As I progressed from a third-grade boy with his first iPad to a photographer today, I was not ushered into the visual story-telling world by professional camera equipment but rather by a common digital camera that chronicled my “mundane and magical childhood” day-to-day experiences. I kept my picture-a-day goal until sixth grade, when a computer crash destroyed thousands of days of memories. The ensuing “digital heartache” was my first major understanding of how fleeting time can be, and it illustrated how imperative it is to document time in whatever way possible. I now recognized that the value of a photo was much greater; it was a testament to a moment that would have otherwise passed unremarked into the lost annals of time. I did not falter from pursuing visual media despite my devastating loss. A pandemic venture from still images to the ever-evolving world of video led me to teach myself fast-paced montage and how to create attention-grabbing visuals. The creation of myself as a TikTok celebrity with thousands of followers taught me valuable lessons about universal storytelling elements-pacing, rhythm, audience involvement-through a practice that involved not mere play but a tangible learning process about my newfound ability to orchestrate the “energy” of a scene by merely tapping my finger or sliding a transition. My rediscovery of my fascination with still photography occurred during my sophomore year as I noticed the meaningful impact even my casual smartphone pictures had on those around me. The Canon Rebel T7, which my father gifted me for junior year, became not just a camera to me but the physical representation of a destiny I had initially rejected in eighth grade. I saw my camera as an artifact, carefully researching and learning every feature and function it possessed, as my artistic medium transformed from a casual interest to a disciplined study. My involvement in both filmmaking and photography has been instrumental in helping me bridge individual experiences with the universal experience of the human spirit. My realization occurred during our "Tuesday Movie Nights" with my father. While huddled together in the dark movie theater, watching the stories unfold before us on the big screen, I realized that in watching moving images, we in the audience transcended individual differences, joining together in a common emotional state. This gift is something I would love to share with others, and I am dedicating my life to this quest. From creating theatrical soundscapes in Katy High School to the numerous freelance photographs I have taken throughout the past few years, my participation in artistic activities has always created a connection between myself and others. Whether I'm mixing sound for a live theater performance or photographing a Sunday service, I have found that I express myself in a way that strengthens communities. Now, my goal is to direct and produce films that provide others with that sense of “togetherness” that I found while watching movies with my father. My experiences have enabled me to develop from a child lost in the echo chamber of forgotten memories into a dedicated student navigating "the road to dawn," utilizing my lens as the guide that leads to the permanence of each fleeting memory.

More than just a career and certainly more than a way of life, writing is the ground I walk on, the anchor I carry with me and the North Star I use to guide my life. It didn’t really strike me until a few years ago just how vital it is: although I always knew that life is brief, the writing was what kept us a story to cling to, an anchor we had to carry us through the storm. I soon discovered that creatively writing would be my outlet; that my words would become the force that allows me to overcome the constant onslaught of narrative invisibility cast upon me, a Black man who sought a degree in Humanities, to carve myself a path to stand on and create another with writing that others who followed may pull themselves to on that path as well. It was only a few months after being absolutely voiceless that writing began the journey toward the lifeblood it has become. April of ’25 marked the stroke my father had and full time responsibility that was mine, on top of maintaining a 3.51 GPA at Katy High School. His condition remains largely not verbal to this day but in chronicling our triumphs through the writing and the details of his state of being I saw a victory in the narrative: a fight for his voice, his agency and mine from a father-son fight to a father's victory in my mind that, through writing life back onto us, I learned creative writing has the ability to give him, as well as myself. This led me down a path that designated creative fiction as the ultimate tool to overcome society's struggles. While my background in Audio/Video production served to provide disabled people with a leveled sonic ground I felt that the writing I now pursue can achieve a similar leveling, this time of the narrative playing field which has been manipulated by those in power with the "noise canceling" of who and what poses threat to them. In detailing the lives of Black people, I am creating a space that caters to individuals like me, whose realities historically have not been honored in literature. To move forward, I plan to use writing, especially at Columbia College Chicago, to contribute positively to communities who lack a voice. This platform will provide me the opportunity to finally launch the writing workshops I've long sought to implement, workshops aimed at men of color, specifically Black men, so that we can engage in expressing the emotional scars we hold without the societal facade of the composure we feel we must always maintain. Through them, individuals will learn to ‘unfold’ their words and pave their own path to lives they own. Still, I know at the end of the day it’s everything; to hear from someone is nothing if their words do not allow for us to step inside the narrator's head; to read, write or speak allows us to know what it’s like to walk in another person's shoes and as a tool of empathy this is all that I hope for my own narrative to carry forward: my words are now one of our nations stories.

For me, art has never been the search for an immutable image, but rather the mechanical and spiritual construction of a bridge in a place that lacked one. My love for cinematography and photography was prompted by a moment of "technical heartbreak" in the 6th grade when my crashed computer erased years of the daily photo diary I had kept since I was nine years old; I realized that our memories are susceptible to oblivion, but art is our refuge. Since then, my camera has been not merely a toy, but a shield; I am now a member of the Audio/Video Production community, where I strive to prevent the clinical disappearance of the memories of other people. I am committed to my craft because of its ability to create regulated emotion; in short, I am driven by the "science of sight and sound." In every aspect of my work-from manipulating sound levels in a Katy High School play to the precise frame of my camera-I am conducting "technical troubleshooting" for the human soul; I find profound joy in knowing that the correct lighting ratio or a precisely placed sound effect can transmute a "boring" moment into the "amazing stuff" it contains. In my career, I aspire to be the cinematic protector of human dignity, ensuring that the neglected "road to dawn" is illuminated for each subject through my lens. This art form has changed both my life and the lives of the people around me. At my Volunteer Church Photographer position at Windsor Village Church, I realized that my art can be a digital sanctuary for people. While recording the passionate joy of the choir, as well as intimate moments of contemplation and prayer, I established a bridge between the church members in attendance and elderly or homebound individuals who were unable to come in person. Seeing my work ease the loneliness of the members who had become confined to their homes made me realize that media is an act of service. However, the art form that has had the most dramatic effect has been within my home. After my father suffered a stroke in April 2025, and I assumed his care, I utilized the skills I have gained as an A/V producer in order to regulate a tranquil environment for my father during the brutal months of his rehabilitation. I maintained the presence of a soothing soundscape through the music my father enjoys-particularly pieces with deep bass frequencies-and captured the progress he made with my camera, turning his fear-ridden clinical recuperation into a narrative of defiance and hope. Through art, my father and I were able to communicate when words had failed. Ultimately, my art form has taught me that "narrative invisibility" is a choice we can consciously prevent. As I matriculate at Columbia College Chicago to study Film and TV Production, I intend to found a production company committed to "authentic representation;" I wish to leverage my craft to give voice to individuals, especially marginalized youth, to tell their own stories. Through mastering technical processes of filmmaking, I am not simply earning a degree; I am establishing a legacy, a bridge over which people and their stories may cross and thus, never again vanish without a trace.

At the root of my passion for technology was an aged iPad meant only to archive my life's trivial and spectacular memories. Following "technical heartbreak," after losing years of my memories to a failed device, I gained a greater appreciation for the security and importance of an information system. An African American student who can pinpoint roots to Jamaica and South Korea, I have often had to cross the "digital divide" with immigrant grit. To me, technology is an avenue for my to tell my story and express my resilience while connect to and empower others. What is most compelling about technology to me is its transition from scattered thought into a tangible whole with "technical troubleshooting." What excites me most is the intersection of technology and human emotion, the feeling invoked by a well-placed sound effect, the chills caused by a seamless edit. Information Technology and Audio/Video Production is for me because it gives a "global lens" for analyzing complex issues and identifying solutions. Whether data organization for the expansion of a photography business or ensuring the integrity of digitally archived files in a database, I find myself energized by the chance to champion the silenced and underrepresented within technology. The best and most tactile of opportunities to practice all of this come by way of my extracurriculars. While enrolled at Katy High School, my position as a Sound Crew member for Theater Sound Production Crew was an all-access pass to the practical world of Information Technology. There I manage signal flow of the microphone arrays, use the digital sound board to mix sound levels live, and conduct troubleshooting as required for a functioning show. As an Executive Officer of the Black Student Union, I utilized information technology to expand the reach of our club online and teach newer members the practicalities of digital content creation and outreach. My exposure to IT furthered with my role as an Itinerary Assistant for Barnes Marketing & Management where I utilized Microsoft Excel for time sheets and the complex logistical charting of public events, and with social media where I gained eight thousand followers across two platforms by manipulating algorithms and using Adobe Premiere to edit content, that was my personal foray into information technology, as it allowed me to communicate with millions, which in turn had a positive impact on my community and people. I am driven by a need to use technology to connect and advance marginalized voices. As I look to Columbia College Chicago for my college experience where I will major in Audio/Video Production in pursuit of establishing a production house committed to serving underrepresented artists and creators, this scholarship will afford me the ability to study the intricacies of technology more thoroughly and finally fulfill the life goal of positively impacting people with it. The "road to dawn" is an exciting, albeit challenging, one and I plan to take it hand in hand with everyone I connect with.

Though I have heard faith referred to as "a safety net," in my own experience, faith serves more as a "compass"-a steady internal itinerary to help me navigate periods of creative genius and technological disappointment alike. A student at Katy High School with a blended Jamaican and South Korean identity, it has been my personal faith that has made me resilient, enabling me to remain focused and internally centered, even when my "road to dawn" is lost to the shadows. My greatest test came in 2024 when my father suffered a stroke. My life quickly became more challenging, shifting from a controlled theatrical setting where I specialized in sound production to the chaotic reality of being a caregiver and managing bi-weekly in-home care as well as physical rehabilitation while striving to excel academically. In a world where this felt impossible, my faith helped me find the "amazing stuff" in these struggles, teaching me that God does not always take away the obstacle but can help me develop the adaptability to conquer it. This service was a spiritual master class in sacrifice, showing me that our greatest impact is made not by dramatic gestures, but by quiet perseverance. It is because of this faith that I am involved in my extracurricular service as a Volunteer Church Photographer at Windsor Village Church. My technical skills in cinematography and photography can be seen as another aspect of ministry, where I work to capture the spirit of each Sunday service or community gathering and bring a sense of unity and joy to those who cannot physically be present, either at home or with a family member experiencing health problems. As an aspiring audio/visual producer, my faith will be my greatest technical tool, providing the foundation and the "immigrant grit" to achieve a professional "road to dawn" in the famously difficult film industry and to develop an award-winning production company where "authentic representation" and human dignity will be the driving forces. I intend to utilize my faith not only to guide my technical decisions, but to allow me to consistently be a "positive force" in the industry, opting for the moral high ground over success achieved through questionable means. Ultimately, my faith has taught me that though I may be the cinematographer of my life, He remains the Director of it all; this realization is the reason why I am eager and confident to pursue my aspirations at Columbia College Chicago. I don't seek solely a career, but rather a calling, and by integrating my faith and my skills in technological troubleshooting, I intend to not only "produce great cinematic experiences" but also to build a connection between the screen and the viewer, demonstrating the magic that can occur when creative passion and technical ingenuity are combined with a heart that longs to serve.

Since I grew up in a single-mother led household, I learned the true meaning of family as it is not defined by its structure but rather, by the person whose efforts are keeping it from collapsing. Because of my mother, I learned to lead with grit as a first-generation American and a leader for my own Jamaican and Korean heritage; my household did not run on ease but on the "immigrant grit" and hard work to support our family. As I grew older, I witnessed my mother as a masterclass of adaptive leadership, from her day job within the non-profit sector to her "itinerary" planning for her one-person run home. Through watching her work so diligently, I learned the value of proactivity and to "technical troubleshoot" any problem I am faced with. As she carried the emotional and financial burdens alone, it seemed natural to contribute my fair share to supporting her and I do not feel that my weighted 3.51 at Katy High School would be as it is despite being Senior Officer of the Black Student Union and working as a food truck operator; because I do not perceive my work to be that but as a reflection of my commitment to my family. It is for that reason that she holds the greatest influence in my creative interests. Once I was able to document my life through my old ipad and I started writing down "the boring and amazing stuff", she began fueling my desire to know more and reassured me that our story matters more than any other story when it is a story of survival. It is for that reason that I aspire to study Audio/Video Production at Columbia College Chicago where I hope to open a production company solely based on portraying the lives of "unsung heroes", such as my mother whose perseverance through adversity is arguably the strongest form of leadership. My mother's lesson, however, gained a deeper significance once I experienced my father's stroke in 2024; I am grateful that I am now equipped to care for my father. Leading him through physical therapy and medical appointments was simply another example of how she led us all through life, that a force for good in society must first be a force for good within the home. I no longer perceive myself as a victim of my circumstance but a beneficiary of it. My single-mother led home was not "less than" or incomplete, but greater than and a "global lens" in which to understand the value of hard work and the beauty in servitude; her lessons will continue to lead me on my "road to dawn" to Columbia College Chicago where I will study Audio/Video Production to fulfill my dream of being a cinematographer who portrays the lives of the world's unsung heroes, like my mother who serves as the ultimate embodiment of leadership.

Education is not a report card with grades or a list of clubs and activities. Instead, it is a calculated transformation of personal struggles into communal growth. As a graduating student of Katy High School who is about to venture off to Columbia College Chicago, I carry with me a rsum shaped by "immigrant grit," technical skills and a genuine desire to care for the people surrounding me. I believe that the rigorous academics that my life has provided, coupled with my caring nature, can fulfill the "ambition, drive, and impact" that your organization values. I believe that I am a candidate worthy of the Christian Fitness Association General Scholarship. Although born into a household composed of Jamaican and South Korean heritages, I have always been taught that the surest route to opportunity in America is a solid education. The move to Charles H. Milby High School in Houston, and subsequently to Clear Brook High School in Webster, forced me to be technically creative and adapt to new school cultures. Nevertheless, through it all, I maintained a weighted GPA of 3.51 and an undying sense of responsibility by taking demanding classes such as AP English Literature and AP Environmental Science, as evidenced by my recent nomination as Student of the Month. I found that the numerous organizations I have participated in have become powerful training grounds for leadership and service. As a Senior Officer of the Black Student Union, I work diligently to create an inclusive and equitable environment for all of my peers, plan events that meet the unique needs of students, and mentor students so that they do not have to navigate the challenges and pressures I have endured, nor a difficult educational road like the "inner city." I then began to mold my artistic talents as a Sound Production Crew Member for Katy High School Theater Productions, using my skills and passion for the arts to provide the audience with a perfect auditory experience through careful manipulation of the live-audio during each performance. In a similar act of service, I use my artistic and technical abilities as a Volunteer Church Photographer for Windsor Village Church, documenting the journey of my community. My strongest and perhaps most impactful educational experience thus far, has been in my household throughout 2024 following my father's stroke. This "technical heartbreak" led me to become his primary caregiver. For the past year, my entire life has become a routine of medical care appointments twice a week, physical and Occupational Therapy sessions, and help with Activities of Daily Living. The sheer time commitment of caretaking coupled with my 40-hour school and creator work weeks have forced me to develop an extremely adaptable, creative type of leadership. It has shown me that true strength does not necessarily mean being self-sufficient but rather being the best possible support system when your own capacity to function dwindles. Far from being disheartened, this event has cultivated in me a much greater sense of empathy and a global lens that recognizes the essentiality of communal support systems. Now, I aim to translate the resilience and technical skills that have become a part of me with my passion for the arts. My major in Audio/Video Production at Columbia College Chicago will serve as the launching pad for me to start a production house committed to telling "authentic representation" stories of those similar to me, stories of resilience, the burden and beauty of caretaking, and the amazing strength of the human spirit. It is my desire to make films that serve as a "road to dawn" for those facing their own trials. As an entrepreneur that has established a significant following on my video editing and photography pages (over 8 thousand), a growing freelance photography business, and managerial skills from working at Jamaican Soul, I am driven by the "grit" and "hustle" necessary for success in the competitive film industry. I am not just a student who desires to complete their education; I am a creator ready to establish a legacy. With an investment in my future through the Christian Fitness Association General Scholarship, you will be supporting a student who has a proven ability to not only thrive in the classroom but also serve as a foundational pillar for their family and community. I intend to use the funds you generously award me to alleviate the financial strain of college and have the opportunity to fully dedicate my time to mastering the craft of cinematography, eventually serving others and building a legacy that truly reflects my life story and the power of the "magic of theater" passed down from my father.

