To me achievement is not just about accolades or recognition—it’s about impact, growth, and perseverance. Looking back on my journey, my greatest achievement to date has been developing my own filmmaking brand, BKLYN Films, and embarking on the production of a documentary exploring Black culture and religion in East Texas. This project is more than just a film; it is a deeply personal and cultural exploration that aims to highlight overlooked narratives and amplify voices that often go unheard. The journey to this achievement was not easy. As a Black woman in the film industry, I’ve faced challenges in finding representation and resources that reflect my vision. However, I refused to let those obstacles deter me. Through my studies as a Film/Television and Mass Communications major at LSU, my internships, and my hands-on experience with creative direction, I have learned how to navigate the industry with confidence and resilience. The process of developing my documentary has been a lesson in patience, persistence, and the importance of staying true to my artistic voice. This experience has taught me so much about myself. I’ve learned that storytelling is not just a skill I possess—it’s a responsibility I carry. Through my work, I have the ability to challenge stereotypes, preserve cultural history, and foster conversations that inspire change. It has also reinforced my dedication to uplifting others. During high school, I worked as a life skills aide, supporting students with disabilities, and as an athletic trainer, assisting student-athletes in their recovery. Those roles showed me how meaningful it is to advocate for and empower those who need it most. Now, I carry that same passion into my filmmaking, ensuring that the stories I tell serve a greater purpose. Looking ahead, I have ambitious goals. I want to become a leading film director and producer, running my own successful production company. My vision for BKLYN Films extends far beyond personal projects—I want it to be a platform for emerging filmmakers, especially women and people of color, to create bold, socially conscious work. Beyond personal success, my goal is to give back. I want to create mentorship programs for young filmmakers, provide resources for marginalized artists, and establish community outreach initiatives that use film to educate and inspire. I envision a world where media is not just entertainment but a powerful force for change, and I am committed to leading that movement. Receiving this scholarship would be a significant step toward realizing these dreams. It would allow me to continue my education, expand my filmmaking resources, and further develop projects that matter. My greatest achievement so far has been finding my purpose in storytelling—but my journey is just beginning. With the right opportunities, I know that I can achieve even greater things and leave a lasting impact on the world through cinema.

From the moment I first picked up a camera, I knew that storytelling was my calling. I am pursuing a career in the performing arts through film and television, with a focus on directing, producing, and creative storytelling. As a Film/Television and Mass Communications major at LSU, I am dedicated to using cinema as a medium for change, creating narratives that amplify underrepresented voices and reshape cultural perspectives. My journey in the arts began long before I stepped onto a college campus. I have always been drawn to storytelling, whether through writing, visual media, or social engagement. Throughout high school, I honed my skills by assisting life skills students and working as an athletic trainer, experiences that deepened my passion for helping others and understanding diverse perspectives. Later, as an AP Language tutor, I developed my ability to communicate ideas effectively—an essential skill in filmmaking. Beyond academics, I have gained hands-on experience through internships and community projects. I worked as a film intern, further sharpening my skills in production and creative direction. Additionally, I contributed to a volunteer project for a women’s shelter, focusing on community outreach and using creative storytelling to spread awareness. These experiences reinforced my belief in the power of media to make a tangible difference in people’s lives. Looking ahead, my long-term goal is to establish myself as a film director and producer, running my own production company, BKLYN Films—a brand built on the tagline "Cinema, But Make It Bold." Through this platform, I aspire to create compelling, socially conscious films that challenge norms and bring fresh narratives to mainstream media. One of my most ambitious projects in development is a documentary exploring Black culture and religion in East Texas, particularly in Longview. This project exemplifies my mission: to tell stories that are deeply rooted in culture, history, and identity. However, my aspirations go beyond personal success. I aim to uplift aspiring filmmakers, especially those from marginalized communities, by creating opportunities and mentorship programs. I want to redefine what it means to be a filmmaker—not just someone who entertains, but someone who educates, inspires, and leads. My ultimate vision is to leave a lasting impact, both in the industry and within my community. Receiving this scholarship would provide invaluable support in furthering my education and expanding my creative reach. With the right resources, I can continue to push boundaries, tell bold stories, and use film as a catalyst for change. Cinema has the power to shape the world, and I am determined to be at the forefront of that movement.

