As a fellow Netflix fanatic, I have had my fair share of binge-watching different movies and TV shows that the media raves about for two seconds and then immediately moves to the next "big" thing. From crying to a sappy chick-flick to crying-laughing over the hundreds of stand-up comedian specials, I would say I am the most credible and trustworthy user to convince you to clear your weekend, so you can cry, laugh, and swoon over the beautiful story of Heartstopper. Heartstopper holds a special place in my heart as what I can proudly say is my all-time favorite show. Its unique ability to seamlessly blend the themes of LGBTQ+ experiences, the high school narrative, and heartwarming friendships has left an indelible mark on me. The series isn’t just entertainment; it’s a transformative journey that resonates deeply and encourages acceptance, making it a must-watch for everyone! One of the most remarkable aspects of Heartstopper is its impeccable and authentic portrayal of gay teenage reality. The series beautifully captures the complexities of growing up, friendships, and self-discovery, while also delving into the unique challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals. This dynamic intersection of themes ensures that Heartstopper’s appeal extends beyond demographics, inviting audiences of all backgrounds to connect with its characters’ experiences. Identifying as a bisexual teen myself, Heartstopper holds a personal significance. Watching Charlie, an outed gay, and Nick, a closeted bisexual, mirrored my own emotions and experiences, providing a sense of solace and validation. Their love story helped me come to terms with my own feelings and fostered a sense of comfort in my own identity. It was as if the show reached out to me, telling me that I wasn’t alone and that my feelings were valid and beautiful. Beyond my personal connection, Heartstopper’s impact on broader conversations about representation and acceptance cannot be understated. By showcasing LGBTQ+ characters in a way that allows their experiences to shine while also addressing the challenges they face (internal shame, eating disorders, lack of acceptance from their loved ones), the series is contributing to a more inclusive narrative in media. This portrayal doesn’t just stop at the characters; it extends to the show’s viewers, urging them to reflect on their own biases and assumptions. In a world where representation matters, Heartstopper’s role in creating a safe space for LGBTQ+ youth and fostering understanding among a diverse audience is unparalleled. Heartstopper isn’t just a series I love; it’s a beacon of hope, understanding, and acceptance. It’s a reminder that media has the power to shape perspectives, create connections, and inspire growth. So, if you’re looking for a show that will make you laugh, cry, and reflect on your own journey, Heartstopper is the perfect choice that promises to stay with you long after the credits roll.

Dance is a form of art that allows individuals to communicate their emotions and feelings in a non-verbal manner. It is an art form that transcends language barriers and cultural differences and enables people to express themselves through movement and expression. For me, dance has been a passion for as long as I can remember. It is an integral part of who I am and has provided me with an outlet to communicate my feelings in a way that words cannot. For the past 15 years, I have dedicated my life to being a competitive dancer. I also attend Orange County School of the Arts as a Commercial Dance student to further my education in the art form. One of the most significant benefits of dance is its ability to express emotions without words. Through dance, I can convey my feelings and emotions to the audience, without ever having to say a word. The movements and gestures I use on stage are a reflection of my emotions, and the audience can understand my message without me ever having to speak. This is an incredibly powerful tool, as it allows me to connect with people on a deeper level than words ever could. In addition to being a form of self-expression, dance is also a highly technical art form that requires years of training and dedication. As I continue to grow as a dancer, I am constantly pushing myself to improve my technique and expand my repertoire. My ultimate goal is to work professionally in the dance industry as a choreographer and backup dancer. In five years, I hope to be working in the dance industry, collaborating with other artists and creating new and innovative dance pieces. I am also determined to perform at the Super Bowl halftime show, which is one of the most highly coveted performance opportunities for dancers. The Halftime Show is watched by millions of people around the world, and it would be an incredible honor to be a part of such a prestigious event. To achieve my goals, I am committed to working hard and putting in the necessary time and effort to improve my skills as a dancer. I am also seeking opportunities to network and connect with other professionals in the industry, as I believe that building relationships and making connections is essential in this field. In conclusion, dance is a powerful form of self-expression that allows individuals to communicate their emotions and feelings in a non-verbal manner. For me, dance is not just a hobby or a past-time, but a passion that I hope to turn into a career in the dance industry. My ultimate goal is to perform at the Super Bowl halftime show, and I am committed to working hard and putting in the effort necessary to achieve that dream.