In my household, family is not a fixed, solid construct, but instead, a flowing, mixed concept. Because I was raised by a single, gay parent, I realized early on that a family isn’t built by conventional, nuclear standards, but in the unrelenting resilience of one parent determined to express themselves despite every possible hardship. With the experience of Katy High School and student films, I found the immigrant grit native in my Jamaican and South Korean culture, while I also developed the ability to navigate social spaces as a child of an LGBTQ+ family. As a child of a single, gay parent, I have learned a unique kind of resilience. I have learned of the struggles my parent faced when maneuvering a society where life’s hurdles appear as the society’s deliberate attempt to break what one is to every technical heartbreak in our day-to-day lives. By the navigation and experience of finding accepting community and maintaining a one-income family, I have seen what true leadership can really be. Through it, I have seen that difference can be advantage and not deficit in experiencing the world from different dimensions. As a result of the security this dynamic provided, I felt empowered to become the bi young man I am today. My most sobering moment was in 2024, after my father suffered a stroke. In that moment, I went from being a student and a cinematographer to being an all-time caregiver. While also juggling a 3.51 weighted GPA, bi-weekly visits, and managing his physical rehabilitation, I witnessed and received the ultimate maturity: while I grew as an individual, I found that empathy gained through experiencing an LGBTQ+ household was exactly the tool needed for providing my father “mental assurance” in his recovery. It is through my future degree from Columbia College Chicago that I would like to make a difference by contributing an intersectional viewpoint to cinema. In the pursuit of my Audio/Video Production degree, I am driven to create a production house for the "authentic portrayal" of LGBTQ+ people of color and will strive to be a film maker capable of more than "coming out" stories, providing the insight and technical expertise to demonstrate everyday heroes like my father, and bringing the sense of belonging from Tuesday nights with my dad, to people all over the world. I believe my future career will make this vision a reality. Going forward, as an older generation of people from LGBTQ+ households, or a part of the Senior Officer of the Black Student Union, it is my hope to inspire other young individuals who share similar experiences as a single gay parent’s child. Not only am I hoping that raising a child as a single gay parent only molds people into resilient people but molds them into visionaries. It is because of this "road to dawn" and it is time I used it to see rainbow families represented on the screen, with all their complexity and all their love.

It is easy to speak of mental health through diagnoses, symptoms, or chemical imbalances; however, to the person undergoing it, it is a personally constructed inner city of silent battles and technical troubleshooting within one's self. Growing up, in a house with my mother's Jamaican heritage mingling with my grandfather's South Korean legacy, the inherent rule was quiet stoicism, or in both cultures, one's shoulders carried burdens silently, and work ethic was paramount with no allowance made for "cracks" to appear. However, the path of student and sole family caretaker throughout my time at Katy High School has entirely shattered that perspective and taught me that destigmatizing mental health is not a weakness but a fundamental prerequisite for survival and success. My entire world view was irrevocably transformed in 2024 when my father had a stroke. Within an instant, I shifted from being a high school junior preparing for AP Environmental Science and Theater Sound Production to the person single-handedly responsible for another human being's life, leading his bi-weekly medical care, physical rehabilitation and every aspect of his daily well-being. Though the physical strain was high, it was the emotional and mental aspect of that period that nearly broke me: the 'technical heartbreak' of watching the man who was my bedrock struggle to keep his footing-anxiety like an overcharged current flowing through me and the unbearable 'inner-city' pressure of feeling the need for constant perfection to keep our family afloat. Amidst the solitary late nights and silent tears, I finally understood that our battle with mental health is typically an internal, unheard struggle against darkness. Thus, to overcome it, we must find the courage to turn on the light. The ways I nurture and develop relationships completely changed through that experience. While in the past I considered vulnerability a liability-as a Black Student Union president and Camp Counselor, I felt I had to be an impenetrable pillar of strength-the overwhelming nature of being a caretaker made me realize that isolation is the enemy of healing. By reaching out to mentors and peers and sharing the 'staining pain' of my father's illness, and my own burnout and mental struggles, I didn't alienate myself but opened a bridge for myself to connect with others on a soul-level-I came to realize many of my friends too, carried heavy, unvoiced burdens. Consequently, I began leading with an empathic presence rather than an authority role, shifting my role of 'schedule coordinator' for friends’ activities to an 'itinerary assistant' of their mental well-being. A healthy relationship, I finally understood, is not the absence of suffering but the presence of a safe space to voice it. Mental health struggles have also profoundly informed my academic and career path. Although I am excited to attend Columbia College Chicago to study Audio/Video Production, I don't merely want to gain the technical skills of a cinematographer. I hope to leverage my education to create an authentic production house with a primary focus on mental health narratives in the BIPOC community. Films like Beautiful Boy resonated deeply with me because they capture the raw, 'boring' reality and agony of family crisis, and I aim to create films that serve as a 'road to dawn' to others who are lost. I intend to use my lens to not only tell stories of the 'grit' of an immigrant family but to simultaneously demonstrate that the path forward is made stronger with mental health transparency and the courage to seek professional help. Ultimately, my viewpoint of the world has transitioned from judgment to radical compassion; 'tough seasons,' in my mind now, represent an opportunity for growth that require unique 'troubleshooting' techniques, and even in crises I have been able to find the 'amazing stuff' to hold onto. Whether orchestrating complex audio cues in a theater production or volunteering as a Church Photographer, I endeavor to be a consistent force of positive affirmation for others' experiences. I am aware of how society actively ignores our mental needs, but individually, we have the capacity to redesign how we interact and respond. Receiving the Ethel Hayes Destigmatization of Mental Health Scholarship would empower me to immerse myself in the demanding coursework at Columbia College Chicago without the compounding stress of financial instability, enabling me to fulfill my aspirations of being a filmmaker that inspires and heals. I commit myself to a future where my technical skills are fueled by my heart, honored by the legacy of those like Ethel Hayes who faced their internal battles with courage and ensuring the next generation is afforded the grace of speaking theirs aloud. My road to dawn is illuminated and built on the understanding that mental health is our most significant wealth.

To be a positive force in society is to see that influence is not about what you produce (volume and clamor, rather than sound and spectacle), but what you occupy in terms of action, and who you stand for (in service of that action.) As a graduating senior of Katy High School and the child of two immigrant parents from Jamaica and Korean parents respectively, my social positioning comes from the standpoint of a "steward of stories." Whether I stand behind a camera, or next to a bedside, a positive force for me is a human being who sees a need and addresses it with technical acumen coupled with radical empathy. Today, I am a positive force by being the primary caregiver of my father, following a stroke. The fact that this is private and personally-driven is beside the point: the societal implications of a disabled immigrant dad with one stroke requiring long-term, comprehensive care are tremendous. At a time in which our world champions radical individuality and hyper-productivity, the simple decision to slow life down to manage the day-to-day needs of someone disabled through stroke is, in essence, an act of defiance toward that of a self-serving and selfish world. At the school, my work as a Senior Officer in the Black Student Union to encourage inclusion of younger members and to inspire growth in those who come after me positions me as a visible role model that even while maintaining a 3.51 GPA and performing daily family tasks, human beings can succeed and lead full lives while still holding true to integrity and ambition amidst "technical heartbreaks." It is within this framework that current social norms profoundly influence my understanding of positive forces. As I write this, our society is plagued by "performative activism," the idea that posting a single caption online will somehow effect lasting social change. In addition to this, we have constructed an artificial "either/or" scenario between being an established professional and a full-time community organizer. This is a dichotomy that I strive to break. My passion for Audio/Video Production, along with the blossoming of my photography business, are not simply the means to a career- they are the weapons I am sharpening to fight for my definition of social justice. It is true that the contemporary nature of our world, and specifically that of the social internet, has afforded me with a platform – a following of nearly 8,000 – but my values demand that I utilize it to demystify creative industries for other Black, Indigenous and people of color who may have been told that they don't belong. Moving forward, I plan to be a positive force by forming a production house capable of giving a "road to dawn" for marginalized individuals and their respective, unique stories. My studies at Columbia College Chicago are already shaping me to be technically adept in this area, and my status as a first-generation American child of immigrants will give me a vision to match it. I seek to become a cinematic storyteller that will generate projects that challenge and subvert the often rigid confines of standard representations, that will dare to embrace the monotonous, yet somehow still gorgeous and truly beautiful realities of mundane, "boring" daily life. It is only within a framework of not simply ambition, but well-being and artistic integrity, that I am confident I will grow to be an "itinerary assistant" that will truly "lift all boats" through sustained, impactful professional success.

In order to make a meaningful impact on the world, first one must find where in the world the world is quietest. As an African-American, Jamaican-South Korean man, I have spent my life in spaces where my story-and stories like mine-have been absent or mischaracterized; my plan to impact the world is not to simply participate in filmmaking, but to transform filmmaking and, in turn, use it to elevate previously excluded or misunderstood narratives. I wish to create a "road to dawn" for storytellers, of all backgrounds, who have the talent but no outlet. My vision of impact stems from a lifetime of service and resilience. In 2024 my father had a stroke, and I transitioned from my life as a student at Katy High School to that of his sole caregiver. Juggling two bi-weekly hospital visits for him as well as the physical therapy necessary for his recovery while managing a 3.51 GPA allowed me to understand the true meaning of stewardship. It also gave me insight into how to search for "technical heartbreaks" in human lives and find ways to remedy them. I realized then that film was truly a unique form of service because an authentic narrative could provide the "mental assurance" to a struggling family as the comfort of a caregiver does in a hospital room. Already, I am implementing the foundation for my impact. I amassed over 8,000 followers on YouTube and TikTok for sharing the journey of a self-taught editor. Because I've been able to teach and demystify video editing and cinematography in a manner that demotes "professional-grade media" from being out of reach, I've had the privilege to mentor other young BIPOC creators that may have been hesitant otherwise. Whether serving as a Senior Officer of the Black Student Union or volunteering as a Church Photographer, my greatest aspiration is always to use my lens to illuminate the "amazing stuff" in my community that might otherwise remain unseen. My degree at Columbia College Chicago will be a catalyst for my long-term ambition of establishing a production house of "authentic representation." I hope to leverage my education in Audio/Video Production to help cultivate an environment where African-American storytellers can produce films that move beyond traditional stereotypes; I wish to craft stories that delve into the intense, nuanced reality of the "broken and healing family," inspired by films such as Beautiful Boy. By providing equipment, training, and an established industry foothold, I intend to allow the new generation of filmmakers to solve "technical heartbreaks" of this industry. My plan to make a positive impact ultimately becomes an ambition to create legacy. I intend to use my upbringing of grit and the technical understanding that cinematography has given me, to grant access and understanding of the "magic of the theater" I was afforded on Tuesday nights watching movies with my dad.

My first significant invention happened in 2024 when, not prompted by a school assignment but a serious family crisis, I started to address a medical and emotional deficit. When my father experienced a stroke, the familiar trajectory of my high school life changed overnight; I quickly recognized that while medical technology efficiently caters to physical rehabilitation, the emotional and practical toll of these experiences on family life remains largely unaddressed. My first contribution to my father's care became a "Digital Recovery Narrative." Using the self-taught skills I had acquired as a cinematographer and video editor, I chose to capture the process of recovery as a narrative rather than just a medical document. The videos included recordings of his physical therapy, recorded words of encouragement from our community, and segments of personal memories, presenting high-quality video logs that functioned much like film. This dual approach provided both my father, to counter the depression that follows a stroke, with a concrete, visible record of his physical progress and our geographically dispersed extended family, tired of repeated, draining phone calls, with a shared, dynamic perspective on his health. The clinical, frightening process transformed into a personal, human success story. The expansion of this idea would involve a community-wide effort called "The Legacy Lens" which would be financially and materially driven to serve communities and individuals that do not have financial means or access to private concierge care. My plan is to use mobile units, or vans equipped with the high-end recording devices I am familiar with using in theater productions, and bring professional services to these communities so that family narratives and stories can be documented and remembered, preventing a clinical, devastating ordeal from obscuring personal dignity and heritage. Furthermore, a component of "The Legacy Lens" would include digital platforms where families can keep track of all appointments and when an opportunity for documenting, recording, or capturing an event occurs. Finally, "The Legacy Lens" would work with local student creators, such as those involved in the Black Student Union, offering them paid internships for using their skills and technical knowledge for community development. By equipping families to professionally document their experiences, we are returning the agency stolen by illness and my future education at Columbia College Chicago would ensure the technical expertise and industry connections to bring "The Legacy Lens" to life, confirming that creative problem solving can, and must, be used for positive change.

A smell of jerk and a thud of a knife against a cutting board became the rhythm of my childhood. Becoming part of the family business – Jamaican Soul in Houston – was quick to teach me that a restaurant is never about the food; it's an organism powered by the immigrant struggle that my mom inherited from her Jamaican ancestors. Instead of camp, I learned about the hustle and how to balance customer service, prep work, and the many other setbacks small business owners face on a daily basis. This was more than an after-school job; it was the fire in which I was forged into a problem-solver and leader. In the Food Truck Operator business, I became acquainted with how exhausting carrying on a legacy could be. Through long Saturdays full of coordination for pop-up shops and managing staff who only worked temporary positions, I honed my technical troubleshooting abilities. When a machine broke or an order went awry, we had to do it ourselves with no corporate structure to call. This cultivated my management style of adaptability and steadiness amidst chaos, traits that served me well when I became my father’s primary caretaker after he suffered a stroke. The business taught me that showing up is 80% of the work, but remaining until it's finished shows the true strength that resides within each individual. However, the negative aspects of this industry cannot be overlooked. I witnessed firsthand how the "always on" business model of the restaurant industry can negatively impact the lives of family members. My largest ambition in reshaping the restaurant industry is to advocate for "sustainability for the server," an initiative that promotes the well-being of those behind the counter in the same way that we currently do for the ingredients and food products used in our dishes. This includes increasing mental health resources and itinerary assistance for small business owners so that they do not suffer the intense exhaustion that I have experienced and will only continue to worsen with increasing unregulated technology and demand. Additionally, I believe that the restaurant industry would benefit from increased digital innovation; my experience of building a YouTube audience taught me that compelling storytelling and a strong digital presence is more effective than expensive advertising, yet I want to see greater and more accessible tools for small family restaurants and large corporations alike. Although I am studying Audio/Video production at Columbia College Chicago, I have carried all of my lessons from the restaurant industry with me. The sense of discipline instilled in me at Jamaican Soul is the very reason I have been able to sustain a 3.51 weighted GPA while juggling theater sound design responsibilities and managing my family’s business obligations. I am more than just a student; I am a product of a thousand mornings, a thousand nights, and a thousand family meals eaten in a kitchen. I intend to use the skills I learn in college to amplify the voices of those who, like my family, form the foundation and flavor of our communities. The restaurant industry taught me that the path to dawn will always be challenging, but it is also well worth it for the people who walk alongside you at the end. I am ready to embrace that spirit of perseverance and service as I embark on the next chapter of my life.

Growing up with a single father, it was evident to me early on in life, that your families circumstances are far less important than the love that lives in your home. My father is the main architect of our home and it has always been through the quiet pursuit of success that he constructs our future. However, the process he endured being a father and a businessman, that juggled his life and mine, presented him with several challenges that have been crucial in our lives together, in my life separately. The most evident has been being a "solo navigator" that doesn't always have focus put on their own struggles as a single father. Growing up I witnessed his efforts to juggle being a businessman and the sole provider for me and my siblings, while learning the duties of a caregiver, which required an extreme level of "technical troubleshooting" that didn't always come across to me until much later in life. The simple task of making it by with a budget, or family movie nights every Tuesday, became a monumental task that he overcame with a clever mind. The greatest memory I take from that has to be Tuesday movie nights. For many years my father would take us to the movies every Tuesday to a discount at AMC theaters, the discount is what drew me in. I have since fallen in love with not only cinematography, but a man that was always there by my side no matter where we were in the theater, teaching me there is always somebody to rely on and that consistent steady love is the most important; and that his plans for "our trip" always include each other no matter what road we are taking. Although every past challenge taught me about resilience, his most recent one is likely to mean the most in my life thus far. In the months of 2024, after his stroke, I took on the role of providing the care and physical rehabilitation that my father required at home on alternate weeks which, has taught me the meaning of true grit, and how to be not only a son, but also a leader in his hour of need. The lessons that single fatherhood has imposed upon my life have molded what I want out of life and how I expect myself to carry myself. He taught me to strive for the best in my courses while taking leadership roles in the BSU at Katy High School maintaining a weighted GPA of 3.51. He instilled in me the vision for the life I hope to continue leading as I move forward in the field of audio/video production at Columbia College Chicago, where I expect to learn how to truly tell a story in honor of his "road to dawn." He has taught me that weakness is power and family is what you build, not what you are given.

