I knew from a very young age that I was an artist. I could look around any room and see the beauty, get inspired, or be curious to learn and create something. The joy in my days as a child came from drawing/sewing/crocheting, and pretty much any art form you can think of. I soon realized that my creativity and skill were my greatest attributes, and I decided to pursue my education in the arts. As scary as it is to pick a creative carrer I knew I wouldn't be fulfilled in my adult life if I wasn't creating. It still scares me knowing that it's hard to make a living as an artist and that my education is expensive. I have decided to get my BFA in costume design and minor in fashion at SCAD. Pursuing a career in fashion through costume design in film, I will have a unique opportunity and ability to celebrate and promote cultural identity by incorporating elements that reflect a particular culture's traditions, heritage, and values. Being Biracial and Afro-Caribbean, I was raised in a multicultural home. Through my career path, I can inspire others by telling stories of people like me. I believe that film has the power to educate and unite people, so the more we see people of different heritages on screen, the more we can understand and love each other to end racial indifference, and my way of doing that will be by using fashion on screen. As a senior in high school, I was voted best dressed. I received this honor just due to self-expression. I wear clothes that are second-hand and handmade. My career goal is to continue promoting self-expression, uniqueness, and self-empowerment, especially to young women. I know I can make an impact in the film industry by creating inclusive designs and telling stories that inspire other young artists and help connect with people around the world. I know that it is my life's calling, and that I have the ambition to make it happen, but without the financial foundation to get my education, no matter how much ambition and passion I have, it won't become a reality. The Kayla Nicole memorial would help me be able to pay for the expenses of art materials and tuition, and lighten the stress and burden off my parents and me. The cost of living grows every day, and the money I could be spending to fulfill my creativity, I need to ration to pay for other expenses. So the money from this scholarship would help lift the burden and allow me to create without the limitation of how much money I have to spend. Balancing work and being a full-time student has taken a toll on my mental health and education, so applying for scholarships and getting financial aid has been a necessity if I want to continue my furthing my education and pursue my dreams.

I wish I could say what inspired my love for fashion was watching runways or celebrity red carpets, but that would be a lie. What inspired me was looking around any room I was in as a child and seeing how people showing up to the same place all had different aesthetics and ideas of clothing. I also grew up with a grandmother who was a self-taught seamstress. Watching her sew my cousin's prom dresses and teaching me how to turn old fabrics into dresses for my dolls instilled creativity in me. So I fell in love with the freedom of dressing how I wanted at a very young age, which eventually turned into a passion for costume and fashion design. There is so much that goes into the psychological aspects of how people dress, and things like environment and culture play a huge role as well. I believe that costume design is one of the most powerful tools in filmmaking, and I want to be an advocate for representing people of differnt ethic backgrounds and real body types that we don't see in the modern fashion or film industry. The biggest challenge I have honestly faced while pursuing my education in costume/fashion has been the mental fight of telling myself that this career is something I can't build a life on and make a positive difference. Studying art is a choice a lot of people don't make because they want to pick a safer career, so the decision to pursue something I am passionate about has been scary, and I've had to have complete faith in myself despite what the people around me think. I also did not have access to costume/fashion classes in my small town or a good art program to learn from, so it has been my responsibility to learn as much as I could about sewing and clothing before entering college on my own. Another challenge I faced as a child of color was growing up and barely seeing kids that looked like me on screen, and if they were people like me on screen, they had straight hair or were portrayed in a stereotypical way that pushed harmful rhetoric. Which is why I want to be in costume so I can help bring truth on screen and show young viewers and older viewers that the way they are naturally is beautiful and should be accepted; it is unacceptable for people to be expected to change or water down their true identity to be on screen. I want to have a platform and knowledge to accurately portray any culture on screen and make TV shows that show the melting pot of cultures that make up this beautiful planet, so anyone can look on screen and relate and see a piece of their story being told. I believe that film has the power to educate and unite people, so the more we see people of different heritages on screen, the more we can understand and love each other to end racial indifference, and my way of doing that will be by using fashion on screen. Receiving the Edgy Prepster Scholarship would help me do that by helping me pay for the expensive supplies and materials needed to create. The cost of living grows every day, and the money I could be spending to fulfill my creativity, I need to ration to pay for other expenses. So the money from this scholarship would help lift the burden and allow me to create without the limitation of how much money I have to spend.

