Musical theater is often defined by its precision. I have thrived in the precise, energetic, and positive environment since I was able to join the theater department at my school. However, my journey in theater took a turn when I suffered from a concussion from one of our dress rehearsals for our fall show earlier this school year. What followed was not just regaining full functions of my brain, but also reshaping how I am able to process information, memorize things, and how I interact with theater. The aftermath of this injury was a very quiet and frustrating struggle. Musical theater is a field that requires the memorization of hundreds of pages of scripts, music and scores, blocking, cues, and much more. Since the concussion, information that used to effortlessly stick for me slips away very easily than before and I have had to put a lot more effort into the things I do just to be successful. This struggle has been visible in the classroom as well, my classwork and grades started to slip slightly because I don't retain the information as well anymore. In recent rehearsals, lines and songs that used to come super easily have been forgotten after working tirelessly on them to have them memorized. Because of this, for a time I feared that musical theater wouldn't be a plausible option for me anymore. Overcoming this adversity meant realizing that I needed to put more effort and dedication into my work, especially in the theater. I have learned to develop new ways of memorization, and I still am discovering more. The process in finding these ways is often tiring, but it only emphasizes the amount of dedication and resilience that I have needed to learn to have. This didn't just allow me to see that this career was still possible, but gave me ways to apply a new path of success to my schoolwork alongside my work in the theater. Looking ahead, my goal is to use my future career in musical theater to provide cognitive accessibility and emotional resilience in the performing arts. This industry is very notoriously "sink or swim," but my experiences have given me more empathy for performers navigating disabilities. I plan to make a positive impact by advocating for rehearsal and performance environments that prioritize mental health and diverse learning methods. I want to be a voice for the idea that different ideas can also produce a beautiful performance. Our performing arts industry does not need "perfect" performers; rather, it needs individuals who understand the human conditions in all of its fragility. By overcoming the cognitive difficulties of my concussion, I have gained a new perspective that allows me to have a deeper connection with my cast mates and audience members. I am not just an actress who is recovering from an injury; I am an artist that is being refined by it. With my higher education, I plan to continue honing my craft, proving that while the process might be different for me than I initially imagined it, the impact I can leave with my dedication and positivity is greater.

The first time I was granted the opportunity to step onto the stage during my freshman year of high school, I was able to feel the very unique thrill of transforming movement into emotions and a story. Dance and theater have become more than hobbies. They are the lens through which I understand myself and how I can connect with others. My experience in musicals, dance, and theater have not only shaped my skills, but have also shaped my aspirations for the future. Over the past few years, I have been deeply involved in dance and theater. I have performed in several school productions, danced at my local dance studio, and have competed in regional acting competitions that have all challenged me to refine my techniques. Each rehearsal and performance has taught me patience, collaboration, and resilience. I have also been given the understanding that art is not an individual pursuit, but rather a shared journey. Being part of different ensembles has taught me to listen, adapt, and support the work of others while also finding my own voice. Looking ahead, I aspire to specialize in musical theater. I am drawn to the way that musical theater blends acting, singing, and dancing into a singular transformative experience. My goal is to pursue higher education in performing arts, gaining the skills and mentorship necessary to thrive professionally on stage. I am especially excited to have the opportunity to connect with more diverse audiences to create more memorable experiences. Ultimately, I want to give back to the dance and theater community by being a role model for young performers. I believe that encouraging creativity, confidence, and collaboration in others is as valuable as the performances themselves. By sharing my knowledge and enthusiasm, I hope to cultivate the next generation of eager artists who will continue to innovate and inspire others. My passion for dance and theater was sparked by the transformative power of performance like the way a story told through movement or song can resonate across age, culture, and experience. Watching one single moment on a stage captivate an entire audience showed me the power of dedication, discipline, and creativity. I am inspired every day to pursue excellence, to push the boundaries of my abilities, and to contribute meaningfully to the performing arts world. Dance and theater are more than goals. They are the path through which I want to follow to grow, connect, and inspire others. With my intended pursuit of higher education, I can continue refining my craft, pursuing my dreams, and giving back to the community that has already given me so much. I look forward to a lifetime of performance, learning, and mentorship, carrying forward the joy, positivity, creativity, and impact of the arts wherever I may go.

