Think about what it is that makes a person successful. There are many different types of riches. Money, cars, jewelry, happiness, joy, friends or even bitterness. To be rich is to simply have an abundance of something. Success to me means that you have found a way to live an abundant life with what you value most. Being a leader is not to be a puppet and to strive to please the crowd. Leading effectively is when you are true to yourself and naturally find your crowd. Allowing your crowd to grow and learn with you. That is a leader. I have held many titles here at Chico State University. I am an EOP student. I held a position as public relations officer for Just Unity Sistas. I was co-head of the Campus Climate Committee, focusing on bridging the gap between police officers and Black students as well as police tactic reform. I am the current President and founding member of the only student organization for Black Womxn on Chico State's Campus: ‘Womxn In Sistahood’. I am a 3.2+ student. I am capable of anything that I am willing to work for and commit to. I am a radio recognized singer and performer known by the name of D.Cings. I have over a dozen nieces and nephews who look up to me. When I first started college it was for them and for my mom. As time passed I realized the value in higher education and set my goals on attaining a college degree for my own intrinsic value. I live for me and THAT is what makes me a great leader. I lead with love, compassion, empathy and an open mind. These strengths are what qualifies me to lead. I also have amazing mentors who have taught me everything I know about the right way to lead.

Think about how many years ago elementary school was for you. Now, I bet if I were to ask you who your favorite grade school teacher was, you could tell me a name. If I were to ask you who your least favorite grade school teacher was, you could tell me how they made you feel. Me personally? I can give names and examples. To this day, educators and professional staff at my university have played the most instrumental roles in my life. Working in the field of education you have an unsaid responsibility and an unpaid duty. You will be an influential factor in the lives of every child that you have day to day interactions with. You can choose to go about this in a number of ways. Allow me to paint a picture for you. I am in my early twenties and have been at Chico State for 5 years. This is nearly a quarter of my whole life. Now, for most of us there are about 15 waking hours in a day. Subtract meal time, commuting, hygiene and personal care. Of the remaining 10-11 hour days, 8-9 hours will be spent at school/work. My point is, the majority of our day is spent with our colleagues and classmates. We see and speak to these people more than our family's. During that time a bond is formed. We pick up on frequencies and notice when the other is having a bad day, excited about a score on an exam and witness the simple yet irreplaceable moments of everyday life. These people can become family. I am aware of this responsibility and I am committed to being the best music/life teacher that I can be.

I listen with my eyes. I listen to patterns, mannerisms, bodily gestures and a personal favorite are the eyes. I gather a lot from people by looking them in their eyes. I pay close attention to those around me, especially family and friends, since those are the people we have a choice in having around us. Actively listening to me, is less about the words than it is about the intention of what the person is speaking to convey. Listening to their point. Not what they tell you their point is but what you pick up. My intuition is a large part of my listening process. I don't focus my listening on what I am told, i focus it on what I am shown.

My family and I were homeless and the only dinner I had was the extras I could sneak from lunch at school. I've lived without electricity and knew to complete my homework before sunset or else it'd turn it in with candle wax stains. I've lived in a car with 5 of my siblings and my mom so I know what it's like to huddle for warmth, in place of central air and heat. I say this to say that some of the BEST moments in my childhood were when people felt moved in their heart to give to me and my family. Randomly, whether it was lunch, clothes, school supplies or us going to the food bank Saturday morning and being given an extra bag of food. I remember what it was like and because of that I GIVE. Sometimes I give more than what makes sense to most people but I never give out of guilt. When it feels right in my heart I don't question it. Giving for me looks like observing the needs of others and filling that space. I follow my heart and trust when my heart is pulling to be there for someone, even if I don't understand why I am supporting them. For some people this looks like buying them a meal, stopping to have a conversation, or giving them cash. For most of my family I give acts of service. Doing their children's hair, helping around the house or checking in to see what they need and if I can help. I do this out of love and sincere gratitude for all that I have been blessed with

What is most important to me is the legacy that I will leave on the people who love me. When I was 9 years old my big sister died and I remember everything about her, us, and our silly times together. I turn 23 this year, meaning that for years now I have lived more of my life without her than I have lived with her. My point is that the legacy she left on me still makes me smile a smile as warm as sunshine. My loved ones can feel my love. They know that I love them and don't shy away at the chance to tell them how much they mean to me. I pay attention to their love languages and do my best to make sure they feel loved in the way that they need to receive it. This is the legacy I hope to leave on the world. Love. Because my family is my world. And years after I am gone I pray the thought of me can still make them smile.

