The world was painted in senses, sounds, and colors that came together to create a vibrant mind. Since middle school, I have found a way to express myself through art. I would spend countless hours drawing, doodling, and imagining characters that sprang to life on the page. As I discovered the world of animation, my passion deepened; I was captivated by the ability to breathe life into illustrations and tell compelling stories that resonate with others. My journey has not been without its challenges. I'm expected, every day, regardless of what happens, to live regardless of past mistakes, for an uncertain future, but what happens when we’re alone? When we’re misunderstood, and nobody even bothers to try to understand, because they’re too wrapped up in their own things, or their own urges to care. However, my innovation has encouraged me to embrace my passion for art, teaching me the importance of perseverance and self-belief. Art, for me, is not just a personal dream; it is a form of connection. Through my work, I can create characters and stories that explore themes of identity, hope, and the importance of kindness. My goal is to craft narratives that spark conversation and foster understanding among diverse groups of people. I envision a future where my art can bring joy, encourage empathy, and drive positive change in society. I will continue to develop my talents further and contribute to the animation industry, where I can create meaningful content that resonates with audiences of all ages. In line with values of resilience and kindness, I plan to give back to my community as I grow in my career. I dream of young artists discovering my work and becoming inspired themselves, helping them discover their unique voices and sharing the tools they need to succeed in their pursuits. My own experiences have shaped me, and I believe it is my responsibility to create safe spaces where visionaries can explore their talents and dreams without limitations. With each stroke of my pencil, I am reminded of the powerful legacy that artists can leave behind. I am inspired by Sloane’s story and her commitment to making a difference, and I am more determined than ever to pursue my dreams in art and animation, uplift my community, and honor the values instilled in me by my family. I hope to make a meaningful impact, just as Sloane Stephens has done, and carry forward the legacy of empowerment and creativity.

As a child on the spectrum, I was captivated by colors on rainbows and sounds on the television that inspired me. I grew up in a world that embraced diverse cultures, and I often found myself immersed in the visual arts and music that flowed through the internet art platforms. This early exposure sparked a passion within me, prompting me to explore the realms of creative expression through various mediums and media. Today, as I pursue a career in the arts, I recognize that my journey is not just about personal expression but also about connecting with others and making an impact in my community. Through high school, I dedicated countless hours to developing my skills in painting, drawing, and music. Art became my sanctuary, a place where I could lose myself in the creative process. I experimented with different styles, exploring everything from abstract art to realism, and I found that each stroke of the brush or note on the piano allowed me to communicate emotions that words often could not capture. My artwork often reflects the stories of my community, depicting both its struggles and triumphs, and it has been heartening to see how it resonates with others. An important turning point in my artistic journey was when I started writing my own personal stories and drawing artworks about the journey of self-discovery, the insecurities one can feel about their body and sexuality, and the challenges of identity in a world of hate and bias. I realized that art has the power to heal, inspire, and unite people from different walks of life. This experience not only ignited my passion for teaching but also solidified my commitment to using art as a tool for social change. I aspire to create inclusive art programs that empower underrepresented voices, fostering a sense of belonging and self-worth among young artists. A degree in creative arts will allow me to improve my skills and deepen my understanding of the art world. I am particularly interested in exploring contemporary art practices and social engagement through art. I believe that by studying art and the relationship between mental health, I can create meaningful projects that address pressing societal issues. I aim to bridge the gap between art and activism, promoting awareness and sparking conversations that can lead to positive change. This scholarship represents an invaluable opportunity for me to further my education and fulfill my goal of becoming an artist. By investing in my development, I will be able to give back to my community in profound ways. With the support I receive, I will be one step closer to my dream of establishing an art collective that offers mentorship and resources to aspiring young artists. I understand the importance of hard work, dedication, and perseverance in the pursuit of artistic excellence. I am committed to making the most of this opportunity, not only for my personal growth but also for the benefit of those around me. With your support, I hope to inspire others through my art and continue the cycle of creativity and community empowerment.

Being the first in my family to obtain a college degree is a profound milestone that carries significant meaning for me. It represents not only my achievement but also the hopes and dreams of my parents, who worked tirelessly to provide me with opportunities they never had. This accomplishment symbolizes breaking barriers and setting a precedent for future generations in my family. It instills in me a deep sense of responsibility to pave the way for my siblings and cousins, demonstrating that education in the arts is attainable and valuable. In college, I aspire to pursue a degree in fine arts. My passion for the creative world began in my childhood, where I spent countless hours drawing, painting, and exploring various mediums. I want to equip myself with the skills and knowledge to express my vision and contribute to the vibrant tapestry of our culture. I believe that through education in the arts, I can create work that resonates with others and fosters meaningful dialogue about our shared human experience. Looking towards the future, my long-term goals include not only making a meaningful impact in the field of fine arts but also inspiring others to explore their creativity and appreciate the arts. I hope to exhibit my work in galleries and collaborate with fellow artists and organizations that champion artistic expression. Furthermore, I aim to pursue additional education and training to enhance my skills, ensuring that I am well-prepared to be a leader in this dynamic field. Ultimately, I envision a future where I can blend my passion for the arts with my commitment to community engagement, fostering a movement that encourages others to embrace their creativity and express themselves. In summary, being the first in my family to earn a college degree will not only transform my life but also serve as a beacon of hope for others. Through my studies in fine arts, I aim to build a future where creativity is valued and the importance of artistic expression is recognized. I am committed to achieving my goals, and I am grateful for the opportunities that scholarships provide in helping me turn my dreams into reality. My higher education is not just about learning the challenges of the real world, but about using that knowledge to accept the changes that happen in life and embracing the little joys one can find just by being alive and still breathing.

As I work hard towards graduating with a bachelor’s degree in fine arts, my primary aspiration is to improve my artistic skills to a professional standard while uncovering my unique voice within the dynamic and diverse art community. I am particularly passionate about creating impactful artwork that resonates with viewers and stimulates thoughtful discussion, whether through the fluid expressions of abstract painting, the excitement of mixed media, or the innovative possibilities offered by digital art. To achieve this, I aim to explore various techniques and mediums, dedicating time to both traditional practices and contemporary methods that challenge conventional boundaries. Additionally, my ultimate goal is to establish myself as a recognized exhibiting artist, showcasing my work in established galleries that celebrate emerging talent. Beyond personal achievement, I am committed to contributing to the art world through various initiatives, such as community outreach programs that bring art to underserved populations and collaborative projects that foster creativity and cultural exchange. My journey is not just about personal growth; I seek to inspire and uplift others through meaningful artistic engagement. Beyond my artistic achievements, I possess a profound and unwavering desire to inspire future generations of artists. I intend to achieve this through teaching or mentorship programs at local schools and community centers, where I can share my passion for art and creativity. I firmly believe in the transformative power of art education, which can serve as a vital tool for young individuals to explore their creativity and express their unique voices. My artistic interests gravitate towards works that evoke genuine emotions in viewers, whether through hilarious satire that provokes laughter, heartwarming messages that uplift spirits, tear-jerking dramatic scenes that resonate with personal experiences, or thought-provoking images that challenge societal norms. In a world that often feels overwhelming and disheartening, I see visuals as essential instruments for understanding our experiences, fostering personal growth, and uncovering the hidden joys that life has to offer. This conviction drives my ultimate passion for creating distinctive artwork that encourages others to engage with their emotions and insights. Art holds a special place in my heart; it amazes me to witness the time and effort dedicated to enhancing the narrative and emotional impact of a show or film. This attention to detail is aimed at crafting a more engaging and immersive experience for the audience, allowing them to connect deeply with the stories being told. I want to contribute to this enchanting world of art, where every piece has the potential to inspire and transform lives. If we lived in a world with this kind of acceptance and love, with nothing but the consent and charisma of people just wanting to live their lives happily, that would be a world I wouldn't hate to be in. I was inspired and motivated and started writing stories and drawing artworks about the journey of self-discovery, the insecurities one can feel about their body and sexuality, and the challenges of identity in a world of hate and bias. I became more aware of the problems that minority communities often face, and I wanted to give them hope. My goal in the future is to be more inclusive in communities that are often discriminated against for no reason. I had difficulty emotionally connecting with people around me and lived as a loner my whole life. I couldn't escape that sense of hopelessness and anxiety felt everywhere I went. I was convinced that I would never be able to accomplish anything in my life, and my family grew increasingly concerned for my well-being. It was a hard time for me, and I often felt like there was no light at the end of the tunnel. When I found out I was queer, it got much harder for me. But we don't have to be alone. It is so important to be who you wanna be and never drag yourself down for trying to find true happiness. I am determined to work hard and become a successful artist while also developing my abilities in other areas that will help me lead a more fulfilling life and be there for people who need it. Receiving this scholarship would profoundly enhance my academic and professional journey by alleviating the financial burden of tuition and essential art supplies, such as high-quality acrylic paints, precision brushes, and large canvases. These materials are integral to my creative process and experimentation. With this financial support, I would be able to allocate more time and energy to my studies and artistic practice, freeing me from the strain of juggling multiple part-time jobs just to cover basic expenses. This financial relief would enable me to immerse myself fully in my coursework, allowing me to delve deeper into various artistic media, including sculpture, digital art, and printmaking. I would have the opportunity to engage in collaborative projects with peers and seek out internships with local galleries and art organizations, which are crucial for gaining valuable industry experience and building professional connections. Additionally, I would be able to participate in exhibitions and art fairs, which are essential for increasing my visibility as an emerging artist and fostering my growth in the art community. Overall, this scholarship would be a transformative investment in my future as both a scholar and a creative professional. My plans encompass not only participating in local art shows that showcase emerging talent but also actively seeking out opportunities within community art programs where I can connect with a broad and diverse audience. By engaging with various community members, I aim to share my deep passion for art and foster a love for creativity. I envision establishing workshops specifically designed for young adults and underserved populations, focusing on teaching a range of art techniques, from painting and sculpture to digital art, while encouraging personal creativity and cultivating self-expression. These workshops would not only provide technical skills but also promote confidence and a sense of community among participants. This scholarship would be instrumental in providing me with the resources needed to further my education, enabling me to explore my artistic passions fully and ultimately contribute to the art world in a meaningful and impactful way, inspiring others along the way.

I am Deshawn Hocker, an undergraduate student at VCU, and have been deeply inspired by the legacies of both Patricia Lindsey and Eva Mae Jackson. Their commitment to education, community, and integrity resonates deeply with my values and aspirations. Faith plays a central role in my life and has significantly influenced my academic and personal goals. Growing up in a faith-oriented household, I was taught the importance of hard work, perseverance, and the value of giving back to the community. My faith has encouraged me to strive for excellence in my studies, serving as a guiding principle that motivates me to make responsible choices and lead by example. In high school, I have taken on leadership positions in [mention any relevant clubs, organizations, or volunteer experiences], where I have worked to inspire my peers to engage in community service and academic enrichment. Through these experiences, I have witnessed firsthand the power of uplifting each other and creating growth opportunities, much like the dedication shown by Patricia and Eva Mae. Looking to the future, my goal is to create art in a passionate light that showcases the positivity in this corrupted world. With the support of this scholarship, I will be able to further my education in communications arts and continue my journey of serving others, just like Patricia Lindsey and Eva Mae Jackson did. I am excited to learn from professional instructors and discover what lies ahead for me. I am confident that my skills will continue to grow, and I will create amazing pieces of art that will inspire others. Animation and art have a special place in my heart. I find it truly amazing how many hours are willingly spent to enhance the narrative and emotional impact of a show or film, creating a more immersive and engaging experience for audiences. I aspire to do the same as those before me. I want to showcase my views on life using this creative and innovative medium. I am working on expanding my set of skills, including good art talent, communication skills with a team, creativity, computer software knowledge, and time management, to pursue my dream career. I believe that courage, discipline, and commitment can be a constant source of inspiration for people, guiding us through challenges and shaping my personal and professional aspirations. As I pursue further education and seek to contribute to my community, I carry with me the valuable lessons learned from their remarkable service. Their legacy of resilience and dedication continues to inspire me, and I am dedicated to upholding these values as I work towards positively impacting the world around me. So, Patricia Lindsey and Eva Mae Jackson knows how much they mean to me.

I had a deep passion for fantasy and sci-fi genres as a child and I still do. I spend most of my free time reading books, watching movies, and playing games, as they provide a temporary escape from reality and allow me to explore new worlds and characters. The fulfilment artistic expression gave me was indescribable. There is something incredibly satisfying about creating something beautiful and meaningful, whether it's a painting, a sculpture, or even just a doodle in my notebook. I enjoy getting lost in the creative process and the sense of accomplishment I feel when I finish a piece. As a person, I am quite introverted and find it challenging to make friends. However, I cherish the few close relationships I have and value their support and understanding. I have sought help for my mental health and continue to hope to overcome my anxieties and live a more fulfilling life. Over time, I have come to realize that I am not as mature as I would like to be. However, I have also noticed that there has been some improvement in my level of maturity. I have learned how to approach and cope with challenging situations more effectively, which has helped me become a calmer and more level-headed individual. As a result of my increased maturity, I am better equipped to find good solutions to problems and to avoid getting overly emotional and stressed when faced with difficult situations. All in all, I am proud of the progress I have made and am committed to continuing to work on myself so that I can become an even more mature and well-rounded person. I believe that college could help me improve my skills in the arts and channel them into becoming the best version of myself. I'm tired of living in a comfort zone that takes over my creativity, and I'm confident that my skills will continue to grow. I aspire to do the same as the great artists before me and showcase my views on life using this creative and innovative medium. Currently, I am working on expanding my skill set, including good art talent, communication skills with a team, creativity, computer software knowledge, and time management, to pursue my dream career. I am determined to work hard and become a successful artist while also developing my abilities in other areas that will help me lead a more fulfilling life.

After the tragic 9/11 attacks, my father chose to enlist himself in the military in response to the event. With the horrible images of destruction and the stories of heroism, he felt a calling to contribute to the defense of our nation. His decision to join the military was driven by a profound sense of patriotism, a desire to protect the freedoms we often take for granted and a love for America. A veteran wanting to serve his country and what it stood for. Even after his work in the force was done, he took on government roles to help out, influencing me in ways that extend far beyond his military service. My parents eventually started a family, and I was born in Houston, Texas. Later, we moved to Virginia, where the pace of life seemed to slow down, and the natural beauty of the state was simply breathtaking. As my father embarked on his new journey, he would often share with me the deeply held values and principles that fueled his unwavering commitment to serving America. His stories painted a vivid picture of his dedication and the importance of service to others. The influence of those stories was profound. His experiences taught me the significance of commitment, integrity, sacrifice, responsibility, teamwork, and leadership. In the military, he took on roles that demanded leading by example, inspiring others, and working collaboratively towards common goals. He was always at the forefront of my thoughts, whether I was sitting in the classroom, participating in extracurricular activities, or dedicating time to my part-time job. I make a conscious effort to mirror his attitude by promoting a culture of collaboration and taking a community role with empathy and reverence. My father's unwavering commitment to his nation serves as a constant well of inspiration for me to create a substantial impact on society through my artistic endeavors. I am dedicated to positively impacting the world, drawing inspiration from my father's selfless dedication and resilience. His courage, discipline, and commitment have been a constant source of inspiration for me, guiding me through challenges and shaping my personal and professional aspirations. As I pursue further education and seek to contribute to my community, I carry with me the valuable lessons learned from his remarkable service. His legacy of resilience and dedication continues to inspire me, and I am dedicated to upholding these values as I work towards positively impacting the world around me. So, my father knows how much he means to me.

In this world, you don't get something from nothing. You have to take the first step into a place outside of yourself and figure out how to stop turning back into familiarity. I know what it's like to feel like nobody. When I was a teenager I wanted to be somebody to look up to the way I looked up to the many successful creatives of the country and the world. A passion that started as a small hobby became my purpose: the arts. I wanted to create works of fiction that combined realism that spoke to myself and a constantly perceived audience in my head. I felt like I could share my talents with the people and finally feel accepted. I was just unable to get over myself. I was trying to meet an unattainable goal that never existed, to be perfect. I was stressed beyond expression and was put off my dreams until I became aware of others who also felt this way. An online community that wants to help themselves as much as they would like to help others. I wanted to have others understand the problems they face so I joined and slowly got back to what made life exciting. I made some new goals that I wanted to reach and have also noticed that there has been some improvement in my level of maturity and how to approach and cope with challenging situations more effectively, which has helped me become a calmer and more level-headed person. I have often felt like a loner as if I didn't quite fit in with those around me. I had an introverted nature and constant anxiety only added to this feeling of isolation. I saw doctors and psychiatrists and even attended various support groups, but nothing seemed to make things better for me. As time went on, my mental health got worse, and I began to feel a deep sense of hopelessness and despair. It was a tough place to be in, and I felt very lost and alone. I believed that there was a difference between life and living. As a result of my acceptance to college, I am proud of the progress I have made and am committed to continuing to work on myself so that I can become an even more well-rounded person who can learn and thrive in a community to find my voice. I believe that college could help me improve my skills in the arts and channel them into becoming the best version of myself. I'm tired of living in a bubble, and I'm confident that my skills will continue to grow. I want to do the same as the great artists before and showcase my views on life using this creative and innovative medium of expression to pursue my dream career. I am determined to work hard and become a successful artist while developing my abilities in other areas that will help us lead a more fulfilling life. If was I was granted this opportunity I would do everything in my power to make sure it wouldn't go to waste.

