My name is Genavieve Perry, and I am going into my senior year this fall. I grew up in a small home with my three siblings and parents, and three dogs there cats, and a snake for many of those years. We were homeschooled up until my 4th grade year, when my parents had separated and the courts deemed that we should be in public school. Later on, in my seventh grade year, my dad met another woman, and soon after they got married. Now, after countless court dates during my eighth and ninth grade years, I finally live with my dad and stepmom, where I am finishing up my highschool career in homeschool once again. My stepmom, who doubles as my teacher, used to be a middle school teacher and does a very good job of incorporating exercise and music in to our education. She helped me to move my subjects around and achieve more so that I could graduate a year earlier than my age dictated. I plan to go to college next year, and get a degree in music. What do I plan to do with this degree? Well, teach music! And hopefully play it a lot better too. I can already read music fairly well. I took piano lessons as a young child, and picked it back up when I met my stepmom. (She is a piano teacher). Now I can play to my hearts content on her beautiful grand piano. However, though I have dreams to go to college, hopefully without incurring much debt, our parents do not have the means to send me, with as many children as they have. I certainly don't either, though I work part time at an accounting firm, and take odd jobs here and there to get extra income. I am doing my best to save up for my future, yet unless a miracle occurs it will seldom be enough to get me through college without dragging loads of debt behind me. That is why I have been applying for scholarships left and right. I have applied for over 40 scholarships in the past year, and I hope that I will gain a few in order to fulfill my education further, and to learn to teach others music effectively. To me, teaching music is not just learning the notes and keys, it is the universal language that is expressed in music. I believe that God created music so that we might praise him, and be able to share a piece of our souls with others in a way nothing else could.

My name is Genavieve. I am sixteen years old and next spring I graduate from high-school homeschool. Being homeschooled has allowed me to advance to college quicker than I would have others been able to, but it isn’t lonely because I have many siblings at home with me. I have friends at church and through other involvements I am a part of, like dance that I have been a part of as well. I am very involved in my church and usually help out with random needs throughout the week. Things like folding bulletins, cleaning, preparing food, and helping in kids church are just some of the many ways I like to help. I have seven siblings, including three stepsiblings and a half sibling. I currently live with three of them. However, though it is quite a fun household, though quite crowded at times, this joyous quantity makes finances tight, and though we work hard and are never in want of anything, college funding is simply not an option available to us. That is why I have signed up for many scholarship sites and applied for as many scholarships as I can to be able to further my career in education. I hope to be able to gain a bachelor’s degree in music, in order to be able to teach others the joy of the language of music. Though I do not plan to teach in a public school, the plan is to be able to teach kids from my own home, as private or semi private lessons, depending on what they can afford. Also, there is the possibility of starting a music school for homeschooling kids, who are able to go for a day to learn things like choir, band and orchestra. I had the privilege to be able to attend something like this when I was younger, and the memories I gained there have always stuck with me. Additionally to the ability and joy of teaching others, I would be gaining a means to help provide for myself and my family, though I my future husband will probably be the primary breadwinner. However, if we ever got in financial strain, or he couldn’t work, we would definitely not starve. Though it seems I may be getting a little ahead of myself, I am simply hoping to make sound decisions now, and think ahead, so that I don’t think back later and regret my decisions. Other than music, I plan to teach my children and all others I come across as well, how to stay safe when browsing the internet or playing a game. Things that may be seen or heard cannot be undone in a child’s mind, and that definitely includes cyber bullying. I have made some not so smart decisions when interacting with others in my life, and I hope to teach them how to avoid those mistakes, and walk away when others are being unnecessarily cruel. They need to know their importance and value in God so that they don’t believe the lies of the world.

