Taylor Swift is more than just a singer to me; she's my therapy. In the year 2024 I was incredibly depressed, anxious, and I had repetitive awful thoughts that hit at my worse moment! That’s when I discovered Taylor Swift! Her songs were a beam of light. Of all her shows, the one show that hits me the most is the “All Too Well (10-Minute Version)” at the Grammys. The raw open way she stood there, the way she put all her pain and might into each word, made me feel seen. It was as if she sang my own story to me, made my feelings seem right, and showed me the power of not giving up. Her act told me it’s okay to hurt, to fight, and to stand tall again. That night, I felt a spark of hope I hadn’t felt for months. Taylor’s art gives more than joy—it heals, leads, and lifts. With her voice, I found a way out of the dark of my mind wars, saw that true might comes from facing our feelings, not shying from them. In this way, Taylor Swift isn't just a star on stage; she’s a light of brave for all who fight their own fights in the light or in the dark. Taylor Swift did not just play songs — she gave me a rope when I felt lost in my own head. Her guts to share her real life told me that my hurt was real, my fights were true, and that healing can be. She showed me that in the dark times, there can be light, and in the tough fights, you can find might. Her voice grew to be more than sound — it turned into hope, grit, and a note that I'm not on my own. With her tunes, I found the strength to face my fears, care for my heart, and keep on, no matter how dark the night is. She did not just sing on that stage; she touched the hearts of all who need it, mine too.

Game Name: The Isle of Hints As the day starts, the sun hits the bright sands. The Islanders meet by the pool for a new test. Today's game, The Isle of Hints, will check their strength and their minds, moves, and how much they trust each other. The host gives them a big, fancy box and goes over the rules. At start, it looks easy: teams of Islanders must go through "zones" on the island to find keys. These keys open parts of the big box. But, the catch is in what each part holds. Some have love gifts—meals for two, love notes, or more time in a quiet spot. Some hold things that can mix up the game—hints on new Islanders, ways to change mates, or powers to change the game. The villa turns into a big, zone-filled path. The first zone, The Vine Lands, tests how well they watch and think. They need to look for keys in trees and vines but avoid "traps" like water sprays and weird rhymes. Each key tells them about hidden feelings, making them choose to share or keep them for gain. Next is The Water Walk, a test of will and speed. They jump from pad to pad in a bright lagoon, needing to think quick and work as a team. Wrong steps make them fall in the water, showing the cost of fast and poor choices. The third zone, The Glass Trails, tests brain and heart. Pairs go through a maze with mirrors that show past dates and words said in secret. They must put things in the right order to find a key, showing who is keen and who is not. Next, The Sand of Moves, a smart test. Players see a big timer and a big map. They need to put the map right using the keys they have. They can play fair, twist the game, or swap with others. Choices show true colors and trust. Last, they go to The Cave of What Comes Next, a dark place with lights and hidden doors. Here, the best key is kept—only the top team, who showed the best mix of trust and bond, can get it. This key can lead to a rare date, save them from going home, or let them pick who might go next—a high-stakes end. The Isle of Hints is more than a game—it tests closeness, smart moves, and will. It forces Islanders to show their real selves, take big steps, and deal with both love and trust. Each twist, from hidden facts to big lures, keeps fans on the edge, guessing what each pair will do. In a show of love, tests, and plays, this game holds all that makes Love Island a hit: wild turns, deep feels, and the fine dance of heart and mind.