At an early age, I knew I was different. I didn't talk until I was four years old. I couldn't make friends because everyone thought I was weird; I had constant anxiety, and I was very introverted. I was seeing doctors, psychiatrists, and numerous groups, but nothing felt like it was working, and I became depressed. I was worried I'd never accomplished anything at such a young age, and my family kept getting increasingly worried about me. Stress had been a constant issue for me, and balancing school with it made it even worse for both my mental and physical well-being. I fell into a deep depression. I felt myself talking to my family less and closing off the world in the bedroom, where I spent most of the day sleeping. So, to distract myself, I created an escape and did something productive; I started sketching. Initially, my drawings were terrible, but I refused to give up and kept practicing hard. To hone my skills, I began looking at drawings by other artists and tried to replicate them. I would draw the same picture multiple times, unknowingly training my hands to get familiar with the details. I loved drawing characters and creatures inspired by comics and cartoons I adored. Soon, I began getting ideas for original pieces and imaginary worlds. My family noticed this, supported me, and supplied me with anything they thought I would need. I had an IP meeting with my school, where I learned of Autism and how it made me unique. I could take existing things and make something new and creative out of them. During my freshman year in high school, I encountered a period of creative stagnation. The challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic had a profound impact on my passion for drawing, leading to a significant decline in my motivation. I found myself frequently frustrated by a lack of inspiration, struggling to generate new ideas for my artwork. This pressure to perform as an artist weighed heavily on me, adding to the difficulties I faced during that time. After seeking professional assistance and prioritizing self-care, my passion for drawing was reignited. As a result, I decided to take my skills to the next level by enrolling in an art class at the university to further enhance my abilities. I am truly grateful to have been accepted into this class, and I am eagerly looking forward to the opportunity to learn from a skilled and experienced instructor. I believe that this experience will not only help me to further develop my artistic skills but also allow me to create truly remarkable pieces of art that have the potential to inspire others. My goal is to follow in the footsteps of those who have come before me and use this artistic medium as a means to express my unique perspective on life. I am dedicated to expanding my skill set and am currently focusing on improving my artistic abilities, communication skills within a team setting and perserving my creativity so I can pursue my dream career in the arts.

I always felt like I was nobody. I didn't have any close friends or a significant other, and I hadn't achieved anything remarkable in my life. My introverted nature and constant anxiety only added to this feeling of isolation. I sought help from doctors and psychiatrists and even attended various support groups, but nothing seemed to alleviate my struggles. I was worried I wouldn't be able to do anything with my life and kept drifting aimlessly. I had burned many bridges over the years and made too many mistakes, and I was unsure if I'd ever be able to repair those relationships or make amends. It was a tough place, and I felt very lost and alone. Sometimes I still am. I believe that there's a difference between life and living. I used to see my life story as something constantly ahead of me. It's like I'm standing still at a point of time alone with nothing surrounding it. A developing chapter is written for me by an unpredictable but mostly biased writer. I think everyone can feel that way. But experiencing living for yourself made me question how I view things. My dad was looking at old family pictures and wanted to show me something. It was a video of me riding a bike for the first time. I wasn't good at it, even though I wanted to be. I was constantly falling, crashing into stuff, and mostly pouting. I couldn't understand what I was doing wrong. I was familiar with pedaling and steering but couldn't understand. I thought I would never be able to do it. So, I failed repeatedly until I did it one day. It was right out of the blue. I was experiencing bike riding properly for the first time. I was cheering. My dad was cheering. I was excited about this achievement and how big I thought it was. Honestly, that was the last time I remember being happy about something. When I realized that, I wondered why until it clicked on me: that's what living is. The bike was a small part of my life, something not that remarkable. It is just a part of a day-to-day experience, like every other small experience. But it's the one thing I could see play out. It inspired me to learn new things and left me eagerly anticipating my next challenge. From the act of sketching, I found solace and a means to be productive. While my initial efforts were subpar, I persisted in practicing and refused to give up. To enhance my abilities, I closely examined the work of other artists and endeavored to replicate their sketches. I unintentionally honed my dexterity to recognize intricate details by repeatedly drawing the same subject. Deep within me, there is a desire to reveal the real me to the world and demonstrate my capabilities - something I could have achieved had I broken out of my shell earlier. I aspire to utilize my skills to motivate and inspire others.

In this world, you don't get something from nothing. You have to take the first step into a place outside of yourself and figure out how to stop turning back into familiarity. I know what it's like to feel like nobody. When I was a teenager I wanted to be somebody to look up to the way I looked up to the many successful creatives of the country and the world. A passion that started as a small hobby became my purpose: the arts. I wanted to create works of fiction that combined realism that spoke to myself and a constantly perceived audience in my head. I felt like I could share my talents with the people and finally feel accepted. I was just unable to get over myself. I was trying to meet an unattainable goal that never existed, to be perfect. I was stressed beyond expression and was put off my dreams until I became aware of others who also felt this way. An online community that wants to help themselves as much as they would like to help others. I wanted to have others understand their problems so I joined and slowly got back to what made life exciting. I made some new goals that I wanted to reach and have also noticed that there has been some improvement in my level of maturity and how to approach and cope with challenging situations more effectively, which has helped me become a calmer and more level-headed person. As a result of my acceptance to college, I am proud of the progress I have made so far and am committed to continuing to work on myself to become an even more well-rounded person who can learn and thrive in a community to find my voice. I believe that college could help me improve my skills in the arts and channel them into becoming the best version of myself. I'm tired of living in a bubble, and I'm confident my skills will continue growing. I want to do the same as the great artists before and showcase my views on life using this creative and innovative medium of expression to pursue my dream career. I am determined to work hard and become a successful artist while developing my abilities in other areas that will help us lead a more fulfilling life. The journey might hurt, but everything happens for a reason (and other lies I've loved) - Kate Bowler.

When the world feels like too much and I need to breathe a little, I want to create. I love being surrounded by nature or traveling to new worlds or places. As for life experiences and identities in my artwork, I reference personal experiences, emotions, and outer influences to create pieces that feel surreal, authentic, and meaningful to me. Visuals can help us better understand our place in the universe and keep us growing, learning, and finding the hidden joys of life. That's why my ultimate passion lies in creating unique pieces of art that can inspire others. Art is the thing I hold very dear to my heart. It truly astounds me how much time and effort are willingly put into enhancing a show or film's narrative and emotional impact, all to create a more engaging and immersive experience for the audience. I am incredibly motivated by the legacy of individuals who have preceded me, and I aim to use this imaginative and creative medium to showcase my perspectives on life. I am working on expanding my skill set, including my talent for art, communication skills with a team, creativity, computer software knowledge, and time management to pursue my dream career. The fear of not living up to my full potential is what breaks me out of those thoughts and eventually find myself in a state of passion from productiveness through doing what I love. I can make bad art or good art and just be proud of the progress I'm making. Whenever I get frustrated, I take a break, come back to look at what I'm making, and add even more to my work. The fulfillment I get from creating is the best feeling in the world and all I want to do is explore where I can go with my creativeness.

In this world, you don't get something from nothing. You have to take the first step into a place outside of yourself and figure out how to stop turning back into familiarity. I know what it's like to feel like nobody. When I was a teenager I wanted to be somebody to look up to the way I looked up to the many successful creatives of the country and the world. A passion that started as a small hobby became my purpose: the arts. I wanted to create works of fiction that combined realism that spoke to myself and a constantly perceived audience in my head. I felt like I could share my talents with the people and finally feel accepted. I was just unable to get over myself. I was trying to meet an unattainable goal that never existed, to be perfect. I was stressed beyond expression and was put off my dreams until I became aware of others who also felt this way. An online community that wants to help themselves as much as they would like to help others. I wanted to have others understand their problems so I joined and slowly got back to what made life exciting. I made some new goals that I wanted to reach and have also noticed that there has been some improvement in my level of maturity and how to approach and cope with challenging situations more effectively, which has helped me become a calmer and more level-headed person. As a result of my acceptance to college, I am proud of the progress I have made so far and am committed to continuing to work on myself to become an even more well-rounded person who can learn and thrive in a community to find my voice. I believe that college could help me improve my skills in the arts and channel them into becoming the best version of myself. I'm tired of living in a bubble, and I'm confident my skills will continue growing. I want to do the same as the great artists before and showcase my views on life using this creative and innovative medium of expression to pursue my dream career. I am determined to work hard and become a successful artist while developing my abilities in other areas that will help us lead a more fulfilling life. The journey might hurt. But we'll get there, eventually.

As a young teenager online with nothing going on in his life, I found a person who would be crucial to my journey of creativity and activism. When I was struggling to find where I wanted to take my passions for the arts, I came across a portfolio on social media filled with amazing pieces you couldn't see anywhere else. Felix D’eon was born in Mexico. After the death of his French father when he was still young, he pursued the arts by sketching his friends, his perspectives, and his life in the community college his mother enrolled in him. But he wasn't satisfied with where he was in life, so he and his brother ran away from home and spent nearly a year living on a beach in Mexico City and working as street portrait artists. When he returned to Pacific Palisades and graduated high school, Félix moved to San Francisco, where he graduated with honors from the Academy of Art University. Ever since then, he was an artist who painted queer themes of love, intimacy, and romance, and the work he made was fantastic with outstanding quality. I fell in love with how he portrayed the themes of queerness in history without toning down anything. The portraits were either hilarious, heartwarming, tear-jerking, or thought-provoking. If we lived in a world with this kind of acceptance and love with nothing but consent and charisma of people just wanting to live their lives happily, that would be a world I wouldn't hate to be in. I was inspired and motivated and started writing stories and drawing artworks about the journey of self-discovery, the insecurities one can feel about their body and sexuality, and the challenges of identity in a world of hate and bias. I became more aware of the problems that the LGBTQIA+ community often faces, and I wanted to give them hope. My goal in the future is to be more inclusive in communities that are often discriminated against for no reason. It is so important to be who you want to be and never drag yourself down for trying to find true happiness. I am determined to work hard and become a successful artist while also developing my abilities in other areas that will help me lead a more fulfilling life and be there for people who need it.

I always felt like I was nobody. I didn't have any close friends or a significant other, and I hadn't achieved anything remarkable in my life. My introverted nature and constant anxiety only added to this feeling of isolation. I sought help from doctors and psychiatrists and even attended various support groups, but nothing seemed to alleviate my struggles. I was worried I wouldn't be able to do anything with my life and kept drifting aimlessly. I had burned many bridges over the years and made too many mistakes, and I was unsure if I'd ever be able to repair those relationships or make amends. It was a tough place, and I felt very alone. Sometimes I still am. I believe that there's a difference between life and living. I used to see my life story as something constantly ahead of me. It's like I'm standing still at a point of time alone with nothing surrounding it. A developing chapter is written for me by an unpredictable but mostly biased writer. I think everyone can feel that way. But experiencing living for yourself made me question how I view things. My dad was looking at old family pictures and wanted to show me something. It was a video of me riding a bike for the first time. I wasn't good at it, even though I wanted to be. I was constantly falling, crashing into stuff, and mostly pouting. I couldn't understand what I was doing wrong. I was familiar with pedaling and steering but couldn't understand. I thought I would never be able to do it. So, I failed repeatedly until I did it one day. It was right out of the blue. I was experiencing bike riding properly for the first time. I was cheering. My dad was cheering. I was excited about this achievement and how big I thought it was. Honestly, that was the last time I remember being happy about something. When I realized that, I wondered why until it clicked on me: that's what living is. The bike was a small part of my life, something not that remarkable. It is just a part of a day-to-day experience, like every other small experience. But it's the one thing I could see play out. It inspired me to learn new things and left me eagerly anticipating my next challenge. From the act of sketching, I found solace and a means to be productive. While my initial efforts were subpar, I persisted in practicing and refused to give up. To enhance my abilities, I closely examined the work of other artists and endeavored to replicate their sketches. By repeatedly drawing the same subject, I unintentionally honed my dexterity to recognize intricate details. Deep within me, there is a desire to reveal the real me to the world and demonstrate my capabilities - something I could have achieved had I broken out of my shell earlier. I aspire to utilize my skills to motivate and inspire others.

After the September 11 attacks, my father chose to enlist himself in the military in response to the event. With the horrible images of destruction and the stories of heroism, he felt a calling to contribute to the defense of our nation. His decision to join the military was driven by a profound sense of patriotism and a desire to protect the freedoms we often take for granted. A veteran wanting to serve his country and what it stood for. Even after his work in the force was done, he took on government roles to help out, influencing me in ways that extend far beyond his military service. My parents eventually started a family, and I was born in Houston, Texas. Later, we moved to Virginia, where the pace of life seemed to slow down, and the natural beauty of the state was simply breathtaking. As my father embarked on his new journey, he would often share with me the deeply held values and principles that fueled his unwavering commitment to serving America. His stories painted a vivid picture of his dedication and the importance of service to others. The influence of those stories was profound. His experiences taught me the significance of commitment, integrity, sacrifice, responsibility, teamwork, and leadership. In the military, he took on roles that demanded leading by example, inspiring others, and working collaboratively towards common goals. He was always at the forefront of my thoughts, whether I was sitting in the classroom, participating in extracurricular activities, or dedicating time to my part-time job. I make a conscious effort to mirror his attitude by promoting a culture of collaboration and taking a community role with empathy and reverence. My father's unwavering commitment to his nation serves as a constant well of inspiration for me to create a substantial impact on society through my artistic endeavors. I am dedicated to positively impacting the world, drawing inspiration from my father's selfless dedication and resilience. His courage, discipline, and commitment have been a constant source of inspiration for me, guiding me through challenges and shaping my personal and professional aspirations. As I pursue further education and seek to contribute to my community, I carry with me the valuable lessons learned from his remarkable service. His legacy of resilience and dedication continues to inspire me, and I am dedicated to upholding these values as I work towards positively impacting the world around me. So, my father knows how much he means to me.

I have difficulty accepting reality. Being on the spectrum doesn't help. I'm experiencing all these changes that I was never mentally prepared for, and I regret distracting myself with online spaces because I couldn't process things properly. I saw all these people doing amazing things, going to incredible places, meeting famous celebrities, and just living the life they wanted to. It was like the movies and shows I spent so much time watching where characters can go on adventurous quests to challenge themselves and just be somebody. Everyone on the internet was making success seem like the ideal, perfect life everyone should strive for. So, I wanted to be successful, somehow. I was thinking about what I loved in the whole world. It's a hard thing to apply to real life when you don't have friends, so I thought fictional and realized I wanted to create. I wanted to live and be remembered for a personal hobby that started off drawing terrible comics because if you work loving what you do, you'll never work a day in your life. I could tell my father hated working. He'd have a lot of bad days and come home straight to his office with all the lottery tickets he'd bought. He tells me to fetch him some quarters for his stack of weekly tickets. He would lose a lot and curse loudly throughout the house and yet kept buying more. The money he did win would usually go straight into the local convince store's machine, he could always just quit. All of those "a million-dollar winner was sold here!" was just too tempting for him. He told me if he ever won big, he would buy a farm upstate away from the public. My communication skills never got easier, even when I got my first job with barely any training, I felt awkward with customers that I knew I couldn't help. It was just like at school, and the gym, or anywhere on the outside. Being social was agonizing and the only comfort I had was eating. I spent a lot of money on any restaurant that caught my eye that day. I started gaining pounds noticeably but didn't want to do anything about it because I could just go on a diet tomorrow, next week, or month, or year. Whenever I try to reach out and talk to them about how scared I am for the future what I'm doing to myself and how I let this control me nothing changes. We often deflect our addictions with humor but still do it because the chances of actually working on ourselves are very low. So now I have a habit of keeping my walls up because I feel like there's no way over them, and no one cares in the first place. It's easy to believe that if everyone's miserable you won't feel so alone anymore. But all that's doing is hurting the people around you. Friends and family are the only things you have and maybe all you will have. I am still struggling with socializing, dissociation, anxiety, and depression. But I want to reach my dreams and feel accomplished. I am going to work on my problems by not waiting for a time to break out of my comfort zone. I know there's a whole world out there to see and all I want to do on this earth is live a fulfilling life. I am currently a freshman at Virginia Commonwealth University majoring in arts and I using my time in college to face my struggles with addiction.

