Finding the Courage to Reclaim My Life and Purpose The journey toward healing often begins with the courage to leave behind what no longer serves us and choose a path toward growth. Overcoming life’s hardest moments—from facing homelessness and feeling completely hopeless to navigating personal loss and stepping away from environments that felt heavy and restrictive—has shown me that pain does not have to be the end of the story. Finding the strength to pack up, leave behind a dark situation, and start fresh in Jay, Oklahoma, was a turning point. It was a declaration that my well-being mattered and that I had the power to reclaim my own future. That fresh start opened up opportunities I never thought possible, proving that taking bold steps for mental health is an act of profound courage. Living through those deep struggles has given me a level of empathy and resilience that shapes everything I do today. It has changed how I show up for my family and community, driving me to cultivate spaces built on acceptance, open communication, and real support so no one around me feels isolated in their pain. Professionally, my journey has given clear vision to my goals as a visual artist and business owner. I am working toward opening my own photography studio, bringing a unique, high-fashion editorial aesthetic to high school senior portraiture. High school is a vulnerable transition period where young people often feel intense pressure to fit in or hide who they are. Through my studio, I want to celebrate each student's true individuality and do my part to normalize being different, giving them an empowering space where they feel genuinely seen, valued, and confident. Choosing my mental health and moving forward despite every obstacle turned my life around. By transforming my past struggles into a foundation for empathy and vision, I aim to use my creative work to lift others up, honor individuality, and prove that no matter how dark things get, we have the ability to build a brighter path.

Building a Life as an Educator: Bringing the Power of Art to Rural Youth Growing up and living in rural Oklahoma, I have seen firsthand how access to creative outlets can shape a young person's perspective, confidence, and voice. Art is more than an aesthetic pursuit; it is a tool for self-discovery, emotional resilience, and connection. Looking toward my future, what I want to build is a meaningful career as a visual arts educator, creating an accessible, empowering space where students in rural communities can discover their creative potential. To achieve this goal, I am earning my BFA in Photography with a minor in Graphic Design, while actively preparing for state art teaching credentials. My immediate objective is to build a robust foundation in both technical skill and pedagogical strategy. I want to establish classroom environments that move beyond traditional technique, encouraging students to experiment, explore storytelling, and express their unique lived experiences through visual mediums. In areas where artistic opportunities can often be limited, providing dedicated space and resources for visual expression can be genuinely transformative. Building this future as an educator will have a profound personal impact. Returning to school as an adult student while balancing family and running a small photography business has taught me the value of persistence, adaptability, and lifelong learning. Stepping into the classroom as a teacher will allow me to channel those experiences into guiding others. It will fulfill my passion for visual communication while giving me a direct role in fostering the next generation of creative thinkers. The broader impact on my community will be centered on access, inspiration, and growth. Art education equips students with vital skills that extend far beyond the studio, including critical thinking, problem-solving, visual literacy, and self-advocacy. By building an engaging arts program, I hope to offer rural students an alternative avenue for expression and a path toward creative careers they might not have otherwise considered. Additionally, I aim to build community-wide engagement through local exhibitions, student showcases, and collaborative projects that celebrate local identity and highlight the talent of our youth. Ultimately, building a future as an art teacher means constructing a lasting legacy of support and opportunity. By investing in the creative growth of my students, I am helping to cultivate a richer, more vibrant community where young people feel seen, heard, and empowered to build futures of their own.

