomore in College with hopes of becoming a Neuropsychologist with my own private practice and continuing doing what I love, helping and aiding others. Watching my parents age and seeing how they have been affected over time and never getting clear answers as to why has really pushed me forward with this path I want to take. They both are impacted by disabilities and mental health struggles, and that itself compels me to go into this field and understand what happens from a biological standpoint. During my years of schooling, I hope to also help them in the same way they have helped me by supporting my dreams. This scholarship would help pay off my tuition for my upcoming fall semester, so I can spend more time focusing on school rather than trying to balance both working nearly full time at night and going to class during the day. Because I come from a low-income household, I am not getting any money from my family and I am expected to pay my way through school, especially because of my choice of a private school away from home. Flagler College is known for having a large Psychology program, and that is where I will be for the next 2 years to further my education. I can't see myself at any better of a school. However recently, it has come to my attention that tuition will be raising to be about 50k next year, which is already having me scramble money-wise, and trying to find out my options from this point forward. An important factor to note when considering my college path is that I am a double major in both Psychology and Theatre Arts, and this has proven to be helpful in my Psychology career, especially behavior-wise. Theatre is all about putting yourself in someone else's shoes and experiencing life unfamiliar to you. This benefits me by being able to further understand how people think, why people act the way they do, and what drives people to do things. Theatre gives you a whole new idea about what life really is and the circumstances which people go through, as well as it being a fantastic hobby coping-wise. By being involved with theatre I have further expanded in empathy and my want to care for and help others. Understanding and listening have always come second nature to me and I would like to share my gift with those who can benefit from it.

When all of your life you have been looked at as "different" or "out of the ordinary", a common response is striving to fit in, and that is all that I have known and begun before my time on this earth. By being the child of two Romanian immigrants, this was just the norm. Both of my parents landed in a new country, little to their name, and without knowing its prominent language. Adapting was all they could do, and they did. They got a job, had four children, learned English, and so many more remarkable achievements all embedded in their new Americanized names, Vic and Emma. Much of my life consisted of moving around and learning what this world was all about. Nothing was ever consistent for me, which was a challenge and continues to be when I continue doing all that I know. Because of moving around and new challenges getting thrown at me, more so than other kids that had a stable income, health, and home, I never truly found my place. I knew that the people I met were not going to be there forever, so I could not hold stable friendships. I also didn't see the importance of school, I did poorly and barely passed my first few years. My life felt like a game, and I was just doing what felt right without much direction. After a few years of being in Florida, I started to find my true self. I found happiness in video games and adventuring in particular. I felt in control when I was in the virtual world, and it was just a matter of finding what I loved. I even met people online whom I still hold connections to this day. Later, I found theater, another way of expressing myself, which then expanded to crafting and reading/writing. All of these things were consistent and could not be suddenly taken away from me. Since finding my interests, life around me grew as well. I shifted to being a people person and became extremely empathetic. I knew that what I went through was difficult, and something that nobody deserved to experience which then drove me into pursuing a psychology-based career while incorporating my creative side into it. With my family's support and my newfound interests, I became the first to attend college in my family, which is quite a big deal to them. I hope to one day support my family in the same way they supported me growing up, as well as continuing to help those who need it. This proved to be beneficial in the past for me, so I am driven to help make that same impact on the lives of others.

Psychology was a field I discovered in High school which I had fallen in love with. During my senior year, I took AP Psychology, and right then I knew it was for me. I have always had a passion to help and care for others, coming from a background where I had practically no choice but to do so. I am a current Sophomore in College with hopes of becoming a Neuropsychologist with my own private practice and continuing doing what I love, helping and aiding others. Watching my parents age and seeing how they have been affected over time and never getting clear answers as to why has really pushed me forward with this path I want to take. They both are impacted by disabilities and mental health struggles, and that itself compels me to go into this field and understand what happens from a biological standpoint. During my years of schooling, I hope to also help them in the same way they have helped me by supporting my dreams. This scholarship would help pay off my tuition for my upcoming fall semester, so I can spend more time focusing on school rather than trying to balance both working nearly full time at night and going to class during the day. Because I come from a low-income household, I am not getting any money from my family and I am expected to pay my way through school, especially because of my choice of a private school away from home. Flagler College is known for having a large Psychology program, and that is where I will be for the next 2 years to further my education. I can't see myself at any better of a school. However recently, it has come to my attention that tuition will be raising to be about 50k next year, which is already having me scramble money-wise, and trying to find out my options from this point forward. An important factor to note when considering my college path is that I am a double major in both Psychology and Theatre Arts, and this has proven to be helpful in my Psychology career, especially behavior-wise. Theatre is all about putting yourself in someone else's shoes and experiencing life unfamiliar to you. This benefits me by being able to further understand how people think, why people act the way they do, and what drives people to do things. Theatre gives you a whole new idea about what life really is and the circumstances which people go through, as well as it being a fantastic hobby coping-wise. By being involved with theatre I have further expanded in empathy and my want to care for and help others. Understanding and listening have always come second nature to me and I would like to share my gift with those who can benefit from it.

“I’m giving you what I wish I had” A saying that would present itself from time to time, specifically said by my Dad. From a new phone to even just a simple pack of rainbow-colored pens, this phrase will manifest itself. At first glance, it seems like a symbol to be grateful, and I thought so as well until I got older and made connections. My Dad grew up having so little handed to him. A pen? He’d be lucky to even have one in his sight. Calculator? Never heard of it. The simple items we are just handed today are the same items he never got the chance to hold. After immigrating to the U.S. in the 90’s from Romania with my older sister on the way, he took advantage of readily available things, like pens. As it came time to focus on his children, this became a less common occurrence. Instead, he was more focused on necessities, which was very demanding. Not only because he now had a family and worked minimum wage, he did not know how to speak English. I find myself thinking about how things were in his past and it gives me a sense of how much selflessness is within him. Today, he can’t do what he could in the past. Both of my parents, by the time I reached middle school, had established disabilities and couldn’t work. The least they could do was give. From picking up my Dad's ways, I learned the importance of expression, and how much of an impact it can have on someone. This naturally drew me into theater, the art of expression. Theater was my chance to show others who I was without having to worry about anything. During middle school, I started acting and found voice on stage. This only continued to grow in high school with my interest in stage managing and directing also emerging. Picking a career I wanted to pursue was not the easiest decision for me. I knew already that I wanted to earn enough money to support both me and my parents and give back to them. It wasn’t until the beginning of my senior year when I started volunteering at my local community theater, where I had realized that I would so much rather be happy, spreading love to those around me, and enjoying my life, than be stuck doing something I don’t want to do. I also realized that with the amount of passion and love I have for this art, I won't have to worry about stability. I will find stability in theater, even if it may be a career filled with uncertainty. I have been accepted into Flagler College and I plan on majoring in Theater Arts. I see myself as a professional stage manager/director in the future. This scholarship will support my future goals in theater and paying for college. With the demanding amount of money I must pay to attend this institution, any help would be more than appreciated. I will be getting a job leading up to my first semester there this fall, but I will be unable to keep up with the cost after just a few months. By receiving this scholarship, I will be able to limit the amount of hours I work during college so I can focus on my education and theater. I plan to work in Flagler's theater after school hours, and obtain the experience I need so that I can give back to my parents and the community which helped shape me to be who I am today.

“All the world’s an audience” My theatrical upbringing would be one I'd love to witness through the perspective of someone/something else. Perhaps some long-living fly that would conveniently follow my every move. A small entity. One that would make note of all my achievements, progressions, and learning opportunities. Watching as I got up after each fall, accomplished tasks I thought I couldn't, and saw when I took risks and chances. Chances that have shaped me to be who I am today. When you’re little, you start to explore your curiosities. Anything at this time could pique your interest. When looking into the perspective of our pea-sized acquaintance following my life, you become aware of the many performances and one-man shows which my parents had the fortune of viewing and recording for future recollection. The bliss of performing, rehearsing, and singing all began to announce its presence before even school age. This time was cut short with an unexpected move and uncertainty of what was ahead, but this did not stop this passion which had already formed. It had come back, and even stronger than ever. I met new people with similar interests, and one of the most valuable things to me, joy and laughter. The audience that once was made up of two, soon grew. During middle school, I discovered the stage. I had let go of any fears, and went with the flow. First, it was technical aspects, and next thing you know, I was both singing and acting. I had been unleashed into this world, and even showcasing works of my own. Reaching Highschool was a whole new world. I can recall vividly walking into our school's very own blackbox for class, the first day of freshman year. Choosing the first seat closest to the teacher, who soon became my director, who then became a role model and hero. Within my freshman year alone, I pursued so much in theatre. Within that year alone I had written two shows, directed one, acted in two short films, and started exploring stage management. As years went by, my love for this once-activity only grew. I would never trade it for anything. All this experience and passion led up to this fall, where I was given the incredible opportunity of assistant directing the mainstage production, “The Revolutionists”. Helping to direct this mainstage felt like a dream, equipped with new perspectives and mental stimulation, all in the name of “making it work”, as my director would say. And making it work we did, and even beyond that. The show was the most beautiful show I had done and been a part of. I don’t think it would be possible to go through Highschool, or let alone my entire life without this art form. I used to say I didn’t think I would still be at my Highschool if it weren't for theatre. Now looking back, theatre was, and is, my form of escapism, my magic, my everything. And truly, if I didn't find a dedication quite this strong, there would be no way I could show it in any other aspect in my life, including school. It showed me that hard work pays off, and I will forever apply it to everything I do. For something that engulfs my entire life, not mentioning it would make this piece inauthentic to who I am. From household karaoke to being a part of my favorite mainstage production, the small fly would have captured so many theatrical experiences, including the ability to hear one of my favorite quotes from “The Revolutionists”

Psychology was a field I discovered in High school which I had fallen in love with. During my senior year, I took AP Psychology, and right then I knew it was for me. I have always had a passion to help and care for others, coming from a background where I had practically no choice but to do so. I am a current Sophmore in College with hopes of becoming a Neuropsychologist with my own private practice and continuing doing what I love, helping and aiding others. Watching my parents age and seeing how they have been affected over time and never getting clear answers as to why has really pushed me forward with this path I want to take. They both are impacted by disabilities and mental health struggles, and that itself compels me to go into this field and understand what happens from a biological standpoint. During my years of schooling, I hope to also help them in the same way they have helped me by supporting my dreams. This scholarship would help pay off my tuition for my upcoming fall semester, so I can spend more time focusing on school rather than trying to balance both working nearly full time at night and going to class during the day. Because I come from a low-income household, I am not getting any money from my family and I am expected to pay my way through school, especially because of my choice of a private school away from home. Flagler College is known for having a large Psychology program, and that is where I will be for the next 2 years to further my education. I can't see myself at any better of a school. However recently, it has come to my attention that tuition will be raising to be about 50k next year, which is already having me scramble money-wise, and trying to find out my options from this point forward. An important factor to note when considering my college path is that I am a double major in both Psychology and Theatre Arts, and this has proven to be helpful in my Psychology career, especially behavior-wise. Theatre is all about putting yourself in someone else's shoes and experiencing life unfamiliar to you. This benefits me by being able to further understand how people think, why people act the way they do, and what drives people to do things. Theatre gives you a whole new idea about what life really is and the circumstances which people go through, as well as it being a fantastic hobby coping-wise. By being involved with theatre I have further expanded in empathy and my want to care for and help others. Understanding and listening have always come second nature to me and I would like to share my gift with those who can benefit from it.