What is in front of you? YOU, yes the reader. How fortunate are you to work for such a company or attend such an institution that allows you these devices. What about the clothes on your back? comfy right? What did you eat/drink earlier today? What about last night for dinner? Think about where you ate dinner, where you sat, what you wore, the dishes you used and the electricity you had running. We are so fortunate and if you're human (i hope its not to late to tell you that I am too), we sometimes overlook how blessed we are. We are so blessed that sometimes we take it for granted. I am not an exception, I do it too as a young adult. I used to be homeless and the only dinner I had was the extras I could sneak from lunch at school. I've lived without electricity and knew to complete my homework before sunset or else it'd turn it in with candle wax stains. I've lived in a car with 5 of my siblings and my mom so I know what its like to huddle for warmth, in place of central air and heat. I say this to say that some of the BEST moments in my childhood were when people felt moved in their heart to give to me and my family. Randomly, whether it was lunch, clothes, school supplies or us going to the food bank Saturday morning and being given an extra bag of food. I remember what it was like and because of that I GIVE. Sometimes I give more than what makes sense to most people but I never give out of guilt. When it feels right in my heart I don't question it.

For a brief moment allow yourself to think outside the box with me and journey as I paint the world through a different lenses for whomever it is reading this response. The intersection of art and entertainment is where the media represents a true democracy. Something similar to politics..... and as cringy as it is to have those two in the same sentence, bare with me. The people choose who their stars are by votes. Votes= Views, likes, shares, comments and reposts. We have stars like Michael Jackson, Beyoncé, Whitney Houston etc. These people are stars because enough people supported them, their message and delivery. So that is how they were chosen to represent the times by their billions of fans. This being said, I believe the best shot you have at being good at your job is knowing what you're there to do. I am here to reflect the times. I am here to be authentic and represent my audience. Most importantly, remain true to myself. I will continue to represent the people who might not have the platform that I have to bring a voice to the matters that strike my heart. I will continue to choose myself over the expectations and wishes of others, especially those who do not serve me. I will continue to sing from the most passionate and tender place part of my soul and enlighten and touch the hearts of billons. I will continue to follow my path as It leads me to my dreams and I will promote the same determination and grit for those who have looked up to my journey. I am 100% invested into my career and the fruition of every beautiful dream that my mind can grasp.

Art and Music is my design. I communicate through art and there lies my understanding. My heart is different. I love like its the only thing that i know how to do. The day that I leave this earth, my music will be studied and examined by billions of eyes for hundreds and hundreds of years. My lyrics will be analyzed, my songs will be sampled, I will be used as a muse. However what is most important to me is the legacy that I will leave on the people who love me. When I was 9 years old my big sister died and I remember everything about her, us, and our silly times together. I turn 23 this year, meaning that for years now I have lived more of my life without her than I have lived with her. My point is that the legacy she left on me still makes me smile a smile as warm as sunshine. My loved ones can feel my love. They know that I love them and don't shy away at the chance to tell them how much they mean to me. I pay attention to their love languages and do my best to make sure they feel loved in the way that need to receive it. This is the legacy I hope to leave on the world. Love. Because my family is my world. And years after I am gone I pray the thought of me can still make them smile.

Art and Music is my design. I communicate through art and there lies my understanding. My heart is different. I love like its the only thing that i know how to do. The day that I leave this earth, my music will be studied and examined by billions of eyes for hundreds and hundreds of years. My lyrics will be analyzed, my songs will be sampled, I will be used as a muse. However what is most important to me is the legacy that I will leave on the people who love me. When I was 9 years old my big sister died and I remember everything about her, us, and our silly times together. I turn 23 this year, meaning that for years now I have lived more of my life without her than I have lived with her. My point is that the legacy she left on me still makes me smile a smile as warm as sunshine. My loved ones can feel my love. They know that I love them and don't shy away at the chance to tell them how much they mean to me. I pay attention to their love languages and do my best to make sure they feel loved in the way that need to receive it. This is the legacy I hope to leave on the world. Love. Because my family is my world. And years after I am gone I pray the thought of me can still make them smile.

