College is like a cocoon. It’s the space where transformation (or metamorphosis) transpires. You are stripped of your juvenility and evolve into a young adult ready to excel in your selected career. However, in all honesty, I hesitated before leaving for college. As a first-generation college student, I felt lost, but in this bewildering state, I wiped my lens and painted a different picture. To me, being the first in my family to obtain a college degree means I am first into the fire. While that sounds undoubtedly grim, I mentally think of a sword—heated and hammered into a better version of myself—sharper, wiser, and more capable. I thought of what I wanted a degree in for months. I broke down who I was and what interested me throughout life. As I thought back, I was reminded of my love for the arts. In life, you are not bound to one form of expression or career forever. The world needs those who put themselves out there, creatively, figuratively, and physically. Imagine if Bill Withers had remained an aircraft assembler—there would be no sunshine, indeed. I found my first identity in art at the age of five. Like many five-year-olds, drawing stick figures and coloring inside the lines was my forte. Over time, I grew to love art’s limitless possibilities and endless forms. Now, particularly, I love to paint. Occasionally, I buy a canvas and release whatever emotion I feel that day—red paint splatters for frustration, blue for tranquility. As for photography, my eyes focus like the lens of a camera. One Christmas, I was surprised with a camera I'd been eyeing for a while. Since then, I have taken my camera everywhere: family reunions, vacations, and celebrations. In the future, photographs will be time machines in a sense. In my freshman year of high school, I took a photography class where I learned about perspective, framing, and how to obtain the viewer's eye. Heading into my senior year, I enrolled in a graphic design class where I learned the basics of the internet and how to create online ads for commercial use. As time passed, I discovered a new passion for creating graphic designs, such as posters and infographics. I had opportunities to display products and ideas in a marketing-like format. I enjoyed learning about graphic design and how to persuade a targeted audience with images, color, and diction. I realized soon that this knowledge was a big part of marketing. However, I was not just interested in the aesthetic side of marketing; I also wanted to learn the analytical side. I was intrigued by how many questions you can answer with data alone. Successful marketing campaigns satisfy both ends of the spectrum, as they go hand in hand. Since starting college, I have worked hard to remain focused academically. Ultimately, my long–term goals revolve around becoming a marketing manager, using marketing as a way to uplift communities, and proving that being first in the fire was worth it. Here at Kennesaw State University, I am actively being molded into the person I need to be. Winning this scholarship would affirm my long-term goals and move me closer to graduating debt-free. Apart from my knowledge in marketing, I believe I foster creativity, and with it, I will spark innovation and gladly be an addition to the marketing world. I look forward to my future career and would greatly appreciate any help towards my education to make my goals a reality.

College is like a cocoon. It’s the space where transformation (or metamorphosis) transpires. You are stripped of your juvenility and evolve into a young adult ready to excel in your selected career. However, in all honesty, I hesitated before leaving for college. I felt lost, but in this bewildering state, I wiped my lens and painted a different picture. In life, you are not bound to one form of expression or career forever. The world needs those who put themselves out there, creatively, figuratively, and physically. Imagine if Bill Withers had remained an aircraft assembler—there would be no sunshine, indeed. I found my first identity in art at the age of five. Like many five-year-olds, drawing stick figures and coloring inside the lines was my forte. Over time, I grew to love art’s limitless possibilities and endless forms. Now, particularly, I love to paint. Occasionally, I buy a canvas and release whatever emotion I feel that day—red paint splatters for frustration, blue for tranquility. As for photography, my eyes focus like the lens of a camera. One Christmas, I was surprised with a camera I'd been eyeing for a while. Since then, I have taken my camera everywhere: family reunions, vacations, and celebrations. In the future, photographs will be time machines in a sense. In my freshman year of high school, I took a photography class where I learned about perspective, framing, and how to obtain the viewer's eye. Heading into my senior year, I enrolled in a graphic design class where I learned the basics of the internet and how to create online ads for commercial use. As time passed, I discovered a new passion for creating graphic designs, such as posters and infographics. I had opportunities to display products and ideas in a marketing-like format. I enjoyed learning about graphic design and how to persuade a targeted audience with images, color, and