My name is Brooklyn Bradberry, and I am a proud Houston, Texas native with a deep passion for the arts—especially film. From a young age, I was captivated by the power of storytelling and its ability to shape perspectives, evoke emotions, and inspire change. I feel in love with the arts when my Kindergarten teacher gifted me an Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong CD and a journal to write my creative thoughts down on. Now, 14 years later, as a student studying Film/Television and Mass Communications with a concentration in Public Relations at LSU, I am dedicated to using cinema as a force for transformation and inspiration. My ultimate goal is to become a successful film director and producer, leading my own production company, BKLYN Films. I aim to create compelling narratives that amplify underrepresented voices. One of my most meaningful projects in development is a documentary focused on Black culture and religion in East Texas. Through my work, I hope to challenge stereotypes, foster understanding, and uplift my community by telling authentic stories that often go unheard. Beyond my passion for film, I have always been dedicated to helping others. In high school, I served as an athletic trainer and a life skills aide, supporting students with disabilities and assisting athletes in injury prevention and recovery. These experiences strengthened my commitment to community service, showing me firsthand how meaningful it is to uplift and empower others. Even in my creative pursuits, I strive to give back, whether through social awareness campaigns or initiatives like the volunteer project I worked on for a women’s shelter, where I focused on community outreach and creative storytelling. In the future, I envision a career that not only brings cinematic excellence but also drives social change. Through my production company, I plan to mentor aspiring filmmakers, provide opportunities for marginalized artists, and use media as a platform for advocacy. Success to me isn’t just about awards like Oscars and Emmys—though I do aspire to achieve those—but about making a lasting impact. I want to be a voice for change, surrounding myself with other people and creatives who share the same vision of pushing culture forward. Receiving this scholarship would bring me one step closer to realizing my dreams. It would allow me to continue honing my craft, expanding my knowledge, and building a legacy that blends storytelling with social activism. Cinema has the power to change the world, and I am determined to be at the forefront of that transformation.

My name is Brooklyn Bradberry, and I am a proud Houston, Texas native with a deep passion for the arts—especially film. From a young age, I was captivated by the power of storytelling and its ability to shape perspectives, evoke emotions, and inspire change. I feel in love with the arts when my Kindergarten teacher gifted me an Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong CD and a journal to write my creative thoughts down on. Now, 14 years later, as a student studying Film/Television and Mass Communications with a concentration in Public Relations at LSU, I am dedicated to using cinema as a force for transformation and inspiration. My ultimate goal is to become a successful film director and producer, leading my own production company, BKLYN Films. I aim to create compelling narratives that amplify underrepresented voices. One of my most meaningful projects in development is a documentary focused on Black culture and religion in East Texas. Through my work, I hope to challenge stereotypes, foster understanding, and uplift my community by telling authentic stories that often go unheard. Beyond my passion for film, I have always been dedicated to helping others. In high school, I served as an athletic trainer and a life skills aide, supporting students with disabilities and assisting athletes in injury prevention and recovery. These experiences strengthened my commitment to community service, showing me firsthand how meaningful it is to uplift and empower others. Even in my creative pursuits, I strive to give back, whether through social awareness campaigns or initiatives like the volunteer project I worked on for a women’s shelter, where I focused on community outreach and creative storytelling. In the future, I envision a career that not only brings cinematic excellence but also drives social change. Through my production company, I plan to mentor aspiring filmmakers, provide opportunities for marginalized artists, and use media as a platform for advocacy. Success to me isn’t just about awards like Oscars and Emmys—though I do aspire to achieve those—but about making a lasting impact. I want to be a voice for change, surrounding myself with other people and creatives who share the same vision of pushing culture forward. Receiving this scholarship would bring me one step closer to realizing my dreams. It would allow me to continue honing my craft, expanding my knowledge, and building a legacy that blends storytelling with social activism. Cinema has the power to change the world, and I am determined to be at the forefront of that transformation.

