I never ever had stability in my home when I was a child. I was raised in an abusive physical household until I was 12 years old when I was finally removed and taken in to live with my nana. It's hard to even describe how hard it was to learn to get along with others after witnessing that kind of trauma at such a young age in my life. I was struggling with PTSD and just trying to stay afloat in a world that just kept on changing under my feet. And high school itself wasn't necessarily easy—losing friend groups, adjusting to living on a foreign side of town, and adjusting to living with the harsh realities of my childhood. And yet even during all the ruin and destruction, there was something that kept me going and which helped me to begin healing: art. Art was my sanctuary, my therapy, my means of expression of those feelings that I did not even know how to speak. Through painting, I made worlds in color that were a reflection of the agony and the hope. It provided me with a sense of purpose and authority within a world that too often was a disorganized mess. This appreciation of art brought opportunities. I belonged to my school's National Art Honor Society, and not only did I get to know students who have similar interests as I do, but I also gained some positive leadership skills by helping plan school and community functions. Maybe the most valuable experience I have developed working with this organization came when we went to an elementary school in our community and took art classes with the kids. Seeing them having fun and getting hyped up reminded me why I was even creating things in the first place. I recognized myself there, young and hungry and wide-eyed, and it just felt so therapeutic to be able to experience that with them. Once I had gotten into college and graduated from high school, my relationship with art and I was altered. I could do it differently. Having the luxury of being able to fully commit myself to creating art, learning craft, and learning about art academically was a complete and whole game-changer for my skill as well as for my own consciousness. I was finally doing what I was supposed to be doing. Last year was totally savage. Because my parents are not helping with money, I am paying for myself completely now. With all of the loans and grants that I qualify for, I'm still having to work over 30 hours a week just to cover tuition and living costs. This has really impacted my emotional state as well as my focus as an artist. I don't have as much time and energy anymore to be able to give myself totally to the work which brought me peace of mind at first. This kind of scholarship would be the answer. It would allow me to concentrate once more in order to do what I love best—art. It would allow me to give my entire heart and soul to working without having to constantly wonder if I will still be able to afford to keep doing so. Art is not a pastime for me—it is life, my universe, lifeline, and fate. A million thank yous for considering my application and for the effort of showcasing students like me in chasing our passion. https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1kaEE2FKURA8do6_gBbZ5sZ-TagUK1qV2?usp=sharing

Growing up I never had consistency, I lived in an abusive household until I was 12 where I was taken out of my house and placed with my nana. As one can imagine this very important time for my development made me never fit in with everyone else. I had PTSD and was struggling to stay afloat amidst the ever changing world around me, enter high school, losing friend groups, adjusting to my new life and accepting my childhood. But one thing got me to where I am today, my love of art. I could create worlds through my brush, express my trauma in a way words would not allow. This love of art opened up many doors for me, I made new friends through joining my schools National Art Honor society and got to learn leadership skills by helping to organize events. Through this organization I got to do one of the most healing things, we went to a local elementary school and did art activities with the children. Getting to pass on the love of art, getting to see their enthusiasm for the craft was just so heart warming because I saw me in them, a fellow artist in the making. After graduating and going to college I now see art in a whole new light, being allowed to hone in on art for hours has been crucial in my art career and my understanding of it (both skill and what it means to make art). This last year however I have seen myself hit a wall, because of the fact my parents are out of the picture I support myself financially 100%, even with all the financial aid I can get I still have to work 30+ hour work weeks just to barely pay my tuition. This has been very stressful for me, not only financially but because I can see it affect my art, I can’t put all of my focus into my art, I don’t have the same time I once did to pour my entire heart into what I am doing. All this to say if I got this scholarship it would allow me the opportunity to do what I love again, the opportunity to full focus on improving my art instead of stressing if I’ll have the money to do what I love. Art is my entire world, I don’t want to lose this opportunity I’ve worked so hard to get because I can’t financially support it. Thank you for your consideration and for taking the time to read my application.