My name is Elle Gilbert and I love art. I will be majoring in Animation at Luddy IU Indianapolis in the Fall, and I hope to learn how to convert my drawings into digital animations. My career goals are to work as a Character Designer at a well-known animation company and eventually become a director at my own animation studio. Drawing has always been a part of my life. It is one of the most important things that makes me who I am. When I draw I feel like I am in my own world and I am so grateful to have figured out what career I want for my future at such a young age. I want to work with animation because I have always loved film. Being a Character Designer and Animator would be the perfect job for me because it combines the two things that I love, film and art. By majoring in animation I will be learning how to use new technology and bring my art to life. I want to see more animated series and television shows being made because there is so much potential within them. When companies animate a movie there is nothing that is not supposed to be there, every action and facial expression of the characters is intentional. It is hard work to make animated movies and television shows, but it always pays off in the end to give the audience high quality art that can inspire an entire generation of people. One of my biggest goals working as a Character Designer and Animator would be to normalize animated movies and television shows for adults and not just children. Animated movies these days can be seen as something that is not taken seriously because people see them as movies and shows made for children. However, I am determined to make animation something that no one should be ashamed to watch. Just because something is animated and it is not made as a live-action movie, it does not mean that there is no story to be told. In my opinion, some of the greatest stories ever told on screen have been animated. These are all goals that I want to achieve, not just my career goals, but I want to change the film industry and have more animated movies and shows for everyone. I know it will not be easy, but I am excited to give this career a try. Seeking a higher education can help me to achieve these goals that I have for my future. I am determined to work hard for this career and I have never been more positive that this is the right career choice for me. Receiving this scholarship would help me to purchase the technology needed to study animation as well as pay off my college debts and to become a Character Designer/Animator, and hopefully someday, a Movie Director. Thank you for considering me for this opportunity.

For as long as I can remember I have been asking myself "What do I want to be when I grow up?". As I have gotten older, the question has become harder to answer. I have always had a passion for art but I never saw it as something to take seriously. Initially I had decided to become a businesswoman in eighth grade because I thought if I had a job that had good pay I would be happy. However, over time I have come to realize that money alone cannot make a person happy. It is the people around you who make life great. Within my time in high school, I have decided to become an Animator and do something that I have always loved to do, which is draw. Life is short and I don't want to waste it doing something that I don't enjoy. Now I am confident that I can answer the question that I have been asking myself my entire life. I want to be an Animator and spread creativity and inspiration with my art. I will be majoring in Animation at Luddy IU Indianapolis in the Fall, and I hope to learn how to convert my drawings into digital animations. My career goals are to work as a Character Designer at a well-known animation company. Drawing has always been a part of my life. It is one of the most important things that makes me who I am. When I draw I feel like I am in my own world and I am so grateful to have figured out what career I want for my future at such a young age. My plan is to hopefully work as a Character Designer and Animator. When I have had enough work experience I would love to start my own animation company. I want to work with animation because I have always loved film. Being a Character Designer and Animator would be the perfect job for me because it combines the two things that I love, film and art. I want to see more animated series and television shows being made because there is so much potential within them. When companies animate a movie there is nothing that is not supposed to be there, every action and facial expression of the characters is intentional. It is hard work to make animated movies and television shows, but it always pays off in the end to give the audience high quality art that can inspire an entire generation of people. Another goal that I would have working as a Character Designer and Animator would be to normalize animated movies and television shows for adults and not just children. Animated movies these days can be seen as something that is not taken seriously because people see them as movies and shows made for children. These are all goals that I want to achieve, not just my career goals, but I want to change the film industry and have more animated movies and shows for everyone. Seeking a higher education can help me to achieve these goals that I have for my future. I am determined to work hard for this career and I have never been more positive that this is the right career choice for me. Receiving this scholarship would help me to pay off my college debts and study Animation to become a Character Designer/Animator, and hopefully someday, a Movie Director. Thank you for considering me for this opportunity.

