At ten years old, a Rubik's Cube became my first teacher in perseverance, revealing a lesson that would shape my journey: with determination, I can conquer any challenge. When my older brother received a Rubik's Cube, he solved one side before growing frustrated and handing it off to me. I didn’t just want to solve one side; I was determined to solve the entire cube, no matter how long it took. After some trial and error on my own, I turned to YouTube tutorials, which taught me the steps and algorithms I needed. At ten years old, this was difficult; it took many hours of practice to not only solve the cube but to memorize the algorithms. However, I wasn’t satisfied with just mastering the standard 3x3 Rubik's Cube. I wanted to challenge myself more. I began collecting different Rubik's puzzles, each harder than the last, ending in the Megamix, a dodecahedron that was the hardest puzzle I learned to solve. This drive to push my limits didn’t stop with puzzles. A year or two later, I wanted to learn computer programming. At around eleven, I took on the task of teaching myself JavaScript, another puzzle of sorts, requiring a different kind of problem-solving. This experience was just a prelude to a challenge I would love most. Music, I discovered, is an art where the challenges never end. At twelve, I picked up my mom’s old acoustic guitar and began teaching myself to play. For the first few years, I explored the instrument on my own, playing worship songs and other favorites. Eventually, I took lessons to continue growing. This opened the door to classical and jazz music, but I didn't quit exploring at home; I continued challenging myself, amazed at the intricate styles of guitarists like John Petrucci and Tim Henson. Learning their music tested my perseverance, but after countless hours I succeeded. As I grew more confident with the guitar, another challenge presented itself: songwriting. Instead of merely playing other people's music, I began creating my own. Initially, I was heavily influenced by Ed Sheeran, and my early songs reflected his style. Looking back, many of those first attempts were far from perfect, but I kept at it, developing my voice as a songwriter. Now, at age seventeen, my songs have evolved, reflecting a broader range of influences and a style uniquely mine. With songwriting came the desire to make professional recordings of my songs. While it was easy to imagine how I wanted my music to sound, making it a reality was another challenge. This was much harder to teach myself. It wasn't something I could just start doing like songwriting or learn easily online. I had to navigate through misinformation to find accurate information. The process I struggled with most is called mixing, which is taking multiple instruments and parts and making them all sonically fit as one combined piece of music. Over time, I learned that the key to a good mix starts with a good recording. Currently, I'm interning at a music studio, learning more about the recording process and how to work well with others. As I look ahead to college and a future career in the music industry, I carry with me the lessons from a Rubik’s Cube, a guitar, and countless challenges conquered. Each step has reaffirmed my belief that with determination, I can learn anything. I’m excited to continue this journey, pushing the boundaries of what I can achieve and sharing my music with the world.

My name is Joshua Barton. I am a senior at Chain of Lakes Collegiate High School in Winter Haven, Florida. I have applied to several universities with Belmont University being my top choice. I will be pursuing that if I get enough scholarships. Music has been a central part of my life since childhood, shaping who I am and inspiring me to work hard toward a career as a songwriter, producer, and recording artist. I am applying for this scholarship to support my education and help me achieve my long-term goals. I plan to pursue a songwriting major at Belmont University. This program is one of the only programs of its kind, and I believe it offers me the best chance at a successful music career. It is located in Nashville on Music Row. Belmont’s emphasis on creativity and collaboration will be extremely beneficial, as well as the industry connections Belmont will help me attain. This will all help me develop as a songwriter and artist. I have already auditioned and been accepted into the program, and I am eager to develop my skills under the guidance of accomplished faculty and alongside talented peers. My end goal is to be a successful songwriter, producer, and performer. As a child, I participated in choirs and taught myself guitar and harmonica. By the age of 13, I was writing songs and experimenting with recording and production techniques. These early experiences ignited my passion for music and taught me discipline, creativity, and perseverance. I learned that if enough time is spent on something, it can be learned. I’ve also learned the importance of adaptability and time management. Through my busy high school life, I have had to balance music, school, work, sports, and life. Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to receive recognition for my dedication to music and academics. I’ve participated in several talent showcases. Most recently, I was invited to perform at Grand Parsons Derry Down for their Young Musicians Show last April. I’ve actively performed at monthly open mic nights, gaining connections around my area. Due to these connections, I have been able to intern at a studio starting in June of this year. While there, I started out simply co-writing with the executive producer and audio-engineering for his artist's gigs. Currently, I have been able to work entire sessions by myself. While interning I have drastically improved my lyric writing and music production skills. On top of this professional experience, I have also been hired to play electric guitar in the pit orchestra for multiple productions at Winter Haven Theatre. It has been a wonderful experience to be involved in our community and meet other professional musicians in Polk County. At my church, I also started a youth band in 2021 along with a few friends. We have led worship every Wednesday for our youth group and now are teaching younger students in order to pass the torch when we leave. This has been an incredible experience for me in learning to teach and lead others. I also play weekly in our church’s worship service. Receiving this scholarship would be a transformative opportunity, enabling me to fully dedicate myself to my education and creative growth without the burden of financial stress. My passion for music drives me to work hard and dream big, and I am eager to contribute to the industry with meaningful songs that connect with people around the world. With these scholarships, I can take the next steps toward achieving my goals and making a lasting impact through my music.