Video games are beloved around the world but one of the aspects of it that makes them popular is how they connect us with people. The countless hours of joy, laughter, and unforgettable memories with family and friends. While many games offer intense competition, they also perfectly blend friendly rivalry with moments of teamwork and offer a good time. But what if those digital games were just as real as those connections? One of the most cherished memories of my life revolves around playing Mario games with my family. I spent countless hours playing New Super Mario Bros 2 on the 3DS, Mario Kart 8 with my sisters and dad, and Super Mario Odyssey with my cousins. I loved having fun with other people and miss those times I could have whenever I wanted. I used to always laugh when I beat my dad in a race, even though he had come in the first place the first two times in the same cup tournament and was trying to collect all the golden stars. He would get frustrated and stop playing, but I would keep going on my own. It was still a lot of fun—I played Mario Kart 8 all the time! Mario was an iconic part of my childhood, and I'm sure it was for many others as well. Nostalgia from the good times of gaming reminds me of how good I had it and how much I never appreciated it. I want to recreate some of those memories in the present so I can feel that excitement again. I love the way video games can take me out of the real world and make me feel alive. Since then, I've written stories that pay homage to video games in their ways of having fun. It has combo meters, written sound effects in midair, points, and extra lives giving the story a surreal feel to it and making it extremely creative. Visual subtext lets the audience know what kind of game they’re being referenced to and that they are in for a loose, tongue-in-cheek ride. They also give the readers and audience an idea of the characters and their characteristics: a statistic box gives us some basic information about each character and their goals. I want to let all the gaming players know how great these games are and what kind of emotions in memories they evoke that you'd never expect.

As a young teenager online with nothing going on in his life, I found a person who would be crucial to my journey of creativity and activism. When I was struggling to find where I wanted to take my passions for the arts I came across a portfolio on social media filled with amazing pieces you couldn't see anywhere else. Felix D’eon was born in Mexico. After the death of his French father when he was still young he pursued the arts by sketching his friends, his perspectives, and his life in the community college his mother enrolled in him. But he wasn't satisfied with where he was in life so he and his brother ran away from home and spent nearly a year living on a beach in Mexico City and working as street portrait artists. When he returned to Pacific Palisades and graduated high school, Félix moved to San Francisco, where he graduated with honors from the Academy of Art University. Ever since then, he was an artist who painted queer themes of love, intimacy, and romance, and the work he made was fantastic with outstanding quality. I fell in love with how he portrayed the themes of queerness in history without toning down anything. The pictures were either hilarious, heartwarming, tear-jerking, or thought-provoking. If we lived in a world with this kind of acceptance and love with nothing but consent and charisma of people just wanting to live their lives happily, that would be a world I wouldn't hate to be in. I was inspired to start writing stories and drawing artworks about the journey of self-discovery, the insecurities one can feel about one's body and sexuality, and the challenges of identity in a world of hate and bias. I became more aware of the problems the LGBTQIA+ community often faces and wanted to give them hope. My goal in the future is to be more inclusive in communities that are often discriminated against for no reason. I had difficulty emotionally connecting with people around me and lived as a loner my whole life. I couldn't escape that sense of hopelessness and anxiety felt everywhere I went. I was convinced that I would never be able to accomplish anything in my life, and my family grew increasingly concerned for my well-being. It was a difficult and trying time for me, and I often felt like there was no light at the end of the tunnel. When I found out I was queer, it got much harder for me. But we don't have to be alone. It is so important to be who you want to be and never drag yourself down for trying to find true happiness. I am determined to work hard and become a successful artist while also developing my abilities in other areas that will help me lead a more fulfilling life and be there for people who need it. This scholarship be a dream come true for my education.

I was just a young teenager with nothing going on in his life. All I did all day was listen to my sounds, senses, and existence as they came together and just made me think. My bedroom was dark all the time, everything was put down and I stared at the ceiling. I thought about life, love, and the observable universe. The good, joyful memories with the people I care about. The bad, painful experiences of things I did wrong. People I dislike and strongly want to avoid. Places I've gone to and probably will never go again. Remembering the emotions, opportunities, and accomplishments I was proud of. It all made me feel... creative. I went online a lot so I found people who also felt this way and I ended up finding someone who would be crucial to my journey of creativity and activism. When I was struggling to find where I wanted to take my passion for the arts I came across photos on social media communities filled with amazing pieces. The drawings were either hilarious, heartwarming, tear-jerking, or thought-provoking. If we lived in a world with this kind of acceptance and love with nothing but consent and charisma of people just wanting to live their lives happily, that would be a world I wouldn't hate to be in. It was a great contrast from the room I was stuck in all day. I was inspired and motivated and started writing stories and drawing artworks about the journey of self-discovery, the insecurities one can feel about one's life, existentialism, and mind. I began looking at drawings by other artists and tried to replicate them. I would draw the same picture multiple times, unknowingly training my hands to get familiar with the details. I loved drawing characters and creatures inspired by comics and cartoons that I adored. Soon, I began getting ideas for original pieces. I watched online tutorials and learned from the experiences of other artists. I have difficulty accepting reality. Being on the spectrum doesn't help. I'm experiencing all these changes that I was never mentally prepared for and I regret distracting myself with online spaces because I couldn't process things properly. I saw all these people doing amazing things, going to incredible places, meeting celebrities, and just living the life they wanted to. It was like the movies and shows I spent so much time watching where characters can go on adventurous quests to challenge themselves and just be somebody. It is so important to be who you wanna be and never drag yourself down for trying to find true happiness. I am determined to work hard and become a successful artist while also developing my abilities in other areas that will help me lead a more fulfilling life and be there for people who need it. We can't appreciate the little things until we're satisfied with what we've accomplished in the grand scheme of things.

As a young teenager online with nothing going on in his life, I found a person who would be crucial to my journey of creativity and activism. When I was struggling to find where I wanted to take my passions for the arts I came across a portfolio on social media filled with amazing pieces you couldn't see anywhere else. Felix D’eon was born in Mexico. After the death of his French father when he was still young he pursued the arts by sketching his friends, his perspectives, and his life in the community college his mother enrolled in him. But he wasn't satisfied with where he was in life so he and his brother ran away from home and spent nearly a year living on a beach in Mexico City and working as street portrait artists. When he returned to Pacific Palisades and graduated high school, Félix moved to San Francisco, where he graduated with honors from the Academy of Art University. Ever since then, he was an artist who painted queer themes of love, intimacy, and romance, and the work he made was fantastic with outstanding quality. I fell in love with how he portrayed the themes of queerness in history without toning down anything. The pictures were either hilarious, heartwarming, tear-jerking, or thought-provoking. If we lived in a world with this kind of acceptance and love with nothing but consent and charisma of people just wanting to live their lives happily, that would be a world I wouldn't hate to be in. I was inspired to start writing stories and drawing artworks about the journey of self-discovery, the insecurities one can feel about one's body and sexuality, and the challenges of identity in a world of hate and bias. I became more aware of the problems the LGBTQIA+ community often faces and wanted to give them hope. My goal in the future is to be more inclusive in communities that are often discriminated against for no reason. I had difficulty emotionally connecting with people around me and lived as a loner my whole life. I couldn't escape that sense of hopelessness and anxiety felt everywhere I went. I was convinced that I would never be able to accomplish anything in my life, and my family grew increasingly concerned for my well-being. It was a difficult and trying time for me, and I often felt like there was no light at the end of the tunnel. When I found out I was queer, it got much harder for me. But we don't have to be alone. It is so important to be who you wanna be and never drag yourself down for trying to find true happiness. I am determined to work hard and become a successful artist while also developing my abilities in other areas that will help me lead a more fulfilling life and be there for people who need it.

As a young teenager online with nothing going on in his life, I found a person who would be crucial to my journey of creativity and activism. When I was struggling to find where I wanted to take my passions for the arts I came across a portfolio on social media filled with amazing pieces you couldn't see anywhere else. Felix D’eon was born in Mexico. After the death of his French father when he was still young he pursued the arts by sketching his friends, his perspectives, and his life in the community college his mother enrolled in him. But he wasn't satisfied with where he was in life so he and his brother ran away from home and spent nearly a year living on a beach in Mexico City and working as street portrait artists. When he returned to Pacific Palisades and graduated high school, Félix moved to San Francisco, where he graduated with honors from the Academy of Art University. Ever since then, he was an artist who painted queer themes of love, intimacy, and romance, and the work he made was fantastic with outstanding quality. I fell in love with how he portrayed the themes of queerness in history without toning down anything. The pictures were either hilarious, heartwarming, tear-jerking, or thought-provoking. If we lived in a world with this kind of acceptance and love with nothing but consent and charisma of people just wanting to live their lives happily, that would be a world I wouldn't hate to be in. I was inspired and motivated and started writing stories and drawing artworks about the journey of self-discovery, the insecurities one can feel about their body and sexuality, and the challenges of identity in a world of hate and bias. I became more aware of the problems that the LGBTQ+ community often faces, and I wanted to give them hope. My goal in the future is to be more inclusive in communities that are often discriminated against for no reason. I had difficulty emotionally connecting with people around me and lived as a loner my whole life. I couldn't escape that sense of hopelessness and anxiety felt everywhere I went. I was convinced that I would never be able to accomplish anything in my life, and my family grew increasingly concerned for my well-being. It was a hard time for me, and I often felt like there was no light at the end of the tunnel. When I found out I was queer, it got much harder for me. But we don't have to be alone. It is so important to be who you wanna be and never drag yourself down for trying to find true happiness. I am determined to work hard and become a successful artist while also developing my abilities in other areas that will help me lead a more fulfilling life and be there for people who need it.

As a young teenager online with nothing going on in his life, I found a person who would be crucial to my journey of creativity and activism. When I was struggling to find where I wanted to take my passions for the arts I came across a portfolio on social media filled with amazing pieces you couldn't see anywhere else. Felix D’eon was born in Mexico. After the death of his French father when he was still young he pursued the arts by sketching his friends, his perspectives, and his life in the community college his mother enrolled in him. But he wasn't satisfied with where he was in life so he and his brother ran away from home and spent nearly a year living on a beach in Mexico City and working as street portrait artists. When he returned to Pacific Palisades and graduated high school, Félix moved to San Francisco, where he graduated with honors from the Academy of Art University. Ever since then, he was an artist who painted queer themes of love, intimacy, and romance, and the work he made was fantastic with outstanding quality. I fell in love with how he portrayed the themes of queerness in history without toning down anything. The portraits were either hilarious, heartwarming, tear-jerking, or thought-provoking. If we lived in a world with this kind of acceptance and love with nothing but consent and charisma of people just wanting to live their lives happily, that would be a world I wouldn't hate to be in. I was inspired and motivated and started writing stories and drawing artworks about the journey of self-discovery, the insecurities one can feel about their body and sexuality, and the challenges of identity in a world of hate and bias. I became more aware of the problems that the LGBTQIA+ community often faces, and I wanted to give them hope. My goal in the future is to be more inclusive in communities that are often discriminated against for no reason. I had difficulty emotionally connecting with people around me and lived as a loner my whole life. I couldn't escape that sense of hopelessness and anxiety felt everywhere I went. I was convinced that I would never be able to accomplish anything in my life, and my family grew increasingly concerned for my well-being. It was a difficult and trying time for me, and I often felt like there was no light at the end of the tunnel. When I found out I was queer, it got much harder for me. But we don't have to be alone. It is so important to be who you wanna be and never drag yourself down for trying to find true happiness. I am determined to work hard and become a successful artist while also developing my abilities in other areas that will help me lead a more fulfilling life and be there for people who need it.

Nothing matters. That's how I defined myself and the world around me—a nihilist pessimistic person who saw no meaning in anything anyone did. Just a young teenager with nothing going on in his life. All I did all day was listen to my sounds, senses, and existence as they came together and just made me think. My bedroom was dark all the time, everything was put down and I stared at the ceiling. I thought about life, love, and the observable universe. The good, joyful memories with the people I care about. The bad, painful experiences of things I did wrong. People I dislike and strongly want to avoid. Places I've gone to and probably will never go again. Remembering the emotions, opportunities, and accomplishments I was proud of. It all made me feel... creative. I went online a lot so I found people who also felt this way and I ended up finding someone who would be crucial to my journey of creativity and activism. When I was struggling to find where I wanted to take my passions for the arts I came across a portfolio on social media filled with amazing pieces you couldn't see anywhere else. Felix D’eon was born in Mexico. After the death of his French father when he was still young he pursued the arts by sketching his friends, his perspectives, and his life in the community college his mother enrolled in him. But he wasn't satisfied with where he was in life so he and his brother ran away from home and spent nearly a year living on a beach in Mexico City and working as street portrait artists. When he returned to Pacific Palisades and graduated high school, Félix moved to San Francisco, where he graduated with honors from the Academy of Art University. Ever since then, he was an artist who painted queer themes of love, intimacy, and romance, and the work he made was fantastic with outstanding quality. I fell in love with how he portrayed the themes of queerness in history without toning down anything. The pictures were either hilarious, heartwarming, tear-jerking, or thought-provoking. If we lived in a world with this kind of acceptance and love with nothing but consent and charisma of people just wanting to live their lives happily, that would be a world I wouldn't hate to be in. It was a great contrast from the room I was stuck in all day. I was inspired and motivated and started writing stories and drawing artworks about the journey of self-discovery, the insecurities one can feel about their life, existentialism, body, and sexuality, and the challenges of identity in a world of hate and bias. I became more aware of the problems that the LGBTQIA+ community often faces, and I wanted to give them hope. My goal in the future is to be more inclusive in communities that are often discriminated against for no reason. I began looking at drawings by other artists and tried to replicate them. I would draw the same picture multiple times, unknowingly training my hands to get familiar with the details. I loved drawing characters and creatures inspired by comics and cartoons that I adored. Soon, I began getting ideas for original pieces. I watched online tutorials and learned from the experiences of other artists. I have difficulty accepting reality. Being on the spectrum doesn't help. I'm experiencing all these changes that I was never mentally prepared for and I regret distracting myself with online spaces because I couldn't process things properly. I saw all these people doing amazing things, going to incredible places, meeting celebrities, and just living the life they wanted to. It was like the movies and shows I spent so much time watching where characters can go on adventurous quests to challenge themselves and just be somebody. Everyone on the internet was making success seem like the ideal, perfect life everyone should strive for. So I wanted to be successful, somehow. I was thinking about what I loved in the whole world. It's a hard thing to apply to real life when you don't have friends so I thought fictional and realized I wanted to create. I wanted to live and be remembered for a personal hobby that started off drawing terrible comics because if you work loving what you do you'll never work a day in your life. I needed to stop feeling sorry for myself and actually make a change In my day-to-day if I wanted to feel good about myself. I was gaining weight and brain fog from indulging too much in myself. I had to take a few dopamine detoxes to refresh myself and become the best I could be. I had difficulty emotionally connecting with people around me and lived as a loner my whole life. I couldn't escape that sense of hopelessness and despair I felt everywhere I went. When I found out I was queer, it got much harder for me. But we don't have to be alone. It is so important to be who you wanna be and never drag yourself down for trying to find true happiness. I am determined to work hard and become a successful artist while also developing my abilities in other areas that will help me lead a more fulfilling life and be there for people who need it. We can't appreciate the little things until we're satisfied with what we've accomplished in the grand scheme of things.

Depression will take everything that makes what you are into somebody unrecognizable. I had difficulty emotionally connecting with people around me and lived as a loner my whole life. I couldn't escape that sense of hopelessness and despair I felt everywhere I went. I was convinced that I would never be able to accomplish anything in my life, and my family grew increasingly concerned for my well-being. It was a difficult and trying time for me, and I often felt like there was no light at the end of the tunnel. I burned many bridges over the years and made too many mistakes, and I wasn't sure if I'd ever be able to repair those relationships or make amends. I had distracted myself with those thoughts by starting a hobby that was perfect for escapism and gave me something to do. Sketching. It would start as me having an idea, gathering all the supplies I needed, staring at a blank piece of paper, drawing out those couple of lines, then crumbling it all up and throwing it in the trash. The ideas I had for the drawings sounded so compelling in my head. I was imagining so many different worlds and characters that took inspiration from my favorite shows and movies. But I didn't think I was good enough. A constant uphill battle that went back down too quickly, before I could get my passion out after the rush of starting a project ended. I was considering giving up before my mother stepped in. She wanted me to keep practicing and push myself and believe that I could make something great. So I started doing exactly that. I began looking at drawings by other artists and tried to replicate them. I would draw the same picture multiple times, unknowingly training my hands to get familiar with the details. I was inspired and motivated and started writing stories and drawing artworks about the journey of self-discovery, the insecurities one can feel about oneself, and the challenges of identity in a world of hate and bias. I became more aware of the problems I had and how to deal with them head-on We don't have to be alone. It is so important to be who you wanna be and never drag yourself down for trying to find true happiness. I am determined to work hard and become a successful artist while also developing my abilities in other areas that will help me lead a more fulfilling life and be there for people who need it.