Growing up my grandfather always struggled with addiction and substance abuse. I remember my sister and I enjoying playful days with him where we would run around the backyard, go on walks, and care for stray animals in the neighborhood. Still, I remember when he randomly made a drastic switch and was no longer the man we remembered. My father informed us of my grandfather's struggle with substance and alcohol and how it's been a long and hard journey for him, but to never give up on him and believe that the man we remember growing up with is still deep down inside of him. My grandfather fell victim to depression and the "crack era" that notoriously hit his hometown very hard. Throughout my life, my grandfather fought very hard to maintain his sobriety, but I've always understood that it's a hard journey and that he always tried his very best. Watching my grandfather battle with addiction I saw how it affected myself and other members of the family. I learned early on that addiction is not a choice and is a genuine disease that should be taken seriously and can be passed down through generations. Later in life, my aunt whom I was very close developed an addiction to opioids after a serious car accident and I experienced firsthand how fast substance abuse can take over someone's life. Seeing how addiction and mental health impacted my family I always had a passion for mental health and addiction awareness. Throughout high school, I did passion projects on the effects of addiction and the importance of raising awareness for mental health and substance abuse. I also was given the chance to collaborate with a local women's shelter to bring awareness to many of the women's stories which sadly were usually centered around domestic violence and substance abuse. I saw that an overwhelming amount of the women in the shelter I knew after those experiences, that I wanted to continue to do everything I could to bring awareness to domestic violence and substance abuse. I've always been passionate about pursuing a career in film and using my creativity as a medium to bring awareness to real situations that many people don't touch on. I want to use my art to tell stories that most people ignore, for example, substance abuse in the black community as it's been something that's affected me throughout my entire life. I want people's stories to be heard so no one will have to feel alone and to bring awareness to a serious topic that affects so many black women out there. I want to build conversations around substance abuse in our community in hopes it brings awareness to, removes the stigma, and most importantly prevents substance abuse for future generations.

I have fallen in love with the idea of pursuing a career in the arts, specifically film, and the thought of being able to impact the world through my creativity has ultimately fueled my passion for pursuing a career in film. I find that one of the purposes of art and creation is to speak to the moment in time and provide political and social commentary. I hope that through my creations in the arts, I can successfully comment on what our current place in society looks like or that my creations can become a satisfactory escape from the turmoil in our current place in society. I also hope that through my art I can appeal to the emotions of many people in the world. I love the idea of art and creation being a safe space for many people, and I can only hope to successfully do that. Using art as a medium for myself, I hope that I can make a positive impact in the world by allowing my creation to be a safe space for people through an emotional lens but also to be able to comment on the social and political standpoint of our world! As a passionate individual aspiring to build a career in the film industry, my overarching goal is not only to create compelling stories that resonate with audiences but also to leverage my position to give back to the community in a meaningful way. I hope to use what I learn to give back to my community in general. Previously, I did a film project with a shelter in my community to bring more awareness to people's stories that stayed in the shelter and to highlight the shelter in general I hope that in the future I can continue to do projects that intertwine giving back to the community and allowing me to do something I'm passionate about, like working in film. Another key aspect of my vision is to actively seek out and provide jobs to marginalized individuals in the film industry. I believe in the importance of storytelling, and by offering employment opportunities to people from diverse backgrounds, I aim to amplify a wide range of voices and perspectives that we usually don't see. The film industry is notoriously known for its exclusivity and the difficulty people face in breaking through, I hope to be able to create pathways for individuals who might not have had access to traditional routes into the industry. In essence, I hope that me studying film and working in the film industry I will be able to give back to the community by centering my focus around empowerment, inclusivity, and collaboration.

