My very first concert memory was when I was 10 years old. The band, Dan + Shay, was playing at a free outdoor concert in my hometown. My family and I brought blankets, lawn chairs, snacks, and drinks to enjoy throughout the evening. The green lawn where the audience resided was packed with guests. My sister, who was a teenager at the time, was especially excited to see Dan + Shay because they had been growing in popularity. She and her friends even had the opportunity to meet the artists. It was a very memorable night for her and our family. As a child, it seemed like the whole town gathered for this concert. It was a fun time with family and friends. Growing up, I listened to a lot of country music. My sister in particular loved nearly every country artist out there. We would spend Saturday mornings curled up on the couch watching country music videos. Taylor Swift was a country artist at the time, and I quickly became a fan of her music. In the fall of 2022, Taylor Swift announced that she was going on tour for the first time in five years. Even as a young adult, I still greatly admire her music. When she announced this, I immediately made plans with some friends to go to her concert. My college, Grand Canyon University, is in Phoenix, AZ. This is about twenty to thirty minutes from Glendale, where the opening night of Taylor Swift's Eras Tour Concert was. Not only were my friends and I very close to the first concert of the tour, but we also managed to get tickets to both shows during opening weekend. We were able to go see a very highly anticipated concert and be completely surprised by the setlist since it was the first concert of the whole tour. It was a great night, filled with singing and dancing. We would often try to guess which song she would play next and would become extremely excited when we would guess correctly. Taylor Swift's Eras Tour was a very unique concert. Most artists go on tour for a particular album that was recently released. The Era's Tour showcased music from each of Taylor Swift's albums. The setlist has a group of songs from nearly every album of hers. Every section of the setlist for each album would feature specific costumes, set changes, and even the colors of the people's wristbands in the stadium would change to match the theme of the album. The Eras Tour was like reliving the music of my childhood. It was the best concert experience I've had in my life. I'm grateful to have gone to this concert and am even more grateful to have shared the experience with my friends. The picture I included with my application is of my friends and me on the opening night of the Eras Tour. I am the one taking the picture.

Math has always been a challenging subject for me. In elementary school, my teacher would write a math problem on the board and ask us to raise our hands if we knew the answer. Other children would immediately shoot their hands in the air, begging to be called on. It would take me longer than most of my class to solve the problem. The other children and I would get the same answers but at very different paces. I've always had to work harder at math than any other subject in school. Math used to be an area of insecurity for me because it was the class I did poorest in. I struggled with math until 6th grade. My 6th-grade teacher saw how much I struggled with math and spent extra time with me during recess, lunch, and before or after school. His determination and commitment to helping me in this subject truly paid off. My teacher helped me develop perseverance and patience with every math problem I faced. Learning math was an uphill battle for years in my life. Once I grasped the skills and tools I needed, math became a little easier each time. When I think of math now, I smile because it is a reminder of a battle that I faced and won in my life. I love math because it has taught me life skills beyond addition and subtraction, which I will carry with me throughout my life.

