My name is Blair Augillard, and I am a sophomore at Grambling State University, majoring in Visual and Performing Arts. I was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, where creativity and resilience are a way of life. Growing up as the oldest of four children in a single-parent household has shaped me into someone who values hard work, family, and perseverance. My journey has not always been easy, but each challenge has strengthened my character and my passion for art. One of the most significant challenges I have faced is having a parent who lives with mental illness. My father has struggled with depression for most of my life, and it has deeply impacted both him and our family. His condition has made it impossible for him to work, and most days he isolates himself by locking himself in a bedroom at my granny’s house. As a child, I didn’t understand why he wouldn’t come out or why he seemed so distant. Over time, I began to realize that his silence wasn’t about me; it was the weight of his illness. Watching someone I love be consumed by something invisible was heartbreaking and confusing. My mother has always been our foundation. She took on the full responsibility of providing for the family while ensuring that each of us had opportunities to grow and succeed. Seeing her strength inspired me to find strength within myself. As the oldest, I naturally took on a leadership role at home. I helped my younger siblings with homework, prepared meals, and made sure things stayed in order while my mom worked long hours. Balancing school, responsibilities at home, and my growing love for art wasn’t easy, but it taught me the importance of discipline and self-motivation. During some of the hardest times, art became my safe space. It was the one place where I could release my emotions without fear or judgment. Drawing and painting gave me an outlet to process the feelings I couldn’t always express with words. Over time, I realized that art was not just something I enjoyed doing; it was a form of healing. Through my art, I could turn pain into purpose and confusion into clarity. It became my way of telling my story and reclaiming a sense of peace. Living with a parent who has a mental illness has taught me empathy, patience, and the importance of understanding people beyond what we see on the surface. I have learned that everyone carries their own battles, and sometimes the kindest thing we can offer is compassion. This realization has shaped how I view the world and the type of impact I want to make within it. It also shaped my goal of wanting to become an art educator. I want to use my passion for visual arts to help young people discover their voices and find healthy ways to express themselves. I believe that art can be a powerful tool for self-discovery and emotional healing. In the same way that it helped me through my own struggles, I want to create spaces where others can use creativity to heal, grow, and feel seen. My dream is to one day teach in a community where young artists can explore their talents while also learning the importance of resilience, empathy, and self-expression. My father’s illness may have created many challenges, but it also gave me a deeper appreciation for life, family, and purpose. It taught me that success isn’t about perfection; it’s about perseverance. I am proud of how far I have come and even prouder of where I am going. Through my art and my future career as an educator, I hope to continue transforming pain into purpose and inspiring others to find strength in their own stories.

My involvement in my local church has shaped the way I view service and influenced how I give back to my community. Attending church with my grandmother on Sundays has always been meaningful to me. She is deeply involved in her congregation, serving as a Sunday school teacher, a member of the Junior Usher Board, and on the trustee board. Watching her balance these roles with compassion and dedication taught me that true leadership is not about recognition but about service. She leads not by words alone but by the example of her actions, and her faith in God guides every part of her life. Seeing her commitment to the church and to people in need inspired me to look for ways I could use my own talents to serve others. Church gave me my first experiences in understanding how community is built. It was where I learned that service is not only about large gestures but also about showing up consistently, whether it is helping organize programs, welcoming guests, or supporting youth activities. The church taught me the value of compassion, humility, and faith in action. These lessons became the foundation for how I approach service outside of the church, especially through art and community engagement. As I grew older, I realized that one of the gifts God gave me was creativity. Art became my way of connecting with others, telling stories, and inspiring change. Through organizations like YAYA in New Orleans, I began to see how my artistic abilities could serve the wider community. I painted murals that reflect resilience and pride, worked in collaborative spaces that brought people together, and mentored younger artists who were just starting to find their voices. This connection between church values and community service through art became very clear to me. Just as my grandmother uses her teaching and leadership to guide others in faith, I try to use my creativity to uplift and inspire my community. My church upbringing also influenced my volunteer work. Over the years, I have given thousands of hours at places like the Audubon Zoo, Longue Vue Gardens, and youth programs. In each setting, I carried with me the lessons I learned from church: be dependable, be kind, and be willing to serve where there is a need. These experiences helped me see that service is not only about what you give but also about the example you set for others. Now, as a Visual Arts major at Grambling State University, I continue to apply these values in my daily life. I mentor students through summer programs like Interlochen Arts Camp, encourage my peers on campus, and look for opportunities to contribute both as an artist and as a leader. In every space I step into, I carry the lessons from my grandmother and my church: faith should be lived out loud through service. My involvement in church taught me that service is about more than filling a role; it is about creating a ripple effect of kindness, encouragement, and strength. My grandmother’s example of faith-driven service motivates me to live with purpose, and I hope to honor that by continuing to use my voice and my art to serve others.

