Even before high school, music was one of my biggest passions. In class, people would use music to study, but I would study the music itself. I would listen to songs hundreds of times just to dissect the different instruments used and listen deeply to the lyrics. Over the course of my high school years, this passion only grew, and it affected my life in many ways. All throughout high school, music has been a way I express myself. Whenever I was stressed out while doing my homework or overwhelmed by thoughts about my future, I always had music to help me stay relaxed and focused. Not only that, but music also helped me expand my circle of friends. Whenever I wanted to talk to someone but didn’t know what to say, I would use music as an icebreaker. Talking to people about their opinions on new songs or artists helped me connect with people I wouldn’t have known how to connect with otherwise. From 10th grade onward, I decided to start creating my own music, specifically hip-hop. Hip-hop is a genre that is filled with personal experiences and honesty. Learning how to create hip-hop music helped me understand the significance of storytelling and self-expression in art. Making my own music also helped me network and connect with people from all around the world. Because music is such a collaborative experience, I was able to talk to people from California all the way to Canada, gaining insight into people's different thought processes and philosophies, an important skill in everyday life. In 11th grade, I was fortunate to work with a professional on a hip-hop project. This opportunity taught me a lot, like how to collaborate with someone to create a schedule that meets both parties' needs and how to manage finances and legal paperwork. These are important skills in the business world, a world that I hope to explore in my future. This opportunity also introduced me to the world of music, connecting me with even bigger artists I can hopefully work with in the future. Ultimately, music is one of the most important things for me from my high school years. It has affected the way I think and has motivated me to keep going whenever I feel down or upset. I hope that one day I can find people who share my passion for music and create music that can make a difference in the world.