Depression will take everything that makes what you are into somebody unrecognizable. I had difficulty emotionally connecting with people around me and lived as a loner my whole life. I couldn't escape that sense of hopelessness and despair I felt everywhere I went. I was convinced that I would never be able to accomplish anything in my life, and my family grew increasingly concerned for my well-being. It was a difficult and trying time for me, and I often felt like there was no light at the end of the tunnel. I had distracted myself with those thoughts by starting a hobby that was perfect for escapism and gave me something to do. Sketching. It would start as me having an idea, gathering all the supplies I needed, staring at a blank piece of paper, drawing out those couple of lines, then crumbling it all up and throwing it in the trash. The ideas I had for the drawings sounded so compelling in my head. I was imagining so many different worlds and characters that took inspiration from my favorite shows and movies. But I didn't think I was good enough. A constant uphill battle that went back down too quickly, before I could get my passion out after the rush of starting a project ended. I was considering giving up before my mother stepped in. She wanted me to keep practicing and push myself and believe that I could make something great. So I started doing exactly that. I began looking at drawings by other artists and tried to replicate them. I would draw the same picture multiple times, unknowingly training my hands to get familiar with the details. I loved drawing characters and creatures inspired by comics and cartoons that I adored. Soon, I began getting ideas for original pieces. I watched online tutorials and learned from the experiences of other popular artists. I became more and more invested in the art world, and my family supported my dream and helped me in every way possible. All in all, I am proud of the progress I have made and am committed to continuing to work on myself so that I can become an even more mature and well-rounded person. I believe that college could help me hone my skills in the arts and channel them into becoming the best version of myself. I'm tired of living in a bubble, and I'm confident that my skills will continue to grow. I aspire to do the same as the great artists before me and showcase my views on life using this creative and innovative medium. Currently, I am working on expanding my skill set, including good art talent, communication skills with a team, creativity, computer software knowledge, and time management, to pursue my dream career. I am determined to work hard and become a successful artist while also developing my abilities in other areas that will help me lead a more fulfilling life.

Depression will take everything that makes what you are into somebody unrecognizable. I had difficulty emotionally connecting with people around me and lived as a loner my whole life. I couldn't escape that sense of hopelessness and despair I felt everywhere I went. I was convinced that I would never be able to accomplish anything in my life, and my family grew increasingly concerned for my well-being. It was a difficult and trying time for me, and I often felt like there was no light at the end of the tunnel. I burned many bridges over the years and made too many mistakes, and I wasn't sure if I'd ever be able to repair those relationships or make amends. I had distracted myself with those thoughts by starting a hobby that was perfect for escapism and gave me something to do. Sketching. It would start as me having an idea, gathering all the supplies I needed, staring at a blank piece of paper, drawing out those couple of lines, then crumbling it all up and throwing it in the trash. The ideas I had for the drawings sounded so compelling in my head. I was imagining so many different worlds and characters that took inspiration from my favorite shows and movies. But I didn't think I was good enough. A constant uphill battle that went back down too quickly, before I could get my passion out after the rush of starting a project ended. I was considering giving up before my mother stepped in. She wanted me to keep practicing and push myself and believe that I could make something great. So I started doing exactly that. I began looking at drawings by other artists and tried to replicate them. I would draw the same picture multiple times, unknowingly training my hands to get familiar with the details. I loved drawing characters and creatures inspired by comics and cartoons that I adored. Soon, I began getting ideas for original pieces. I watched online tutorials and learned from the experiences of other popular artists. I became more and more invested in the art world, and my family supported my dream and helped me in every way possible. All in all, I am proud of the progress I have made and am committed to continuing to work on myself so that I can become an even more mature and well-rounded person. I believe that college could help me hone my skills in the arts and channel them into becoming the best version of myself. I'm tired of living in a bubble, and I'm confident that my skills will continue to grow. I aspire to do the same as the great artists before me and showcase my views on life using this creative and innovative medium. Currently, I am working on expanding my skill set, including good art talent, communication skills with a team, creativity, computer software knowledge, and time management, to pursue my dream career. I am determined to work hard and become a successful artist while also developing my abilities in other areas that will help me lead a more fulfilling life.

Space. The final frontier. The great black, big sky was so desperate we had to know to find something else out there. Does life exist on other planets, or are we merely sentient specks of oxygen on a meteorite drifting through the void? How long will humanity last? How will it all come to an end? Is life merely an experience that leads us on a journey into the distant future, trillions of years ahead, to uncover the ultimate fate of our planet and the universe? What if we could travel through time exponentially, witnessing the future of Earth, the explosion of the sun, the death of all stars, and the decay of protons? We could observe future civilizations, crumbling galaxies, and exploding black holes. We might experience the effects of dark energy, explore alternate parallel universes, and learn about the final fate of the cosmos. It would be nice to see, wouldn't it? In the grand scheme of things... Nothing matters. That's how I defined myself and the world around me—a nihilist pessimistic person who saw no meaning in anything anyone did. Then I stopped. Sound, senses, and existence came together and just made me pause. The room went dark, everything was put down and I stared at the ceiling. I thought about life, love, and the observable universe. The good, joyful memories with the people I care about. The bad, painful experiences of things I did wrong. People I dislike and strongly want to avoid. Places I've gone to and probably will never go again. Remembering the emotions, opportunities, and accomplishments I was proud of. I remembered a video my father showed. It was a video of me riding a bike for the first time. I wasn’t good at it, even though I wanted to be. I was constantly falling, crashing into stuff, and mostly pouting. I couldn't understand what I was doing wrong. I was familiar with pedaling and steering but couldn't understand. I thought I would never be able to do it. So I failed again and again until I just did it one day. It was right out of the blue. I was experiencing bike riding properly for the first time. I was cheering. My dad was cheering. I was excited about this achievement and how big I thought it was. I thought about what I had accomplished that day. Usually, it hurt to think a lot but I came to a conclusion. It wasn’t an original thought and I was having my doubts, but the feeling of something… pure and raw. It always made me step slightly outside my comfort zone to embrace a world that has more to offer than this. I saw a peaceful place that enveloped me like a warm hug from a mother. The air was fresh where I could finally breathe, and the vibrant passion of the universe passed through my soul and very own essence. It felt like I could actually be myself, and nothing mattered. But doesn't that mean everything matters? I don’t know where those words came from. It was probably a lie, but telling myself that made the constant headache seem meaningful. Tears were flowing from under the retinas without meaning, so I believed it, closed my eyes, and rested. The next morning, I woke up feeling tired. We can't appreciate the little things until we're satisfied with what we've accomplished in the grand scheme of things.

I had a deep sense of hopelessness and despair. I was worried that I would never be able to accomplish anything in my life, and my family grew increasingly concerned for my well-being. It was a difficult and trying time for me, and I often felt like there was no light at the end of the tunnel. I burned many bridges over the years and made too many mistakes, and I wasn't sure if I'd ever be able to repair those relationships or make amends. It was a tough place to be in, and I felt very lost and alone. I believed that there was a difference between life and living. I used to see my life story as something that was constantly ahead of me like I was standing still at a point in time alone with nothing surrounding it. A developing chapter was written for me by an unpredictable but mostly biased writer. But it’s the one thing I could see play out. It inspired me to learn new things and left me eagerly anticipating my next challenge. I couldn’t see that while analyzing my life and where it could go because of certain events. I want to come out to show the world the real me, what I could have done had I stepped out of my shell years ago. I want to use my artwork and my art skills to inspire others and make them believe everything will be okay.

Depression will take everything that makes what you are into somebody unrecognizable. I had difficulty emotionally connecting with people around me and lived as a loner my whole life. I couldn't escape that sense of hopelessness and despair I felt everywhere I went. I was convinced that I would never be able to accomplish anything in my life, and my family grew increasingly concerned for my well-being. It was a difficult and trying time for me, and I often felt like there was no light at the end of the tunnel. I burned many bridges over the years and made too many mistakes, and I wasn't sure if I'd ever be able to repair those relationships or make amends. I had distracted myself with those thoughts by starting a hobby that was perfect for escapism and gave me something to do. Sketching. It would start as me having an idea, gathering all the supplies I needed, staring at a blank piece of paper, drawing out those couple of lines, then crumbling it all up and throwing it in the trash. The ideas I had for the drawings sounded so compelling in my head. I was imagining so many different worlds and characters that took inspiration from my favorite shows and movies. But I didn't think I was good enough. A constant uphill battle that went back down too quickly, before I could get my passion out after the rush of starting a project ended. I was considering giving up before my mother stepped in. She wanted me to keep practicing and push myself and believe that I could make something great. So I started doing exactly that. I began looking at drawings by other artists and tried to replicate them. I would draw the same picture multiple times, unknowingly training my hands to get familiar with the details. I loved drawing characters and creatures inspired by comics and cartoons that I adored. Soon, I began getting ideas for original pieces. I watched online tutorials and learned from the experiences of other artists, such as Aaron Blaise, who works for Disney. I became more and more invested in the art world, and my family supported my dream and helped me in every way possible. All in all, I am proud of the progress I have made and am committed to continuing to work on myself so that I can become an even more mature and well-rounded person. I believe that college could help me hone my skills in the arts and channel them into becoming the best version of myself. I'm tired of living in a bubble, and I'm confident that my skills will continue to grow. I aspire to do the same as the great artists before me and showcase my views on life using this creative and innovative medium. Currently, I am working on expanding my skill set, including good art talent, communication skills with a team, creativity, computer software knowledge, and time management, to pursue my dream career. I am determined to work hard and become a successful artist while also developing my abilities in other areas that will help me lead a more fulfilling life.

I have difficulty accepting reality. Being on the spectrum doesn't help. I'm experiencing all these changes that I was never mentally prepared for and I regret distracting myself with online spaces because I couldn't process things properly. I saw all these people doing amazing things, going to incredible places, meeting celebrities, and just living the life they wanted to. It was like the movies and shows I spent so much time watching where characters can go on adventurous quests to challenge themselves and just be somebody. Everyone on the internet was making success seem like the ideal, perfect life everyone should strive for. So I wanted to be successful, somehow. I was thinking about what I loved in the whole world. It's a hard thing to apply to real life when you don't have friends so I thought fictional and realized I wanted to create. I wanted to live and be remembered for a personal hobby that started off drawing terrible comics because if you work loving what you do you'll never work a day in your life. I needed to stop feeling sorry for myself and actually make a change In my day-to-day if I wanted to feel good about myself. I was gaining weight and brain fog from indulging too much in myself. I had to take a few dopamine detoxes to refresh myself and become the best I could be.

As a black young man, I have trouble adhering to society's expectations of traditional masculinity. I tend to have doubts about the skin color I was born with. I get extremely sensitive about being asked to participate in stereotypical activities with communities I'm not comfortable with. I don't know how to make connections with people, let alone long-lasting ones. I've been called extremely racist and hurtful things all my life because I couldn't fit in and I always used to agree with them. I used to think maybe if I was white I could control my emotions be tough, make friends, and be normal. I saw doctors and psychiatrists and even attended various support groups, but nothing seemed to make things better for me. As time went on, my mental health got worse, and I began to feel a deep sense of hopelessness and despair. I was worried that I would never be able to accomplish anything in my life. So, not knowing what else to do I distracted myself with hobbies. When I was being creative, I was away from my problems somewhere else. I loved making worlds to which I felt part and could relate. Unlike other biographical stories, what I experienced didn't have to do with my skin color or who was in the real world. Using my stress into something productive was worth it and I discovered other communities online that could understand. I got tips on how to do better and used them to improve. There is something incredibly satisfying about creating something beautiful and meaningful, whether it's a painting, a sculpture, or a doodle in my notebook. I enjoy getting lost in the creative process and the sense of accomplishment I feel when I finish my masterpieces. As I work toward pursuing a career in this field, I am constantly striving to improve my abilities by honing my skills in various areas. I am confident that with hard work and dedication, I can achieve my dream of positively impacting the world through creativity and innovation. Something deep inside me wants to come out to show the world the real me, what I could do, what I could have done had I stepped out of my shell years ago. I want to use my skills to inspire others. I want people to know that their uniqueness is the absolute best thing about them. I want to make this a great year.

In this world, you don't get something from nothing. You have to take the first step into a place outside of yourself and figure out how to stop turning back into familiarity. I know what it's like to feel like nobody. When I was a teenager I wanted to be somebody to look up to the way I looked up to the many successful creatives of the country and the world. A passion that started as a small hobby became my purpose: the arts. I wanted to create works of fiction that combined realism that spoke to myself and a constantly perceived audience in my head. I felt like I could share my talents with the people and finally feel accepted. I was just unable to get over myself. I was trying to meet an unattainable goal that never existed, to be perfect. I was stressed beyond expression and was put off my dreams until I became aware of others who also felt this way. An online community that wants to help themselves as much as they would like to help others. I wanted to have others understand the problems they face so I joined and slowly got back to what made life exciting. I made some new goals that I wanted to reach and have also noticed that there has been some improvement in my level of maturity and how to approach and cope with challenging situations more effectively, which has helped me become a calmer and more level-headed person. As a result of my acceptance to college, I am proud of the progress I have made and am committed to continuing to work on myself so that I can become an even more well-rounded person who can learn and thrive in a community to find my voice. I believe that college could help me improve my skills in the arts and channel them into becoming the best version of myself. I'm tired of living in a bubble, and I'm confident that my skills will continue to grow. I want to do the same as the great artists before and showcase my views on life using this creative and innovative medium of expression to pursue my dream career. I am determined to work hard and become a successful artist while developing my abilities in other areas that will help us lead a more fulfilling life. We'll get there, eventually.

As a black young man, I have trouble adhering to society's expectations of traditional masculinity. I tend to have doubts about the skin color I was born with. I get extremely sensitive about being asked to participate in stereotypical activities with communities I'm not comfortable with. I don't know how to make connections with people, let alone long-lasting ones. I've been called a extremly rascist and hurtful things all my life because I could'nt fit in and I always used to agree with them. I used to think maybe if I was white I could control my emotions be tough, make friends, and be normal. I saw doctors and psychiatrists and even attended various support groups, but nothing seemed to make things better for me. As time went on, my mental health got worse, and I began to feel a deep sense of hopelessness and despair. I was worried that I would never be able to accomplish anything in my life. So, not knowing what else to do I distracted myself with hobbies. When I was being creative, I was away from my problems somewhere else. I loved making worlds to which I felt part and could relate. Unlike other biographical stories, what I experienced didn't have to do with my skin color or who was in the real world. Using my stress into something productive was worth it and I discovered other communities online that could understand. I got tips on how to do better and used them to improve. There is something incredibly satisfying about creating something beautiful and meaningful, whether it's a painting, a sculpture, or even a doodle in my notebook. I enjoy getting lost in the creative process and the sense of accomplishment I feel when I finish a piece. As I work toward pursuing a career in this field, I am constantly striving to improve my abilities by honing my skills in various areas. I am confident that with hard work and dedication, I can achieve my dream of positively impacting the world through creativity and innovation. Something deep inside me wants to come out to show the world the real me, what I could do, what I could have done had I stepped out of my shell years ago. I want to use my skills to inspire others. I want people to know that their uniqueness is the absolute best thing about them.

In this world, you don't get something from nothing. You have to take the first step into a place outside of yourself and figure out how to stop turning back into familiarity. I know what it's like to feel like nobody. When I was a teenager I wanted to be somebody to look up to the way I looked up to the many successful creatives of the country and the world. A passion that started as a small hobby became my purpose: the arts. I wanted to create works of fiction that combined realism that spoke to myself and a constantly perceived audience in my head. I felt like I could share my talents with the people and finally feel accepted. I was just unable to get over myself. I was trying to meet an unattainable goal that never existed, to be perfect. I was stressed beyond expression and was put off my dreams until I became aware of others who also felt this way. An online community that wants to help themselves as much as they would like to help others. I wanted to have others understand the problems they face so I joined and slowly got back to what made life exciting. I made some new goals that I wanted to reach and have also noticed that there has been some improvement in my level of maturity and how to approach and cope with challenging situations more effectively, which has helped me become a calmer and more level-headed person. As a result of my acceptance to college, I am proud of the progress I have made and am committed to continuing to work on myself so that I can become an even more well-rounded person who can learn and thrive in a community to find my voice. I believe that college could help me improve my skills in the arts and channel them into becoming the best version of myself. I'm tired of living in a bubble, and I'm confident that my skills will continue to grow. I want to do the same as the great artists before and showcase my views on life using this creative and innovative medium of expression to pursue my dream career. I am determined to work hard and become a successful artist while also developing my abilities in other areas that will help us lead a more fulfilling life. We'll get there, eventually.

