Charli XCX’s brat has been one of the most meaningful albums of my life. Its bold, confident sound and message of self-empowerment came at a time when I needed it most. More than just music, brat represents a mindset. It is loud, unapologetic, and ambitious. It challenges expectations, resists conformity, and gives space to individuality. As someone who grew up queer in a predominantly white, conservative Christian town, brat felt like permission to finally exist without apology. Charli XCX’s music has always resonated with me, but this era in particular has been transformative. From the raw vulnerability of her lyrics to the aggressive, club-ready production, brat is embracing imperfection and turns it into power. No song captures that energy more than “Von Dutch.” It is a celebration of confidence, even when that confidence is misunderstood or criticized. In the chorus, Charli sings, “I’m just living that life / Von Dutch, cult classic, but I still pop.” This line stood out to me because it speaks to the value of being different. A cult classic is not always embraced by the mainstream, but it is deeply meaningful to those who understand it. That is exactly how I have often felt, on the outside of what is expected, yet still valuable and still valid. Growing up in an environment where fitting in often felt like survival, I struggled with identity and expression. There were times when I chose silence over honesty, invisibility over authenticity. But with songs like “Von Dutch,” Charli XCX reminds me that confidence can be reclaimed. When she repeats, “I’m your number one,” it is not just about being desired by others, but about knowing your own worth. The lyric, “Yeah, I know your little secret, put your hands up / It’s so obvious I’m your number one,” is defiant and empowering. It makes no apologies for standing out. Listening to that track made me feel like I had permission to exist boldly, even if people stared or whispered. Charli’s influence on me began long before brat. Her debut album, True Romance, was one of the first records I ever truly connected with. It captured the complexity of young emotions, like loneliness, longing, and the desire to be understood. That album was a quiet comfort during a time when I was still figuring out who I was. Brat is the natural progression. It is louder, more confident, and freer. Just as Charli has grown and evolved, so have I. This past year, I have become more open, more expressive, and more proud of the person I am becoming. I no longer feel the need to shrink myself to make others comfortable. Brat helped remind me that living fully, without fear or shame, is an act of strength. Charli XCX has given me the courage to step into my identity, not just privately, but publicly and joyfully. The Charli XCX brat Fan Scholarship celebrates that exact spirit. Being a fan of Charli is not just about listening to her music. It is about embracing individuality, creativity, and confidence. Her work has influenced the way I see myself and the way I move through the world. I am thankful for the music, the message, and the community she has created. As she says in “Von Dutch,” “I’m just living that life.” Thanks to brat, I finally feel like I can live mine too.

My father is the hardest worker I know. He works long hours as a government scientist. He does so quietly, without complaint, and always with a deep sense of purpose. He’s the kind of person who doesn’t talk much about sacrifice, but shows it in everything he does. I’ve watched him dedicate his career to serving others, and then turn around and dedicate everything else to me and my two sisters. Growing up, my dad never pushed us too hard. He wasn’t strict or overbearing. But he led by example, constantly modeling what it meant to show up fully for others. I saw it in small things, like how he’d stop the car to help a neighbor on the side of the road without thinking twice, or in the way he volunteered for extra work no one else wanted to do. And I saw it in the big things, like how he used his hard-earned income to support my education, never questioning whether it was worth it, just knowing it mattered. When I got into boarding school, it felt like a huge step for me. I knew it would cost a lot and that my family wasn’t as financially comfortable as others around me. But my dad never let that hold me back. He wanted more for me, and he helped make it happen. I remember when I finally moved out, and both my sisters were already off at college, my dad sent a message to our family group chat that simply said, “The house feels quiet. I miss you.” It said everything about the way he loves: steady, unconditional, and always present, even from a distance. He’s not the type to make long speeches or tell us what to do. But his example has shaped who I am. I’ve learned from him that stepping up and doing your part, whether anyone notices or not, is what character looks like. Watching him work hard, help people without expecting praise, and support our family with everything he has made me want to do the same. He’s never told me I have to be great, but because of him, I want to be. In our world where being loud often gets you the spotlight, my father taught me the value of being a quiet leader. He’s my father, my role model, and the most special person in my life, not just for what he’s done for me, but for who he is when no one’s watching.