My favorite piece of artwork that I have created is titled, “In the Eye of the Beholder”. I love it for many reasons. First, I drew it using only my finger and a janky app on my phone. I am very proud of the details I was able to instill within the piece. Second, it has a lot of meaning to me. When I created the piece, I was going through the thick of a battle between mental illness and school. I felt as though I was stuck living through myself vicariously. Despite my challenges, I am so grateful for the medium of art. Because of art, I have been able to create and educate about mental health through places like Instagram. I have also been able to promote and start my own art business. Also thanks to art, my school partially endorsed me to obtain an iPad in order to design with a device much better than my phone. Most importantly, I have been able to express myself and use art as an outlet. I feel that I learn about myself as I create. I am still battling mental illness, but am also selling my artwork when I feel good enough. I delivered a print of “In the Eye of the Beholder” yesterday. I have included my website at the end of this essay. As I have witnessed my artwork impact others and make them smile, learn more about mental health, feel understood, and feel seen; it has impacted me and brought me joy. It is such a great thing to know that the things that uplift us can also uplift others. oakiastudios.art

let me share my thoughts about being ✨OPTIMISTIC✨ I like to think of myself as an “optimistic realist” - I don’t think it is likely you can reach the best case scenario if you haven’t considered the obstacles in the way. I can’t control anything except the approaches I pick in reacting to life shenanigans- being optimistic is a lot more hopeful, fun, and healthy for my mindset (especially since I spend all day every day with myself). I have danced with being really depressed & the things that come with mental illnesses—having faith & being optimistic are the only things that keep me going! My mindset is important! Desiring things to get better & hoping things will be helps put me in places that get me closer to reaching that betterment. & guess what!? THINGS CAN, WILL, AND DO ACTUALLY GET BETTER!!! It’s something I can see in my life, and something wayyy worth fighting to believe in it carries me through the hardest times. ✨whew✨ ANYWAY, I can’t always choose if I am happy or sad or anything external; bad and good things happen simultaneously. I CAN pick a sunny outlook. I like being in the light a lot better than the shadows- which sometimes means I have to look for it 💛 I’d like to affirm that IT GETS BETTER!!! I have reached happiness I didn’t even think EXISTED- I have felt better than I have in YEARS (like, 11 haha)- & every action & optimistic reaction has been WORTH IT!!!! Yeah- I think that’s it. so here I am, cheering you on because got this!!! The brightest days wait ahead, friends- the best is yet to come! 🌞✨💛

As someone who is adopted, I think about how different my life could have been every day. I have always been so grateful that my biological parents loved me enough to have me, and then to give me to the best family in the entire world. I hope I am the kind of person who promotes life in the way that I live. I do not need to prove to anyone that I have value or that others do too because it is simply true. As cliche as it may sound, truly the way that I honor the lives of those who I have not and may not ever meet, is by loving everyone. I mean, really, honestly loving them. Part of love is having hard conversations. Not just with others, but with myself. During my freshman year of college, I found myself enraged by the "pro-choice" vs "pro-life" debate. It seemed like such an obvious argument to me- of course, I was pro-life! Life matters! I was so confused, however, because many of my friends who I admire and look up to in every way seemed to have a different stance than I did. I wasn't angry at them- I genuinely did not know how we could have the same values and come to such different resolutions. So I listened. And I did some research. And I found out that, like in almost all cases of controversy, both sides of the argument want the same thing: safe, happy, healthy kids, moms, and families. I found that by taking away the labels of the campaigns, both have very good policies, and both have very ugly ones. Rather than identifying with titles that jump to conclusions, we need to be active listeners and loving thinkers. Take the labels away. Put the policies on paper and shuffle them. Which do we stand for? I think we are all trying to do the same thing, here. The names themselves divide us as the human family. It is easy to dehumanize because of this, which is really counteractive. EVERY single person deserves the CHOICE to LIVE. This isn't the typical answer to an application prompt; I haven't directly answered what was asked. I hope that this application served its overarching scholarship's objective, though- to instill active and new ways of thinking, and in improving the world we live in. To see change, we have to make changes. And that starts with looking at ourselves and our motivations in being right. Thank you for listening to me. Sincerely, someone who is grateful for her life and the choices that she gets to make every day due to someone else's decisions to have and love her.

