Music has played an important role in my life from a young age and continues to shape my goals for the future. My musical journey began when I was eight years old, sitting down at a piano for the first time. The long row of black and white keys seemed almost endless, and I remember feeling both curious and excited about the sounds they could create. That moment marked the beginning of a passion that has continued to grow throughout my life. Through piano lessons and regular practice, I learned how to read music, understand rhythm, and develop discipline. Piano became the foundation of my musical education and helped me discover how rewarding it could be to work toward mastering a piece of music. In fourth grade, I expanded my musical experience by learning the violin. The violin challenged me in new ways because it required careful listening and precise finger placement to produce accurate pitches. Unlike the piano, which has clearly defined keys, the violin demanded patience and attention to detail. At times it felt frustrating, but I quickly realized that improvement came from persistence and practice. Learning violin helped me develop stronger listening skills and a greater appreciation for the process of learning. The following year, in fifth grade, I joined band and began playing the alto saxophone. Band introduced me to ensemble playing and the experience of working together with other musicians to create a unified sound. As I grew more confident with the saxophone, I had the opportunity to explore other instruments within the saxophone family. In addition to alto saxophone, I learned to play soprano, tenor, and baritone saxophones. Each instrument had its own unique sound and role within the ensemble, and I enjoyed adjusting my playing style to fit each one. Exploring the different saxophones helped me become a more versatile musician and gave me a deeper understanding of how different parts work together in music. Later, during my junior year of high school, I added the double bass to my list of instruments. The bass introduced me to a completely different musical role. Instead of carrying the melody, the bass provides the rhythmic and harmonic foundation for the ensemble. Playing bass taught me the importance of consistency, teamwork, and supporting the musicians around me. Even though the bass often stays in the background, I learned that it plays a critical role in keeping the music together. Through learning multiple instruments, I have developed discipline, adaptability, and a deep appreciation for music education. These experiences have inspired my future goal of becoming a music teacher. I want to help students discover their own passion for music, just as I did. Music has taught me confidence, perseverance, and creativity, and I hope to create a classroom where students feel encouraged to explore their abilities and enjoy making music. By becoming a music teacher, I hope to impact the world by helping young people experience the same sense of excitement and accomplishment that music has given me. Music can help students build confidence, express themselves, and connect with others. I want to guide students as they discover their talents and learn that hard work and dedication can lead to meaningful growth. Through teaching music, I hope to inspire students to find their own passion and carry that love for music with them throughout their lives.

**Music Background, Goals, and Community Impact** Music has played an important role in my life from a young age and continues to shape my goals for the future. My musical journey began when I was eight years old, sitting down at a piano for the first time. The long row of black and white keys seemed almost endless, and I remember feeling both curious and excited about the sounds they could create. That moment marked the beginning of a passion that has continued to grow throughout my life. Through piano lessons and regular practice, I learned how to read music, understand rhythm, and develop discipline. Piano became the foundation of my musical education and helped me discover how rewarding it could be to work toward mastering a piece of music. In fourth grade, I expanded my musical experience by learning the violin. The violin challenged me in new ways because it required careful listening and precise finger placement to produce accurate pitches. Unlike the piano, which has clearly defined keys, the violin demanded patience and attention to detail. At times it felt frustrating, but I quickly realized that improvement came from persistence and practice. Learning violin helped me develop stronger listening skills and a greater appreciation for the process of learning. The following year, in fifth grade, I joined band and began playing the alto saxophone. Band introduced me to ensemble playing and the experience of working together with other musicians to create a unified sound. As I grew more confident with the saxophone, I had the opportunity to explore other instruments within the saxophone family. In addition to alto saxophone, I learned to play soprano, tenor, and baritone saxophones. Each one had its own unique sound and role within the ensemble, and I enjoyed adjusting my playing style to fit each instrument. Exploring the different saxophones helped me become a more versatile musician and gave me a deeper understanding of how different parts work together in music. Later, during my junior year of high school, I added the double bass to my list of instruments. The bass introduced me to a completely different musical role. Instead of carrying the melody, the bass provides the rhythmic and harmonic foundation for the ensemble. Playing bass taught me the importance of consistency, teamwork, and supporting the musicians around me. Even though the bass often stays in the background, I learned that it plays a critical role in keeping the music together. Through learning multiple instruments, I have developed discipline, adaptability, and a deep appreciation for music education. These experiences have inspired my future goal of becoming a music teacher. I want to help students discover their own passion for music, just as I did. Music has taught me confidence, perseverance, and creativity, and I hope to create a classroom where students feel encouraged to explore their abilities and enjoy making music. My background in music reflects my commitment to personal growth. Through my future career as a music teacher, I hope to inspire the next generation of musicians and provide students with the same opportunities that helped me discover my passion. By sharing music and encouraging creativity, I hope to make a lasting impact on the lives of others and the communities I serve.

