Being an artist is an expression of self, from the surface to the deepest parts of my fabric. It's not just an act or an event, but the way I live. When I write poems or songs it helps me see who I am and who I'm becoming. Others can also see who I am and relate to me through my art. It gives me joy, and it helps me connect with others. Connecting with others is so important to living a worthwhile life. If you can't connect with others in some way, then who are you? Art is a reflection of everyone around you, and their experiences as they live day to day. If you don't connect with others, then you're is truly lacking, as I believe art is a complex and multilayered manifestation of not just you, but others. When I go through out my daily routine I have experiences and each experience gives me an idea to write. It drives my creativity and passion for life. When I use art as a guide, I see the world through a different lens, and that lens reveals the beauty of this world, the beauty of people, and life, and death. It helps me cope with tragedy, and feel joy with more depth. I'm not just connected to my art, it's more of a manifestation of who I am. It certainly helps me connect with others in interesting ways. However, the manifestation of my art also connects me to the culture around me, and that connection is a two-way connection. Not only does the culture around me contribute to the poetry and songs I write, but I also am given the opportunity to contribute to the culture. I want to use my art, poetry, and songs to contribute to my community. Even though my contribution is small in the grand scheme of things, I think the more people share, the more connected we'll be. Sharing my art will help create change for future generations by showing people an example of sharing their personal experiences in manifestation through their art. The more people share, the more the newer generation will be willing to share and express themselves. If the newer generations will share, create, manifest themselves, and manifest their culture, they'll find peace, joy, and connection with everyone around them. The world is in need of art now more than ever.

Just a few months ago I finished serving a two year mission in Oakland California. I never thought of it as bold, but when I look back, I remember how difficult it was at least for me. I'm very much an introvert, and knocking on people's doors 8 hours a day is something I was deeply afraid of. It was also dangerous, we always kept $5 in our pockets just in case, because getting robbed at gun/knife point wasn't as uncommon as we would have liked. Gratefully I grew into a more capable and confident person.

My role model has always been my father and mother. I would even go so far as to say they together are one role model. They are a dynamic that has been ever present in my life. My parents have given me wisdom and knowledge that has helped me traverse trials and hardships that so often we face. There are three things they have taught me that I would like to share. 1. Family is the most important thing in the world. Family can take the form of many people, but you will always know who they are. They are the anchor in your life to keep you grounded, and the buoy to keep you a float when life get's tumultuous. Family is where we can experience and learn the truest love the world can find. To quote a verse from the bible: "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." -John 15:13. To me, if a friend is willing to lay down their life for me, and I for them, then I call them family. My parents taught me how valuable family really is. Family is above money and material things, prestige, and self. 2. My parents example of charity has shaped me to care for the welfare of other people. Charity is another word for pure love. It doesn't merely mean to give money, or things, but it means sacrifice. Sacrifice is a willingness to give something of your self to help build up someone else. Make no mistake, there is a reward for sacrificing time, energy, and self. That reward is fulfillment. You might think the reward is the joy of others, but not all people will be grateful or joyed at charity. Indeed fulfillment is the great gift of charity because nothing in the world will fill the empty void of selfishness, except for selflessness. Real joy comes from building up everyone else around you. 3. Strong Work Ethic is the third example of my parents. A strong work ethic is a benefit to not only you, but everyone around you, however, the real benefit is feeling good about yourself. No matter how much you might try to deny it, if you haven't done your best, you will feel it. It affects how you see the world and every fiber of your being. Have you seen a person with a strong work ethic who doesn't look like the most confident person in the world, it's because even striving to live up to your potential is enough. A strong work ethic means carrying a burden to give you "traction" in life. It's the consistency that adds up to growing in to an absolute beast. Failure is surely in the future, but my parents have shown me, failure is a means to a glorious beginning. They have shown me how to get through the hardest trials, and most hopeless situations by working hard and working smart. I am grateful for my mother and father who are two sides of the same coin. I love them and what they have taught me. Family, charity, and a strong work ethic are all you need to find happiness.

Hello, I've learned to be grateful for my trials in life. I sincerely believe they make me a better person, and give me experience. 11 years ago my father broke his back and lost his job as a respiratory therapist. And I was recently laid off of work during the COVID pandemic, and I'm currently struggling to maintain student life. My life has been full of financial struggle. I know this scholarship will make a difference in my life, and I know I will appreciate it immensely considering my background. I stand out among my siblings in terms of drive, motivation, and ambition. This scholarship will be paid back in full in the form of service to others. I'm going to succeed in life, and I'm going to help others as a healthcare worker. After my father broke his back and lost his job as a respiratory therapist, my mother went to college for many years to be a registered nurse. She provided what little she could for my six siblings, and I. I may have lived in poverty for most of my life, but my parents are huge examples to me. Both of the them were in health care, and both have a strong work ethic. They are a huge reason I want a career in health care. I want to be a registered Nurse, but I also want to go to medical school and become an anesthesiologist. Eventually I would like to join Doctors Without Borders. The qualities I possess that will help me be successful, are what I believe are true and good leadership skills. My key qualities are my abilities to support others, lead by example, serve others, ambition to help people, to heal people, and to lift their burdens. These qualities fuel empathy, strong work ethic, and hope. Empathy is one of the most important skills one can have. I call it a skill because it can be learned and improved on. You can help people with out empathy, but with empathy you can change the self perceived meaning and value of their life. I've learned a strong work ethic can change more lives than just the individual. Diligence includes doing things without having to be told, it includes going the extra mile. People have come up to me in appreciation of how hard I work in a job, or in a service. When people see diligence, they also want to be diligent. Hope is positivity, optimism, and seeing life with a glass half full kind of view. Hope is underrated, and an attribute that more people need. I want to bring hope to everyone I come into contact with through my actions, and words. I have hope that I'll have the financial aid I need to get me through college and life as a student. By receiving a scholarship, my hope will increase, and I can bring hope to others. If I get this scholarship, I promise the hope it brings will not only reach me, but it will reach those around me, and those around me will bring hope to those around them. Whatever I do, I will strive to make the world a better place. The person I've become is in large part due to the hardship I've experienced in life, and I wouldn't be me without those experiences. Gratefully, Brandon Pew