Passage from Wuthering Heights: "'It is not,' retorted she; 'it is the best! The others were the satisfaction of my whims: and for Edgar's sake, too, to satisfy him. This is for the sake of one who comprehends in his person my feelings to Edgar and myself. I cannot express it; but surely you and everybody have a notion that there is or should be an existence of yours beyond you. What were the use of my creation, if I were entirely contained here? My great miseries in this world have been Heathcliff's miseries, and I watched and felt each from the beginning: my great thought in living is himself. If all else perished, and HE remained, I should still continue to be; and if all else remained, and he were annihilated, the universe would turn to a mighty stranger: I should not seem a part of it. - My love for Linton is like the foliage in the woods: time will change it, I'm well aware, as winter changes the trees. My love for Heathcliff resembles the eternal rocks beneath: a source of little visible delight, but necessary. Nelly, I AM Heathcliff! He's always, always in my mind: not as a pleasure, any more than I am always a pleasure to myself, but as my own being. So don't talk of our separation again: it is impracticable; and - '" Thesis: Catherine Earnshaw believes the identity of a person is not a solitary substance, but a fractured whole that needs a "metaphysical twin" for completion; thus, when she declared "I am Heathcliff," she denied the physical and social identity and accepted an original, eternal ontology bond with what lies behind the changing "foliage" of emotion. To discover the meaning beneath Catherine's words, one has to first examine her rejection of the "contained" self. When she asks "What were the use of my creation, if I were entirely contained here?" it is a clear refusal to the concept of man as a solid entity as envisioned in Enlightenment. She believes the physical body and social identity (either at Wuthering Heights or later at Thrushcross Grange) are but shells; the ultimate reality "existed beyond her." As she rephrased it, this has elevated the love with Heathcliff from just a mere affair into an inseparable part of existence itself. Therefore, soul is not simply a fire burning inside a person but two parts of the same fire residing in two bodies. Behind her iconic remark, "I am Heathcliff," there is not just simple affection but the assertion of being identical. It stated that he is "no pleasure" to her "any more than I am always a pleasure to myself." This is important: traditional romantic love focuses on pleasing the other person- the ever-changing "foliage"- but their love is a "necessity." She juxtaposes love to Edgar Linton as foliage and love to Heathcliff as "the eternal rocks beneath." Foliage is beautiful but shallow and is bound to decay with time. The rocks have "little visible delight"- it is cold and painful but at the same time it forms the ground for our world. Through this interpretation, Catherine thought that only by existence of "the other self," the "universe" would be coherent. She said if Heathcliff "ceased to exist" then it would "be a mighty stranger to me." She implied that the world is seen by humans through the filter of their deepest connection to other beings; without Heathcliff she would have lost the only "anchor" in the world and the rest would be unknown. This connects to the "grit" that I have had to find in my life. Just as Catherine found her existence tied to someone else, I learned my life had a purpose through my father's care. When my father had a stroke, my world suddenly became a "mighty stranger to me". I had to search for the "eternal rocks" of responsibility beneath the "foliage" of my old hobbies. Moreover, this passage involves "metaphysical troubleshooting". The problem of the soul is how to "exist" in the world with its social obligation and yet remain spiritually original and pure. She sought to retain her true identity by opting for the "foliage" of Thrushcross Grange with a belief she could keep the "rocks" intact underneath; but her ignorance that these two could not coexist together constitutes the main tragedy of the book. She perceived Heathcliff as "my own being," but she nevertheless tried to perceive him as an outside "other" she could control from a distance. The story is relevant to immigrant grit and identity as well. As a person of Jamaican and South Korean descent, I am familiar with the notion of an "existence beyond us". Immigrants' children tend to exist in a "metamorphosis," balancing the old "rocks" of their culture with the ever-changing "foliage" of their new country. Catherine's predicament mirrors that of everyone who feels that they are not "entirely contained" within societal descriptions. In my future study of Audio/Video Production at Columbia College Chicago, I will draw from Brontë's philosophical thoughts in my works. The art of Cinema is to grasp "existence beyond us." While I engineer sound in a theater play or frame a shot as a cinematographer, I am searching for the "eternal rock"- the essential truth of a scene beyond the dialogue. Ultimately, Catherine's speech is an affirmation of the "unswayed" heart. While her "wits" and "senses" (like Shakespeare's in Sonnet 141) might persuade her to think differently, her soul is "proudly a slave" to its intrinsic will. She teaches that a truly human life means to have the parts of ourselves invested in others. Through the care for a family member, the leadership in a student organization, or the creation of art, we are all longing for that "well in the desert" to make the world beautiful. Catherine Earnshaw did not want a love which is a "sensual feast" but "a necessity." The deepest "technical heartbreak" in my opinion is not the loss of a memory or a digital file, but being deprived of the being which makes us whole. Only by taking "the road to dawn" can we make sure that we will not be "bereft" of the true us.

The scope of a community's impact is often defined by extensive, large-scale efforts; however, I discovered that often the most impactful changes are catalyzed by one individual through consistent effort and leadership. Within my community, I have served a two-fold purpose: to provide for my family at home as a primary caregiver and to advocate for students at school as a Senior Officer in the Black Student Union (BSU). I gained perspective from both experiences, and was compelled to contribute in meaningful ways toward supporting student mental health and the well-being of my community. When my father was diagnosed with a stroke in 2024, I assumed the role of primary caregiver, a role that immediately prompted me to address his care and physical rehabilitation biweekly. It was a personal, familial responsibility, but one that transformed my understanding of community service: "invisible burdens" of personal lives had to translate to my public endeavors. Students I met in class and in club meetings were often dealing with burdens like the one my family was shouldering, so I began taking a more active, intentional role at school to make sure no student would feel alone with their struggles. During my tenure as a Senior Officer, my role extended to raising awareness about mental health and student well-being for members of the BSU, students balancing the pressures of difficult classes like AP Environmental Science and AP Literature with their home life. By using personal anecdotes of overcoming my challenges in tech and as a caregiver, I provided advice and guidance to younger students and urged them to seek the help they needed to succeed in their respective endeavors. I also had the opportunity to volunteer my time as a Church Photographer for Windsor Village Church, an organization that provided a much-needed bridge for elderly congregants and homebound community members who couldn't be present for Sunday services. This enabled me to use my skills in cinematography for a purpose that uplifted many and shed light on the efforts taking place in East Harris County. Through my efforts at the BSU, as a photographer, and as a caregiver, I learned that community impact is about being "that person" that steps up during difficulties. Regardless of whether I was coordinating sound production for a school play or managing my father’s day-to-day life, the value of leadership became apparent through my act of service. In continuing this legacy at Columbia College Chicago, I aim to continue producing media that is uplifting, fostering an attitude of care and initiative within my local community.

We all typically associate helping someone in need with the quick, finite instances of helping a stranger cross the street or volunteering for an afternoon. However, I've come to understand that helping someone is the longest, deepest form of selfless action. It is something you are committed to, every single day, for as long as is needed. For me, that time began in 2024 when my father had a stroke. Suddenly the pillar of our family needed my help, and I had to be the one to provide it. There was nothing in AP Environmental Science or my role as secretary of the Black Student Union to prepare me for the rigors of medical rehabilitation and the responsibilities of primary caregiver. I learned it wasn't enough to provide moral support. I had to manage his bi-weekly medical appointments, lead him through physical therapy, and ensure he could perform all necessary Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) that he was now unable to accomplish alone. Perhaps the most challenging aspects of caregiving were not the tasks, but the mental troubleshooting necessary for my father's morale. There were days he felt defeated by the slow progress and I was responsible for giving him "mental assurance" so that he didn't give up. It's not just about checking off a list of required tasks, but giving people the feeling that someone is seeing their dignity, the hope they thought they'd lost when they lost their independence. Through the sheer intensity of it, I learned I am an adaptable leader, even in the face of the seemingly impossible. I had to organize medical schedules, communicate with specialists, and keep the rest of the household afloat all while keeping my GPA at 3.51 weighted. It took all the "grit" my Jamaican and South Korean family members had passed down to me to be the helping hand that my father needed. This is experience is integral to who I am. It has informed my desire to attend Columbia College Chicago and pursue Audio/Video Production so I can tell stories that shine light on the invisible helping hands that help us get through every single day: family members, friends, and neighbors. This spirit carries over into my volunteer role as a Church Photographer and a Camp Counselor where I always try to utilize my skills for others. Helping my father was the hardest thing I have ever done. It was also the most rewarding thing I have ever done because I discovered I matter-I have the strength and determination to support others through hardship. I am no longer just a student, but someone who knows the true definition of a helping hand and is committed to extending one to those who need to find their own "road to dawn."

My understanding of faith is not stationary. It's more of an active understanding that I am supposed to be the most responsible steward that I can be of the gifts I've been given. Raised with Jamaican and South Korean influences, faith was always the bridge that linked my two worlds. It served as a universal language that fostered optimism, and as a moral guide for my family, particularly while navigating the terrain as a first-generation American family. For me personally, faith has transitioned from something I simply practice on Sundays, into the central framework for my academic drive and my ultimate future goals. My personal expression of faith manifests in my role as a Volunteer Church Photographer in the visual department of my church, Windsor Village. In this position, which I've held for several years, I learned that "shining your light" isn't just spiritual, it can also be technical. After realizing that capturing the electricity of the ministry would be an effective way to serve those who were not in attendance and honor the work done, I began to see my creative gifts and talent for visual storytelling could truly be used for God's glory and in an effort to serve others. It was here where I realized my studies and future career endeavors were much bigger than my passion. I realized that simply having the interest in telling stories would not be enough; I would need to master the technical skill set to be effective, to tell stories that mattered. These convictions and beliefs have fueled my decision to pursue higher education while maintaining a 3.51 weighted GPA and taking on a demanding course load of AP courses, knowing that my education will serve to guide and support my future ministry efforts within a global congregation. While faith is the "why" that motivates me, my father has been the "who" that has always pushed me toward higher education. He had already seen my future in film before I did, and was my most dedicated fan and supporter for many years. However, my relationship with my father would take a drastic turn when he suffered a stroke in early 2024. All of the sudden, my faith had to translate to the most difficult trial I have ever faced, as I now had to take on more responsibilities as his caretaker. Balancing the physical and mental needs of my father with bi-weekly appointments and helping lead his physical therapy session was by far the most intense "itinerary" I have ever had to endure. Witnessing my father's struggle to regain his independence made my resolve to achieve an education in Audio/Video Production from Columbia College Chicago even stronger. His challenge forced me to realize that nothing is guaranteed, and that my college education can help me secure a stable life that will in turn allow me to not only support my family but also make sure my father’s sacrifice to provide for me has not gone in vain. This has also been crucial in molding the aspirations I have for my future. My immediate plan is to open a cinematic production house that is centered around empathetic and resilient storytelling, aiming to produce films that focus on individuals who lead their lives, like these inspiring women being recognized by this scholarship, with honor and in faithfulness amidst challenging circumstances. It is these same principles of stewardship that have shaped my time as a Senior Officer of the Black Student Union and my commitment to managing the soundboard during theater performances, allowing me to be the most faithful steward of those who place their trust in me. My faith has provided me with the understanding that it is my responsibility to use my unique light to make a difference. My father has shown me that I have the perseverance to do so even in the darkness. Higher education is my "road to dawn"- the means by which I will transform my talent into the fulfillment of a mission that will last my entire life. @killxxtreakk @camerakopia

Most of us measure our connections with one another based on large cinematic events like big reunions, loud parties or inspiring, life-changing speeches. But from my own experience I've realized that the connections that have the biggest impact on us and how we live are the quiet, difficult spaces where words fail to explain. The most significant connection in my life, the one that has redefined everything I am, is the one I share with my father. A relationship that started as a simple childhood connection, transformed into a bond of resilience that has completely shaped how I connect with every other human being. For most of my life, my father was my guiding star and greatest supporter. He was the one who saw my creative spirit even as a kid documenting his life on an old iPad, and pushed me to chase photography and storytelling even when I felt doubt creep in. This connection we share has always been built upon shared experiences, such as our Tuesday night tradition of going to the five-dollar movies at our local AMC. In those dark, quiet theaters, my dad and I didn’t have to say a word, we were simply connected by the story on the screen unfolding before our eyes. This bond was put to the extreme in 2024 when my father had a stroke. Suddenly, the relationship shifted drastically. From son, to primary caregiver. This became the highest form of a "technical heartbreak," yet it became the most fulfilling project of my life. It was during this intense experience that I learned the deepest meaning of human connection: being able to lead, adapt and maintain deep empathy with someone through the most vulnerable times. It taught me how to communicate with my father when he was at his worst, and how to be a pillar of strength when he needed one. My father taught me to value patience over perfection, and demonstrated that to be "there" is more than just physical presence, it’s enduring those difficult, unglamorous moments too. My relationship with my father has undeniably shaped how I connect with others today. Whether it’s serving as a Senior Officer of the Black Student Union, or as a Camp Counselor, I approach everyone with a new understanding: that each person carries an unspoken story within them. It's my way of being the "itinerary assistant" for my friends and peers, and the reliable steady presence my father deserves. I no longer seek "perfect" connections; I'm more interested in genuine human bonds rooted in mutual respect and problem-solving. I believe my relationship with my father also deeply influences my goals as I prepare to pursue Audio/Video Production at Columbia College Chicago. I want to create experiences that bring about the same sense of togetherness and peace I felt sharing movie nights with my father, stories that celebrate the incredible capacity for love we hold. My goal as a cinematographer is to create those connections with people through cinematic means and make everyone feel a bit less alone in their journeys. My father showed me that the most valuable gear we can ever have in life isn’t a fancy camera or audio equipment; it’s the human connection. He taught me that love isn't a feeling, it’s a set of actions and that from here on, I'll always be choosing "the road to dawn" where I can bring a sense of brightness and peace to those around me.

While service is often characterized by great acts of sacrifice, I have learned that service is truly an act of consistently showing up for the people in front of us. Raised with Jamaican and South Korean heritage, I learned that our personal success will never amount to much if it doesn't uplift those in our immediate environment. To live a life of service, to me, is using my individual talents, be they technical, creative, or emotional, to fill the needs of the people directly surrounding me. My journey of service started within my faith community at Windsor Village Church. As Volunteer Church Photographer, I learned how I could marry my love for cinematography with my ministry. I dedicated my Sundays to capturing the energy of Sunday service, leading our video department to stream the sermons to people all over the world who could not attend due to a number of circumstances, and I found a purpose in using my skills in "technical troubleshooting" for a higher calling and chronicling my community's stories. However, I learned the most about true service in my own home. After my father had a stroke in 2024, my daily role as a student at Katy High School shifted to also being his primary caretaker, managing his ADLs, and directing his rehab at home. I found that when service is at its least glamorous and most exhausting, a servant's heart is shown to its fullest. I found in me a form of adaptive leadership and a patience I never knew I had that forever changed the way I saw responsibility. Through my college education at Columbia College Chicago, I seek to continue this life of service, turning it into a career. While majoring in Audio/Video Production, I am not looking to simply benefit myself with entry into the film industry; I plan to establish a production house that gives platform and a voice to underserved, marginalized people. In this production house, I hope to produce content that advocates for better caregiver support systems and highlights the resilience of first-generation families, because I believe that media, above all, is a tool of service as it is a means to create empathy, policy change, and a voice for the voiceless. In addition to being a creator, I also plan to maintain my role as a mentor. Although I have had the opportunity to be a Senior Officer of Black Student Union, a mentor for younger kids within my own high school, and a camp counselor at a summer camp geared toward kids from all walks of life, I plan to use my platform in college as a guiding force for young, urban students to let them know that their road to dawn is available through education and faith. Because this scholarship will allow me to completely focus on acquiring the skills I need to bring higher quality service to my community through my filmmaking. I aspire to live a life in service of others and to, like an educator such as Mrs. Marion Makins, pass along an education, fueled by a calling, that becomes my own personal legacy.

The beat of the inner city is not something you think about, but feel before you can process it. Growing up in the heart of Houston, while I experienced colorful culture and a vibrant scene, I also witnessed a glaring discrepancy in resources available to inner-city students. It's an unspoken crisis; a more than 50% graduation rate looms over every inner-city classroom like an eternal warning sign. Up until recently, I never considered my home an "undesirable" location; it was just...home. But the deeper I delved into my own life experiences and my education, I started to notice all of the systems working against inner-city youth requiring them to be technical troubleshooting specialists just to keep life running smoothly. One of the greatest challenges inner-city youth experience is a volatile educational life. Moving between schools, and ending up at a school like Charles H. Milby High School- a far cry from more privileged school districts I would later visit-taught me the value of perseverance. The reality of attending an under-resourced school is that every resource, every bit of help, had to be sought after on my own. Many students were driven away from education by financial issues or the lack of adequate resources and guidance, but I relied on my passion for visual arts and cinematography as a catalyst. I utilized my old iPad to capture the "amazing and dull" parts of my city, turning my neighborhood into a canvas rather than a prison cell. The biggest hurdle in my life was my father's stroke in 2024. With the resource limitations that come with growing up in the inner city and the convoluted medical system, my new life demanded that I rise up as the primary caretaker of my father while simultaneously maintaining a 3.51 weighted GPA. I managed his bi-weekly check-ups and physical therapy along with his activities of daily living- all with no "itinerary assistant" available to guide my new life; it was my duty to maintain the persona of a pillar of strength. Successfully overcoming this ordeal required me to advocate fiercely for myself and my family in spaces where the inner city often is silenced. It was also a journey of self-realization that demanded that I accept myself in a community that typically embraces only one form of "toughness". Coming out as bisexual last June was an endeavor that came from my own agency and allowed me to fuse my inner world and my outer world. I learned that over-coming the struggles of the inner city is not just about escaping poverty or crime, but about possessing a resilience of spirit that allows you to be yourself even when doing so carries some risk. This revelation, coupled with my caregiving role, provided me with a depth of adaptive leadership that I now apply as a Senior Officer of the Black Student Union. Today, as I move towards beginning my college education at Columbia College Chicago to pursue a degree in Audio/Video Production, I feel nothing but gratitude for my background. My challenges have not held me back, but have broadened my "global lens". I have come to learn that one can find beauty within the gritty, and opportunity in every challenge. I intend to use my education to create stories thathumanizethe lives of inner-city students. I hope to show the world that excellent, innovative, and strong students do not just survive in my neighborhoods; they are born out of them. Winning this scholarship will enable me to better concentrate on my academics and pave a more defined road to becoming a cinematographer. My long-term plan includes developing the same resources and guidance that I once had to seek out for myself to ensure a brighter future for the next generation of inner-city youth. I plan to "go towards the dawn," and I carry my city with me every step of the way.