**Music Background, Goals, and Community Impact** Music has played an important role in my life from a young age and continues to shape my goals for the future. My musical journey began when I was eight years old, sitting down at a piano for the first time. The long row of black and white keys seemed almost endless, and I remember feeling both curious and excited about the sounds they could create. That moment marked the beginning of a passion that has continued to grow throughout my life. Through piano lessons and regular practice, I learned how to read music, understand rhythm, and develop discipline. Piano became the foundation of my musical education and helped me discover how rewarding it could be to work toward mastering a piece of music. In fourth grade, I expanded my musical experience by learning the violin. The violin challenged me in new ways because it required careful listening and precise finger placement to produce accurate pitches. Unlike the piano, which has clearly defined keys, the violin demanded patience and attention to detail. At times it felt frustrating, but I quickly realized that improvement came from persistence and practice. Learning violin helped me develop stronger listening skills and a greater appreciation for the process of learning. The following year, in fifth grade, I joined band and began playing the alto saxophone. Band introduced me to ensemble playing and the experience of working together with other musicians to create a unified sound. As I grew more confident with the saxophone, I had the opportunity to explore other instruments within the saxophone family. In addition to alto saxophone, I learned to play soprano, tenor, and baritone saxophones. Each one had its own unique sound and role within the ensemble, and I enjoyed adjusting my playing style to fit each instrument. Exploring the different saxophones helped me become a more versatile musician and gave me a deeper understanding of how different parts work together in music. Later, during my junior year of high school, I added the double bass to my list of instruments. The bass introduced me to a completely different musical role. Instead of carrying the melody, the bass provides the rhythmic and harmonic foundation for the ensemble. Playing bass taught me the importance of consistency, teamwork, and supporting the musicians around me. Even though the bass often stays in the background, I learned that it plays a critical role in keeping the music together. Through learning multiple instruments, I have developed discipline, adaptability, and a deep appreciation for music education. These experiences have inspired my future goal of becoming a music teacher. I want to help students discover their own passion for music, just as I did. Music has taught me confidence, perseverance, and creativity, and I hope to create a classroom where students feel encouraged to explore their abilities and enjoy making music. My background in music reflects my commitment to personal growth. Through my future career as a music teacher, I hope to inspire the next generation of musicians and provide students with the same opportunities that helped me discover my passion. By sharing music and encouraging creativity, I hope to make a lasting impact on the lives of others and the communities I serve.