"Breath in, breath out." 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. Smile and breath: it's as simple as 1, 2, 3. But is it really as easy-no, it most certainly is not. Being a competitive dancer for the past 14 years of my life, I have struggled with body image, anxiety, and unhealthy eating habits that made me reshape my life in order to fall prey to my mind games. The unhealthy relationships I would develop with not just myself, but with my mentors and peers enabled many years of constant negligence to address the issues that I was silently enduring. Day after day, my mind would tear me down, belittling my every move, criticizing my actions and never letting myself move on from the smallest of mistakes. "You could never look like her." "You stick out like a sore thumb." "Disgrace." At the time, I viewed the words as a motivator to force myself to work harder than I was in order to satisfy myself and those around me. My diet got smaller, the pressure on my shoulders became impenetrable, and my ability to look in the mirror lessened each and every day. But at what cost is it enough for a young artist to have to face their own battles alone-there is no price. Following my acceptance into Orange County School of the Arts (OCSA), I was embraced in a community where no matter your race, gender, religion, or sexuality, you were accepted and appreciated. The screams of shame turned into screams of support. My malnourished body and mind became fulfilled with positivity and nutrients. My tensed, shaky hands became embraced by a helping one-a hand that each and every one of my peers and new mentors utilized in order to pull me out of the toxic, black cloud and into my own rainbow of light. To be surrounded by artists who stem from different backgrounds that do what I dream to do was eye-opening and impactful. This experience helped me transform and become malleable. I became more avidly aware of my surroundings and my own abilities. I focused on my capabilities rather than the lack thereof. I shared my talents and collaborated with others in order to shine light on the next generation of artistry-the generation that was once oppressed and now, integrated into the beauty of individuality. I settled on building off of a foundation I was already familiar with: social media and those around me. I knew my best chance at getting at people's hearts was to start with those who I know. I started sharing more of my dance videos on social media that incorporated awareness for mental health on Instagram and grew a following and a supportive base of viewers. I will continue to spread awareness through those means. The inequalities and access to healthcare, mental health resources, and a supportive friend encourages me to utilize all that I have learned and grew from in order to help the next generation see that they have a friend, someone out there that hears them even if they are the quietest voice in a room full of millions. We are powerful and don't settle by the means of conformity. Our once vulnerable and suppressed voices are amplified and we will use them without fear of being belittled and scrutinized for it.

Being a Filipino-American in a predominantly Mexican-American city, I have faced great accounts of racism, abuse, and underrepresentation throughout my youth which has forced me to grow up at a young age in order to combat the adversity that was thrown my way. Being discriminated against for being an Asian girl that had smaller eyes than everybody else and having parents that didn't know how to properly speak English or Spanish, I tended to segregate myself away from big crowds and I kept to myself in order to lessen the chances of having to face my harsh reality. However, following my 6th-grade promotion, I got accepted into Orange County School of the Arts (OCSA), an art school that highlighted and embraced each and every one of its students, regardless of their gender, identity, culture, religion, and sexuality. Being able to surround myself with people of all cultures and backgrounds helped me see that being who I am is not a mistake, but rather something to be celebrated and appreciated. Throughout my time at OCSA, I have also integrated myself into different clubs and volunteer work that has allowed me to work closely with organizations in order to aid developing countries, underrepresented communities, and overall, better the prosperity of my neighbors and their lives. Following my entrance into NHS and CSF, I have been able to contribute to various community service projects in order to clean up our environments and help those around us achieve a healthier mindset. With my experience as the next generation's future leader, I plan to utilize all the things I have learned throughout my life in order to better the environment around me. I aim to hold a donation drive once a month in my local community center in order to help feed and provide clothes for low-income families. I also plan on organizing beach clean-ups in order to keep the cleanliness and integrity of our beaches looking fresh and clean for tourists, animals, and locals to enjoy our natural habitats! Finally, I will continue to promote equality and diversity in each and every environment I am surrounded in. Despite many years of constant fighting for change, it is important to note that nothing would have been done if those who used their voices kept quiet. I will continue to advocate for social change and non-discriminatory actions that continue to be justified in order to help the younger generation see that together, we can live in harmony and peace.

Being a Filipino-American dancer that grew up in a low income neighborhood where dance was solely a day-care center for me rather than an art form that I was passionate about, dance has remained one of the few prominent factors of my life that has impacted me for the better and helped me become who I am to this day. I began my dance training when I was 3 years old at The Dance Place and from that point on, I have broadened my training in multiple genres, like Ballet, Modern, Contemporary, Jazz, Hip Hop, Ballroom, and Musical Theatre when I continued to train at Studio Fusion and Orange County School of the Arts. The art of dance is a beautiful escape that allows the artist to encapsulate their words through the movement of their bodies. Dancers have the liberty to throw out any degrading labels that have stuck with them throughout their life and together, we work as a team in order to personify our passion and highlight what makes us unique. Dance has positively impacted my life due to the friendships and mentors that I have helped shaped me into the individual that I am today. Dance has allowed me to break what I thought was my original limitations and has allowed me to reshape the mold into what I define is my future in the art form. Not to mention, but dance has also allowed me to become physically, mentally, and emotionally aware of my body and mindset and has taught me the importance of self-care despite being in a "hustle culture" type environment. In all, dance has heavily influenced my life for the better as it has reconstructed my viewpoint on the ability to pursue art and the benefits that are derived form the culture and environments I am exposed to throughout my training. With being a competitive dancer for 14 years and continuing my training at OCSA in the Commercial Dance Conservatory, I have surrounded myself with equally passionate dancers that have inspired me to continue my training in the future in order to work towards becoming a professional dancer/choreographer in the commercial dance industry. Throughout my years in training, I have worked closely with my mentors and shadowed their professional work in order to get a good grasp on the position of a professional choreographer and dancer. Being able to contribute to the final product of a project that millions view and interact with is a big dream of mine considering being able to have a say and knowing that my opinion and jurisdiction matters, allows under-represented artists, like me, have a stance on an art form that uniquely reflects the beauty of the piece.