Mr. Kate is a DIY interior designer and an internet sensation in the YouTube community, with over 3 million subscribers, including me. She has designed rooms for huge celebrities such as James Charles, Liza Koshy, Jeffree Star, the Dolan Twins, LaurDIY, and Lilly Singh. has had original products carried in clothing brands Free People and Urban Outfitters. To quote her website, “As a result of their [YouTube] channel’s success, they recently had an HGTV special and are Webby, Streamy, and Shorty Award nominees and winners. Kate and [her husband] Joey continue to be the most highly sought-after interior design team for YouTube’s top talent, and inspire their followers” (mrkate.com/about/) She now has her own furniture line and always does videos that help other people, such as renovating the homes of low-income families. She is creative, fashionable, unique, very loving, and extremely smart. Just as her videos teach viewers how to try new things, Mr. Kate inspires me to feel like I can gain knowledge and learn anything I want to. Because I found her channel when I was an adolescent, it helped me create the mindset I have today that I can be anything I want to be. And I can help people by being myself. I am a freelance graphic designer, and just this week published my own art business website! I love graphic design and art because they are creative outlets within the digital world. It is very empowering to be able to learn how to do something all on your own, and then see it become a real thing. Right now, I am working to build my art business’s platform because, within the next three years, I hope to use it as a catalyst and blueprint for a site that will allow artists in developing countries to sell their artwork in first-world markets. I want to use my talents, skills, and passions to help other people. I believe everyone is entitled to be able to pursue what they are passionate about, and it’s a privilege to think that I might be able to help facilitate that opportunity for others someday in the near future. If we all loved a little more, I think we could all do a little more of what we love. It makes me happy to be a part of that idea. Thank you for your time and consideration. If you would like, you can see my artwork at oakiastudios.art

1. I don’t deserve this scholarship. Straight up. I’m kinda the worst candidate for this. 2. I don’t even know how I found this application, so my next goal is to find a way out of it. I guess that’s an academic goal. Career-wise… even thinking about that is hard so things aren’t really looking up. This is unfortunate since I am five feet tall, and looking up is pretty important. 3. True story; in seventh grade, I took gymnastics level one lessons with a bunch of first-graders and I didn’t pass. So there were a lot of obstacles I didn’t overcome. There’s a career I know I *don’t* have a future in. But my ego made a little progress, so hey. Something good that came out of the experience though, was I didn’t quit. I guess I learned how to commit to finishing things I start all the way thr-

Sometimes I think things won’t get better Then I remember they did & see around me they do then people tell me they will- They don't know me or my life or everything not right So I sigh & think, "that’s nice, But who’re they to tell me why it’s alright?" it’s not alright, my mind replies & says it won’t Now I’m in my head again I say "why not?" It says because I'm not better I'm not good Why should I think things would be different how could I be better when I’m the only one who’s not better than I want? I won’t be Enough that’s why you’re lonely Enough that’s why you’re unholy enough that’s why you’re the only one who doesn’t feel at home at home in His home, at home in your mind all the time you’re stuck outside & you ask Why don’t you formalize the fact I’m ENOUGH I’M TIRED, I'M TRYING & don’t know why I’m fighting Myself that’s the thing These thoughts aren’t mine Because I worry things won’t get better But I remember they did. I believe they do. I felt similar to this back then too. & no I’m not good right now I still don’t know if I’ll make it out But I choose hope there's rocks to climb with or without rope I at least like the idea of a view iI past indicates future, it hasn’t been all bad the fact I’m unhappy means I’ve felt enough to know there’s something else something better & this won’t last all things change & time has proven that to be true It means I’ll get back to yellow Since I’m in the blue WHAT IF All this is unreal a joke, a myth, a lie? So what? give up? Or give it time What a gift to have a why to live- I’ve made it this far right? I’ve seen the valleys I’ve collapsed at wells I’ve cried because I *did* hear the bells I’ve missed the mark I’ve played games wrong I’ve salted wounds I’ve been ashamed to belong I acknowledge all these & other lows But life’s too short & long to focus on those When just as real Are those mountain highs those ocean plateaus & glowing skies & views & auras at golden hour feelings of muddy gardens & long warm showers There’s even beauty in pain To know somethings’ wrong is profound It’s to have known good it’s strange Sometimes I think things won’t get better But they did. A thought says, Then things’ll get worse & they do. But for things to get worse means there’s something worth all this hurt I believed that then & then it was true so again I believe; I choose hope There’s something more wonderful than I’ve ever seen So I keep trying as if I already knew Someone’s reality is cookies are great another says they’re the worst If you were the baker, which view would you take Knowing those cookies were yours? Well it’s your life & by yours I mean mine this poems’ really more for me things need to get better than they are & they will & they have so that’s what I need to believe There’ll always be ingredients of life pick your recipe & yes by you, I do mean me. There’ll always be lows & highs regardless of my desire I choose my response I select my attitude & my goals So things will get better I have & I will My will is within my control