Ever since I was little I have known who Jesus is. I grew up in a Christian home, and my parents made sure to teach me, and my three other siblings all about God. I got baptized around the age of five, and have always gone to church. However, throughout the last three years I have come to know Jesus, in a much more intimate, personal way. I have been able to experience His presence like I never have before. I have felt joy that I’ve never felt before, and found peace that I could never have found on my own. The trials that lead me to this place were some of the most painful times that I have experienced in my life so far. Through my parents divorce, the friction of wanting to live with my dad and stepmom, I have learned to rely on God for things that I simply cannot control. I felt helpless because I had little to no say it what happened. I felt trapped. Yet God, who is so much bigger than I am, heard my pleas for help and came to the rescue. However, the waiting is the hardest part. There were so many times I wondered if He even heard me! Why was He letting me suffer so long? Theough this time, I learned to trust God more and more, even when I had no idea why or what he was accomplishing. I also learned to be thankful in the trials, and praise Him for who he was and what he had already done. I realized just how blessed I was. After years of back and forth between homes, and countless court dates that mainly ended in despair, my mom miraculously decided to let me and my sisters live with my dad full time, though we still visit her one night a week for dinner. More recently, about a year ago, I had an encounter with terrible anxiety. Throughout my life I have always had anxious thoughts and feelings, especially when I wasn’t with my parents (especially my dad, who used to work swing shift), and even more so as the day came to its end. As I got a little older, my anxiety sort of melted away a bit. But last in the beginning if 2024, it cropped up full force. Intrusive thoughts ran wild, causing great distress. I would have doubts about God, and who He says He is. I would panic when I thought about how life was so easily taken away, and wonder what the point of it all was. I would have an intrusive thought that wasn’t something o dwell on, and then proceed to freak out because I thought that made me a horrible person, and if only everyone around me knew what kind of person I really was, and what I thought about. I tried to push these thoughts out of my mind but they only came back stronger. Panic attacks would ensue, and though I tried talking with my stepmom and best friend, who did the best they could to console me, nothing worked, and I once again felt helpless. On top of that, my best friend was leaving for a college five hours away that coming fall, and I was petrified when I thought about my life without him there. The stress of work and school didn’t help either. Eventually, though it took many attempts and a lot of breathing, I was able to be freed from what felt like a death gripping darkness and depression. How did I do this? Well, I can take no credit for it. I had of course the whole time been talking to God, and asking Him to help me. Yet, again it seemed as if he were too far away from me to hear my cries. However, I now realize that it wasn’t Him that was ignoring me. I hadn’t surrendered all my fears. I was too afraid to lay down everything that I couldn’t fully understand. I was too afraid to trust that even though I would lose my best friend for a while, I would never lose the closeness and comfort that comes from the one who made me, and loves me like no one else could. Eventually though, I was so done with all the fear and anxiety trapped inside of me. I decided to give it to God. Every time I had an anxious thought which would eventually spiral into despair, I actually said “Give it to God” and redirected my thoughts elsewhere. I had to do this so many times a day. Yet, it actually worked. And it still does. I still occasionally have anxiety, and then I take a deep breath, and give it to the one who actually knows what to do with it.l, and I am okay. Why should I be worrying about things that I have no control over? Though I had heard it many times before, Phil. 4:6-7 took on a whole new meaning for me. “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” (Philipians 4:6-7, NLT). I am now so grateful for every little thing he has given me in the day to day, and can more fully experience the depth of His love and peace that He offers me. God is so good. ‭‭Now, I am pursuing and growing in Him more and every day. As I come to the end of my highschool career, I hope to be able to go to college and get a degree in music. I have always love the piano and can play pretty well. It also helps that my stepmom is a piano teacher. Once I get my degree, I hope to pursue a career in teaching music like my stepmom does. I think that music is so wonderful in so many ways, and that everyone should learn it in some way or another. It’s not only good for your brain, but it’s also one of my favorite ways to worship the Lord. I aspire to teach my children the universal language of music as well. However, as I am one in a family of many children, funds are very limited. I am applying for every scholarship I can in the hopes that I will be able to get out of college with little to no debt dragging me down, and that is why I am applying for this one as well. I have given that anxiety to God though, and so if He wants me to go, I shall go and He will provide all that I will need. ‭‭

Throughout my young life, my parents had issues with arguing. Often on birthdays or other holidays, me and my three other siblings would quietly sit or hide while they fought about something useless. It made us feel unloved and unimportant, like the thing we were celebrating, often times one of us, didn't matter enough to stop for just one day. When I was nine, they split, running head on into a dragging divorce process that lasted until I was almost twelve years old. Throughout this time, parents, siblings, and other extended family members who I loved took sides. I was told lies about the other parent, been yelled at because I believed something different, and even taken to a whole other state by my mother, forcing me to be apart from my dad for four months while the courts about where we should be. Though I hoped for years that my dad would come home again, and my parents would get back together, I eventually came to the conclusion that it would never be the same again. It hurt more than anything I had ever experienced, and I was angry and sad. I wanted to do drastic things sometimes just so that I could show them how much I had been hurt. I never did, though, and I guess its because I always had hope in the strength that God gave me, even if I felt helpless and didn't understand. I think another part of me was also too scared to try those things, like drugs, alcohol, cutting, running away, etc. One of my siblings did get into those things, and that in and of itself was difficult enough. For over a year, I begged my mother to be able to live with my dad. There were so many problems at the other home, and I just wanted to be free from it all. Not only that, but though I was older, I still felt just as helpless as I did before because I was still under others control, and whatever the courts decided, had to be done. Through this time of waiting, I learned to wait on God. I asked Him so many times to set me free from what I felt was a prison, but sometimes it felt like it would never end. Within this last year, my mother miraculously consented to have us live at my dad's home full time, on the stipulation that we still visit once a week for dinner. Now, I am sixteen. Both my parents remarried, and I live with my dad and stepmother. God brought me through, even when I doubted Him. He brought me through what I would not have been able to go through other wise, and I am so thankful to Him. This is my story, and though it seems horrible, and it is, God used it to shape me into the person that I am today. For that and every other blessing he has given to me, I am once again grateful.

