As a child, I was not permitted outside to play too often, and so I sought refuge in the movies and tv shows I loved to watch. I was unaware of the flaws in my favorite shows. I never questioned why I always saw white leads in most or why the person of color was cast as the “sidekick”. Looking back, there were only a few that featured people of color as lead actors, including That’s So Raven, Penny and The Proud Family, and Cory In The House. Though there are more shows today that feature people of color in lead roles, there is still a gap in representation. And there are far more stories to tell than the ones running on our tv screens. I plan to major in Writing, Literature, and Publishing because of my passion for storytelling. When I was younger, I used to write horror stories that would scare even my teachers. I relished in the euphoria of creating new stories. I didn’t place much thought in my characters’ appearance. Now, it's crucial for me to write stories about people of color because we aren’t represented accurately in the media. I will strive to write characters that represent people of color-- characters filled with such depth that it will be hard to tear your eyes away. I’m tired of the negative narrative depicting people of color as underachieving and unambitious, overlooking the contributions we made to society, science, the arts-- in our communities and beyond. I was introduced to community service in 9th grade when I volunteered at an after-school program. I helped elementary students with homework, studied with them, and did crafts. I didn’t realize at the time that I might be a role model simply because I resembled them, succeeded in school, and enjoyed giving back to my own community. Even my short time volunteering at Laurelton Farmers market for the ABC Expo 2020 gave me the opportunity to meet creative people who showcased their craft: from culinary arts to designing clothes. The vendors gathered early on a Saturday morning genuinely excited and that affirmed that I need to be happy, pursue what I love, and take my craft seriously. Helping out at the Farmers market gave me perspective on working to live, not living to work. This scholarship will help make my dreams of attending a competitive college with a prestigious Writing program a reality. With my college degree, I hope to secure an internship or job at a publishing company or TV/ Media outlet and make my parents proud by being a first-generation college graduate. In the future, I will write stories that represent people of color in their diverse glory and contribute to the narrative of success, perseverance, and endurance. By the time I graduate, attaining my college degree will allow me to teach others how you can use words to empower yourself and find a way to give back to the community that has looked after me.