For as long as I can remember I have been asking myself "What do I want to be when I grow up?". As I have gotten older, the question has become harder to answer. I have always had a passion for art but I never saw it as something to take seriously. Initially I had decided to become a businesswoman in eighth grade because I thought if I had a job that had good pay I would be happy. However, over time I have come to realize that money alone cannot make a person happy. It is the people around you who make life great. Within my time in high school, I have decided to become an Animator and do something that I have always loved to do, which is draw. Life is short and I don't want to waste it doing something that I don't enjoy. Now I am confident that I can answer the question that I have been asking myself my entire life. I want to be an Animator and spread creativity and inspiration with my art. While creating these pieces I wanted to show the stories of my characters through illustration. I have always been drawn to color and contrast within art pieces. So I wanted to use the colors to represent the different emotions that the characters are feeling in these moments. These pieces are made to represent individual stories with unique new worlds. Characters are my favorite things to draw and I wanted to show that in these artworks. Drawing has always been a part of my life. It is one of the most important things that makes me who I am. When I draw I feel like I am in my own world and I am so grateful to have figured out what career I want for my future at such a young age. My plan is to hopefully work as a Character Designer and Animator. When I have had enough work experience I would love to start my own animation company. I want to work with animation because I have always loved film. I want to see more animated series and television shows being made because there is so much potential within them. When companies animate a movie there is nothing that is not supposed to be there, every action and facial expression of the characters is intentional. It is hard work to make animated movies and television shows, but it always pays off in the end to give the audience high quality art that can inspire an entire generation of people. I hope that my art can inspire people and help them to see themselves in my characters.

For as long as I can remember I have been asking myself "What do I want to be when I grow up?". As I have gotten older, the question has become harder to answer. I have always had a passion for art but I never saw it as something to take seriously. Initially I had decided to become a businesswoman in eighth grade because I thought if I had a job that had good pay I would be happy. However, over time I have come to realize that money alone cannot make a person happy. It is the people around you who make life great. Within my time in high school, I have decided to become an Animator and do something that I have always loved to do, which is draw. Life is short and I don't want to waste it doing something that I don't enjoy. Now I am confident that I can answer the question that I have been asking myself my entire life. I want to be an Animator and spread creativity and inspiration with my art. I will be majoring in Animation at Luddy IU Indianapolis in the Fall, and I hope to learn how to convert my drawings into digital animations. My career goals are to work as a Character Designer at a well-known animation company. Drawing has always been a part of my life. It is one of the most important things that makes me who I am. When I draw I feel like I am in my own world and I am so grateful to have figured out what career I want for my future at such a young age. My plan is to hopefully work as a Character Designer and Animator. When I have had enough work experience I would love to start my own animation company. I want to work with animation because I have always loved film. Being a Character Designer and Animator would be the perfect job for me because it combines the two things that I love, film and art. I want to see more animated series and television shows being made because there is so much potential within them. When companies animate a movie there is nothing that is not supposed to be there, every action and facial expression of the characters is intentional. It is hard work to make animated movies and television shows, but it always pays off in the end to give the audience high quality art that can inspire an entire generation of people. Another goal that I would have working as a Character Designer and Animator would be to normalize animated movies and television shows for adults and not just children. Animated movies these days can be seen as something that is not taken seriously because people see them as movies and shows made for children. These are all goals that I want to achieve, not just my career goals, but I want to change the film industry and have more animated movies and shows for everyone. Seeking a higher education can help me to achieve these goals that I have for my future. I am determined to work hard for this career and I have never been more positive that this is the right career choice for me. Receiving this scholarship would help me to pay off my college debts and study Animation to become a Character Designer/Animator, and hopefully someday, a Movie Director. Thank you for considering me for this opportunity.

