I strive to make a meaningful impact by captivating the hearts of individuals who face financial constraints. My upbringing was marked by dysfunction and chaos, and amidst the turbulence, art provided solace. My mother, despite her best intentions, was unable to offer the support and stability we needed. Art became my refuge, allowing me to transcend the difficult circumstances that my mother and I endured. Following her passing, I remained committed to pursuing my education, driven by the hope of realizing my ambitions. Creating paintings and drawings became my sanctuary, bringing tranquility to my spirit. Now, as I aspire to attend college, my aim is to meld my passion for art with a heartfelt desire to assist others, demonstrating that they too can pursue their aspirations. My vision encompasses venturing into communities to establish workshops for children from similar backgrounds, emphasizing that their struggles are shared and that they possess the potential to make a meaningful impact in the lives of others. Additionally, I aspire to serve as an inspiration for budding artists, underscoring the importance of resilience and determination in striving for personal objectives. I firmly believe that the only barriers impeding one's progress are self-imposed. This conviction propels me forward on my journey to become an artist and fulfill the dreams that are deeply cherished. While I may lack the financial means of more privileged individuals, my spirit remains unyielding, and I am resolute in my determination to achieve my aspirations driven by my unwavering passion.

Growing up, I faced several large setbacks that people have tried to convince me would prevent me from achieving my dreams. However, these experiences have also pushed me towards my path in life. My name is Derek Caleb Trent, and this is my story. But, before my story starts, I have to begin with my mother's legacy. That is where my story truly begins. Before I was born, my mother struggled with drug addiction and finding stable housing. She was raised in Cleveland, Ohio, where she settled in groups and bars. When my grandmother moved to Mobile, Alabama, my mother and her siblings also moved down south. After moving to Alabama, my mother continued to consume drugs until she found out she was pregnant with me. Then, she turned her life around and devoted herself to Christ after entering the Christian rehab called Wings of Life. During this time, I stayed with my grandmother until my mother was able to provide for us. When I left with my mom, we moved frequently because she had trouble paying rent on time and other utility bills. I also remember when my mother beat me with a rose bush and threw knives at me. Another significant problem in my life is my mother's constant attempts to regain custody of my sister. Before I was born, I stayed with my mother, but something happened within her home that prevented my sister from living with her anymore. Looking back, my sister wanted to stay with her aunt, and my mother could have visited during the weekends, but my mother still wanted full visitation. The only thing my mother and I had in common was painting and creativity. She was an interior decorator who bought sliding wheels and knocked out walls to create new rooms in the house we were renting. However, she never contacted the landlord to ask permission. As time passed, my mother became ill and went to her doctor, who advised her to get checked for cancer. The results came back positive, and although it did not start in her brain, that was the final destination. At this point, my mother moved in with a friend because she could no longer consistently work. She befriended someone who was a negative influence and asked my mother to move to Mississippi and live with her and her relatives, but the friend only wanted my mother's pain medication. Eventually, my mother got too sick, and she had to stay in the hospital. My mother's friends and relatives told me that my grades were not good enough for the private school I was attending. They told me to pack my bags and asked my brother, who did drugs, to come and get me. I ended up living with some people that my mother went to church with. When I was younger, I did not know how to cope with my life. I was stuck in a box of my own creation, but I was stronger and more physically fit than anyone else I know. That experience only drives me harder to reach my set goals. I want to become a famous artist and create my animation company as an entrepreneur. Seeing my story and what I have gone through only drives me harder to achieve my goals. That is why I want to gain this scholarship. Although I have more tools than my mother, I still have a long way to go to accomplish my dreams.

Growing up I didn't have the best living situation with my mother. I grew up in poverty but two things always pacified me while I lived in this environment. The first was creating art. The second thing was the dream that one day I could have a house, family, and career and that my family wont have to go through the same low-income life. That is what I will achieve by graduating college. The major I will take is art. Reflecting on the wonder of art, I am struck by its irreplaceable place in our lives, as vital as sustenance itself. Indeed, for me, art is an integral aspect of my very being, and I cannot fathom my existence without it. Despite my upbringing in a low-income environment with scarce resources and opportunities, I discovered comfort in my creativity, using it as a means of escape and delving deeply into my imagination. Art became more than just a way for me to escape my situation. It was a means for me to express myself and stay true to who I am. Art gave me hope, goals, and aspirations to pursue. It also gave me a way to achieve the luxuries that I did not have while growing up. My mother worked two part-time jobs and ran her own business. Although she was working hard she was overworked. After graduating from high school, I applied to Montevallo College with a major in art. I am very passionate about my career goals and I am determined to achieve great things through hard work and dedication. Currently, I am taking classes at Trenholm Community College and plan to transfer after graduation in August. That's why I applied for the TBC Academic scholarship; to elevate my skills and take my art to new heights. Applying for this scholarship will help me reach new levels of success and accomplishment that I couldn't have achieved on my own. As the first person in my family to attend college, I want to make them proud and show them that anything is possible with hard work and dedication. She also went to college but died before she could finish. When she was alive she was the hardest worker I've known. By gaining this scholarship I do not plan on shying away from hard work. I feel this scholarship will only make me want to work harder at school and outside of college. This scholarship will help me pay for tuition at the Troy University, and I am extremely grateful for this opportunity. Art is not just a hobby for me, it's a passion and a way of life. Pursuing art has been one of the easiest choices I've ever made because it is a part of who I am. I feel that it's important to inspire people by showing them that the amount of money they have doesn't determine their ability to achieve their dreams. It's possible to find happiness by working hard towards goals that have long-term benefits.

As I ponder upon the beauty of art, I am reminded of the basic needs of human life, like eating or drinking. Just like these necessities, art is something that I cannot do without, it's an integral part of my existence and my survival. Growing up in a low-income environment, I had limited resources and opportunities to pursue my interests. However, I found solace in my creativity and used it as an escape into my own imagination. Art became more than just a way to escape my situation; it was a means to express myself and be true to who I am. It gave me hope, goals, and aspirations to pursue, and a way to achieve the delicacies that I did not have growing up. Even today, at the age of twenty, my passion for art continues to burn fiercely within me. While I do desire financial stability in life, I would still love to create art for free because it's an essential part of me. I am confident that people will continue to appreciate and buy my artwork, but I am not disheartened if not everyone understands or appreciates it. Creating original pieces that reflect my individuality brings a sense of self-worth and satisfaction that's beyond materialistic gains. As an artist, I find inspiration in various styles and mediums. Abstract designs and shapes intrigue me, and I enjoy exploring how they relate to different situations. Sometimes, I create more concrete pieces like scenic paintings. I relish creating extravagant pieces that push my creative boundaries. I draw inspiration from renowned artists like Bob Ross, and mangakas like Masashi Kishimoto, the creator of Naruto. Apart from creating art, I also draw my own comics, and characters, and write my own stories. Both my past and future propel my passion, and it's the ideas and topics mentioned above that encourage me to create my own story. I am who I am today because of my environment and the inspirations I draw from it. As an art major in college, I am determined to continue pursuing my artistic journey and make beautiful art. That's why I applied for this scholarship, to elevate my skills, and take my art to new heights. There are choices in life that are hard and easy, but my passion for art chose to pursue art one of the easiest choices I've ever had to make. Art is my lifestyle. Art is me.