Being an “up-stander” means choosing to use your voice and actions to uplift others, even when it is easier to stay silent. For me, that role has always been rooted in art, mentorship, and service. Like Mohamed Magdi Taha, I believe change can happen in both big and small ways. Sometimes it comes through powerful acts of advocacy, but often it begins with small, consistent choices that build trust, confidence, and unity in a community. As the oldest of four children growing up in New Orleans, I learned early on that being an up-stander starts at home. My mom raised us on her own, and I often stepped into a leadership role with my younger siblings. Speaking up for them, guiding them, and encouraging them when they doubted themselves showed me that leadership is not about authority. It is about protection, patience, and the willingness to use your voice to help others be heard. Art gave me another way to live out that responsibility. Through YAYA, a youth arts program, I learned how creativity can be a powerful tool for advocacy. The murals I have painted in New Orleans are more than decoration. They tell stories of resilience, history, and pride that reflect the community’s spirit. I have seen how art can stop people in their tracks, spark conversations, and remind them that their voices matter. That is what inspires me to keep creating. My goal as an artist has always been to stand up for my community by making its beauty, struggles, and victories visible. At Grambling State University, where I am a Visual Arts major, I continue to find ways to be an up-stander through my art and leadership. Being part of The Black Dynasty Modeling Troupe, for example, has given me another platform to showcase creativity while also encouraging others to step into the spotlight with confidence. Each of these roles allows me to stand up for others by helping them feel seen and supported. Mentorship has become just as important to me as creating art. Over the summer, I worked at Interlochen Arts Camp as a teaching assistant and mentor for high school students from around the world. I reminded them that their art was not just about skill but about their voice and their story. Many doubted whether they belonged in such a competitive space, and I made it my mission to encourage them. Being able to inspire them, even in small ways, showed me how mentorship can change lives. I have also volunteered thousands of hours at places like the Audubon Zoo and Longue Vue Gardens. These experiences taught me that service is another form of standing up for what matters. Sometimes being an up-stander looks like speaking boldly, and other times it looks like quietly showing up, working hard, and helping strengthen the foundation of a community. In the future, I plan to become an art educator who uses both teaching and mentorship to empower students. I want to create classrooms where young people feel safe to explore their creativity, discover their voices, and believe in their potential. My dream is to help them understand that they, too, can be up-standers—that their art and their choices can transform their communities. For me, being an up-stander is a lifelong responsibility. It means committing to advocacy, service, and creativity in ways that uplift others. Just as Mohamed Magdi Taha used his compassion and voice to build community, I plan to honor his example by using my art and my teaching to inspire change, one student and one act at a time.