If you're expecting to read about my lifestyle of 8 cups of water, my fruit and vegetable balance while only taking a break to read and run with my dog around the park. Then I'll tell that story for the scholarship, but it is not the truth. My mom is a nutritionist and though I do my best to turn those practices into habits, that is not what keeps me feeling my best. I believe that we should make ourselves and the people we love smile as often as we can. At least for me, that is the key to life. That is what keeps my heart warm and my days fulfilled. I have learned to do what makes me happy and I encourage everyone else to do the same. Live in the moment an resist the urge to make the desires of your heart make sense or add up. We want what we want, we like what we like and depriving yourself from joy, love, light and smiles is not the way to a long life. It's how you survive.

I've held many titles at Chico State. I am an EOP student. I held a position as P.R. for Just Unity Sistas. I was co-head of Campus Climate Committee, focusing on bridging the gap between police officers and Black students as well as police tactic reform.I'm current President and founder of the only student organization for Black Womxn on Chico State's Campus. I am a 3.2+ student. I am capable of anything that I am willing to work for and commit to. I am a radio recognized singer and performer known by the name of D.Cings. BUT Before assuming leadership roles and battling imposter syndrome to do so, I believed that I was just and only, Danielle. I was on academic probation leading to high school. Then suspended every other week in high school. I had never known anything outside of the impoverished redlined community of Oakpark,CA I was raised in. I’ve survived and overcame many challenges that came with poverty &homelessness through my grade school years. I was raised by a single mother who had 9 children before me.With the amount of freedom that I had, I could’ve turned out to be anything. With the commitment and dedication of great mentors and college advisors, I turned out to be a Chico State Student. I am undoubtedly the product of very patient mentors. I was led to water but afraid and unaware of how to drink. I am the youngest of 10 children & the first to stay in school. Had no idea what was expected of me at university level. But I quickly realized that being the “class clown” wasn’t going to cut it. I wish I could break down in steps, the transformation from then to now. But the truth is that I'm still growing and learning everyday.

"An Artist duty is to reflect the times" I remind myself of this Nina Simone quote regularly. Artist have a responsibility to be the voice of the people. For a brief moment allow yourself to think outside the box with me and journey as I paint the world through a different lenses for whomever it is reading this response. The intersection of art and entertainment is where the media represents a true democracy. Something similar to politics..... and as cringy as it is to have those two in the same sentence, bare with me. The people choose who their stars are by votes. Votes= Views, likes, shares, comments and reposts. We have stars like Michael Jackson, Beyoncé, Whitney Houston etc. These people are stars because enough people supported them, their message and delivery. So that is how they were chosen to represent the times by their billions of fans. This being said, I believe the best shot you have at being good at your job is knowing what you're there to do. I am here to reflect the times. I am here to be authentic and represent my audience. Most importantly, remain true to myself. I will continue to represent the people who might not have the platform that I have to bring a voice to the matters that strike my heart. I will continue to choose myself over the expectations and wishes of others, especially those who do not serve me. I will continue to sing from the most passionate and tender place part of my soul and enlighten and touch the hearts of billons. I will continue to follow my path as It leads me to my dreams and I will promote the same determination and grit for those who have looked up to my journey. I am 100% invested into my career and the fruition of every beautiful dream that my mind can grasp.

My song '2020' is now recognized as the official voice of the Black Lives Matter movement Sacramento. This original composition that came from a place of hurt, confusion and having no where to turn. This is the first song that I released and I had no idea that it would later be played on radio stations and touch the hearts of many people. After the very public murder of George Floyd, the world was in shambles. The world was under quarantine and no one knew what to expect next. The murder of George Floyd caused the heartbreak of millions of people, but the way the Black community was directly affected by this tragedy is not easy to put into words. Every Black person was challenged and triggered emotionally by the devastation of this murder. My young nephews were calling me asking how long they would live and others too afraid to go outside. The women were afraid for their lives and the lives of their brothers, sons, fathers and friends. There was nothing to ease this pain and nothing that we could say to one another to come out of this space. Everyone was emotionally exhausted and tired of being so deeply saddened. One day after having tea with a friend, I let her know how heavy I was and she shared the same. She advised that I try to take some of the sadness out with art and I told her that this feeling was too low that. I didn't think art could help my heart in a situation like this. I went to the studio with nothing more than my journal entries on how sad and lost I felt. The song '2020' was made. I am glad that my song speaks to the lives and hearts of people. However the song is so heartfelt that I have to brace myself before listening to it. I've attached the link to the song and video that I created for it. I hope you enjoy https://youtu.be/WrlOsJMQW1M