Psychology was a field I discovered in High school which I had fallen in love with. During my senior year, I took AP Psychology, and right then I knew it was for me. I have always had a passion to help and care for others, coming from a background where I had practically no choice but to do so. I am a current Sophmore in College with hopes of becoming a Neuropsychologist with my own private practice and continuing doing what I love, helping and aiding others. Watching my parents age and seeing how they have been affected over time and never getting clear answers as to why has really pushed me forward with this path I want to take. They both are impacted by disabilities and mental health struggles, and that itself compels me to go into this field and understand what happens from a biological standpoint. During my years of schooling, I hope to also help them in the same way they have helped me by supporting my dreams. This scholarship would help pay off my tuition for my upcoming fall semester, so I can spend more time focusing on school rather than trying to balance both working nearly full time at night and going to class during the day. Because I come from a low-income household, I am not getting any money from my family and I am expected to pay my way through school, especially because of my choice of a private school away from home. Flagler College is known for having a large Psychology program, and that is where I will be for the next 2 years to further my education. I can't see myself at any better of a school. However recently, it has come to my attention that tuition will be raising to be about 50k next year, which is already having me scramble money-wise, and trying to find out my options from this point forward. An important factor to note when considering my college path is that I am a double major in both Psychology and Theatre Arts, and this has proven to be helpful in my Psychology career, especially behavior-wise. Theatre is all about putting yourself in someone else's shoes and experiencing life unfamiliar to you. This benefits me by being able to further understand how people think, why people act the way they do, and what drives people to do things. Theatre gives you a whole new idea about what life really is and the circumstances which people go through, as well as it being a fantastic hobby coping-wise. By being involved with theatre I have further expanded in empathy and my want to care for and help others. Understanding and listening have always come second nature to me and I would like to share my gift with those who can benefit from it.

When all of your life you have been looked at as "different" or "out of the ordinary", a common response is striving to fit in, and that is all that I have known and begun before my time on this earth. By being the child of two Romanian immigrants, this was just the norm. Both of my parents landed in a new country, little to their name, and without knowing its prominent language. Adapting was all they could do, and they did. They got a job, had four children, learned English, and so many more remarkable achievements all embedded in their new Americanized names, Vic and Emma. Much of my life consisted of moving around and learning what this world was all about. Nothing was ever consistent for me, which was a challenge and continues to be when I continue doing all that I know. Because of moving around and new challenges getting thrown at me, more so than other kids that had a stable income, health, and home, I never truly found my place. I knew that the people I met were not going to be there forever, so I could not hold stable friendships. I also didn't see the importance of school, I did poorly and barely passed my first few years. My life felt like a game, and I was just doing what felt right without much direction. After a few years of being in Florida, I started to find my true self. I found happiness in video games and adventuring in particular. I felt in control when I was in the virtual world, and it was just a matter of finding what I loved. I even met people online whom I still hold connections to this day. Later, I found theater, another way of expressing myself, which then expanded to crafting and reading/writing. All of these things were consistent and could not be suddenly taken away from me. Since finding my interests, life around me grew as well. I shifted to being a people person and became extremely empathetic. I knew that what I went through was difficult, and something that nobody deserved to experience which then drove me into pursuing a psychology-based career while incorporating my creative side into it. With my family's support and my newfound interests, I became the first to attend college in my family, which is quite a big deal to them. I hope to one day support my family in the same way they supported me growing up, as well as continuing to help those who need it. This proved to be beneficial in the past for me, so I am driven to help make that same impact on the lives of others.

Psychology was a field I discovered in High school which I had fallen in love with. During my senior year, I took AP Psychology, and right then I knew it was for me. I have always had a passion to help and care for others, coming from a background where I had practically no choice but to do so. I am a current Sophmore in College with hopes of becoming a Neuropsychologist with my own private practice and continuing doing what I love, helping and aiding others. Watching my parents age and seeing how they have been affected over time and never getting clear answers as to why has really pushed me forward with this path I want to take. They both are impacted by disabilities and mental health struggles, and that itself compels me to go into this field and understand what happens from a biological standpoint. During my years of schooling, I hope to also help them in the same way they have helped me by supporting my dreams. This scholarship would help pay off my tuition for my upcoming fall semester, so I can spend more time focusing on school rather than trying to balance both working nearly full time at night and going to class during the day. Because I come from a low-income household, I am not getting any money from my family and I am expected to pay my way through school, especially because of my choice of a private school away from home. Flagler College is known for having a large Psychology program, and that is where I will be for the next 2 years to further my education. I can't see myself at any better of a school. However recently, it has come to my attention that tuition will be raising to be about 50k next year, which is already having me scramble money-wise, and trying to find out my options from this point forward. An important factor to note when considering my college path is that I am a double major in both Psychology and Theatre Arts, and this has proven to be helpful in my Psychology career, especially behavior-wise. Theatre is all about putting yourself in someone else's shoes and experiencing life unfamiliar to you. This benefits me by being able to further understand how people think, why people act the way they do, and what drives people to do things. Theatre gives you a whole new idea about what life really is and the circumstances which people go through, as well as it being a fantastic hobby coping-wise. By being involved with theatre I have further expanded in empathy and my want to care for and help others. Understanding and listening have always come second nature to me and I would like to share my gift with those who can benefit from it.

My mindset in general and that of which revolving around volunteering has changed dramatically after actively volunteering. My journey first started at a local community theatre as a stagehand and continued with operating light and sound boards during productions just a few years back. Prior to this experience, I thought volunteering was just a waste of time, not productive, and also not an enjoyable experience. It was when I volunteered and began putting myself out in the community to notice that none of these were the case. I've always had the natural inclination to help others, it was what I have been doing my entire life as I grew up with disabled parents and surrounded by many with mental health challenges. Naturally empathy was built into me, and by beginning to volunteer I saw what kind of impact I could make outside the walls of my home. Theatre as an art is a coping mechanism for a lot of people I have come to realize, and it has also started to find its way into benefiting me as well while working on shows and establishing community. It took volunteering for this small local theatre to start doing more volunteer work and helping out those who needed it around me. Seeing people who are satisfied and have bright smiles on their faces after being helped gives you all the reason to keep giving and experience the same joy you get seeing theirs. Being courageous is contagious and it does not take much to make someone feel on top of the world and lucky to be here. This scholarship would help pay off my tuition for my upcoming spring semester, so I can spend more time focusing on school rather than trying to balance both working nearly full time at night and going to class during the day. Because I come from a low-income household, I am not getting any money from my family and I am expected to pay my way through school, especially because of my choice of a private school away from home. Flagler College is known for having a large Psychology and theatre program, and that is where I will be for the next 2.5 years to further my education. I can't see myself at any better of a school. However recently, it has come to my attention that tuition will be raising to be about 50k next year, which is already having me scramble money-wise, and trying to find out my options from this point forward.

My mindset in general and that of which revolving around volunteering has changed dramatically after actively volunteering. My journey first started at a local community theatre as a stagehand and continued with operating light and sound boards during productions just a few years back. Prior to this experience, I thought volunteering was just a waste of time, not productive, and also not an enjoyable experience. It was when I volunteered and began putting myself out in the community to notice that none of these were the case. I've always had the natural inclination to help others, it was what I have been doing my entire life as I grew up with disabled parents and surrounded by many with mental health challenges. Naturally, empathy was built into me, and by beginning to volunteer I saw what kind of impact I could make outside the walls of my home. Theatre as an art is a coping mechanism for a lot of people I have come to realize, and it has also started to find its way into benefiting me as well while working on shows and establishing community. It took volunteering for this small local theatre to start doing more volunteer work and helping out those who needed it around me. Seeing people who are satisfied and have bright smiles on their faces after being helped gives you all the reason to keep giving and experience the same joy you get seeing theirs. Being courageous is contagious and it does not take much to make someone feel on top of the world and lucky to be here. This scholarship would help pay off my tuition for my upcoming spring semester, so I can spend more time focusing on school rather than trying to balance both working nearly full time at night and going to class during the day. Because I come from a low-income household, I am not getting any money from my family and I am expected to pay my way through school, especially because of my choice of a private school away from home. Flagler College is known for having a large Psychology and theatre program, and that is where I will be for the next 2.5 years to further my education. I can't see myself at any better of a school. However recently, it has come to my attention that tuition will be raising to about 50k next year, which is already having me scramble money-wise, and trying to find out my options from this point forward.

Psychology was a field I discovered in High school which I had fallen in love with. During my senior year, I took AP Psychology, and right then I knew it was for me. I have always had a passion to help and care for others, coming from a background where I had practically no choice but to do so. I am a current Freshman in College with hopes of becoming a Neuropsychologist with my own private practice and continuing doing what I love, helping and aiding others. Watching my parents age and seeing how they have been affected over time and never getting clear answers as to why has really pushed me forward with this path I want to take. They both are impacted by disabilities and mental health struggles, and that itself compels me to go into this field and understand what happens from a biological standpoint. During my years of schooling, I hope to also help them in the same way they have helped me by supporting my dreams. This upcoming semester I am taking a "psychology or personality" course to kickstart the learning and courses necessary for my dream job. This scholarship would help pay off my tuition for my upcoming fall semester, so I can spend more time focusing on school rather than trying to balance both working nearly full time at night and going to class during the day. Because I come from a low-income household, I am not getting any money from my family and I am expected to pay my way through school, especially because of my choice of a private school away from home. Flagler College is known for having a large Psychology program, and that is where I will be for the next 3 years to further my education. I can't see myself at any better of a school. However recently, it has come to my attention that tuition will be raising about 4k next year, which is already having me scramble money-wise, and trying to find out my options from this point forward. An important factor to note when considering my college path is that I am a double major in both Psychology and Theatre Arts, and this has proven to be helpful in my Psychology career, especially behavior-wise. Theatre is all about putting yourself in someone else's shoes and experiencing life unfamiliar to you. This benefits me by being able to further understand how people think, why people act the way they do, and what drives people to do things. Theatre gives you a whole new idea about what life really is and the circumstances which people go through, as well as it being a fantastic hobby coping-wise. By being involved with theatre I have further expanded in empathy and my want to care for and help others. Understanding and listening have always come second nature to me and I would like to share my gift with those who can benefit from it.

Psychology was a field I discovered in High school which I had fallen in love with. During my senior year, I took AP Psychology, and right then I knew it was for me. I have always had a passion to help and care for others, coming from a background where I had practically no choice but to do so. I am a current Freshman in College with hopes of becoming a Neuropsychologist with my own private practice and continuing doing what I love, helping and aiding others. Watching my parents age and seeing how they have been affected over time and never getting clear answers as to why has really pushed me forward with this path I want to take. They both are impacted by disabilities and mental health struggles, and that itself compels me to go into this field and understand what happens from a biological standpoint. During my years of schooling, I hope to also help them in the same way they have helped me by supporting my dreams. This upcoming semester I am taking a "psychology or personality" course to kickstart the learning and courses necessary for my dream job. This scholarship would help pay off my tuition for my upcoming fall semester, so I can spend more time focusing on school rather than trying to balance both working nearly full time at night and going to class during the day. Because I come from a low-income household, I am not getting any money from my family and I am expected to pay my way through school, especially because of my choice of a private school away from home. Flagler College is known for having a large Psychology program, and that is where I will be for the next 3 years to further my education. I can't see myself at any better of a school. However recently, it has come to my attention that tuition will be raising about 4k next year, which is already having me scramble money-wise, and trying to find out my options from this point forward. An important factor to note when considering my college path is that I am a double major in both Psychology and Theatre Arts, and this has proven to be helpful in my Psychology career, especially behavior-wise. Theatre is all about putting yourself in someone else's shoes and experiencing life unfamiliar to you. This benefits me by being able to further understand how people think, why people act the way they do, and what drives people to do things. Theatre gives you a whole new idea about what life really is and the circumstances which people go through, as well as it being a fantastic hobby coping-wise. By being involved with theatre I have further expanded in empathy and my want to care for and help others. Understanding and listening have always come second nature to me and I would like to share my gift with those who can benefit from it.

