All I ever wanted to do was help people, I remember in kindergarten I got the award for most dependable because I just was always making sure everyone was their best selves. Being a technical theatre student it is on the harder side to find scholarships for me because of how niche of an art form it is so I was over the moon seeing this one. The pieces I attached are a sample portfolio and some of my favorite photos over the past year. I hope to make a difference by learning everything there is to know about this beautiful art form to then teach to others. Learning about it so far, I never get tired of getting ready for the day knowing I'm gonna go do something I love to do, whether it be setting some lights or scenic painting. I want to show future generations how amazing and breathtaking theatre can be, even backstage. So I guess overall I hope to continue the legacy and art form that is theatre, even if I will be backstage for my life, I'm glad it will be backstage to the best art form I have ever encountered. I may be a little dramatic but I am one for the dramatics and I can guarantee I am the most passionate person I’ve ever met even then, being passionate is what got me to where I am now and I am sure it will get more people in the world to where they want to go, maybe even including somebody who is reading this right now, directly or indirectly.

Summer of middle school, when every kid my age is going off with friends exploring, having fun, and being kids. I was… different, I applied for an early worker’s permit so I could legally work because I wanted to save enough money to build this stupid little design I made. Close to 4 years later I got promoted, on track to be a supervisor next year, and that “stupid little design” won me an actual award for craftsmanship. I think that the summer of middle school, especially being caught during the COVID-19 pandemic, really opened my eyes to what I want to do in this world and in my lifetime. I knew from the moment I got involved in the world of being a technician for theatre that it was what I wanted to do, learning everything there was to know really opened my eyes to how much there was to learn and I want to know it all. When I was seriously going over what I wanted to do for the rest of my entire life I got confused for a long time. I knew I wanted to stay in a shop but that couldn't be EVERYTHING right? I learned over time that what I wanted to do was teach and share everything I know which sounds a bit dramatic but I am a person for the dramatics. Building these pieces and designing my projects makes such a huge impact on me that it is hard to put it into words other than I am the most passionate person I've ever known. Since that summer, nothing has changed, I still spend all my free time designing and making those stupid little things that pop into my head but the one thing that has changed is what I want to do with them. I know it will be a long and hard road but I know a thing or two about perseverance, being a governor’s school student means I know what it has meant to work hard for something I want, and what I want most in this world is to teach others, make a difference, make a life for myself, but how could I even get close to doing that? Being somebody who has struggled immensely in school to be able to maintain an above-average GPA also inspires me because I want to be able to help my students one day, and make a genuine connection with them. I think that the best type of people in this world are those who can pass on knowledge, and it is my dream to teach students about the amazing world of technical theater and production. I have fallen so in love with it and don't know how I went so long in my life without it. Being able to present entertainment, teach the future generation of technicians, and keep the legacy of theater going on, even if I'm one small part of it, is how I want to make a difference in this world so that it can influence millions of more people like how it has to me. I know I will be able to do it and I want to make it clear that I will do anything humanly possible to get across that finish line. I can't wait to see where it ends up.

Summer of middle school, when every kid my age is going off with friends exploring, having fun, and being kids. I was… different, I applied for an early worker’s permit so I could legally work because I wanted to save enough money to build this stupid little design I made. Close to 4 years later I got promoted, on track to be a supervisor next year, and that “stupid little design” won me an actual award for craftsmanship. I think that the summer of middle school, especially being caught during the COVID-19 pandemic, really opened my eyes to what I want to do in this world and in my lifetime. I knew from the moment I got involved in the world of being a technician for theatre that it was what I wanted to do, learning everything there was to know really opened my eyes to how much there was to learn and I want to know it all. When I was seriously going over what I wanted to do for the rest of my entire life I got confused for a long time. I knew I wanted to stay in a shop but that couldn't be EVERYTHING right? I learned over time that what I wanted to do was teach and share everything I know which sounds a bit dramatic but I am a person for the dramatics. Building these pieces and designing my projects makes such a huge impact on me that it is hard to put it into words other than I am the most passionate person I've ever known. Since that summer, nothing has changed, I still spend all my free time designing and making those stupid little things that pop into my head but the one thing that has changed is what I want to do with them. I know it will be a long and hard road but I know a thing or two about perseverance, being a governor’s school student means I know what it has meant to work hard for something I want, and what I want most in this world is to teach others, make a difference, make a life for myself, but how could I even get close to doing that? Being somebody who has struggled immensely in school to be able to maintain an above-average GPA also inspires me because I want to be able to help my students one day, and make a genuine connection with them. I think that the best type of people in this world are those who can pass on knowledge, and it is my dream to teach students about the amazing world of technical theater and production. I have fallen so in love with it and don't know how I went so long in my life without it. Being able to present entertainment, teach the future generation of technicians, and keep the legacy of theater going on, even if I'm one small part of it, is how I want to make a difference in this world so that it can influence millions of more people like how it has to me. I know I will be able to do it and I want to make it clear that I will do anything humanly possible to get across that finish line. I can't wait to see where it ends up.