If given the opportunity, I would improve my community by creating more accessible spaces for young people to explore and develop their artistic talents. Growing up in New Orleans, I have seen firsthand how much creativity lives in our neighborhoods. Children sketch in their school notebooks, dance in the streets during second lines, and sing in church choirs with voices full of promise. The talent is everywhere, but the opportunities to nurture it are not always there. Too many young people with passion and potential do not have access to the tools, resources, or mentors that can help them turn their dreams into reality. I know this truth deeply because I was one of those young people. What changed my life was finding programs like YAYA, a youth arts organization that became a second home for me. YAYA gave me access to materials, workshops, and professional artists who cared about my growth. More importantly, it gave me the encouragement to believe in myself. Through YAYA, I learned that art was more than a hobby; it was a way of telling my story, healing from challenges, and connecting with others. I realized that when young people are given the opportunity to create, they gain not just skills but also confidence, discipline, and hope. This experience showed me how powerful community-based programs can be. If I had the opportunity to improve my community, I would build on what organizations like YAYA have started by expanding access to arts education. My vision is to create programs that provide free or low-cost workshops in different artistic mediums such as painting, digital design, glassblowing, and mural making. These programs would also include mentorship opportunities, where professional and college-level artists could guide younger students, offering not only technical instruction but also life advice and encouragement. By pairing skill-building with mentorship, we could give young people the tools to grow both as artists and as confident individuals. Another way I would improve my community is by using public art projects as a way to bring people together. Murals, performances, and exhibitions can turn neighborhoods into living galleries that reflect the voices of the people who live there. When a child sees their artwork displayed in a public space, they feel a sense of pride and ownership in their community. When neighbors work together to paint a mural or build an installation, it creates unity and strengthens bonds across generations and backgrounds. In this way, art can heal divisions and remind us that we are part of something larger than ourselves. This is important to me because I know how transformative access and encouragement can be. Growing up in a single-parent household, resources were often limited. My mom worked hard to support me and my siblings, but programs like YAYA were what gave me the chance to see myself as more than just another kid with a dream. They showed me that my creativity had value and that my voice mattered. I want other young people to feel that same sense of validation and possibility. Improving my community through the arts matters because it is about more than creating artists; it is about creating opportunities, building confidence, and inspiring the next generation to believe in themselves. If given the chance, I would dedicate myself to making sure that every child has access to the kind of encouragement and support that helped shape me. Art saved me in many ways, and I want to be part of passing that gift forward.

I am a sophomore at Grambling State University studying Visual Arts, and art has always been at the center of my life. Growing up in New Orleans, I was surrounded by color, music, and culture, but I also saw how hard it can be for young people like myself to gain access to the right resources or guidance. I grew up in a single-parent household where my mom worked hard to take care of me and my three siblings. She always encouraged us to find our voices and to follow our passions, but we did not always have the tools or opportunities we needed. What helped me stay grounded and inspired was art. Drawing, painting, and eventually creating large murals became my way of telling my story, processing challenges, and expressing myself in ways words could not. One of the most important parts of my journey has been my time with YAYA, a youth arts organization in New Orleans. Through YAYA, I developed not only technical skills but also a deeper understanding of the importance of mentorship, community, and giving back. The YAYA studio became a second home where I could explore glassblowing, painting, and digital art, but more importantly, it taught me that art can be a tool for healing, empowerment, and connection. I learned that when young people are supported in their creative journeys, they grow more confident in every part of their lives. YAYA gave me role models who believed in me, and that belief has inspired me to become that kind of mentor for others. As an aspiring educator, my goal is to create classrooms and studios that reflect these same values. I want to teach not only technical skills but also resilience, confidence, and cultural pride. I believe that education is about more than textbooks and grades; it is about making young people feel seen, valued, and capable of reaching their dreams. When I imagine my future as a teacher, I see myself helping students discover their own voices, no matter where they come from or what challenges they face. I want them to leave my classroom with the tools to create, the courage to share their stories, and the belief that their creativity has power. I also believe in using art as a bridge between cultures, communities, and generations. New Orleans has shown me how creativity can bring people together, whether through a mural in a neighborhood, a piece of glass art in a gallery, or a digital design that speaks to the times we are living in. My vision as an educator is to bring that same sense of connection into schools and community spaces. I want to inspire my students to see art not only as something they create but as something that can change lives, open doors, and strengthen communities. Through teaching, I hope to leave a lasting impact. I want to be the type of educator who uplifts young people, who helps them find confidence when the world makes them doubt themselves, and who reminds them that their voices and stories matter. For me, this is more than a career; it is a calling. By becoming an educator, I plan to use my love of the arts to create a positive ripple effect that will continue to grow through the students I teach and the communities they touch.