The first time I saw Sabrina Carpenter, I knew she was more than a star. I watched her grow from her first shows on Disney to big hits in music and film. She taught me how to keep on, be real, and make new stuff. Her work has lifted me up. It gave me hope when I was down. It made me want to make stuff too, even when it was hard. I still think of her as Maya Hart on Girl Meets World. I liked her role—fun, smart, and soft deep down. As I got older and heard her songs, I saw her truth in them. Tunes like Thumbs were smart and poppy, but tracks like Sue Me or Because I Liked a Boy were real deep. Her words said things I couldn't. When I felt so low and lost, her songs held me up. They made me feel seen, even in dark times. What hits me about Sabrina is her mix of tough and tender. She can make a fun song like Espresso that all dance to, then sing a slow song that touches the soul. She showed me that you can feel hurt and joy at once. For me, that was a big deal. I learned it's okay to not be okay all the time; I can live with the ups and downs and still go on. Her path hits home for me because she didn't just stop at one thing. She didn't stay just a Disney girl—she worked hard and became a big name in music and film. That changed me as a film maker. I've made short films about love, who we are, and tough times because, like Sabrina, I want to show life's rich mix. In my films, like Love at First Text, I look at young love’s sweet but scary side. In Unashamed, I dive into race and self-love. In The Hidden Thief, I explore hard choices. My films tell others what her songs told me: “You're not alone. Your story counts.” But like Sabrina, I too must fight to be heard. As a first-gen student, I can't pay for college right now. My family lacks the cash to help me, and without funds like this, my film dream may not happen. That’s why the Sabrina Carpenter Superfan Scholarship is so key. It’s more than cash—it’s about the push from the hero who kept me going. If I win, it means I can go to film school with less money stress. It means I can make more art that heals and boosts others. Sabrina didn’t just help me in hard times—she made me trust in art as a life-changer. I want to pass that on. For me, loving Sabrina Carpenter isn’t just about her music or her path—though I sure do. It's about how she shaped me as a person. She taught me that growth can defy doubts. She showed me that real talk and being genuine are good. She proved that even when life is rough, you can find wonder in art and joy in small stuff. Overall Sabrina Carpenter is one of the best artists of all time and she has contributed to my art in so many ways! I love her with everything and I am so honored to share my passion about her music and my artwork in this scholarship.

Jacob Magloire August 23 2025 Kim Beneschott Creative Arts Scholarship I make films to tell tales and share my true self. Films help me find my own path and who I am. I seek to stir love in folks, push for self-love, and show them on the big screen. As a young one, I fought self-hate and saw it hard to like me. There were nights I felt no one saw me, sure I'd never be good. Film was my life raft. It let me deal with dark thoughts, but most of all, reach those hurt like me. I hope my films reach out and say: You're not on your own. You are loved. My own tales shine in my short works. Love at First Text may seem like young fun, but deep down it's about dark fears, self-doubt, and lost hopes. It was how I took on how doubt kills joy — and how true talks might be a step to true self-love. Unashamed is close to my core. It mixes a growth tale with truths of race, self, and roots. The lead boy feels shame due to his skin and roots. It hit my own past, and making it was my way to find pride back. The tale shows hurt but also how fine it is to full love oneself — all of your past, your folk, and your truth. To me, it was not just work. It was my mend. For those who watch, I hope it is a glass — a chance for them to see them and feel they are good. The Hidden Thief blends mystery, but at heart, it's about being seen. It trails a girl who asks a young cop to find her lost drive, only to learn that the thief had deep reasons. The film asks: Why do folks hurt? At times it's due to need, alone, or unseen. By mixing a riddle with deep hints of wait and care, I aimed to show that each slip has a tale, and love is often what's not there. Each film is a mix — of kinds, feels, and points. But they also mix bits of my own life, my fights, and my hopes for all. They show that art does not need a set type. Just as Mad Genius turns old food ideas to new ones, I turn past pains into tales that mix light and dark, hurt and joy, loss and hope. But, as firm as I stay in this, I face hard walls. As one of the first in school, I can't yet pay for it. Each film task — from tools to cut tools to class — feels like a high hill with no shoes. I lack cash or ties; what I have is strong hopes and plans for tales that count. Without aid, it's hard for me to keep making as I must to grow. But with this grant, doors would open: I could get to class, aids, and guides that would lift my craft. This grant would not just be a win — it would be a key aid. It would mean I don't need to hold off my dreams, nor let cash needs hush them. It would mean tales like Unashamed or Love at First Text can keep being told — tales that might give one the guts to love themself, seek aid, or just feel seen in a world that tends to miss them. To win the Mad Genius Grant would free my "mad skills" — mixing my film love with my drive to help folks feel loved, seen, and known. I aim not just to keep folks keen — I want to make films that start talks, mend hurts, and show no one is alone. With this grant, I'd not just move near my dream — I’d show that from tough times and self-doubt, we can make something strong and bright. That is the mix of my life, and that's why I need this grant. MY FILMS: Love At First Text: https://youtu.be/56XQZt6GrtA?si=rUYwwBXeUT4d4rxY The King Of Chess: https://youtu.be/eM48y_zq5Wo?si=VThX8zoHBv51tEOu Unashamed: https://youtu.be/eHgPRMBSZmM?si=MWpFYKWqO6S2uTAo The Hidden Thief: https://youtu.be/lZ4eZX-uN18?si=noKeNKOU9EVgCapN The Remote: https://youtu.be/ZKq8WQmb5ZA?si=tH5vlzidwkh-svxJ The Remote part 2: https://youtu.be/_j0mC-B6gBU?si=bC6ZEJEdJ5lQW7Z_