Until recently I have lived my life looking through two separate pairs of lenses. One was my outer lens for the roles and responsibilities I was accustomed to holding as a son and student at Katy High. The other was an intimate, inward pair which was I wasn't yet ready to share with anyone. This past June both pairs aligned when I came out as bisexual. This was about far more than my sexuality; this was the beginning of an ongoing journey into how my experiences as an LGBTQIA+ person and my mental health are intertwined. Coming out is not a single event, it's a process of choosing openness over secrecy. Last June choosing to come out felt liberating, but also daunting. I grew up in a Jamaican-South Korean household where strength was everything, and where mental health issues and unconventional identities were more private matter of business. Declaring these parts of myself aloud for the first time was my first independent act, and in doing so I learned that living authentically is a prerequisite for mental health. However my mental health took on another kind of struggle in 2024. While learning how to exist comfortably as a bisexual man, my father suffered a stroke. I found myself living in between two conflicting realities; that of the bisexual teenager beginning to come to terms with himself and a boy forced to be the primary caretaker for a father on the road to recovery. Balancing his bi-weekly visits, physical therapy, and 3.5 GPA at the same time proved to be a challenge I wasn't ready for. On nights I questioned the duality of my identity and my family duties, the "grit" of my immigrant background felt like a double edged sword, which got me through, but blinded me from admitting my struggles with anxiety and burnout. Through all this I have developed the belief that mental health support is not just necessary, but it's crucial for LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC people who carry double stigma. I have learned that "troubleshooting" my own life requires more than technical skill; it requires emotional honesty. This understanding has directed my aspirations in cinematography. When I attend Columbia College Chicago I aim to utilize my education in Audio/Video production to create stories that encapsulate these complex identities. I intend to produce films that capture both the silent struggles of a caregiver and the vibrant, intricate lives of the LGBTQIA+ individuals discovering themselves. Today I see my identity and mental health as strengths rather than liabilities. Being bisexual allows me a unique perspective on what it means to be an outsider who finds his place, and being a caregiver taught me the resilience it takes to be a leader when life throws you curveballs. I am no longer looking through two pairs of separate lenses. Rather I am looking ahead with a clear vision of myself and the ways I intend to be a support to others. My goal is to leave a legacy where no person is afraid to shine their light or bears their heavy burden alone.

Mental health has always been seen as this silent epidemic – something hidden behind a grin or a busy calendar. As a first generation Jamaican and South Korean, I grew up knowing that I had to remain “strong” and move forward, despite any inner weight. However, the role of a first generation student and a caretaker has completely redefined my perception of wellness. I learned that the real power doesn't come from avoiding this weight, but from facing it and seeking my own path towards recovery. My journey began when my perception of mental wellness was transformed in 2024 when I became a full-time caretaker to my father after his stroke. Balancing AP Environmental Science and Theater Sound Production with the profound emotional strain of my father’s rehabilitation was, effectively, a "technical troubleshooting" for my soul. I navigated overwhelming moments of anxiety and burnout, feeling the obligation of being a "pillar" of strength for my family while confronting my own fears about the future. I learned that mental health is a fundamental tenet; I couldn't nurture and provide for the light in others if I was neglecting my own. I moved from viewing mental health as a "taboo" subject, to one that is crucial to the resilience of every human being. My perspective of mental wellness has not only impacted my own life, but has also irrevocably altered my relationships. I learned that true vulnerability is not a weapon, but a bridge, and that when I opened up about the stressors of caretaking to my peers in the Black Student Union and mentors, I found the support that I didn't know I was missing. I also learned to create boundaries, ask for help, and foster even more meaningful bonds with my mother and my friends. Instead of dealing with everything "on my own," I discovered that support is like a production crew; everybody has a specific role to play, and only through communication can the "show" run successfully. Most importantly, my experience with mental wellness has defined my professional goals. As I pursue my education in Audio/Video Production at Columbia College Chicago, I don't simply want to create beautiful visuals. I aspire to be a cinematographer who will showcase authentic stories of mental health, specifically within the BIPOC community. Films such as "Beautiful Boy" demonstrated to me the profound power that cinema can wield as a lens to experience the turmoil of a family in crisis. I intend to leave a legacy that includes a production company that truly cherishes the well-being of its creators and produces pieces that let every viewer feel that they are not alone in their individual "storms." I will use my understanding and experience in this journey toward a personal dawn to cultivate a sense of empathy and adaptive leadership in my career. I am committed to being a strong advocate for mental wellness and ensure that the next generation of artists know that their mind is their most valuable asset. More than just a student or editor, I am a survivor who knows that no matter how crushing the silence, a voice can always be found.

My mother's Jamaican heritage juxtaposed with my father's Korean heritage throughout my childhood revealed to me that my identity was like a prism that contained so many shifting elements, it became obvious to me then that the American immigrant's tale as well as my burgeoning appreciation for visual stories was nothing but the story of my childhood. My story doesn't consist of my heritage but of the persistence that I demonstrated when, at the beginning of 2024, after my father suffered a stroke, I found myself his caretaker and his source of support; my strength from a tenacious commitment to always show up for somebody else became more significant than dominating people, and this commitment proved itself invaluable when I maintained a 3.5 G.P.A while monitoring his physical therapy. Likewise, Emily Bronte's novel, Wuthering Heights, opened my mind up to new ways to approach struggles. What most read as a love story between two destructive people left me with the conviction that no matter the situation Heathcliff found himself in, whether he was a victim of his circumstances or responsible, his pain and "technical heartbreak" would always end in one thing. In order to reach the point that I have now, where I produce stories instead of letting the world change me like it did Heathcliff, I was convinced to let my surroundings mold me and provide me with steps to becoming a cinematographer; an individual who can capture the stories in the dark and then transform them into light to guide a community toward it's path. Although my YouTube channel proved to be an unsuccessful experiment when I first launched it, the months of work put into creating the perfect video followed by months of inactivity due to technical issues was a turning point that instilled the core of who I would become in Theater Sound Production; instead of a setback, broken mics or off cue music would be a stimulus to produce a dynamic and efficient solution, and by applying these same problem-solving skills into a variety of production contexts, I will establish myself in the film industry as a reliable resource for creative innovation. My mentors, though they changed over time, never wavered. Before his stroke, my father was my first mentor-a constant in encouraging the budding of my creative abilities; a man who noticed my passion to be a creator from the moment I was little enough to hold an iPad camera. Later on, my mentors were both Camp Counselor and Itinerary Coordinator, individuals who pushed me to serve as an empathic and responsive leader; I learned to be an itinerary organizer for other people rather than myself. By developing a production company that would solely be for underserved communities amongst the BIPOC peoples, the purpose of which would be to convey to my community both the mundane and magnificent, I can apply the same Jamaican perseverance to my Korean discipline in order to serve with a tender and nurturing heart to create stories in the hopes of serving my community.

The kitchen table in my house has always been the axis of the world. On one side, my mother and her aunts and uncles chatter, voices rhythmically accented, about their lives in Jamaica. On the other side is my grandfather's legacy: immigrant to the U.S. From South Korea and determined to build a new life for his family here. As a first-generation American, I've always found myself existing between two dynamic cultures and these are the stories I want to carry with me in college and use as the foundation for building my own legacy. In my house, it's never been about how much education could enhance your life-instead, it’s how much your education defines and molds it. My family immigrated to this country with the understanding that a pen weighs less than a shovel, and a college degree, its own specific symbol of prestige, could provide stability. That understanding has helped me maintain a 3.51 weighted GPA when life inevitably took a downturn. In 2024, my life was completely flipped upside down when my father had a stroke and I went from managing a classroom full of students, leading in AP Environmental Science and AP Literature, to managing his care at home. I was in charge of his daily rehab sessions and ensuring his safety-all while striving to attain higher education. These challenges only confirmed the "immigrant grit" I had heard about from my mother’s stories. I can handle whatever comes my way. My aspiration to impact the world has always centered around cinematography and digital media. In my opinion, there's nothing more compelling than film to bridge worlds that appear to be disparate at first glance. Given my diverse cultural roots, Jamaican and Korean, I’m compelled to view the world from a more global perspective. Through Columbia College Chicago, I want to excel in visual storytelling and provide cinematic avenues for immigrant stories like my own-stories of the sacrifices made, the struggle with technical issues in a new environment, and the joy and hope that push them to continue forward. I’ve been "shining my light" since before my career has technically begun. I’ve developed a YouTube and TikTok following of over 8,000 people with my self-taught video and photo editing skills. I also contribute to my community as a church volunteer photographer and Senior Officer for the Black Student Union at my high school. I'm trying to be the "itinerary assistant" for others-organizing their goals and facilitating their creative endeavors. Ultimately, my higher education is a testament to my mother, my aunts and uncles, and my grandfather; I am trying to build a professional production house to empower underserved creators to share their own stories. By synthesizing my passion as a caregiver with my talents as an Audio/Video Engineer, I plan to be an asset to the creative industry as a compassionate and driven professional and I believe, ultimately, that my contributions will shine my light so that the "road to dawn" is accessible for all.

Real innovation can be about more than just developing a new product or technology. Sometimes, it's about identifying a lack of support in your community and filling it. I've personally seen throughout my young life in the BIPOC community that those who need support can slip through the cracks extremely quickly, and what I view as the most defining self-directed endeavor I have undertaken wasn't completed in a classroom or workshop, but in the rooms of a rehabilitation center after my father suffered a stroke in 2024. Upon my father’s return home I quickly recognized that the "system" for rehabilitation support was not set up to benefit everyone; rather, it was made with a population who had infinite time and resources in mind. When a family already struggles with the nuances of the American healthcare system, it's inevitable that support would be solely for those at home. Becoming his sole caregiver wasn't by instruction but self-mandated as I took the lead on learning and implementing rehabilitation exercises, schedulingbi-weekly support services, and helping my father through every aspect of his Activities of Daily Living (ADL)s. Innovation came in all forms while managing his care and simultaneously completing my studies as a student at Katy High School, I learned that among the truly unassisted is the elderly/ disabled in your immediate community and helping them requires self-guided leadership unlike what anyone can give you. Beyond my personal endeavors at home, I have used my personal passion for cinematography and digital media to carve out space for others to thrive. I noticed an early lack of representation on the platforms where I found inspiration. The need was apparent, and I launched a YouTube channel and photography Instagram intended to demonstrate that high level creative work can be achieved by anyone regardless of background. I have gained over eight thousand followers through sharing not only final pieces but the struggles in technical difficulties and the "boring" parts of the process and the students and emerging creatives who followed soon discovered that a professional outcome was possible with a limited budget; that I, a 16-year old kid with an old Ipad, knew that. In my own school community, I brought the same pioneering attitude and passion when I served as a Senior Officer for the Black Student Union. I've focused on initiating projects that guarantee access for students seeking creative or technical pathways and whether I am managing complex audio levels or leading events for the club members of BSU my goal is always the same: pave a road so that the generation after mine doesn't have to "reinvent the wheel" like I did, which has been the defining element of every leadership role that I have had and a trait I always look for. The definition of trailblazer is one who goes through or into a place that has not been explored before in order to discover, find or achieve something. This doesn't mean that I had to discover or find something new, it means that I recognized something that my community needed to improve or establish, something that nobody had a system to establish. Being a trailblazer has been defined by using my skills to tear the walls of access for those that are being denied opportunities and in the path I have continued to forge as an aspiring film/production creator it has been about finding and carving out the path where none was evident before and I will continue to use these abilities to shed light on the voices who need to be heard in the pursuit of professional storytelling and presentation.

I feel as though a legacy is much more than a bank account; it's about the stories you tell and the doors that are left open for those who come after you. My vision for a legacy has everything to do with visual stories. Throughout my childhood movies were my escape, and my connection to my father on Tuesdays at the AMC movie theater. I desire to leave a legacy of my own body of work that can make people feel seen, and above all I would like to leave behind a legacy in the form of a structure that helps other young creators realize their potential. The business I envision for the future is a full-fledged independent production house and creative studio. In a few years, rather than freelance photography, I would like to establish a company called "Authentic Digital Narratives." My intention is not to simply create movies or commercials, but an organization that helps to facilitate the production of new work for young, marginalized artists in places like Houston, Texas. Because I've grown a YouTube following to over eight thousand subscribers, I understand the struggles of trying to get to the space from having a passion to having a voice and platform; my business would be able to supply those young people with equipment, mentors, and distribution that I struggled to find on my own. I'm able to shine my light through a combination of service, and creative leadership. This past year, I've been lucky enough to be able to literally shine my light for my family, by acting as the primary caretaker for my father while he recovers from a stroke. Shining your light isn't always having to be in front of people; sometimes, it's about being the one the people who need you can count on, when dark times arise. It takes leadership to ensure that someone you love continues to make progress when things seem like they are falling apart. I'm also able to shine my light through community and school. In all that I do, whether as the president of the Black Student Union, or controlling sound levels for a Katy High School play, I'm able to maintain an environment of calm and technical know-how. I also spent my summers at JCamps as a camp counselor ensuring that children always felt safe and excited about what they were doing. I feel like one of the best ways to truly shine, is to have the opportunity to help someone else find their own light. To me entrepreneurship is a way of looking at a problem, and finding a solution. My business would address the problems of a lack of inclusivity in the film industry; and through skills I am learning in my Audio/Video production classes and strength I've gained through my family responsibilities I am more than prepared to create a legacy that lasts long beyond me. My goal is to not simply be known as the person who could photograph light through a lens, but as the person who could share that light with others.

As a sound board operator in a darkened high school theater, I learned that in order for any message to be received, the recipient needs to hear it perfectly clearly. Managing audio equipment taught me the mechanical side of communication: leveling, timing, and clarity, but I recognized in my sound work a spiritual truth that ran deeper than mere tech. Speech and debate have been my bridging tools between the logical principles of communication, and the spiritual practice of faith, helping me present the gospel with an effective mixture of logic, emotion, and calm. Forensics competition has directly contributed to the way I am learning to think through the truths I know about myself. I have already seen through AP English and my honors classes how faith is not something simply felt but truth to be communicated through the use of reasoning. While building a debate case requires analyzing opponents and backing up my points with logic, I see in this a direct application of the way I can share scripture. I am learning that assertion is not enough and that when someone questions my beliefs, I am not called to just affirm them, but instead to provide thorough, scripture-supported answers without showing off to people I can serve with a true intellectualministry. But more than anything I’ve done within speech and debate has it taught me the power of actually listening to others. How can I answer the argument of my competitor if I haven’t fully understood the question? It has entirely changed how I share my faith. I am learning to enter each evangelistic encounter not with defense, but by actively listening to another person’s deeper needs and curiosities and trying to be a gracious and responsive speaker, honoring their need to be heard before offering my perspective in love. Above all, I have learned on stage and at the control booth how vital resilience is to the contemporary witness. Between frequent relocations and caring for my father following a stroke, I recognize how many aspects of faith require the type of mental fortitude and emotional stability I use at tournaments. Whether in a judge’s chambers or conversing with non-believers, I am learning how to carry myself with a steadiness that comes from this preparation; my voice and my artwork alike are echoes of a greater light, and I seek to offer it to the world by encouraging community and bringing hope.

My name is Craig Harris, and I believe faith is that invisible frequency that connects us to our meaning when the world becomes frozen. Through my work as a Theater Sound Production Crew Member, I understand that to create a successful performance, all signals must work together. Yet on April 10, 2025, the signal of my own life was cut short when my father had a stroke, and due to my parents' separate locations, I found myself as his primary caretaker for the last months of my senior year-a season of incredible technical and emotional dysregulation. In those few months of a struggling senior year, faith was all that allowed me to survive. In the first weeks of my father's recovery, the sheer immensity of the obstacle was overwhelming. I was simultaneously working 40 hours a week as a camp counselor to supplement our family's income, working to keep my 3.51 GPA in advanced courses like AP Environmental Science, and tending to my father's intensive physical therapy. There were hours I would sit alone in his hospital room with an overwhelming sense of silence and doubt, and I depended on my faith – not just as a way of belief, but as a practical reality. My faith found its anchor in the discipline I had developed as a Volunteer Church Photographer at Windsor Village: by taking photographs of 150+ hours of worship services, I understood even then that there was always a greater narrative of hope being constructed. The physical therapy, the medication, the very rehabilitation of my father was a 'no-fail' production for me, and I put my full faith in God that he would allow me the strength for each and every 'cue'. Relying on that belief shifted my perspective on my father's condition: his recovery, instead of being a daunting and passive burden to me, became an act of service that allowed me to approach him with not just diligence, but with patience and grace. This allowed me to maintain my academic integrity, to continue to be considered by, and eventually accepted to, Columbia College Chicago. This challenge taught me that faith is actually the technical mastering of the soul and that relying on it enabled me to choose the "road to dawn" when all seemed lost. That’s a lesson that I am sure will carry over into my aspirations to use cinematography as a way of storytelling that serves as a sanctuary to others. That's a lesson that my faith instilled in me: a stupendous love and connection that never truly leaves you, no matter how invisible you feel, that's what I will aim to tell in my cinematography.