diction. In this course, I found similarities to photography class; knowing how to entertain an audience and keep their attention was a key element I learned in both classes. This understanding of influence gave me leeway to be innovative. Creativity is what drives innovation, after all. It was then that I realized that this knowledge was related to marketing. However, I was not just interested in the aesthetic side of marketing; I also wanted to learn the analytical side. I was intrigued by how many questions you can answer with data alone. Successful marketing campaigns satisfy both ends of the spectrum, as they go hand in hand. Since arriving at college, I have worked hard to remain focused academically. So far, my academic achievements include being on the Dean's and President's lists. As for marketing experience, I was fortunate enough to land an internship where I got to witness the corporate side of marketing. College is only an option for some, but I wanted to ensure it was one for me. Nevertheless, I have persisted in challenging times and have not strayed away from pursuing my education head-on. Here at Kennesaw State University, I've joined many clubs that align with my interests and career goals. Winning this scholarship would affirm my career goals and lessen the financial burden of tuition. As a first-generation college student, graduating debt-free would be a dream. Apart from my knowledge in marketing, I believe I foster creativity—particularly from my love for the arts. With this creativity, I will spark innovation and gladly be an addition to the marketing world. I look forward to my future career and would greatly appreciate any help towards my education to make my goals a reality.

"You are what you eat," a phrase we often hear when considering our eating habits. However, this guilt-driven saying can also be turned into a lesson for our mental health; what are you actively consuming, and how does it affect you? Furthermore, are you aware of these changes? Mental health is often overlooked, yet it plays a crucial role in how we live, communicate, and ultimately contribute to the world. Frankly, I am also guilty of sacrificing my emotions to avoid being honest and vulnerable with myself. However, as I grow older, I've become focused on better handling my mental health to live an honest life. Surely, growth requires outgrowing once-comfortable things. Growing up within the Christian community, mental health is often minimized and ignored. While maintaining faith is a good thing, it shouldn't be the only focus of sermons. Undoubtedly, we should also normalize mental health discussions and discuss supplementary ways to develop emotional stability. Apart from the church, I also believe mental health support is close to non-existent in the Black community. If you want to know my thoughts, I suppose that this lack of reassurance also stems from religious beliefs, where any sign of "weakness" is deemed unholy. Actively consuming this flawed approach led me to think something was wrong with me. From this ideology, Black children are affected by being more prone to severe emotional, behavioral, and physical health problems. Being aware of this issue, I try to spread awareness and advocate for psychotherapy, support groups, and using medications/stabilizers that can help balance brain chemicals. Whatever your help looks like, support should start from the inside out; support your community by first working in your community. So, what does my support look like—and how can I apply it to my community? My career of choice is marketing, one of the primary elements of business management and commerce. In addition, I truly enjoy the design element of marketing and have worked on my skills through school assignments and internships. Marketing is undoubtedly where communication is critically examined and used strategically. Certain components, like wording, fonts, and color usage, play a huge part in the aesthetics department. To answer my own question from the previous paragraph, I plan on advertising the importance of treating mental health in my community. For instance, creating infographics that define mental health and provide ways to treat it or posters that raise awareness of the statistics behind depression in the Black community are great ways to advocate for change. As I mentioned earlier, I no longer want to be bound by my emotions, fearing vulnerability. Because time waits for no one, I want to experience life unafraid, knowing I lived it to the fullest and won't harbor any regrets once my life has run its course. Furthermore, I want to spend my life being a supporter of getting the proper help for one's mental health. In my community—the Black community—this topic is not addressed enough, and that has to change. For that to occur, I need to offer my help in whatever way I can, and that way is through my career aspirations surrounding marketing. Marketing fosters communication and has the power to persuade based on diction and color, among other aesthetic elements. Therefore, I urge marketers to preach what they advocate for to draw awareness and offer their support. You are not only what you eat, but also what you support; remember to let your actions and words align when endorsing any cause.