CeeJae Stewart Senior Photography Major, RMCAD ceejae.stewart@rmcad.edu As a senior photography major at the Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design, my professional journey has been defined by a commitment to high-end editorial imagery, conceptual fine art, and professional video production. My primary goal is to establish C.Jae.S Photography, LLC as a premier creative studio that bridges the gap between high-fashion editorial aesthetics and psychological narrative storytelling. Having transitioned from professional training to independent practice, I am now focused on scaling my business to support larger-scale conceptual projects while finalizing my degree. To reach these goals, my first priority is the successful completion of my remaining twelve credits at RMCAD. This academic foundation is essential for mastering the advanced technical workflows in Adobe Premiere Pro and Lightroom that distinguish my current work. My plan involves a rigorous schedule of project management that balances my course load with my ongoing business operations. I have integrated my professional website, hosted through Webador and Pixieset, to serve as a hub for both my academic portfolio and my commercial client base. This dual-purpose platform reduces overhead by consolidating my public presence into one streamlined, cost-effective resource. Financially, my budget is structured around the necessity of maintaining and upgrading my primary equipment, specifically my Canon EOS Rebel T6i and the associated 24mm and 50mm prime lenses. I have allocated funds for continuous software subscriptions and seasonal maintenance of my gear. A core component of my business model is minimizing external production costs by utilizing my existing knowledge of set design, lighting, and heavy cinematic coloring, which allows me to achieve high-production values in controlled, human-made environments without requiring massive location budgets. Looking toward the future, I am exploring paths for growth that involve expanding into more complex video production and narrative-driven photography. This includes leveraging the skills I developed while producing my short film, Echoes from the Ashford. By refining my focus on themes of masked identities and calculated decay, I am creating a distinct brand identity that appeals to niche editorial markets. To succeed, I am also prioritizing networking and leadership, leveraging my roles as President of the RMCAD Photo Club and Co-Chair of the Student Leadership Alliance to build professional relationships that will serve as the foundation for my post-graduation career. Timing is a critical variable in this plan. My trajectory relies on the successful integration of my academic final projects with the launch of my expanded service offerings. I am prepared to adapt to market shifts by maintaining a lean operational structure, ensuring that every dollar invested in my business yields measurable results in my portfolio reach or client acquisition. Through disciplined time management, deliberate aesthetic choices, and a proactive approach to professional development, I am positioning C.Jae.S Photography, LLC for long-term sustainability and creative influence.

Returning to higher education as a senior photography major has been a journey defined by extreme friction and resilience. While the typical challenge of a student is balancing coursework with a career, my experience has been shaped by the necessity of survival. In August 2025, I was forced into a month of homelessness. This period was not just a logistical crisis; it was a profound threat to my identity as an artist and a leader. Yet, even while navigating the instability of being unhoused, I remained committed to my responsibilities. I continued to attend my classes, fulfill my duties as President of the RMCAD Photo Club, and serve as Co-Chair of the Student Leadership Alliance. Maintaining these roles while lacking a stable roof over my head required a level of discipline that went far beyond typical time management. I had to compartmentalize the immediate anxiety of my living situation to ensure that I could contribute meaningfully to my academic community. This experience forced me to prioritize my work with a singular, relentless focus. In those weeks, my laptop and my camera gear were not just tools for my business, C.Jae.S Photography, LLC; they were my lifeline to normalcy and my primary means of maintaining my professional trajectory. This time was arguably the most difficult test of my career, but it became the foundation of my current professional strength. It taught me that my artistic vision is not dependent on the comfort of a studio or a traditional home environment, but rather on my own internal resolve. By refusing to let my circumstances dictate my output, I learned how to produce high-quality work under immense pressure. That month proved that my dedication to my education and my leadership roles was not situational, but intrinsic. These challenges have fundamentally shaped the work I produce today. My interest in exploring themes of masked identities and calculated decay in my photography is no longer just an aesthetic choice; it is rooted in a deep understanding of how quickly one’s reality can shift. This scholarship would provide the financial stability I am working hard to secure following that period of upheaval. It would allow me to finalize my degree with the focus that my artistic practice requires, enabling me to transition into the next phase of my career with the confidence that I have already weathered the most difficult obstacles. I am not just completing a degree; I am proving that I have the resilience to thrive in the demanding world of editorial and conceptual photography, regardless of the hurdles placed in my path.

CeeJae Stewart Being the first in my family to obtain a college degree is more than a personal milestone; it is the definitive rewriting of a family narrative. For generations, the path toward higher education was often obscured by the immediate necessity of labor and the absence of a roadmap for navigating academic institutions. Stepping onto this path as a first-generation student means I am simultaneously a pioneer and a bridge-builder. It is a commitment to proving that the cycle of educational disadvantage can be broken with enough perseverance and vision. To me, this degree represents the transition from simply having a job to building a meaningful, specialized career that contributes to the cultural and intellectual landscape. I am currently pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography at Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design. My focus within this degree is on conceptual and surrealist imagery, exploring the "ugly pretty" aesthetic through narrative-driven visual storytelling. In college, I am not just learning how to use a camera; I am mastering the technical and philosophical frameworks of visual communication. Higher education has provided me with the tools to take abstract ideas and turn them into deliberate, professional-grade concepts. This environment has also allowed me to develop as a leader, founding and presiding over the RMCAD Photo Club to create a space where other students—many of whom are also navigating the complexities of college life—can find community and professional growth. My long-term goals are centered on both personal artistic excellence and the empowerment of others. After completing my BFA, I plan to pursue a Master of Fine Arts to deepen my research into surrealism and the psychology of the image. Professionally, I intend to continue growing my business, C.Jae.S Photography, into a platform that prioritizes diverse perspectives and innovative visual narratives. I want my work to serve as an example of how fine art can be both commercially viable and intellectually challenging. Ultimately, I want to use my education to mentor the next generation of artists. As someone who had to navigate the "first-generation" hurdles of financial barriers and academic unfamiliarity, I feel a profound responsibility to share that knowledge. I plan to use my platform and eventual MFA to teach and advocate for increased accessibility in the arts. By reaching my full potential, I hope to ensure that for those who follow in my footsteps, the path to a degree is no longer a mystery, but a clearly marked road to success. My impact will be measured not just by the degrees I earn, but by the intergenerational change I facilitate through my dedication to the arts and leadership.