The topic I took initiative to write about is the "narrative invisibility"- the reality that stories from communities who endure abrupt medical and economic emergencies, lack attention from the public. This is an issue I felt personally compelled to speak out about. On April 10, 2025 my dad had a stroke. Being that my parents live in two different ends of Houston, my new life responsibility was taking care of him in his own home. In navigating his every day rehabilitation and the vast amount of medicine and doctor appointments, I noticed that while my dad's life was on hold, the rest of the world's continued to turn. This showed me how quickly people could fall off the radar and that it would be worth using my own skills as an Audio/Video Producer to bridge that gap. To date, I have used my expertise to encourage connectivity and visibility within my community. As the Volunteer Church Photographer for Windsor Village Church, I dedicated more than 150 hours to documenting church services and events. These pictures offer an opportunity for members of the community who are housebound or isolated, to feel connected. Additionally, as a Senior Officer of the Black Student Union, I helped facilitate discussions for students to safely talk about their own "invisible" obstacles they are personally facing. My long-term plan to advance these actions is to receive a BFA in Film and TV Production from Columbia College Chicago where I hope to be a director who sheds light on hidden stories of triumph in underserved neighborhoods through the creation of powerful films that build empathy for human experiences. In addition, I also aim to create workshops for urban youth where I will provide them with the skills to have agency over their own narratives. Through teaching the next generation about digital advocacy, my objective is to make my parents' situation a catalyst for more visibility, and community strength.

My name is Craig Harris, and I am a storyteller. Thus far, my education has been about balance, technical mastery, and the urgency of a compelling mission. I am currently a senior at Katy High School, where I maintain a 3.51 weighted GPA while taking numerous AP classes and managing significant personal responsibilities. In my pursuit of a career as a TV and film producer, my defining experiences were two educators who taught me that neither technical or artistic success can flourish without a strong emotional foundation. Ms. Jill McKinnon and Mrs. Davis changed my perspective on many things, including showing me that the "science of sight and sound" could have a more powerful impact when harnessed for the "invisible" struggles of others. In Ms. Jill McKinnon's AP English Literature class, I first began to understand the power of narrative. Ms. McKinnon encouraged us to move beyond the scope of the curriculum, pushing us to deconstruct and analyze stories at their rawest level, as she did with "Beautiful Boy" (Sheldon). Her lessons transmuted abstract, "stale" literary concepts into invaluable real-world applications that spoke of resilience, equipping me with the emotional literacy necessary to handle a life-changing situation when the story truly began for me, on April 10, 2025, when my father suffered a stroke. Unforeseen circumstances placed me in the role of his primary caretaker across Houston, and it was here that Ms. McKinnon's wisdom about finding beauty in the struggle saved me; in her words, I found an example of leadership, defined by a simple, unwavering presence. Where Ms. McKinnon fostered heart, Mrs. Davis cultivated the eye. While taking Mrs. Davis's Commercial Photography class, I was presented with a new avenue of self-discovery. She taught me to look beyond the surface of any image and discover the human connection between the viewer and the subject. Mrs. Davis recognized a flicker of potential in my work, not only as a Volunteer Church Photographer but also in her demonstration of an image's power as a connecting point within a community. This teacher provided the technical instruction and the work ethic that would see me through my academic endeavors as my family's financial struggles demanded the 40 hours per week I devoted to the family business; Mrs. Davis did not just teach me to use a camera-she taught me to adapt. I intend to attend Columbia College Chicago with the goal of becoming the director I believe I am meant to be. My passion lies in illuminating the unheard stories of strength from underserved communities. A degree is necessary for me, as I aim to establish media workshops for urban youth, empowering them with the skills of A/V Production to create their own narratives, ensuring no story is ever left untold. The inspiration and fortitude of my teachers will continue to fuel my "no-fail" mentality, as I seek to transform my own challenges into a craft that not only gives back but strengthens the very fabric of its community.

The most brilliant aspect about Sabrina Carpenter, to me, is the sheer ability and authenticity with which she navigated the 'invisible' path of her life in public. As someone involved in Theater Sound Production, at the core of every creative endeavor has always been Order, and so it is Sabrina Carpenter's 'fool proof' command of herself and her artistic pursuits that inspires me the most, as she navigated through the Disney channel to the pop mega star that can claim a number one spot on the charts with her newest song "Espresso," who now can claim that spot and title! This is because instead of her own chaotic personal life of wobbly failures and mistakes, each part of Sabrina Carpenter's career act can be understood as one complete, perfect number- an extension to the story of her life's craft. My father's April 2025 stroke actually informs the very concept of my own 'visibility as narrative' and 'technicality for every aspect' within that portion of my life, and even in Sabrina's career. My father's stroke left me responsible for everything that I was already responsible for, and then also for my father's own well being as well as the forty hours of week that I was still working as a camp counselor for the summer program. This type of ability, and willingness for Sabrina Carpenter to remain unapologetically her, while simultaneously enduring the whispers and the noise that inherently follow a well-earned career, taught me more about leadership than anything else could have; an aspect of life that is not only about the willingness, but the ability, to keep going even when the ground is collapsing beneath your feet. Her concept of a "roller coaster of emotions" that went along with such an experience, and specifically the need for "order and discipline" within it, echoed in my mind throughout the entire ordeal with my father; my pursuit of my own AP classes and highest possible grades simultaneously while being responsible for the care and recovery of my father, for the months on end that it took. The varied scope of her multiple talents, and the fierce determination she embodies in her art to cover meaningful topics is both the inspiration and intention I will carry into my first fall semester pursuing a degree in Film and TV Production at Columbia College Chicago as I am eager to learn to produce a cinematography style that not only captures and conveys the ache of those silenced voices, but amplifies them until their pain is not only recognized, but transmuted into union; in order to produce my very own "science of sight and sound," to be ultimately climaxed in its delivery in service of creating harmony, fostering unity, and ultimately cultivating a home within every artistic work I have to share-transforming personal pain into stupendous celebration, and, into, stupendous love.

My dive into visual storytelling began with an unavoidable digital accident. It was a deleted half of my childhood through the digital death of my photo-diaries in my dead digital device, which immediately shifted the camera's intention for me from documenting love that could be archived but ultimately be fleeting and to simply capture or to play with light, coupled with my involvement in Theater Sound Production Crew, which guided me into becoming the photographic persona I am today. In the portfolio I chose, the idea of from victim to maker is portrayed. Especially one that represents two mothers and their aunt meeting up after a long separation, it is meant to characterize everlasting love and infrequent meeting up through a very natural use of light, and after this I ventured on a journey of texture, and spiritual and physical discipline treated as spiritual act with an image of sheer spiritual and emotional intensity created by the synchronized church dancers while they prayed. This image is in black and white in an effort to highlight the power behind the two. The 10th of April 2025, was a day my dad had a stroke and became my only care and this was when I began to learn what purpose means when taken in the context of an uninvited, demanding new role; I no longer felt the camera's role of a simple recorder was sufficient to capture what I was seeing. It was only until the third photo taken where I had created an infinity of the exposure in camera that I had realized that my experience was as immense as my necessary reaction. In an attempt to put this simply, the infinities created by my long exposures represent my capacity for unending strength during my period of immense personal catastrophe brought about by immense personal reality. Later on, this continued with my creating 2 portraits for a portfolio based on portraying the unabashed splendor and nonconformist mentality of the black man and the 2 men chosen for this piece; in an effort to present them with the sort of enduring strength and raw power that I saw as extremely desirable, while simultaneously honoring their dignities, I utilized sharp flashlight in an attempt to highlight and outline them for visual impact. The camera's role of a recorder thus was changed into a tool of my endurance, symmetry derived from an unforeseen hardship.

My understanding of the why behind creating came at the hands of technical heartbreak and it defined my direction with visual storytelling. In 3rd grade I began using an ipad for a photo diary of my life, chronicling the mundane, small, and magical moments of childhood. When my ipad died and wiped all of my history on the 6th grade, I knew in an instant that pictures aren't just pictures-they are an anchor of human connection-and this realization and experience along with being a member of the Theater Sound Production Crew and Volunteer Church Photographer led to my overall plan to turn art into a sustainable career. The bridge that I will build my future upon is one that joins technical A/V Production with community driven storytelling. Through my work at Jamaican Soul, a local food truck small business, I learned that the most sustainable form of art is the art that has a specific human function. Here I wasn’t an employee I was a brand representative of this business, using the visual tools I was taught to help build branding and "customer experiences" which led to a recognizable rise in returning customers and brand recall. It is this type of "visionary perspective" that I hope to apply to small businesses and under-resourced communities so that they can transform lived, raw experiences into visual assets that tell their stories, which would be a service that allows for a profitable and viable future. Through the experience I gained caring for my father in 2025 after he had a stroke, I witnessed the power behind "sight and sound," especially in intentional use like the music I used to regulate his spirit and bring stability to his rehabilitation. I hope to build a career as a cinematographer and director of photography, creating visually transportive cinematic experiences. The technical background of Film & TV Production at Columbia College Chicago is the foundation I need to create a self-sustaining business centered on "narrative empowerment." The last part of my sustainable business plan is not to just be an artist, but to create artists through the workshop I plan to develop for urban youth, so they can harness the power of visual storytelling as a tool for advocacy in their communities. I plan to become a platform for those whose voices have been "ignored," to leave behind a legacy where the visual arts serve as a consistent anchor, proving that art, as a career is the same as making art that fuels life; the result is an entire ecosystem of connection and community.

If I were to build a custom Love Island challenge, I would steer away from physical games and explore the invisible facets of relationships, the technical accuracy of communication and the synchronous flow of two. Using both my experience as a Theater Sound Production Crew Member, and my life as a primary caregiver, I present 'The Frequency of Love'. The concept revolves around the idea that connection is talked about endlessly in the villa, but never truly measured. This challenge treats a relationship like a live broadcast: if levels are not appropriately mixed, messages get lost in the static. This challenge involves two lovers tuning into each other's frequencies across three technical challenges: For the first round: The Level Check. Two partners would enter into individual, soundproof booths. One partner would be given hypothetical crisis scenarios in life to be articulated - for example: 'what do you do about a family crisis'. This partner's lover will be in another soundproof booth, wearing headphones playing distorted static. The speaking partner must non-verbally convey their proposal to the relationship, through key words alone, challenging them to mix out all the interference within themselves to be heard. The second round: The Feedback Loop. Drawing inspiration from my experience as a Volunteer Church Photographer, this round requires the couple to navigate 'The Gallery of Shadows'-a series of intimate and candid, unfiltered photos taken of the couple in the villa. Not the photos where the couple looks perfect or pristine, but moments where they are tired, insecure, or doubtful. This challenge will demand they each pick out their most noisiest moment of doubt from these photographs, and together re-mix the narrative, as they take turns clarifying exactly how they were feeling against the monitor, rather than how they appeared on it. Finally, for the last round: The Final Mix. This would be a rhythmic challenge drawing from my passion for quick-paced video game montages. The couple would race against other couples in an obstacle course tethered together but only able to move as a whole, and only when they align with a pulsing LED heart rate projected on the giant screen. One wrong move and their signals would be distorted; one beat off and they would have to re-start. This round brings excitement as it mirrors the scientific aspects of sight and sound that I am aiming to study at Columbia College Chicago. It will not be about power and physical strengths, but rather about which signal is clear enough. It pushes the islanders to not play the part, but to engage with the technical nature of being a partner; it is the cinematographer's pursuit of a perfect shot, and it requires the two to find beauty in the difficulty when the whole world is too loud.

Though I've spent my high school years behind the soundboard as a Theater Sound Production Crew Member, I see the magic and artistry of performance in the technical expertise and vulnerability it takes to command a stage. In the realm of Taylor Swift's career and the story of her twelfth album, The Life of A Showgirl, I find her 2015 Grammy Museum acoustic performance of "Wildest Dreams" the most impactful. As an Audio/Video Production student, I'm used to the unseen technical process, the precise array of microphones, the intricate mixing levels that enable a narrative to travel from an artist's intent to the ears of its listeners. This performance strips away the high-energy, production-driven nature of the 1989 era. Swift stands alone on a darkened stage with an electric guitar-what to me represents the "showgirl" legacy at its most pure, its ability to connect with an audience even when stripped bare of all artifice. The way her guitar was played percussively, and the breaks in her lower register voice during her delivery transformed a pop anthem into a vulnerable plea for a memory not to fade. This performance is intrinsically tied to my own experience with my father after his stroke in April of 2025. As I sat with him during his rehabilitation process, I used music as a "science of sight and sound" in attempts to calm and soothe his fractured mind. Though Swift used that performance to seize control of the narrative of a song about lost memories, I used music as an aid for my father's own memories to persist. Observing an artist at the peak of her career make an artistic decision that prioritized vulnerability over extravagance encouraged me to lead with that authenticity in my own life. By choosing to remain "unapologetically herself" at its most basic-a solo performance with nothing but an electric guitar-Swift revealed that the power of a performer comes not from flashing lights or costume changes, but from the human spirit at the center of the music. As I prepare to major in Film and TV Production at Columbia College Chicago, my goal is to similarly capture this raw, human intimacy in my filmmaking-to tell stories that, much like that single acoustic performance, can serve as an unbreakable anchor for the human spirit.

(1) I believe that because I was so lucky to have given, I found the greatest form of service to someone else when I had to assume primary caretaking of my father after his April 10, 2025 stroke. My parents live on opposite sides of Houston, so taking care of my father day in and day out-both the constant monitoring of his care 24/7 and managing the logistics of the medical system and his physical therapy-fell solely upon me for the rest of my last year of high school. This period of time demanded the unwavering acceptance of kindness throughout my day, and I put the same degree of technical precision that I put into regulating every sound cue in an orchestra into managing the minute details of my father's " fail-proof" daily schedule and his care needs. This period of my life was one where I was forced to consciously put aside what I normally would have been doing in terms of typical teenage life in order to dedicate myself to a larger commitment, and I saw that true love is often expressed in silent gestures; in the unwavering gentleness of slow physical therapy improvement or the calm stillness I maintained during his favorite music that helped ground him. This changed my perspective of love to an undeviating, undeniable service despite and through devastating-yet permanent-circumstances; I discovered a previously unknown strength within myself to withstand the hardship, and I realized love is an immovable support during a person's toughest ordeals. (2) I have always found storytelling to be the ultimate unifying agent. During my terms as Senior Officer for the Black Student Union and as an officer for the Photo Club at Katy High School, I've made it a priority to cultivate an atmosphere where students of all backgrounds are acknowledged and have an equal voice. The area in which I've made the most concrete difference in building community has been through my service as a Volunteer Church Photographer at Windsor Village Church. In over 150 hours, I've captured the weekly Sunday service as well as various community functions through my photography, utilizing my lens to serve as a bridge between the church's physical sanctuary and its digital one. It's in the latter instance that my work became all the more important. Being that many homebound and elder members of the church feel isolated from the unified body, I was able to provide solace by capturing and preserving these important events and offering them the comfort of connection. Through my photographs, I hope to convey the varied forms of power and diversity that permeate through my community, creating a static, two-dimensional image and expanding it to encompass a deeply communal emotional experience. In pursuing Film and TV Production at Columbia College Chicago, my goal is to transform this directive into a wider, cinematic reach, producing film that can serve as a solace for communal empathy for even those members of a community who are most often "invisible."

Though I've spent thousands of hours in a sound booth as a Theater Sound Production Crew member, the 'science of sight' was never made clearer to me until I encountered my life-affirming 2008 film, and the "worst" film ever made, Speed Racer. It's a work by the Wachowski's, a wild ride filled with hyper-visualized imagery and masterfully Non-linear pacing; to a child whose after-hours entertainment consists of making YouTube skits and high-speed gaming montages, this is no ordinary movie-Speed Racer is a blueprint for translating sheer imagination into visual reality. My adoration for Speed Racer's narrative stems from its pure devotion to its aesthetic. It’s a protest film against the plethora of “gritty reboots” that filled the screen during the 2000’s and instead celebrates the candy-coated, techno-kinetic visuals that can be used to describe the digital world of today; the "Car-Fu" sequences and the fluid transitions between the present and the past prove a frame doesn't need to be static, and the screen can be a kinetic surface. I used this in my Audio/Video Production classes at Katy High School when learning to use color saturation, rhythm, and motion in photographs and videos, using this technique to shape the viewer's experience. Beyond the visual's, Speed Racer's narrative mirrored my own struggles in school and in caring for my family. Speed is a prodigy, forced to endure corporate greed and make decisions against his will. His deep familial loyalty and his desire not to turn his passion into something it is not reflects how I feel about my own life, especially my caretaking duties during my senior year after my father’s April 2025 stroke. I felt exactly like Speed did, knowing I had to continue to "stay on the track" despite my trials, and with my family’s help, I pushed forward. This film also taught me a lot about the power of community and legacy. The Racer family works together on Speed’s journey to victory in every aspect of the sport. As the Senior Officer of the Black Student Union and a Volunteer Church Photographer, I felt like my position and my role reflected theirs: whether I was "directing" the photograph or "mixing" the sound, I am a component within a greater entity; and at the heart of that entity is service. The film states: "Art shouldn't be a business, it should be a religion." It solidified my desire to pursue a BFA in Film and TV Production. I look forward to incorporating these elements from Speed Racer into my work as a cinematographer and director, creating films that evoke that same sense of wonder and companionship I feel when I’m watching Speed Racer with my father on a Tuesday night; I strive to produce fearless and emotionally charged cinematic experiences, showing that even hyper-visualized art can achieve truth. Speed Racer proved to me that if you "drive with your heart, the whole world will follow."