My grandpa always brought his camera whenever my family and I went on a trip. Whether we were camping in the redwoods or walking the beaches of California, he was always wandering around with his camera. Fascinated by what my grandpa was able to capture with his camera, I soon asked my parents for one of my own. During my 9th birthday, my family and I were on a camping trip in Santa Cruz, CA. I unwrapped a gift and discovered my very own camera, which was hot pink! Soon, I was busy taking photos of my own. After spending hours capturing anything in sight, I eagerly returned to show my grandpa my snapshots. He gave me a broad smile, knowing that I had also caught the "photography bug." As I progressed through junior high and high school, my passion for photography continued to flourish. My grandpa let me borrow his camera, which was far nicer and much more expensive than mine. Through lots of practice, I started to realize that I wanted to pursue a career in the creative arts. During my senior year of high school, I joined the yearbook committee and often volunteered to take pictures at many school functions. Through the yearbook committee, I not only helped design the yearbook but also created poster boards, t-shirts, and various marketing materials for school events. Since 2019, I have volunteered with various mission organizations, serving impoverished communities across the globe. I've had the privilege of serving in Guatemala, the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Israel, and Palestine. I have used my graphic design skills to create posters and infographics about each service trip. During these trips, I often take photographs to capture the essence of our mission and the people we encounter. It is very rewarding to give the people in the local communities the photos I capture on the trips. Their faces light up with big smiles as they see the beauty in each photo captured of them. Over the past year, I have been assisting other photographers in capturing weddings. Wedding photography has allowed me to connect with the couple, their families, the guests, and the vendors at each wedding. Capturing these special moments in other people's lives with my camera has been a joyful experience. As a detail-oriented person, I often notice small moments at weddings that may go unnoticed by the main photographer. When I observe candid moments with the couple's families or the guests, I make an extra effort to capture those moments. It's rewarding to receive feedback from couples after their wedding day and know that they too appreciate those candid moments. I'm not sure where I'd be today if my grandpa hadn't encouraged me to pursue photography from a young age. It is because of him, that I can use the creative skills I've developed to serve and pour into others. In March of 2024, my grandpa passed away from stage four liver disease. To honor his legacy, I have done my best to encourage those around me to pursue their dreams and passions. As a young child, my grandpa encouraged me to pursue my interests, and now I will encourage others to follow their dreams and become who they want to be.

My mental health journey began in high school. As a student, I was dealing with the stress of making college decisions, the responsibility of being the team captain for varsity girls' tennis, the pressure of participating in the school's popular performing arts productions, the high standards for academic excellence, and maintaining a social life outside of school. By the age of 17, I was burnt out, depressed, anxious, and having daily panic attacks. I felt like I was drowning, and any mistake would lead to complete failure. I tried to cope on my own by bottling my emotions, but that only led to things getting worse. When I left for college at the age of 18, I had to learn to live with my anxiety, depression, and panic attacks. As a freshman in college, there were so many new opportunities at my disposal that should have excited me. Instead, I felt overwhelmed. Soon, I learned that my college had free counseling available to students. With nothing to lose, I signed up. I ended up meeting with my counselor every two to three weeks for two years. He listened to me, helped me process what I was going through, and offered helpful skills and tools to help manage my mental health. Looking back, I'm extremely grateful that I decided to seek help. Instead of enduring my struggles in silence, I sought valuable counseling. It not only improved my mental health but also changed the course of my life. Counseling provided me with the tools to fight back against my mental health issues. As a result, I've become a stronger person, a better friend, and have a better understanding of my calling in life. Through this process, I've realized that life is too short to be living in the past instead of focusing on the present. I've learned to be present in the season I'm in and to be grateful for the blessings in my life. Putting others before myself has become a habit that I strive to pursue daily. Having good time-management skills helps me balance the weight of going to school and working full-time. Managing my time well helps me avoid burnout and anxiety. By knowing my limits and what triggers my anxiety, I can take intentional steps to avoid having my anxiety or depression flare up. This often looks like getting enough rest, eating well-balanced meals, getting outside, spending time with friends, and reading in my spare time. Incorporating healthy habits into my life helps keep my mental health in check.

