I have had a job since my junior year in high school and have had to learn a lot about money management. I learned how hard it is to earn money and the value it has beyond its monetary value, but its value to me, and see its effects on me. I have learned that it's not enough to just save money, but it's also important in how you spend it because it's quicker to spend money than it is to earn it. I have had to hear from coworkers and parents the value of a dollar, but now, holding down a job for more than a year has taught me that money is a lot more than what it is made of and means different things to different people, and shapes how they live their lives. To some, it's freedom to make their own descions an dpurse their own dreams, to others, it's security and provides stability, and others see it as just the norm to always have money around. Money has taught me a lot of lessons about life, as it has an effect on everything around us. It's because of the money that we were able to afford our clothes and food. Its becuase of the money that we can get from place to place. Money has become a necessity in life and has always been,n even before the idols of money became known. Which began as trade throughout the world, then, when the need for currency arises, money became the go-to later to be followed by e-currency in the modern age. And as I grew up in the age of this monetary shift, I've learned how to manage this and put what I've learned towards my future as a young adult, which would allow for more financial responsibility. being the importance of saving money and how to spend it wisely. Growing up, I've learned form other around me their different perspective, power, and influence that money holds, and how essential it is to our whole economy and life. applying these lessons to my own life to help not only build a strong financial future but also to understand the importance of saving and budgeting. These lessons will not only help me manage money but will also guide me in making better monetary decisions in my future to make better decisions in the many aspects and areas of my life.

I plan to make the world a better place through my art. I will be pursuing a degree in graphic design with a career in art direction for companies that influence the world and the people in it. By working with these companies, I can put out positivity and inclusion across multiple media platforms that will have representation across many continents. Because art has a way of connecting and reaching vast audiences, I will be able to have a direct impact on the people who will see it and be affected by it. I plan to use my position and platform to reach out to people and show them the power that art has when utilized to its highest degree. I see that a lot of fields have an impact on the world and the way it's viewed, but I personally feel that the arts play a more important factor into making the world a better place because of the many influences and expressions that it carries. Even now, as a high school student, I'm using my platform as an art student to speak a message through my art. By volunteering during my summer at a women's shelter to paint murals and playrooms for its residents. Doing two annual art shows for the communities to showcase the young artist talent that my performing arts school has to offer for the four years that I've been attending. Aiding in the community shows that spreading art awareness to any and eveybody who will view it. To help my community in particular, I would put myself out into spaces that allow for my art to raise awareness in public and domestic spaces, where it would have more impact and be viewed as a source for inspiration. But more focused on my future and it affect on the world would be allowing for more commentary with the brands I would be working with to reach out to people and the interpretations and lessons they will take from the over all meassage i would be trying to send to them. ensuring that the art isn't just pretty but has something to say about the current climate that we're in or the current case that were in so that we dont over look the important stuff that can affect everyone. even looking at how we ourselves affect the world, and I feel that with and by my art i can do that.

I often look to the world around me for inspiration; my art reflects that. From what I notice to how I want my art to take effect. I feel that my art has to reflect the story it tells, the eviorment its in, and the people who will see it. I look to the people around me, noticing what they do, how they act, and what pulls them in. I can make pieces that cater to the everyday experiences that are often overlooked by the masses, that need more light shed on them.

My passion for my art medium stems from the desire I have the inclusion of everyhting that makes me who I am and wanting to show that in my art. Growing up, I've often thought of myself as something more than being more than one thing. And because of that mentality, I've wanted to show that in my art, which has led me to be an active practitioner of mixed media art because of the inclusion of the different art forms that can be utilized to convey either the same or multiple messages to the viewer. The pull I've felt towards mixed media comes from the fact that I could never decide between my process or materials to use, so I leaned towards mixed media so that I wouldn't have to choose and could include everything I wanted, showing a diverse pieces that wouldn't have to be one thing and like myself, isn't made out to be just one thing. It also stems from the years of art that I've done, where I've been taught many forms and shown a level of proficiency in all that I was given to do. At my performing arts high school, where we have teachers with experience in these forms of art and who learn firsthand, it has only reassured me that I can combine all of them to create pieces that not only speak to me but also to viewers. My medium has allowed for a deeper understanding of myself and has led me to ask deeper questions about myself, such as " why am I drawn to the medium for this piece?" "What if I used this and this?" "Or with if I used this instead of this/ or with this?" because I am asking myself these questions when making my art, it leads me to become more invested in my art and the process and the message I'm trying to send. Even seeing the effect I have on the people around me has opened up more insight into myself. For the pieces that I've won awards for, I've been able to see what works and what people are drawn to. To the advice that is impressed when I go to them for opinions and aid to better my art and make my message clearer to my family, who are impressed piece after piece of my hard work and dedication to the art form.

A challenge I faced was when I was first entering high school as a visual art student at my performing arts high school and I was getting adjusted to it. I was not only learning the flow of a regular high school but simultaneously learning the flow of a performing high school which was an added stressor with the hopes of making it through all four years. which has led to a lot of complications with my core classes and grades interfering with my art classes and grades. A challenge I can remember facing was when I had to complete an art project but also had a language arts assignment due on the same day and was struggling to find time to do both on time. I remember being really stressed due to the thought of not finishing my piece while also worrying about not turning in my language arts assignment and getting a zero on the assignment. It took a lot of managing for me to be able to do both and not tire myself out. From this experience, I learned proper time management and how to manage the stress that comes with balancing two projects af the same time.

I have been an active member of my community in and out of school. Participating includes painting for women's shelters during the summer to enhance their sense of security and make their residents more comfortable. As an acting officer of my school's Black Student Union, I have organized and participated in many campus cleanups, which have served as ways to beautify our school and bring us together for a common goal. I'm also an ambassador to my performing arts conservatory and have been involved with pep rallies and tailgates for my conservatory. I've been a member of the student council which has led me to being a part of organizing tailgates, cookouts, homecoming, and other activities. I have helped with assisting the usher in incoming students and potential sponsors. Other ideas that I have had that are yet to come to fruition are things like community skate nights and silent discos. I also see myself attempting a community cleanup where we gather all the people of the neighborhood and clean up our public space. Another is public play festivals where every month we organize a day where people come to play games and be together as a community. I also see things like city or community-wide career days, where you show all the possible careers and professions that young adults and children can have.