A scholarship would help me pursue my career goal of becoming a filmmaker because it would give me the chance to be able to follow my dreams of achieving a BFA in film and will alleviate a lot of stress and uncertainty around me and my family's ability to afford post-secondary education at LSU. Coming from a divorced middle-class family, the conversations around our ability to afford college have been very anxiety-ridden; with uncertainty around how much financial aid I will receive, the success of my parents getting approved for tens of thousands of dollars worth of loans, and the likelihood of me winning enough money in scholarships to get my way through school has ultimately led to me questioning if my dreams are even worth following with all of the stress that's surrounding it. However, my parents have instilled so much optimism and confidence in my future that I believe that everything that is meant to happen for me to follow my dreams will happen no matter how trying life becomes. With that, a scholarship would genuinely allow a passionate student to follow their aspirations and alleviate so much stress and worry that has become present due to the expense of post-secondary education. I have fallen in love with the idea of pursuing a career in the arts, specifically film, and the thought of being able to impact the world through my creativity has ultimately fueled my passion for pursuing a career in film. I find that one of the purposes of art and creation is to speak to the moment in times and political and social commentary. I hope through my creations in the arts that I can successfully commentate on what our current place in society looks like, or that my creations can become a satisfactory escape from the turmoil in our current place in society. I also hope through my art that I can appeal to the emotions of many people in the world, I love the idea of art and creation being a safe space for many people and I can only hope to successfully do that. Using art as a medium for myself, I hope that I can make a positive impact in the world by allowing my creation to be a safe space for people through an emotional lens but also to be able to commentate on the social and political standpoint of our world!

I have fallen in love with the idea of pursuing a career in the arts, specifically film, and the thought of impacting the world through my creativity has ultimately fueled my passion for pursuing a career in film. One of the purposes of art and creation is to speak to the moment in times and political and social commentary. I hope through my creations in arts that I can successfully commentate on what our current place in society looks like, or that my creations can become a satisfactory escape from the turmoil in our current place in society. Throughout my life, I've had a deep interest in pursuing a career in the arts. Growing up, I was surrounded by creative people with a deep love and passion for creating art, and they undeniably impacted my outlook on life and the career I want to pursue. My grandmother and my great-grandmother are just two people in my life who inspired me to fall in love with the arts, but the idea of being able to accomplish my dreams in a way that my ancestors couldn't motivate me more to pursue my dreams of gaining a BFA in film production! My great-grandmother ultimately galvanized me as an adolescent to fall in love with the arts and take it seriously when we would spend hours together singing and playing the piano. I began to feel like the creation of different art forms evoked so many emotions in myself and the people around me that I knew this was my calling. I would argue that I was created to create! I am passionate about pursuing a career in the arts, and it's my purpose to create different art mediums, gaining a BFA in film is my first step to pursuing my dreams. My career goal now is to pull inspiration from the world around me to advance how I portray my creativity. My biggest goal is to advance my storytelling skills (either in editing or writing) and gain more confidence in my abilities in film production. I have fallen in love with the idea of pursuing a career in the arts, specifically film, and the thought of impacting the world through my creativity has ultimately fueled my passion for pursuing a career in film. One of the purposes of art and creation is to speak to the moment in times and political and social commentary. I hope through my creations in arts that I can successfully commentate on what our current place in society looks like, or that my creations can become a satisfactory escape from the turmoil in our current place in society. I also hope through my art that I can appeal to the emotions of many people in the world, I love the idea of art and creation being a safe space for many people and I can only hope to do that successfully. Using art as a medium for myself, I hope that I can make a positive impact in the world by allowing my creation to be a safe space for people through an emotional lens but also to be able to commentate on the social and political standpoint of our world!