My name is Craig Harris, a storyteller who has spent a lifetime on stages and backstage navigating high stakes, seeking balance, precision, and purpose. A senior at Katy High School with a weighted 3.51 GPA, I have struggled to find a way to balance a demanding course load with demanding personal responsibilities. My interests lie where the technical and the creative intersect: an actor since first grade, but a discoverer of true passion behind the curtain as a Theater Sound Production Crew Member. In the sound booth, I came to understand how truly "invisible" work like managing complex mic arrays, mixing live sound levels and hitting split-second cues can bring a story to life for an audience. Technical discipline like this is becoming the anchor of who I am and the foundation of who I want to become as I navigate life's unpredictable twists and turns. The driving force in my life has been my education, and a way to channel my creative energies. Only in Audio/Video Production classes and Commercial Photography did I realize my childhood interest of creating skits on YouTube with friends and of teaching myself fast-paced gaming montages editing would become a tangible career. I learned the terminology of "the science of sight" and disciplined myself to look at my creativity as a rigorous, academic pursuit. Education transformed media consumption into an active creation, where I learned a single camera angle or sound mix can significantly change the emotional impact of a piece and have provided a clear, singular objective: I want to be a master storyteller through film and I am confident this will help build a more understanding world. I am not just watching the world; I am learning to be an active creator of an experience and thereby shape the viewer's perception of the world. Yet my path has not been without immense personal struggle that was forced upon me and accelerated my childhood. On April 10, 2025, my world came crashing down as my father-my role model throughout my childhood-suffered a stroke. With my parents having separate homes in Houston, I stepped in to take over the responsibility of caregiving, and managed my father's daily routines, physical therapy, and escalating medical bills throughout my senior year while holding down a forty hour a week job as a camp counselor at the Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center. This was undoubtedly the most trying time in my young life. The same technical discipline that I learned in the Theater Sound world I applied to my father's rehabilitation; I viewed his medication and physical therapy regimens through the same fail-proof mentality required in live theater. I continued to focus on my advanced courses in AP Environmental Science and OnRamps Physics, and learned from this experience that resilience is more than survival: it is the ability to maintain high expectations for oneself amidst instability. The resilience I gained through this trying time is fueling my goals and aspirations for my future: I will use my studies at Columbia College Chicago to shape a more empathetic world by tackling what I call "narrative invisibility." Having experienced how a family can struggle in isolation from an indifferent world, I will dedicate myself to telling these stories with the dignity they deserve. I am ambitious to become a filmmaker whose films are capable of portraying resilience in underserved communities, and who uses cinematic storytelling to inspire empathy and solidarity among isolated individuals in difficult circumstances. I believe art should be a comfort, just as the movies my father and I would watch on our Tuesday movie nights at our local AMC theater provided us with solace from reality. I want to recreate that comfort for those whose realities are as dark as my own and provide them a necessary escape. In the future, I plan to dedicate myself to service and mentorship, and believe that media can be an influential tool in making that happen. I will use my creative platform to host media workshops in urban areas to educate local youth on how to produce narratives; in turn, "invisible" youth will have a platform from which they can control their own stories. I want to give them the skills to transform even their most trying experiences into artistic statements; through the use of digital advocacy and visual storytelling, I will build a foundation for future connection. I believe that the person I am growing into is just as important as where I am going; I am determined to use film to showcase the power of struggle and immortalize it as testament to community and a brighter future. I know that I will not be focused on mere self-achievement through my education; I will be determined to "lift as I climb" and ensure that every shot I take tells a meaningful story with a purpose greater than my own.

Hello, I’m Craig Harris and I am a storyteller who over my life has learned how to weave through the fast-moving tapestry of life in order to create connections between the seemingly disconnected pieces. Although I maintain a 3.51 GPA and take challenging courses, the true demands of my life begin after school. While I have been a performer since first grade, it wasn’t until I took on a technical position backstage that I fell in love with theater as a sound production crew member. In the booth it was the behind the scenes roles; microphone placement, fader levels and cue execution that gave every narrative its breath and its moment of recognition. My educational goal is to achieve a BFA in Film and TV Production at Columbia College Chicago. My professional career plan is to become a cinematographer and director who create moving films that can be a beacon to human connection; through these two pursuits, I intend to explore the "science of sight," and ultimately, bear witness to the story of human resilience. By way of filmmaking, I want to share with others what my father and I so often experienced; connection on Tuesday nights, when we watched films. This pursuit is to bring into existence what my father had brought into our home, a refuge in films to all who may need it, including my childhood haven. I am looking for opportunities to contribute through my abilities to craft and tell a story as well as the art of expression, the only ways that I have discovered that truly lend themselves to community support. To that end, I have given over 150 volunteer hours as a volunteer church photographer to Windsor Village Church where my photos tell stories that contribute to the connection of our community to the digital age, and as the senior officer of the Black Student Union I ensure that minority students continue to have a safe place to connect. But most importantly, April 2025, was when I learned of my purpose when my father had a stroke and I took on the full responsibility of his sole caregiver, and more than 40 hours of labor every week to ensure his continued rehabilitation; there, I learned the true definition of leadership: that service takes control during crisis, and service at all other times. Through these experiences I have become driven by the cause to fight against the "narrative invisibility". As much as I have seen people simply move on, when the loss comes upon a family, I have never failed to realize how many stories went unseen and unspoken of, a feat that will drive me to work with communities and establish media workshops where youth in urban neighborhoods are supplied with AV production equipment to speak and produce media that can contribute to the voice of their communities in an effort to strengthen both them and their families.

My name is Craig Harris and I'm a storyteller who finds rhythm and purpose within the most challenging periods of his life. After growing up in Houston and a life through a divided household, I learned at a young age that it’s not enough to just get by; stability needs to be earned through support and connection to the world around us. The dual worlds of performing and tech production, both of which I've been involved in since first grade and for a decade respectively, has taught me the raw vulnerability needed to connect with the masses. I found that the silent-art of the tech-world truly gives a story its life as a Theater Sound Production Crew Member at Katy High School for three years. The way I approach care and impact was irrevocably changed on April 10, 2025 when my father, a musician my entire life, suffered from a stroke. Living in different parts of town meant I was instantly put in a caretaker position to him. The high-stakes and pressure of handling his financial future and physical care while also balancing my 3.51 GPA in my junior year of high school proved to be the ultimate test of my life. It changed my life path from mere expression, to becoming an advocate. I realized the “science of sight” and sound truly regulate and comfort humans, as my favorite melodies from my father playing his favorite songs in the hospital was my sanctuary for the deafening roar of the uncertainty in our lives. My purpose for entering a career field lies in the ways I hope to impact others. My plan to make an impact in the world, through my education in the Audio/Video production program at Columbia College Chicago, is to merge the high-quality cinematic production with social service. My professional experience as an Assistant Operator at Jamaican Soul, a small local business, taught me how intentional storytelling and branding can have the potential to affect an entire community and improve lives. I hope to take my technical expertise in Audio/Video Production, so that I can document the struggles of underserved individuals that many do not have the privilege to know about; these documented, and filmed lives, I want to then turn into visual, moving stories to promote support for others facing the same trials of family care. The ways I plan to contribute back are through initiating media workshops for youth of urban areas. I want to demonstrate the power that young students have to take control of their lives, even in environments that may feel invisible, through the mastery of design and tech. It is my greatest desire that those with such trials never let the brilliance within their struggles fall to the wayside; I want their stories, documented and told with pride and care, to be forever remembered. While documenting and promoting the care of the elderly and infirm, I want to inspire future generations of all ages and backgrounds to master the elements of film and sound in order to advocate for themselves and their loved ones.

My name is Craig Harris and I have been a storyteller since the day I was born. Over this course I have learned to find purpose and stillness in chaos and stress. I am a senior at Katy High School, maintaining a 3.51 GPA while challenging myself with rigorous academics and the strenuous obligations of an advanced, high-stakes lifestyle. Simultaneously meticulous and artistic, my life story has been one of professional acting since the first grade. Though not on the stage did my love for story come to fruition, but backstage in the "black box" while working as a Theater Sound Production Crew Member. Behind the mixer board in this capacity, the "hidden" work of the technical side-the mic management, the level balance, and the carefully timed cues-was the unseen magic that allowed a narrative to come to life. My existence as a storyteller has always been dictated by life as a child in a single-parent home after my parents divorced in 2012. Having moved primarily in with my mom, I soon learned that a life that is in order and peaceful is not the default; this life must be intentionally cultivated and maintained through hard work and community. Witnessing her struggle while striving to feed my family taught me a first leadership lesson in the realm of perseverance and sacrifice. This household was where I learned to be independent and disciplined from a very young age, while managing both my personal activities and the daily duties necessary to feed us while she worked to keep food on the table. This was the lesson I learned strength from through this, our families, toughest period of crisis. After my dad’s stroke on April 10, 2025, given the fact that my parents lived on separate ends of Houston, I assumed the responsibilities of his sole caregiver. In that instant, leadership became redefined to me not just as a role requiring presence, but also as the simple, quiet act of simply showing up when things need to get done. Throughout the remainder of the school year I juggled his rehabilitation schedule, medication times, and all other aspects of his day-to-day care with forty-hour workweeks as a summer camp counselor. In the neurologically challenging context of the hospital ward, I navigated with a professionalism I had learned to attain and was able to console my dad while balancing the rigor of school with my life as his caregiver. I gained so much more appreciation for the resilience and strength that lies within humans and empathy for other people from my experiences; I found that my background as a technical Audio/Video Production specialist was not simply a leisure activity but a way I could offer my dad some comfort when words simply were not enough. I could create moments where he felt at home by playing his favorite music while he was surrounded by the cold, antiseptic environment of the ward; this creates a sanctuary for peace for which he could find solace in, for moments. With my goal now in mind, of majoring in Film and TV Production at Columbia College Chicago, I intend to use this skill to tell stories that have yet to be spoken; I will not allow my experiences with hardship and strife to go untold, as they are evidence of the strength inherent within humanity and connections to one another.

I am Craig Harris; I am a storyteller who has been honing the craft of bringing order and meaning to the most chaotic of circumstances since I was old enough to understand it. I am currently a senior at Katy High School, boasting a GPA of 3.51 while undertaking several honors and AP courses alongside personal responsibilities. My interests exist on the crossroads of precise technical knowledge and unbounded imagination, I’ve acted since first grade but it was my role in the Theater Sound Production Crew that truly set my imagination alight. Behind the scenes where I learned that the "invisible" craft of the technician: placing microphones, mixing audio levels, and hitting cues is precisely what enables a story to breath and impact its audience. This technical mastery quickly became my grounding force in my family's greatest challenge that, on April 10, 2025, left my father incapacitated by a stroke. Because my parents live in two separate ends of Houston, I assumed the immediate responsibility for his care including feeding, physical therapy, and all of the logistical and medical considerations in addition to working forty hours a week as a camp counselor. This experience taught me that leadership begins with empathy and with the constant need to deliver exceptional results even in times of crisis; I learned how art can serve as both a grounding and liberating force when playing my father's music in his hospital room offered us a sanctuary of peace in the midst of his overwhelming plight. I am going to apply my experiences to the next steps in my journey at Columbia College Chicago with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film and TV Production, I aspire to become a cinematographer and director who documents those "unseen" stories of resilience in areas that typically do not receive any exposure. I am going to use technical accuracy to give authentic, live experiences a voice and the visual representation that the world deserves, I believe through carefully crafting compelling cinematic visions of human connection and resilience I can make a difference and use these stories to foster understanding and dignity, so the challenges individuals face are translated into art rather than something else. I intend to empower others with my art through "narrative visibility," and will utilize these principles to create media workshops for urban youth teaching them how to utilize AV production to tell stories about their own communities. Like Text-Em-All, I believe the ability for individuals to be authentically themselves is key and this coupled with my dedication to ensuring those I work with succeed will create a ripple effect. My aspiration is for those who have suffered tremendous personal trials to utilize the tools I will provide and teach them so that a legacy of artistic contribution and empowerment will ultimately come from even the most profound adversities.

Although service is sometimes imagined to be a grand public spectacle, my most significant leadership and faith experience took place within the confined, and at times, distressful, boundaries of a hospital room. On April 10, 2025, the man I have been asked to serve in myriad ways throughout my life, and specifically the man who has given me my refuge in music, had a stroke and the intention was to reside in halves of Houston, requiring me to become his everyday caregiver for my senior year of high school-not as a volunteer, but as the very individual whom I have always been called upon to serve. The invisible force driving my actions during that year was obligation, paired with faith; through faith I know I am to be a steadfast pillar for others through the tempestuous times of life and witnessing the strong, and technically gifted musician whose defining strength and life was that of performing some of the most complex bass lines silenced was overwhelming. Despite that crushing blow, I knew that through my past experiences with Theater Sound Production Member and Volunteer Church Photographer, I was perfectly positioned to be able to stand beside him, knowing how to manage the seemingly minute, often overlooked,details to bring something together while carrying a sense of duty to manage and serve him in a way that honored his dignity in his physical recovery. Elderly care coupled with a whole school year and an additional four 10-hour work weeks, requiring you to be on-call every other weekend for hospitalizations or therapy, could potentially feel like too much service to give a parent while also managing your own high school life, money, the uncertainty of how long it would take to recover, and "narrative invisibility" which is the sheer realization that while you are caught within your own world the universe is spinning forward. This difficult endeavor was eased by a regimented schedule of care, with precise detail management necessary to blend and support soundscape, and attending to his medicine and physical therapy, all while playing music with the hope that music would assist him in his recovery. The deepest lesson I will carry away from this experience is a redefinition of both leadership and service; the most critical aspect I understand leadership to be is not a title or a status position among many, but it is the unyielding and quiet promise to show up for others when they have no one else who can or will, even when you feel no one notices. It is through this understanding that I believe service to be the ultimate manifestation of my faith, as through the practice of playing music, I was the witness to the very real and powerful healing that can come from both art and empathy, and this I will bring with me through Film and TV Production at Columbia College Chicago in hopes that no services will be taken for granted or overlooked in favor of the disabled simply not getting screen time again, and this, all through the faith that is tying the two talents I have been given, my skill and my heart, together.

My name is Craig Harris. I am a storyteller, and I have spent my entire life learning to balance harmony with high-stakes endeavors. I am a senior at Katy High School with a GPA of 3.51 and am enrolled in a challenging load of AP classes while carrying additional major responsibilities. I am interested in the world of both the technical and the theatrical, but, though I’ve been an actor since first grade, I truly found my passion backstage as a Theater Sound Production Crew Member. The "invisible" job of the technician-the mics, the mixes, and the cues-is the real heartbeat that gives a story breath and emotional resonance. The most pivotal challenge of my life arrived on April 10, 2025 when my father, a musician my entire life and a musician I looked to for all my inspiration, suffered a debilitating stroke. My parents are divorced, and my father resides on the other side of Houston, and so, from the moment my dad’s stroke occurred, I became his primary caregiver. The approach I used to meet this challenge was applying the technical precision from theater to my father's rehabilitation. I channeled the time management skills from my experience working 40 hours a week at the Jewish Community Center into his medication and rehabilitation regimen; I learned to manage the pressures and stress of a neurological ward professionally and calmly, and always tried to ensure that my dad felt supported and empowered. Through this challenging experience, I learned that resilience comes not just from weathering the storm, but from doing so while having the grace and intention to serve others. My objective is to influence the world through the use of education obtained from Columbia College Chicago with the intention of earning my BFA in Film and TV Production, and working to be a cinematographer and director whose work will capture stories of resilience within the underdeveloped areas around the globe. Through my mastery of Audio/Video Production, my desire is to turn raw experience into cinematic works of art that invoke global compassion. I believe that film has an extraordinary capacity to act as an intermediary and I am committed to producing films which focus on the tenacity of people working through medical and financial adversities, all while maintaining their dignity. The career that I envision for myself is one that encompasses "narrative empowerment." Beyond producing my own cinematic endeavors, my goal is to establish media workshops in urban communities that provide education in digital storytelling and empower citizens in under-served communities to tell their own stories and use their voice for change. Just like those educators who have inspired the Valerie Rabb Academic Scholarship, I aspire to help others find their voice and amplify their stories. By instilling the next generation with a mastery over the "science of sight," I can empower them to transform their life struggles into a lasting legacy of art and service, ensuring the beauty within that struggle is never lost.