During my freshman year of college, I had the idea to start a website that would channel both my love for art, as well as help other artists in developing countries to do the same. This is an opportunity most people in these places do not have because there is not a market for art when the primary needs are to eat and have safe homes to live in. I pursued the idea as far as I could before leaving as a volunteer missionary for my church, where I lived in Argentina for six months. I have always absolutely loved art but had never considered myself an artist. When I was a little girl in second grade, I created a character named "Millie" because she would make me millions. Every homework assignment I turned in was covered in doodles in fourth grade. I remember seeing all the 'popular' girls' assignments being turned in; they had clean, white margins. I was so frustrated that mine didn't look the same because they were covered in doodles. In fifth grade, I became very sick and would take many trips to the children's hospital. I saw so many pretty houses on the long drive and dreamed about home design! I started drawing my ideas and had my first significant career goal. I began to look forward to these drives to give me inspiration for my drawings. In middle school, it was so hard to find modest clothes that lined up with my religious beliefs- that were also fashionable. I began drawing fashion sketches which eventually set me on the path I am on today. In high school, I downloaded a free drawing app onto my phone. I began digitally drawing fashion ideas and doodles of friends. Eventually, I paid a total of six dollars for all of the app's art tools. And that was the best six dollars I have ever invested into a hobby. I am now a junior in college and have finally been able to invest time into the idea I had from my freshman year. In December, I was able to have a pop-up shop to launch my own art studio. I sold so many prints of the pieces I drew using just my fingers and my phone-as you will see below-- and for the first time, I recognized myself as an artist. It was incredible seeing others enjoy and interpret my art pieces. This week, I published my official art business site- which I also designed and created myself! I am so excited about this, and I not only hope to find success selling my work, but I hope to help others do the same. I believe there is a place in the world for every skill set and every hobby- the trick is to find where that place is. Within the next three years, I hope to have built a successful business using my own hobby-turned profession into a blueprint for a site that will allow artists in developing countries to sell their work to first-world markets, where they would not otherwise have the chance to benefit from their talents. I have always loved art, and now I see it as a part of who I am! It is empowering to see positive differences in the world by doing what you love. It's exciting to think I might be able to help others do the same. Hobbies are opportunities, and that's the bigger picture. Thank you for this opportunity. You can view my new website at oakiastudios.art

“All things denote there is a God” I pray everyday, and am spiritually devoted to worshiping God. In alliance with my beliefs, God is the founder of all things that are true; this would include math and science. To understand my thoughts, I must first explain two spiritual beliefs. The Trinity: God is the creator and founder of all truth. We are His children and He loves us. Jesus Christ is His son. He lived on earth to learn how to help us overcome our pains and sorrows, as well as obtain all of the joy possible. The Holy Ghost, or the Spirit, is God’s messenger and confirms all truth through feelings, thoughts, and influencing us for good. Before this life, we all chose to come here and gain bodies and learn about how to be happy through opposition. There is a life after this one and we will be able to be with our loved ones again. Let’s talk about the stars. Astronomy is the science of studying celestial objects and movements outside of Earth’s atmosphere. Thanks to math, we have been able to calculate distances and masses which have helped us to better understand the universe and even travel within it. You are most likely familiar with the theory called “The Big Bang”- the sudden beginning of the Universe. If we were to ratio the very start of the cosmos until right now into one years timespan; we would be living in the last millisecond of the universe. Dinosaurs went extinct a few days ago, the first apes appeared around six this morning (equivalent to roughly 28 million years prior to now), and Columbus traveled to the Americas less than a second ago. In the bible, as well as a few other books of scripture, there is a place mentioned called Kolob. It is referred to as “God’s footstool” and runs at a similar time as He does. It is also written that our lives are but a blink of an eye to Him. This has always been comforting to me, knowing that no matter how hard things get, it is for a bigger purpose, and it will pass. Aligning these two segments of information together, they support one another. To put it into spiritual terminology; our literal, scientific lives mathematically put into a proportioned-ratio timeline, truly are but the blink of an eye. Scriptures teach that God will always send at least two witnesses for every truth He reveals. At a fundamental state; math and science serve as witnesses of the truth that there is a God. Examples of this can be found in The Old Testament, The New Testament, and The Book of Mormon There is a different scripture in the Book of Mormon that says, “...All things denote there is a God” (Alma 30:44), and I believe this to be true.