CeeJae Stewart The intersection of artistic ambition and financial reality is a space I have navigated for most of my adult life. As a senior photography major at Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design, I am currently standing on the threshold of completing my Bachelor of Fine Arts, a goal that has required equal parts creative dedication and financial endurance. For many students from low-income backgrounds, the pursuit of higher education is not just an academic choice; it is a calculated risk. Pursuing a degree in the arts, in particular, often feels like a luxury that socioeconomic barriers attempt to keep out of reach. However, I believe that education is the most potent tool for breaking cycles of stagnation, and my time in higher education has been the primary catalyst for transforming my passion into a sustainable, professional career. Attending higher education is facilitating my future by providing the technical infrastructure and critical framework necessary to operate at the highest level of the industry. Through my studies, I have moved beyond simply taking pictures to mastering the "ugly pretty" aesthetic—a conceptual approach that uses surrealism and juxtaposition to tell complex stories. This academic environment has pushed me to refine my business, C.Jae.S Photography, ensuring that I am not just an artist, but a professional capable of contributing to the creative economy. My long-term goal is to pursue a Master of Fine Arts, a path that would be impossible without the foundational success and accreditation of my current undergraduate program. Higher education provides the bridge between having a vision and having the credentials to lead within the field. My plan to create a positive impact is rooted in the belief that leadership is a responsibility, not just a title. Having founded and currently serving as the President of the RMCAD Photo Club, I have seen firsthand how much talent exists in students who simply need a community and a platform. My impact is focused on inclusivity—specifically bridging the gap between online and on-ground students to ensure that geographical or financial constraints do not limit an artist’s access to networking and growth. I want to use my professional platform to mentor others who come from similar backgrounds, proving that a career in the visual arts is attainable regardless of where one starts. Outside of my academic life, my work and volunteer experiences have reinforced my commitment to service. Whether managing the logistics of a student organization or building a business from the ground up in Jay, Oklahoma, I have learned that perseverance is the most valuable asset a student can possess. By completing my degree and moving toward graduate studies, I plan to advocate for increased accessibility in arts education. I want to ensure that the "tough choices" between immediate survival and long-term education become less daunting for the artists who come after me. My future achievement is not just defined by the images I create, but by the doors I help open for other low-income students who have a story to tell but lack the resources to tell it. This scholarship would provide the necessary financial support to keep my focus where it belongs: on finishing my degree and preparing for a lifetime of creative advocacy and professional excellence.

CeeJae Stewart Photography has always been my method for navigating the tension between the beautiful and the unsettling. As a senior photography major at RMCAD, my work is rooted in a surrealist and conceptual aesthetic that I call "ugly pretty." I focus on narrative-driven imagery that uses juxtaposition to challenge how viewers perceive the world around them. My goal is not just to produce aesthetically pleasing images, but to create deliberate visual concepts that provoke thought and empathy. I plan to make a positive impact by using my platform to amplify stories that are often pushed to the margins. Throughout history, certain voices have been systematically excluded from the professional art world, leading to a narrow cultural perspective. By leaning into surrealism, I can strip away the mundane and highlight the emotional truths of the human experience in a way that feels universal yet deeply personal. I want my work to serve as a bridge, inviting viewers to find beauty in "calculated decay" and complexity in the overlooked. Beyond my personal portfolio, I am committed to fostering a more inclusive artistic community. Serving as the President and founder of the RMCAD Photo Club has allowed me to build a hybrid space for both online and on-ground students to collaborate and grow. I believe that leadership in the arts is about creating doors for others to walk through. My impact will be defined by my ability to combine professional excellence with a dedication to mentorship, ensuring that the next generation of artists feels empowered to share their unique, unfiltered perspectives. Through my business and my continued studies toward an MFA, I will continue to advocate for a future where the artistic community is as diverse and multifaceted as the world it seeks to represent.