Psychology was a field I discovered in High school which I had fallen in love with. During my senior year, I took AP Psychology, and right then I knew it was for me. I have always had a passion to help and care for others, coming from a background where I had practically no choice but to do so. I am a current Freshman in College with hopes of becoming a Neuropsychologist with my own private practice and continuing doing what I love, helping and aiding others. Watching my parents age and seeing how they have been affected over time and never getting clear answers as to why has really pushed me forward with this path I want to take. They both are impacted by disabilities and mental health struggles, and that itself compels me to go into this field and understand what happens from a biological standpoint. During my years of schooling, I hope to also help them in the same way they have helped me by supporting my dreams. This upcoming semester I am taking a "psychology or personality" course to kickstart the learning and courses necessary for my dream job. This scholarship would help pay off my tuition for my upcoming fall semester, so I can spend more time focusing on school rather than trying to balance both working nearly full time at night and going to class during the day. Because I come from a low-income household, I am not getting any money from my family and I am expected to pay my way through school, especially because of my choice of a private school away from home. Flagler College is known for having a large Psychology program, and that is where I will be for the next 3.5 years to further my education. I can't see myself at any better of a school. However recently, it has come to my attention that tuition will be raising about 4k next year, which is already having me scramble money-wise, and trying to find out my options from this point forward. An important factor to note when considering my college path is that I am a double major in both Psychology and Theatre Arts, and this has proven to be helpful in my Psychology career, especially behavior-wise. Theatre is all about putting yourself in someone else's shoes and experiencing life unfamiliar to you. This benefits me by being able to further understand how people think, why people act the way they do, and what drives people to do things. Theatre gives you a whole new idea about what life really is and the circumstances which people go through, as well as it being a fantastic hobby coping-wise. By being involved with theatre I have further expanded in empathy and my want to care for and help others. Understanding and listening have always come second nature to me and I would like to share my gift with those who can benefit from it.

“I’m giving you what I wish I had” A saying that would present itself from time to time, specifically said by my Dad. From a new phone to even just a simple pack of rainbow-colored pens, this phrase will manifest itself. At first glance, it seems like a symbol to be grateful, and I thought so as well until I got older and made connections. My Dad grew up having so little handed to him. A pen? He’d be lucky to even have one in his sight. Calculator? Never heard of it. The simple items we are just handed today are the same items he never got the chance to hold. After immigrating to the U.S. in the 90’s from Romania with my older sister on the way, he took advantage of readily available things, like pens. As it came time to focus on his children, this became a less common occurrence. Instead, he was more focused on necessities, which was very demanding. Not only because he now had a family and worked minimum wage, he did not know how to speak English. I find myself thinking about how things were in his past and it gives me a sense of how much selflessness is within him. Today, he can’t do what he could in the past. Both of my parents, by the time I reached middle school, had established disabilities and couldn’t work. The least they could do was give. From picking up my Dad's ways, I learned the importance of expression, and how much of an impact it can have on someone. This naturally drew me into theater, the art of expression. Theater was my chance to show others who I was without having to worry about anything. During middle school, I started acting and found voice on stage. This only continued to grow in high school with my interest in stage managing and directing also emerging. Picking a career I wanted to pursue was not the easiest decision for me. I knew already that I wanted to earn enough money to support both me and my parents and give back to them. It wasn’t until the beginning of my senior year when I started volunteering at my local community theater, where I had realized that I would so much rather be happy, spreading love to those around me, and enjoying my life, than be stuck doing something I don’t want to do. I also realized that with the amount of passion and love I have for this art, I won't have to worry about stability. I will find stability in theater, even if it may be a career filled with uncertainty. I have recently been accepted into Flagler College and I plan on majoring in Theater Arts. I see myself as a professional stage manager/director in the future. This scholarship will support my future goals in theater and paying for college. With the demanding amount of money I must pay to attend this institution, any help would be more than appreciated. I will be getting a job leading up to my first semester there this fall, but I will be unable to keep up with the cost after just a few months. By receiving this scholarship, I will be able to limit the amount of hours I work during college so I can focus on my education and theater. I plan to work in Flagler's theater after school hours, and obtain the experience I need so that I can give back to my parents and the community which helped shape me to be who I am today.

“I’m giving you what I wish I had” A saying that would present itself from time to time, specifically said by my Dad. From a new phone to even just a simple pack of rainbow-colored pens, this phrase will manifest itself. At first glance, it seems like a symbol to be grateful, and I thought so as well until I got older and made connections. My Dad grew up having so little handed to him. A pen? He’d be lucky to even have one in his sight. Calculator? Never heard of it. The simple items we are just handed today are the same items he never got the chance to hold. After immigrating to the U.S. in the 90’s from Romania with my older sister on the way, he took advantage of readily available things, like pens. As it came time to focus on his children, this became a less common occurrence. Instead, he was more focused on necessities, which was very demanding. Not only because he now had a family and worked minimum wage, he did not know how to speak English. I find myself thinking about how things were in his past and it gives me a sense of how much selflessness is within him. Today, he can’t do what he could in the past. Both of my parents, by the time I reached middle school, had established disabilities and couldn’t work. The least they could do was give. From picking up my Dad's ways, I learned the importance of expression, and how much of an impact it can have on someone. This naturally drew me into theater, the art of expression. Theater was my chance to show others who I was without having to worry about anything. During middle school, I started acting and found voice on stage. This only continued to grow in high school with my interest in stage managing and directing also emerging. Picking a career I wanted to pursue was not the easiest decision for me. I knew already that I wanted to earn enough money to support both me and my parents and give back to them. It wasn’t until the beginning of my senior year when I started volunteering at my local community theater, where I had realized that I would so much rather be happy, spreading love to those around me, and enjoying my life, than be stuck doing something I don’t want to do. I also realized that with the amount of passion and love I have for this art, I won't have to worry about stability. I will find stability in theater, even if it may be a career filled with uncertainty. I have recently been accepted into Flagler College and I plan on majoring in Theater Arts. I see myself as a professional stage manager/director in the future. This scholarship will support my future goals in theater and paying for college. With the demanding amount of money I must pay to attend this institution, any help would be more than appreciated. I will be getting a job leading up to my first semester there this fall, but I will be unable to keep up with the cost after just a few months. By receiving this scholarship, I will be able to limit the amount of hours I work during college so I can focus on my education and theater. I plan to work in Flagler's theater after school hours, and obtain the experience I need so that I can give back to my parents and the community which helped shape me to be who I am today.

My dream vision would be working my own private Neuropsychology practice in a large city/urban area, while also doing theatric set design on the side for broadway shows, and ideally, be in a happy relationship.

By being born in 2004, you practically grow up with Taylor and her music. I have always loved her music, and even more recently than ever after dating someone who loved her music and then also going through a breakup which just seemed to match perfectly with what some of Taylor's songs talked about. A recent repeat for me would be Labyrinth on the Midnights album after it was compared with the beginning of our long-distance relationship and how they felt towards me. That was kind of my gateway into all of her older music that I would just jam and make mini music videos to. I feel like now I am really getting back into my childhood love for Taylor Swift, and maybe regressing a little, as cheesy as that may sound. As I am writing this, her 1989 album is playing and I am both astonished and not at all surprised about how well I have all of her songs memorized. As much as I would love to say that Blank Space is my favorite song, there is this flair to Wildest Dreams that just can't be beaten. I also feel like everyone always says Blank Space is their favorite, but there are so many more great songs in this album that deserved the same recognition. Wildest Dreams is just one of those songs where you just have to play it going down an empty road at midnight with all of your windows down and screaming the lyrics at one point in your life. It makes you feel like you are everything, and more than likely everyone in your car will know this song as it is a lot more popular than some other songs in this album. You can kind of get the same effect with New Romantics, but it is a hit or miss. New Romantics is certainly a close second for me, and out of all of them, it gives me the fuzziest feeling while also being upbeat. An honorable mention for me would be This Love, it is just a beautiful song to play when you are alone and sort of not feeling the best, or even at the beach late at night. It is very angelic, and the beach atmosphere enhances it. I find with a lot of her songs in this playlist, you start to feel like you are on top of the world when you scream the lyrics in a fun location late at night. with or without the company of others. You feel like you are the moment and nothing can bring you down from there. That is the perfect way you can describe Wildest Dreams and how I feel when it begins to play.

“I’m giving you what I wish I had” A saying that would present itself from time to time, specifically said by my Dad. From a new phone to even just a simple pack of rainbow-colored pens, this phrase will manifest itself. At first glance, it seems like a symbol to be grateful, and I thought so as well until I got older and made connections. My Dad grew up having so little handed to him. A pen? He’d be lucky to even have one in his sight. Calculator? Never heard of it. The simple items we are just handed today are the same items he never got the chance to hold. After immigrating to the U.S. in the 90’s from Romania with my older sister on the way, he took advantage of readily available things, like pens. As it came time to focus on his children, this became a less common occurrence. Instead, he was more focused on necessities, which was very demanding. Not only because he now had a family and worked minimum wage, he did not know how to speak English. I find myself thinking about how things were in his past and it gives me a sense of how much selflessness is within him. Today, he can’t do what he could in the past. Both of my parents, by the time I reached middle school, had established disabilities and couldn’t work. The least they could do was give. From picking up my Dad's ways, I learned the importance of expression, and how much of an impact it can have on someone. This naturally drew me into theater, the art of expression. Theater was my chance to show others who I was without having to worry about anything. During middle school, I started acting and found voice on stage. This only continued to grow in high school with my interest in stage managing and directing also emerging. Picking a career I wanted to pursue was not the easiest decision for me. I knew already that I wanted to earn enough money to support both me and my parents and give back to them. It wasn’t until the beginning of my senior year when I started volunteering at my local community theater, where I had realized that I would so much rather be happy, spreading love to those around me, and enjoying my life, than be stuck doing something I don’t want to do. I also realized that with the amount of passion and love I have for this art, I won't have to worry about stability. I will find stability in theater, even if it may be a career filled with uncertainty. I have recently been accepted into Flagler College and I plan on majoring in Theater Arts. I see myself as a professional stage manager/director in the future. This scholarship will support my future goals in theater and paying for college. With the demanding amount of money I must pay to attend this institution, any help would be more than appreciated. I will be getting a job leading up to my first semester there this fall, but I will be unable to keep up with the cost after just a few months. By receiving this scholarship, I will be able to limit the amount of hours I work during college so I can focus on my education and theater. I plan to work in Flagler's theater after school hours, and obtain the experience I need so that I can give back to my parents and the community which helped shape me to be who I am today.