"What do you do for a living?" is a simple question that can lead us to challenge our reality. In other words, this question invades what our ideas of happiness are. You could either reply with a sparkle in your eye or with a bleak expression, knowing your spark dimmed years ago. You start to wonder if you truly love your career or just the comfort it provides. I think as humans, our instinct is to create. Moreover, to have freedom and creativity in that domain. Our lives should be spent doing what we love, not what we have to. I considered this reality after a philosophy class where I got familiar with Karl Marx. Marx explained how intense demands in a marketplace force workers to work to survive. Under that standard, a person is now subject to alienation and exploitation. No one should work under those conditions. Therefore, when I consider what I want to spend my life doing, I search for where my creativity is allowed to run free. Since childhood, I’ve loved art. More specifically, I enjoy having control over the way my brush sways and what colors fill up the canvas. However, I often turned to apps like IbisPaint X for digital creation on the go. This sparked my curiosity about digital art, leading me to enroll in a graphic design course in high school. This class had a significant impact on my career choice. I learned about visual appeal and had opportunities to design projects that advocated for various causes. I found it fascinating how graphic design is everywhere, from album covers to magazine layouts. I realized all of the elements I learned about were related to marketing. This realization opened my eyes to the vast world of marketing. After coming to this conclusion, it was time to leave home for college. As a first-generation college student, making this decision was nerve-wracking; I wondered if college was for me. I would be leaving home to go to a campus with no familiar faces. Among my many fears, I worried financially. However, I knew that attending college was only a stepping stone. Since arriving at college, I have worked hard to remain focused academically. So far, my academic achievements include being on the Dean's and President's lists. Over time, I've grown to love the experiences here at Kennesaw State University; I've joined many clubs that align with my interests and career goals: the Adventist Christian Fellowship at KSU, the American Association of University Women Kennesaw Branch, and the Anime Club. Right now, I am a junior at KSU and feel right at home. In February, I began an internship at Grow Your Business, a creative media marketing agency focused on supporting small businesses. My role involved producing graphics and managing social media accounts, which are key for brand communication and attracting clients. My internship ended in July, and I feel more prepared for the workplace than ever before. I am excited to add my new skills and experience to my resume to highlight my achievements. College is not an option for everyone, but I am determined to pursue my education head-on. Winning this scholarship would significantly lighten the financial burden of tuition, allowing me to graduate debt-free as a first-generation college student. I aim to earn a bachelor's degree in marketing, which I am passionate about. My knowledge in business and my creativity from the arts will help me contribute to the marketing field, where there is always a need for innovative ideas. I am confident in my chosen major and excited for the journey ahead.

My name is Daniyah Coleman, and I am a marketing major. I attend Kennesaw State University, one of the top universities leading the nation in innovation, teaching, and learning. I am a first-generation college student, so graduating debt-free would be the greatest blessing I could ever pray for. College is not an option for everyone, but I wanted to ensure it was one for me. I was inspired to choose marketing as my field of study because of my interests. I enrolled in a graphic design class in high school, which led me to create multimodal compositions like posters and infographics. After the course, I continued learning about the various forms of marketing. Soon after, I realized my interest in marketing. After graduation, I plan to obtain a job as a marketing manager. With my business development expertise, I will offer my knowledge to better an establishment and spark creativity. Actively pursuing a degree in marketing has its challenging moments. One thing I learned in college is the importance of time management; Without managing my time better, being a full-time student who commutes and works part-time would be impossible. Winning this scholarship would be worth all the time and effort I put into my education. In the future, I plan on using my degree to amplify diversity in the marketing field, which means catering to communities that aren't advocated for. I am well-suited for this position, considering the challenges I have overcome as a Black, low-income student. Likewise, I know what it feels like to meet rejection after rejection, only striving to better yourself and change your environment. After college, I would love to create a scholarship organization that rewards students from all backgrounds facing financial trouble. Every student needs motivation, whether it's encouragement from a parent or a mentor. However, imagine the students who aren't supported and have to overcome challenges most young adults can’t handle alone. I would be honored to provide financial support to those students actively working towards a degree while defying the odds. In the meantime, I work with my mom assisting people with special needs. In this field, I help with everyday tasks like preparing meals, assisted bathing, and getting ready for bed. I am truly honored to be a part of helping communities near me. My favorite aspect about this type of work is getting to know each family we work with. Over the years, so many irreplaceable bonds have been created; I have gained a community that I share a devotion to. I am truly thankful to my mom for raising me with love and compassion so that I can give out that same endearment to others. My desired legacy to leave at Kennesaw State University is deeply rooted in my values, passions, and goals. I want to inspire a culture of intellectual curiosity and achievement among my peers. The world will always need leaders who positively shape a community and empower others. I plan on becoming a leader as such, to uplift communities who aren't advocated for and are struggling to put themselves through school financially. Winning this scholarship would be the first step in obtaining my goal of giving back, and it would help me tremendously by lessening the financial burden of tuition.