CeeJae Stewart The journey through a rigorous fine arts program is rarely a straight line, especially when navigating the complexities of a digital learning environment while maintaining a professional practice. While my academic records and leadership roles speak to my successes, the most transformative part of my education at Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design has been the internal resilience required to overcome significant personal hurdles. The most substantial challenge I faced was not found in a textbook or a studio critique, but in the instability of my home life. Over the past five years, due to circumstances entirely beyond my control, my immediate family experienced homelessness three separate times. Navigating the demands of a senior photography major while lacking a permanent place to live is a trial that tests every fiber of one’s discipline. Photography is an art form that requires space—space for gear, space for lighting setups, and a stable environment for the intensive post-processing work required in conceptual fine art. During those periods of displacement, I had to find ways to keep my creative spirit alive when my primary focus was simply keeping my family together. These experiences could have easily derailed my education, yet they instead became the catalyst for a level of grit and determination that now defines my work ethic. I learned to be incredibly resourceful, often utilizing public spaces or temporary setups to ensure I never missed an assignment or a leadership meeting. The turning point came with the decision to relocate our lives to Jay, Oklahoma. This was a monumental leap of faith; we moved to a town where we knew absolutely no one, seeking nothing more than the stability that had been stripped away from us so many times before. Taking that risk was the ultimate exercise in agency. Instead of remaining victims of circumstance, we chose to start over in an unfamiliar place to build a foundation that could finally hold. Since arriving in Jay, we have not just survived; we have thrived. This move allowed me the mental and physical space to fully re-engage with my passion, leading to the successful establishment of C.Jae.S Photography in a brand-new market and the continued growth of my signature "Senior Chic" magazine project. This history of overcoming housing instability has deeply influenced my artistic perspective. Having lived through the uncertainty of homelessness, I have a profound understanding of the resilience people carry during hardship. This insight allows me to approach my subjects with a unique level of empathy and depth, capturing narrative-driven images that resonate with the complexities of the human experience. My ability to maintain a high GPA and serve as the President of the RMCAD Photo Club and Co-Chair of the Student Leadership Alliance during these times is a testament to my commitment to my craft and my community. Beyond my personal resilience, I have dedicated myself to building the community I wanted to see within RMCAD. I built the Photo Club from the ground up to provide a space for peer critique and professional growth, ensuring that other students have the support system I so desperately relied on. My leadership in the Student Leadership Alliance has been focused on bridging the gap between students and administration through collaborative initiatives. I believe that my ability to lead effectively while managing personal crisis demonstrates a maturity and a vision that would make me a valuable recipient of this scholarship. I am now looking toward the future with a sense of stability I once thought impossible. As I prepare to graduate this May and transition into a Master of Fine Arts program this fall, I am more focused than ever on my goal of exploring the intersections of surrealism and narrative identity. This scholarship is an essential bridge for me to reach that next level of academic and professional achievement. It is an investment in an artist who has proven she can thrive under the most difficult conditions and who is committed to using her platform to inspire others. My journey from the instability of the past five years to a successful life in Jay has taught me that while we cannot always control our circumstances, we can control our response to them. I have chosen to respond with creativity, leadership, and an unwavering pursuit of excellence. I have proven that I can maintain a professional-grade creative output even when my external circumstances are chaotic. I look forward to the opportunity to bring this perspective to graduate school and eventually to a career as a collegiate educator, where I can encourage other artists to find strength in their own stories. Supporting my education means supporting a survivor, a leader, and a dedicated artist who is ready to make a lasting impact on the world of photography.