“I’m giving you what I wish I had” A saying that would present itself from time to time, specifically said by my Dad. From a new phone to even just a simple pack of rainbow-colored pens, this phrase will manifest itself. At first glance, it seems like a symbol to be grateful, and I thought so as well until I got older and made connections. My Dad grew up having so little handed to him. A pen? He’d be lucky to even have one in his sight. Calculator? Never heard of it. The simple items we are just handed today are the same items he never got the chance to hold. After immigrating to the U.S. in the 90’s from Romania with my older sister on the way, he took advantage of readily available things, like pens. As it came time to focus on his children, this became a less common occurrence. Instead, he was more focused on necessities, which was very demanding. Not only because he now had a family and worked minimum wage, he did not know how to speak English. I find myself thinking about how things were in his past and it gives me a sense of how much selflessness is within him. Today, he can’t do what he could in the past. Both of my parents, by the time I reached middle school, had established disabilities and couldn’t work. The least they could do was give. From picking up my Dad's ways, I learned the importance of expression, and how much of an impact it can have on someone. This naturally drew me into theater, the art of expression. Theater was my chance to show others who I was without having to worry about anything. During middle school, I started acting and found voice on stage. This only continued to grow in high school with my interest in stage managing and directing also emerging. Picking a career I wanted to pursue was not the easiest decision for me. I knew already that I wanted to earn enough money to support both me and my parents and give back to them. It wasn’t until the beginning of my senior year when I started volunteering at my local community theater, where I had realized that I would so much rather be happy, spreading love to those around me, and enjoying my life, than be stuck doing something I don’t want to do. I also realized that with the amount of passion and love I have for this art, I won't have to worry about stability. I will find stability in theater, even if it may be a career filled with uncertainty. I have recently been accepted into Flagler College and I plan on majoring in Theater Arts. I see myself as a professional stage designer in the future. This scholarship will support my future goals in theater and paying for college. With the demanding amount of money I must pay to attend this institution, any help would be more than appreciated. By receiving this scholarship, I will be able to limit the amount of hours I work during college so I can focus on my education and theater. I plan to work in Flagler's theater after school hours, and obtain the experience I need so that I can give back to my parents and the community which helped shape me to be who I am today.

My mindset in general and that of which revolving around volunteering has changed dramatically after actively volunteering. My journey first started at a local community theatre as a stagehand and continued with operating light and sound boards during productions just a few years back. Prior to this experience, I thought volunteering was just a waste of time, not productive, and also not an enjoyable experience. It was when I volunteered and began putting myself out in the community to notice that none of these were the case. I've always had the natural inclination to help others, it was what I have been doing my entire life as I grew up with disabled parents and surrounded by many with mental health challenges. Naturally empathy was built into me, and by beginning to volunteer I saw what kind of impact I could make outside the walls of my home. Theatre as an art is a coping mechanism for a lot of people I have come to realize, and it has also started to find its way into benefiting me as well while working on shows and establishing community. It took volunteering for this small local theatre to start doing more volunteer work and helping out those who needed it around me. Seeing people who are satisfied and have bright smiles on their faces after being helped gives you all the reason to keep giving and experience the same joy you get seeing theirs. Being courageous is contagious and it does not take much to make someone feel on top of the world and lucky to be here. This scholarship would help pay off my tuition for my upcoming spring semester, so I can spend more time focusing on school rather than trying to balance both working nearly full time at night and going to class during the day. Because I come from a low-income household, I am not getting any money from my family and I am expected to pay my way through school, especially because of my choice of a private school away from home. Flagler College is known for having a large Psychology and theatre program, and that is where I will be for the next 3.5 years to further my education. I can't see myself at any better of a school. However recently, it has come to my attention that tuition will be raising about 4k next year, which is already having me scramble money-wise, and trying to find out my options from this point forward.

“I’m giving you what I wish I had” A saying that would present itself from time to time, specifically said by my Dad. From a new phone to even just a simple pack of rainbow-colored pens, this phrase will manifest itself. At first glance, it seems like a symbol to be grateful, and I thought so as well until I got older and made connections. My Dad grew up having so little handed to him. A pen? He’d be lucky to even have one in his sight. Calculator? Never heard of it. The simple items we are just handed today are the same items he never got the chance to hold. After immigrating to the U.S. in the 90’s from Romania with my older sister on the way, he took advantage of readily available things, like pens. As it came time to focus on his children, this became a less common occurrence. Instead, he was more focused on necessities, which was very demanding. Not only because he now had a family and worked minimum wage, he did not know how to speak English. I find myself thinking about how things were in his past and it gives me a sense of how much selflessness is within him. Today, he can’t do what he could in the past. Both of my parents, by the time I reached middle school, had established disabilities and couldn’t work. The least they could do was give. From picking up my Dad's ways, I learned the importance of expression, and how much of an impact it can have on someone. This naturally drew me into theater, the art of expression. Theater was my chance to show others who I was without having to worry about anything. During middle school, I started acting and found voice on stage. This only continued to grow in high school with my interest in stage managing and directing also emerging. Picking a career I wanted to pursue was not the easiest decision for me. I knew already that I wanted to earn enough money to support both me and my parents and give back to them. It wasn’t until the beginning of my senior year when I started volunteering at my local community theater, where I had realized that I would so much rather be happy, spreading love to those around me, and enjoying my life, than be stuck doing something I don’t want to do. I also realized that with the amount of passion and love I have for this art, I won't have to worry about stability. I will find stability in theater, even if it may be a career filled with uncertainty. I have recently been accepted into Flagler College and I plan on majoring in Theater Arts. I see myself as a professional stage manager/director in the future. This scholarship will support my future goals in theater and paying for college. With the demanding amount of money I must pay to attend this institution, any help would be more than appreciated. I will be getting a job leading up to my first semester there this fall, but I will be unable to keep up with the cost after just a few months. By receiving this scholarship, I will be able to limit the amount of hours I work during college so I can focus on my education and theater. I plan to work in Flagler's theater after school hours, and obtain the experience I need so that I can give back to my parents and the community which helped shape me to be who I am today.

My mindset in general and that of which revolving around volunteering has changed dramatically after actively volunteering. My journey first started at a local community theatre as a stagehand and continued with operating light and sound boards during productions just a few years back. Prior to this experience, I thought volunteering was just a waste of time, not productive, and also not an enjoyable experience. It was when I volunteered and began putting myself out in the community to notice that none of these were the case. I've always had the natural inclination to help others, it was what I have been doing my entire life as I grew up with disabled parents and surrounded by many with mental health challenges. Naturally empathy was built into me, and by beginning to volunteer I saw what kind of impact I could make outside the walls of my home. Theatre as an art is a coping mechanism for a lot of people I have come to realize, and it has also started to find its way into benefiting me as well while working on shows and establishing community. It took volunteering for this small local theatre to start doing more volunteer work and helping out those who needed it around me. Seeing people who are satisfied and have bright smiles on their faces after being helped gives you all the reason to keep giving and experience the same joy you get seeing theirs. Being courageous is contagious and it does not take much to make someone feel on top of the world and lucky to be here. This scholarship would help pay off my tuition for my upcoming spring semester, so I can spend more time focusing on school rather than trying to balance both working nearly full time at night and going to class during the day. Because I come from a low-income household, I am not getting any money from my family and I am expected to pay my way through school, especially because of my choice of a private school away from home. Flagler College is known for having a large Psychology and theatre program, and that is where I will be for the next 3.5 years to further my education. I can't see myself at any better of a school. However recently, it has come to my attention that tuition will be raising about 4k next year, which is already having me scramble money-wise, and trying to find out my options from this point forward.

“All the world’s an audience” My theatrical upbringing would be one I'd love to witness through the perspective of someone/something else. Perhaps some long-living fly that would conveniently follow my every move. One that would make note of all my achievements, progressions, and learning opportunities. Watching as I got up after each fall, accomplished tasks I thought I couldn't, and saw when I took risks and chances. When you’re little, you start to explore your curiosities. Anything at this time could pique your interest. When looking into the perspective of our pea-sized acquaintance following my life, you become aware of the many performances and one-man shows which my parents had the fortune of viewing and recording for future recollection. The bliss of performing, rehearsing, and singing all began to announce its presence before even school age. This time was cut short with an unexpected move and uncertainty of what was ahead, but this did not stop this passion which had already formed. It had come back, and even stronger than ever. I met new people with similar interests, and one of the most valuable things to me, joy and laughter. The audience that once was made up of two, soon grew. During middle school, I discovered the stage. I had let go of any fears, and went with the flow. First, it was technical aspects, and next thing you know, I was both singing and acting. Reaching Highschool was a whole new world. I can recall vividly walking into our school's very own blackbox for class, the first day of freshman year. Choosing the first seat closest to the teacher, who soon became my director, who then became a role model and hero. Within my freshman year alone, I pursued so much in theatre. Within that year alone I had written two shows, directed one, acted in two short films, and started exploring stage management. As years went by, my love for this once-activity only grew. I would never trade it for anything. All this experience and passion led up to this fall, where I was given the incredible opportunity of assistant directing the mainstage production, “The Revolutionists”. Helping to direct this mainstage felt like a dream, equipped with new perspectives and mental stimulation, all in the name of “making it work”, as my director would say. And making it work we did, and even beyond that. The show was the most beautiful show I had done and been a part of. It was like raising a small creature and nursing it until you had to let it fly, and once it did, you saw it flourish. I don’t think it would be possible to go through Highschool, or let alone my entire life without this art form. I used to say I didn’t think I would still be at my Highschool if it weren't for theatre. Now looking back, theatre was, and is, my form of escapism, my magic, my everything. And truly, if I didn't find a dedication quite this strong, there would be no way I could show it in any other aspect in my life, including school. It showed me that hard work pays off, and I will forever apply it to everything I do. For something that engulfs my entire life, not mentioning it would make this piece inauthentic to who I am. From household karaoke to being a part of my favorite mainstage production, the small fly would have captured so many theatrical experiences, including the ability to hear one of my favorite quotes from “The Revolutionists”, “All the world’s an audience”.

Psychology was a field I discovered in High school which I had fallen in love with. During my senior year, I took AP Psychology, and right then I knew it was for me. I have always had a passion to help and care for others, coming from a background where I had practically no choice but to do so. I am a current Freshman in College with hopes of becoming a Neuropsychologist with my own private practice and continuing doing what I love, helping and aiding others. Watching my parents age and seeing how they have been affected over time and never getting clear answers as to why has really pushed me forward with this path I want to take. They both are impacted by disabilities and mental health struggles, and that itself compels me to go into this field and understand what happens from a biological standpoint. During my years of schooling, I hope to also help them in the same way they have helped me by supporting my dreams. This upcoming semester I am taking a "psychology or personality" course to kickstart the learning and courses necessary for my dream job. This scholarship would help pay off my tuition for my upcoming fall semester, so I can spend more time focusing on school rather than trying to balance both working nearly full time at night and going to class during the day. Because I come from a low-income household, I am not getting any money from my family and I am expected to pay my way through school, especially because of my choice of a private school away from home. Flagler College is known for having a large Psychology program, and that is where I will be for the next 3.5 years to further my education. I can't see myself at any better of a school. However recently, it has come to my attention that tuition will be raising about 4k next year, which is already having me scramble money-wise, and trying to find out my options from this point forward. An important factor to note when considering my college path is that I am a double major in both Psychology and Theatre Arts, and this has proven to be helpful in my Psychology career, especially behavior-wise. Theatre is all about putting yourself in someone else's shoes and experiencing life unfamiliar to you. This benefits me by being able to further understand how people think, why people act the way they do, and what drives people to do things. Theatre gives you a whole new idea about what life really is and the circumstances which people go through, as well as it being a fantastic hobby coping-wise. By being involved with theatre I have further expanded in empathy and my want to care for and help others. Understanding and listening have always come second nature to me and I would like to share my gift with those who can benefit from it.