Art has a way of naturally evolving, yet somehow repeating itself like history. Through all the many stages and variations of art, one thing has stayed the same. The way art breaks past barriers and goes straight to the heart. Art makes us feel. I am a singer and performer. The best compliment or response from the crowd is the look in their eyes. That is the reward, beyond compensation, I do art for the way I am able to take a feeling from my heart and apply it to someone elses. Without knowing their name, struggles, joy or pain. I can write about a personal experience and it will melodically smooth and mend the need of another. This is worth making sacrifices for. I was going to be a graduating senior in college this year in a very comfortable town where I've been performing for years and have grown to be well known for it. Just as things have became comfortable, i applied for national student exchange, pushed back my graduation date and have decided to Follow my heart telling me that moving across the country to establish myself as an artist there. I was accepted into the school in New York and will be moving this summer. I am financially independent and as of now, I don't know where I will live so i'm searching online, I don't know where I will work but I have faith that It will all come together. I've grown content with selling my personal items that I can take with me and finding a way to ship my car. I have decided to go all in with art. I believe that artist like myself who really love the arts are what keeps the beauty of art alive. The passion and the chills that rush down your arm when you hear a prolific singer. That will be my career. I am committed to being the woman on stage that encourages you to think outside the box, provide a different perspective and feel. I love what I do and I've decided to live for it and that is what makes me different. That is what separates me from the rest. I love the craft so much that I am willing to live for it. I will use all my writings (even this prompt here) as a time capsule of my journey. To mark my words and inspire those after and before me to dream. Then to wake up and live it!

I recommend everyone tries journaling. Writing your thoughts down and flushing them out is a form of therapy that is like no other. When you can expel the thoughts from your brain they are less likely to continue that redundant circulation. Writing can also be a good way for you to gain a different perspective. Reading a story aloud to yourself can help you view things from another point of view. Journaling gives us a safe space to reflect, vent, properly identify our emotions and it slows us down so we can think and process before we react.

My art is focused on the awareness of ourselves and other people. I am a singer and a pillar in my music is authenticity. I will continue to address the taboo topics that aren't easy for us to address. I am vulnerable and true in my music and have accepted the fact that being emotional isn't a bad thing. I am an emotional person and i allow that in my music so others can use my music as a form of therapy. I'll address the dragon of vulnerability, maybe others will have the courage to face it aswell

Me. Learning to demand, protect, be the source and call on my happiness is amongst my favorite life lessons to have gained while in college. I went through the trial and error of what happiness SHOULD look like, who should deliver it and how It should look and all of those lessons were stepping stones to where I am now. Happiness is earned when you decide to choose you over everyone else. Their wants, expectations, and plans for who or how you should be disintegrate and you are forced to meet yourself. This is an incredible deep "ceremony". When a person meets themselves and learn to love their individuality. They now have the superpower of happiness and know how to summon that.

The premonition's that I get of life motivate me. My dreams show me my potential if I dare to be courageous and pursue them. I will be a world renowned recording artist. I will travel the world and share my art, honesty and love with as many countries as I choose to explore. This vision is what motivates me to keep going, because I have to put myself where I know that I can be. I will continuing living an honest life and doing my best to be kind and empathetic. I will do right and the right positions for me will fall into play.

Offering others understanding and empathy is my favorite way to help others. We are all people, living breathing and feeling people. Beneath our job positions, titles, badges and roles we all just want to sincerely be seen, felt and heard. We all just want to be understood. In conversation with strangers, friends and family I do my best to be attenuative. I actively listen and pay and pay attention to details. I do my best to be present and 100% of the time the person notices and appreciates the undivided attention and empathy that they were given. People often feel drawn closer to you when they feel connected. My favorite way to help others is to be that person for them to connect to.

I grew up in a traditional Christian household with a mom who was not affectionate at all. she worked to support her 10 children. We are now all very distant adults. Me, as the 10th child, didn't get too much attention and I seen how my mom had to hassle my other siblings to stay out of trouble or jail so I did what I was supposed to do and layed low. Entering adulthood and discovering safe spaces of vulnerability and sheltering I was able to discover how affectionate I am. I am a big hugger when I am around people who I feel safe around and that was an important step to learning how to love and how to be loved. Discovering myself apart from my upbringing has been a daily journey throughout my college career . I am loving the development and how far I've come.