CeeJae Stewart Photography is more than just a method of documentation for me; it is a profound language that allows me to speak when words feel inadequate. My passion for this medium stems from its unique ability to freeze a fleeting moment and transform a temporary observation into a permanent narrative. As a senior photography major at RMCAD, I have found that the lens does not just capture reality—it constructs it. I am particularly drawn to conceptual fine art and surrealism because these genres allow me to move beyond the literal. I love the challenge of taking a standard environment and, through high-control lighting and deep, cinematic shadows, turning it into a staged moment that feels both otherworldly and deeply human. There is a specific thrill in the technical precision required to balance a composition while ensuring the emotional weight of the "masked persona" or the surrealist theme remains the focal point. This medium has enhanced my life by providing a structured, yet infinite, way to process the world around me. Before I dedicated myself to this craft, I might have walked past a particular play of light on a wall without a second thought. Now, I see the world in frames. It has taught me patience and intentionality; I really like to have a defined concept before I schedule a photoshoot, which has translated into a more disciplined approach to my life outside of the studio as well. Photography has given me a sense of purpose and a clear trajectory, leading me from my undergraduate studies toward the goal of a Master of Fine Arts. It serves as a constant reminder that there is always a new way to look at a familiar subject, provided you are willing to adjust your perspective or change your lighting. The lives of those around me are enhanced through the shared experience of visual storytelling. Whether I am working on a "Senior Chic" magazine for a high school graduate or collaborating with fellow artists in the Photo Club, photography acts as a bridge. For my subjects, seeing themselves through a high-end, editorial lens can be a transformative experience, offering them a version of themselves that feels elevated and iconic. For my peers and family, my dedication to this art form provides a window into my internal world, fostering deeper connections through the images I create. By capturing these cinematic, staged moments, I am able to give others a tangible piece of a story that might otherwise have remained untold, proving that art is not just a personal journey, but a communal one that invites everyone to see the world a little more vividly.

Education has acted as the catalyst for reclaiming my identity and rewriting a narrative that once felt predetermined by circumstance. When I returned to school in 2021 to pursue a BFA in Photography, I was not merely looking for a degree; I was searching for a bridge toward a second act that felt authentically mine. For me, education became the technical foundation that turned my intuition into a professional voice, but more importantly, it became the anchor that kept me grounded through the most volatile years of my life. It gave me a sense of direction when the world around me felt aimless, transforming my perspective from one of survival to one of intentional creation. ​The primary challenge I have had to overcome is a lack of stability that would have halted most academic careers. Since starting my degree, I have navigated the trauma of becoming homeless three times. During this same period, my husband lost his job of twenty years, leading us to seek a fresh start in Jay, Oklahoma. In a new town where we knew no one, the temptation to abandon my goals was immense. The logistical friction of displacement—the constant searching for a safe place to sleep or a reliable way to charge a battery—creates a mental fog that is difficult to describe. However, I found that my studies were the only part of my life that wasn't tied to a physical address. I learned to be relentless, finding connections in parking lots to attend virtual classes and maintaining my professional standards while living in temporary shelters. These hardships didn't just test my resolve; they gave me a sense of direction by proving that my purpose was unshakeable, regardless of my environment. ​This journey has also been shaped by my ADHD, which I have come to view as a superpower rather than an obstacle. In a traditional world of linear thinking, neurodivergence is often framed as a deficit, but in my photography, it is the source of my hyper-focus. While others might see a desolate field as empty, my mind notices every detail of the "ugly-pretty" grit that defines the Oklahoma landscape. I inhabit the visual frame, noticing the specific texture of peeling paint on a weathered barn or the way the shadows shift across a cracked sidewalk during the blue hour. This ability to see depth in the overlooked has fueled my senior thesis, Bittersweet Symphony, and taught me that my perspective is my greatest creative asset. My ADHD allowed me to stay connected to my education through the chaos of homelessness because my brain is naturally wired for pivot and adaptation. It turns potential distractions into deep insights, allowing me to find patterns and solutions where others might only see disorder. ​My education has also given me the direction to lead. Despite my personal struggles, I chose to lean into the RMCAD community, eventually serving as the President of the Photo Club and Co-Chair of the Student Leadership Alliance. These roles taught me that leadership is not about having the perfect circumstances; it is about showing up for others when you are still figuring out how to show up for yourself. It gave me a laboratory to practice the type of mentorship I hope to provide in the future. Through education, I realized that my voice carries weight and that my story of resilience can serve as a blueprint for other students who feel like the deck is stacked against them. ​I hope to use my education to create a future defined by inclusive mentorship and professional excellence. My immediate goal is to launch C.Jae.S Photography, LLC, establishing a studio practice that honors the complex, narrative beauty of the rural landscape. However, my ultimate ambition is to earn an MFA and enter academia as a professor. I want to be a "multiplier," using my experience to support generations of all kinds of students—especially those who are starting late, navigating neurodivergence, or fighting through systemic hurdles. I want to be the educator who looks at a struggling student and tells them that their history is not a deficit, but the very tool that will make them an extraordinary artist. ​By pursuing my MFA, I am preparing to teach a curriculum rooted in empathy and grit. I want to prove to my future students that a career in the arts doesn’t require a linear path to be significant. I want to show them that being a senior photography major at forty-six is not a sign of a late start, but a sign of a seasoned perspective. My goal is to build a legacy where the "non-traditional" student is no longer an outlier but a valued voice in the artistic conversation. I am using my education to build a future where art is a tool for survival and a platform for community growth, ensuring that the next generation of creators knows they have a seat at the table, regardless of where they began their walk. I am not a photographer in spite of my challenges; I am a photographer because of them, and I intend to spend the rest of my life teaching others to find that same power in their own stories.