The everyday world inspires me most through its details, moments that might seem ordinary at first glance but hold deeper meaning when you take the time to observe them. I find creativity in the cracks on sidewalks that remind me of abstract linework, the bold colors of street murals that energize my imagination, and the way light reflects off windows or water. These small fragments of daily life become building blocks for larger ideas, shaping the way I approach my art. Growing up in New Orleans, I am constantly surrounded by culture, sound, and movement. The rhythm of second-line parades, the layered textures of historic buildings, and the resilience of the people all inform my work. Everyday life here is alive with stories, and I use my art to translate those stories into visual form. I have painted several murals around the city of New Orleans, and each one reflects not just my personal style but also the spirit of the community. Creating murals has taught me that art has the power to transform public spaces and bring people together in ways that are both inspiring and unifying. As an artist, I see the world not just for what it is but for what it could become. Inspiration comes from watching my community, my family, and my peers navigate life with creativity and strength. These moments remind me that art does not have to be distant or abstract. It can come directly from the streets we walk, the people we love, and the ordinary days that, together, tell extraordinary stories.

In the future, I see myself building a career as both an artist and an educator. I am currently a sophomore at Grambling State University majoring in Visual Arts, and my goal is to earn a Master of Fine Arts in glassblowing at Tulane University. From there, I hope to become an art teacher and eventually return to lead YAYA Inc., the New Orleans-based arts organization that shaped me as a teenager. I want to use my art not only as a form of self-expression but also as a tool for mentorship, helping young people discover their own creative voices. A career in the arts can be more than making work for myself; it can be about building pathways for others. Being Black to me means carrying resilience, creativity, and strength passed down for generations. It means taking pride in a culture that has influenced every corner of the world, from music and art to leadership and activism. It also means responsibility: to honor those who came before me and to inspire those who come after. I chose to attend an HBCU because I wanted to be in an environment where I am surrounded by people who understand that shared history and experience. I have the rest of my life to be the minority. I wanted to be at an HBCU where I am among the majority, where I feel a sense of belonging and community that allows me to grow both as an artist and as a person.

Art has always been more than a subject for me. It has been a guiding force, a place of healing, and the pathway to discovering who I am and who I want to become. I am currently a sophomore at Grambling State University pursuing an undergraduate degree in Visual Arts. Growing up in a single-parent household with three younger siblings, there were times when resources were limited and responsibilities felt heavy. Art became my way of balancing those challenges. Through drawing, painting, and later glassblowing, I found a voice that could speak when words were not enough. Arts education gave me the tools to take something personal and turn it into something that could be shared with others. As a child, I often drew in the quiet moments after school. At first it was a way to escape boredom, but soon it became a way to explore my imagination and cope with the stress of growing up in a home where money and stability were constant concerns. Arts education offered me structure and encouragement during those years. Instead of feeling overlooked, I was recognized for my creativity. Instead of being defined by limitations, I was given opportunities to grow. Each new artistic medium I was introduced to opened another door of possibility, showing me that art was not just a hobby but a path to a meaningful future. One of the most transformative experiences of my life was joining YAYA Inc. (Young Aspirations/Young Artists) in New Orleans. YAYA not only introduced me to new techniques and materials but also connected me to mentors and peers who understood the power of creativity. It was at YAYA that I first stepped into a glassblowing studio and realized the depth of patience, skill, and discipline required to master a craft. YAYA also emphasized leadership and community service, teaching me that art is not just about self-expression but also about inspiring others. The person who inspired me the most and pushed me to keep pursuing my craft has always been my mother. Raising four children on her own, she sacrificed daily to make sure we had what we needed. She encouraged me to follow my passion for art even when money was tight, reminding me that creativity was a gift worth nurturing. Her belief in me made me believe in myself. Every late night she spent working, every encouraging word she gave, and every time she made sure I had even the smallest supplies reminded me that my dreams mattered. My mentors at YAYA also played a key role in shaping me. They showed me that an artist could also be a teacher, a leader, and a business owner. Watching them balance their art with giving back to the community inspired me to set my own goal of earning a Master of Fine Arts in glassblowing at Tulane University and returning to YAYA as a teacher and, one day, as Executive Director. Their encouragement made me see that my path was not just possible but necessary. Arts education has impacted my life in every way. It has given me confidence when I doubted myself, community when I felt alone, and a vision for the future that is bigger than my circumstances. It taught me discipline, problem-solving, and resilience—skills that go far beyond the studio. Most importantly, it gave me hope. The lessons I have learned through art and the people who pushed me to continue are the reasons I am still here today, determined to succeed and ready to pass those same gifts on to the next generation of young artists.

