
Hobbies and interests
Drawing And Illustration
Band
Art
Reading
Adult Fiction
I read books multiple times per week
Julissa Peña
1,655
Bold Points2x
Nominee1x
Finalist1x
Winner
Julissa Peña
1,655
Bold Points2x
Nominee1x
Finalist1x
WinnerBio
First generation college student, applying for scholarships and trying to become a graphic designer.
Education
Lakeview Centennial High School
High SchoolGPA:
3.1
Miscellaneous
Desired degree level:
Bachelor's degree program
Majors of interest:
- Graphic Communications
Career
Dream career field:
Graphic Design
Dream career goals:
Team member
Blaze Pizza2023 – 20252 years
Sports
Artistic Gymnastics
Club2021 – 20254 years
Research
Agricultural and Food Products Processing
High School — Student2024 – 2025
Arts
SkillsUsa
Design2023 – 2024
Public services
Volunteering
Animal Shelter — Volunteer2023 – 2025
FIAH Scholarship
WinnerAs a graphic designer, I am excited to start my career and begin making a positive impact on both my community and world. In my work, I want to utilize my creativity and skills to create impactful graphics, design campaigns, and create positive change by promoting social issues through art. I am passionate about creating thought-provoking art that will challenge the status quo and inspire positive change. I have a special interest in using designs to bring awareness to environmental and social issues, such as promoting sustainable practices and environmental responsibility. I envision a future of using design to fight for inclusivity and social justice. In the future, I plan to use my skills to work on graphic designs for organizations, helping them to effectively convey their messages through creative solutions. I look forward to bringing more diversity, inclusion, and authenticity to the world through my work. I hope to make a difference in the world by creating visuals that have meaning and are powerful enough to bring about positive change. I know that becoming a successful graphic designer will give me an incredible amount of power, and I plan on putting that power to good use. I plan to collaborate with non-profit organizations, creating impactful graphics that promote social justice and environmental responsibility. I am also looking into creating content that promotes gender equality, diversity, and inclusion. From an early age, I started using visual art to express my beliefs and feelings and continue to do so today. I am determined to use my skills as a graphic designer to make a difference and have a strong sense of personal responsibility to do my part in contributing to positive change in the world. I believe that my passion, creativity, and desire to make a difference will make me a great graphic designer. I have a strong interest in creating designs that will create positive change and believe that my skills will help me achieve that goal. I am dedicated and passionate about using my skills to fight for inclusivity and social justice. I know my determination and passion will fuel my success and help me stay motivated to achieve my professional goals. In addition to my professional goals, I am also committed to making a positive impact in my local community. I plan on doing pro-bono work for local organizations and using design to promote positive change on a smaller scale. I am looking forward to being able to use design to help people closer to home. Whether it’s through creating a website for an organization that helps the less fortunate or assisting in the branding of a charity event, I know that small changes can have a huge impact.
Gregory Flowers Memorial Scholarship
The academic achievement I am most proud of is receiving a high grade in a class that I found particularly difficult, and was not confident in. Prior to this achievement, I had found myself questioning my intelligence and abilities in this course. After receiving my grade and realizing that I was capable of learning and doing well, I was filled with a sense of pride and accomplishment. This achievement boosted my confidence in my abilities and gave me faith in my potential. It also taught me that with hard work and dedication, I can accomplish any goal I set for myself.
This achievement had a powerful psychological impact on me. The sense of accomplishment I felt was indescribable. It gave me a sense of validation about my intelligence and my abilities. After receiving my grade, I felt a renewed vigor for pursuing my academic goals. My sense of accomplishment made me feel more confident in my own ability to learn and grow, and it gave me the incentive to strive for excellence in the future. I now feel that I am capable of pursuing the academic goals I have set for myself.
This achievement had a powerful psychological impact on me. The sense of accomplishment I felt was indescribable. It gave me a sense of validation about my intelligence and my abilities. After receiving my grade, I felt a renewed vigor for pursuing my academic goals. My sense of accomplishment made me feel more confident in my own ability to learn and grow, and it gave me the incentive to strive for excellence in the future. I now feel that I am capable of pursuing the academic goals I have set for myself.