I am Katelyn Matanis, and ever since I was a child, creating art has been at the center of who I am. From painting and drawing to sewing clothes for my dolls, I have always been drawn to the process of bringing ideas to life with my hands. What began as simple childhood creativity has grown into a deeper passion rooted in curiosity about the world around me. I also recognized at a young age the beauty in my own culture. I am half jamacian so I grew up enjoying the food and unique music. I wanted to learn as much about my culture as possible, so I spent time with my grandma learning how to cook the foods, and she also passed down her love of sewing to me. I quickly realized that my heritage was underrepresented or done wrong. I have always been fascinated by the beauty of the earth and the incredible diversity of the people who live on it. There are countless cultures across the globe, each with its own traditions, histories, and visual identities, and I find inspiration in all of them. My love for storytelling developed alongside my love for art, especially through film. Whether it is animation or live action, movies have shown me how powerful visual storytelling can be. Films like Moana, Black Panther, and Bridgerton opened my eyes to the meaningful role that costume design and visual aesthetics play in representing culture. These films do more than entertain; they educate audiences about different ways of life, traditions, and histories that they may not have encountered otherwise. I believe that this kind of representation has the power to create real change in the world. When people are exposed to cultures outside of their own in a respectful and authentic way, it fosters understanding and empathy. It allows us to see that while we may have different traditions or appearances, we share many of the same values, emotions, and experiences. In a world that often feels divided, especially along racial and cultural lines, storytelling through film can help bridge those gaps. My goal is to use my creative skills in sewing and design to contribute to that positive impact. I want to pursue costume design for film and television, creating pieces that authentically represent diverse cultures while celebrating their uniqueness. I hope to collaborate with creators who are committed to telling inclusive stories and designing costumes that are not only visually compelling but also culturally respectful and meaningful. By doing so, I aim to help bring stories to life that promote unity, understanding, and appreciation for diversity. Through my work, I want to inspire others to see the beauty in differences rather than fear them. I want audiences to walk away from films not only entertained but also more open-minded and informed about the world. Art has always been my passion, but it is also my purpose to use creativity as a tool for connection, education, and positive impact.

I'm a creative; if I'm not creating, I'm not living. It is truly my passion to create things with my hands and mind. Ever since I was a child, I have wanted to either draw or build something. My mind is made to create. I would be doing myself a disservice if I didn't pursue a career that allows me to do what I love, which is being an artist. Fashion is a perfect blend of artistry and functionality, which is why I want to pursue a career and costume design. I believe it is my purpose to use my creativity to bring joy to others. Nothing makes me happier than seeing the expression on someone's face when I give them something I crafted for them, or the shock I see in someone's eyes when I show them a painting I made, or something I've crocheted. I grew up watching superhero and fantasy movies, which brought me joy and comfort. I love seeing how attention to detail inside a film's costumes and set can immerse you in a different world. There's a lot that goes into what a person wears. If you live in Florida or Alaska, the way your closet looks is going to be very different. A 20-year-old and someone in their 70s aren't going to have the same girls' night outfit. If we were to go back 150 years ago styling trends would be very different. Everything plays a role in what we wear. When building a character, you have to understand all of these things to accurately portray who they are. Costuming is an art that has to connect to the characters to connect to the audience. If it doesn't, the story won't be believable, and it is my goal to immerse the audience in the productions I'm a part of so they can feel the same joy I did when I was a kid on the couch watching TV. I also believe there is power in representation. Movies like Black Panther unite people. It was inventive and portrayed African culture in such a beautiful way that it left everyone inspired. There is beauty in the history that defines the cultures that make up the different races of the world. I want to bring awareness to different cultures and ethnic backgrounds because the more we see different types of people on screen, the less of a divide there will be between them. The more we understand each other, the more united we can become. A great film creates an audience like no other, and what better use for it than to educate and bring people together.