Jacob Magloire August 14th, 2025 Wicked Fan Scholarship Wicked is more than a movie I like—it's a tale that has shaped how I see art, friends, and the power of being true to who you are. I have watched the movie many times. Every watch gives me new thoughts and ideas. What makes Wicked great is how it flips the old ideas of good and bad. Through Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, and Glinda, the Good Witch, we see the deep mix in each choice and act. We get the hard push from the world and the tough war inside that shape each life path. The parts of friends and being true are very strong to me. The tie between Elphaba and Glinda shows that even the tight bonds can get past big fights, world push, and their differences. This speaks to me a lot. It is key in our world now, where we need care and thought for each other more than ever. Plus, Wicked talks about hate, fear, and false news in soft but clear ways. It shows how the world tags and shuns those who are not the same. These parts push us to ask, fight old thoughts, and see past what is just there—a lesson that has moved me as a film maker and as a person. The trip of self-knowing in Wicked is big too. Elphaba’s tale pushes us to take in our own odd bits and not just fit in. Glinda learns to be real and small in her heart. These two paths show that being strong and true is not the same for all, but a path made by choice, guts, and care. As one who has had my own hard times, such as self-doubt and being alone, these parts mean a lot. They push me to be true to me and to use art as a way to link with others and bring change. As a film maker, Wicked has changed my own work. I’ve learned the power of a good story—not just to amuse, but to move hearts and show big thoughts. The art, the work of Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, and the well done tale all show how each small bit counts in making a deep feel for the crowd. Seeing this film has pushed me to make my own stuff deep, with a hit, and with heart. Wicked makes me want to make work that lifts others and pushes all to think hard, feel with others, and see the world in new ways. It tells of guts, being one of a kind, and standing tall face to face with hard times—traits I try to fit in my films and in my day to day life. Getting this cash aid would let me keep on with my art loves while living up to the parts and lessons that Wicked has taught me. I am set to keep its words of tough will, care, and power in the tales I tell on the screen.

Jacob Magloire August 14th, 2025 Willie Mae Rawls Scholarship The first time I held a cam, I felt pure joy. At six, I made YouTube bits that joked about tough days—like bullies, getting in hot water, or wanting to run off. Each week, I showed my new show to pals and kin. Each laugh felt like a rush. It told me tales could join folks, lift hearts, and give joy. But that light grew dim when I hit high school. Life got hard. Bullies, school stress, and big tasks shut me in. The joy in making vids left. I quit the vids, left pals, and felt deep gloom. For months, I fought bad thoughts and felt alone. The harsh days I had turned into the face I saw each day. Then I saw "The Pursuit of Happyness." The tale of toughing it out, self-trust, and not giving up fired me up. I saw that tales were key—they saved me. I took my cam and made a short film, "Unashamed," about a girl who hires a sleuth to find her lost hard drive. It looked plain, but it had a deep note on finding your voice, loving your art, and never quitting. That work lit my drive. I reached out more, used films to spread hope, bring folks close, and remind them they are not alone. Films got big—it turned into a way to heal, fire up, and make a mark. Like Mae Rawls, I trust in spreading positivity, being kind, and lifting others up as we grow. My dream is to direct tales that show wrongs, boost quiet voices, and spark care. The Doc and Glo Scholarship would help me learn film sans money stress, letting me dig in, grow my art and make work that counts. This grant is more than help—it is a bet on the waves I aim to make—films that soothe, help, and change the hearts that need it most. The light I thought was gone in high school now shines bright. I will keep it lit—not just for me, but for all who see my tales and feel seen, known, and fired up. With this grant, I will move a hope, guts, and self-trust tale forth, using art to lift others as Sloane Stephens has. Today, I keep the skills from my past with me—the strength that kept me going when it felt too hard, the care for others that makes me tell tales that count, and the joy that comes from linking with folks through art. This prize would help not just my school needs but also boost my drive to use film to lift, spark, and give a voice to those who need it most. I aim to turn my love for art into a real goal, keeping the flame of craft bright for me and for each one who sees them in the tales I share.

