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Ella Girard

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Finalist

General information

Hobbies & Interests

  • Photography and Photo Editing
  • Video Editing and Production
  • Videography
  • YouTube
  • Sustainability

Reading

  • Adult Fiction
  • Realistic Fiction
  • Folk Tales
  • Music

I read books multiple times a month.

Bio

As an individual driven by passion, I wholeheartedly invest myself in the pursuits that inspire me the most. My journey is fueled by two significant passions: music and sustainability. From the moment I could talk, I've been singing, and over the past five years, I've been dedicatedly crafting my own songs, which I proudly showcase on my YouTube channel. However, my interests extend beyond music, as I am acutely conscious of my carbon footprint and genuinely committed to addressing the climate crisis. This dedication translates into my music, where I channel my creativity to write songs that resonate with the importance of environmental stewardship. Growing up in a household where entrepreneurship thrived, with both my parents managing their businesses, I developed a genuine passion for entrepreneurship. Their dedicated work ethic and determination have been a profound source of inspiration, shaping my own aspirations and motivating me to pursue my goals diligently. In fact, I've had the incredible opportunity to apply my passion for social media marketing to make a positive impact, as I've successfully boosted my father's ceramics studio's online presence, reaching a wider audience and fostering a thriving online community. With a harmonious fusion of music, sustainability, and entrepreneurship, I am determined to make a significant impact. Weaving my artistic pursuits, environmental consciousness, and entrepreneurial spirit, my aspiration is to create a positive difference that leaves a lasting impression on both society and the planet.

Education

The New School's Eugene Lang College

Bachelor's degree program

2022 – 2026

Majors:
  • Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management
  • Communication, General

Chelsea High School

High School

2017 – 2021

Miscellaneous

Majors of interest:
Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management, Music

Career

  • Social Media Cordinator

    Marketing and Advertising · Ceramics Clayland

    Jan 2023 – Present

  • Customer service + glazing the ceramic pieces and loading them into the kiln.

    Arts · Ceramics Clayland

    Jan 2017 – Present

Miscellaneous

Dream career field:
Music
Dream career goals:
Singer-Songwriter
Has nursing license:
No

