When I was 5 years old, I was introduced to the performing arts for the first time. My grandmother took me to see The Nutcracker at a theatre in Indianapolis at Christmas, and I was instantly captivated. Since that day, the performing arts have been the one thing I can always count on—the one place I can always find safety and support. Throughout my life, I have come to realize, not only how much the arts mean to me, but how much the people that have provided them to me have affected me. The teachers, educators, family members, directors, and professionals who introduced me to new ways of appreciating this craft continue to inspire the work I do. Growing up, I struggled to find my place among the crowd. As the youngest child of 5, my needs weren't always a top priority, so my sibling's interests were expected to become my interests. My parents threw me into every team sport, summer camp, and extracurricular they could find, hoping something would stick. In first grade, I stepped foot on a stage for the first time. Even in a production of Sleeping Beauty where a six-year-old would play the Queen, dreams could come true. The little girl standing on that stage sparked a passion that has carried on throughout my entire life- fueling my fire in auditions, strengthening my passion to perform, and above all, inspiring me to carry theatre on into my future. I was fortunate enough to experience the Florida Thespians State Festival as an executive administrative leader. In 2021, my high school's director enlisted our program to prepare for and run the festival of 12000 students. Through this role, I was able to understand how much goes on behind the scenes to provide students with access to the arts. Through directors, teachers, mentors, and performers, students can access things beyond their wildest dreams that will inspire them to pursue futures in the arts. That's exactly what happened to me. By being provided with such amazing opportunities at such a young age, I was made certain that this industry is where I want to spend the rest of my life. My biggest dream is to move to New York and make it on Broadway. Not just because I can't avoid the pull of the big city on theatre kids across the country, but also because it is a hub for making dreams come true for artists from all walks of life. Whether performing onstage, assisting offstage, or cultivating an environment to feed young artists, I want nothing more than to give back to this community for all that it has provided me.