Additionally, this achievement helped me to challenge and overcome a difficult period of my life. This particular class was extremely difficult, and I found myself questioning my abilities as a student. I had to work doubly hard to overcome the challenges this class presented, and I often found myself feeling discouraged. Overcoming that initial feeling of being defeated made this achievement even sweeter. I now know that I have it within me to challenge the odds and keep going despite any set- back or difficulty I encounter.
In terms of my community and my world view, this achievement has deepened my understanding of myself, and my identity as a student. It has made me more aware of my strengths and limitations, and it has given me the courage to pursue my academics with integrity. It has taught me to never give up and to keep trying no matter the circumstances. This experience has also opened my eyes to the different paths that lead the same result, and that my academic success lies in finding my own path.
De Los Santos Family Scholarship
The most significant challenge I have faced to date has been managing my anxiety. Growing up with Anxiety has been difficult, my mind frequently replays worst case scenarios, and is never resting. My anxiety affects my academic success greatly, keeping me awake, preventing me from concentrating, and leaving me overwhelmed and stressed. I face a great challenge each time I sit down to study, and I have had to develop many coping mechanisms to keep myself focused. The most important thing I have done to overcome my challenge is to recognize my anxiety, and to seek outside help. I have learned to accept that I have anxiety, and I have taken steps to seek therapy and medication in order to manage my anxiety. I have also learned that exercise and mindfulness help to keep my stress levels down and my mind focused. My anxiety has pushed me to find ways to manage it, and this has helped me develop strong coping mechanisms.
In addition, my identity as a Filipino-American has had a significant influence on my life. Growing up in a diverse neighborhood where languages and cultures are always in conflict, I have learned to find my own path. My Filipino culture has also provided me with a strong sense of family, and has helped me to see the value in collaboration and community. I have learned to find joy and meaning in my life through connection with my community, and through honoring the traditions of my heritage. My Filipino identity has been a stabilizing factor in my life and I find comfort in the sense of home my culture gives me. My heritage has given me strength and confidence in myself, and has empowered me to be comfortable expressing myself and embracing my cultural background. This has been an invaluable gift, and it has had a significant influence on my academic career as well.
Being of Filipino descent has allowed me to feel connected to a larger community of people who share my heritage and culture. I have been able to find support in other Filipino-Americans both inside and beyond the classroom, and it has helped me to stay focused and motivated in my studies. My life has been greatly enriched by my connection to my Filipino heritage, and it has given me a sense of purpose and belonging, which has translated to a stronger and more engaged academic career.
Selin Alexandra Legacy Scholarship for the Arts
Mental and emotional challenges have had a significant influence on my artistic expression. When I am struggling with difficult feelings, I often find myself retreating into art as a way to cope. Drawing, painting, and other forms of art provide an outlet for me to express my emotions, to give form and meaning to inner turmoil, and to externalize the emotions that overwhelm me. Through art, I am able to better understand and process my emotions, and to express the intensity of what I am feeling in a way that words are unable to capture.
Art has saved my life on numerous occasions when I have felt overwhelmed by my emotions, and it has enabled me to work through and make sense of my emotional landscape. Creating art is not just a means of self-expression, but an active practice of self-care, allowing me to confront emotions and memories I may have otherwise been unable to address. Art has given me the ability to transform my emotional chaos into something tangible and meaningful, and through this process I have been able to find peace and catharsis. Art is a way for me to process and navigate my emotions, and to make sense of the turmoil that often overwhelms me. The drawings I create are the result of this inner journey, and they express the passion, the joy, pain, and the hope I have found along the way.