Hello. My name is Craig Harris and I am a professional storyteller. My entire life has been about learning to be both meaningful and grounded in an often chaotic environment. Currently I am a senior at Katy High school and maintaining a 3.51 GPA while navigating rigorous honors classes and enormous personal responsibility. My interests always fall into the realm where technicality meets creativity, as I have been an actor since first grade but discovered my love for storytelling as a member of the Theater Sound Production crew. As a member of the sound crew I learned that the technician’s ‘unseen’ work of operating the mics, balancing the levels, hitting the cues is what makes the story come to life, and that will forever be the anchor to which I cling in the turbulence of life. The structure of my extracurricular and community work reflect my primary concern with service and leadership. Currently, I am a Senior Officer of the Black Student Union as well as an officer for the Photo club. Outside of school, I have over 150 hours of community service as a Volunteer Church Photographer for Windsor Village Church, documenting the heart of our community in hopes of closing the divide between our congregation and the digital age. All of these duties were tested when, in April of 2025 my father suffered a stroke. In an instant, it was my responsibility to become his primary caretaker and work 40-hour weeks as a camp counselor. This experience truly defined leadership for me, as it means being resilient, unwavering, and always striving for excellence even as your entire world crumbles around you. Upon graduation, I plan to attend Columbia College Chicago and will be pursuing a BFA in Film and TV Production, with a concentration in Cinematography and Direction. My long term goal is to be an cinematographer and director of cinematically dense stories to act as anchors for the human experience; just as a single frame can embody the story of a lifetime, I hope to tell stories that honors the individual legacies and families that surrounds me and that are truly earned. If I were to start my own charity, it would be named, “Narrative Empowerment: Bridging the Digital Divide for Caretakers.” Our mission would be to work with young individuals such as myself, who may be unexpectedly responsible for ill or elderly loved ones. Our programs would be centered on teaching the technical, audio and visual, production skills in a high level professional environment, to equip youth with the tools to document their family’s history as well as to communicate their personal needs as caretaker. Volunteers would include film professionals providing training on lighting and editing, while other volunteers provide family members with respite so the students have dedicated time for training and creative work. Our goal is to provide students with the time and technical skills to transform the hidden reality of student-caretaking into empowering art. Similar to the examples of leaders such as Aserina Hill, my aim is to use what I have been given to empower those around me and see them succeed.

One of the most defining pursuits in my life was neither chosen, nor earned through my effort, but one I embraced with all the self-discipline I could muster: maintaining my academic excellence and my creative path while caring for my ailing father. Suddenly, my world shifted to a pace that could not be anticipated when, on April 10th of this year, my father, the bass-player whose skill I idolize, had a stroke. Because he and my mother reside in different areas of Houston, caring for my father, coordinating his treatment and physical therapy, and navigating the complicated medical system fell solely on my shoulders. This had to be done amidst the critical, senior-year juncture of my time at Katy High School. It was a swift acceleration that redefined the word 'leader.' In order to achieve my goal of performing these arduous family responsibilities on top of a high-powered academic curriculum, I had to employ the same technical discipline I developed while working on the Theater Sound Production Crew. At the booth, I learned that hitting the right cues was paramount to the performance; I learned at home that missing my father's medicine dose or physical therapy treatment had consequences that far outweighed any theater prompt. I took the time-management skills I had learned working over 40 hours a week as a summer camp counselor and meticulously organized my own schedule. I approached the intensely stressful environment of the neurological ward with the calm and professionalism I would offer at a live production, assuring my father that he had support while I continued to satisfy my own coursework requirements. In spite of the immense emotional and financial pressure, I stayed committed to my studies and managed all my advanced courses such as AP Environmental Science and OnRamps Physics, maintaining my GPA of 3.51 weighted. The demands of these challenging circumstances not only pushed me to my limits of endurance but also sharpened my creative eye. While my father's body mended slowly during his months of recovery, music transformed from a peripheral hobby into an essential coping mechanism. Playing my father's favorite bass-heavy songs during his hospital stay provided a peaceful shared space in the otherwise chaotic and overwhelming world of medical procedures; it showed me the impact sound and story can have on emotional regulation and the spirit. After witnessing this directly, it became imperative to me to build a career based on this profound ability to offer such comfort to others. Now that my goal of graduating and my father's progress towards recovery have been achieved, my attention is focused on reaching my next professional benchmark: a BFA in Film and TV Production at Columbia College Chicago. My ultimate ambition is to use the skills I acquire to tell stories about resilience similar to the ones that are etched into the fabric of my own family’s experiences. I believe that film can provide a portal to empathy, and it is through these films that I want to communicate the inner strengths of those fighting through medical and financial adversity. I plan on building on my existing foundation to provide media-based workshops for urban youth to show them how audio and video production can serve as vehicles for activism and self-expression; I hope to cultivate a sense of empowerment in students who may otherwise feel unseen.

However, in contrast to the many deliberate decisions I have made throughout my life, I was faced with another goal which, in fact, I stepped up to meet rather than make: continuing my rigorous academic and creative work while being primary caregiver for my father. On April 10, 2025, my life was turned upside down; my father, a bass player his entire life and my number one inspiration for all things creative, had a stroke. As my parents live in separate sides of the vast city of Houston, I was tasked with his day-to-day care, his rehabilitation program, and his complicated medical needs amidst a busy senior year at Katy High School. In order to be successful in the pursuit of meeting the goal of caring for my father while also achieving in a difficult curriculum, I found myself employing the same sense of precision and responsibility that I had learned while working for the Theater Sound Production Crew. In the sound booth, one mistimed cue can stop an entire production, but I realized the very serious implications that would be presented by even one missed dose of medicine or a missed physical therapy session. I found myself employing the time management strategies I used while working 40-hour weeks as a camp counselor to keep myself focused on the intensive daily routine. The ability to be able to stay focused in the intensely high-pressure neuro-care unit as a calm, caring support for my father while I still made it to classes and completed work, seemed the exact skill needed to excel under the pressure of high-level AP classes like AP Environmental Science, AP Physics, and OnRamps Physics with a weighted GPA of 3.51, was not far from being proficient as part of the theater sound crew. Having achieved the goal of graduating from high school while my father’s rehabilitation has made so much progress, I am eager for my next ambitious step: to pursue a BFA in Film and TV Production at Columbia College Chicago. From that position of technical expertise, I intend to use film as the means to illustrate tales of resilience, such as that of my own family. I have no doubt that film can be used as a bridge toward empathy between strangers, and I plan to create stories about strength amid crisis as my artistic legacy. Further down the road, I am also working toward the goal of starting media workshops specifically geared toward inner city youths, in order to show other students like me who may feel unseen that AV production can indeed be used for activism and for expression. With the skills that I can impart through the workshop I will, at the very least, sow seeds that my students may be able to nurture for the future so that their own challenges will prove to become their legacy of art. Now, toward Chicago where I am going to work, where I am going to create film that will show, at least, to me, if nowhere else, the art found in struggle.

I am Craig Harris and I am a storyteller who has learned how to compose music through moments of intense stress, high pressure and many frantic scenarios. Performing and writing have been my two inseparable lives since first grade when I started being on stage for the first time and was a part of over ten years worth of them; it’s what I did. Although I knew how to embrace being nude and terror-struck on a stage but then thrive when naked from the waist up as a Theater Sound Production Crew Member at Katy High School where, I learned as a part of the Theater Sound Production Crew, those tasks that people often don't see also tell the story; without a sound engineer mic'ing, leveling and hitting the precise cue to boost sound, stories cannot sing and shine. My determination and discipline have been tested now that a stroke occurred April 10, 2025 for my dad; I know that for the last year of my high school career I have lived two very different lives--my dad who has lived with my mom separately ever since the stroke (but who I've also had to take care of 24 hours a day), and my senior year of high school where I achieved a 3.51GPA; leadership means servitude for the weak and dying and that of itself has become our only life at this point and discipline is the root of not only life itself but art too. The Kalia D. Davis Memorial Scholarship would be a god-send as I continue my career pursuing a BFA in Film and TV Production at Columbia College Chicago. As my dad's continued medical care is becoming more of a top priority for my family than my education; any aid given toward his treatment now is worth more than anything that my education may cost. I will receive financial assistance that can offset my education and equipment cost and help my mind be able to solely focus on learning and mastering the "science of sight"; it will give me what I need to prevent financial crisis from limiting the capabilities of not only my education but the artist that I will become and my home life duties will not go untouched. The skills I will learn through the college and training I wish to receive will be utilized to help further cinematic production as community outreach; Kalia D. Davis was a woman of accomplishment like I am and a president of her high school's Black Student Union. Likewise, I am a senior officer of mine and want to work my way through college in a leadership role at Columbia College Chicago. Using what I have learned about high-end cinematic production, it would be my highest ambition to tell stories of resilient individuals from marginalized communities in order to instill hope and encourage connection through empathy. Your investment in me will allow me to create a work that not only pays homage to my father's musical legacy and the legacy of Kalia D. Davis but is also solid in terms of its own fundamental human foundation.

A storyteller by nature, I find my rhythm and purpose in my struggle, and I know firsthand from my upbringing in Houston and a divorced home that stability isn't always granted; sometimes it is something you are building through connection and service. I've always had a dual pursuit of performance and production-an actor from first grade, I spent ten years mastering the fragility required to stand before an audience, and then I found the invisible, essential work that allows story to breathe in the Theater Sound Production Crew at Katy High School. My perspective on art and life irrevocably changed on April 10, 2025, when my father, a lifetime bass player and my inspiration for all things musical, had a stroke. He lived across town with my mother, and I was his primary caregiver for months after. Juggling the demands of high-stakes logistics (physical rehab, rising medical bills) while also maintaining a 3.51 GPA was the greatest trial of my life, and while music and film had always been hobbies, now they were coping mechanisms. Playing his favorite music at his bedside in the hospital became a sanctuary of peace, our shared anchor in a universe that was deafening and uncertain. My vision is to utilize my education at Columbia College Chicago to close the gap between state-of-the-art film production and community service. During my time as an Assistant Operator at Jamaican Soul, a small local business, I witnessed the transformative power that conscious storytelling and branding have on an entire community, and I plan to use my technical skills in Audio/Video Production to preserve, not ignore, the unknown stories of resilience in underprivileged neighborhoods. Turning lived experiences into narrative, I hope to create film that fosters global empathy and global action, to show others that their struggle, even in its "invisibility," possesses undeniable beauty that cannot and should not be forgotten. My ultimate plan is to give back through establishing media workshops for urban youth, to show them that while the process of creating something with design and technology may seem like something to which they are invisible, they can, and must, become the leaders of their own stories. I will give them the skills to capture the beauty in their struggles as an indelible mark for generations to come. Through teaching them the "science of sight," they too will be empowered to champion their families and neighborhoods just as I have for mine, ensuring that every story I tell is an indestructible foundation for connection.

Grief has proven not to be a single isolated event, but a prolonged, often undulated migration from existence to memory; it certainly has been in my relationship with my grandmother, who passed this September at the respectable age of 96. While her death was final, the intervening years, spent as her memories declined, have offered a sustained apprenticeship in patience, shifting identities, and love's fierce hold over its subject matter, even when its subject no longer recognizes its object. Watching a woman nearing a century in age lose connection with the time she has lived has been a lesson in devastating grief. My grandmother, once the center of my family's narrative, became, as she shed her memories, my opposite; the reversal of caregiving duties-akin to what my brother felt as a child when tending to my stroke-stricken father, a child made guardian of their parent's dignity-has shown me that our worth comes not from what we remember having done, but from merely existing. The light, if not the soul, in my grandmother endured well past her capacity to know me, offering a class in compassion, inexpressible any other way. This experience with my grandmother has also made me question my understanding of time, and of story. My years-old realization that one thousand-day private journal is so easily deleted, replaced on the digital medium by its failed storage, has been validated by her passing; I now know what it means for a moment, an experience, or an entire life to simply cease to be for lack of record. My grandmother lived 96 years-years that, I now know, can exceed one's mind's capacity to remember them-and encountering the sheer scale of that statement has filled me with the conviction that I should attend Columbia College Chicago, and achieve a BFA in Film and TV Production. I want to take on the duty of cinematography not as a choice, but as a mandate; a solemn trust to document the histories, living or past, of those I love, and the spaces that hold me. I plan to bring my directors' eye to subjects before they are forgotten. My life is now guided by a sharper sense of purpose; having come through high school at Katy High School alongside my grandmother's diminishing presence, I have come to possess the will to glean value from even the most terrible of situations. The script of our lives, my grandmother showed me, may be written for us by age and illness, but our performance upon that script remains ours to command, our execution theirs to do gracefully. My purpose is to give art that shall be an archive, of the living past of those who cannot hold their souls' truths themselves.

Dr. Jack Terry is a living example that one’s end does not have to be the result of one's beginning. Dr. Terry’s incredible journey of survival from the gruesome horror of the Nazi concentration camps to becoming a psychoanalyst and bringing hope to those in need is extraordinary. His unwavering stoicism that I found most inspiring is that Dr. Terry does not wallow in pity, but instead, even after losing his whole family and arriving to the United States with just an elementary school education and no command of the English language, he still found that the way to survival was hard work and contribution. Dr. Terry shows us that resilience is not a trait that can or cannot be acquired, but rather a choice we make that when learned and cultivated through perseverance can be used to uplift others. On April 10, 2025, I was to discover this very thing through my own personal trauma. On this day, my father, the musician I called Dad, a man whose hands worked wonders to create symphonies from mere sounds, and who served as my only source of creative inspiration was to be devastated by a stroke. Although my parents were divorced, the comforting stability of my senior year at Katy High School had to quickly be replaced by a more adult life, which led to my position as caretaker of the family finances and father's medical recovery costs, while still keeping a 3.51 GPA. At the most lonely, and quite frankly terrifying, moments during my father's recovery, the one place I felt my mother and I could come together was in shared music. Through this harrowing experience, I discovered that music is not only about harmony, but also about persevering through the dissonance. I learned that I am capable of disciplined effort under the greatest duress; that perhaps the nature of "leadership" is simply serving those who are unable to serve themselves. As Jack Terry was to build a life through education and the cultivation of hard work, I had to learn to make film and Television Sound Production my personal coping mechanism in order to hold myself together for the sake of my family. The skills that I will use to offer my contributions back to society as an undergraduate at Columbia College Chicago is by utilizing my degree in Film and TV Production to combat "narrative invisibility". I hope to utilize my degree to tell the stories of families that endure similar situations like my own in relation to medical crises and the associated financial difficulties-issues which most people and/or society are accustomed to overlooking. With the "science of sight" and the use of cinematic techniques, I intend to convey movies to the public that not only build empathy but also foster a sense of togetherness among isolated audiences. Dr. Terry has also taught me that I want to share a similar form of contribution and mentorship as he is to his survivors. I aspire to eventually develop media workshops that would be geared towards urban youth in order to empower them through the skills of Audio/Video Production to enable them to become self-advocates and turn personal struggle into personal success and artistic manifestation. I intend to inspire them to be as Dr. Jack Terry has inspired me and millions around the world, that we are to not to be identified by the paths of darkness we walked through, but the light that we create moving forward.

Before I ever picked up an instrument, I learned the rhythm of my life, the beat to which my father moved throughout my childhood-the bass lines he would play in my living room as we worked on school projects. In his wake, I too joined the sixth-grade band and devoted my years until my junior year at Katy High School as a loyal Euphonium player. Playing euphonium for five years not only shaped me as a musician, but as an individual it taught me the importance of discipline, empathy, and resilience. The performances where I learned the most happened during high-pressure events such as UIL competitions and the holiday concerts. A member of the lowest voices, the "brass voice" of the euphonium supports the rest of the group by holding down the harmonic foundation. While I can vividly recall my struggle to match the breath and power necessary during one of our winter shows as the ensemble prepared for a difficult crescendo, the lesson I carried was one of "invisible leadership." Playing your part without needing to be the flashiest solo means that you recognize the necessity of your specific role within the whole, and during my later involvement in Theater Sound Production I found that I could apply that same sense of rhythm to balancing the audio levels for our performance of "Newsies." The deepest form of strength, born in the band room, was truly put to the test on April 10, 2025, the day my father had a stroke. His rehabilitation brought a new dimension to my relationship with music: it became less of an art to be shared with an audience and more of a vital outlet. As his caretaker, I discovered the same breathing patterns and endurance required for prolonged breath control within music became my source of sanity during endless doctor appointments and the escalating cost of medical expenses, and in an overwhelming world, the structure of music brought a much-needed sense of order. As I venture to Columbia College Chicago for a BFA in Film and TV Production, my hope is that music will continue to serve as a "metronome" to my professional journey. I see my future engagement with music through participating in collegiate ensembles, or contributing to film scores composed by my peers; it is a film director who has learned the phrasing of the euphonium, and the precise timing of the percussion section who is better at composing his film. Ultimately, band taught me that the best music is that which withstands and rises above dissonance. The patience and precision of the rehearsal hall, and the necessity of a collective vision, will extend from the practice rooms and out of the director's chair onto every film set I enter.