​In the traditional world of linear thinking, ADHD is often framed as a deficit—a hurdle to be cleared or a distraction to be managed. However, as I have navigated the intense, five-year journey toward my BFA in Photography, I have realized that my neurodivergence is not an obstacle to my success; it is the source of my creative power. It is the reason I can capture the "ugly-pretty" grit of an Oklahoma landscape with such a deep level of detail and why I have been able to lead a campus community while my personal life was in total flux. ​One of the most potent superpowers of the ADHD brain is hyper-focus. When a project truly resonates with me, like my senior thesis, Bittersweet Symphony, I don’t just work on it; I inhabit it. While others might see a desolate field or a weathered barn as a simple background, my brain notices the specific texture of peeling paint, the way the "Blue Hour" light hits a rusted windmill, and the psychological weight of the shadows. This level of intense observation allows me to create cinematic, narrative images that feel lived-in and heavy with meaning. My ADHD allows me to go deeper into a visual concept in an hour than a typical brain might in a day. ​Furthermore, my ADHD provides a unique form of cognitive flexibility that was essential during my seasons of homelessness. When my environment changed three times and the stability of my household was fractured, my brain was already wired for pivot and adaptation. I didn't need a static, perfect routine to remain a high-performing student; I had the ability to find a connection in a parking lot or set up a makeshift studio in a temporary shelter because my mind is designed to find patterns and solutions in chaos. This divergent thinking is exactly what allowed me to stay virtually connected to my classes and complete my assignments against all odds. ​This ability also manifests in my leadership as the President of the Photo Club and Co-Chair of the Student Leadership Alliance. My capacity to jump between tasks and see the big picture of a community’s needs—while simultaneously managing the minutiae of an event—is a direct result of the way I process information. I can connect with a wide variety of students because I understand that there is no "one-size-fits-all" way to learn or create. ​Ultimately, I view my ADHD as the lens through which I see the world. It gives me the energy to pursue my MFA and the empathy to teach all kinds of students in the future. I want to be the professor who shows neurodivergent students that their distractions are actually their greatest insights. By embracing my ADHD as a superpower, I have transformed a perceived weakness into the very grit that defines my artistic voice. I am not a photographer in spite of my ADHD; I am a photographer because of it.

Education, to me, is the act of reclaiming one's narrative. When I returned to school in 2021 to pursue a BFA in Photography, it was a radical commitment to a second act. Having discovered my passion for this medium later in life, education became the bridge between being someone who captures images and being an artist who speaks through them. It has provided the technical foundation and professional credibility I need to turn my intuition into a career. ​However, the importance of education became even more profound when my life was upended by instability. Since returning to school, I have navigated three separate periods of homelessness and a total relocation to Jay, Oklahoma. Throughout these seasons of displacement, my studies were the only thing that remained within my control. While I was losing physical addresses, I was gaining an intellectual and artistic identity. My education served as an anchor; it gave me a reason to find a connection in a parking lot and a purpose to maintain my professional standards even when my surroundings were in flux. It taught me that my perspective—shaped by the friction of survival and the reality of starting over—is not a deficit, but my most valuable creative asset. ​The legacy I hope to leave is built on the idea of being a "multiplier." I am not pursuing my degree just to launch C.Jae.S Photography, LLC. My ultimate goal is to earn my MFA so that I can enter academia as an educator. I want to leave behind a legacy of inclusive mentorship that spans generations. I want to be the professor who looks at the "non-traditional" student, the struggling parent, or the artist who feels their ADHD is a barrier, and tells them that their unique, lived experiences are exactly what the art world is missing. ​I want my legacy to be proof that a career in the arts doesn't have to follow a linear, traditional path to be significant. By teaching all kinds of students, I hope to foster a community where vulnerability is seen as a strength and where the "ugly-pretty" realities of life are given space to be honored. My photography will be my personal archive, but my students will be my true legacy. I want to ensure that the next generation of artists, regardless of their age or background, knows they have a seat at the table and a voice that deserves to be heard. I want them to see through my example that as long as you have the grit to keep your vision in focus, no challenge is final.