My grandfather always carried his camera during our family trips, whether we were camping in the redwoods or walking the beaches of California, he was always off taking pictures. His passion for capturing moments with his camera inspired me to ask my parents for a camera of my own. On my 9th birthday, during a camping trip in Santa Cruz, CA, I unwrapped a hot pink camera as a present. Excitedly, I started taking photos of anything in sight. I proudly showed my snapshots to my grandpa. His broad smile assured me that I had too caught the "photography bug." As I progressed through junior high and high school, my love for photography continued to grow. With the guidance of my grandpa, who allowed me to borrow his far superior camera, I began to realize my desire to pursue a career in the creative arts. Joining the yearbook committee during my senior year of high school allowed me not only to contribute to the design of the yearbook but also to create marketing materials for school events. I often volunteered to take pictures for the yearbook, which gave me valuable photography experience. Assisting in developing the yearbook, helped me foster graphic design skills at an early age. Discovering my passions in high school and finding outlets for practice, allowed me to gain valuable skills before starting college. In the past year, my involvement in wedding photography has enabled me to connect with the couples, their families, and the wedding attendees. I have learned to pay attention to small, unnoticed moments at weddings and am rewarded by the positive feedback from the couples. Going the extra mile for each client fosters trust and appreciation, allowing me to capture their precious moments with ease. Seeking a degree in graphic design will equip me with valuable skills to enhance my photography business, such as creating a website, logo, and various marketing materials. The combination of photography and graphic design perfectly aligns with my passions. Using the knowledge I'll gain from my degree in graphic design, I'll be able to start my photography business off strong. I am grateful for my grandfather's encouragement, which has enabled me to use my creative skills to benefit others. In March of 2024, my grandfather passed away from stage four liver disease. To honor his legacy, I have endeavored to inspire those around me to pursue their dreams and passions, just as my grandfather inspired me.

My mental health journey began in high school. As a student, I was dealing with the stress of making college decisions, the responsibility of being the team captain for varsity girls' tennis, the pressure of participating in the school's popular performing arts productions, the high standards for academic excellence, and maintaining a social life outside of school. By the age of 17, I was burnt out, depressed, anxious, and having daily panic attacks. I felt like I was drowning, and any mistake would lead to complete failure. I tried to cope on my own by bottling my emotions, but that only led to things getting worse. When I left for college at the age of 18, I had to learn to live with my anxiety, depression, and panic attacks. As a freshman in college, there were so many new opportunities at my disposal that should have excited me. Instead, I felt overwhelmed. Soon, I learned that my college had free counseling available to students. With nothing to lose, I signed up. I ended up meeting with my counselor every two to three weeks for two years. He listened to me, helped me process what I was going through, and offered helpful skills and tools to help manage my mental health. Looking back, I'm extremely grateful that I decided to seek help. Instead of enduring my struggles in silence, I sought valuable counseling. It not only improved my mental health but also changed the course of my life. Counseling provided me with the tools to fight back against my mental health issues. As a result, I've become a stronger person, a better friend, and have a better understanding of my calling in life. Through this process, I've realized that life is too short to be living in the past instead of focusing on the present. I've learned to be present in the season I'm in and to be grateful for the blessings in my life. Putting others before myself has become a habit that I strive to pursue daily. Photography has been a lifelong passion of mine. I love how photography captures emotions and priceless moments in time for people to cherish with their loved ones forever. Through pursuing my own photography business, I have seen how it captures some of the most beautiful moments in life. Whether it's a wedding, a family session, a birth, or something else, photography is a gift that keeps on giving. Since 2019, I have been passionate about volunteering for mission work. I have volunteered with multiple mission organizations in Guatemala, the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Israel, and Palestine. One of the organizations I have been involved with is Students International, which provides support to impoverished communities around the world. They do this through occupational ministry, including dental care, physical therapy, special education, sports, women's social work, and more. Each area of ministry has dedicated full-time staff members who work closely with the local communities. For example, at the women's social work site, the staff provides support through encouragement, counseling, and teaching life skills. As a volunteer with Students International, my role is to support the full-time staff in any way they need. By pursuing a degree in Graphic Design, I aim to build a career that complements my photography business and allows me to express my creativity. Additionally, I want to use my skills to bring joy to others. This could look like helping someone in my life by designing their business logo or website, taking photos of a friend's wedding, or designing t-shirts for a local fundraiser. I believe that life is a precious gift, meant to be cherished. What better way to share this gift with others than by capturing some of the most memorable moments in their lives?

