At an early age, I discovered my passion for storytelling through performing arts. I am a Sophomore at The Manhattan School of Music working towards my Bachelor of Music in Musical Theater. I look forward to growing as a performer and finding my voice as a theater artist. The “self” is a place of query but I trust that this time spent in college will be a gift of exploration. The financial gap that remains for my college tuition is my responsibility. I am trying to think of myself as a business and understand how student loans will affect my life after graduation. This awareness does not come easy as I simply don’t have the life experience, but I want to be present in this process and wrap my head around what college debt will mean to my future self. Performing, directing, creating new art, using my art for advocacy or service and teaching the next generation, are all examples of work that I can see myself doing ardently in college and beyond.