My name is Deshawn Hocker. I am 18 years old and a graduate of Riverbend High School in Fredericksburg, Virginia. I believe this scholarship would help me on my journey of self-discovery and passion for the arts. In my childhood, reading was an escape for me. I was introduced to the concept of "a hero journey" at an early age. Where the main characters have to discover themselves and embrace the changes they're going through. It was the start of dedicating myself to push myself to live the life I want to live. When I started creating for myself, it was difficult, even more than I thought it would be. So, I knew I needed to start setting goals to work towards. I am very motivated to get something I know I deserve. I am willing to admit my flaws and fight for the values, and ideals I know are right. I know that's why giving everything your all is important; you only live once. I am very much introverted and have trouble socializing so I often go to events that will push me out of my comfort zone and meet new people. I was always curious about finding a community to feel safe and secure. Friends and family are the only things you have and maybe all you will have. I am currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree to become a freelance artist, producing my own creative works and doing commissions for a living and be accomplished. I often dream of making an animated series that could inspire so many people. I will be studying fine arts/graphic design and working my way to make long-term connections with people I could call friends. I know I could do all I can to balance being an artist and developing socially. My passion and aspirations are for me to find success in the future. Richmond is nationally known for the true taste of the American dream. So many opportunities to find here, I'd be a sucker not to take them all. As a freshman at Virginia Commonwealth University with a 4.0 GPA, I am committed to graduating and sharing my ideas with the world. My higher education is not just about learning the challenges of the real world but about using that knowledge to accept the changes that happen in life and embracing the little joys one can find just by being alive.

My name is Deshawn Hocker and currently 18 years old. I am a graduate of Riverbend High School in Fredericksburg, Virginia. As a queer, I believe this scholarship would help me on my journey of self-discovery and passion for the arts. In my childhood, reading was an escape for me. I was introduced to the concept of "a hero journey" at an early age. Where the main character has to discover themselves to embrace the changes they're going through. It was the start of dedicating myself to push myself to live the life I want to live. When I started creating for myself, it was difficult, even more than I thought it would be. So, I knew I needed to start setting goals to work towards. I am very motivated to get something I know I deserve. I am willing to admit my flaws and fight for the values, and ideals I know are right. I know that's why it's always important to give everything your all; you only live once. I am very much introverted and have trouble socializing so I often go to events that will push me out of my comfort zone and meet new people. I was always curious about finding a community to feel safe and secure. Friends and family are the only things you have and maybe all you will have. I am currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree to become a freelance artist, producing my own creative works and doing commissions for a living and be accomplished. I often dream of making an animated series that could inspire so many people. I will be studying fine arts/graphic design and working my way to make long-term connections with people I could call friends. I know I could do all I can to balance being an artist and developing socially. My passion and aspirations are for me to find success in the future. Richmond is nationally known for the true taste of the American dream. So many opportunities to find here, I'd be a sucker not to take them all. As a freshman at Virginia Commonwealth University with a 4.0 GPA, I am committed to graduating and sharing my ideas with the world. My higher education is not just about learning the challenges of the real world but about using that knowledge to accept the changes that happen in life and embracing the little joys one can find just by being alive.

My name is Deshawn Hocker and currently 18 years old. I am a graduate of Riverbend High School in Fredericksburg, Virginia. I believe this scholarship would help me on my journey of self-discovery and passion for the arts. In my childhood, reading was an escape for me. I was introduced to the concept of "a hero journey" at an early age. Where the main character has to discover themselves to embrace the changes they're going through. It was the start of dedicating myself to push myself to live the life I want to live. When I started creating for myself, it was difficult, even more than I thought it would be. So, I knew I needed to start setting goals to work towards. I am very motivated to get something I know I deserve. I am willing to admit my flaws and fight for the values, and ideals I know are right. I know that's why it's always important to give everything your all; you only live once. I am very much introverted and have trouble socializing so I often go to events that will push me out of my comfort zone and meet new people. I was always curious about finding a community to feel safe and secure. Friends and family are the only things you have and maybe all you will have. I am currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree to become a freelance artist, producing my own creative works and doing commissions for a living and be accomplished. I often dream of making an animated series that could inspire so many people. I will be studying fine arts/graphic design and working my way to make long-term connections with people I could call friends. I know I could do all I can to balance being an artist and developing socially. My passion and aspirations are for me to find success in the future. Richmond is nationally known for the true taste of the American dream. So many opportunities to find here, I'd be a sucker not to take them all. As a freshman at Virginia Commonwealth University with a 4.0 GPA, I am committed to graduating and sharing my ideas with the world. My higher education is not just about learning the challenges of the real world but about using that knowledge to accept the changes that happen in life and embracing the little joys one can find just by being alive.

I have difficulty accepting reality. Being on the spectrum doesn't help. I'm experiencing all these changes that I was never mentally prepared for and I regret distracting myself with online spaces because I couldn't process things properly. I saw all these people doing amazing things, going to incredible places, meeting famous celebrities, and just living the life they wanted to. It was like the movies and shows I spent so much time watching where characters can go on adventurous quests to challenge themselves and just be somebody. Everyone on the internet was making success seem like the ideal, perfect life everyone should strive for. So I wanted to be successful, somehow. I was thinking about what I loved in the whole world. It's a hard thing to apply to real life when you don't have friends so I thought fictional and realized I wanted to create. I wanted to live and be remembered for a personal hobby that started off drawing terrible comics because if you work loving what you do you'll never work a day in your life. I could tell my father hated working. He'd have a lot of bad days and come home straight to his office with all the lottery tickets he'd bought. He tells me to fetch him some quarters for his stack of weekly tickets. He would lose a lot and curse loudly throughout the house and yet kept buying more. The money he did win would usually go straight into the local convince store's machine, he could always just quit. All of those "a million dollar winner was sold here!" was just too tempting for him. He told me if he ever won big he would buy a farm upstate away from the public. My communication skills never got easier, even when I got my first job with barely any training, I felt awkward with customers that I knew I couldn't help. It was just like at school, and the gym, or anywhere on the outside. Being social was agonizing and the only comfort I had was food. I spent a lot of money on any restaurant that caught my eye that day. I started gaining pounds noticeably but didn't want to do anything about it because I could just go on a diet tomorrow, next week, or month, or year. Whenever I try to reach out and talk to them about how scared I am for the future what I'm doing to myself and how I let this control me nothing changes. We often deflect our addictions with humor but still do it because the chances of actually working on ourselves are very low. So now I have a habit of keeping my walls up because I feel like there's no way over them and no one cares in the first place. It's easy to believe that if everyone's miserable you won't feel so alone anymore. But all that's doing is hurting the people around you. Friends and family are the only things you have and maybe all you will have. I am still struggling with socializing, dissociation, anxiety, and depression. But I want to reach my dreams and feel accomplished. I am going to work on my problems by not waiting for a time to break out of my comfort zone. I know there's a whole world out there to see and all I want to do on this earth is live a fulfilling life. I am currently a freshman at Virginia Commonwealth University majoring in arts and I using my time in college to face my struggles with addiction.

"Bursera Microphylla" The elephant was chewing mindlessly a little too loud for comfort but was nonetheless bothered by the trees growing out of its skin. The combined image of nature and organic life was such a surreal sight to me. I was keeping my distance like I was told, but from across the savanna, I could almost make out the type of apple it had plucked from itself. I think I assumed it was red but it wasn't clear. On the ten-day journey, I was supposed to photograph it from afar and observe it naturally. Its behavior was so gentle when walking from dusk to dawn. It was bigger compared to others of its kind, and the nurturing environment, despite its fleshy origins, seemed to weigh it down rather than give stability or support. I couldn't get a good guess on its gender and there's no feminine or masculine for the word elephant anyway so I decided to leave it be. After I saw it had found a large rock formation to rest in, I took the cue to make camp for the night; it was getting late anyway. I began to ponder the bizarre implications of its existence. Herbivores could climb on it, munching on the moss, or fungus could infect the living trees. Its biology could infect the elephant, making it sick and slowing it down, and carnivores could take their opportunity to consume the flesh while it’s still alive. Maybe it wasn't supposed to be born like this, it could be in pain. The elephant trunk rose without moving its gaze, it moved through the branches and leaves of the flesh plant. It picked a fruit that almost looked green from where I was.

When the world feels like too much and I need to breathe a little, I want to create. I've been emotionally unbalanced for a large part of my life. Escapism is what gets me out of bed in the morning. I love being surrounded by nature or traveling to new worlds or places. As for life experiences and identities in my artwork, I reference personal experiences, emotions, and outer influences to create pieces that feel surreal, authentic, and meaningful to me. I remember the good, joyful memories with the people I care about, the bad, painful experiences of things I did wrong, the people I dislike and strongly want to avoid, the places I've gone to and probably will never go again, and the emotions, opportunities, and accomplishments I was proud of. I use all these to start a creative thought process and then look for physical inspiration. I gather ideas for my work from fictional films and television series. I prefer watching animated projects and seeing the behind-the-scenes to inspire me even more. The way directors and writers talk about the process of their work is exciting. I feel the work animators and artists do is often unapprenticed severely, even in uncomfortable or toxic working conditions, they produce amazing entertainment that makes you laugh, cry, and think about yourself and the world. Afterward, I pull my journal from my bag and write down any ideas that come to mind. Then, I get to the exciting part. I organize my special place: the drawing table. I have my pencils on the side of my sketchbook. I have my references written down and on my laptop. I have my music playlist saved on my phone. Finally, in the middle is the most important: the blank white piece of fine tooth, acid-free, sheet paper. The dread is the first feeling. I want to fill that emptiness with a beautiful piece of work made of blood, sweat, and tears, to put all other sketches to shame. I'm not gonna lie this part is terrifying for me. Overthinking about the quality and what it's going to look like compared to more experienced and accomplished artists. I might get into it right away or just think and stare at the paper for hours. Maybe I'll just give up. But then I remember that staying in the comfort of not knowing my limits is the most terrifying thing of all. The fear of not living up to my full potential is what breaks me out of those thoughts and eventually find myself in a state of passion from productiveness through doing what I love. I can make bad art or good art and just be proud of the progress I'm making. Whenever I get frustrated I take a break, come back and look at what I'm making, and add even more to my work. The fulfillment I get from creating is the best feeling in the world and all I want to do is explore where I can go with my creativeness.

Growing up, I realized that I was different from other children around me. I didn't start talking until I was four years old, which made it challenging for me to make friends. This often made me feel like an outcast, and I struggled with anxiety and introverted behavior. My parents tried their best to help me, taking me to doctors, psychiatrists, and group therapy, but nothing seemed to work. This made me even more depressed and anxious, fearing that I wouldn't be able to accomplish anything in life at such a young age. My struggles with stress and anxiety only worsened when I started school. However, my family has always supported me, and I have always aspired to do the best for myself. So, I started coping with my challenges and remaining optimistic about my future. Despite my struggles, I have a deep passion for fantasy and sci-fi genres. I spend most of my free time reading books, watching movies, and playing games, as they provide a temporary escape from reality and allow me to explore new worlds and characters. I love art. There is something incredibly satisfying about creating something beautiful and meaningful, whether it's a painting, a sculpture, or even just a doodle in my notebook. I enjoy getting lost in the creative process and the sense of accomplishment I feel when I finish a piece. As a person, I am quite introverted and find it challenging to make friends. However, I cherish the few close relationships I have and value their support and understanding. I have sought help for my mental health and continue to hope to overcome my anxieties and live a more fulfilling life. Over time, I have come to realize that I am not as mature as I would like to be. However, I have also noticed that there has been some improvement in my level of maturity. I have learned how to approach and cope with challenging situations more effectively, which has helped me become a calmer and more level-headed individual. As a result of my increased maturity, I am better equipped to find good solutions to problems and to avoid getting overly emotional and stressed when faced with difficult situations. All in all, I am proud of the progress I have made and am committed to continuing to work on myself so that I can become an even more mature and well-rounded person. I believe that college could help me hone my skills in the arts and channel them into becoming the best version of myself. I'm tired of living in a bubble, and I'm confident that my skills will continue to grow. I aspire to do the same as the great artists before me and showcase my views on life using this creative and innovative medium. Currently, I am working on expanding my skill set, including good art talent, communication skills with a team, creativity, computer software knowledge, and time management, to pursue my dream career. I am determined to work hard and become a successful artist while also developing my abilities in other areas that will help me lead a more fulfilling life.

I am the first in my family to go to college and pursue a bachelor's degree, so the expectations and the groundwork for shaping my future are high. I had a pretty rough childhood. I struggled to find myself and make friends because I wasn't good at communicating. Stress has been a constant issue for me, and balancing school and work made it even worse for both my mental and physical well-being. To channel my stress into something positive and productive, I turned to sketching. At first, my drawings were less than stellar, and I began to doubt whether I would ever improve and become a skillful artist. Despite the discouragement, I was determined not to give up and continued to put in hours of practice. To enhance my abilities, I started studying drawings by other artists and attempted to recreate them. I found myself drawing the same image repeatedly, unwittingly training my hands to become more adept at capturing the intricate details. My passion for drawing characters and creatures inspired by my favorite comics and cartoons only grew stronger. Before long, I found myself coming up with ideas for original pieces. I could take existing things and make something new and creative out of them. I loved talking about these aspects and wanted to share them with others. I started talking to people more easily by just being myself. Although I faced some creative blocks during my freshman year in high school, which caused my passion for drawing to diminish, I refused to give up. I decided to enroll in a university art class to further improve my skills. I was fortunate enough to be accepted into the class, and I am excited to learn from a professional instructor. I am confident that my skills will continue to grow, and I will create amazing pieces of art that will inspire others. I aspire to do the same as those before me. I want to express my perspective on life using this creative and innovative platform. I am enhancing my skills, such as artistic talent, teamwork, creativity, computer software proficiency, and time management, to pursue my dream career. It's as if something deep inside me wants to be showcased to the world, to demonstrate what I am capable of and what I could have achieved if I had stepped out of my comfort zone years ago. I aim to use my skills to inspire others and help them believe everything will turn out fine. I am determined not to waste this opportunity.

I am the first in my family to go to college and pursue a bachelor's degree, so the expectations and the groundwork for shaping my future are high. I had a pretty rough childhood, to say the least. I didn't start talking until I was four years old, which made it challenging for me to make friends. As if I didn't quite fit in with those around me. I had an introverted nature and constant anxiety only added to this feeling of isolation. It was a tough place to be in, and I felt very lost and alone. I believed that there was a difference between life and living. I used to see my life story as something that was constantly ahead of me. Like I was standing still at a point of time alone with nothing surrounding it. A developing chapter being written for me by an unpredictable, but mostly biased writer. I think everyone can feel that way. When I finished high school, I still felt a little unprepared for the future. Now that I'm actually in university, it still feels so surreal. I thought this was the end of something I would never properly experience, even though I was still young - being normal. After a few weeks of adjusting to the independence of college life, I realized that it was time to shift my focus from dwelling on the past to actively building a foundation for both the present and the future. This transition allowed me to embrace new opportunities and take charge of my own path. Experiencing living for myself made me question how I view things. A purpose-driven life to achieve something out of the norm is the formality. I never appreciated just the day-to-day experience, like every other small experience. But it’s the one thing I could see play out. It inspired me to learn new things and left me eagerly anticipating my next challenge. I couldn’t see that while analyzing my life and where it could go because of certain events. It's as if there is something deep inside me that wants to come out and show the world what I can do, what I could have done if I had stepped out of my shell years ago. I want to use my skills to inspire others and help them believe that everything will be okay. I am going to make sure I don't waste this opportunity.