My name is Blair Augillard, and I am a sophomore at Grambling State University majoring in Visual and Performing Arts with a concentration in Visual Arts. I currently maintain a 3.3 GPA and was honored to earn a place on both the President’s List and the Dean’s List my freshman year. Art has been part of my life since I was very young. I began with simple digital sketches and grew into acrylic painting, mural design, and eventually glassblowing. Each new medium has pushed me to grow not only as an artist but also as a student and leader. My long-term goal is to earn a Master of Fine Arts in glassblowing at Tulane University, become a teacher, and eventually return to lead YAYA Inc., the arts organization that nurtured my creativity as a teenager. Although I am deeply committed to education and service, pursuing my degree has come with significant financial challenges. As the oldest of four children in a single-parent household, I understand the weight of financial strain more than most. My mother carries the responsibility of providing for me and my siblings, and while she encourages each of us to chase our dreams, the reality is that resources are limited. I feel a constant responsibility to ease her burden, but college expenses are high. This scholarship would help me continue my education without adding more stress to my family. The costs of college extend beyond tuition and housing. As a visual arts major, purchasing supplies is a constant challenge. Art supplies are extremely expensive, yet they are valuable and absolutely essential to my education. Sketchbooks, canvases, paints, brushes, glass rods, safety gear, and digital tools like styluses and software are not luxuries but requirements for completing projects and assignments. Without them, I cannot fully develop my skills or present professional-quality work. This scholarship would allow me to purchase the supplies I need with confidence, ensuring that my education is not limited by financial obstacles. Support from this scholarship would also open doors that are currently difficult to access. Opportunities like internships, workshops, and exhibitions are crucial to building an artistic career, but they often come with registration fees, supply costs, or travel expenses. Without financial help, I have to turn down many of these chances. With scholarship funding, I could pursue them without hesitation, gaining experiences that would make me a stronger artist, teacher, and community leader. My education has always been tied to service. I have devoted thousands of volunteer hours at YAYA Inc., the Audubon Zoo and Aquarium, Longue Vue Gardens, and Interlochen Arts Camp, where I worked as a teaching assistant and mentor to young artists from across the globe. These opportunities taught me the value of giving back and showed me that leadership means lifting others while you climb. I want my career to reflect that same commitment to service, creating opportunities for young artists the way mentors once created them for me. In closing, this scholarship would not only provide financial relief but also allow me to continue pursuing my passion for art at the highest level. It would give me the resources to thrive academically, the freedom to focus fully on my craft, and the confidence to take advantage of opportunities that shape my future. Most importantly, it would reassure my family and myself that financial barriers do not have to define what is possible. With this support, I will continue working toward a future where I am not only an accomplished artist but also a teacher and mentor who helps others reach their dreams.