My name is Genavieve Perry. I am a junior in highschool, and currently, I am finishing four years of my schooling in three. Next year I will graduate. After that, I hope to go to college to study music and be able to teach it to others. I love music, and have practiced vocals and piano for the last 8-9 years of my life. Throughout my life music has been essential. I love the beauty of expression that it brings. It is one of my biggest passions and it has helped me grow exponentially. I was born in a small, crowded home 16 years ago. Me and my other three siblings grew up listening, singing along too, and even playing music. We just loved it. My two older siblings were enrolled in a music school for homeschool children, where they would attend every Thursday. They enjoyed choir, drama, band, and loved it. A couple years later, my little sister and I were able to join the children’s choir and one of the older students offered to teach me how to play the piano. I had been enamored with the idea of learning the piano since I was toddling around, able to pull myself up onto the old, out-of-tune piano my parents had in the house. I used to play for hours even though I knew none of the notes. I was ecstatic when my parents agreed to let me learn the piano with that older student. I instantly fell in love with it. I loved all music but the piano hit me differently than anything else. It was practically impossible for me to get bored with it, even while my siblings complained that I played the piano too much. My piano learning was short-lived, though, since my parents were divorced soon after and we were no longer able to attend the music school. A few years later my father started dating another single mother. When we joined their family for dinner one evening, I walked in and saw a beautiful black grand piano. My heart leapt for joy. I learned that the woman my father was dating was a piano teacher. All of my dreams were about to come true! They were married and I have had piano lessons and played to my heart’s content for the last three years! My siblings still complain that I play too much but my stepmom shuts them down because she loves that I play! I’ve had a chance to watch her teach lessons and it has lit a fire inside of me to also provide children with an opportunity to learn. She teaches children once a week but invites any of them to come in for extra practices at no charge because teaching children to express themselves through music is a wonderful thing. That sentiment is mine as well! I may not have had the privilege of lessons throughout my life so I am not a world class pianist, but my heart is dedicated to this universal language and I am eager to share it with others. I desire to study music education so that I can teach others to love the gift of music. In spite of the fact that our family’s finances are limited, due to the large number of children, I will explore every avenue for making my education a possibility. Music has been, is, and will be a major part of my life for years to come. I believe that it is a wonderful gift from God, and I choose to glorify Him with it.

Throughout my life, I have watched many movies. Some sorrowful, some silly, and some inspirational. However, though it is difficult to pick out just one, the movie that has affected me greatly is Redeeming Love. In all the movies I have watched throughout my life, this one resonates with my specifically. When I was younger, I read the book and loved it. Then when the movie was released, the story became even more alive to me, as I saw the characters come alive on screen. This movie tells the tale of a young girl, and how she grows up in the difficult time of the mid to late eighteen hundreds. Throughout all her life, she has been told that men are evil and that she was only useful for one thing to them. She saw enough evidence of this, as her mother was constantly taken advantage of, and later on, she was forced onto the same path. She believes that she is worth nothing more than what others think of her, which at this point is not much at all. Just when all her hope is gone, a man comes into the picture. Not just any man though, like the ones she sees all day. This man is considerate, kind, gentle, and respectful. He treats her like no other. And the reason is that he puts his trust in God, who is able to show him how to love others, even those who seem unlovable. Eventually, he saves her from this life after she is beaten almost to death, and takes her home ot be his wife. Throughout the story, she consistently tries to run away, to convince him that she is not worthy of love and that love means nothing to her. She pushes the idea of a loving and caring God far away from her, because how could a loving God let these things happen? And even if He was good, and loving, why should he care for a dirty sinner like her? Throughout many times in my life, I have felt the shame and guilt that she has. The horrible knowledge that what you did or what happened to you makes you unwanted. Yet through all these things, God still reaches out. Even though I constantly ran away, or thought "Surely now He will have given up on me", He only all the more enveloped me in His love and grace. In conclusion, this movie has just helped me to remember my worth to Him and in Him. It has given me a new perspective on his wonderful love, and a new purpose in sharing this love with others. Through Him, I have been made clean. Shame no longer has a place in my heart.