Jacob Magloire August 14th, 2025 Sloane Stephens Doc & Glo Scholarship The first time I held a cam, I felt pure joy. At six, I made YouTube bits that joked about tough days—like bullies, getting in hot water, or wanting to run off. Each week, I showed my new show to pals & kin. Each laugh felt like a rush. It told me tales could join folks, lift hearts, & give joy. But that light grew dim when I hit high school. Life got hard. Bullies, school stress, & big tasks shut me in. The joy in making vids left. I quit the vids, left pals, & felt deep gloom. For months, I fought bad thoughts & felt alone. The harsh days I had turned into the face I saw each day. Then I saw "The Pursuit of Happyness." The tale of toughing it out, self-trust, & not giving up fired me up. I saw that tales were key—they saved me. I took my cam & made a short film, "Unashamed," about a girl who hires a sleuth to find her lost hard drive. It looked plain, but it had a deep note on finding your voice, loving your art, & never quitting. That work lit my drive. I reached out more, used films to spread hope, bring folks close, & remind them they are not alone. Films got big—it turned into a way to heal, fire up, & make a mark. Like Sloane Stephens, I trust in toughing it out, being kind, & lifting others up as we grow. My dream is to direct tales that show wrongs, boost quiet voices, & spark care. The Doc & Glo Scholarship would help me learn film sans money stress, letting me dig in, grow my art & make work that counts. This grant is more than help—it is a bet on the waves I aim to make—films that soothe, help, & change the hearts that need it most. The light I thought was gone in high school now shines bright. I will keep it lit—not just for me, but for all who see my tales & feel seen, known, & fired up. With this grant, I will move a hope, guts, & self-trust tale forth, using art to lift others as Sloane Stephens has. Today, I keep the skills from my past with me—the strength that kept me going when it felt too hard, the care for others that makes me tell tales that count, & the joy that comes from linking with folks through art. This prize would help not just my school needs but also boost my drive to use film to lift, spark, & give a voice to those who need it most. I aim to turn my love for art into a real goal, keeping the flame of craft bright for me & for each one who sees them in the tales I share.

Jacob Magloire August 14th, 2025 Dennis A. Hall Memorial Scholarship for the Creative Arts Hello, my name is Jacob Magloire, and I have always had a love for creating films since I was a teenager. My love began at home, next to my dad and little bro each Sat. We would watch hits like "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Dark Knight", lost in the tales, the folks, and big scenes. As I grew bigger, my desire to know more grew. I checked out odd films like "The Lighthouse" by Robert Eggers and "Fight Club" by David Fincher. These films did not just keep me busy - they made me think in new ways and urged me to make my tales. In my teen years, I made my first short film. It was about a girl who brings on a school sleuth to find her lost hard drive. The idea was easy, but making it was not. We had tight times, no set-up actors, and last-minute script changes. A four-week shoot ran to twelve. When I sat down to edit, what I saw did not fit what I had in mind. In that spot, I could have seen it as a failure - but I saw it as a key step. That wild shoot taught me how to share my thoughts, shift when plans change, and keep a team up, even under stress. I met good actors and crew I'm still friends with. I got the tag "filmmaker" not as all went well, but as I kept at it and got it done. Nature has been a strong, calm spark for me. When I plan a new story or look, I go out - maybe walk in the woods, sit by a stream, or just watch the sun on the grass. These times boost my art and show me the calm still. Like Dennis A. Hall found joy and sense in the wild, I use what I find in nature’s shades, feels, and beats to make my work real. Art has let me link more with me, folks, and the world around me. Through film, I have seen into the lives of others with lives unlike mine. I have seen the need to work with others, as making films is a group effort. Each project is a cloth made of lots of voices, thoughts, and skills. What makes me want to make is the chance to make someone feel seen, known, or sparked. Later, I wish to use my skills to tell tales that shine a light on key issues, lift up new voices, and make folks see the world in fresh ways. One of my dreams is to make films that not just keep folks busy but also start chats that bring true shifts. Winning this fund would help me learn more about film and tales as a first-gen school kid. It would praise Dennis A. Hall’s gift by backing my growth as an artist who sees worth in art, nature, and the links from sharing what I see with the world.