My name is Daniyah Coleman, and I am a marketing major. I attend Kennesaw State University, one of the top universities leading the nation in innovation, teaching, and learning. Apart from my education, my hobbies revolve around art and photography. I found my first identity in art since I loved its limitless possibilities. As for photography, I love seeing something picture-worthy and capturing it. In high school, I even took a photography class to learn about perspective, framing, and how to obtain the viewer's eye. As time passed, I discovered a new passion for creating graphic designs like posters and infographics. This new passion grew so profound that I even enrolled in a graphic design class in my senior year. In this course, I learned all about the internet basics and how to create online ads for commercial use. I had opportunities to display products and ideas in a similar format to marketing. I enjoyed learning about graphic design and how to persuade a targeted audience with images, color, and diction. It was then I realized I wanted to pursue a career in marketing. My educational goal is to obtain my bachelor's degree in marketing, one of the primary elements of business management and commerce. Marketing involves identifying customers and using strategies to promote, sell, and distribute products or services to customers. Commonly used practices include social media and email marketing. Social media marketing is similar to other forms like digital and e-marketing. However, social media marketing uses popular apps to interact and engage with potential customers. Email marketing alerts customers about its product via email, which is commonly done by joining subscriptions or newsletters through the company's website. Marketing is seamlessly incorporated into our everyday life and every media outlet. After graduation, I plan to obtain a job as a marketing manager. With my business development expertise, I can offer my knowledge to better an establishment and spark creativity. Marketing managers are responsible for creating and carrying out strategic marketing plans for a company. I plan on diligently working with my team to promote the company and increase returning customers. I'm excited to see where my career leads and the potential opportunities. I chose this scholarship because it aligns with my major and is something I am passionate about; there was no other scholarship that resonated with me more. I want to win this scholarship because of the time and effort I've put into my education. College is only an option for some, but I wanted to ensure it was one for me. Though, at times, it's hard to see the bigger picture. Nevertheless, I have persisted in those challenging times and have not strayed away from pursuing my education head-on. I know that applying myself will benefit me in the long run. Earning my degree in marketing will be the greatest reward for all the time and dedication I've put into my success. Winning this scholarship would help me tremendously and go towards my education and lessen the financial burden of tuition. I am among the few in my family to attend college, so graduating debt-free would be the greatest blessing I could ever pray for.  Marketing is one topic I've loved learning about and working with. I aim to attain my bachelor's degree in marketing and find a suitable job where I can effectively showcase my skills. I am confident in my chosen major and look forward to my career. The marketing world is immense and will always need assistance promoting and selling goods or services. I am eager to be an addition to this world.