For a fine artist, the word "connection" is often synonymous with the word "composition." Just as I must decide how elements in a frame relate to one another to create a cohesive image, I have had to learn how my relationships—romantic, professional, and communal—shape the long-term architecture of my life. My personal and professional goals are not solitary pursuits; they are deeply intertwined with the people who have stood by me through the most volatile seasons of my journey. ​Personally, the most significant relationship in my life is my twenty-five-year marriage to my husband. In the context of my long-term goals, this partnership has been the literal foundation of my survival. Since I returned to school in 2021, we have navigated the trauma of becoming homeless three times. When my husband lost his job of twenty years, the easy choice would have been for me to drop out of the BFA program at Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design to seek immediate, low-skill employment. However, our relationship is built on a mutual recognition of purpose. We chose to move to Jay, Oklahoma, for a fresh start because we both understood that my education was not a hobby, but a pathway to a generational shift for our family. His belief in my vision, even when we lacked a permanent roof over our heads, allowed me to stay virtually connected to my classes and finish my assignments in parking lots. This personal connection has taught me that a long-term goal is only as strong as the support system behind it. ​Professionally, my goals are centered on leadership and the eventual pursuit of an MFA to enter academia. Relationships are the very currency of this ambition. In my role as the President of the RMCAD Photo Club and Co-Chair of the Student Leadership Alliance, I have learned that professional connection is not about "networking" in the traditional, transactional sense. Instead, it is about fostering a community where vulnerability is seen as a creative asset. By building deep, authentic bonds with my peers—many of whom are half my age—I have begun to practice the type of mentorship I hope to provide as a professor. I want to teach "all kinds" of students, and that requires an ability to connect with people across different socio-economic backgrounds, ages, and life experiences. My professional relationships have become a laboratory where I test my ability to inspire, lead, and listen. ​Furthermore, my relationship with the "subjects" of my photography—the people and the weathered landscapes of rural Oklahoma—influences my career aspirations. My senior thesis, Bittersweet Symphony, is a study of the friction between grit and grace. This project would be impossible without a deep, empathetic connection to my surroundings. I do not just photograph a landscape; I build a relationship with it, seeking to preserve the dignity of the "ugly-pretty" reality of the Great Plains. This commitment to connection ensures that my work has a pulse and a purpose beyond mere aesthetics. ​Ultimately, my long-term goals are a response to the relationships I have cultivated. I am pursuing my degree to honor the sacrifices my family made during our seasons of displacement, and I am pursuing my MFA to serve the students I have yet to meet. I believe that the most profound impact an artist can make is not found in a gallery, but in the connections they leave behind. By bridge-building today, I am ensuring that my legacy is one of communal growth, proving that no one—regardless of their age or their history—has to walk the path toward their dreams alone.

​In 2021, I made a choice that many considered impractical: I returned to school at the age of forty-one to pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography. I didn't come from a background of privilege or artistic legacy; I came from a life of hard work and survival. However, I believed then—as I do now at forty-six—that education is the only force capable of completely rewriting a life’s narrative. My journey since that decision has been a "Bittersweet Symphony" of profound artistic discovery and extreme personal hardship, a testament to the fact that new horizons often require walking through the storm. ​The experiences that led me here were forged in the fire of instability. Since returning to school, I have faced the trauma of becoming homeless three times. While my physical world was in flux, my husband also lost his job of twenty years, leading us to seek a fresh start in Jay, Oklahoma. In a new town where we knew no one, I had to decide if my education was a luxury I could no longer afford. Instead, I chose to make it my anchor. I have completed assignments from parking lots to find Wi-Fi and managed my camera gear in temporary shelters, refusing to let my circumstances silence my voice. These experiences have shaped my values into a triangle of resilience, empathy, and service. I no longer view challenges as barriers, but as the raw material for my art and my character. ​My career aspirations have evolved from simply "learning a trade" to a commitment to community impact. I am currently the President of the RMCAD Photo Club and Co-Chair of the Student Leadership Alliance, roles I maintained even during my periods of displacement. I plan to use my education to launch C.Jae.S Photography, LLC, but my ultimate goal is to earn my MFA. I want to enter academia to teach generations of "all kinds" of students—especially those who, like me, are starting late or fighting through systemic hurdles. I want to be the professor who proves that your history of struggle is actually your greatest creative asset. ​This scholarship is the final "bridge" I need to cross. I am only twelve credits away from my degree, but I have exhausted my federal aid and face a $3,600 balance. Receiving the Debra S. Jackson New Horizons Scholarship would not only settle this debt but would honor the spirit of a woman who, like me, knew that forty is not the end—it is a beginning. This support will allow me to graduate in May 2026 and begin my journey as an educator and artist, proving that a second chance, when met with relentless grit, can change the world.

