I love to share stories. Everyone has a story to tell the world and I feel like it is my duty to celebrate this fact. So far, I have used my video skills to create many new stories about people’s life. At first, I was doing it to get an A in my media class. However, one inspiring story of my next door neighbors changed my entire outlook on storytelling through film. The Mendozas are my second family. They live two houses away and their daughter is my lifelong best friend. When I was prompted to create a news story of someone with an inspiring life I look toward them. They not only work at a company to find foster kids homes, but they are both foster parents themselves. Growing up, I have always witnessed how they care for the many children that come into their home. Their constant love and encouragement to those less fortunate had me confident with my choice for my assignment. Through an interview and following them around their daily life, my perspective on their life changed. Not only were they willing to let children into their homes, but the mental toll it takes to do so is another layer of their actions. I have witnessed children throwing tantrums and yelling unkind words at them only for them to respond in a calm and caring manner. I have realized from my film project that there is so much more to a persons life than what meets the eye. The Mendozas have not only inspired me to become a better version of myself, but also that you don’t really know a person until you dig deeper. This is why after this project I am so inspired to continue to share stories. I have learned that everyone has persevered through some form of obstacle or experience and it is my role in life to take their story and use it to not only celebrate these individuals, but to inspire others as well. I would use this scholarship toward my college tuition. I am in my second year at California State University, Long Beach and am pursuing a film degree in hopes to work in video production. I would especially like to work in the News industry to continue to share stories like the Mendozas. Tuition is especially expensive for me because I am from Hawaii, so I need to pay out-of-state prices. This would mean a lot to me because I want to be able to finish my education, then return home to Hawaii and give back to the community that has made me into the person I am today.