My mental health journey began in high school. As a student, I was dealing with the stress of making college decisions, the responsibility of being the team captain for varsity girls' tennis, the pressure of participating in the school's popular performing arts productions, the high standards for academic excellence, and maintaining a social life outside of school. By the age of 17, I was burnt out, depressed, anxious, and having daily panic attacks. I felt like I was drowning, and any mistake would lead to complete failure. I tried to cope on my own by bottling my emotions, but that only led to things getting worse. When I left for college at the age of 18, I had to learn to live with my anxiety, depression, and panic attacks. As a freshman in college, there were so many new opportunities at my disposal that should have excited me. Instead, I felt overwhelmed. Soon, I learned that my college had free counseling available to students. With nothing to lose, I signed up. I ended up meeting with my counselor every two to three weeks for two years. He listened to me, helped me process what I was going through, and offered helpful skills and tools to help manage my mental health. Looking back, I'm extremely grateful that I decided to seek help. Instead of enduring my struggles in silence, I sought valuable counseling. It not only improved my mental health but also changed the course of my life. Counseling provided me with the tools to fight back against my mental health issues. As a result, I've become a stronger person, a better friend, and have a better understanding of my calling in life. Through this process, I've realized that life is too short to be living in the past instead of focusing on the present. I've learned to be present in the season I'm in and to be grateful for the blessings in my life.

My name is Elana York. I am from California, and I am pursuing a degree in Graphic Design and Advertising at Grand Canyon University. My goal in obtaining this degree is to use my skills to serve others. I am deeply passionate about the arts, particularly photography and graphic design. Growing up, my grandpa always had his camera with him. Whether we were on a trip or having a picnic in the backyard, he was always taking photos. For my 9th birthday, I received my very own camera, which was hot pink! After taking pictures for hours that day of anything in sight, I eagerly showed my grandpa what I captured. From that day forward, he always encouraged me to pursue photography and go after my dreams. My grandpa passed away in March of 2024 from stage four liver disease. To honor his legacy, I will encourage others to follow their dreams and passions as he did mine. During high school, I was heavily involved in the performing arts. I participated in various drama and choir classes and was involved in many productions, including "Up the Down Staircase," "Parable," "A Christmas Carol," "Fools," "The Fiddler on the Roof," "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever," and "The Curious Savage." While I do not actively participate in the performing arts any longer, I still show my support by seeing local musicals. Some of the ones I've seen recently have been "The Little Mermaid," "A Christmas Story," and "The Sound of Music." My favorite musical of all time is "Wicked." My older sister shares similar interests with me and was heavily involved in performing arts at our high school. She now lives in Florida with her husband. Every visit I've had with them has been very pleasant. In my experience, Florida is a great place with friendly people and lots of fun things to do. On my most recent trip to Florida, my sister and I went snorkeling and dolphin watching. Florida's marine life is simply extraordinary. Cooking and baking are some of my favorite hobbies. To me, making someone a meal is one of the best ways to serve them. I especially love cooking with my loved ones. It is a great opportunity to connect with others and create a delicious meal together. Some of my favorite things to make include barbecue, roasted vegetables, milkshakes, banana bread, and muffins. Cooking is a hobby that helps me de-stress and share the fruits of my labor with others. Thank you for your time and consideration for the Patrick A. Visaggi Memorial Scholarship.