After the tragic 9/11 attacks, my father chose to enlist himself in the military in response to the event. With the horrible images of destruction and the stories of heroism, he felt a calling to contribute to the defense of our nation. His decision to join the military was driven by a profound sense of patriotism and a desire to protect the freedoms we often take for granted. A veteran wanting to serve his country and what it stood for. Even after his work in the force was done, he took on government roles to help out, influencing me in ways that extend far beyond his military service. My parents eventually started a family, and I was born in Houston, Texas. Later, we moved to Virginia, where the pace of life seemed to slow down, and the natural beauty of the state was simply breathtaking. As my father embarked on his new journey, he would often share with me the deeply held values and principles that fueled his unwavering commitment to serving America. His stories painted a vivid picture of his dedication and the importance of service to others. The influence of those stories was profound. His experiences taught me the significance of commitment, integrity, sacrifice, responsibility, teamwork, and leadership. In the military, he took on roles that demanded leading by example, inspiring others, and working collaboratively towards common goals. He was always at the forefront of my thoughts, whether I was sitting in the classroom, participating in extracurricular activities, or dedicating time to my part-time job. I make a conscious effort to mirror his attitude by promoting a culture of collaboration and taking a community role with empathy and reverence. My father's unwavering commitment to his nation serves as a constant well of inspiration for me to create a substantial impact on society through my artistic endeavors. I am dedicated to positively impacting the world, drawing inspiration from my father's selfless dedication and resilience. His courage, discipline, and commitment have been a constant source of inspiration for me, guiding me through challenges and shaping my personal and professional aspirations. As I pursue further education and seek to contribute to my community, I carry with me the valuable lessons learned from his remarkable service. His legacy of resilience and dedication continues to inspire me, and I am dedicated to upholding these values as I work towards positively impacting the world around me. So, my father knows how much he means to me.

At an early age, I knew I was different. Didn't talk until I was 4 years old. I couldn't make friends because everyone thought I was weird, I had constant anxiety and was very introverted. I was seeing doctors, psychiatrists, and numerous groups but nothing felt like it was working and I became depressed. I was worried I'd never accomplished anything in my life at such a young age and my family kept getting more and more worried for me. Stress had been a constant issue for me, and balancing school with it made it even worse for both my mental and physical well-being. So I created an escape for myself and did something productive, I started sketching. Initially, my drawings were terrible, and I felt as though I would never become a good artist. Despite this, I refused to give up and kept practicing hard. To hone my skills, I began looking at drawings by other artists and tried to replicate them. I would draw the same picture multiple times, unknowingly training my hands to get familiar with the details. I loved drawing characters and creatures inspired by comics and cartoons that I adored. Soon, I began getting ideas for original pieces and imaginary worlds. My family noticed this, supported me, and supplied me with anything they thought I would need. I had an IEP meeting with my school one day, and that was where I learned about autism and how it made me unique. I could take existing things and make something new and creative out of them. I loved talking about these aspects and wanted to share them with others. I started talking to people more easily by just being myself. Although I faced some creative blocks during my freshman year in high school, which caused my passion for drawing to diminish, I refused to give up. I felt frustrated when I couldn't think of anything to draw, and the pressure of not being a good artist weighed heavily on me. However, during my senior year, my passion for drawing returned, and I decided to enroll in a university art class to further improve my skills. I was fortunate enough to be accepted into the class, and I am excited to learn from a professional instructor. I am confident that my skills will continue to grow, and I will create amazing pieces of art that will inspire others. I aspire to do the same as those before me. I want to showcase my views on life using this creative and innovative medium. I am working on expanding my set of skills, including good art talent, communication skills with a team, creativity, computer software knowledge, and time management, to pursue my dream career.

I have often felt like a loner as if I didn't quite fit in with those around me. I had an introverted nature and constant anxiety only added to this feeling of isolation. I saw doctors and psychiatrists and even attended various support groups, but nothing seemed to make things better for me. As time went on, my mental health got worse, and I began to feel a deep sense of hopelessness and despair. I was worried that I would never be able to accomplish anything in my life, and my family grew increasingly concerned for my well-being. It was a difficult and trying time for me, and I often felt like there was no light at the end of the tunnel. I burned many bridges over the years and made too many mistakes, and I wasn't sure if I'd ever be able to repair those relationships or make amends. It was a tough place to be in, and I felt very lost and alone. I believed that there was a difference between life and living. I used to see my life story as something that was constantly ahead of me. Like I was standing still at a point of time alone with nothing surrounding it. A developing chapter being written for me by an unpredictable, but mostly biased writer. I think everyone can feel that way. But experiencing living for myself made me question how I view things. A purpose-driven life to achieve something out of the norm is the formality. I never appreciated just the day-to-day experience, like every other small experience. But it’s the one thing I could see play out. It inspired me to learn new things and left me eagerly anticipating my next challenge. I couldn’t see that while analyzing my life and where it could go because of certain events. I eventually found a source of comfort and a way to be productive through sketching. Although my first attempts were not up to par, I refused to give up and kept practicing. To improve my skills, I studied the work of other artists and sought to replicate their drawings. Repeatedly drawing the same image, I unknowingly trained my hands to become familiar with the details. There is this, something, deep inside that wants to come out to show the world the real me what I could do, what I could've done had I stepped out of my shell years ago. I want to use my skills to inspire others. Winners a

Growing up, I realized that I was different from other children around me. I didn't start talking until I was four years old, which made it challenging for me to make friends. This often made me feel like an outcast, and I struggled with anxiety and introverted behavior. My parents tried their best to help me, taking me to doctors, psychiatrists, and group therapy, but nothing seemed to work. This made me even more depressed and anxious, fearing that I wouldn't be able to accomplish anything in life at such a young age. My struggles with stress and anxiety only worsened when I started school. However, my family has always supported me, and I have always aspired to do the best for myself. So, I started coping with my challenges and remaining optimistic about my future. Despite my struggles, I have a deep passion for fantasy and sci-fi. I spend most of my free time reading books, watching movies, and playing games, as they provide a temporary escape from reality and allow me to explore new worlds and characters. There is something incredibly satisfying about creating something beautiful and meaningful, whether it's a painting, a sculpture, or even just a doodle in my notebook. I enjoy getting lost in the creative process and the sense of accomplishment I feel when I finish a piece. As a person, I am quite introverted and find it challenging to make friends. However, I cherish my few close relationships and value their support and understanding. I have sought help for my mental health and continue to hope to overcome my anxieties and live a more fulfilling life. Over time, I have realized that I am not as mature as I would like to be. However, I have also noticed that there has been some improvement in my level of maturity. I have learned how to approach and cope with challenging situations more effectively, which has helped me become a calmer and more level-headed individual. As a result of my increased maturity, I am better equipped to find good solutions to problems and to avoid getting overly emotional and stressed when faced with difficult situations. All in all, I am proud of the progress I have made and am committed to continuing to work on myself so that I can become an even more mature and well-rounded person. I believe that college could help me hone my skills in the arts and channel them into becoming the best version of myself. I'm tired of living in a bubble, and I'm confident that my skills will continue to grow. I aspire to do the same as the great artists before me and showcase my views on life using this creative and innovative medium. Currently, I am working on expanding my skill set, including good art talent, communication skills with a team, creativity, computer software knowledge, and time management, to pursue my dream career. I am determined to work hard and become a successful artist while also developing my abilities in other areas that will help me lead a more fulfilling life.

I always felt like I was nobody. I didn't have any close friends or a significant other, and I hadn't achieved anything remarkable in my life. My introverted nature and constant anxiety only added to this feeling of isolation. I sought help from doctors and psychiatrists and even attended various support groups, but nothing seemed to alleviate my struggles. I was worried I wouldn't be able to do anything with my life and kept drifting aimlessly. I had burned many bridges over the years and made too many mistakes, and I was unsure if I'd ever be able to repair those relationships or make amends. It was a tough place, and I felt very lost and alone. Sometimes I still am. I believe that there's a difference between life and living. I used to see my life story as something constantly ahead of me. It's like I'm standing still at a point of time alone with nothing surrounding it. A developing chapter is written for me by an unpredictable but mostly biased writer. I think everyone can feel that way. But experiencing living for yourself made me question how I view things. My dad was looking at old family pictures and wanted to show me something. It was a video of me riding a bike for the first time. I wasn't good at it, even though I wanted to be. I was constantly falling, crashing into stuff, and mostly pouting. I couldn't understand what I was doing wrong. I was familiar with pedaling and steering but couldn't understand. I thought I would never be able to do it. So, I failed repeatedly until I did it one day. It was right out of the blue. I was experiencing bike riding properly for the first time. I was cheering. My dad was cheering. I was excited about this achievement and how big I thought it was. Honestly, that was the last time I remember being happy about something. When I realized that, I wondered why until it clicked on me: that's what living is. The bike was a small part of my life, something not that remarkable. It is just a part of a day-to-day experience, like every other small experience. But it's the one thing I could see play out. It inspired me to learn new things and left me eagerly anticipating my next challenge. From the act of sketching, I found solace and a means to be productive. While my initial efforts were subpar, I persisted in practicing and refused to give up. To enhance my abilities, I closely examined the work of other artists and endeavored to replicate their sketches. By repeatedly drawing the same subject, I unintentionally honed my dexterity to recognize intricate details. Deep within me, there is a desire to reveal the real me to the world and demonstrate my capabilities - something I could have achieved had I broken out of my shell earlier. I aspire to utilize my skills to motivate and inspire others.

I had a deep sense of hopelessness and despair. I was worried that I would never be able to accomplish anything in my life, and my family grew increasingly concerned for my well-being. It was a difficult and trying time for me, and I often felt like there was no light at the end of the tunnel. I burned many bridges over the years and made too many mistakes, and I wasn't sure if I'd ever be able to repair those relationships or make amends. It was a tough place to be in, and I felt very lost and alone. I believed that there was a difference between life and living. I used to see my life story as something that was constantly ahead of me. Like I was standing still at a point of time alone with nothing surrounding it. A developing chapter being written for me by an unpredictable, but mostly biased writer. But it’s the one thing I could see play out. It inspired me to learn new things and left me eagerly anticipating my next challenge. I couldn’t see that while analyzing my life and where it could go because of certain events. I want to come out to show the world the real me what I could do, what I could've done had I stepped out of my shell years ago. I want to use my artwork and my art skills to inspire others and have them believe everything will be okay.

As a black young man, I have trouble adhering to society's expectations of traditional masculinity. I tend to have doubts about the skin color I was born with. I get extremely sensitive about being asked to participate in stereotypical activities with communities I'm not comfortable with. I don't know how to make connections with people, let alone long-lasting ones. I've been called a schoolgirl, a wuss, a loser, a nobody and I always agree with them. I used to think maybe if I was white I could control my emotions be tough, make friends, and be normal. I saw doctors and psychiatrists and even attended various support groups, but nothing seemed to make things better for me. As time went on, my mental health got worse, and I began to feel a deep sense of hopelessness and despair. I was worried that I would never be able to accomplish anything in my life. So, not knowing what else to do I distracted myself with hobbies. When I was being creative, I was away from my problems somewhere else. I loved making worlds to which I felt part and could relate. Unlike other biographical stories, what I experienced didn't have to do with my skin color or who was in the real world. Using my stress into something productive was worth it and I discovered other communities online that could understand. I got tips on how to do better and used them to improve. There is something incredibly satisfying about creating something beautiful and meaningful, whether it's a painting, a sculpture, or even a doodle in my notebook. I enjoy getting lost in the creative process and the sense of accomplishment I feel when I finish a piece. As I work toward pursuing a career in this field, I am constantly striving to improve my abilities by honing my skills in various areas such as art, communication, creativity, software knowledge, and time management. I am confident that with hard work and dedication, I can achieve my dream of positively impacting the world through creativity and innovation. Something deep inside me wants to come out to show the world the real me, what I could do, what I could have done had I stepped out of my shell years ago. I want to use my skills to inspire others. I want people to know that their uniqueness is the absolute best thing about them.

I have often felt like a loner as if I didn't quite fit in with those around me. I had an introverted nature and constant anxiety only added to this feeling of isolation. I saw doctors and psychiatrists and even attended various support groups, but nothing seemed to make things better for me. As time went on, my mental health got worse, and I began to feel a deep sense of hopelessness and despair. I was worried that I would never be able to accomplish anything in my life, and my family grew increasingly concerned for my well-being. It was a difficult and trying time for me, and I often felt like there was no light at the end of the tunnel. I burned many bridges over the years and made too many mistakes, and I wasn't sure if I'd ever be able to repair those relationships or make amends. It was a tough place to be in, and I felt very lost and alone. I believed that there was a difference between life and living. I used to see my life story as something that was constantly ahead of me. Like I was standing still at a point of time alone with nothing surrounding it. A developing chapter being written for me by an unpredictable, but mostly biased writer. I think everyone can feel that way. But experiencing living for myself made me question how I view things. A purpose-driven life to achieve something out of the norm is the formality. I never appreciated just the day-to-day experience, like every other small experience. But it’s the one thing I could see play out. It inspired me to learn new things and left me eagerly anticipating my next challenge. I couldn’t see that while analyzing my life and where it could go because of certain events. I eventually found a source of comfort and a way to be productive through sketching. Although my first attempts were not up to par, I refused to give up and kept practicing. To improve my skills, I studied the work of other artists and sought to replicate their drawings. Repeatedly drawing the same image, I unknowingly trained my hands to become familiar with the details. There is this, something, deep inside that wants to come out to show the world what I could do, what I could've done had I stepped out of my shell years ago. I want to use my skills to inspire others and have them believe everything will be okay.

After the tragic 9/11 attacks, my father chose to enlist himself in the military in response to the event. With the horrible images of destruction and the stories of heroism, he felt a calling to contribute to the defense of our nation. His decision to join the military was driven by a profound sense of patriotism and a desire to protect the freedoms we often take for granted. A veteran wanting to serve his country and what it stood for. Even after his work in the force was done he took on government roles to help out, influencing me in ways that extend far beyond his military service. My parents eventually started a family, and I was born in Houston, Texas. Later, we moved to Virginia, where the pace of life seemed to slow down, and the natural beauty of the state was simply breathtaking. As my father embarked on his new journey, he would often share with me the deeply held values and principles that fueled his unwavering commitment to serving America. His stories painted a vivid picture of his dedication and the importance of service to others. The influence of those stories was profound. His experiences taught me the significance of commitment, integrity, sacrifice, responsibility, teamwork, and leadership. In the military, he took on roles that demanded leading by example, inspiring others, and working collaboratively towards common goals. He was always at the forefront of my thoughts, whether I was sitting in the classroom, participating in extracurricular activities, or dedicating time to my part-time job. I make a conscious effort to mirror his attitude by promoting a culture of collaboration and taking a community role with empathy and reverence. My father's unwavering commitment to his nation serves as a constant well of inspiration for me to create a substantial impact on society through my artistic endeavors. I am dedicated to positively impacting the world, drawing inspiration from my father's selfless dedication and resilience. His courage, discipline, and commitment have been a constant source of inspiration for me, guiding me through challenges and shaping my personal and professional aspirations. As I pursue further education and seek to contribute to my community, I carry with me the valuable lessons learned from his remarkable service. His legacy of resilience and dedication continues to inspire me, and I am dedicated to upholding these values as I work towards positively impacting the world around me. So, my father knows how much he means to me.

At an early age, I knew I was different. Didn't talk until I was 4 years old. I couldn't make friends because everyone thought I was weird, I had constant anxiety and was very introverted. I was seeing doctors, psychiatrists, and numerous groups but nothing felt like it was working and I became depressed. I was worried I'd never accomplished anything in my life at such a young age and my family kept getting more and more worried for me. Stress had been a constant issue for me, and balancing school with it made it even worse for both my mental and physical well-being. So I created an escape for myself and did something productive, I started sketching. Initially, my drawings were terrible, and I felt as though I would never become a good artist. Despite this, I refused to give up and kept practicing hard. To hone my skills, I began looking at drawings by other artists and tried to replicate them. I would draw the same picture multiple times, unknowingly training my hands to get familiar with the details. I loved drawing characters and creatures inspired by comics and cartoons that I adored. Soon, I began getting ideas for original pieces and imaginary worlds. My family noticed this, supported me, and supplied me with anything they thought I would need. I had an IP meeting with my school and that was where I learned of autism and how it made me unique. I could take existing things and make something new and creative out of them. I loved talking about these aspects and wanted to share them with others. I started talking to people more easily by just being myself. Although I faced some creative blocks during my freshman year in high school, which caused my passion for drawing to diminish, I refused to give up. I felt frustrated when I couldn't think of anything to draw, and the pressure of not being a good artist weighed heavily on me. However, during my senior year, my passion for drawing returned, and I decided to enroll in a university art class to further improve my skills. I was fortunate enough to be accepted into the class, and I am excited to learn from a professional instructor. I am confident that my skills will continue to grow, and I will create amazing pieces of art that will inspire others. I aspire to do the same as those before me. I want to showcase my views on life using this creative and innovative medium. I am working on expanding my set of skills, including good art talent, communication skills with a team, creativity, computer software knowledge, and time management, to pursue my dream career.