Here is a poem I wrote when I was about nine years old. I saw my Grandmas metal tree which hung upon the wall, and I guess I just started writing! The Metal Tree There was once a lovely tree, but you see, it wasn't free. It was made of metal, kind of like a kettle. It couldn't blow in the wind like other trees, nor stretch out lush, soft, green leaves. But one day a squirrel came and climbed up all the way. It tickled the tree, making it laugh with glee! And all the metal just glided off, revealing a tree, with leaves so soft. And now it blows in the wind like other trees, twirling around with ease in the gentle breeze.

My Life and Music Throughout my life music has been essential. I love the beauty of expression that it brings. It is one of my biggest passions and it has helped me grow exponentially. I know it will be a part of my, and my family’s, future for years to come. I was born in a small, crowded home 16 years ago. Me and my other three siblings grew up listening, singing along to, and even playing music. We just loved it. My two older siblings were enrolled in a music school for homeschool children, where they would attend every Thursday. They enjoyed choir, drama, band, and loved it. A couple years later, my little sister and I were able to join the children’s choir and one of the older students offered to teach me how to play the piano. I had been enamored with the idea of learning the piano since I was toddling around, able to pull myself up onto the old, out-of-tune piano my parents had in the house. I used to play for hours even though I knew none of the notes. I was ecstatic when my parents agreed to let me learn the piano with that older student. I instantly fell in love with it. I loved all music but the piano hit me differently than anything else. It was practically impossible for me to get bored with it, even while my siblings complained that I played the piano too much. My piano learning was short-lived, though, since my parents were divorced soon after and we were no longer able to attend the music school. A few years later my father started dating another single mother. When we joined their family for dinner one evening, I walked in and saw a beautiful black grand piano. My heart leapt for joy. I learned that the woman my father was dating was a piano teacher. All of my dreams were about to come true! They were married and I have had piano lessons and played to my heart’s content for the last three years! My siblings still complain that I play too much but my stepmom shuts them down because she loves that I play! I’ve had a chance to watch her teach lessons and it has lit a fire inside of me to also provide children with an opportunity to learn. She teaches children once a week but invites any of them to come in for extra practices at no charge because teaching children to express themselves through music is a wonderful thing. That sentiment is mine as well! I may not have had the privilege of lessons throughout my life so I am not a world class pianist, but my heart is dedicated to this universal language and I am eager to share it with others. I desire to study music education so that I can teach others to love the gift of music. Throughout my education, I look forward to learning more about music in great detail. In spite of the fact that our family’s finances are limited, due to the large number of children, I will explore every avenue for making my education a possibility. Music has been, is, and will be a major part of my life for years to come. I believe that it is a wonderful gift from God, and I choose to glorify Him with it.

I love music, and have loved music ever since I was born. The melodies mixed with all the harmonies entranced me, and they still do. Sometimes I just like to shut everything else out and listen. Music strengthens and brings out all your emotions, and sometimes it can help you to process or just cry over the song, because you empathize with the lyrics. Even instrumental music has it’s own beautiful stories, but in a way they let you make up that part. I sing, dance, and play the piano because it brings me joy. I hope to someday teach music; to be able to make a living while also passing on this wonderful language that is understood around the world. I think that music is important to society because it brings us closer together, and can help us to understand things in a new way. Whether working together to create or play a piece, or simply listening to it, music knits a special bond between us all. Other than the emotional and social aspect, there is also a very practical side to music. It makes sense. There is timing and symbols, and unless you are some sort of genius, you need a lot of practice to be able to play an instrument with minimal mistakes. It is sort of like an artistic version of math. You have to train your brain and hands to read and play simultaneously, and to understand every little detail on the page that tells you where to go. Music makes you smarter. I have had to privilege, over the past few years, to live with a piano teacher. My stepmom has taught me many new tricks and endorses my future attempts at pursuing a career in music. When I was younger, I thought that my career would logically have to be something boring and mind numbing, because nothing else could pay the bills. But through the blessing of my stepmother I have seen otherwise. I know now that I can choose both finances and passion. Thank the Lord. In conclusion, music is both a logical and emotional experience. It is a picture painted with sound, and is not just another form of art. It is expression and connection. It has played a huge role in my life, and I fully believe it will continue to do so. I can do nothing but thank God for it.