Option 1: “Little Helena.” This is a name that my grandpa would always call me. I never understood what he meant but being a kid, I never paid attention to it. Years later he continued to call me that, and as I got older, I realized that he was calling me a little version of my mother. However, this was no surprise to me, as people would constantly say “you look just like your mother.” I never understood how people saw the resemblance because in my mind we were complete opposites. This mentality stuck with me throughout elementary and middle school, and I became resentful when people would say “you look like your mother.” I didn't think it was “cool” to be like a parent, and I wanted to be seen as my own person. As I got older, I started to realize that my mother and I were more alike than I thought. When we argue we are stubborn with each other, and even though we disagree sometimes, we still love each other. She has always been my biggest supporter in anything I do, and helps me during any struggles that I am going through. She treats others with respect and kindness, and has shown me how to be a good friend to others. She is not afraid to call me out when I am being selfish or rude. And it is because she loves me that she can tell me anything, even when it is something that I do not always want to hear. My mother has encouraged me to do what I love and become an animator when I am older. I would never have the confidence to pursue a career like this if it were not for my mother encouraging me. I will be majoring in Animation at Luddy IU Indianapolis in the Fall, and I hope to learn how to convert my drawings into digital animations. My career goals are to work as a Character Designer at a well-known animation company and to make my mother proud. Drawing has always been a part of my life. It is one of the most important things that makes me who I am. And if it were not for my mother I would never have considered having a career in art. Throughout my life there have been many meaningful relationships that shape who I am. I have had close friends, coaches, a sister, and cousins who have taught me important things that I will always carry with me. But the relationship that has had the greatest impact on my life would be my relationship with my mother. She has always been kind to others, and is one of the most positive people that I know. Even when I push her away she still cares about me, and uplifts me when I'm sad. Now when people tell me “you look like your mother” I see it as the greatest compliment that I can be given. Because someday when I become a mother I hope to be just like her.

For as long as I can remember I have been asking myself "What do I want to be when I grow up?". When I was in elementary school, I wanted to be a pop star. In middle school I wanted to be a zookeeper, and as I have gotten older, the question has become harder to answer. My eighth grade year, I was lost on what I wanted to do with my future. There were so many factors that I had to consider since I was growing up. Could I get a job with good pay? Would I even enjoy going to work? Was it even possible to have both? I have always had a passion for art but I never saw it as something to take seriously. Initially I had decided to become a businesswoman in eighth grade because I thought if I had a job that had good pay I would be happy. However, over time I have come to realize that money alone cannot make a person happy. It is the people around you who make life great. Within my time in high school, I have decided to become an Animator and do something that I have always loved to do, which is draw. Life is short and I don't want to waste it doing something that I don't enjoy. Now I am confident that I can answer the question that I have been asking myself my entire life. I want to be an Animator and spread creativity and inspiration with my art. I will be majoring in Animation at Luddy IU Indianapolis in the Fall, and I hope to learn how to convert my drawings into digital animations. My career goals are to work as a Character Designer at a well-known animation company. Drawing has always been a part of my life. It is one of the most important things that makes me who I am. When I draw I feel like I am in my own world and I am so grateful to have figured out what career I want for my future at such a young age. My plan is to hopefully work as a Character Designer and Animator. When I have had enough work experience I would love to start my own animation company. I want to work with animation because I have always loved film. Being a Character Designer and Animator would be the perfect job for me because it combines the two things that I love, film and art. I want to see more animated series and television shows being made because there is so much potential within them. When companies animate a movie there is nothing that is not supposed to be there, every action and facial expression of the characters is intentional. It is hard work to make animated movies and television shows, but it always pays off in the end to give the audience high quality art that can inspire an entire generation of people. Another goal that I would have working as a Character Designer and Animator would be to normalize animated movies and tv shows for adults and not just children. Animated movies these days can be seen as something that is not taken seriously because people see them as movies and shows made for children. These are all goals that I want to achieve, not just my career goals, but I want to change the film industry and have more animated movies and shows for everyone. Seeking a higher education can help me to achieve these goals that I have for my future. I am determined to work hard for this career and I have never been more positive that this is the right career choice for me. Receiving this scholarship would help me to pay off my college debts and study Animation to become a Character Designer/Animator, and hopefully someday, a Movie Director. Thank you for considering me for this opportunity.