When all of your life you have been looked at as "different" or "out of the ordinary", a common response is striving to fit in, and that is all that I have known and begun before my time on this earth. By being the child of two Romanian immigrants, this was just the norm. Both of my parents landed in a new country, little to their name, and without knowing its prominent language. Adapting was all they could do, and they did. They got a job, had four children, learned English, and so many more remarkable achievements all embedded in their new Americanized names, Vic and Emma. Much of my life consisted of moving around and learning what this world was all about. Nothing was ever consistent for me, which was a challenge and continues to be when I continue doing all that I know. Because of moving around and new challenges getting thrown at me, more so than other kids that had a stable income, health, and home, I never truly found my place. I knew that the people I met were not going to be there forever, so I could not hold stable friendships. I also didn't see the importance of school, I did poorly and barely passed my first few years. My life felt like a game, and I was just doing what felt right without much direction. After a few years of being in Florida, I started to find my true self. I found happiness in video games and adventuring in particular. I felt in control when I was in the virtual world, and it was just a matter of finding what I loved. I even met people online whom I still hold connections to this day. Later, I found theater, another way of expressing myself, which then expanded to crafting and reading/writing. All of these things were consistent and could not be suddenly taken away from me. Since finding my interests, life around me grew as well. I shifted to being a people person and became extremely empathetic. I knew that what I went through was difficult, and something that nobody deserved to experience which then drove me into pursuing a psychology-based career while incorporating my creative side into it. With my family's support and my newfound interests, I became the first to attend college in my family, which is quite a big deal to them. I hope to one day support my family in the same way they supported me growing up, as well as continuing to help those who need it. This proved to be beneficial in the past for me, so I am driven to help make that same impact on the lives of others.

When all of your life you have been looked at as "different" or "out of the ordinary", a common response is striving to fit in, and that's all that I have known and begun before my time on this earth. By being the child of two Romanian immigrants, this was just the norm. Both of my parents landed in a new country, little to their name, and without any English. Adapting was all they could do.. They got a job, had four children, learned English, and so many more remarkable achievements all embedded in their new Americanized names, Vic and Emma. Much of my life consisted of moving around and learning what this world was all about. Because of moving around and new challenges getting thrown at me, more so than other kids that had a stable income, health, and home, I never truly found my place. I knew that the people I met were not going to be there forever, so I could not hold stable friendships. I also didn't see the importance of school, I did poorly and barely passed my first few years. My life felt like a game, and I was just doing what felt right without much direction. After a few years of being in Florida, I started to find my true self. I found happiness in video games and adventuring in particular. I felt in control when I was in the virtual world, and it was just a matter of finding what I loved. I even met people online whom I still hold connections with. Later, I found theater, which then expanded to crafting and reading/writing. Since finding my interests, life around me grew as well. I shifted to being a people person and became extremely empathetic. I knew that what I went through was difficult, and something that nobody deserved to experience which then drove me into pursuing a psychology-based career while incorporating my creative side into it. With my family's support and my newfound interests, I became the first to attend college in my family, which is quite a big deal to them. I hope to one day support my family in the same way they supported me, as well as continue to help those who need it. This proved to be beneficial in the past, so I am driven to help make that same impact on the lives of others.

As an aspiring set designer, this early in my career it’s important to showcase what I can do through the exploration of techniques, and from there build from that. The following image is a set design I constructed earlier this spring semester during a lab strictly for making art relating to theatre. The play it is designed for is “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller. When beginning this design, it was important for me to showcase all the sharp edges and rigidness that this play encapsulates, and making everything sharp, slanted, and not symmetrical perfectly showcases this quality. The Salem Witch Trials was a dark time in history, and I knew I wanted to use some sort of dead tree element to showcase the eeriness. If you look closely, the trees are similar looking to poppets, which is actually an element in the play which gets mentioned and a prop popped is brought in. This allows the audience to connect the trees to this element of the play. They are also leaning in on the set, and looking above the main structure which creates a more sinister atmosphere. I wanted to make the set look broken down and beaten, which would help convey the stories purpose in history as we know it. There are two levels to this set, the grown level and a slanted platform spanning the top of the wall. This can be accessed by the stairs on stage, and also at the very end of the wall of stage with an escape ladder. This allows for more playable spaces. Power dynamics and the trial itself can take place at different levels, especially when you consider what you can do with the stairs. There are 4 benches included in this set design, which are very versatile set pieces. They may be used as benches for the trial, a table, and even a bed for the beginning scenes. It was important not to have any distracting set pieces that take away from the sets general atmosphere. And using wooded benches that can be moved to be anything helps with the simplicity of the set and is not at all distracting from the other elements. I am in general inclined to shows that are more abstract and allow for creative freedom, and The Crucible was the perfect show for that. I was able to really delve into the creative aspect of set design, of course backed up with extensive research, but I tend to enjoy the process a lot more when I’m able to explore and produce sets with a general direction and an open mind.

Psychology was a field I discovered in High school which I had fallen in love with. During my senior year, I took AP Psychology, and right then I knew it was for me. I have always had a passion to help and care for others, coming from a background where I had practically no choice but to do so. I am a current Freshman in College with hopes of becoming a Neuropsychologist with my own private practice and continuing doing what I love, helping and aiding others. Watching my parents age and seeing how they have been affected over time and never getting clear answers as to why has really pushed me forward with this path I want to take. They both are impacted by disabilities and mental health struggles, and that itself compels me to go into this field and understand what happens from a biological standpoint. During my years of schooling, I hope to also help them in the same way they have helped me by supporting my dreams. This upcoming semester I am taking a "psychology or personality" course to kickstart the learning and courses necessary for my dream job. This scholarship would help pay off my tuition for my upcoming fall semester, so I can spend more time focusing on school rather than trying to balance both working nearly full time at night and going to class during the day. Because I come from a low-income household, I am not getting any money from my family and I am expected to pay my way through school, especially because of my choice of a private school away from home. Flagler College is known for having a large Psychology program, and that is where I will be for the next 3.5 years to further my education. I can't see myself at any better of a school. However recently, it has come to my attention that tuition will be raising about 4k next year, which is already having me scramble money-wise, and trying to find out my options from this point forward. An important factor to note when considering my college path is that I am a double major in both Psychology and Theatre Arts, and this has proven to be helpful in my Psychology career, especially behavior-wise. Theatre is all about putting yourself in someone else's shoes and experiencing life unfamiliar to you. This benefits me by being able to further understand how people think, why people act the way they do, and what drives people to do things. Theatre gives you a whole new idea about what life really is and the circumstances which people go through, as well as it being a fantastic hobby coping-wise. By being involved with theatre I have further expanded in empathy and my want to care for and help others. Understanding and listening have always come second nature to me and I would like to share my gift with those who can benefit from it.

“All the world’s an audience” My theatrical upbringing would be one I'd love to witness through the perspective of someone/something else. Perhaps some long-living fly that would conveniently follow my every move. A small entity. One that would make note of all my achievements, progressions, and learning opportunities. Watching as I got up after each fall, accomplished tasks I thought I couldn't, and saw when I took risks and chances. Chances that have shaped me to be who I am today. When you’re little, you start to explore your curiosities. Anything at this time could pique your interest. When looking into the perspective of our pea-sized acquaintance following my life, you become aware of the many performances and one-man shows which my parents had the fortune of viewing and recording for future recollection. The bliss of performing, rehearsing, and singing all began to announce its presence before even school age. This time was cut short with an unexpected move and uncertainty of what was ahead, but this did not stop this passion which had already formed. It had come back, and even stronger than ever. I met new people with similar interests, and one of the most valuable things to me, joy and laughter. During middle school, I discovered the stage. I had let go of any fears, and went with the flow. First, it was technical aspects, and next thing you know, I was both singing and acting. I had been unleashed into this world, and even showcasing works of my own. Reaching Highschool was a whole new world. I can recall vividly walking into our school's very own blackbox for class, the first day of freshman year. Choosing the first seat closest to the teacher, who soon became my director, who then became a role model and hero. Within my freshman year alone, I pursued so much in theatre. I had found my light. Within that year alone I had written two shows, directed one, acted in two short films, and started exploring stage management. As years went by, my love for this once-activity only grew. I would never trade it for anything. All this experience and passion led up to this fall, where I was given the incredible opportunity of assistant directing the mainstage production, “The Revolutionists”. Helping to direct this mainstage felt like a dream, equipped with new perspectives and mental stimulation, all in the name of “making it work”, as my director would say. And making it work we did, and even beyond that. The show was the most beautiful show I had done and been a part of. I don’t think it would be possible to go through Highschool, or let alone my entire life without this art form. I used to say I didn’t think I would still be at my Highschool if it weren't for theatre. Now looking back, theatre was, and is, my form of escapism, my magic, my everything. And truly, if I didn't find a dedication quite this strong, there would be no way I could show it in any other aspect in my life, including school. It showed me that hard work pays off, and I will forever apply it to everything I do. For something that engulfs my entire life, not mentioning it would make this piece inauthentic to who I am. From household karaoke to being a part of my favorite mainstage production, the small fly would have captured so many theatrical experiences, including the ability to hear one of my favorite quotes from “The Revolutionists”, “All the world’s an audience”.

Psychology was a field I discovered in High school which I had fallen in love with. During my senior year, I took AP Psychology, and right then I knew it was for me. I have always had a passion to help and care for others, coming from a background where I had practically no choice but to do so. I am a current Freshman in College with hopes of becoming a Neuropsychologist with my own private practice and continuing doing what I love, helping and aiding others. Watching my parents age and seeing how they have been affected over time and never getting clear answers as to why has really pushed me forward with this path I want to take. They both are impacted by disabilities and mental health struggles and that itself compels me to go into this field and understand what happens from a biological standpoint. During my years of schooling, I hope to also help them in the same way they have helped me by supporting my dreams. This upcoming semester I am taking a "psychology or personality" course to kickstart the learning and courses necessary for my dream job. This scholarship would help pay off my tuition for my upcoming fall semester, so I can spend more time focusing on school rather than trying to balance both working nearly full time at night and going to class during the day. Because I come from a low-income household, I am not getting any money from my family and I am expected to pay my way through school, especially because of my choice of a private school away from home. Flagler College is known for having a large Psychology program, and that is where I will be for the next 3.5 years to further my education. I can't see myself at any better of a school. However recently, it has come to my attention that tuition will be raising about 4k next year, which is already having me scramble money-wise, and trying to find out my options from this point forward. An important factor to note when considering my college path is that I am a double major in both Psychology and Theatre Arts, and this has proven to be helpful in my Psychology career, especially behavior-wise. Theatre is all about putting yourself in someone else's shoes and experiencing life unfamiliar to you. This benefits me by being able to further understand how people think, why people act the way they do, and what drives people to do things. Theatre gives you a whole new idea about what life really is and the circumstances which people go through, as well as it being a fantastic hobby coping-wise. By being involved with theatre I have further expanded in empathy and my want to care for and help others. Understanding and listening have always come second nature to me and I would like to share my gift with those who can benefit from it.

