My name is Corbyn Karnes, I just finished my Junior of high school, and I have been diagnosed with depression since being a pre-teen and I have learned a lot about life since I have evolved throughout my mental health journey. It showed me insights I could have never imagined, even though it was a painful time. My dad has been divorced from mom ever since I can remember and I had bi-weekly visitations with him, and I stayed at his house. But one day an argument occurred, and he had kicked me and my siblings staying there outside of his house. Thankfully my aunt's house was not very far away, and we walked to her house and waited for her and my mom to arrive and console us. A long court battle ensued when I was pretty young, so I don't remember anything that occurred in it, but sadly nothing really went anywhere, and I had to do more visitations at different public and supervised locations. My father's abuse according to my mom had been a long-time thing and I remember small moments of times when I was left out in the snow with a very light jacket and small memories like that. My life had been rocked by my father, and I never have been the same; especially in the first years after visitation ended and I had moved on with my life. I was very scared and constantly unable to handle my emotions, which led me to shut down at everything I interacted with. I even tried to run away once because I couldn't deal with the emotions, but I didn't make it very far before I turned back. Feelings of self-harm were also very prevalent during this time as well, and I remember at some point thinking about it multiple times a week regularly and constantly putting myself through torture in my mind about what would happen if I did it, and what if I didn't. I am forever thankful that I stood strong and never even attempted to hurt myself, but I also don't know if I could have. My emotions were making me scared of everything and anything, and I believe that it saved me from the "embarrassment" of taking my own life. It was a horrible situation, and I feel for everyone who has gone through something like it. Although I believe that it was the worst time in my life, but I don't think I can see myself without it. It has shown a lot about myself and experiences and memories that have shaped me as a person. I don't find it believable to regret something I have done, I am extremely happy with how my life has turned out and where it is heading. These bad memories have given me insight into myself and the other's around me, by showing me how being at your "lowest point" doesn't mean anything. It is what you make of it, I am grateful I had a supporting family and therapists throughout my life, and I not sure if I would have made it without those people. I try to find positives in everything, because I believe that there is some of it in everything. But I can also recognize that the negative is important, and it shouldn't be ignored. It just needs to be remembered. I am far past where I was at years ago and I find this essay has a solemn nature to it and a way to find a hidden path in the darkness that was my early teens. I am incredibly happy in my life, and I don't think about this progression very much, but it is quite beautiful how I have evolved throughout my life. School is great and I have had an appreciation for art since elementary school, but now I am constantly thinking of new, cool projects and how I can put my own life experiences in the pieces I make. I have been incredibly interested in photography as of late, and I am currently working to get enough to buy an actual camera and some more equipment. Although I am incredibly happy, I have been recently struggling with a new mental health problem in the form of my undiagnosed ADHD. I noticed symptoms a couple years ago and have only recently gone to my therapist about it. When taking tests, I am consistently getting barely below the medical requirements for being diagnosed, which the uncertainty has affected me in a meaningful way. But after what I have been through I believe I can make it to the other side with even more renewed reflection and purpose. I have been taking steps to improve and find a way to combat my lack of motivation and other symptoms, and I am looking forward to the future one day at a time; showing how much I have grown since my horrible depressive episodes, where I believed I should end my future.

My name is Corbyn Karnes, and I am a High School Senior, and I just finished my Junior Year. I would love to go to college, but I am lacking money to go. I am interested in majoring in a career that would allow me to be creative through fine art, photography, film, or writing. As well as maybe careers in psychology or sociology. These careers can have a great impact into people's lives, and I would be eternally grateful to dream big and get support to go through college. My art could help people go through hard times like other's art have done to me. I, for most my life, have been diagnosed with depression, and I am very indebted to creative minds that helped me go through each day. Whether that be through movies, books, video games, or indie minds through things like YouTube and other social media. If I decide I want to do something more with psychology, I could help people through problems or do studies that do the same. The same way my therapists have helped me through my problems and allowed me to get to the point I am today. I would love to give people the same experience I had. I believe I could use my talent and more I learn in college to help others and shine a light on things I am passionate about. I have loved art since I was a kid, always drawing, enjoying video games, and other art forms that interested me. I am a huge horror and sci-fi fan, and I love how the genres tackle difficult and complex subjects. They have amazing cultures that have a love for writing and community, and I have always dreamt of becoming a recognizable name in one of those genres. Photography has been a huge part of my life recently, so much so that I am currently working over the summer to get enough money to buy an actual camera. Big projects have always piqued my interest, and I am planning to buy equipment after getting a camera to create a short film and I am also planning to write a short story or novella that I am extremely excited for. Topics that I enjoy are things related to the mind and how it works. I have created projects related to it and am currently working on projects related to it, which is why I am interested in studying psychology and sociology. My undiagnosed ADHD has really affected me, so that also has led me to finding the mind fascinating while researching and talking about my condition. I would be deeply honored to be chosen to receive this scholarship, and I would not waste it. I believe I can make a change in this world, and I hope college can nurture me into doing so by creating opportunities for my work and passion.