I want to be honest. I want to leave this world knowing I gave my all to LOVE. My love for art, music, authenticity, family, and nurturing children of this world. I ant to live honestly, I want to only be myself for the rest of my life. I want to continue making decisions that feed my spirit all while being nothing more than aware and considerate of the feeling of others. I want to model peace and show the children coming up around and after me, that life can be as blissful as we want it to be. Most importantly i want people to be inspired to trust their first mind and follow their dreams. I dare people to dare. Follow your dreams. I would love to live in a world where courage was the norm. Where people used their dreams as a roadmap and allowed themselves to trust the unknown. That is the only way that people could honor the life of me. Dare to live their dreams.

The idea that greets your mind before your eyes fully open in the morning, that Idea you see in your dreams, the one that chases you after you've tried to give up on chasing it...the one where the odds aren't in your favor but you dare to choose it anyway, THAT is your purpose and the how or why is not your business. Pursue It

Beyoncé's 'I Was Here' is a perfect depiction of why I do music and the legacy that I will leave behind. This song is very emotional for me because it captures the passion that I have for music. There aren't any words to explain what its like to know that music chose you and you don't have a choice but to love it with all of your being. When I tell people I am certain I will be a world renowned artist, singer, poet, author and musician some look at me crazy and others look at me and wonder how I am so sure. I tell them that I've seen It all laid out for me and not many know what that means. But I have been shown this dream and My only focus is in making sure that I go about my career the most healthy, humble, grateful and solid way that I can. I've attached the link to my music.

There was a time when i would do outward seeking for happiness, there was also a stage when I believed that it was someone else responsibility to bring me back to ground zero and make me happy when life was hard. After serious character development. I'm now now elated about spaces where I can really be myself. The people in my life who I consider to be family. I wasn't raised in a loving environment at all, so I am my best and most content when I am in their presence.

My name is Danielle. But I am D.Cings. This is more than a stage name that I've created for myself. This is the name that I've given to the beast that my dream lives through. I have always known that I am a singer. My mother has always known and my siblings have never heard the end of it. What makes me resilient is that I look in the face of doubt and "reality" and I shout my future from the rooftops because its more than a dream at this point. its a reality and its come to life. I promote healing, authentic and difficult conversations through my music. Addressing the vulnerable to[pics that we don't always want know how to talk about. Throughout my college career, I have dedicated my time to the journey and healing of Black women. I am the President and founder of an organization for young Black women who are interested in learning, growing and moving forward. My degree isn't to qualify me for a specific position, my degree is to get in the rooms of the educated and the educators. It is important for me to have a seat at the table where opportunities are. with my degree and versatility I will know how to communicate with a wider variety of people.

I am the last child of 10, raised by a single mother. My mom worked as a lunch lady and my father was not around for financial support. I grew up familiar with norms of not having electricity and packing an extra lunch at school so I'd have a guaranteed dinner when i got home. My brothers are older than me and aside from normal sibling bickering, we got along great. They were sweethearts to me. Being poor introduced my brothers to the lifestyle of dishonesty. Stealing food became a method of survival. We had to eat and seen our mom doing her best. So we had to figure it out. stealing clothes made a perfect excuse for this bad habit to grow into a larger problem. As time went on, my brothers bad habits escalated. My mother is very religious and she never condoned their impatient method of making money. It didn't take much time for my brothers to get caught stealing and just like that, they were in and out of jail. The money that my mom already didn't have now had to go towards bail bonds men and lawyers. Our electricity would be shut off and we would have to catch the busses to school. We had already lived through homelessness after our house had burnt down. after that experience my mom made sure that the rent was always paid first. everything else remained unpaid while my mom was trying to take care of my older brothers, I seen the sadness in my moms eyes as she watched her children go hungry, but i also seen the way she woke up at 4am everyday to go to work. My mother worked hard for us, and because of that I promised her that when i grew up, I would not be a troublesome child. I layed low and kept all desires and extracurricular intrest to myself. I kept my head down and didn't require much attention. I am a first generation college student. The only one of 10 to attend a university and see it through. I still remain independent and my mom is still back and forth with my brothers and the jail visits.