My name is Elle Gilbert, I am a Senior at South Oldham High School and I love art. I am one of the team captains of the South Oldham Track Team and I am Vice President of National Art Honors Society. I will be majoring in Animation at IU Indianapolis in the Fall and hope to learn how to convert my drawings into digital animations. Drawing has always been a part of my life. It is one of the most important things that makes me who I am. When I draw I feel like I am in my own world and I am so grateful to have figured out what career I want for my future at such a young age. Every opportunity is a chance to learn more about life and who I want to be. I want to turn my passions into a lifestyle. The first of my passions is art. I have always loved to draw and I am planning to major in animation in college. Film is also something that I have always loved to watch and I would love to someday make a film that can inspire people like others did for me. I want to spread creativity to others and I hope to learn to convert my drawings into animated characters because it is something that I have always wanted to do. I used to only be focused on a career that would make me the most money, even if I was miserable while doing it. But, throughout my years in high school I have learned that happiness cannot be bought, and I should do something to spread positivity in the world which is something I am very passionate about. The second thing that I am passionate about is entrepreneurship. When I have had enough work experience I would love to start my own animation studio. I want to work with animation because I have always loved film. Being a Character Designer and Animator would be the perfect job for me because it combines the two things that I love, film and art. I want to see more animated series and tv shows being made because there is so much potential within them. When companies animate a movie there is nothing that is not supposed to be there, every action and facial expression of the characters is intentional. It is hard work to make animated movies and tv shows, but it always pays off in the end to give the audience high quality art that can inspire an entire generation of people. I believe that I will be successful in making my own animation company because I am very passionate about this type of art. I am confident that it will always be a part of who I am and I refuse to give up if my company is not successful at first. If it fails I will simply just try again until my company is successful like I know it can be. I am positive that my animation company will have the art and storytelling that people will want to see. Finally, the last of my passions is Track and Field. Running has always been a big part of my life for as long as I can remember. I have always been inspired by both of my parents who ran track when they were my age and I wanted to continue the legacy. Running is something that I hope to continue doing in the future and it is why I have decided to run in college. However, there was a time this year when I was discouraged and not motivated to run. It seemed like I was crumbling under the pressure of trying to be the best and be better than I was in the previous years. But, something that I learned was that the things I love should never be taken for granted. And that I need to have fun and remember why I joined track in the first place. Every race could be my last so I need to enjoy it as much as I can. To me, a successful life is being able to look back and be proud of what you have done. I don't only mean this in a career, but with family and friends. I believe that the best type of success is being around people you love and being happy. If my animation can spread even the smallest amount of joy, or encourage a persons' creativity then I will have been successful with what I want to accomplish. Thank you for considering me for this opportunity.

My name is Elle Gilbert, I am a Senior at South Oldham High School and I love art. I will be majoring in Animation at IU Indianapolis in the Fall, and I hope to learn how to convert my drawings into digital animations. My career goals are to work as a Character Designer at a well-known animation company. And once I have gained experience, I would love to become a director at my own animation company. Drawing has always been a part of my life. It is one of the most important things that makes me who I am. When I draw I feel like I am in my own world and I am so grateful to have figured out what career I want for my future at such a young age. My plan is to hopefully work as a Character Designer and Animator. When I have had enough work experience I would love to start my own animation company. I want to work with animation because I have always loved film. Being a Character Designer and Animator would be the perfect job for me because it combines the two things that I love, film and art. I want to see more animated series and television shows being made because there is so much potential within them. When companies animate a movie there is nothing that is not supposed to be there, every action and facial expression of the characters is intentional. It is hard work to make animated movies and television shows, but it always pays off in the end to give the audience high quality art that can inspire an entire generation of people. Another goal that I would have working as a Director of my own company would be to normalize animated movies and tv shows for adults and not just children. Animated movies these days can be seen as something that is not taken seriously because people see them as movies and shows made for children. These are all goals that I want to achieve, not just my career goals, but I want to change the film industry and have more animated movies and shows for everyone. I am determined to work hard for this career and I have never been more positive that this is the right career choice for me. I believe that I will be successful in making my own animation company because I am very passionate about this type of art. I am confident that it will always be a part of who I am and I refuse to give up if my company is not successful at first. If it fails I will simply just try again until my company is successful like I know it can be. I am positive that my animation company will have the art and storytelling that people will want to see. To me, a successful life is being able to look back and be proud of what you have done. I don't only mean this in a career, but with family and friends. I believe that the best type of success is being around people you love and being happy. If my animation can spread even the smallest amount of joy, or encourage a persons' creativity then I will have been successful with what I want to accomplish. Thank you for considering me for this opportunity.