Ever since I was young, I've thought that learning is key. It's not just about success — it roots in fairness, power, & change. As a kid, I saw how schools change based on where you live, what you have, & what people think of you. Too often, kids of color — mainly young Black boys — didn't see teachers like them. They missed role models who got their life or saw their true worth. I want to change that. I want to show in class that their dreams matter & are within reach. It matters who teaches. It shapes how kids view themselves, their goals, & their will to chase them. Now, Black men are just two percent of teachers. This fact calls us to act. I aim to be a teacher who goes past just lessons. I want to show that learning lasts a whole life. I aim to make places where each kid feels seen & heard. No one should feel left out. I think that school should show more than just books. Kids must learn about all parts of life — even those parts often missed. I plan to share stories not often heard, honor ignored groups, & push my kids to think hard about our world. I will give them tools & thought skills, to make them not just learners, but also leaders & makers of change. I see my class as more than just a place to learn the usual things. It's about growing strong, able to bounce back, & building ties with others. I will start programs for guides, team up with leaders, & open ways for kids to find & grow their gifts. I want every kid that comes in to leave knowing they can make their future, no matter the hard things in the way. I know it won't be easy to become a teacher, but I'm up for it. The Mark A. Jefferson Teaching Scholarship is more than just help with money for me. It's part of a bigger plan to bring more diversity to teaching & make schooling fair. Getting this help would let me focus on learning to teach well instead of worrying about money. It would free me to give my all. In the end, my goal is simple: to spark hope, to share knowledge, & to tear down walls. I want to be known not just as a teacher, but as someone who lit a love for learning, saw the best in kids, & helped them see their strength. Education changed my life. As a Black male teacher, I plan to use my whole career to change others' lives too.

Jacob Magloire July 6th 2025 Richard (Dunk) Matthews II Scholarships Ever since I was a child I have always had a love for filmmaking. I started a YouTube channel called "Dopenerd Shorts" on February 4, 2021. On this Youtube Channel I often created comedic scenarios about two characters in an unfortunate predicament. After consistently creating these comedy sketches for two years on my YouTube channel, I became more interested in making short films and movies. My first short film, "Unashamed," came out on February 21, 2024. It tells the story of an African-American teenager who is ashamed of the color of his skin. I made this short film to show audiences all over the world that their differences are what make them special and unique. I’m currently making the first steps towards my filmmaking career by pursuing a film and media degree at Frederick Community College pursuing an associates degree in film and media in hopes of transferring to New York Film School to obtain a bachelor's degree in film and media. My end goal is to make independent films highlighting racial injustice in America and self-acceptance. In these films, I will aim to highlight diverse minorities as well as issues being done in the real world. In conjunction with these messages; I aim to display themes of love, loss and faith. While Frederick Community College will be helpful to my academic career as well as my film career, the tuition is quite expensive. It’s quite evident that my family and I may fall into college debt from attending this school. My goal during my time at FCC is to graduate without any debt, and this scholarship will help me achieve just that. This scholarship opportunity will not only be helpful to my family and me, but it will also help me attain the degree in my desired field while also obtaining the necessary skills needed to excel in my profession. In conclusion, I want audiences around the world to be educated, inspired and heavily relate through the stories I share. I want small, diverse communities to feel seen the messages I share through visual storytelling. In sum, I believe that the Richard (Dunk) Matthews ii Scholarship will be a monumental stepping stone toward turning my dream into a reality. With the resources, education, and training at Frederick Community College combined with the financial support of this scholarship, I will grow to be a dedicated and uplifting filmmaker and director.

