My “Pie in the Sky” dream is to use art to communicate things people don’t usually talk about, mainly mental health, but also other experiences that are hard to put into words. I want to create work that makes someone feel like they’re not alone, even if it’s just a little. I'm excited to make this happen, but also intimidated because it’s one thing to make art for yourself and another to make it for other people in a way that actually connects. This dream started with my own experiences. For years, I struggled with anxiety and depression, and talking about it wasn’t easy. I didn’t have a lot of examples of people expressing those feelings, so I learned to process things through art and writing. Drawing became a way to figure out what I was feeling before I could even explain it. When I saw art that reflected those same feelings, it made me feel less isolated, and I started thinking that maybe I could do the same for someone else. High school has given me chances to test that idea in a sense. I’ve helped create my school’s first mural, designed flyers, stickers, and shirts for clubs and programs, led booths at events, and started a Creative Writing Club. I’ve spoken to students and families about opportunities in the arts, and I’ve worked on projects with groups of people who are learning how to collaborate creatively for the first time. Doing these things taught me that making art for others isn’t just about the finished product—it’s about creating connection, showing up consistently, and being willing to fail and try again. It’s messy, and it doesn’t always work, but it’s worth it when it does. Reaching this dream will take more than just creating things I like. I know I’ll need to improve my skills, experiment with different media, and learn how to communicate ideas effectively. I’ll need to work with people I don’t know, accept criticism, and be persistent even when it feels frustrating or pointless. I’ll need to figure out how to take care of myself while still pushing myself creatively. I don’t expect this dream to happen perfectly or quickly. I’m okay with it being messy, because the process is part of the point. What matters is that I keep showing up, keep experimenting, and keep trying to make work that matters to someone other than myself. My Pie in the Sky is about impact, not fame or recognition. It’s about using what I’ve learned about art, expression, and connection to create something real.

I am a student who is deeply interested in creativity, leadership, and using art as a way to make meaningful change. Throughout high school, I have been involved in the A.R.T.S. (Artists Rising To Success) Academy and various clubs and service organizations that allowed me to explore visual art, design, and creative storytelling while staying connected to my community. Art has always been more than a hobby for me, it's how I understand the world, communicate ideas, and connect with others. I plan to make a positive impact on the world by pursuing a career in art and design that focuses on visual storytelling and social impact. I am especially interested in using art to address topics that are overlooked or difficult to talk about, such as mental health and emotional well-being. Through graphic design, mixed media, and community-based projects, I hope to create art that encourages conversation, reduces stigma, and helps people feel seen and understood. I believe art has the power to reach people in ways words sometimes cannot, and I want my career to reflect that purpose. Throughout high school, I have taken on leadership roles that combine creativity with service. I have helped create my school’s first mural, designed flyers, stickers, and shirts for school organizations, led creative booths at community events, and started a Creative Writing Club to give students a space for self-expression. I have also represented my academy at expos and events, speaking with students and families about creative opportunities. These experiences taught me how to collaborate, communicate effectively, and lead with intention, skills I plan to carry into my future career. One of the biggest adversities I have faced involved managing mental health challenges while balancing school responsibilities. During that time, staying focused academically was difficult, and I had to learn how to rebuild structure, motivation, and confidence. I overcame this by seeking support, developing healthier routines, and learning how to manage stress in productive ways. Art and writing played a major role in that process, helping me process emotions and regain a sense of direction. Over time, I improved my academic performance, became more organized, and grew more confident in my ability to handle challenges. That experience reshaped how I approach both my education and my goals. It taught me resilience, self-awareness, and the importance of asking for help. As I move forward, I want to use my career to support others in similar ways by creating art that encourages connection, understanding, and hope. My goal is not only to succeed creatively, but to use my skills to make a lasting, positive impact on the world.