Psychology was a field I discovered in High school which I had fallen in love with. During my senior year, I took AP Psychology, and right then I knew it was for me. I have always had a passion to help and care for others, coming from a background where I had practically no choice but to do so. I am a current Freshman in College with hopes of becoming a Neuropsychologist with my own private practice and continuing doing what I love, helping and aiding others. Watching my parents age and seeing how they have been affected over time and never getting clear answers as to why has really pushed me forward with this path I want to take. They both are impacted by disabilities and mental health struggles, and that itself compels me to go into this field and understand what happens from a biological standpoint. During my years of schooling, I hope to also help them in the same way they have helped me by supporting my dreams. This upcoming semester I am taking a "psychology or personality" course to kickstart the learning and courses necessary for my dream job. This scholarship would help pay off my tuition for my upcoming fall semester, so I can spend more time focusing on school rather than trying to balance both working nearly full time at night and going to class during the day. Because I come from a low-income household, I am not getting any money from my family and I am expected to pay my way through school, especially because of my choice of a private school away from home. Flagler College is known for having a large Psychology program, and that is where I will be for the next 3.5 years to further my education. I can't see myself at any better of a school. However recently, it has come to my attention that tuition will be raising about 4k next year, which is already having me scramble money-wise, and trying to find out my options from this point forward. An important factor to note when considering my college path is that I am a double major in both Psychology and Theatre Arts, and this has proven to be helpful in my Psychology career, especially behavior-wise. Theatre is all about putting yourself in someone else's shoes and experiencing life unfamiliar to you. This benefits me by being able to further understand how people think, why people act the way they do, and what drives people to do things. Theatre gives you a whole new idea about what life really is and the circumstances which people go through, as well as it being a fantastic hobby coping-wise. By being involved with theatre I have further expanded in empathy and my want to care for and help others. Understanding and listening have always come second nature to me and I would like to share my gift with those who can benefit from it.

When all of your life you have been looked at as "different" or "out of the ordinary", a common response is striving to fit in, and that is all that I have known and begun before my time on this earth. By being the child of two Romanian immigrants, this was just the norm. Both of my parents landed in a new country, little to their name, and without knowing its prominent language. Adapting was all they could do, and they did. They got a job, had four children, learned English, and so many more remarkable achievements all embedded in their new Americanized names, Vic and Emma. Much of my life consisted of moving around and learning what this world was all about. Nothing was ever consistent for me, which was a challenge and continues to be when I continue doing all that I know. Because of moving around and new challenges getting thrown at me, more so than other kids that had a stable income, health, and home, I never truly found my place. I knew that the people I met were not going to be there forever, so I could not hold stable friendships. I also didn't see the importance of school, I did poorly and barely passed my first few years. My life felt like a game, and I was just doing what felt right without much direction. After a few years of being in Florida, I started to find my true self. I found happiness in video games and adventuring in particular. I felt in control when I was in the virtual world, and it was just a matter of finding what I loved. I even met people online whom I still hold connections to this day. Later, I found theater, another way of expressing myself, which then expanded to crafting and reading/writing. All of these things were consistent and could not be suddenly taken away from me. Since finding my interests, life around me grew as well. I shifted to being a people person and became extremely empathetic. I knew that what I went through was difficult, and something that nobody deserved to experience which then drove me into pursuing a psychology-based career while incorporating my creative side into it. With my family's support and my newfound interests, I became the first to attend college in my family, which is quite a big deal to them. I hope to one day support my family in the same way they supported me growing up, as well as continuing to help those who need it. This proved to be beneficial in the past for me, so I am driven to help make that same impact on the lives of others.

When all of your life you have been looked at as "different" or "out of the ordinary", a common response is striving to fit in, and that is all that I have known and begun before my time on this earth. By being the child of two Romanian immigrants, this was just the norm. Both of my parents landed in a new country, little to their name, and without knowing its prominent language. Adapting was all they could do, and they did. They got a job, had four children, learned English, and so many more remarkable achievements all embedded in their new Americanized names, Vic and Emma. Much of my life consisted of moving around and learning what this world was all about. Nothing was ever consistent for me, which was a challenge and continues to be when I continue doing all that I know. Because of moving around and new challenges getting thrown at me, more so than other kids that had a stable income, health, and home, I never truly found my place. I knew that the people I met were not going to be there forever, so I could not hold stable friendships. I also didn't see the importance of school, I did poorly and barely passed my first few years. My life felt like a game, and I was just doing what felt right without much direction. After a few years of being in Florida, I started to find my true self. I found happiness in video games and adventuring in particular. I felt in control when I was in the virtual world, and it was just a matter of finding what I loved. I even met people online whom I still hold connections to this day. Later, I found theater, another way of expressing myself, which then expanded to crafting and reading/writing. All of these things were consistent and could not be suddenly taken away from me. Since finding my interests, life around me grew as well. I shifted to being a people person and became extremely empathetic. I knew that what I went through was difficult, and something that nobody deserved to experience which then drove me into pursuing a psychology-based career while incorporating my creative side into it. With my family's support and my newfound interests, I became the first to attend college in my family, which is quite a big deal to them. I hope to one day support my family in the same way they supported me growing up, as well as continuing to help those who need it. This proved to be beneficial in the past for me, so I am driven to help make that same impact on the lives of others.

“I’m giving you what I wish I had” A saying that would present itself from time to time, specifically said by my Dad. From a new phone to even just a simple pack of rainbow-colored pens, this phrase will manifest itself. At first glance, it seems like a symbol to be grateful, and I thought so as well until I got older and made connections. My Dad grew up having so little handed to him. A pen? He’d be lucky to even have one in his sight. Calculator? Never heard of it. The simple items we are just handed today are the same items he never got the chance to hold. After immigrating to the U.S. in the 90’s from Romania with my older sister on the way, he took advantage of readily available things, like pens. As it came time to focus on his children, this became a less common occurrence. Instead, he was more focused on necessities, which was very demanding. Not only because he now had a family and worked minimum wage, he did not know how to speak English. I find myself thinking about how things were in his past and it gives me a sense of how much selflessness is within him. Today, he can’t do what he could in the past. Both of my parents, by the time I reached middle school, had established disabilities and couldn’t work. The least they could do was give. From picking up my Dad's ways, I learned the importance of expression, and how much of an impact it can have on someone. This naturally drew me into theater, the art of expression. Theater was my chance to show others who I was without having to worry about anything. During middle school, I started acting and found voice on stage. This only continued to grow in high school with my interest in stage managing and directing also emerging. Picking a career I wanted to pursue was not the easiest decision for me. I knew already that I wanted to earn enough money to support both me and my parents and give back to them. It wasn’t until the beginning of my senior year when I started volunteering at my local community theater, where I had realized that I would so much rather be happy, spreading love to those around me, and enjoying my life, than be stuck doing something I don’t want to do. I also realized that with the amount of passion and love I have for this art, I won't have to worry about stability. I will find stability in theater, even if it may be a career filled with uncertainty. I am currently attending Flagler College and I am majoring in Theater Arts and psychology. I see myself as a professional stage manager/director in the future. This scholarship will support my future goals in theater and paying for college. With the demanding amount of money I must pay to attend this institution, any help would be more than appreciated. I currently work as a deli clerk at Publix, but can only make so much by working only weekends. By receiving this scholarship, I will be able to limit the number of hours I work during college so I can focus on my education and theater. I plan to work in Flagler's theater after school hours, and obtain the experience I need so that I can give back to my parents and the community which helped shape me to be who I am today.

My mindset in general and that of which revolving around volunteering has changed dramatically after actively volunteering. My journey first started at a local community theatre as a stagehand and continued with operating light and sound boards during productions just a few years back. Prior to this experience, I thought volunteering was just a waste of time, not productive, and also not an enjoyable experience. It was when I volunteered and began putting myself out in the community to notice that none of these were the case. I've always had the natural inclination to help others, it was what I have been doing my entire life as I grew up with disabled parents and surrounded by many with mental health challenges. Naturally empathy was built into me, and by beginning to volunteer I saw what kind of impact I could make outside the walls of my home. Theatre as an art is a coping mechanism for a lot of people I have come to realize, and it has also started to find its way into benefiting me as well while working on shows and establishing community. It took volunteering for this small local theatre to start doing more volunteer work and helping out those who needed it around me. Seeing people who are satisfied and have bright smiles on their faces after being helped gives you all the reason to keep giving and experience the same joy you get seeing theirs. Being courageous is contagious and it does not take much to make someone feel on top of the world and lucky to be here. This scholarship would help pay off my tuition for my upcoming spring semester, so I can spend more time focusing on school rather than trying to balance both working nearly full time at night and going to class during the day. Because I come from a low-income household, I am not getting any money from my family and I am expected to pay my way through school, especially because of my choice of a private school away from home. Flagler College is known for having a large Psychology and theatre program, and that is where I will be for the next 3.5 years to further my education. I can't see myself at any better of a school. However recently, it has come to my attention that tuition will be raising about 4k next year, which is already having me scramble money-wise, and trying to find out my options from this point forward.

Psychology was a field I discovered in High school which I had fallen in love with. During my senior year, I took AP Psychology, and right then I knew it was for me. I have always had a passion to help and care for others, coming from a background where I had practically no choice but to do so. I am a current Freshman in College with hopes of becoming a Neuropsychologist with my own private practice and continuing doing what I love, helping and aiding others. Watching my parents age and seeing how they have been affected over time and never getting clear answers as to why has really pushed me forward with this path I want to take. They both are impacted by disabilities and mental health struggles, and that itself compels me to go into this field and understand what happens from a biological standpoint. During my years of schooling, I hope to also help them in the same way they have helped me by supporting my dreams. This upcoming semester I am taking a "psychology or personality" course to kickstart the learning and courses necessary for my dream job. This scholarship would help pay off my tuition for my upcoming spring semester, so I can spend more time focusing on school rather than trying to balance both working nearly full time at night and going to class during the day. Because I come from a low-income household, I am not getting any money from my family and I am expected to pay my way through school, especially because of my choice of a private school away from home. Flagler College is known for having a large Psychology program, and that is where I will be for the next 3.5 years to further my education. I can't see myself at any better of a school. However recently, it has come to my attention that tuition will be raising about 4k next year, which is already having me scramble money-wise, and trying to find out my options from this point forward. An important factor to note when considering my college path is that I am a double major in both Psychology and Theatre Arts, and this has proven to be helpful in my Psychology career, especially behavior-wise. Theatre is all about putting yourself in someone else's shoes and experiencing life unfamiliar to you. This benefits me by being able to further understand how people think, why people act the way they do, and what drives people to do things. Theatre gives you a whole new idea about what life really is and the circumstances which people go through, as well as it being a fantastic hobby coping-wise. By being involved with theatre I have further expanded in empathy and my want to care for and help others. Understanding and listening have always come second nature to me and I would like to share my gift with those who can benefit from it.

The Taste of Satisfaction Many of days I think about this decadent treat Ones of my own or those on a store shelf Oh how nice they would be to eat The pantry screams, and that's where I find myself. Every entrance I expect a great outcome Sweeping ingredients quickly to satisfy this craving This frequent adventure confusing some Yet with every look, there I will stand, cheerfully waving. Butter, sugar, eggs It's only a matter of time before they're combined There stands a warm oven that begs Soon they enter, never leaving my mind. The beeping of a timer quiets While I rush to ensure that they're perfectly done Soon before a fire alarm would think so riot A pleasant aroma would have already spun. A bite is taken and I find something wrong I attempt to ease myself by saying they're the best While believing I followed the recipe precisely all along But inside, I start to feel my cookies won't ever be as tasty as the rest.