In a world that often measures success by one's ability to navigate the written word effortlessly, imagine the courage and resilience it takes for a dyslexic teenager to rise above the challenges. With each page turned and every word conquered, I plan to demonstrate tenacity to overcome this challenge. In today's world, success is often measured by one's ability to read and write fluently. However, for a dyslexic teenager, it takes immense courage and resilience to overcome the challenges that come with this learning disorder. As I turn each page and conquer every word, I aim to demonstrate my tenacity to overcome this challenge and succeed in college. To ensure my success in college, I will continue to utilize academic support services and seek assistance from the college's disability support team. My passion lies in pursuing a career in fashion and costume design, which I am excited to pursue. With my skills and education, I hope to make a positive impact on the world. As a fashion and costume designer, I have a unique opportunity to celebrate and promote cultural identity by incorporating elements that reflect a particular culture's traditions, heritage, and values. Having grown up in a multicultural home as a Biracial and Afro-Caribbean individual, I deeply understand the importance of cultural representation in the fashion industry. Through my work, I aim to inspire others by telling stories and conveying emotions through the use of colors, textures, and patterns to create visually striking costumes that capture the audience's attention. As a senior in high school, I was voted best dress. I received this honor just due to self-expression. I wear clothes that are second-hand and handmade. My designs aim to celebrate diversity, promote inclusivity, and highlight the beauty in differences. As a designer, I am committed to promoting self-expression, uniqueness, and self-empowerment, particularly among young women. This is a cause that I am deeply passionate about and intend to pursue as a career. I love watching movies and binge-watching shows. We often hear the statement Art imitating life, the field of fashioned costume design sparks wonder, increases awareness, and creates dialogue. I believe that pursuing a career in fashion and costume design provides an incredible opportunity to raise awareness about important social issues. I can incorporate symbolism and storytelling to spark meaningful conversations through my designs. Fashion and costume design is a powerful tool for communicating cultural identity through symbolic elements. As an artist, I can create garments that reflect cultural and racial appropriations by incorporating colors, patterns, and symbols that hold deep meaning in particular cultures. These designs would convey a deeper meaning and represent cultural values and beliefs, celebrating diversity and facilitating a deeper understanding and appropriation of different traditions. As a biracial designer with Afro-Caribbean heritage, I am eager to use my platform to promote diversity and representation in the fashion industry. By creating costumes that celebrate different cultures and body types, I hope to break stereotypes and showcase the beauty of diversity. Ultimately, fashion and costume design is a means to evoke emotions and inspire positive change, fostering a sense of unity and acceptance within our communities.

At the tender age of 7, I was captivated by my grandmother's meticulous crafting of a garment. As her nimble fingers danced across the fabric, transforming it into a breathtaking masterpiece, I was filled with indescribable awe and wonder. This unforgettable memory has instilled in me a profound admiration for the world of fashion, fabric, and design that will forever be etched into the depths of my soul. Watching my grandmother design and create a gorgeous prom dress for my cousin served as a catalyst for a lifelong passion that has led me on a remarkable journey toward a career in fashion and costume design. As a fashion and costume designer, I have a unique opportunity to celebrate and promote cultural identity by incorporating elements that reflect a particular culture's traditions, heritage, and values. Growing up in a multicultural home as a Biracial and Afro-Caribbean individual has given me a deep appreciation for the importance of cultural representation in the fashion industry. Through my work, I aim to inspire others by telling stories and conveying emotions. I can use colors, textures, and patterns to create visually striking costumes that capture the audience's attention. As a senior in high school, I was voted best dress. I received this honor just due to self-expression. I wear clothes that are second-hand and handmade. My designs aim to celebrate diversity, promote inclusivity, and highlight the beauty in differences. As a designer, I am committed to promoting self-expression, uniqueness, and self-empowerment, particularly among young women. This is a cause that I am deeply passionate about and intend to pursue as a career. I love watching movies and binge-watching shows. We often hear the statement Art imitating life, the field of fashioned costume design sparks wonder, increases awareness, and creates dialogue.  I believe that pursuing a career in fashion and costume design provides an incredible opportunity to raise awareness about important social issues. I can incorporate symbolism and storytelling to spark meaningful conversations through my designs. Fashion and costume design is a powerful tool for communicating cultural identity through symbolic elements. As an artist, I can create garments that reflect cultural and racial appropriations by incorporating colors, patterns, and symbols that hold deep meaning in particular cultures. These designs would convey a deeper meaning and represent cultural values and beliefs, celebrating diversity and facilitating a deeper understanding and appreciation of different traditions. As a biracial designer with Afro-Caribbean heritage, I am eager to use my platform to promote diversity and representation in the fashion industry. By creating costumes that celebrate different cultures and body types, I hope to break stereotypes and showcase the beauty of diversity. Ultimately, fashion and costume design is a means to evoke emotions and inspire positive change, fostering a sense of unity and acceptance within our communities.