Every time my family and I went on a trip, my grandpa always brought his camera. Whether we were camping in the redwoods or walking the beaches of California, he was always wandering around with his camera. Fascinated by what my grandpa was able to capture with his camera, I soon asked my parents for one of my own. During my 9th birthday, my family and I were on a camping trip in Santa Cruz, CA. I unwrapped a gift and discovered my very own camera, which was hot pink! Soon, I was busy taking photos of my own. After spending hours capturing anything in sight, I eagerly returned to show my grandpa my snapshots. He gave me a broad smile, knowing that I had also caught the "photography bug." As I progressed through junior high and high school, my passion for photography continued to flourish. My grandpa let me borrow his camera, which was far nicer and much more expensive than mine. Through lots of practice, I started to realize that I wanted to pursue a career in the creative arts. During my senior year of high school, I joined the yearbook committee and often volunteered to take pictures at many school functions. Through the yearbook committee, I not only helped design the yearbook but also created poster boards, t-shirts, and various marketing materials for school events. Since 2019, I have volunteered with various mission organizations, serving impoverished communities across the globe. I've had the privilege of serving in Guatemala, the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Israel, and Palestine. I have used my graphic design skills to create posters and infographics about each service trip. During these trips, I often take photographs to capture the essence of our mission and the people we encounter. It is very rewarding to give the people in the local communities the photos I capture on the trips. Their faces light up with big smiles as they see the beauty in each photo captured of them. Over the past year, I have been assisting other photographers in capturing weddings. Wedding photography has allowed me to connect with the couple, their families, the guests, and the vendors at each wedding. Capturing these special moments in other people's lives with my camera has been a joyful experience. As a detail-oriented person, I often notice small moments at weddings that may go unnoticed by the main photographer. When I observe candid moments with the couple's families or the guests, I make an extra effort to capture those moments. It's rewarding to receive feedback from couples after their wedding day and know that they too appreciate those candid moments. I'm not sure where I'd be today if my grandpa hadn't encouraged me to pursue photography from a young age. It is because of him, that I can use the creative skills I've developed to serve and pour into others. In March of 2024, my grandpa passed away from stage four liver disease. To honor his legacy, I have done my best to encourage those around me to pursue their dreams and passions. As a young child, my grandpa encouraged me to pursue my interests, and now I will encourage others to follow their dreams and become who they want to be.

Every time my family and I went on a trip, my grandpa always brought his camera. Whether we were camping in the redwoods or walking the beaches of California, he was always wandering around with his camera. Fascinated by what my grandpa was able to capture with his camera, I soon asked my parents for one of my own. During my 9th birthday, my family and I were on a camping trip in Santa Cruz, CA. I unwrapped a gift and discovered my very own camera, which was hot pink! Soon, I was busy taking photos of my own. After spending hours capturing anything in sight, I eagerly returned to show my grandpa my snapshots. He gave me a broad smile, knowing that I had also caught the "photography bug." As I progressed through junior high and high school, my passion for photography continued to flourish. My grandpa let me borrow his camera, which was far nicer and much more expensive than mine. Through lots of practice, I started to realize that I wanted to pursue a career in the creative arts. During my senior year of high school, I joined the yearbook committee and often volunteered to take pictures at many school functions. Through the yearbook committee, I not only helped design the yearbook but also created poster boards, t-shirts, and various marketing materials for school events. Since 2019, I have volunteered with various mission organizations, serving impoverished communities across the globe. I've had the privilege of serving in Guatemala, the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Israel, and Palestine. I have used my graphic design skills to create posters and infographics about each service trip. During these trips, I often take photographs to capture the essence of our mission and the people we encounter. It is very rewarding to give the people in the local communities the photos I capture on the trips. Their faces light up with big smiles as they see the beauty in each photo captured of them. Over the past year, I have been assisting other photographers in capturing weddings. Wedding photography has allowed me to connect with the couple, their families, the guests, and the vendors at each wedding. Capturing these special moments in other people's lives with my camera has been a joyful experience. As a detail-oriented person, I often notice small moments at weddings that may go unnoticed by the main photographer. When I observe candid moments with the couple's families or the guests, I make an extra effort to capture those moments. It's rewarding to receive feedback from couples after their wedding day and know that they too appreciate those candid moments. I'm not sure where I'd be today if my grandpa hadn't encouraged me to pursue photography from a young age. It is because of him, that I can use the creative skills I've developed to serve and pour into others. In March of 2024, my grandpa passed away from stage four liver disease. To honor his legacy, I have done my best to encourage those around me to pursue their dreams and passions. As a young child, my grandpa encouraged me to pursue my interests, and now I will encourage others to follow their dreams and become who they want to be.