Do you know that common cliché about someone pursuing their profession to make other people happy? That is exactly who I am, and I am not ashamed of it. I am optimistic in practically every situation. I enjoy engaging with others and making their day, which is why I am so drawn to the arts. The theatre has always helped me get through difficult times in my life, and all I want to do is pass it on to someone else. I've worked my entire life for these opportunities and my education. I worked from morning to after midnight every day I could, practicing techniques whenever I could, and even dealing with a destructive authority figure. Who nearly drove me away from my love of art;  Even now, I'm so grateful I made it here. To this point in my life, I can finally breathe a breath of relief. I'll give you a couple of examples now of how I pursue art, because obviously, as a high school student, I'm not in the field yet (apart from my spot at The Governor's School For The Arts). I strive to think of new methods to make a difference. Participating in youth non-profits, such as generating awareness and funding for charity, has been one of my key hobbies in supporting my community. ASFP is a charity near and dear to my heart. As someone who has struggled with mental health issues her entire life, it is reassuring to know that I will be able to help others who have experienced similar terrible emotions. Returning to what I mentioned previously, "That's why I'm drawn to the arts. The theater has always helped me get through difficult times in my life, and all I want to do now is pass that knowledge on to someone else "is probably true in hundreds of ways. Because everything I've ever wanted to do in my life is to make people happy, and bring my community together. This is most definitely the final subject I will touch on and it is also, my end goal in life. My end goal, is to become a teacher. I wish to pass on my knowledge and raise a new generation of theatre technicians.   When I talk about my passion of the theatre and making people happy through theatre, many people assume I'm a typical actor who can be pretty or funny, but I'm a technician and very proud. I want to pave the way for greatness in younger generations, and I genuinely want others to be happy. Just as theater has and always will make me complete.

My battle with mental health has been a lifelong one. I am currently diagnosed with Anxiety and Depression, which makes my social life, personal health, and schoolwork difficult, so I will discuss these three obstacles in my life and how I overcome them. My social life began to worsen when I was very young; I was made fun of for my interests, which made me more anxious and unhappy, and I began to engage in harmful habits to avoid the feelings I was experiencing. As a child, I didn't comprehend that these were not feelings I should have had, which is something I still deal with. It caused me to skip school, hide when it was time to go out, and have a very low self-esteem. My parents and sisters were the only people I spoke to when the pandemic struck. But even then, with everything going on in my thoughts and still refusing to ask for assistance, I lashed out a lot. I lashed out because I was so depressed that I didn't know what or who to be upset at. Because I was born with it? My parents for my ancestors? god? For at least 6 months, until one day I made a friend. Her name was Alli, and she was the first step I was able to take toward resuming a normal social life. She helped me see myself as beautiful, and she helped me come out of my shell, take risks, open myself up, and most importantly, she provided me with someone I know I can always turn to if I need help. I credit her with walking me back to my social life I have now, which I would not change for anything. As my anxiety worsened, I experienced physical symptoms such as restricted eating, insomnia, oversleeping, stomachaches, vomiting episodes, panic attacks, and more. This is a situation for which I have no answer; I'm simply taking it one day at a time, which is OK. It's okay not to have a solution until I do; I'll do what I'm doing now. If I have a headache, I take a break and take a Tylenol, I remember how much I eat so that I know fast when I skip a meal, and I go to my mother when I have panic episodes because she helps them go away. The final topic is homework. I'm very terrible at procrastinating, deadline stress, taking on too much for my own good, and honestly, asking for assistance. I attempt to remain on top of my work by using a variety of tactics. For example, on a Monday, I receive my work released for Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday so I can prepare appropriately. And my most important recommendation for anxiety management is to learn how to arrange your day. Almost every morning, I take about 10 minutes to mentally walk myself through the day, and it puts me at rest knowing that I have my entire day planned out for me. But I'm still a lot behind. which stinks and only serves to make me feel worse about myself But it helps to take things one day at a time and remember that the sun will always rise with a new day.