Collaboration, in my field, is not simply working alongside others. It is the act of building something that could not exist without every person in the room. In theatre and music, collaboration is not an accessory to the process, but it is the process. It is the invisible thread that connects individual effort into a shared story. As a musical theater actress and a musician, I have learned that no moment onstage belongs to a single person. A song only happens because of how the singer and accompanist shape the phrases together, the scene partners who are invested in the scene together, and the director who works with the cast to capture emotions within a given piece. Even the moments that appear to be in solidarity, like a monologue, you are not alone. Responding with energy, trust, and intention show what has been built by collaboration over time. One of the most transformative collaborative experiences I have had was during rehearsals for a Chicago: Teen Edition, where the cast was still finding its footing just a couple weeks out from opening our show. Scenes felt heavily disconnected, as though each person was performing in their own world. It wasn’t until we shifted our focus outwards in respect towards the audience that the production began to take shape. We started asking different questions: not “How do I perform this?” but rather, “How do we tell this story together?” That shift changed everyone’s entire focus. Moments became more spontaneous, more honest, and more real. Live, invested reactions replaced our pre-planned choices. Chicago: Teen Edition came alive not because individuals improved, but because we began truly listening and responding to each other. My experience with Chicago, which is one of many, reshaped how I view collaboration. It is not about compromising your own voice, but about expanding it. It requires vulnerability and the willingness to offer ideas, to adapt, and to trust your peers with the outcome. It also requires responsibility, as every choice made affects the people you are working with, and in turn, their choices shape your own. Collaboration is not stagnant, but a constant exchange. In music, I have found a similar dynamic. Singing in an ensemble demands a different kind of awareness: blending rather than standing out, adjusting tone and timing to create a unified sound. It is a constant reminder that success is not just about how you sound, but about contributing your work to something cohesive and meaningful. There is a unique fulfillment in knowing that the final product is greater than any one voice. Ultimately, collaboration in my field means creating connections between artists, performers and audiences. It is what transforms rehearsals into fun shared experiences and performances into something so impactful that resonates beyond the stage. It is the reason I am drawn to theatre and music: not just for self-expression, but for the opportunity to share other people’s stories through working with others to create something bigger than all of us.

I used to have the belief that a community was just a place composed of buildings, people, streets, and so on. However, growing up in my small town of Keizer, Oregon has made me realize that a community is so much more than that. It is a vast collection of moments: local events, conversations, shared laughter, and understanding that you are a part of something greater than yourself. It can be seen in familiar faces at local gatherings and in the sense of belonging that follows you in every interaction, no matter how small. In my community in Keizer, connection is essential to our way of life. I've grown up to be surrounded by individuals who are constantly finding ways to be more involved and supportive of each other. This uplifting tradition in Keizer has shaped how I see the world. It has taught me that success is not solely defined by the individual but rather defined by the collective. When one person succeeds, it reflects the support of so many people. This perspective has encouraged me to value collaboration and to recognize the importance of uplifting others alongside my own achievements. At the same time, I have come to understand that a strong community does not exist without effort, but it is built through empathy, consistency, leadership, and a willingness to show up for others. One of the most meaningful ways I have experienced this support is from my participation in Keizer’s Distinguished Young Women program. Being selected as the Distinguished Young Woman of Keizer has given me the opportunity to represent my community at several local events and connect with people I may not have otherwise met. Whether attending community events or interacting with others, I have witnessed the impact that encouragement and involvement can have. Through these experiences, I’ve seen firsthand how deeply people in Keizer care about supporting individuals. This has pushed me to grow in confidence and leadership and has shown me the importance of giving back to your community. As a musical theater major, my future career is reliant on connections and community. Because of the community that shaped me, my goals for the future extend far beyond personal success. I aspire to build my life and career centered on connection, leadership, and service. Theater itself depends on collaboration, trust, and the ability to support those around you, which directly reflects the values that Keizer has instilled in me. I want to create spaces where people feel supported, valued, important, heard, and seen – just as Keizer has allowed me to feel. I hope to carry forward the same sense of unity and encouragement that defined my upbringing and use it to uplift those around me and strengthen the communities that I may be a part of in the future. In doing so, I hope to not only benefit from strong communities, but actively contribute to building them for others. Keizer has not only given me a foundation, but a responsibility that I am incredibly grateful to have: to give back, lead with empathy, and to allow every community I have the opportunity to be a part of to be better than when I found it.