in a world where making a "plan B" is the norm when your dreams are "too high", I maintain a growth mindset by writing down my goals. I have a wall in my room full of manifestations. I don't refer to this wall as a dream wall because I know for certain, that if i can dream it i can do it. I write down my short term goals and i keep them with me. As the day goes on and I accomplish these goals, I make sure that I acknowledge that achievement (no matter how small). and I allow myself to rest once my list is complete. I don't save them all but I definitely save the ones where I overcame obstacles that I couldn't see my way out of. I use these as motivation for when I come across other challenging situations. I know with my heart, and constantly remind myself that I can do anything, that I put my mind to

I know how to light the house with candles, do homework before sunset to avoid the stains of melted wax. I know taking a second lunch at school, to tell mom I'm wasn't hungry, when I know she didn't have money to feed all of us. I know getting good grades and coming straight home after studying because mama was stressing with bail bonds and my brothers after a full day of work. I didn't want to cause her any more stress and Because of that, I had to be self reliant. Be my own guidance and support system system. Today, I am a senior in college with a 3.6 cumulative gpa. I am the founder and president of a student organization that focuses on the advancement and serenity of Black women. I am a singer and performer, building a career for myself while working 3 jobs on campus. I am the last child of 10 and will be the first to graduate college, I grew in an impoverished neighborhood with very little to my families name. I am a living example that we all amount to so much more that what we are from.

Telling people "No". I swear it changed the trajectory of my life. Boundaries and giving yourself the proper amount of time before you respond to favors that other people ask of you. Those lessons have made a serious impact on my college life and have given me back so much peace.

"The poor stay poor, and the rich stay rich", This advise from Robert Kiyosaki is why i decided to read his book ' Rich Dad, Poor Dad". I knew that because I grew up poor that I am naturally subject to making poor financial decisions. I decided to educate myself on financial literacy, take Warrior Trading classes and budget my money. I am constantly looking for a source of passive income and trying not to overlook million dollar ideas. The best piece of financial advise that i received would've had to be from Jay-Z. He said "If you can't buy it 3 times, then you cant afford it". Jay-Z and Beyoncé are both billionaires and so until I am a Billionaire, I will follow that blueprint.

Selfcare to me looks like, logging in a time on my calendar where i am not allowed to do any thing other than cater to myself. Often times I have to prioritize my self care because I will allow my rigorous daily schedule to consume all of my time. I love to learn and i love to give back. Selfcare to me is reading, writing, painting, singing, and everything in nature. I love to go on walks with a backpack full of food. During these times, I'd go anywhere surrounded by trees. The less manmade structures around, the better. While I'm there, I write. I unload feelings that may or may not have had me emotionally congested and I connect with myself. As I am writing this, I am realizing, that since this semester started, I haven't taken the time out to pour back into myself. I've taken downtime, but I haven't had a time to check in emotionally. I appreciate this Essay Prompt for slowing me down enough to realize that I need ME right now. I am a 5th year in college, working 3 jobs to pay my rent, a student advocate for the Black Faculty and staff association and the founder and president of a student organization focused around the serenity and character development of Black Women. I am also an entrpuneur Artist and performer. The upkeep of all my roles has definitely got the most of me lately. Thank you!

Throughout my college experience I have learned a lot about love. I've made close friends, lost close friends witnessed friends graduate and move away and also stayed behind as friends dropped out of college. Through all of those moments I learned more about the characteristics of a quality friend. Friendship to me is simply being a safe space to those that you love, and cherishing the safe spaces where you can be unguarded and bare without ridicule or judgment. As a good friend, i like to check on my friends. when I know a friend of mine is having a hard time, I like to inform them that I am here with them. Not just at the moment when they are not okay, but i'd give it a few days and, I'd check in again. I like for my people to know that the world hasn't engulfed them and that they aren't alone in what they go through. Being a safe place for your friends allows trust, vulnerability and deeper connection.