My name is Elle Gilbert, I am a Senior at South Oldham High School and I love art. I am one of the team captains of the South Oldham Track Team and I am Vice President of National Art Honors Society. Some other community involvement that I have been a part of has been painting a dragon mural on a canvas for the Principal to put up in the school and volunteering in the Side by Side Oldham County Schools Art Program involving students with special needs. I will be majoring in Animation at IU Indianapolis in the Fall, and I hope to learn how to convert my drawings into digital animations. My career goals are to work as a Character Designer at a well known animation company. Drawing has always been a part of my life. It is one of the most important things that makes me who I am. When I draw I feel like I am in my own world and I am so grateful to have figured out what career I want for my future at such a young age. My plan is to hopefully work as a Character Designer and Animator. When I have had enough work experience I would love to start my own animation company. I want to work with animation because I have always loved film. Being a Character Designer and Animator would be the perfect job for me because it combines the two things that I love, film and art. I want to see more animated series and television shows being made because there is so much potential within them. When companies animate a movie there is nothing that is not supposed to be there, every action and facial expression of the characters is intentional. It is hard work to make animated movies and television shows, but it always pays off in the end to give the audience high quality art that can inspire an entire generation of people. Another goal that I would have working as a Character Designer and Animator would be to normalize animated movies and tv shows for adults and not just children. Animated movies these days can be seen as something that is not taken seriously because people see them as movies and shows made for children. These are all goals that I want to achieve, not just my career goals, but I want to change the film industry and have more animated movies and shows for everyone. I am determined to work hard for this career and I have never been more positive that this is the right career choice for me. Receiving this scholarship would help me to pay off my college debts and study Animation to become a Character Designer/Animator, and hopefully someday, a Movie Director. Thank you for considering me for this opportunity.

Reading Jake Stover's story has given me a deep respect for him because of the way that he approached life. I want to develop the approach that Jake had to his passions. Where every opportunity is a chance to learn more about life and who I want to be. I relate to him by trying to turn my passions into a lifestyle. The first of my passions is art. I have always loved to draw and I am planning to major in animation in college. Film is also something that I have always loved to watch and I would love to someday make a film that can inspire people like others did for me. I want to spread creativity to others and I hope to learn to convert my drawings into animated characters because it is something that I have always wanted to do. I used to only be focused on a career that would make me the most money, even if I was miserable while doing it. But, throughout my years in high school I have learned that happiness can not be bought, and I should do something to spread positivity in the world which is something I am very passionate about. The second thing that I am passionate about is entrepreneurship. When I have had enough work experience I would love to start my own animation studio. I want to work with animation because I have always loved film. Being a Character Designer and Animator would be the perfect job for me because it combines the two things that I love, film and art. I want to see more animated series and tv shows being made because there is so much potential within them. When companies animate a movie there is nothing that is not supposed to be there, every action and facial expression of the characters is intentional. It is hard work to make animated movies and tv shows, but it always pays off in the end to give the audience high quality art that can inspire an entire generation of people. Finally, the last of my passions is Track and Field. Running has always been a big part of my life for as long as I can remember. I have always been inspired by both of my parents who ran track when they were my age and I wanted to continue the legacy. Running is something that I hope to continue doing in the future and it is why I have decided to run in college. However, there was a time this year when I was discouraged and not motivated to run. It seemed like I was crumbling under the pressure of trying to be the best and be better than I was in the previous years. But, like Jake, something that I learned was that the things I love should never be taken for granted. And that I need to have fun and remember why I joined track in the first place. Every race could be my last so I need to enjoy it as much as I can. Jake lived his life taking risks and doing what he loved. I hope to someday use that mentality when it comes to my future career, friends, and hobbies. I am inspired to live as Jake did, unafraid of what the future holds and excited for what it may bring. Thank you for considering me for this opportunity.