My name is Blair Augillard, and I am a sophomore at Grambling State University majoring in Visual and Performing Arts. Art has always been at the center of my life, shaping how I see the world and guiding my dreams for the future. I grew up in New Orleans in a single-parent household, the oldest of four siblings. That role has come with responsibility, but also with pride. I have learned to set an example for my younger brothers and sister by balancing academics, leadership, community service, and my art. In my family, creativity is more than just a hobby; it is a way of life. My mother instilled in me a deep respect for hard work and service, while also encouraging me to pursue my passions. My siblings have all participated in YAYA Inc., a local arts organization that has been a second home to us. For me, YAYA became not only a place to grow as an artist but also a space to learn how to lead, mentor, and support others. From glassblowing to digital art to large-scale murals, I have developed skills that allow me to express myself while also giving back to my community. Academically, I have worked to stay focused and disciplined despite challenges. By the end of my freshman year, I had earned both Dean’s List and President’s List honors, and I continue to maintain a strong GPA. Beyond the classroom, I am involved in activities that stretch my creativity and confidence. At Grambling, I am a member of the Black Dynasty Modeling Troupe, which has taught me how to perform with pride and carry myself with professionalism. I have also participated in intramural basketball, which balances my artistic side with physical teamwork and discipline. My community service has always been a major part of who I am. I have contributed thousands of hours through YAYA, Audubon Zoo and Aquarium, Longue Vue Gardens, and other local organizations. This past summer, I had the opportunity to serve as a Teaching Assistant and Camp Counselor at Interlochen Arts Camp, working with high school artists from around the world. That experience pushed me to become not just a creator, but a mentor, someone who inspires and guides others in their own journeys. Looking ahead, my future plans are clear. After completing my bachelor’s degree at Grambling, I hope to pursue a Master of Fine Arts degree in glassblowing at Tulane University. My dream is to become an art teacher, sharing my passion with the next generation while continuing to create and exhibit my own work. I want to inspire young people, especially those from communities like mine, to see art as a powerful tool for expression, growth, and opportunity. One of my long-term goals is to return to YAYA, the program that gave me so much, and eventually serve as its Executive Director. I imagine YAYA expanding into a school or technical program where students can train like they do at NOCCA, while earning credentials that strengthen their futures. I want to help ensure that young artists have the same opportunities, mentorship, and resources that have shaped my life. Ultimately, my family dynamic, my education, and my community work have all taught me resilience, leadership, and the value of creativity. I see art not only as my career path but also as my way of giving back. My story is about more than personal growth. It is about lifting others as I climb, using art as the bridge between my dreams and my community’s future.

Growing up in a low-income family has shaped my identity, my values, and the way I approach my goals. My mom raised four children on her own, and I saw firsthand how hard she worked to provide for us, even when resources were limited. There were times when things we needed had to be put on hold, and I often felt the weight of responsibility as the oldest sibling. Those experiences gave me a strong sense of resilience and taught me to appreciate opportunities, no matter how small. Art became my outlet during those times. When I did not have much, I could still pick up a pencil and create something out of nothing. Drawing, and later digital art, murals, and glassblowing, gave me a sense of control and possibility. My creative journey has been shaped by learning how to use limited resources in inventive ways, and that ability to adapt has carried over into every area of my life. It showed me that my circumstances did not define my potential. Growing up with financial struggles also taught me the importance of values like perseverance, gratitude, and community. I know what it feels like to face challenges, which is why I feel strongly about giving back to others. Through my involvement with YAYA, I have spent years mentoring younger artists, sharing not only creative skills but also encouragement. This past summer, I had the opportunity to serve as a mentor at Interlochen Arts Camp, where I guided high school artists from around the world. That experience strengthened my leadership skills and showed me how powerful art can be in building bridges across cultures and experiences. Mentoring at Interlochen and YAYA reinforced my belief that when we support one another, we all rise together. Today, as a Visual Arts major at Grambling State University, I am proud of the progress I have made both in and outside the classroom. Balancing academics, athletics, leadership, and professional art projects has not always been easy, but it has taught me how to prioritize, work hard, and remain focused. My long-term goal is to pursue an MFA in Glassblowing at Tulane University and eventually become an art educator. I also aspire to one day lead YAYA, the organization that first nurtured my artistic growth, so I can continue to guide and inspire the next generation of creators. My upbringing in a low-income household has shaped me into someone who values resilience and determination, but also someone who understands the power of hope and opportunity. It has given me the drive to succeed in my own career while staying committed to using art as a tool to uplift others. I know the challenges of growing up with less, but I also know the strength that comes from those challenges. My journey has fueled my determination to build a future where I can create, teach, and serve, ensuring that others see their circumstances not as limitations, but as starting points for something greater.