It is incredibly important to be debt free. I think it is an implied part of everyone’s dream to be financially independent. To me, this is more than being able to take out loans for yourself- it is being financially self-sufficient, meaning that you don’t need to rely on loans to take care of your needs. I was probably about ten years old when I was in the living room with the rest of my family and I watched my parents high-five, and exclaim that we were debt free, and that they had paid off the house. I have always been taught to spend less than what I make and to put ‘emergency’ money into the bank. About 50% of marriages end in divorce within the United States*; financial issues being the second leading cause**. I am so grateful that I grew up in a stable home with parents who loved each other enough to become financially literate and work together to be able to stick together in the hard times. To be debt free is to be your own advocate and to have control of your own livelihood. I dream to be like my parents and be able to pay the price of being financially independent. *Warren, Shellie. “10 Most Common Reasons for Divorce.” Marriage Advice - Expert Marriage Tips & Advice, 30 Sept. 2021, www.marriage.com/advice/divorce/10-most-common-reasons-for-divorce. **Hill, Catey. “This Common Behavior Is the No. 1 Predictor of Whether You’ll Get Divorced.” MarketWatch, 10 Jan. 2018, www.marketwatch.com/story/this-common-behavior-is-the-no-1-predictor-of-whether-youll-get-divorced-2018-01-10.

were the classics; The Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci, The Starry Night or The Scream by Vincent Van Gough, or Johannes Vermeer’s Girl with Pearl a Earring. After those, I thought of the hundreds of undervalued artists on instagram whose artwork fill my feed and enrich my mind. All of these pieces and their creators inspire me. But truthfully, one of the most meaningful art pieces I have ever known hangs in my parents bedroom. It is a painting of a girl, probably about eleven years old, lacing up her ballet shoes and getting ready for dance practice. In the background, right next to her, are bunched up jeans and baseball gear, smudged with dirt and fun. The painting indicates that the girl was just out playing ball, and is changing immediately after into her dancing clothes. The stereotypically feminine and masculine projections juxtapose each other, and enforce the ideas that a little girl can be well rounded and anyone she wants to be. Art is so powerful, it is crafted by incredible people. It is accompanied by symbolism, beautiful color schemes, and careful line placement. It can inspire and invoke emotions. I remember talking to my mom about the painting next to her closet. We didn’t talk about the artist or the color schemes. She said she loved it because it reminded her of me. And now, I love it because it reminds me of her.

HOBBIES ARE OPPORTUNITIES I have always absolutely loved art but had never considered myself an artist. When I was a little girl in second grade, I created a character named "Millie" because she would make me millions. Every homework assignment I turned in was covered in doodles in fourth grade. I remember seeing all the 'popular' girls' assignments being turned in; they had clean, white margins. I was so frustrated that mine didn't look the same because they were covered in doodles. In fifth grade, I became very sick and would take many trips to the children's hospital. I saw so many pretty houses on the long drive and dreamed about home design! I started drawing my ideas and had my first significant career goal. I began to look forward to these drives to give me inspiration for my drawings. In middle school, it was so hard to find modest clothes that lined up with my religious beliefs- that were also fashionable. I began drawing fashion sketches which eventually set me on the path I am on today. In high school, I downloaded a free drawing app onto my phone. I began digitally drawing fashion ideas and doodles of friends. Eventually, I paid a total of six dollars for all of the app's art tools. And that was the best six dollars I have ever invested into a hobby. I am now a junior in college. In December, I was able to have a pop-up shop to launch my own art studio. I sold so many prints of the pieces I drew using just my fingers and my phone- and for the first time, I recognized myself as an artist. It was incredible seeing others enjoy and interpret my art pieces. This week, I published my official art business site- which I also designed and created myself! I am so excited about this, and I not only hope to find success selling my work, but I hope to help others do the same. I believe there is a place in the world for every skill set and every hobby- the trick is to find where that place is. Within the next three years, I hope to have built a successful business using my own hobby-turned profession into a blueprint for a site that will allow artists in developing countries to sell their work to first-world markets, where they would not otherwise have the chance to benefit from their talents. I have always loved art, and now I see it as a part of who I am! It is empowering to see positive differences in the world by doing what you love. It's exciting to think I might be able to help others do the same. Hobbies are opportunities, and that's the bigger picture. Thank you for this opportunity. You can view my new website at oakiastudios.art