After the tragic 9/11 attacks, my father chose to enlist himself in the military in response to the event. With the horrible images of destruction and the stories of heroism, he felt a calling to contribute to the defense of our nation. His decision to join the military was driven by a profound sense of patriotism and a desire to protect the freedoms we often take for granted. A veteran wanting to serve his country and what it stood for. Even after his work in the force was done he took on government roles to help out, influencing me in ways that extend far beyond his military service. My parents eventually started a family, and I was born in Houston, Texas. Later, we moved to Virginia, where the pace of life seemed to slow down, and the natural beauty of the state was simply breathtaking. As my father embarked on his new journey, he would often share with me the deeply held values and principles that fueled his unwavering commitment to serving America. His stories painted a vivid picture of his dedication and the importance of service to others. The influence of those stories was profound and transformational. His experiences taught me the significance of commitment, integrity, sacrifice, responsibility, teamwork, and leadership. In the military, he took on roles that demanded leading by example, inspiring others, and working collaboratively towards common goals. He was always on my mind, whether I was at school, in extracurricular activities, or working part-time. I strive to emulate his approach by fostering a spirit of cooperation and leading with empathy and respect. My father's dedication to his country has inspired me to make a meaningful contribution to society through my art. This realization has motivated me to pursue a path that reflects my values of service and leadership. I am dedicated to positively impacting the world, drawing inspiration from my father's selfless dedication and resilience. His courage, discipline, and commitment have been a constant source of inspiration for me, guiding me through challenges and shaping my personal and professional aspirations. As I pursue further education and seek to contribute to my community, I carry with me the valuable lessons learned from his remarkable service. His legacy of resilience and dedication continues to inspire me, and I am dedicated to upholding these values as I work towards positively impacting the world around me. So, my father knows how much he means to me.

One of the most cherished memories of my life revolves around playing Mario games with my family. I spent countless hours playing New Super Mario Bros 2 on the 3DS, Mario Kart 8 with my sisters and dad, and Super Mario Odyssey with my cousins. I loved having fun with other people and miss those times I could have whenever I wanted. I used to always laugh when I beat my dad in a race, even though he had come in first place the first two times in the same cup tournament and was trying to collect all the golden stars. He would get frustrated and stop playing, but I would keep going on my own. It was still a lot of fun—I played Mario Kart 8 all the time! Mario was an iconic part of my childhood, and I'm sure it was for many others as well. Nostalgia from the good times of gaming reminds me of how good I had it and how much I never appreciated it. I want to recreate some of those memories in the present so I can feel that excitement again. I want to let all the Mario players know how great these games are and what kind of emotions in memories they evoke that you'd never expect.

I wish I had been born in the 80s. The vibes, aesthetics, and cartoons seemed amazing. Stranger Things is the closest thing to a time machine for me. The first season pulls you into its mystery and slowly reveals itself, which is extraordinary. The characters are funny, charming, and battle-ready. So, if I had to pick three to fight monsters with, I'd choose Nancy, Steve, and Hopper. Nancy is determined. Like many girls in her school, Nancy is often sassy. However, she is also smart, skilled, and perceptive, which are traits she uses to help her navigate through adulthood. These qualities are useful if we're stuck in the upside-down or have to think under pressure. Steve is the most lovable character in television I know of. Sometimes I kinda wish Stranger Things had one season like originally planned, but then we would've been stuck with a douchebag. He was always the saving grace in the show for me and he's always willing to help out his friends and protect them. Hopper is so badass and cynical at the same time. He's the first to be assertive when no one else can. As long as I'm on his good side, I know he'll defend me and my group, no matter what.

After the tragic 9/11 attacks, my father chose to enlist himself in the military in response to the event. With the horrible images of destruction and the stories of heroism, he felt a calling to contribute to the defense of our nation. His decision to join the military was driven by a profound sense of patriotism and a desire to protect the freedoms we often take for granted. A veteran wanting to serve his country and what it stood for. Even after his work in the force was done he took on government roles to help out, influencing me in ways that extend far beyond his military service. My parents eventually started a family, and I was born in Houston, Texas. Later, we moved to Virginia, where the pace of life seemed to slow down, and the natural beauty of the state was simply breathtaking. As my father embarked on his new journey, he would often share with me the deeply held values and principles that fueled his unwavering commitment to serving America. His stories painted a vivid picture of his dedication and the importance of service to others. The influence of those stories was profound and transformational. His experiences taught me the significance of commitment, integrity, sacrifice, responsibility, teamwork, and leadership. In the military, he took on roles that demanded leading by example, inspiring others, and working collaboratively towards common goals. He was always on my mind, whether I was at school, in extracurricular activities, or working part-time. I strive to emulate his approach by fostering a spirit of cooperation and leading with empathy and respect. The dedication my father has shown to his country has inspired me to make a meaningful contribution to society through my artwork. This realization has motivated me to pursue a path that reflects my values of service and leadership. I am dedicated to making a positive impact on the world, drawing inspiration from my father's selfless dedication and resilience. His courage, discipline, and commitment have been a constant source of inspiration for me, guiding me through challenges and shaping my personal and professional aspirations. As I pursue further education and seek to contribute to my community, I carry with me the valuable lessons learned from his remarkable service. His legacy of resilience and dedication continues to inspire me, and I am dedicated to upholding these values as I work towards making a positive impact on the world around me.

Art has always been my sanctuary. In the past, I struggled with self-identity and making friends due to my poor communication skills. Stress was a constant companion, exacerbated by juggling school and work, impacting my mental and physical health. To transform my stress into something constructive, I took up sketching. My initial attempts were not perfect, but I persisted and practiced as often as I could. I improved by studying and emulating the works of other artists, which also trained my hand to capture intricate details. My passion for drawing characters and creatures from beloved comics and cartoons flourished, leading to ideas for original creations. I sought guidance from online tutorials and the experiences of artists like Aaron Blaise, deepening my engagement with the art community. He is an American painter, animator, film director, and art instructor. He is best known for his work on Disney classics such as the original Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, and Brother Bear, the latter of which he co-directed and for which he was nominated. It is my absolute favorite movie ever. In addition to his work in animation, Aaron Blaise offers online courses, workshops, and tutorials on animation, illustration, and digital painting through his website I was very interested in and it has helped me over the years. My family's unwavering support fueled my dream. Despite experiencing creative blocks in my freshman year of high school, which dampened my enthusiasm for drawing, I never gave up. I chose to advance my skills by enrolling in a university art class and was thrilled to be accepted. I'm eager to learn from a professional instructor, confident that my abilities will grow, allowing me to craft inspiring art. Animation and art hold a dear place in my heart; I'm in awe of the countless hours dedicated to enriching visual media's narrative and emotional depth, offering audiences a captivating experience. My ambition is to contribute to this legacy, expressing my perspective on life through this expressive and inventive medium. There is, something deep inside me that wants to come out and show the world the real me—what I could do, what I could have done if I had stepped out of my shell years ago. I want to use my skills to inspire others to embrace their uniqueness. Virginia Commonwealth University, the college I'm going to, would greatly help me understand my passions and how to pursue my dreams.

Art has always been my sanctuary. In the past, I struggled with self-identity and making friends due to my poor communication skills. Stress was a constant companion, exacerbated by juggling school and work, impacting my mental and physical health. To transform my stress into something constructive, I took up sketching. My initial attempts were not as perfect, but I persisted and practiced as often as I could. I improved by studying and emulating the works of other artists, which also trained my hand to capture intricate details. My passion for drawing characters and creatures from beloved comics and cartoons flourished, leading to ideas for original creations. I sought guidance from online tutorials and the experiences of artists like Aaron Blaise, deepening my engagement with the art community. He is an American painter, animator, film director, and art instructor. He is best known for his work on Disney classics such as the original Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, and Brother Bear, the latter of which he co-directed and for which he was nominated. It is my absolute favorite movie ever. In addition to his work in animation, he offers online courses, workshops, and tutorials on animation, illustration, and digital painting through his website I was very interested in and it has helped me over the years. A purpose-driven life to achieve something out of the norm is the formality. I never appreciated just the day-to-day experience, like every other small experience. But it’s the one thing I could see play out. It inspired me to learn new things and left me eagerly anticipating my next challenge. I couldn’t see that while analyzing my life and where it could go because of certain events. I eventually found a source of comfort and a way to be productive through sketching. Although my first attempts were not up to par, I refused to give up and kept practicing. To improve my skills, I studied the work of other artists and sought to replicate their drawings. Repeatedly drawing the same image, I unknowingly trained my hands to become familiar with the details. There is this, something, deep inside that wants to come out to show the world the real me what I could do, what I could've done had I stepped out of my shell years ago. I want to use my skills to inspire others and let people know the joys of a life worth living.

I have frequently experienced a sense of isolation, feeling like I didn't quite belong among my peers. My introverted tendencies, coupled with persistent anxiety, intensified this feeling of being alone. Despite seeking help from doctors and psychiatrists and attending numerous support groups, I have not found anything that genuinely alleviates my struggles. As time passed, my mental health deteriorated, and I started feeling deep hopelessness and despair. I worried that I would never accomplish anything, and my family became increasingly concerned about my well-being. It was a tough time for me, and I often felt like there was no light at the end of the tunnel. Balancing school and stress was challenging, and I felt that my mental and physical well-being were affected. Engaging in sketching gradually turned into a soothing and meaningful activity for me. Despite feeling dissatisfied with my initial efforts, I was determined not to abandon this newfound interest and instead committed myself to regular practice. I invested time in scrutinizing the creations of established artists, making deliberate attempts to recreate their artwork, and persisting until I gained a comprehensive understanding of their techniques. My love for drawing characters and creatures inspired by comics and cartoons has led me to create original pieces and imagine new worlds. My unwavering dedication and perseverance eventually led to a noticeable enhancement in my abilities, allowing me to attain the objectives I had set for myself successfully. With the support of my family, I have been able to nurture my talent. During an Individualized Plan (IP) meeting at school, I first learned about Autism, which has allowed me to see the world from a different perspective and develop a strong sense of creativity and innovation. I have realized that I am passionate about transforming existing ideas into fresh and innovative concepts. I am deeply committed to communicating my thoughts and ideas through my chosen creative outlet, and my goal is to leverage my skills to encourage others to celebrate their individuality. With my sights set on establishing a career in this realm, I am continuously enhancing my expertise by refining my capabilities across multiple disciplines, including art, communication, creativity, software proficiency, and time management. I am sure that through unwavering determination, continuous hard work, and unrelenting dedication, I have the ability to turn my dream of making a positive impact on the world through my creativity and innovation into a reality.

As a black young man, I have trouble adhering to society's expectations of traditional masculinity. I tend to have doubts about the skin color I was born with. I get extremely sensitive about being asked to participate in stereotypical activities with communities I'm not comfortable with. I don't know how to make connections with people, let alone long-lasting ones. I've been called a schoolgirl, a wuss, a loser, a nobody and I always agree with them. I used to think maybe if I was white I could control my emotions be tough, make friends, and be normal. I saw doctors and psychiatrists and even attended various support groups, but nothing seemed to make things better for me. As time went on, my mental health got worse, and I began to feel a deep sense of hopelessness and despair. I was worried that I would never be able to accomplish anything in my life. So, not knowing what else to do I distracted myself with hobbies. When I was being creative, I was away from my problems somewhere else. I loved making worlds to which I felt part and could relate. Unlike other biographical stories, what I experienced didn't have to do with my skin color or who was in the real world. Using my stress into something productive was worth it and I discovered other communities online that could understand. I got tips on how to do better and used them to improve. There is something incredibly satisfying about creating something beautiful and meaningful, whether it's a painting, a sculpture, or even a doodle in my notebook. I enjoy getting lost in the creative process and the sense of accomplishment I feel when I finish a piece. As I work toward pursuing a career in this field, I am constantly striving to improve my abilities by honing my skills in various areas such as art, communication, creativity, software knowledge, and time management. I am confident that with hard work and dedication, I can achieve my dream of positively impacting the world through my creativity and innovation. Something deep inside me wants to come out to show the world the real me, what I could do, what I could have done had I stepped out of my shell years ago. I want to use my skills to inspire others. I want people to know that their uniqueness is the absolute best thing about them.

As a black young man, I have trouble adhering to society's expectations of traditional masculinity. I tend to have doubts about the skin color I was born with. I get extremely sensitive about being asked to participate in stereotypical activities with communities I'm not comfortable with. I don't know how to make connections with people, let alone long-lasting ones. I've been called a schoolgirl, a wuss, a loser, a nobody and I always agree with them. I used to think maybe if I was white I could control my emotions be tough, make friends, and be normal. I saw doctors and psychiatrists and even attended various support groups, but nothing seemed to make things better for me. As time went on, my mental health got worse, and I began to feel a deep sense of hopelessness and despair. I was worried that I would never be able to accomplish anything in my life. So, not knowing what else to do I distracted myself with hobbies. When I was being creative, I was away from my problems somewhere else. I loved making worlds to which I felt part and could relate. Unlike other biographical stories, what I experienced didn't have to do with my skin color or who was in the real world. Using my stress into something productive was worth it and I discovered other communities online that could understand. I got tips on how to do better and used them to improve. There is something incredibly satisfying about creating something beautiful and meaningful, whether it's a painting, a sculpture, or even a doodle in my notebook. I enjoy getting lost in the creative process and the sense of accomplishment I feel when I finish a piece. As I work toward pursuing a career in this field, I am constantly striving to improve my abilities by honing my skills in various areas such as art, communication, creativity, software knowledge, and time management. I am confident that with hard work and dedication, I can achieve my dream of positively impacting the world through my creativity and innovation. Something deep inside me wants to come out to show the world the real me, what I could do, what I could have done had I stepped out of my shell years ago. I want to use my skills to inspire others. I want people to know that their uniqueness is the absolute best thing about them.

Art has always been my go-to escape, especially during my formative years. Back then, I struggled to find myself and make friends because I wasn't good at communicating. Stress has been a constant issue for me, and balancing school and work made it even worse for both my mental and physical well-being. However, to channel my stress into something productive, I started sketching. Initially, my drawings were terrible, and I felt I would never become a good artist. Despite this, I refused to give up and kept practicing hard. To hone my skills, I began looking at drawings by other artists and tried to replicate them. I would draw the same picture multiple times, unknowingly training my hands to get familiar with the details. I loved drawing characters and creatures inspired by comics and cartoons I adored. Soon, I began getting ideas for original pieces. I find it amazing how many hours are willingly spent to enhance a show or film's narrative and emotional impact, creating a more immersive and engaging experience for audiences. I aspire to do the same as those before me. I want to showcase my views on life using this creative and innovative medium.

The world can feel like a pretty awful place to live, but visuals can help us better understand it and keep growing, learning, and finding the hidden joys of life. That's why my ultimate passion lies in creating unique pieces of art that can inspire others. Art is the thing I hold very dear to my heart. It truly astounds me how much time and effort is willingly put into enhancing a show or film's narrative and emotional impact, all to create a more engaging and immersive experience for the audience. I am incredibly motivated by the legacy of individuals who have preceded me, and I aim to use this imaginative and creative medium to showcase my perspectives on life. I am working on expanding my skill set, including my talent for art, communication skills with a team, creativity, computer software knowledge, and time management to pursue my dream career.

At an early age, I knew I was different. I didn't talk until I was four years old. I couldn't make friends because everyone thought I was weird; I had constant anxiety, and I was very introverted. I was seeing doctors, psychiatrists, and numerous groups, but nothing felt like it was working, and I became depressed. I was worried I'd never accomplished anything at such a young age, and my family kept getting increasingly worried about me. Stress had been a constant issue for me, and balancing school with it made it even worse for both my mental and physical well-being. I fell into a deep depression. I felt myself talking to my family less and closing off the world in the bedroom, where I spent most of the day sleeping. So, to distract myself, I created an escape and did something productive; I started sketching. Initially, my drawings were terrible, but I refused to give up and kept practicing hard. To hone my skills, I began looking at drawings by other artists and tried to replicate them. I would draw the same picture multiple times, unknowingly training my hands to get familiar with the details. I loved drawing characters and creatures inspired by comics and cartoons I adored. Soon, I began getting ideas for original pieces and imaginary worlds. My family noticed this, supported me, and supplied me with anything they thought I would need. I had an IP meeting with my school, where I learned of Autism and how it made me unique. I could take existing things and make something new and creative out of them. During my freshman year in high school, I encountered a period of creative stagnation. The challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic had a profound impact on my passion for drawing, leading to a significant decline in my motivation. I found myself frequently frustrated by a lack of inspiration, struggling to generate new ideas for my artwork. This pressure to perform as an artist weighed heavily on me, adding to the difficulties I faced during that time. After seeking professional assistance and prioritizing self-care, my passion for drawing was reignited. As a result, I decided to take my skills to the next level by enrolling in an art class at the university to further enhance my abilities. I am truly grateful to have been accepted into this class, and I am eagerly looking forward to the opportunity to learn from a skilled and experienced instructor. I believe that this experience will not only help me to further develop my artistic skills but also allow me to create truly remarkable pieces of art that have the potential to inspire others. My goal is to follow in the footsteps of those who have come before me and use this artistic medium as a means to express my unique perspective on life. I am dedicated to expanding my skill set and am currently focusing on improving my artistic abilities, enhancing my communication skills within a team setting, nurturing my creativity, gaining proficiency in relevant computer software, and refining my time management capabilities, all with the ultimate aim of pursuing my dream career in the arts.