My name is Daniyah Coleman, and I am a marketing major. I attend Kennesaw State University, one of the top universities leading the nation in innovation, teaching, and learning. Apart from my education, my hobbies revolve around art and photography. From a young age, I've always been fascinated with art. I remember seeing art tutorials on YouTube and feeling inspired. Though my recreation didn't always match the tutorial, I was satisfied. Early on, I believed that whatever my hands created was considered art because a standard didn't measure me. That sense of freedom led me to fall in love with art. There were simply no rules or regulations I had to abide by. I expressed whatever I wanted to and felt confident while doing it. Throughout life, we find our identity in many things. Some identifiers could be as simple as our zodiac signs, dietary choices, or lifelong goals. We use these identities to represent ourselves and feel safe in a community with shared views. It's personal to us because it embodies us. I found my first identity in art since I loved its limitless possibilities. As for photography, I love seeing something picture-worthy and capturing it. My parents supported my passion and surprised me with a camera for Christmas one year. In high school, I even took a photography class to learn about perspective, framing, and how to obtain the viewer's eye. As time passed, I discovered a new passion for creating graphic designs like posters and infographics. This new passion grew so profound that I even enrolled in a graphic design class in my senior year. I learned all about the internet basics and how to create online ads for commercial use. I had opportunities in this class to display products or ideas in a similar format to marketing. I enjoyed learning more about graphic design and how to persuade a targeted audience. It was then I realized I wanted to pursue a career in marketing. After graduation, I plan on using my bachelor's degree to obtain a job as a marketing manager. With my business development expertise, I can offer my knowledge to better an establishment and spark creativity. Marketing managers are responsible for creating and carrying out strategic marketing plans for a company. I plan on diligently working with my team to promote the company and increase returning customers. I'm excited to see where my career leads and the potential opportunities. I chose this scholarship because it aligns with my major and is something I am passionate about. There was no other scholarship that resonated more with me. Nevertheless, I have persisted in challenging times and have not strayed away from pursuing my education head-on. I know that applying myself will benefit me in the long run. Earning my degree will be the greatest reward for all my time and dedication towards college. Winning this scholarship would help me tremendously. It would go towards my education and lessen the financial burden of tuition. I am among the few in my family to attend college, so graduating debt-free would be the biggest blessing I could pray for. Marketing is a prominent element in business management. It is also one topic I've loved learning about and working with. I aim to attain my bachelor's degree in marketing and find a suitable job where I can effectively showcase my skills. I am confident in my chosen major and look forward to my career. The marketing world is immense and will always need aid for promoting and selling goods or services.

Truthfully speaking, I am a tried college student. Despite attending college and submitting papers, I know what I truly crave. I crave success. I crave freedom. I crave a better life for myself and my family. My mother has worked multiple jobs to keep her three children afloat. Moments, I can recall her getting home late, and by the time I woke up, she was gone. However, she still gave me and my siblings a life worth living, one of laughter and smiles. No parent wants their child to suffer like no child wants to see their parents suffering, moving their restless body for a greater opportunity. Truthfully, I have applied for scholarships and have poured out my life in words only to meet rejection. Truthfully, my father is the only thing pushing me to continue right now. He only urges me to keep trying when I speak to him, saying there's free money out there. I've never felt more like a failure, but I persist because he persists. I know he'll be happier once my degree meets my hands and tears meet his face, happily. My community doesn't always have something to celebrate but rather something to mourn. To know struggle is a form of connection with others, recognizing what once burdened you burdening another. I know pain, hurt, and loss. I know cries at midnight and puffy eyes in the sunlight. I know the sound of a broken prayer and what saying one feels like. Therefore, how could I not attend to such a matter? I want to get my degree to help others like me. I plan to land a successful job with my marketing degree and earn a passive income. I want to help with tuition and mortgages and attend to those unemployed. I know the struggle of trying to pour your all into your education, yet there's a part of you that's not there. A part of you that's worried about a loved one and if they've eaten. A part of you that worries about whether your phone will get shut off. A part of you that can't catch up with the way of the world. These worries will snowball and eventually cause one to lose control and spiral. I want to lend out the hand I needed. My parents have trained me in the way I should go. They have displayed what working hard looks like. I persist because my dreams of giving them everything they've given still live. For this dream, I will work to see it with all glory to God in abundance. Thank you for reading my application, Daniyah Coleman