If I could have everyone read just one book, it would be "Just Kids" by Patti Smith. 'Just Kids' is a masterpiece of a book that beautifully tells a story of self-discovery, youth, passion, and the beauty of friendship. I find that one of the most fulfilling parts of life is discovering genuine friendships and being able to dedicate your life to the things that you are passionate about, and to me, that's what 'Just Kids' is about. Smith's magical memoir is an undeniable ode to true friendship and self-discovery. I think everyone on Earth has one person whom they believe they have a true and genuine friendship with and could admire the sincerity with which Smith elucidates her personal accounts of friendship.  I think when it comes to living a life fueled by our passions, many people shy away from the subject since many of us have been told to pursue an orthodox life and not a life dedicated to what we're passionate about. But, after reading the moving memoir 'Just Kids', it's hard not to walk away inspired by the story of two people's complete devotion to living their lives freely and fueled by their passions, creating a profound friendship. I would want everyone to read this memoir, so they could walk away with the inspiration to find the beauty in life's challenges, experience a friendship that would inspire them to write a novel, and find something that they're so passionate about that they would devote their entire being to it. I believe that so many of us live our lives unfilled because we're reluctant to pursue the things we're passionate about because of how much we value validation from other people. Which is why if I could have everyone in the world read just one book, it would be 'Just Kids' by Patti Smith.  “Where does it all lead? What will become of us? These were our young questions, and young answers were revealed. It leads to each other. We become ourselves.”- 'Just Kids' by Patti Smith

A scholarship for the 2023 academic year would help me pursue my career goal of becoming a filmmaker because it would give me the chance to be able to follow my dreams of achieving a BFA in film and would alleviate a lot of stress and uncertainty around me and my family's ability to afford post-secondary education at LSU. Coming from a divorced middle-class family, the conversations around our ability to afford college have been very anxiety-ridden; with uncertainty around how much financial aid I will receive, the success of my parents getting approved for tens of thousands of dollars worth of loans, and the likelihood of me winning enough money in scholarships to get my way through school has ultimately led to me questioning if my dreams are even worth following with all of the stress that's surrounding it. However, my parents have instilled so much optimism and confidence in my future that I believe that everything that is meant to happen for me to follow my dreams will happen no matter how trying life becomes. With that, a scholarship would genuinely allow a passionate student to follow their aspirations and alleviate so much stress and worry that has become present due to the expense of post-secondary education. I have fallen in love with the idea of pursuing a career in the arts, specifically film, and the thought of being able to impact the world through my creativity has ultimately fueled my passion for pursuing a career in film. I find that one of the purposes of art and creation is to speak to the moment in times and political and social commentary. I hope through my creations in arts that I can successfully commentate on what our current place in society looks like, or that my creations can become a satisfactory escape from the turmoil in our current place in society. I also hope through my art that I can appeal to the emotions of many people in the world, I love the idea of art and creation being a safe space for many people and I can only hope to successfully do that. As a Black Woman, breaking into the film industry is not an easy task in the slightest. An industry that's still heavily male-dominated and doesn't really provide space for Black voices is all the reason why I'm so motivated to work in the industry, I want to be able to highlight the stories and voices that are oftentimes left in the shadows and make every marginalized group feel as though they can follow their dreams because I was able to follow mine! Using art as a medium for myself, I hope that I can make a positive impact in the world by allowing my creation to be a safe space for people through an emotional lens but also to be able to commentate on the social and political standpoint of our world!