​My name is CeeJae Stewart, and my journey as a photographer began not in a classroom, but in the middle of a life-altering storm. At 46, I am a senior photography student at Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design, but the path to this moment has been anything but traditional. What makes me unique is not just the "Prairie Gothic" aesthetic of my work, but the fact that my artistic voice was forged through seasons of profound instability, including three periods of homelessness since 2021. ​Like John Woolley, I believe that life is a tapestry of discovery, often shared most meaningfully with a partner. For twenty-five years, my husband and I have walked hand-in-hand through every landscape imaginable. When he lost his job of two decades, we chose to embrace a spirit of adventure rather than defeat, relocating to Jay, Oklahoma, to begin a fresh start in a place where we knew no one. Much like John and Trish’s unwavering connection, our partnership has been the foundation that allowed me to keep my camera in focus even when we lacked a permanent roof. My photography became my way of "birdwatching"—searching for the fleeting beauty in the mundane and the resilient spirit of the natural world, even in the grit of the Great Plains. ​My work is deeply rooted in the serenity and "ugly-pretty" reality of the outdoors. I find inspiration in the vast, open horizons of the prairie and the skeletal beauty of weathered landscapes. To me, photography is an act of conservation; it is a way to preserve the dignity of a place and the stories of the people who inhabit it. Even while navigating displacement, I remained virtually connected to my classes and dedicated to my craft, eventually serving as the President of the RMCAD Photo Club and Co-Chair of the Student Leadership Alliance. I have learned that leadership and service are not about having the perfect circumstances, but about maintaining integrity and perseverance when the journey gets difficult. ​If I am selected for this scholarship, the $1,000 funds will be used to bridge the final financial gap in my undergraduate education. Due to the challenges of the last few years, I have exhausted my federal aid and currently face a $3,600 balance for my final twelve credits. This scholarship would allow me to graduate in May 2026, marking the completion of a five-year marathon of resilience. My ultimate goal is to earn my MFA and enter academia, where I can teach generations of students that their background and their struggles are not barriers, but the very tools that will make them extraordinary artists. Like John, I want my legacy to be one of curiosity, dedication, and a deep appreciation for the world captured through a lens.

​To me, fine art is not merely a medium of expression; it is a vital tool for survival and a method of reclaiming one's narrative. As a first-generation college student entering the world of studio art later in life, art has become the bridge between the hardships I have endured and the future I am building. Discovering photography in 2021 was not just a hobby; it was the moment I finally found a voice loud enough to speak over the silence of poverty and displacement. ​I pursue studio art because it is the only discipline that allows me to transform the "ugly" realities of life into something "pretty" and profound. Since returning to school, I have faced the trauma of becoming homeless three times. During those seasons of instability, my camera was the only thing I truly owned. It provided a sense of agency when the world felt out of control. I wish to study art because I believe that the perspectives of non-traditional students—those of us who have lived a full life before picking up a brush or a lens—are essential to the contemporary art world. We bring a "grit and grace" that can only be forged through lived experience. ​My passion for being an artist stems from a desire to document the overlooked. My current work, a senior thesis titled Bittersweet Symphony, focuses on "Prairie Gothic" landscapes and the psychological narratives of rural Oklahoma. I am passionate about capturing the resilience of the human spirit against desolate backdrops because that is my story. I see the beauty in a weathered barn or a cracked sidewalk because I recognize my own endurance within them. Art gives me the power to tell the story of the "survivor" rather than the "victim." ​The artistic process itself is a transformative experience for me. When I am behind my Canon T6i, the noise of my financial struggles and the weight of my responsibilities fall away. In the moment of composition, I feel a profound sense of clarity and peace. There is a rhythmic, almost meditative quality to adjusting the light and frame to capture a specific emotion. It makes me feel empowered; for those few seconds, I am the creator of my own universe, deciding exactly what is seen and what remains in the shadows. ​Ultimately, I am pursuing this degree to lay the foundation for a career as a professional artist and a future educator. I want to earn my MFA so I can teach generations of students from all backgrounds that their history—no matter how difficult—is their greatest creative asset. Like Angela Engelson, I want my legacy to be one of light, forged through hard work and a refusal to give up on the beauty of the world.