I am a high school student who is deeply involved in my school community through academics, leadership, and the arts. I am part of the A.R.T.S. (Artists Rising To Success) Academy, where I have explored creative fields while learning how art can serve a broader purpose. I am especially interested in visual art, design, and creative storytelling, and I enjoy using creativity as a way to communicate ideas and connect with others. Throughout high school, I have challenged myself to stay engaged not only in my studies but also in activities that allow me to contribute meaningfully to my community. I am actively involved in several extracurricular activities and service-based organizations. I have volunteered at community events such as Light Up GT and supported AVID programs through events, ceremonies, and student outreach. Within my school, I have taken on leadership roles by representing the A.R.T.S. Academy at showcases and expos, speaking to students and families, and helping encourage incoming freshmen to join the pathway. I have also participated in creative leadership through clubs like Imagemakers and Earth Club, where I helped with fundraising, environmental projects, and collaborative art initiatives. Additionally, I started a Creative Writing Club to create a space for students to explore storytelling and self-expression. Many of my extracurricular activities combine creativity with service. I have helped create my school’s first mural, designed flyers, stickers, and shirts for school organizations, and participated in projects that bring students and the community together. These experiences taught me how to collaborate, communicate effectively, and lead with intention. They also reinforced my belief that creativity is not just personal expression, but a tool that can build community and create positive change. After high school, I plan to pursue higher education in a creative field such as art or design, where I can continue blending creativity with social impact. I am interested in using visual storytelling to address topics people often struggle to talk about, including mental health and emotional well-being. In college and beyond, I hope to remain involved in student organizations, community outreach, and creative projects that focus on connection and advocacy. If I could start my own charity, its mission would be to support mental health awareness through art and creative expression. The organization would serve students and young people who struggle to express their emotions or feel unheard. Volunteers would help facilitate art workshops, writing sessions, and community projects such as murals, posters, or small exhibitions that encourage conversation and reduce stigma around mental health. The goal of the charity would not be to “fix” people, but to provide safe, creative spaces where individuals feel seen, understood, and supported. Through art, the organization would promote healing, connection, and the understanding that no one is alone in their experiences.

Mental health is important to me as a student because it directly affects my ability to learn, stay motivated, and show up fully in both academic and creative spaces. I have learned through experience that success in school is not only about effort or talent, but also about balance, self-awareness, and having the tools to manage stress and emotional challenges. When mental health is overlooked, it becomes difficult to focus, stay consistent, or believe in long-term goals. When it is prioritized, growth becomes possible. Earlier in high school, I struggled to maintain that balance. Anxiety and emotional stress made it difficult to focus in class, keep up with assignments, and stay motivated. Over time, I learned that ignoring my mental health only made things harder academically. Through support from others and a commitment to rebuilding my routine, I learned how to manage my responsibilities while also taking care of myself. I worked with teachers to set realistic goals, developed better organization and study habits, and learned how to ask for help when I needed it. As a result, my academic performance improved, and more importantly, I gained confidence in my ability to persevere through challenges. These experiences taught me that mental health is not separate from education, but foundational to it. I advocate for mental health in my community primarily through creativity and leadership. Art became one of the ways I learned to process and express emotions that are often difficult to put into words. Through visual storytelling, I realized how powerful creative expression can be in helping people feel seen, understood, and less alone. This understanding has shaped how I approach leadership roles and community involvement. Whether through art clubs, creative projects, or collaborative events, I strive to help create spaces where expression is encouraged and emotions are not stigmatized. I have taken on leadership roles in school organizations and creative clubs where I promote collaboration, openness, and inclusion. By helping lead projects, starting a Creative Writing Club, and participating in community-facing art initiatives, I encourage others to share their ideas and experiences without fear of judgment. My involvement in murals, design work, and creative showcases has allowed me to contribute to projects that bring people together and spark conversation. While these efforts may not always be labeled as mental health advocacy, they are rooted in the belief that expression, connection, and creativity are essential to emotional well-being. As I look toward college, I plan to continue advocating for mental health through art and design. I am interested in using visual storytelling, graphic design, and mixed media to address topics such as anxiety, emotional exhaustion, and healing in ways that are approachable and relatable. My goal is to create work that encourages conversation, reduces stigma, and helps others feel understood. Mental health has shaped the way I learn, lead, and create, and it will continue to guide the impact I hope to make in both my education and my community.

Giving back to my community has shaped who I am by teaching me that leadership is rooted in service and that creativity has the power to connect people. Over the past four years, my involvement in school programs, volunteer work, and community events has shown me that making an impact does not always mean being the loudest voice, but rather being someone who consistently shows up, contributes, and supports others. Through volunteering at events such as my community’s annual Light Up GT celebration and AVID program, I learned how meaningful small acts of service can be, especially when working with children, families, and peers. As I became more involved in my school’s A.R.T.S. (Artists Rising To Success) Academy, my role evolved from participant to leader. I represented my pathway at showcases and expos, spoke with students and families, and helped encourage incoming freshmen to pursue creative opportunities. These experiences pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me develop confidence, communication skills, and a sense of responsibility toward others. Much of my service has been rooted in creativity. Whether leading a face-painting booth, helping create my school’s first mural, designing flyers, stickers, and shirts, or starting a Creative Writing Club, I learned how art can bring people together and create spaces for expression. Being involved in clubs like Imagemakers, AVID, and Earth Club also taught me the importance of teamwork and civic responsibility, from fundraising for student opportunities to participating in environmental efforts such as gardening and beach cleanups. Each experience reinforced my belief that giving back is not a single action, but an ongoing commitment. Giving back also taught me adaptability and empathy. Working with people of different ages, backgrounds, and interests showed me the importance of listening and meeting others where they are. Whether I was helping children create crafts, collaborating with peers on large-scale projects, or speaking with families unfamiliar with arts pathways, I learned how to communicate thoughtfully and respectfully. These moments helped me understand that service is not about recognition, but about impact, and that real change often happens through patience, collaboration, and genuine care for others. These experiences have directly shaped my college educational goals. I plan to pursue higher education in a creative field where I can continue blending art, leadership, and community involvement. In college, I hope to engage in student organizations, creative outreach programs, and collaborative projects that use creativity as a tool for positive change. Giving back has shown me the kind of person I want to become: someone who uses their skills not only to grow personally, but to uplift others and strengthen the communities they are part of.