I am a storyteller through and through, defined by the search for rhythm within the chaos. Being raised by two parents in a divorced Houston household, I quickly learned that stability isn't a right; it's a state achieved by personal choice and action. My dual path of performer and producer – acting since first grade (10 years), which taught me the bare vulnerability of facing an audience, but later the importance of working behind the scenes as the Theater Sound Production Crew Member at Katy High School-showed me how invisible work from a technician gives the story a chance to breathe. My family's most intense trial started April 10th, 2025, when my father, an accomplished bass player and the one who brought me into the sacred sanctuary of music, experienced a stroke. Because my parents live on separate ends of Houston, the responsibility of becoming his sole caretaker immediately fell to me. My senior year became a balancing act of the high stakes of his physical recovery and medical bills with the necessity of a 3.51 GPA. In the wake of his stroke, music and film became more than pastimes, they became means of survival. Listening to his beloved, bass-heavy tunes in his hospital room became a way to communicate without language when the stroke put up the wall it did, when the loudest and most uncertain moment felt only filled with silence. The way I intend to impact the world is by bridging the gap between high-end cinematic production and community advocacy through the education I receive at Columbia College Chicago. While at Jamaican Soul, an local small business, my work as an Assistant Operator taught me how intentional branding and professional storytelling can lift up an entire community. It is through the technical expertise that I have gained in Audio/Video Production that I wish to capture stories of under-resourced people overcoming adversities-stories that have been hidden, stories told into visuals to increase empathy in the world and invoke change. In my own life, I have found film to be a new testament, a modern parable to walk in the shoes of another for empathy's sake. My end game is to facilitate the start of media workshops for inner-city kids and to empower others that seem to be the most overlooked and least likely, showing them they have the power to spearhead their own narratives through design and technology. Through teaching those like me how to master the "science of sight", I aspire to preserve beauty that exists in struggle, not by having them remember it, but by allowing others to remember the story for themselves. My goal is to ensure the "unbreakable anchor of connection" in my stories continue to empower families and communities, for I am merely seeking higher education in order to serve an larger congregation.

Technical precision married with personal survival. That dichotomy has come to define my relationship with financial literacy. While most students approach Economics as an academic discipline presented through the cold, detached lens of a textbook, mine was born of the "technical heartbreak" of April 10, 2025. That day, my father suffered a stroke. As a result of a divorce that sent my mother and father to different parts of Houston, my status as a high school senior at Katy High School was suddenly in peril. In that instant, I became one of the primary caretakers, forced to navigate the high-stakes logistics of hospital bills and medication costs while simultaneously preserving my 3.51 GPA. That crisis transmuted financial literacy from an academic concept into a tool for family survival. My formal education in economics supplemented this knowledge. Through the coursework, I learned the mechanics of budgeting and credit. However, these skills became concrete when, as an Assistant Operator for Jamaican Soul during my breaks from school, I worked over 40 hours a week. Beyond simply earning an income, I was involved in event production. I learned how standardization and modularity in event control systems stabilized a business's finances, observing firsthand the benefits of applying precise methodology to business logic. From then on, I came to regard money not as a cause of worry but as a resource to be controlled with the "director's eye" I apply in Theater Sound Production. Mixing sound levels for a production of Newsies and calculating the post-stroke medical costs for my father involved the same disciplined approach to resource allocation; in both, "discipline is everything," as I've learned. My plan is to transcend this "survival mode" when I pursue my BFA in Film and TV Production at Columbia College Chicago. The film industry is known to be incredibly precarious, but through my experiences, I am prepared to be a "Director-Caretaker." I intend to use rigorous budgeting and micro-investing to build my own independent film projects without being hampered by financial constraints. With the same hyper-vigilance I applied in tracking my father's medical expenses, I will create production budgets that maximize my impact with minimal debt. In the long run, I wish to translate this expertise into social benefit within my community. I aim to develop media workshops for urban youth that will not only teach technical skills in Audio/Video Production but also educate young people about the business side of being a creative. I want to empower this next generation of "invisible artists" to understand credit, contracts, and their value in the labor force. By sharing the financial wisdom that my family's misfortune bestowed upon me, I hope to help them construct a "road to dawn" for their artistic endeavors that rests on a foundation of financial resilience. While I head to college to hone my craft as a filmmaker, I will also be using the skills my financial education has equipped me with to secure the future of my family just as surely as I am preparing to capture the stories of the future on screen.

I decided to adapt Kendrick Lamar's 'For Sale?' because the song reflects the constant struggle I find in show business, the entertaining, albeit predatory, world of performance, and being true to myself amongst such things. By drawing on the experiences I've gained through acting as a young child, to high school Theater Sound Production Crew member, I intended to give Lucy, a voice and a body; I wanted to give form to the song. This was meant to be a work of both performance art and engineering that explore the burden of a falsified lifestyle, the battle for self-preservation, and my own "road to dawn." This endeavor was brought forth after a long phase of introspection. A thousand day photo diary I'd recorded, which I only had backed up to my computer was totally deleted due to technical malfunctions, and I had decided to commit myself to work that was certain, palpable, and indomitable. The interest that drives my rendition of this specific song, is the exploration of ways to find your self, amidst the temptations that will try to throw you off track. My father has always been a bassist, so he instilled in me a great sense of the comfort, and stability of music; something that gives refuge. After his April '25 stroke, my entire focus toward creating changed, from something to outward toward someone else, to something for self regulation, and recovery. My video seeks to reflect this, utilizing contrast, and dynamic movement to present a narrative. I wanted to produce a "cinematic immersion" that falls between the gap of contemporary media and performance art. My experience in building a following on TikTok of over 8 thousand viewers, gave me a keen sense of the quickly-moving, flashy aspects of media required to grab the audience's attention. However, the goal of this piece wasn't for "clicks," but for substance, and emotion that could resonate. In utilizing the skills I've developed as an Audio/Video Production student- layering sounds, manipulating ambience, and using meticulous shot composition- I've proven that I'm ready to enter the field and the program that I'm aiming for in Chicago's Film and TV Production. I want the viewer to feel overwhelmed, and trapped by the lyrics by using tightly framed shots, and then liberated by the ambience I've constructed to reflect the expansive sounds and moods expressed throughout the song. Ultimately, my intention is that this work will be spiritually, and psychologically beneficial to others. It is in my religion that we are always being tested, and I hope to leave the viewer empowered by my video to find refuge, and solace within themselves and not to put other people above themselves, and their creativity, within this society and industry that is always working to reduce its participants' individual worth, into product. This is a demonstration of the constant force of storytelling, in the face of any shift, or change in the "script." My years of experience in Audio Engineering, and Acting have culminated into a work that is both a testament to the lifelong work of my father in music, and a reflection of my own path.

Technical and human resolve-that is where I plan to build my future. A trajectory toward film and television production had not always been my plan, but each obstacle that had been put in my path had redefined what I believe being a leader and having a community entails and ultimately how I was meant to serve the world. By pursuing a BFA in Film and TV Production at Columbia College Chicago, I want to use my “science of sight” to capture the unheard stories of resilience in my community and in doing so, prevent the beauty in the struggle from ever disappearing from the historical record. My family’s encounter with difficulty culminated in my father's stroke on April 10, 2025, during the height of my senior year at Katy High School where I simultaneously served as a Theater Sound Production Crew Member, as well as took on the challenge of a full AP curriculum. My family had been separated for some time by circumstance, with my parents living in different parts of Houston, and then suddenly the equilibrium that had anchored my world collapsed. It was I who assumed responsibility as a caretaker for my father; I who navigated his complicated physical therapy regimen and managed his prescribed medications, and I who watched over the financial consequences of the crisis. From my father’s stroke, I learned that resilience is about more than weathering the storm, but the discipline of keeping moving forward no matter what obstacles are presented; and just as in the theater booth I use my “director's eye” for complex operations, so did I maintain that same discipline in directing the logistics of my father's care and keeping my GPA above 3.51 despite all that my family endured. My intent is to improve the world with my education by connecting high-end film production and advocacy within the community; I learned during my time as an Assistant Operator at the small local business Jamaican Soul how crucial brand and narrative is for empowering people, and I plan to use my mastery of cinematography and camera work to give voice and image to the stories and people of under-resourced communities that, unlike most, are not being widely recognized. I intend to produce films which do not merely entertain but inspire empathy and social change, much like the honest and raw explorations of family I found within "Beautiful Boy". I am devoted to passing on the power of my education as much as I am devoted to acquiring it: I intend to found media workshops to equip urban youth with the technical skills for audio/visual production. In doing so, I will empower them with the tools for transforming their own adversity into art, just as my father ignited my passion for photography by buying me my first Canon Rebel T7. I will strive to be the spark which encourages my fellow artists to turn their perspective into their most powerful tool for good. With my degree I hope to demonstrate that "technical heartbreaks" may break us, but we are still capable of rebuilding; that our world will be more interconnected, more visible, and more resilient because of it.

The twin engines that have driven my life are creativity and a profound service ethic. Growing up in Houston and learning to cope with a broken home, I quickly learned that where we are isn't what makes our life stable; instead, it is whom we surround ourselves with. April 10, 2025 was when my father had a stroke. By stepping up to become his primary caretaker in addition to managing the demands of my academics at Katy High School, I had to embody love and faith in their purest, daily forms: love for him, and faith for the "road to dawn" in the face of immense financial and emotional duress. My faith has been, and remains, a mandate rather than just an internal solace. In my roles as Volunteer Church Photographer at Windsor Village Church and as a Senior Officer in the Black Student Union, I have personally witnessed how conscious acts of service can begin to heal a community. Whether I am creating photographs to broadcast our spirit on Sunday mornings to welcome first-time attendees to worship, or leading high-level discussions at school about fairness and equity among my peers, my guiding star has been ensuring that all those I interact with feel seen and affirmed. This extends to the "workmanship" I displayed as an Assistant Operator at Jamaican Soul, where every customer encounter was an opportunity for fellowship, and where I used my director's eye to transform the atmosphere of the restaurant so that all our neighbors felt like family in my restaurant home. The means by which I intend to contribute positively to this world, will be through using my future career in Film and TV Production as the vehicle. While I will be enrolling at Columbia College Chicago to learn the science behind cinematography, I hope to use this to document the "unseen" works of love and faith that continue to take place within communities everywhere each day. Film, I believe, has the capacity to serve as the modern equivalent of a parable, which has the ability to transport a viewer into the lived realities of someone else to build empathy and understanding between persons of different perspectives. By crafting stories of the "common humanity" rather than those of discord, I will employ my skills to serve a global congregation of viewers. I seek to give back by creating a series of media workshops for young people in urban communities so that they too can learn that their voices can bring change, and that they too may employ the "science of sight" to advocate for their own neighborhoods. By teaching my students the art of Audio/Video Production, I will be teaching them the way of the servant leader. It is my hope that all of my efforts will forever reflect the boundless love I extended my father, and the faith that I carried through it all from the booth at Katy High School, through my professional and personal journeys, and onward to this exciting threshold before me.

A low, thrumming bassline was the soundtrack to my youth. As my dad plays the bass, listens to the bass, and just… breathes the bass, music was my early education that sound is more than just backdrop noise, that music can be a refuge. I would carry this lesson with me through the halls of middle and high school. In the band room from sixth to eleventh grade, my instrument was the euphonium; its deep sound was the first language I had with the world. But the definitive statement of music's importance didn't occur in a concert hall or at a gig, it occurred on April 10th, 2025, in my own hospital room. The disaster that followed my father's stroke overturned the precarious balance that my senior year of high school had always offered. My parents divorced and lived on opposite sides of Houston, leaving me as the sole caregiver; I juggled a demanding course load and work at Jamaican Soul with visits to the hospital, looming medical bills, and a 3.51 GPA. The quiet in the sterile hospital hallways was deafening so I would find solace in what always had been my sanctuary: Spotify. My father’s playlists were my emotional equilibrium. I listened to music every single day, driving between work, school, and my father’s hospital room. While a rising tide of fear about my father’s survival threatened to pull me under, the same frequencies that I had been using to power my way through my euphonium solo at band competitions were source of comfort to me. There is something fundamentally grounding about music for the nervous system and for me it was the one thing that would lower the volume on the frantic thoughts, on the crushing weight of responsibility. While it broke my heart to see my father- a man so tuned to the pulse of a bass line-struggle through physical therapy, it was eye-opening to see his eyes brighten when we played his favorite songs for him in his hospital room. It was a testament to the fact that music is truly a universal language and something that a stroke couldn't deny him. Music provided him with respite, a point of connection when words could not express the things we felt and I realized that music is so much more than simply a skill or art form, that it is a lifeline. High school was constant practice of balance and something my music career had been preparing me for all along. Music is a study of rhythm and harmony, not just literally but figuratively too; it’s about finding balance in the middle of chaos. I plan to take this study with me to Columbia College Chicago and will be majoring in film, because I want to translate my study of sound and rhythm into emotion and experience, hoping that in turn I can provide a sliver of the solace it has offered me to someone else. My years playing music didn't simply take place during high school; they supported it.

The space where the arts and sciences converge is where our richest human bonds are forged. My understanding of this concept started with a technical heartache in sixth grade, when a crashed computer lost a thousand-day diary of my life that was documented with photos. I realized then how fragile memory truly is and that art, more specifically cinema, is the only mechanism through which our memories are made tangible. That is why as I matriculate into the Bachelor of Fine Arts program at Columbia College Chicago for Film and TV production, I intend to master the science of cinematography in order to record and retain the stories that make our communities whole. Cinematography is a rigorous science in addition to a compelling art. Cinematography demands a profound understanding of the optics involved in image capture, the physics of light behavior, and the mechanics of digital sensors. It was through my work inOnRamps Physics and AP Environmental Science at Katy High School that I developed a valuable analytical foundation, which I now apply to my art. While determining lighting ratios to evoke mood, or calibrating sophisticated multi-channel audio for a production of Newsies, I utilize scientific principles. These disciplines have provided me the confidence to bridge the gap between high-end production and accessible community storytelling. In an attempt to give professional voice to the often unseen narratives within marginalized communities, I intend to utilize my education to provide a service for my community. As I grew up in Houston and worked as an assistant operator for a small business called Jamaican Soul, I learned how each community develops its own voice and rhythm that can only be captured with precision through professional equipment. I would like to contribute this professional cinematic approach through producing high impact documentaries and promotional videos for small businesses and nonprofit organizations that lack the funds to secure the type of production they need. The director’s eye for social advocacy allows me to present the data of complex human experiences in a compelling format to the appropriate audience to further support the needs of local organizations, boost community pride, and ensure community projects receive adequate funding. My greatest aim is to build a more compassionate society with the help of the science of sight. It is my intention to use my BFA as not only an artistic avenue, but as an opportunity to serve as a mentor and teacher within my community. My plan is to establish local workshops to equip urban youth with the scientific tools and the understanding to preserve their own histories by focusing on Audio and Video Production. By teaching them how to harness the precision of the technology from sensor calibration to non-linear editing, the data collected throughout the story that is recorded in the footage will never again be compromised by a technical heart ache but will forever exist as a high definition record for future generations; a testament that through the synthesis of the art form and science, art itself becomes indestructible.

I first fell in love with theater not from a booth at a high school play, but rather from the center of an elementary school gymnasium; I have been performing on stage since first grade. During the past decade on stage, I have learned the vulnerabilities and disciplines required for sharing your art with an audience, but the 'why' behind performance mechanics only truly developed when I lost thousands of days of digital memories because a childhood computer crashed and erased the file; at that point I realized the permanence of time only came with art, and even with a background of character study and textual analysis, I first learned about the 'real' heart of a play working backstage at Katy High School, and joined the technical crew. My resume tells the double-life story of both the performer and the ghost who maneuvers his strings, and because I have spent a decade on stage, I believe I possess a unique empathy with actors unlike that of many technicians. During my time as the Theater Sound Production Crew Member for Katy High School’s performance of Newsies, I didn't just view the performers, I viewed a group of fellow artists whose art I was entrusted with preserving. I managed the logistics of the rig of body mics, negotiated the soundboard through the rapid scene changes, and adjusted the levels as I worked, making sure the audience did not miss a single tap, or the rise of a single musical note; the performer’s breath before a belted note was just as recognizable to me as it was to the actor because I had lived there for years, and a cue for a scene could be placed with precision based on its rhythm because I had heard that rhythm so many times before. As a young artist, I plan to focus on Sound Design and Technical Direction; instead of bridging the gap between the traditional stagecraft and modern, immersive technology, I will learn how to build upon it. I plan to attend Columbia College Chicago, and while working towards a BFA in Film and TV Production, will learn the nuances of cinematic sound and implement those techniques into theater; I hope to one day be able to create soundscapes-worlds-that don’t just amplify voice but enhance and transport the audience through its senses into worlds far beyond the confines of the stage itself. My final step will be to give back to the community that I have become so dedicated to. While the technical theater crew is almost always the unspoken heart of a show, they are almost always overlooked, and will therefore work to provide urban communities with workshops on Audio/Video Production as it relates to stagecraft; an avenue to empower urban youth to become leaders on stage, through art, as well. The boldness of modern stage design constantly amazes me, but the motivation behind my endeavor into technical theater has sprung from my own resilience; juggling college coursework, theater programs, and acting as a caregiver for my father after his stroke has proven to me that, regardless of changes to life’s script, the show must always go on. From my first line on stage as first grader to the last sound cue of my final high school show, I am anxious to spend the rest of my career devoted to theater and hope to use it to create lasting human connections with the audience.