For as long as I can remember, the idea of auspiciously impacting my community and being a positive role model for the people around me has been an integral part of my life and has led to me achieving multiple things that I am very proud of. Some of my most enjoyable moments throughout my high school experience have derived from me choosing to dedicate myself to improving the community around me. The promising implications that come from being a catalyst in my community and making positive contributions to others and being a role model for others has driven me to want to continue to make heartening impacts in the world around me. My high school experience started with me becoming an Athletic Training Student Aide, which consisted of me helping in the prevention, care, treatment, and rehab of all injuries of student-athletes at my high school. The role that I played of being a successful student athletic trainer allowed me to make positive impacts on student-athletes and our athletic program, complete hours of community service, and overall, positively impact my community as a whole. While being an athletic trainer, I have become certified in CPR, First Aid, and AED use. The certifications that I gained being an athletic trainer allow me to have the skills and knowledge to save lives for my community if need be. During athletic training, I have been able to help save lives and prevent life-threatening injuries to those in my community. Another impactful opportunity that I have been able to be a part of is becoming a Life Skills Aide for students with disabilities. I have thoroughly enjoyed being able to help in the physical, personal, academic, and emotional needs, and being a positive and nurturing guide for students with disabilities. I have been able to create bonds with a lot of the students that I’m with and contribute to their educational progression. I hope to become a positive role model in my students’ lives, furthermore, anticipate playing a part in people’s lives that will soon contribute to society and the community around them. Whilst working with Life Skills students, I have been able to gain skills that can ultimately contribute to the improvement of my community, such as learning sign language, which allows me to communicate with people of my community who are hard of hearing that many people don’t know how to. Being a life skills aid has allowed me to further contribute to my community and especially to marginalized groups that tend to be overlooked. Outside of school, I have been able to do a volunteer project with a shelter in my community, by using my interest to pursue a career in film. Being able to use my career aspirations to further contribute to my community inspires me to continue to constitute positive impacts on those around me and present myself as an encouraging role model to my community. I hope my love for helping others will allow me to carry on with being a positive role model, making propitious contributions, and leaving an auspicious impact on my community.

For as long as I can remember, the idea of auspiciously impacting my community and being a positive role model for the people around me has been an integral part of my life and has led to me achieving multiple things that I am very proud of. Some of my most enjoyable moments throughout my high school experience have derived from my choosing to dedicate myself to improving the community around me. The promising implications that come from being a catalyst in my community and making positive contributions to others and being a role model for others have driven me to want to continue to make heartening impacts in the world around me. My high school experience started with me becoming an Athletic Training Student Aide, which consisted of me helping in the prevention, care, treatment, and rehab of all injuries of student-athletes at my high school. The role that I played of being a successful student athletic trainer allowed me to make positive impacts on student-athletes and our athletic program, complete hours of community service, and overall, positively impact my community as a whole. Whilst being an athletic trainer, I have become certified in CPR, First Aid, and AED use. The certifications that I gained being an athletic trainer allow me to have the skills and knowledge to save lives for my community if need be. During athletic training, I have been able to help save lives and prevent life-threatening injuries to those in my community. Another impactful opportunity that I have been able to be a part of is becoming a Life Skills Aide for students with disabilities. I have thoroughly enjoyed being able to help in the physical, personal, academic, and emotional needs, and being a positive and nurturing guide for students with disabilities. I have been able to create bonds with a lot of the students that I’m with and contribute to their educational progression. I hope to become a positive role model in my students’ lives, furthermore, anticipating playing a part in people’s lives that will soon contribute to society and the community around them. Whilst working with Life Skills students, I have been able to gain skills that can ultimately contribute to the improvement of my community, such as learning sign language, which allows me to communicate with people of my community that are hard of hearing that many people don’t know how to. Being a life skills aid has allowed me to further contribute to my community and especially to marginalized groups that tend to be overlooked. Outside of school, I have been able to do a volunteer project with a shelter in my community, by using my interest to pursue a career in film. Being able to use my career aspirations to further contribute to my community inspires me to continue to constitute positive impacts on those around me and present myself as an encouraging role model to my community. I hope my love for helping others will allow me to carry on with being a positive role model, making propitious contributions, and leaving an auspicious impact on my community.