The act of creating is a form of therapy that has allowed me to understand myself, and it has given me hope that I can change, grow, and find a way to cope with life's challenges. While every drawing tells a different story, the result is a body of work that embodies the strength, resilience, and passion that art has given me to face my mental and emotional obstacles and transform them into something beautiful. Art is not only a tool for individual expression, but a catalyst for change. Art can provide insight and understanding, and a safe space for creativity. Whether it is drawing, painting, dancing, or singing, art allows individuals to be seen and heard in a unique and meaningful way. Art is more than just a form of expression, it is the expression of the human condition in all of its intricacies. It serves as a reminder that we all experience life differently and that every individual's journey deserves to be valued, acknowledged, and celebrated. Art can connect us to our own humanity, and open our hearts and minds to the humanity of others. Art has also been a tool for me to connect with and relate to others.
In my time of struggle, it has connected me to friends and allies who share similar experiences, and has provided me with the comfort and understanding that has helped me understand myself and my emotions better. Art is a language, a universal language that can bridge even the heaviest boundaries. Through art, I have gained a greater understanding of myself and my relationship with the world around me, and I have found a way to express my truth, and to feel accepted and validated. My pieces represent the passion and drive I have for art. Each piece stands out in their own unique ways, highlighting the dedication I have for art and the exploration of it.
Brittany McGlone Memorial Scholarship
For me, furthering my education is about empowering myself to explore new ideas and opportunities. Education provides a pathway to reach my full potential and pursue my passions. Art and music are important to me as they have been an outlet for self-expression, a coping mechanism to process difficult emotions, and a source of joy and inspiration. Art and music enable me to express myself in ways that cannot be articulated in words, to process my feelings and emotions and to cope with the challenges I face. Art and music are also an outlet for creative expression which is essential for me to feel inspired and motivated. Through art and music, I have found a form of expression that is uniquely me. I can use these mediums to explore my emotions, to process difficult experiences and to find inspiration and hope. Art and music are also powerful tools to connect with others, to communicate our feelings and to build bridges and empathy.
Through this connection I can find understanding and support, and connect with others who may feel similarly isolated or misunderstood. Art and music are powerful forces that can transform how I view the world and my place in it. They help me understand myself, to understand others, and to find my own voice. In my experience, art and music have played a significant role in helping me deal with difficult experiences. When I feel lost or overwhelmed, I have found solace in art and music, which have provided me with a sense of comfort and an outlet for expression. The ability to express myself through music and art has been an invaluable tool for coping with the difficulties I have faced in life. It has enabled me the ability to tap into my emotions and use those emotions to channel into something productive.
This process of creating something beautiful from difficulty has been immensely powerful in my ability to cope. Furthermore, art and music have also been essential in connecting with others who may be going through similar challenges or experiences. Through art and music, I have been able to meet people who understand my struggles and provide me with a sense of community, understanding, and acceptance. Through their own experiences and creations, they have been able to provide insight and comfort that has made my struggles less daunting and more manageable. Music and art have been more than just a form of entertainment for me, they are my lifeline and my way to express myself in ways that words cannot capture. I have found that art and music have been an inspiration in my life, often providing the motivation to keep going even in the face of difficult experiences or challenges.
When I feel like giving up, listening to music has served as a reminder of my strengths, passions, and goals. I use art and music as an inspiration to keep moving forward, and to keep my head up in the face of adversity. Art and music have ignited a fire within me, and inspired me to continue pursuing my goals and dreams. I have been a part of an art program in high school, which has provided me with many opportunities to explore different mediums and to express myself. It has also provided me with a group of friends to discuss art with, as well as supportive and knowledgeable teachers who have challenged me to try different techniques and ideas.