Music has played an important role in my life from a young age and continues to shape my goals for the future. My musical journey began when I was eight years old, sitting down at a piano for the first time. The long row of black and white keys seemed almost endless, and I remember feeling both curious and excited about the sounds they could create. That moment marked the beginning of a passion that has continued to grow throughout my life. Through piano lessons and regular practice, I learned how to read music, understand rhythm, and develop discipline. Piano became the foundation of my musical education and helped me discover how rewarding it could be to work toward mastering a piece of music. In fourth grade, I expanded my musical experience by learning the violin. The violin challenged me in new ways because it required careful listening and precise finger placement to produce accurate pitches. Unlike the piano, which has clearly defined keys, the violin demanded patience and attention to detail. At times it felt frustrating, but I quickly realized that improvement came from persistence and practice. Learning violin helped me develop stronger listening skills and a greater appreciation for the process of learning. The following year, in fifth grade, I joined band and began playing the alto saxophone. Band introduced me to ensemble playing and the experience of working together with other musicians to create a unified sound. As I grew more confident with the saxophone, I had the opportunity to explore other instruments within the saxophone family. In addition to alto saxophone, I learned to play soprano, tenor, and baritone saxophones. Exploring the different saxophones helped me become a more versatile musician and gave me a deeper understanding of how different parts work together in music. Later, during my junior year of high school, I added the double bass to my list of instruments. The bass introduced me to a completely different musical role. Instead of carrying the melody, the bass provides the rhythmic and harmonic foundation for the ensemble. Playing bass taught me the importance of consistency, teamwork, and supporting the musicians around me. Even though the bass often stays in the background, I learned that it plays a critical role in keeping the music together. Through learning multiple instruments, I have developed discipline, adaptability, and a deep appreciation for music education. These experiences have inspired my future goal of becoming a music teacher. I want to help students discover their own passion for music, just as I did. Music has taught me confidence, perseverance, and creativity, and I hope to create a classroom where students feel encouraged to explore their abilities and enjoy making music. In addition to my musical involvement, I actively give back to my community. I am a member of my local 4-H club, where we regularly organize service projects to help others. Each month, we work together on community service activities such as donating supplies to pet shelters, preparing gift bags for residents at nursing homes, and collecting trash in public spaces. These projects allow me to contribute to causes that improve the well-being of others while strengthening the community around me. My background in music and service reflects my commitment to both personal growth and helping others. Through my future career as a music teacher, I hope to inspire the next generation of musicians and provide students with the same opportunities that helped me discover my passion. By sharing music and encouraging creativity, I hope to make a lasting impact on the lives of others and the communities I serve.

Choosing a career in music education is not only about a love for music; it is primarily about a passion for teaching and helping young people grow. While music is the subject I will teach, education is the true purpose behind my career goals. I want to become a music educator because I believe teachers have the power to shape students’ confidence, curiosity, and sense of purpose. Just as my own teachers helped guide and inspire me, I hope to give that same encouragement to future students and help them discover their own passions. One of the most meaningful aspects of education is the opportunity to help students find something they truly care about. Many students walk into a classroom unsure of their interests or abilities. A supportive teacher can make a huge difference by creating an environment where students feel safe to try new things and express themselves. I want to be the kind of educator who helps students discover what excites them and motivates them to keep learning. Even if a student does not pursue music long-term, the confidence and perseverance they gain in the classroom can benefit them throughout their lives. Education is not just about teaching skills; it is about helping students develop as individuals. Another reason I am passionate about becoming a music educator is the impact that teachers can have on their students. Looking back at my own experiences, one teacher in particular played a major role in shaping my love for learning and music. They invested time, patience, and encouragement into their students, making each person feel valued and capable. That kind of dedication inspired me to work harder and believe in my own abilities. Because of that experience, I realized how powerful a teacher’s influence can be. I want to give back to the next generation in the same way my teacher gave to me. Education also allows teachers to build meaningful relationships with their students. Teachers often become mentors who guide students not only academically but personally as well. Many students face challenges both inside and outside the classroom, and a supportive teacher can provide stability and encouragement during those times. I want my classroom to be a place where students feel respected, supported, and motivated to do their best. By building those connections, educators can help students grow into confident and capable individuals. In addition, music classrooms often bring together students with different backgrounds, personalities, and skill levels. This creates an opportunity for collaboration, teamwork, and mutual respect. As an educator, I hope to encourage students to support one another and celebrate each other’s progress. Learning in this kind of environment can help students develop important life skills such as patience, responsibility, and communication. These lessons extend far beyond the classroom and can positively impact students in many areas of their lives. Ultimately, my passion for music education comes from a desire to teach, inspire, and support young people. Music is the medium through which I will connect with students, but education is the foundation of what I want to do. I want to help students discover their interests, gain confidence in their abilities, and feel encouraged to pursue their goals. By becoming a music educator, I hope to give back to students just as my teacher once gave to me and make a positive difference in the lives of future generations.