Jacob Magloire June 7, 2025 Pastor Thomas Rorie Furthering Education Scholarship Fresh off the stage with my high school diploma, I am eager to learn more. I am a new c/o 2025 graduate who will be attending Frederick Community College (FCC) for film and media. Ever since I can remember, I have had a deep love for creating movies. On February 4, 2021, I started a comedy YouTube channel, “Dopenerd Shorts.” On this channel, I made mini-movies where I displayed different characters having an argument or debate about a silly topic. One of the most memorable skits I ever shot at the time was titled, “When You Break Your Mom’s Phone.” This was a skit about a boy who begged to use his mom’s cell phone to film a YouTube video only to accidentally break it halfway through filming the actual video. This skit ended up being the most viewed video on my YouTube channel, garnering around 2,000 views in a month. The majority of the comments under the video were positive, with people sharing how this video was relatable or made their day. Through these skits, I was able to turn normally frightening scenarios into positive messages with the intention of making somebody laugh. After two years of consistently making videos on “Dopenerd Shorts,” I eventually shifted my interest towards making short films and movies. On February 21, 2024, I created my first short film, “Unashamed,” which tells the story of an African-American teenager ashamed of the color of his skin. This film celebrates race and diversity while encouraging audiences to be proud of who they are. Since “Unashamed,” I have dedicated my life to being a Director. As I got older, I studied the world of cinema. I would often watch movies that were regarded as classics by critics. The films I watched eventually transformed my perspective on life and highlighted real issues that people around the world have to go through. A clear example of this is when I watched the film “Waves,” directed by Trey Edward Shults. This film is a coming-of-age drama that follows an African-American family navigating loss, grief, and forgiveness. This film taught me about the importance of forgiving others who have deeply hurt us in the past as well as the importance of cherishing the people who love you the most in times of crisis. Another movie inspiration that opened my mind to visual messaging through cinema is the movie “The Perks of Being a Wallflower,” directed by Stephen Chbosky. “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” is a drama that follows an introverted boy as he navigates friendship, love, and trauma. This film taught me the importance of companionship and how it benefits our mental health. These cinematic influences later made their way into my own work. These films and many others are what later inspired me to go to college to study film and media. That being said, once I graduate from FCC, I plan to work within the industry and serve as an Intern at major film production studios such as A24, Sony Pictures, Universal Pictures, or Warner Bros. Entertainment. From there I plan to slowly develop my filmmaking portfolio and work my way up to becoming a Director with a recognizable name. While I am well aware that this is an ambitious goal of mine, I believe that it will only support my work ethic during my time as a student at FCC and any major production company that will take me on. Financial Assistance. I believe that the Pastor Thomas Rorie Jr. Furthering Education Scholarship will help me get a step further in completing my goal of being a Director. I have decided to attend Frederick Community College so that I can learn more about the makings of movies as well as get hands-on experience with making short films with the ultimate goal of attaining an Associate degree in film and media. I chose FCC due to its hands-on approach to filmmaking and digital storytelling. FCC offers a variety of classes on cinematography, screenwriting, and editing, mirroring real-world industry practices. FCC is also reputable for providing their students with access to professional-grade equipment and software, which will simulate a real-world experience of creating a professional motion picture overall. Overall, FCC is the best place for me to hone my filmmaking skills without the financial burden of attending a four-year school. While this community college will be helpful to my academic and film career, the tuition is quite expensive. In comparison to other schools, the tuition is arguably less expensive than others in the area. However, it is still evident that my family and I may fall into college debt from trying to attend this school. My goal during my time at FCC is to graduate without any debt, and this scholarship will help me achieve just that. This scholarship opportunity will be not only helpful to my family and me, but it will also help me attain the degree in my desired field while also obtaining the necessary skills needed to excel in my profession. After attending Frederick Community College and serving as an Intern for larger production companies, my ultimate goal is to make independent films highlighting racial injustice in America and self-acceptance. In these films, I will acknowledge injustice being done in our world while also celebrating Christianity and displaying elements of the Bible. From movies about love and loss, I would like to create movies that change people's perspective on the real world and help educate them on the issues that are happening around the world. I want my films to move people emotionally while also being family-friendly enough for children and adults to watch together. To put simply, I want audiences around the world to have the same experience watching my movies that I did when I was a child. I want them to learn my lessons and feel my emotions through the screen. In sum, I believe that the Pastor Thomas Rorie Jr. Furthering Education Scholarship will be a monumental stepping stone toward turning my dream into a reality. With the resources, education, and training at Frederick Community College combined with the financial support of this scholarship, I will grow to be a dedicated and uplifting filmmaker.