Psychology was a field I discovered in High school which I had fallen in love with. My senior year, I took AP Psychology, and right then I knew it was for me. I have always had the passion to help and care for others, coming from a background where I had practically no choice but to do so. I am a current Freshman in College with hopes of becoming a Neuropsychologist with my own private practice and continue doing what I love, helping and aiding others. Watching my parents age and seeing how they have been affected over time and never getting clear answers as to why has really pushed me forward with this path I want to take. This upcoming semester I am taking a "psychology or personality" course to kickstart the learning and courses necessary for my dream job. This scholarship would nearly pay off all of my tuition for my upcoming spring semester, so I can spend more time focusing on school rather than trying to balance both working nearly full time at night and going to class during the day. Because I come from a low income household, I am not getting any money from my family and I am expected to pay my way through school, especially because of my choice of a private school away from home. Flagler College is known for having a large Psychology program, and that is where I will be for the next 3.5 years to further my education. I can't see myself at any better of a school. However recently, it has come to my attention that tuition will be raising about 4k next year, which is already having me scramble money wise, and trying to find out my options from this point forward. An important factor to note when considering my college path is that I am a double major in both Psychology and Theatre Arts, and this has proven to be helpful in my Psychology career, especially behavior wise. Theatre is all about putting yourself in someone else's shoes and experiencing life unfamiliar to you. This benefits me by being able to further understand how people think, why people act the way they do, and what drives people to do things. Theatre gives you a whole new idea about what life really is and the circumstances which people go through, as well as it being a fantastic hobby coping wise. By being involved with theatre I have further expanded in empathy and my want to care and help others. Understanding and listening has always come second nature to me and I would like to share my gift with those who can benefit from it.

Psychology was a field I discovered in High school which I had fallen in love with. My senior year, I took AP Psychology, and right then I knew it was for me. I have always had the passion to help and care for others, coming from a background where I had practically no choice but to do so. I am a current Freshman in College with hopes of becoming a Neuropsychologist with my own private practice and continue doing what I love, helping and aiding others. Watching my parents age and seeing how they have been affected over time and never getting clear answers as to why has really pushed me forward with this path I want to take. This upcoming semester I am taking a "psychology or personality" course to kickstart the learning and courses necessary for my dream job. This scholarship would nearly pay off all of my tuition for my upcoming spring semester, so I can spend more time focusing on school rather than trying to balance both working nearly full time at night and going to class during the day. Because I come from a low income household, I am not getting any money from my family and I am expected to pay my way through school, especially because of my choice of a private school away from home. Flagler College is known for having a large Psychology program, and that is where I will be for the next 3.5 years to further my education. I can't see myself at any better of a school. However recently, it has come to my attention that tuition will be raising about 4k next year, which is already having me scramble money wise, and trying to find out my options from this point forward. An important factor to note when considering my college path is that I am a double major in both Psychology and Theatre Arts, and this has proven to be helpful in my Psychology career, especially behavior wise. Theatre is all about putting yourself in someone else's shoes and experiencing life unfamiliar to you. This benefits me by being able to further understand how people think, why people act the way they do, and what drives people to do things. Theatre gives you a whole new idea about what life really is and the circumstances which people go through, as well as it being a fantastic hobby coping wise. By being involved with theatre I have further expanded in empathy and my want to care and help others. Understanding and listening has always come second nature to me and I would like to share my gift with those who can benefit from it.

My all time favorite Disney character would have to be Rapunzel. Growing up, I related to her on another level, and she helped me understand lot of what was going on around me. I came from a very strict household, very common with immigrant parents, and all they wanted to do was protect me and my future. Of course, I did not understand this back when this movie first came out, but just feeling understood felt like everything to me. Everyone else seemed so free, and I could not leave my house without extensive precautions and knowing every little thing about what will happen when I leave and when I will return. I also remember trying to watch this movie on TV, and not being able to go through the whole thing because it was past my bed time. It would take me quite a while, maybe even years to view it again and go through this journey once more. I felt more like Rapunzel than Rapunzel. I at the time had the longest hair I would ever have, reaching down to my legs. I would sings the songs she would, I see the light being a favorite, and enjoy myself locked in my room with my favorite hobbies in front of me. Now that I think back, I feel as though I had a Rapunzel journey, especially now considering I chopped my hair off and feel like a new person. I feel free, studying Psychology and Theatre at college, and feel like this is where I was meant to be all of this time. I feel like I am at home even though I'm not at home. Sure, my life is not to the extreme of Rapunzel's, but it is very similar and helped me through my life, as silly as it sounds. Recently, I revisited this movie with my new found college friends and roommate and enjoyed Rapunzel for the fantastic movie and princess she is.

The Taste of Satisfaction Many of days I think about this decadent treat Ones of my own or those on a store shelf Oh how nice they would be to eat The pantry screams, and that's where I find myself. Every entrance I expect a great outcome Sweeping ingredients quickly to satisfy this craving This frequent adventure confusing some Yet with every look, there I will stand, cheerfully waving. Butter, sugar, eggs It's only a matter of time before they're combined There stands a warm oven that begs Soon they enter, never leaving my mind. The beeping of a timer quiets While I rush to ensure that they're perfectly done Soon before a fire alarm would think so riot A pleasant aroma would have already spun. A bite is taken and I find something wrong I attempt to ease myself by saying they're the best While believing I followed the recipe precisely all along But inside, I start to feel my cookies won't ever be as tasty as the rest.

“All the world’s an audience” My theatrical upbringing would be one I'd love to witness through the perspective of someone/something else. Perhaps some long-living fly that would conveniently follow my every move and would make note of all my achievements, progressions, and learning opportunities. When looking in, you become aware of the many performances and one-man shows which my parents had the fortune of viewing and recording for future recollection. The audience that once was made up of two, soon grew. During middle school, I discovered the stage. I had let go of any fears, and went with the flow. Reaching Highschool was a whole new world. I can recall vividly walking into our school's very own blackbox for class, the first day of freshman year. Choosing the first seat closest to the teacher, who soon became my director, who then became a role model and hero. Within my freshman year alone, I pursued so much in theatre. I had found my light. Within that year alone I had written two shows, directed one, acted in two short films, and started exploring stage management. As years went by, my love for this once-activity only grew. All this experience and passion led up to this fall, where I was given the incredible opportunity of assistant directing the mainstage production, “The Revolutionists”. Helping to direct this mainstage felt like a dream, equipped with new perspectives and mental stimulation, all in the name of “making it work”, as my director would say. And making it work we did, and even beyond that. From household karaoke to being a part of my favorite mainstage production, the small fly would have captured so many theatrical experiences, including the ability to hear one of my favorite quotes from “The Revolutionists”

If I were to receive $1,000 right now, I’d immediately put it into my college savings. When receiving my rewards letter a few months ago for college, I realized I needed much more aid than I had originally thought. I will be attending Flagler college, a private university in St. Augustine, as a freshman in August, and after just a few months I will not be able to pay off my dues and keep up with the payment. If I did not save this money, I would not have the resources I need to also buy basic necessities like food while I dorm, which is mandatory for first year students. I have a small opaque box which I put my college savings in, and it would go directly in there so it will used once I start paying for college. My total estimated cost of attendance is just over 42k, which is a grand amount I have to figure out how to pay as a child of two disabled, non-working, first generation immigrants.

1. To be honest, I don’t deserve this scholarship. I don’t understand the point of them. Who just willingly gives out money to people on the internet? Nobody. The amount of trust I have for them is so little, that I feel it’s all a complete scam. I would be perfectly fine not winning because then I don’t have to overthink and worry about if it’s not real. In fact, I’m going to prove it’s not by submitting this. 2. I plan to leech of my parents for as long as possible. We would become a non-working family living off of government money and live in peace. All I would do is just sit at home and maybe play video games all day, perhaps a professional gamer would fit me well. 3. When I was in elementary school, we went to a Nickelodeon themed water park and they had a little mini golf area. It appeared as though there was a large structure in the middle of the course so I was unable to just hit the ball and go directly to the hole. I learned that if I just hit it while aiming toward either side, I would make it past the obstacle and to the hole.

As a student currently taking AP Calculus, I have learned information that now in hindsight, seems to be extremely useful. Sure, differential calculus can just seem like another method of getting from point a to point b on a problem, but it is so much more than that. By going deeper into the topic of calculus, I’ve encountered graphs where you would have to find specific things such as the area, and know how to get from just a normal graph to evaluating its direction and acceleration. This type of information can be so useful for equipment or projects in which a number must be accurate to the decimal. There are also many word problems or what would be know as “work” problems, which involves real life situations and you would need to use rations and differentiation to figure it out. Without calculus, this wouldn’t be a breeze to figure out. A classic is a lamp post and finding specific measurements, which could be something like it’s height, your distance from it, and your shadow. By using calculus you wouldn’t need to measure it out by hand, you can quickly and efficiently get your solution. Calculus can be very useful for construction and building as well, which is very important for safety and well being, as well as getting what you need to get done, done on time. I have personally used math to construct a set for my theatre class. You must rely on math to make sure everything is cohesive and safe, and I used formulas and methods I thought I would never need like trigonometry ratios. When first looking into calculus, and even in the very beginnings of the class, it may just seem like any other challenging math class, but once you dive deeper into the material, you get to work with very specific scenarios and type of scenarios that you can use in your career. There are major world issues that are taking place that calculus is being used to understand and help solve. It can be used to understand us as humans, the world around us, and how the earth works. Topics heavily talked about today and that challenge us like climate change are also being better understood with calculus. A great portion of calculus involves movement and changing things, and it only helps us understand why and how things happen and what we can do about it. When narrowing down what calculus is used for, you generate a new appreciation for it. The phone you constantly have on you? The components and circuits used calculus. The weather and studying future weather patterns? Also predicted by calculus. So many things around us used calculus to operate or develop the idea of it, and those who discovered these things found it essential. We would not be in such a far state of technological advancement and the general understanding of the world without it. There is no way to innovate further without math, especially calculus.

As a student currently taking AP Calculus, I have learned information that now in hindsight, seems to be extremely useful. Sure, differential calculus can just seem like another method of getting from point a to point b on a problem, but it is so much more than that. By going deeper into the topic of calculus, I’ve encountered graphs where you would have to find specific things such as the area, and know how to get from just a normal graph to evaluating its direction and acceleration. This type of information can be so useful for equipment or projects in which a number must be accurate to the decimal. There are also many word problems or what would be know as “work” problems, which involves real life situations and you would need to use rations and differentiation to figure it out. Without calculus, this wouldn’t be a breeze to figure out. A classic is a lamp post and finding specific measurements, which could be something like it’s height, your distance from it, and your shadow. By using calculus you wouldn’t need to measure it out by hand, you can quickly and efficiently get your solution. Calculus can be very useful for construction and building as well, which is very important for safety and well being, as well as getting what you need to get done, done on time. I have personally used math to construct a set for my theatre class. You must rely on math to make sure everything is cohesive and safe, and I used formulas and methods I thought I would never need like trigonometry ratios. When first looking into calculus, and even in the very beginnings of the class, it may just seem like any other challenging math class, but once you dive deeper into the material, you get to work with very specific scenarios and type of scenarios that you can use in your career. There are major world issues that are taking place that calculus is being used to understand and help solve. It can be used to understand us as humans, the world around us, and how the earth works. Topics heavily talked about today and that challenge us like climate change are also being better understood with calculus. A great portion of calculus involves movement and changing things, and it only helps us understand why and how things happen and what we can do about it. When narrowing down what calculus is used for, you generate a new appreciation for it. The phone you constantly have on you? The components and circuits used calculus. The weather and studying future weather patterns? Also predicted by calculus. So many things around us used calculus to operate or develop the idea of it, and those who discovered these things found it essential. We would not be in such a far state of technological advancement and the general understanding of the world without it. There is no way to innovate further without math, especially calculus.