I decided to choose the study of music as my career path after college. I am majoring in my two favorite topics, marketing and music. I believe you should spend your existence doing something you are passionate about. So, when I thought of a career I could love forever, I recalled all the beautiful melodies my ears witnessed as a child. So young and impressionable, I soaked up the refreshing spring of music. My parents gifted me two separate playlists to immerse in. My mother played Sade while tidying up and cooking flavorsome food on Sundays. There was something about Sade's voice and how the instruments didn’t overshadow it. My father played Jill Scott while driving me and my siblings to the library. I always felt roped in by the depiction of the lyrics she narrated. The windows buzzed with every rhythm, and empty rooms filled with the simple push of a button. I believe Neo-soul has considerably influenced my love for music. It allowed me to not only hear it but feel it; that synth sounded like rain or shimmering skin kissed with shea butter and those smooth drums could replace your heartbeat. Likewise, the drums played at church performed that same battering. I heard women whose voices meshed together like the praise of one woman; while multiple women stood, only one voice was heard. I was mesmerized by the soul of music and how deep it was. It shared multiple faces and cultures, so vast and multi-genre. When I think back to these moments, It makes sense why I would draw to music. However, besides the intentional creation of music, sound is everywhere, from the buzzing of a bee in July to the crickets that sing loudly at night. Sound is truly all around us. Some may view Life as a long song that varies in genre and style. As I have grown older, I have discovered artists I would define as musical geniuses. My goal is to create innovative music written by someone relatable. I want my music to be free of confinement and the fear of judgment. Genres like experimental music push existing boundaries and genre definitions. I also want to incorporate sounds from everyday life, indicating the beauty of the mundane. I want listeners to feel the emotions displayed in my lyrics and possibly draw experience from them. Most importantly, I want to form a community of people who appreciate music as much as I do.

I believe everyone should provide for others rather that’s physically or emotionally. In times of sadness, I try to be strong enough for the benefit of others. However, sometimes I’m not strong enough or motivated. In those moments, I sacrifice my emotions to provide comfort to those hurting. I try to remember the truth of the situation and remind that person of the good. We often ponder the bad of situations. Which can lead to false realities and confusing emotions. I realize my childhood has influenced this response. When my parents divorced, I wanted to provide my mother with the strength I knew she needed. This time was very emotional for everyone. My mother suddenly took on roles she never performed. She was now a single mother with three kids. Three mouths that needed to be fed, three tears that needed to be wiped, and three hearts that needed to be filled with love. It wasn’t always easy. Being in between jobs, she provided the best life she could for us. She worked hard so we wouldn't have to fear uncertainties. I can admit it was hard to carry on as if everything was okay. At a young age, I recognized her hurt and her spirit of hopelessness. Her hurt resonated with me and became my hurt and my sorrow. But, I also recognized her spirit of strength. When times were rough, she didn't lie down in defeat. She made sure she kept us fed, through scripture and nutrition. We had plenty of days where we all sat together and prayed. It was the only thing we knew. My mother taught us to always pray through good times and bad ones. She inspired me to stay resilient and unshaken by the world. So, when I noticed her weak moments, I reminded her of the resilience she bestowed upon me. When my siblings needed the same hope, I used that same resilience. My mother taught me something that will help me forever in life. As you know, hardships are bound to appear, however, how we fight these hardships is up to us. My mother taught me more things than one. I didn't realize she had taught me to fight, even when I thought I had no fight left in me. She taught me I was able to fight these hardships in life. For that, I am forever thankful. My mother has prepared me for many aspects of life, and I am thankful to help others with the same resilience she gave to me.