Teachers, A Lasting Impression. A teacher that has deeply impacted me has been Mrs. Damaris. This teacher pushed me for most of my junior year in high school. She taught my junior elective Spanish class for my third year at Signature Homeschool Academy. While I am currently unable to remember much Spanish vocabulary at this point in my life, her core values and teaching style have stuck with me throughout my academic career. These same core values will be carried with me as I transition from high school to a college campus. Oftentimes, Mrs. Damaris would assign plenty of homework for us to make sure we understood key concepts that were being taught. Many students resented her due to this massive homework load and even planned to drop the class. Throughout her class, she would give us extra time to memorize what was being taught and provided us with resources to excel. She often took pride in saying, "Anybody that has taken any of my classes has never gotten less than a passing grade." This not only gave me hope but also comfort that I would inevitably pass this class with flying colors. Later in the semester, she would have us pray before class. This came as an immense shock due to the majority of my teachers excluding prayer from their weekly lessons. Over time, this practice became a recurring activity within our classroom and even provided me with a sense of peace before every lesson. This routine became a cornerstone of both my academic and personal life, and it is something I still rely on today. Before becoming a student of Mrs. Damaris’, I would approach school as something separate from my spiritual life. When I began to implement the two as a result of what we did in class, I saw a change in my attitude towards school. This routine stuck with me for the remainder of my high school journey and life. Mrs. Damaris has continued to play a small but very supportive role in my life. When I finished my first film, "Unashamed," she congratulated me on my achievement and even displayed my film in front of her entire class for a lesson she was teaching. Overall, Mrs. Damaris’ teaching style, while firm and challenging at some points, has been an influential piece in my life. I am very proud to say that Mrs. Damaris has taught me how to go about challenges in a healthy and calming manner. When I am studying for a test, I remember the times we memorized Spanish vocabulary. When I am nervous about something difficult, I often make it a point to pray to God for support. Thanks to Mrs. Damaris, I have learned that peace and perseverance can coexist, and that is a lesson I will carry on for the rest of my academic and professional career moving forward.

Jacob Magloire April 21, 2025 Selin Alexandria Legacy Scholarship for the Arts Introduction. Currently, I am a high school senior and a dual-enrolled student at York College of Pennsylvania for film and media. Since middle school, I have battled with mental health struggles. I would often excuse my negative symptoms as feeling tired or drained up until 2024. In 2024, I was diagnosed with anxiety and depression. While this came as a shock to me, it only led me to find ways to feel less alone in these emotionally wearing times. Creating Art Through Film. In 2020, I started a YouTube channel called “Dopenerd Shorts,” where I would make funny skits based on my life. My mental health diagnosis reignited my passion for video creation, so I would take moments that triggered my emotional turmoil, such as arguments with my parents or being upset with a friend, and turn them into comedy. This not only helped me deal with my severe mental health struggles, but it also connected me with people who enjoyed comedy as much as I did. One of my favorite pieces that I have created was a skit titled "Parents Be Trippin,” where I used exaggerated reactions to portray a father getting mad for no reason, which was inspired by my own mood swings. As I posted more content, I received comments stating, “I was having a bad day, but this made it better,” or “This lowkey made my day! Totally subscribing!” It is these heartwarming comments that have fueled my passion for wanting to be a director. I love making films that make people laugh, but I also have a passion for sharing stories that reflect real emotional battles that audiences around the world experience/go through. Film/Media: Just Another Art Tool. Overall, I believe that many people underestimate the emotional impact of art. Our moods can be improved or worsened based on the media we consume. Seeing characters go through similar experiences can help us process and understand our emotions. Art is therapy; it can show us what is right, relate similar experiences, and even help individuals with these painful struggles feel heard despite their battles with mental health. It is a type of therapy that is helpful for the artist and the person experiencing the work. My Passion > My Mental Health. In sum, art has continued to get me out of rough spots in my life. It has taught me that I am not alone while also showing me that I can follow my passions despite my diagnosis. In the near future, I plan to use my God-given visual talents to make films supporting individuals who struggle with mental health. I pray that my films help those diagnosed with mental health to feel less alone in their time of emotional distress. Moreover, if art is therapy, then I would like nothing more than for my art to serve as a therapist for someone else. My current works consist of my debut short film, The Hidden Thief, which is a mystery about an anxious girl trying to find her lost hard drive filled with her life's artwork. This film reflects my anxious tendencies and wild imagination. Love At First Text is a drama that follows a boy battling anxiety who finally decides the best way to ask out his crush. This film conveys my own anxiety about confessing my feelings to someone I deeply admire. The King of Chess, a comedy about an overconfident beginner chess player losing yet another chess match. This film is a comedic take on my own confident nature.