Throughout my life, I've had a deep interest in pursuing a career in the arts. Growing up, I was surrounded by creative people with a deep love and passion for creating art, and they undeniably impacted my outlook on life and the career I want to pursue. My grandmother and my great-grandmother are just two people in my life that inspired me to fall in love with the arts, but the idea of being able to accomplish my dreams in a way that my ancestors couldn't motivate me more to pursue my dreams of gaining a BFA in film production! My great-grandmother ultimately galvanized me as an adolescent to fall in love with the arts and take it seriously when we would spend hours together singing and playing the piano. I began to feel like the creation of different art forms evoked so many emotions in myself and the people around me that I knew this was my calling. I would argue that I was created to create! I am passionate about pursuing a career in the arts, and it's my purpose to create different art mediums, and gaining a BFA in film is my first step to pursuing my dreams. My career goal now is to pull inspiration from the world around me to advance how I portray my creativity. My biggest goal is to advance my storytelling skills (either in editing or writing) and gain more confidence in my abilities in film production. I have fallen in love with the idea of pursuing a career in the arts, specifically film, and the thought of being able to impact the world through my creativity has ultimately fueled my passion for pursuing a career in film. I find that one of the purposes of art and creation is to speak to the moment in times and political and social commentary. I hope through my creation in arts that I can successfully commentate on what our current place in society looks like, or that my creations can become a satisfactory escape from the turmoil in our current place in society. I also hope through my art that I can appeal to the emotions of many people in the world, I love the idea of art and creation being a safe space for many people and I can only hope to successfully do that. Using art as a medium for myself, I hope that I can make a positive impact in the world by allowing my creation to be a safe space for people through an emotional lens but also to be able to commentate on the social and political standpoint of our world!

I think my most outstanding achievement to date was becoming a life skills aide! Working with and creating bonds with students with disabilities is ultimately something I'm so very proud of. Many of the students I worked with were nonverbal and were not capable of doing many of the skills that able-bodied people take for granted such as using the restroom alone, cleaning up behind themselves, and being able to express themselves. Working with the life skills students every day for the past school year was an unforgettable experience that completely changed my life for the better. I worked with two specific students when we were working on particular skills; one of my students was deaf and autistic and the other one was nonverbal with Down syndrome. It's hard to express the patience and understanding you have to have to successfully work with life-skill students in a way that genuinely allows them to learn and feel comfortable enough to create bonds with you. During my time as a life-skill aide, I was able to learn and teach American Sign Language to my deaf student and that ultimately became something I'm very proud of. With my other student, I was able to fully teach my other Down syndrome student a few other skills such as: being able to write the full alphabet, separate things by color, and clean tables and chairs. Although this may seem like a small achievement to some, for me and my student, these were huge accomplishments that we were incredibly proud of. Working with life-skill students genuinely taught me so much in regard to personal growth. I have gained so much outlook in my life and that experience taught me my deep passion for helping others and being a person that can and will cater to people that are not often catered to. With this experience, I hope in the future that I can continue to work with marginalized groups, such as people with disabilities because so many people are not willing to. With my passion for wanting to work in the film industry, I learned while being a life skill aide that so many people with disabilities have a deep love for the arts, but aren't often given the opportunity to showcase their skills and passion in the world of the arts. I hope in the future that I can give a space for people with disabilities that have a love for arts the chance to create! My experience as a life skills aide has ultimately changed my outlook on life and has taught me so many unforgettable lessons that I will hold dear for the rest of my life. Working with life skills students became something that I'm beyond proud of because I was given the opportunity to teach students skills that they were once not familiar with and create genuine bonds with those students.

I have fallen in love with the idea of pursuing a career in the arts, specifically film, and the thought of being able to impact the world through my creativity has ultimately fueled my passion for pursuing a career in film. I find that one of the purposes of art and creation is to speak to the moment in times and political and social commentary. I hope through my creation in arts that I can successfully commentate on what our current place in society looks like, or that my creations can become a satisfactory escape from the turmoil in our current place in society. I also hope through my art that I can appeal to the emotions of many people in the world, I love the idea of art and creation being a safe space for many people and I can only hope to successfully do that. Using art as a medium for myself, I hope that I can make a positive impact in the world by allowing my creation to be a safe space for people through an emotional lens but also to be able to commentate on the social and political standpoint of our world!