Art has always been my go-to escape, especially during my formative years. Back then, I struggled to find myself and make friends because I wasn't good at communicating. Stress has been a constant issue for me, and balancing school and work made it even worse for both my mental and physical well-being. However, to channel my stress into something productive, I started sketching. Initially, my drawings were terrible, and I felt I would never become a good artist. Despite this, I refused to give up and kept practicing hard. To hone my skills, I began looking at drawings by other artists and tried to replicate them. I would draw the same picture multiple times, unknowingly training my hands to get familiar with the details. I enjoyed drawing characters and creatures inspired by my favorite comics and cartoons. Soon, I started coming up with ideas for original pieces. I watched online tutorials and learned from the experiences of other artists, like Aaron Blaise, who works for Disney. I became increasingly involved in the art world, and my family supported my dream, helping me in every way possible. Although I faced some creative blocks during my first year of high school, COVID-19 was really tough and caused my passion for drawing to fade. However, I refused to give up. I felt frustrated when I couldn't think of anything to draw, and the pressure of not being a good artist weighed heavily on me. However, with some self-care and professional help, my passion for drawing returned during my senior year. I enrolled in a university art class to further improve my skills. Fortunately, I was accepted into the class and I am excited to learn from a professional instructor. I am confident that my skills will continue to grow and that I will create unique pieces of art that will inspire others. I have a special place in my heart for animation and art. I find it unique how many hours are willingly spent to enhance a show or film's narrative and emotional impact, creating a more immersive and engaging experience for audiences. I aspire to do the same as those before me. I want to showcase my views on life using this creative and innovative medium. I am working on expanding my set of skills, including sound art talent, communication skills with a team, creativity, computer software knowledge, and time management, to pursue my dream career.

I feel like I'm nobody. I don't have any close friends or a significant other, and I haven't achieved anything remarkable in my life. I'm really worried that I won't be able to do anything with my life and that I'll just keep drifting along aimlessly. I've burned a lot of bridges over the years and made too many mistakes, and now I'm not sure if I'll ever be able to repair those relationships or make amends. It's a tough place to be in, and I feel very lost and alone. I believe that there’s a difference between life and living. I used to see my life story as something that was constantly ahead of me. Like I’m standing still at a point of time alone with nothing surrounding it. A developing chapter being written for me by an unpredictable, but mostly biased writer. I think everyone can feel that way. But experiencing living for yourself made me question how I view things. My dad was looking at old pictures of our family and wanted to show me something. It was a video of me riding a bike for the first time. I wasn’t good at it, even though I wanted to be. I was falling constantly, crashing into stuff, and mostly pouting about it. I couldn't understand what I was doing wrong. I was familiar with pedaling and steering, but I couldn't understand it. I thought I would never be able to do it. So I failed again and again until I just did it one day. It was right out of the blue. I was experiencing bike riding properly for the first time. I was cheering. My dad was cheering. I was excited about this achievement and how big I thought it was. Honestly, that was the last time I remember being happy about something. When I realized that, I kept wondering why that was until it clicked on me, that’s what living is. The bike was such a small part of my life, something not that remarkable. Just a part of a day-to-day experience, like every other small experience. But it’s the one thing I could see play out. It inspired me to learn new things and left me eagerly anticipating my next challenge. I couldn’t see that while analyzing my life and where it could be going because of certain events. I found a new hobby, sketching, which gave me an escape and allowed me to be productive. Although my initial drawings were subpar, I refused to give up and continued practicing. To improve my skills, I studied the work of other artists and sought to replicate their drawings. Repeatedly drawing the same image, I unknowingly trained my hands to become familiar with the details. My passion for drawing characters and creatures inspired by comics and cartoons led me to develop ideas for original pieces and imaginary worlds. There is this, something, deep inside that wants to come out to show the world the real me what I could do, what I could've done had I stepped out of my shell years ago. I want to use my skills to inspire others to embrace their uniqueness. As I work towards pursuing a career in this field of the arts. College would help greatly in understanding my dreams and where to go with my life.

My name is Deshawn Hocker, and I was born in September 2006 in the picturesque state of Texas. However, my family and I moved to Virginia later, where we currently reside in a small yet cozy home with my parents and two younger sisters. Growing up, I realized that I was different from other children around me. I didn't start talking until I was four years old, which made it challenging for me to make friends. This often made me feel like an outcast, and I struggled with anxiety and introverted behavior. My parents tried their best to help me, taking me to doctors, psychiatrists, and group therapy, but nothing seemed to work. This made me even more depressed and anxious, fearing that I wouldn't be able to accomplish anything in life at such a young age. My struggles with stress and anxiety only worsened when I started school. However, my family has always supported me, and I have always aspired to do the best for myself. So, I started coping with my challenges and remaining optimistic about my future. Despite my struggles, I have a deep passion for fantasy and sci-fi genres. I spend most of my free time reading books, watching movies, and playing games, as they provide a temporary escape from reality and allow me to explore new worlds and characters. I love art. There is something incredibly satisfying about creating something beautiful and meaningful, whether it's a painting, a sculpture, or even just a doodle in my notebook. I enjoy getting lost in the creative process and the sense of accomplishment I feel when I finish a piece. As a person, I am quite introverted and find it challenging to make friends. However, I cherish the few close relationships I have and value their support and understanding. I have sought help for my mental health and continue to hope to overcome my anxieties and live a more fulfilling life. Over time, I have come to realize that I am not as mature as I would like to be. However, I have also noticed that there has been some improvement in my level of maturity. I have learned how to approach and cope with challenging situations more effectively, which has helped me become a calmer and more level-headed individual. As a result of my increased maturity, I am better equipped to find good solutions to problems and to avoid getting overly emotional and stressed when faced with difficult situations. All in all, I am proud of the progress I have made and am committed to continuing to work on myself so that I can become an even more mature and well-rounded person. I believe that college could help me hone my skills in the arts and channel them into becoming the best version of myself. I'm tired of living in a bubble, and I'm confident that my skills will continue to grow. I aspire to do the same as the great artists before me and showcase my views on life using this creative and innovative medium. Currently, I am working on expanding my skill set, including good art talent, communication skills with a team, creativity, computer software knowledge, and time management, to pursue my dream career. I am determined to work hard and become a successful artist while also developing my abilities in other areas that will help me lead a more fulfilling life.

Art has always been my go-to escape, especially during my formative years. Back then, I was struggling to find myself and struggling to make friends because I wasn't good at communicating. Stress has been a constant issue for me, and balancing school and work made it even worse for both my mental and physical well-being. However, to channel my stress into something productive, I started sketching. Initially, my drawings were terrible, and I felt as though I would never become a good artist. Despite this, I refused to give up and kept practicing hard. To hone my skills, I began looking at drawings by other artists and tried to replicate them. I would draw the same picture multiple times, unknowingly training my hands to get familiar with the details. I loved drawing characters and creatures inspired by comics and cartoons that I adored. Soon, I began getting ideas for original pieces. I watched online tutorials and learned from the experiences of other artists, such as Aaron Blaise, who works for Disney. I became more and more invested in the art world, and my family supported my dream and helped me in every way possible. Although I faced some creative blocks during my freshman year in high school, which caused my passion for drawing to diminish, I refused to give up. I felt frustrated when I couldn't think of anything to draw, and the pressure of not being a good artist weighed heavily on me. However, during my senior year, my passion for drawing returned, and I decided to enroll in a university art class to improve my skills further. I was fortunate enough to be accepted into the class, and I am excited to learn from a professional instructor. I am confident that my skills will continue to grow, and I will create amazing pieces of art that will inspire others. Animation and art have a special place in my heart. I find it truly amazing how many hours are willingly spent to enhance a show or film's narrative and emotional impact, creating a more immersive and engaging experience for audiences. I aspire to do the same as those before me. I want to showcase my views on life using this creative and innovative medium. I am working on expanding my set of skills, including good art talent, communication skills with a team, creativity, computer software knowledge, and time management, to pursue my dream career.

Art has always been my go-to escape, especially during my formative years. Back then, I was struggling to find myself and struggling to make friends because I wasn't good at communicating. Stress has been a constant issue for me, and balancing school and work made it even worse for both my mental and physical well-being. However, to channel my stress into something productive, I started sketching. Initially, my drawings were terrible, and I felt as though I would never become a good artist. Despite this, I refused to give up and kept practicing hard. To hone my skills, I began looking at drawings by other artists and tried to replicate them. I would draw the same picture multiple times, unknowingly training my hands to get familiar with the details. I loved drawing characters and creatures inspired by comics and cartoons that I adored. Soon, I began getting ideas for original pieces. I watched online tutorials and learned from the experiences of other artists, such as Aaron Blaise, who works for Disney. I became more and more invested in the art world, and my family supported my dream and helped me in every way possible. Although I faced some creative blocks during my freshman year in high school, which caused my passion for drawing to diminish, I refused to give up. I felt frustrated when I couldn't think of anything to draw, and the pressure of not being a good artist weighed heavily on me. However, during my senior year, my passion for drawing returned, and I decided to enroll in a university art class to further improve my skills. I was fortunate enough to be accepted into the class, and I am excited to learn from a professional instructor. I am confident that my skills will continue to grow, and I will create amazing pieces of art that will inspire others. Animation and art have a special place in my heart. I find it truly amazing how many hours are willingly spent to enhance the narrative and emotional impact of a show or film, creating a more immersive and engaging experience for audiences. I aspire to do the same as those before me. I want to showcase my views on life using this creative and innovative medium. I am working on expanding my set of skills, including good art talent, communication skills with a team, creativity, computer software knowledge, and time management, to pursue my dream career.

Art has always been my go-to escape, especially during my formative years. Back then, I was struggling to find myself and struggling to make friends because I wasn't good at communicating. Stress has been a constant issue for me, and balancing school and work made it even worse for both my mental and physical well-being. However, to channel my stress into something productive, I started sketching. Initially, my drawings were terrible, and I felt as though I would never become a good artist. Despite this, I refused to give up and kept practicing hard. To hone my skills, I began looking at drawings by other artists and tried to replicate them. I would draw the same picture multiple times, unknowingly training my hands to get familiar with the details. I loved drawing characters and creatures inspired by comics and cartoons that I adored. Soon, I began getting ideas for original pieces. I watched online tutorials and learned from the experiences of other artists, such as Aaron Blaise, who works for Disney. I became more and more invested in the art world, and my family supported my dream and helped me in every way possible. Although I faced some creative blocks during my freshman year in high school, which caused my passion for drawing to diminish, I refused to give up. I felt frustrated when I couldn't think of anything to draw, and the pressure of not being a good artist weighed heavily on me. However, during my senior year, my passion for drawing returned, and I decided to enroll in a university art class to further improve my skills. I was fortunate enough to be accepted into the class, and I am excited to learn from a professional instructor. I am confident that my skills will continue to grow, and I will create amazing pieces of art that will inspire others. Animation and art have a special place in my heart. I find it truly amazing how many hours are willingly spent to enhance the narrative and emotional impact of a show or film, creating a more immersive and engaging experience for audiences. I aspire to do the same as those before me. I want to showcase my views on life using this creative and innovative medium. I am working on expanding my set of skills, including good art talent, communication skills with a team, creativity, computer software knowledge, and time management, to pursue my dream career.

Art has always been my go-to escape, especially during my formative years. Back then, I was struggling to find myself and struggling to make friends because I wasn't good at communicating. Stress has been a constant issue for me, and balancing school and work made it even worse for both my mental and physical well-being. However, to channel my stress into something productive, I started sketching. Initially, my drawings were terrible, and I felt as though I would never become a good artist. Despite this, I refused to give up and kept practicing hard. To hone my skills, I began looking at drawings by other artists and tried to replicate them. I would draw the same picture multiple times, unknowingly training my hands to get familiar with the details. I loved drawing characters and creatures inspired by comics and cartoons that I adored. Soon, I began getting ideas for original pieces. I watched online tutorials and learned from the experiences of other artists, such as Aaron Blaise, who works for Disney. I became more and more invested in the art world, and my family supported my dream and helped me in every way possible. Although I faced some creative blocks during my freshman year in high school, which caused my passion for drawing to diminish, I refused to give up. I felt frustrated when I couldn't think of anything to draw, and the pressure of not being a good artist weighed heavily on me. However, during my senior year, my passion for drawing returned, and I decided to enroll in a university art class to further improve my skills. I was fortunate enough to be accepted into the class, and I am excited to learn from a professional instructor. I am confident that my skills will continue to grow, and I will create amazing pieces of art that will inspire others. Animation and art have a special place in my heart. I find it truly amazing how many hours are willingly spent to enhance the narrative and emotional impact of a show or film, creating a more immersive and engaging experience for audiences. I aspire to do the same as those before me. I want to showcase my views on life using this creative and innovative medium. I am working on expanding my set of skills, including good art talent, communication skills with a team, creativity, computer software knowledge, and time management, to pursue my dream career.

At an early age, I knew I was different. Didn't talk until I was 4 years old. I couldn't make friends because everyone thought I was weird, I had constant anxiety, and was very introverted. I was seeing doctors, psychiatrists, and numerous groups but nothing felt like it was working and I became depressed. I was worried I'd never accomplished anything in my life at such a young age and my family kept getting more and more worried for me. Stress had been a constant issue for me, and balancing school with it made it even worse for both my mental and physical well-being. So I created an escape for myself and did something productive, I started sketching. Initially, my drawings were terrible, and I felt as though I would never become a good artist. Despite this, I refused to give up and kept practicing hard. To hone my skills, I began looking at drawings by other artists and tried to replicate them. I would draw the same picture multiple times, unknowingly training my hands to get familiar with the details. I loved drawing characters and creatures inspired by comics and cartoons that I adored. Soon, I began getting ideas for original pieces and imaginary worlds. My family noticed this, supported me, and supplied me with anything they thought I would need. I had an IP meeting with my school and that was where I learned of autism and how it made me unique. I could take existing things and make something new and creative out of them. I loved talking about these aspects and wanted to share them with others. I started talking to people more easily by just being myself. Although I faced some creative blocks during my freshman year in high school, which caused my passion for drawing to diminish, I refused to give up. I felt frustrated when I couldn't think of anything to draw, and the pressure of not being a good artist weighed heavily on me. However, during my senior year, my passion for drawing returned, and I decided to enroll in a university art class to further improve my skills. I was fortunate enough to be accepted into the class, and I am excited to learn from a professional instructor. I am confident that my skills will continue to grow, and I will create amazing pieces of art that will inspire others. I aspire to do the same as those before me. I want to showcase my views on life using this creative and innovative medium. I am working on expanding my set of skills, including good art talent, communication skills with a team, creativity, computer software knowledge, and time management, to pursue my dream career.

Art has always been my go-to escape, especially during my formative years. Back then, I was struggling to find myself and struggling to make friends because I wasn't good at communicating. Stress has been a constant issue for me, and balancing school and work made it even worse for both my mental and physical well-being. However, to channel my stress into something productive, I started sketching. Initially, my drawings were terrible, and I felt as though I would never become a good artist. Despite this, I refused to give up and kept practicing hard. To hone my skills, I began looking at drawings by other artists and tried to replicate them. I would draw the same picture multiple times, unknowingly training my hands to get familiar with the details. I loved drawing characters and creatures inspired by comics and cartoons that I adored. Soon, I began getting ideas for original pieces. I watched online tutorials and learned from the experiences of other artists, such as Aaron Blaise, who works for Disney. I became more and more invested in the art world, and my family supported my dream and helped me in every way possible. Although I faced some creative blocks during my freshman year in high school, which caused my passion for drawing to diminish, I refused to give up. I felt frustrated when I couldn't think of anything to draw, and the pressure of not being a good artist weighed heavily on me. However, during my senior year, my passion for drawing returned, and I decided to enroll in a university art class to further improve my skills. I was fortunate enough to be accepted into the class, and I am excited to learn from a professional instructor. I am confident that my skills will continue to grow, and I will create amazing pieces of art that will inspire others. Animation and art have a special place in my heart. I find it truly amazing how many hours are willingly spent to enhance the narrative and emotional impact of a show or film, creating a more immersive and engaging experience for audiences. I aspire to do the same as those before me. I want to showcase my views on life using this creative and innovative medium. I am working on expanding my set of skills, including good art talent, communication skills with a team, creativity, computer software knowledge, and time management, to pursue my dream career.