“I’m giving you what I wish I had” A saying that would present itself from time to time, specifically said by my Dad. From a new phone to even just a simple pack of rainbow-colored pens, this phrase will manifest itself. At first glance, it seems like a symbol to be grateful, and I thought so as well until I got older and made connections. My Dad grew up having so little handed to him. A pen? He’d be lucky to even have one in his sight. Calculator? Never heard of it. The simple items we are just handed today are the same items he never got the chance to hold. After immigrating to the U.S. in the 90’s from Romania with my older sister on the way, he took advantage of readily available things, like pens. As it came time to focus on his children, this became a less common occurrence. Instead, he was more focused on necessities, which was very demanding. Not only because he now had a family and worked minimum wage, he did not know how to speak English. I find myself thinking about how things were in his past and it gives me a sense of how much selflessness is within him. Today, he can’t do what he could in the past. Both of my parents, by the time I reached middle school, had established disabilities and couldn’t work. The least they could do was give. From picking up my Dad's ways, I learned the importance of expression, and how much of an impact it can have on someone. This naturally drew me into theater, the art of expression. Theater was my chance to show others who I was without having to worry about anything. During middle school, I started acting and found voice on stage. This only continued to grow in high school with my interest in stage managing and directing also emerging. Picking a career I wanted to pursue was not the easiest decision for me. I knew already that I wanted to earn enough money to support both me and my parents and give back to them. It wasn’t until the beginning of my senior year when I started volunteering at my local community theater, where I had realized that I would so much rather be happy, spreading love to those around me, and enjoying my life, than be stuck doing something I don’t want to do. I also realized that with the amount of passion and love I have for this art, I won't have to worry about stability. I will find stability in theater, even if it may be a career filled with uncertainty. I have recently been accepted into Flagler College and I plan on majoring in Theater Arts. I see myself as a professional stage manager/director in the future. This scholarship will support my future goals in theater and paying for college. With the demanding amount of money I must pay to attend this institution, any help would be more than appreciated. I will be getting a job leading up to my first semester there this fall, but I will be unable to keep up with the cost after just a few months. By receiving this scholarship, I will be able to limit the amount of hours I work during college so I can focus on my education and theater. I plan to work in Flagler's theater after school hours, and obtain the experience I need so that I can give back to my parents and the community which helped shape me to be who I am today.

“All the world’s an audience” My theatrical upbringing would be one I'd love to witness through the perspective of someone/something else. Perhaps some long-living fly that would conveniently follow my every move and would make note of all my achievements, progressions, and learning opportunities. When looking in, you become aware of the many performances and one-man shows which my parents had the fortune of viewing and recording for future recollection. The audience that once was made up of two, soon grew. During middle school, I discovered the stage. I had let go of any fears, and went with the flow. Reaching Highschool was a whole new world. I can recall vividly walking into our school's very own blackbox for class, the first day of freshman year. Choosing the first seat closest to the teacher, who soon became my director, who then became a role model and hero. Within my freshman year alone, I pursued so much in theatre. I had found my light. Within that year alone I had written two shows, directed one, acted in two short films, and started exploring stage management. As years went by, my love for this once-activity only grew. All this experience and passion led up to this fall, where I was given the incredible opportunity of assistant directing the mainstage production, “The Revolutionists”. Helping to direct this mainstage felt like a dream, equipped with new perspectives and mental stimulation, all in the name of “making it work”, as my director would say. And making it work we did, and even beyond that. From household karaoke to being a part of my favorite mainstage production, the small fly would have captured so many theatrical experiences, including the ability to hear one of my favorite quotes from “The Revolutionists”

“All the world’s an audience” My theatrical upbringing would be one I'd love to witness through the perspective of someone/something else. Perhaps some long-living fly that would conveniently follow my every move. A small entity. One that would make note of all my achievements, progressions, and learning opportunities. Watching as I got up after each fall, accomplished tasks I thought I couldn't, and saw when I took risks and chances. Chances that have shaped me to be who I am today. When you’re little, you start to explore your curiosities. Anything at this time could pique your interest. When looking into the perspective of our pea-sized acquaintance following my life, you become aware of the many performances and one-man shows which my parents had the fortune of viewing and recording for future recollection. The bliss of performing, rehearsing, and singing all began to announce its presence before even school age. The audience that once was made up of two, soon grew. During middle school, I discovered the stage. I had let go of any fears, and went with the flow. First, it was technical aspects, and next thing you know, I was both singing and acting. I had been unleashed into this world, and even showcasing works of my own. Reaching Highschool was a whole new world. I can recall vividly walking into our school's very own blackbox for class, the first day of freshman year. Choosing the first seat closest to the teacher, who soon became my director, who then became a role model and hero. Within my freshman year alone, I pursued so much in theatre. I had found my light. Within that year alone I had written two shows, directed one, acted in two short films, and started exploring stage management. As years went by, my love for this once-activity only grew. I would never trade it for anything. All this experience and passion led up to this fall, where I was given the incredible opportunity of assistant directing the mainstage production, “The Revolutionists”. Helping to direct this mainstage felt like a dream, equipped with new perspectives and mental stimulation, all in the name of “making it work”, as my director would say. And making it work we did, and even beyond that. The show was the most beautiful show I had done and been a part of. It was like raising a small creature and nursing it until you had to let it fly, and once it did, you saw it flourish. I don’t think it would be possible to go through Highschool, or let alone my entire life without this art form. I used to say I didn’t think I would still be at my Highschool if it weren't for theatre. Now looking back, theatre was, and is, my form of escapism, my magic, my everything. And truly, if I didn't find a dedication quite this strong, there would be no way I could show it in any other aspect in my life, including school. It showed me that hard work pays off, and I will forever apply it to everything I do. For something that engulfs my entire life, not mentioning it would make this piece inauthentic to who I am. From household karaoke to being a part of my favorite mainstage production, the small fly would have captured so many theatrical experiences, including the ability to hear one of my favorite quotes from “The Revolutionists”, “All the world’s an audience”.

“All the world’s an audience” My theatrical upbringing would be one I'd love to witness through the perspective of someone/something else. Perhaps some long-living fly that would conveniently follow my every move. A small entity. One that would make note of all my achievements, progressions, and learning opportunities. Watching as I got up after each fall, accomplished tasks I thought I couldn't, and saw when I took risks and chances. Chances that have shaped me to be who I am today. When you’re little, you start to explore your curiosities. Anything at this time could pique your interest. When looking into the perspective of our pea-sized acquaintance following my life, you become aware of the many performances and one-man shows which my parents had the fortune of viewing and recording for future recollection. The bliss of performing, rehearsing, and singing all began to announce its presence before even school age. This time was cut short with an unexpected move and uncertainty of what was ahead, but this did not stop this passion which had already formed. It had come back, and even stronger than ever. I met new people with similar interests, and one of the most valuable things to me, joy and laughter. Joy is like magic, and my magic is theatre. The magic of an immersive world where anything goes. The audience that once was made up of two, soon grew. During middle school, I discovered the stage. I had let go of any fears, and went with the flow. First, it was technical aspects, and next thing you know, I was both singing and acting. I had been unleashed into this world, and even showcasing works of my own. Reaching Highschool was a whole new world. I can recall vividly walking into our school's very own blackbox for class, the first day of freshman year. Choosing the first seat closest to the teacher, who soon became my director, who then became a role model and hero. Within my freshman year alone, I pursued so much in theatre. I had found my light. Within that year alone I had written two shows, directed one, acted in two short films, and started exploring stage management. As years went by, my love for this once-activity only grew. I would never trade it for anything. All this experience and passion led up to this fall, where I was given the incredible opportunity of assistant directing the mainstage production, “The Revolutionists”. Helping to direct this mainstage felt like a dream, equipped with new perspectives and mental stimulation, all in the name of “making it work”, as my director would say. And making it work we did, and even beyond that. The show was the most beautiful show I had done and been a part of. It was like raising a small creature and nursing it until you had to let it fly, and once it did, you saw it flourish. I don’t think it would be possible to go through Highschool, or let alone my entire life without this art form. I used to say I didn’t think I would still be at my Highschool if it weren't for theatre. Now looking back, theatre was, and is, my form of escapism, my magic, my everything. And truly, if I didn't find a dedication quite this strong, there would be no way I could show it in any other aspect in my life, including school. It showed me that hard work pays off, and I will forever apply it to everything I do. For something that engulfs my entire life, not mentioning it would make this piece inauthentic to who I am. From household karaoke to being a part of my favorite mainstage production, the small fly would have captured so many theatrical experiences, including the ability to hear one of my favorite quotes from “The Revolutionists”, “All the world’s an audience”.

“All the world’s an audience” My theatrical upbringing would be one I'd love to witness through the perspective of someone/something else. Perhaps some long-living fly that would conveniently follow my every move. A small entity. One that would make note of all my achievements, progressions, and learning opportunities. Watching as I got up after each fall, accomplished tasks I thought I couldn't, and saw when I took risks and chances. Chances that have shaped me to be who I am today. When you’re little, you start to explore your curiosities. Anything at this time could pique your interest. When looking into the perspective of our pea-sized acquaintance following my life, you become aware of the many performances and one-man shows which my parents had the fortune of viewing and recording for future recollection. The bliss of performing, rehearsing, and singing all began to announce its presence before even school age.  The audience that once was made up of two, soon grew. During middle school, I discovered the stage. I had let go of any fears, and went with the flow. First, it was technical aspects, and next thing you know, I was both singing and acting. I had been unleashed into this world, and even showcasing works of my own. Reaching Highschool was a whole new world. I can recall vividly walking into our school's very own blackbox for class, the first day of freshman year. Choosing the first seat closest to the teacher, who soon became my director, who then became a role model and hero. Within my freshman year alone, I pursued so much in theatre. I had found my light. Within that year alone I had written two shows, directed one, acted in two short films, and started exploring stage management. As years went by, my love for this once-activity only grew. I would never trade it for anything. All this experience and passion led up to this fall, where I was given the incredible opportunity of assistant directing the mainstage production, “The Revolutionists”. Helping to direct this mainstage felt like a dream, equipped with new perspectives and mental stimulation, all in the name of “making it work”, as my director would say. And making it work we did, and even beyond that. The show was the most beautiful show I had done and been a part of. It was like raising a small creature and nursing it until you had to let it fly, and once it did, you saw it flourish. I don’t think it would be possible to go through Highschool, or let alone my entire life without this art form. I used to say I didn’t think I would still be at my Highschool if it weren't for theatre. Now looking back, theatre was, and is, my form of escapism, my magic, my everything. And truly, if I didn't find a dedication quite this strong, there would be no way I could show it in any other aspect in my life, including school. It showed me that hard work pays off, and I will forever apply it to everything I do. For something that engulfs my entire life, not mentioning it would make this piece inauthentic to who I am. From household karaoke to being a part of my favorite mainstage production, the small fly would have captured so many theatrical experiences, including the ability to hear one of my favorite quotes from “The Revolutionists”, “All the world’s an audience”.