The youngest child of 10 Oakpark, CA raised Children, a daughter to parents born in the 50's; a Southern father who had to quit school at 12 years old to work on the farm with family and a Southern mom who raised herself and her siblings because her mother also worked the farm. A sister to more siblings, half siblings and God siblings than I can count, an aunt to 14 Beautiful children that i try to create a legacy only to model and demonstrate that anything is possible and finally, an Artist and vessel. My art is an instrument, my writings foster new ideas and every musical composition of mine is a demonstration of passion. Everyone is perfect, because we were made that way. I know how to light the house with candles, do homework before sunset to avoid the stains of melted wax. I know taking a second lunch at school, to tell mom I'm wasn't hungry, when I know she didn't have money to feed all of us. I know getting good grades and coming straight home after studying because mama was stressing with bail bonds and my brothers after a full day of work. I didn't want to cause her any more stress and Because of that, I had to be self reliant. Be my own guidance and support system system. Granted this scholarship, I would have the support to move towards my short and long term goals in music. I've been an independent artist so far, my growth and passion is shown on my website and social media. The support of The Anne DiSerafino Memorial Arts Scholarship would be an investment into a career with godspeed and momentum.

My last name is Collier. That is a French name and none of the elders in my family have ever been to France. I did a DNA test through ancestry, filled in all the relatives names that I know and waited for the results to come back in. The results of the Ethnicity test surprised my whole family. We've been told that we resemble certain ethnic groups but never considered it in depth. Learning that I was only 88% African American was a surprise for me. My mothers response is my favorite part of the video I attached. With the information that I received, I was inspired to speak to the elders in my family about their Journey to the West coast. I sat down with the elder generations of Collier's and learned about how they were set on never leaving Little Rock Arkansas. My father came to California one weekend for a business meeting and he met my mother. I am their 10th child. Both my mother and father were born in the 1950's. My father grew up in Arkansas on the family farm and had to drop out of school at 12 years old to "let the cows out and chase the chickens". His experiences with a poor family are both heartbreaking and inspirational. My mother was raised in Oakpark,CA by a mother who was from Kentucky. Her mother worked the tomato fields and anytime they'd allow her the chance to make some extra money, she'd bring my mother with her to the fields. I was raised in Oakpark, CA with my mother, and I didn't understand why my siblings and I were so different until I learned that what we have is "southern hospitality" and respect to rules and traditions that my peers didn't have.

1. Prior to gentrification, Oakpark, CA was "the ghetto's" of Sacramento. Ours schools had poor funding, and our community center hired multifaceted staff that worked every position in the building. The Oakpark community center would host summer and winter talent shows. Here we got to see how Basketball program Billy, also liked to dance and arts and crafts Alicia, could play the flute. The inclusion of these events made me feel included. I battled stage fright for years and had to sing standing behind my mom for years. Today, I stand tall on stage and I run towards the opportunity to be onstage. I look back at those days, grateful. 2.My favorite professional in high school, is the women who ran the detention center. I grew up in a very low income neighborhood and didn't have proper guidance or support. I am now a college student, president of a campus organization and work as a Peer Mentor for troubled college students at risk of academic probation. I would go to Ms. Starks in the detention room and thank her for always telling me that i "know I can do better and i feel it". 3.When I do my world tours, i plan on hosting concerts or interviews in low income communities and donating all the proceeds to that community. 4. A time when I didn't meet my own standard would have to be all the talent shows i went to alone and had too much stage fright to sing at all. https://youtu.be/WrlOsJMQW1M

D.cings.com The youngest child of 10 Oakpark, CA raised Children, a daughter to parents born in the 50's; a Southern father who had to quit school at 12 years old to work on the farm with family and a Southern mom who raised herself and her siblings because her mother also worked the farm. A sister to more siblings, half siblings and God siblings than I can count, an aunt to 14 Beautiful children that i try to create a legacy only to model and demonstrate that anything is possible and finally, an Artist and vessel. My art is an instrument, my writings foster new ideas and every musical composition of mine is a demonstration of passion. Everyone is perfect, because we were made that way. I know how to light the house with candles, do homework before sunset to avoid the stains of melted wax. I know taking a second lunch at school, to tell mom I'm wasn't hungry, when I know she didn't have money to feed all of us. I know getting good grades and coming straight home after studying because mama was stressing with bail bonds and my brothers after a full day of work. I didn't want to cause her any more stress and Because of that, I had to be self reliant. Be my own guidance and support system system. Granted this scholarship, I would have the support to move towards my short and long term goals in music. I've been an independent artist so far, my growth and passion is shown on my website and social media. The support of Terry Cruise would be an investment into a career with godspeed and momentum.