I decided to choose the study of music as my career path after college. I am majoring in my two favorite topics, marketing and music. I believe you should spend your existence doing something you are passionate about. So, when I thought of a career I could love forever, I recalled all the beautiful melodies my ears witnessed as a child. So young and impressionable, I soaked up the refreshing spring of music. My parents gifted me two separate playlists to immerse in. My mother played Sade while tidying up and cooking flavorsome food on Sundays. There was something about Sade's voice and how the instruments didn’t overshadow it. My father played Jill Scott while driving me and my siblings to the library. I always felt roped in by the depiction of the lyrics she narrated. The windows buzzed with every rhythm, and empty rooms filled with the simple push of a button. I believe Neo-soul has considerably influenced my love for music. It allowed me to not only hear it but feel it; that synth sounded like rain or shimmering skin kissed with shea butter and those smooth drums could replace your heartbeat. Likewise, the drums played at church performed that same battering. I heard women whose voices meshed together like the praise of one woman; while multiple women stood, only one voice was heard. I was mesmerized by the soul of music and how deep it was. It shared multiple faces and cultures, so vast and multi-genre. When I think back to these moments, It makes sense why I would draw to music. However, besides the intentional creation of music, sound is everywhere, from the buzzing of a bee in July to the crickets that sing loudly at night. Sound is truly all around us. Some may view Life as a long song that varies in genre and style. As I have grown older, I have discovered artists I would define as musical geniuses. My goal is to create innovative music written by someone relatable. I want my music to be free of confinement and the fear of judgment. Genres like experimental music push existing boundaries and genre definitions. I also want to incorporate sounds from everyday life, indicating the beauty of the mundane. I want listeners to feel the emotions displayed in my lyrics and possibly draw experience from them. Most importantly, I want to form a community of people who appreciate music as much as I do.

There’s one song for me that’ll always bring glimpses of my childhood. My mother played it for me and my sister so often that I could never forget it. The song was “I Hope You Dance” by Lee Ann Womack. My mother wanted me and my siblings to feel loved, cared for, and heard. Each lyric sings a beautiful love letter. My mother made sure each lyric felt personal to us. She would sing to me as I looked back at her with tears in my eyes. It was something so beautiful, that all I could do was sob into her arms. I felt loved, cared for, and heard. The first lyrics read, “ I hope you never lose your sense of wonder, You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger, May you never take one single breath for granted, God forbid love ever leave you empty-handed,” These lyrics embody love in one of it’s purest forms, a mothers love. However, the one lyric that is forever engraved in my heart reads “ And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance. I hope you dance… I hope you dance.” At the time I was a ballerina and loved dance. So, this lyric felt personal to me. It encouraged me to never give up when I have a chance to succeed. As years have passed, my love for music has just gotten stronger. I now write music and produce it all from my bedroom. I plan on continuing my passion for music, in hopes of becoming an artist. I am inspired to challenge myself and bring everyone comfort in my music. My love for music all started from my mother instilled love in me. For that, I am forever grateful.

I believe everyone should provide for others rather that’s physically or emotionally. In times of sadness, I try to be strong enough for the benefit of others. However, sometimes I’m not strong enough or motivated. In those moments, I sacrifice my emotions to provide comfort to those hurting. I try to remember the truth of the situation and remind that person of the good. We often ponder the bad of situations. Which can lead to false realities and confusing emotions. I realize my childhood has influenced this response. When my parents divorced, I wanted to provide my mother with the strength I knew she needed. This time was very emotional for everyone. My mother suddenly took on roles she never performed. She was now a single mother with three kids. Three mouths that needed to be fed, three tears that needed to be wiped, and three hearts that needed to be filled with love. It wasn’t always easy. Being in between jobs, she provided the best life she could for us. She worked hard so we wouldn't have to fear uncertainties. I can admit it was hard to carry on as if everything was okay. At a young age, I recognized her hurt and her spirit of hopelessness. Her hurt resonated with me and became my hurt and my sorrow. But, I also recognized her spirit of strength. When times were rough, she didn't lie down in defeat. She made sure she kept us fed, through scripture and nutrition. We had plenty of days where we all sat together and prayed. It was the only thing we knew. My mother taught us to always pray through good times and bad ones. She inspired me to stay resilient and unshaken by the world. So, when I noticed her weak moments, I reminded her of the resilience she bestowed upon me. When my siblings needed the same hope, I used that same resilience. My mother taught me something that will help me forever in life. As you know, hardships are bound to appear, however, how we fight these hardships is up to us. My mother taught me more things than one. I didn't realize she had taught me to fight, even when I thought I had no fight left in me. She taught me I was able to fight these hardships in life. For that, I am forever thankful. My mother has prepared me for many aspects of life, and I am thankful to help others with the same resilience she gave to me.