One of my favorite pieces of art I've created is a pencil portrait of my grandma, a piece I originally started as a simple school assignment. I worked from a professional photograph taken years before she passed away, but I didn’t remember much about her beyond small pieces of her life that my family talks about. When I sat down with the picture beside me, mapping out the proportions, I realized I wasn’t just drawing her, I was trying to connect with her. I’ve drawn her before for other assignments, but this time felt different. I approached the portrait with the desire to capture more than her exact appearance. I wanted to capture someone who has silently shaped my life. It felt impossible at first, trying to draw someone I loved using only graphite. But when I traced the faint shadows of her smile and the soft lines around her eyes, something changed. It felt like I was reaching out to her, like I was having a moment with someone I barely had the chance to know. The process made me slow down and study the details the camera captured, but I had forgotten, like the slight curl in her hair, the calm firmness in her expression, the wrinkles around her mouth. Using a pencil felt right. There’s nothing complicated about it: just tone, pressure, and attention. It was similar to the woman I was told she was: steady, observant, and strong. When I finally stepped back and saw the finished portrait, I teared up. It felt like she was looking back at me. But the real impact didn’t come from the finished piece. It came from how creating it changed my perspective on art. I had always seen drawing as skill, technique, and patience, but this portrait showed me that art can hold memory by allowing me to honor the loss of a loved one. It can connect me to people and experiences that feel distant and forgotten. Since creating this piece, I have approached my work differently. I pay more attention to emotion rather than making it accurate. I think about what a piece holds, not only how it looks. That portrait became a reminder that art isn’t just something I make, it’s a way I remember, process, and connect. It shaped the artist I’m becoming, and it continues to influence and inspire every piece of art I create.

I express my creative side mainly through drawing, but I’ve explored various mediums such as painting, sculpting, crafting, and digital art. Drawing has always been a medium that allows me to express my ideas more creatively. My art consists mainly of graphite and colored pencils. I typically create art that challenges me, like a still life or a portrait. I enjoy the process of organizing composition, perspective, and proportion. Creating a more complex art piece allows me to be patient and observe small details. I also enjoy the simple element of focusing on form, light, and shadow. I use various techniques to create depth and texture, like stumping, hatching, cross-hatching, and stippling. Most of my art is influenced by meaningful moments in my life. For example, I recently created a portrait of my grandma, who passed away when I was young, that will be exhibited in my school’s art showcase. That portrait reminded me that art is not only skill and creativity, but holds memory and emotion. Moments like that motivate me to keep experimenting with new media and creating more art. A significant challenge I faced was struggling with mental health issues such as anxiety and depression, which eventually led me to a suicide attempt. My dad’s emotional and financial abuse and my mom’s anger issues didn't create a reliable support system, especially because of the constant fighting. This toxic household caused me to have chronic anxiety and depression. During that time, my mental health made it hard to focus on school, causing me to fall behind in every subject. My grades had dropped to D’s and F’s, and I lost all my motivation for school and my future. I took a month-long break from my studies to focus on managing my mental health struggles. I received help and support from family and friends. I learned to express my emotions through art and writing, and various coping skills, and slowly rebuilt my mindset and routine. Once my mental health was stable enough, I worked with teachers to meet deadlines, managed my coursework, created a study plan, and set goals for my future. Now I’m in a stronger place. My GPA has improved, and I’ve worked hard to stay consistent and organized. I’ve been involved in many activities, leadership roles, and collaborated on community projects to stay connected and motivated. I’ve learned to balance my mental health with my responsibilities and how to ask for help when I need it. I still have my struggles, but I know how to deal with them, and I’m focused on growing academically and personally.