Ethel Hayes Destigmatization of Mental Health Scholarship
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a condition that has had an influence on many aspects of my life, affecting my goals, relationships and understanding of the world around me. BPD has made it difficult to maintain stable relationships, leaving me feeling alone and misunderstood at times. It has also made it difficult to set and achieve goals as the instability can make it hard to stay focused. Despite these challenges, BPD has helped me develop coping mechanisms and emotional resilience, and has allowed me to better understand and empathize with others who struggle with mental illness. I have learned to cope with the mood swings and emotional intensity of BPD by learning mindfulness techniques which has helped me to manage my behavior and reactions better. It has also given me a better understanding of my own emotions and how they can affect others. This knowledge has helped me to develop a greater appreciation for the importance of emotional regulation and understanding the boundaries of my own emotions. I have also learned to ask for help when I need it, and to be mindful of triggers that could send me into a spiral or a cycle of intense emotions. Despite the challenges that BPD has brought to my life, it has not defined me as a person. I am more than a label and more than my mental illness. I am a strong, resilient, and determined person, who has learned the importance of self-care, of connecting with others, and of asking for help. Through it all, I have found a strength within myself that I never knew existed and a hope that one day I can learn to manage this illness and achieve my goals. BPD has made me more aware of how different people feel, with or without the disorder. I am better able to empathize and connect with those who are also struggling. I understand the challenges and the struggle of living with a mental illness and trying to find ways to manage it. I can understand those feelings of anxiety, and self-doubt that come with having BPD. Despite the struggles, I am proud of the progress I have made and the strength I have gained through therapy and self-help. BPD has also made me more aware of how strong an individual can be in the face of adversity. I have seen people with BPD who are successful, happy and successful. I have seen them thrive, despite some struggles and setbacks. I have seen the strength and resilience of people with BPD. I have also met people with BPD who have not yet found their way and are still struggling. I have seen them suffer, and I have seen them give up, because of the difficulties they face. My understanding of the world has been shaped by my experience with BPD. I no longer see the world as black and white, I see the nuances and the many shades of gray. I have grown more understanding of the need to understand and learn from each other. I have become more tolerant, open and non-judgmental of others' feelings and actions. I have learned to take responsibility for my own actions and hold myself accountable for my behavior. I have gained a deeper understanding of myself, of my emotions, and of the ways to cope with them.
Angela Engelson Memorial Scholarship for Women Artists
Fine art and studio art mean a chance to express myself and explore my creativity in a way that is both therapeutic and fulfilling. Being an artist allows me to engage with my own emotions and experiences, as well as connect with others through my artwork.
As an artist, the process of creating art is deeply important to me. I take great pleasure in the act of creating, and I find it deeply satisfying to bring ideas and visions to life through art. Whether it's painting, drawing, sculpting, or something else, I love the feeling of bringing something new into existence.
Additionally, studying art has opened my eyes to the rich history and diversity of artistic expression. I am incredibly grateful to be able to learn from and be inspired by the work of past artists, and to learn different techniques and methods to push my own artistic boundaries. The study of art also allows me to better understand the influence of culture and history on artistic movements and how art has shaped society and continues to do so.
Overall, my passion for being an artist is driven by a deep love for self-expression, creativity, and a desire to be immersed in the history and culture of art. Through my artistic process and studies, I find a sense of purpose and fulfillment that is truly unique. As an artist, fine art and studio art mean so much to me and make me feel alive. I love the chance to express myself and explore my creativity, it's therapeutic. Being an artist is more than just creating art; it's a way of connecting with myself and with others.
Painting, drawing, sculpting, and other forms of art give me joy and a feeling of satisfaction. Studying art has broadened my understanding and appreciation for the rich history and diversity of artistic expression. Seeing the impact of art on society has been inspiring. Art is not just a hobby or hobby but a way of life, and I feel deeply grateful to be able to pursue it. Art and creativity are a part of me, and through them, I find a sense of purpose and fulfillment that I can't find anywhere else. Every piece of art I create is a piece of me, so when people are drawn to my art, they are drawn to a part of me. That connection is what makes art so special and meaningful to me. Being an artist is challenging but immensely rewarding. I relish every opportunity to explore my creative side, and it’s always worth it when I succeed in creating something I’m proud of. Studying art has been an enriching experience, and I’m forever grateful for the knowledge and inspiration I’ve gained. Creating art is a lifelong learning experience, and I can’t wait to see what I’ll create next.