As an aspiring music teacher, I am very excited to begin my journey into the education field. I have always been heavily involved in music, both vocal and instrumental. When I was in 4th grade, I had the amazing opportunity to join my local show choir. I fell in love with singing and dancing. But most of all, I loved my teacher. Kristi Kattner was not only my 4th and 5th grade music teacher, but she was the director of the show choir I joined. She loved sharing her passion for music through all of her directing and teaching. It was so clear to me that she loved kids and music and that she wanted to share that passion. I learned so much from Kristi. Her drive to succeed has been such an influential factor in my career choice. I strive to bring the same encouragement and passion to my students that Kristi gave to me. Along my journey to gain some volunteer hours, I joined 4-H. I learned so many skills in 4-H that even I have a hard time comprehending how much knowledge I’ve gained. One of my most core abilities that 4-H helped teach me was public speaking. I was always a very shy kid. I didn’t like speaking in front of adults or classmates or anyone for that matter. As I grew, my mom helped me start doing more talks and demonstrations in my club and I slowly started getting more and more confident in my speaking. Being a junior leader in my club, I have gotten to see how much the new members have grown. It amazes me how the kids come out of their shells and slowly become self-assured and confident. I hope that as a teacher I can help encourage others to become more confident in their speaking, playing and singing. While both confidence and passion are good qualities, I believe the most important quality of a teacher is empathy. Feeling for your students and being able to connect with them is so important. Learning is so much easier when you can make a connection and have fun with your students. Showing kids that life can be fun is just one other way that being a teacher is rewarding. I want to be able to bring that kind of fun into my classroom to my students. I cannot wait to help other students find their passion for something just like I've found mine for education.

As someone who went to see Wicked on Broadway, I had some high hopes for this movie. Honestly, I was ready to be disappointed because how, just how, could they make a movie any better than that musical. I am glad to say that they severely exceeded my expectations. I have never been a very big Ariana Grande fan, so when I heard she was one of the main roles, I was a bit concerned with how she would help this movie live up to its full potential. She did an amazing job of playing Glinda. Her blondeness was portrayed perfectly. And not only did she visually portray the character well, but she absolutely blew me out of the water with how mature and blended her voice was. Not having listened to a lot of her songs previously, I knew Grande was a talented singer but the emotion and dedication she puts into her voice is a true art form. Cynthia Erivo also really surprised me with her vocal tone and quality. I have never heard of her before Wicked, but she had an amazing screen presence and really brought emotion into her acting. Overall, all of the music had such a big impact on the overall message of the story. It truly expressed some of the emotion that words alone cannot.

My name is Hannah Schoenfelder, and I am a rising senior in high school with a strong passion for music education. Ever since I can remember, music has been a central part of my life. Whether it was singing in the choir or playing in the school band, I have always felt a deep connection to music. This connection has inspired me to pursue a career as a band or choir teacher, where I can help others discover their own love for music. My goal is to teach music in a way that inspires students and helps them find joy and meaning in their lives. I believe that music education is not just about learning notes and rhythms; it is about building confidence, fostering creativity, and creating a sense of community. I want to be the kind of teacher who makes a lasting impact on my students, just as my own music teachers have done for me. The Bright Lights Scholarship would be an invaluable support as I embark on this journey. College is an exciting but financially challenging time, and this scholarship would help me cover essential expenses such as housing, food, and course materials. By alleviating some of these financial burdens, I would be able to focus more on my studies and less on how to make ends meet. In high school, I maintained a 4.0 GPA while being actively involved in various music programs. I participated in the choir, band, and even took on leadership roles in organizing school concerts. These experiences have shown me the importance of dedication, hard work, and teamwork. They have also reinforced my desire to teach and share my passion for music with others. I am eager to continue my education and gain the skills and knowledge needed to become an effective music teacher. I plan to major in music education and take advantage of every opportunity to learn and grow, both academically and personally. This scholarship would allow me to fully immerse myself in my studies and take part in extracurricular activities that will enrich my college experience. In the future, I hope to create a positive and inclusive environment where all students feel welcome and encouraged to explore their musical interests. I want to develop programs that cater to diverse learning styles and abilities, ensuring that every student has the opportunity to succeed. By doing so, I believe I can make a meaningful difference in the lives of my students and contribute to the broader community. In conclusion, the Bright Lights Scholarship would greatly assist me in achieving my goals and pursuing my passion for music education. It would provide the financial support needed to navigate the challenges of college life and allow me to focus on becoming the best teacher I can be. Thank you for considering my application.