Future Interests

  • Advocacy
  • Volunteering
  • Entrepreneurship
WCEJ Thornton Foundation Music & Art Scholarship
I aspire to make a positive impact on the world using the power of my voice. As a songwriter, I believe every voice deserves to be heard. Individual stories promote a sense of belonging through shared experiences. My songs serve as a conduit for empathetic dialogue while shedding light on current issues. I am driven to collaborate with diverse non-profit organizations by leveraging the full potential of my art to raise awareness about pressing concerns that demand greater attention. My deep concern for our current climate emergency has drawn my attention to the Greenpeace organization and its dedicated efforts to find solutions. Many people are unaware that the climate crisis involves more than just environmental degradation. Significant factors also include economic disparities and social injustice. I will use my voice as a vehicle to inform and advocate for sustainable action. My impact can be seen through my song, ‘Our Last Times', written to reflect the experience of graduating in 2021 during the height of the pandemic. The response was massive, as the video gained over thirty-three thousand views and forged a close-knit community within my YouTube channel. The song and its performance offered closure to the loss of our high school experiences. It showcased the unique bond we had formed as a class in order to navigate adulthood with resilience. I had the privilege of contributing to a Philippine health campaign during the height of the pandemic in 2020. I composed a song emphasizing the importance of wearing a mask and the responsibility each person has for their community. A song to amplify the message of public health awareness and encourage safe practices. While my songs may not directly solve critical issues, the awareness and attention my voice can bring to the subject holds significant value. Music that stimulates thoughtful discussions and inspires positive change. Storytelling in music is a powerful tool. It connects people on the deepest emotional level. With my voice I am determined to bring joy, comfort, and hope to others. Through my musical compositions, I see my voice as a compelling instrument to effect meaningful change and contribute to a better world.
Learner Math Lover Scholarship
My Sophomore year marked a pivotal moment in my academic journey as I decided to expand my mathematical horizons and take on the challenge of enrolling in Geometry and Algebra 2. In the past, I struggled with math and believed that I was not cut out for it. This was reinforced by mediocre grades in Pre-Algebra, which contributed to a lack of confidence in myself. However, everything changed when I met my teacher Mrs. Huggs. With her guidance, the fragments of algebraic knowledge that once confused me melded together, granting me a newfound clarity and confidence. Mathematics, I realized, was more than just calculations; it was a language of patterns and a symphony of logic that taught the art of problem-solving. The idea of deconstructing and reducing problems to manageable components helped me excel in math and also translated to success in other challenging subjects, such as Physics. My passion for math continued to flourish, leading me to challenge myself further by enrolling in Honors Pre-Calculus and AP Statistics during my junior year. To my surprise, the challenges that lay ahead surpassed anything I had faced in the past. It felt as though I had been deceived and questioned my aptitude in math. In my Pre-Calculus class, I encountered discouragement, with classmates labeling me as dumb and undeserving to be in the honors class. The same self-doubts I had as a 14-year-old in Pre-Algebra began to creep into my mind. However, this time I was determined not to let them undermine me and all the effort I had put into this subject over the years. I went on to receive a score of 4 on the AP exam and ended the year with a high grade in my Pre-Calculus class. I will always love math because of the path it illuminated toward self-discovery and personal growth. It has empowered me with unwavering confidence and shown me the limitless possibilities through my determination.
Kap Slap "Find Your Sound" Music Grant
If money was not a constant worry I would create my debut album. I have so much passion and drive to write songs. I have been singing for my entire life and have been songwriting for years. I know that I have what it takes to create songs that people will love. Over the pandemic, I have started to make strides towards my goal of making an album. In March of 2020, I began uploading videos on my YouTube channel every Friday. I post videos of myself singing my original songs or covers. Making myself adhere to this strict uploading schedule showcased to myself what I can make happen if I put my mind to it. I would have to learn or write a song, record the audio tracks, edit the audio, film the video, and then edit the video and audio together before Friday. I have learned so much about the recording process through making YouTube videos. I now know how to use different microphones, as well as how to record tracks into my DAW, which for me is Logic Pro X. Recording covers has taught me the importance of experimentation and the technicalities of music production. It has allowed me to experiment with different sounds, as well as learn the challenge of mixing my music. Engineering music has been a recurring obstacle for me. I had no idea how it was done or what it even meant before I started learning the recording process. I am proud of myself that I was able to persevere through the beginning stages that were so overwhelming. I am now able to use certain techniques, such as adding reverb or equalization, to a vocal track to create new sounds. I am very excited to apply what I have learned so far on my musical journey to my original music. Creating a positive or enlightening experience for the people who listen to my songs is what I look forward to when I put my work online. My song, “Our last times”, is about the class of 2021’s senior year of high school. I have received so much response from 2021 seniors, as it has reached over 17,000 views. My song has been able to validate other senior’s feelings about this crazy year, as well as give them a sense of comfort. I am going to continue using my voice to connect with others and to help people feel less alone. Please visit my YouTube Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCY5FDIG_d9nQYu2EFRSaf8A
Ella Henderson Dream Big Scholarship
Music is how I express myself. The feeling I get when I write a song containing all of my thoughts in that exact moment, without explicitly saying what I am thinking, is unmatched. I am able to tell people how I am feeling without it getting really awkward. Music adds beauty to our emotions, as well as different perceptions. Music allows everyone to relate to the experience the song is depicting and to each other as well. It establishes a connection through each other’s happiest and vulnerable moments. This can also make people feel less alone in their own situations, which is really important in today’s world where everyone is so divided. My goal for my music is for it to be a safe place where everyone can come together and take a minute for themselves. To listen to my point of view and how it resonates in their own lives. Listen to how I am undergoing the same life experiences as anyone else my age. Issues surrounding mental health have become extremely important to address in recent years. Teenagers have been struggling with mental illnesses more than ever. I struggle with anxiety myself and have been exposed to a lot of people dealing with depression or other mental illnesses. Although I cannot help those who have been lost, offering light and hope to those who are still fighting their internal battles could prove to save lives. I know I am capable of creating a safe and welcoming community because I have already started the process. When the world was spinning and lockdown started in March, I began uploading videos on my YouTube channel again. I uploaded a video once a week showcasing an original song or a cover. My uploading schedule was very useful, in that it gave me structure throughout quarantine. I had to plan when I was going to rehearse during the week, as well as record and film. On top of that, I had to make time for the hours that would be spent editing the audio and video. It is a lot of work, but I have grown from 30 subscribers last March to over 600 subscribers today. I am ecstatic to see how far I can grow my community and how many more people I can help with my music.
Ella Girard Student Profile | Bold.org