The Influence of Heritage and the Pursuit of Artistic Excellence My Mexican heritage, deeply rooted in faith and a strong sense of community, has profoundly shaped my identity and continues to influence my aspirations. Growing up, my mother, a descendant of devout Catholics, taught me the importance of compassion and service to others. Witnessing my grandparents' loyal dedication to their faith, exemplified by their charity aiding those in poverty, consistently demonstrated the power of giving back—a lesson that resonated deeply within me. As I grew up, I wanted to become an active volunteer at St. Vincent de Paul, an organization that aligns perfectly with the values I hold dear. Through my volunteer work, I am consciously making an impact on our brothers and sisters in Georgia. These experiences have made my life meaningful and provided me with self-worth. As an autistic adult, my perspective differs from the neurotypical. I see the importance of a never-ending thirst for learning. To achieve this goal, I would like to advance my knowledge and hone my skills at a renowned art school. I ultimately want to connect with people through my art on a deeper level and give back to the world with my artistic talents. However, my financial circumstances present significant challenges. As a woman with autism and bipolar I disorder, I face unique obstacles that limit my earning potential. My family, while incredibly supportive, handles the financial burden of my existence, placing a considerable strain on their resources. Earning a scholarship would not only provide crucial financial assistance but also offer invaluable validation of my abilities and aspirations. In many ways, it is a powerful affirmation of my potential and a significant step toward achieving my artistic dreams. My Mexican heritage, which can be summed up with faith, community, and service, has instilled in me a deep sense of purpose. I believe that my education, coupled with my artistic talents, will enable me to make a meaningful contribution to the world. By pursuing my passion for art, I hope to inspire others, challenge perspectives, and create work that reflects the beauty and diversity of the human experience. I hope to create work that brings awareness to minorities, whether by race or disability

As a 20-year-old living with autism, bipolar disorder, and anxiety disorder, my journey has been marked by numerous challenges and profound insights. My experiences, particularly my interactions with various community groups, have significantly changed my entire perspective on life. Balancing schoolwork and managing my mental health was no easy task. There were days when the weight of my conditions seemed too heavy to bear. During my darkest moments, I felt hopeless and feared I would never lead a "normal" life. I did not let my flaws define who I am. Over the years, I found the right medication to help me. The support of my family and close friends made life a little bit better. There were times when I questioned my intelligence, wondering if I would ever be able to complete my education. Before joining a church community called St. Bridgit's Disability Group, I was part of many groups, ranging from youth groups to Sunday fellowship at my Catholic Church. My heart yearned to form at least one meaningful friendship. However, despite my best efforts, I was ignored and left out. The lack of connection made me question my self-worth. This experience plunged me into a deep depression, making me feel bad about myself. I believed that things would be different in an adult setting. However, my experiences in the Sunday fellowship group proved otherwise. Despite all the other tables being filled with people, no adults chose to sit at my table. This rejection left me feeling awful. The consistent feeling of being forgotten and left out by my peers at my Catholic Church made me lonely. These experiences profoundly shaped my goals. They helped me develop empathy towards those marginalized. I became committed to advocating for mental health awareness and the importance of creating supportive environments where everyone feels valued and understood. My mental health challenges motivated me to pursue goals that emphasize empathy, resilience, and the empowerment of individuals facing similar struggles. The experiences have taught me the value of genuine connections. The feelings of isolation and rejection made me more empathetic towards others who may feel left out or misunderstood. I have learned the importance of loyalty, mutual respect, understanding, and support for my close friends, who accept me for who I am. These experiences have made me more discerning about the people I choose to surround myself with, ensuring that they are supportive and accepting of my mental health challenges. My journey has highlighted the value of kindness in creating a more inclusive society. My experiences have underscored the importance of mental health awareness and the need for communities to be more accepting and supportive of individuals with mental health challenges. They have also taught me the power of resilience and the importance of advocating for oneself and others. To prove my worth to society, I want to bring awareness about mental illness through my artistic talents. I plan to secure an accommodative job to save up for a reputable art school where I can earn a degree in my field. Having my talent recognized at an elite institution would help me achieve self-satisfaction. Upon further education, I want to be an advocate for disabled Catholic members, ensuring that no one is discriminated against within their congregation, as I have experienced for many years. I want to bring the message of love and acceptance to those with mental illness, just as I have dealt with. I want to create an outlet for individuals with disabilities to discover their talents in a loving and supportive environment.

Triumph Over Adversity I am 20 years old and have autism, bipolar disorder, and anxiety disorder. Despite struggles with friendships and sensitivity, I am deeply devoted to my parents and close friends. I live with my parents and regularly help them around the house and with personal matters. Currently, I am working part-time for my dad. Balancing schoolwork has been a constant struggle, especially with subjects like math. Repeating instructions and understanding directions is difficult, often making me frustrated. My mood swings are challenging, and a low immune system causes frequent illness. My teenage years were filled with depression. I experienced a wide range of emotions, from deep sadness to bitterness about my condition. For a while, I was angry about life and heartbroken by people leaving to start their new lives. With high-functioning autism, bipolar II, and suicidal thoughts, There were times when I harmed myself since I was fourteen. Making friends proved nearly impossible. I turned to the internet for solace, but it worsened my mental health. Before joining the St. Bridgit disability group, I participated in many groups, ranging from youth gatherings to Sunday fellowship. I was friendly and kind to everyone, hoping to make at least one friend, but no matter how hard I tried, they never interacted with me. I questioned myself, feeling increasingly isolated and disheartened when no adults sat at my table during Sunday fellowship, even when other tables were full. My peers at my Catholic Church rejected me, leaving me feeling forgotten and alone. Then someone recommended that I join St. Bridgit's special needs group. Being part of LTE made me feel valuable. It became easier to let my guard down and be myself in an environment without judgment. Warm smiles are met when you first walk through the doors, and my buddy sits next to me, accommodating my needs. This sense of belonging and support has been incredibly uplifting. Being part of St. Bridgit's disability group has grown my faith. At LTE, we learn about our faith through fun games and wind down by going to adoration or praying the rosary. I feel I grow closer to the Lord when I pray as a group. We learn more about our faith in easy, understandable ways, ensuring everyone can learn at their own pace. To make learning more engaging, we play interactive group activities. Some of my favorite activities were; creating posters, reenacting Bible scenes, and playing Jeopardy. The games vary with each new topic, making our faith more relatable and easier to grasp. This interactive approach has deepened my understanding and connection to my faith. It is important to create a safe and welcoming environment for those interested. The buddy system, in which each member is paired with a friendly buddy. Well-trained volunteers ensure that each member can be helped, ensuring no one is left behind and everyone is included. The activities are accommodating to everyone. This profound community helped establish a sense of belonging, and support and increased self-worth.

My life as an Autistic Women I am 20 years old and have autism, bipolar disorder, and an anxiety disorder. Despite struggles with friendships and sensitivity, I am deeply devoted to my parents and close friends. I am steadfast and loyal to them. Currently, I am working part-time for my dad. Meanwhile, I live with my parents and regularly help them around the house and with personal matters. It’s hard to grapple with delaying adult milestones and being behind on all goals. Doing schoolwork, especially math, is a struggle. Repeating things to others makes me ticked off. Understanding instructions is also difficult. I can get annoyed easily and have a temper when my buttons are pushed. Mood swings are a challenge. My immune system is low, which causes me to get sick. My teenage years were full of depression, and I felt a wide range of emotions, from deep sadness to bitterness about my condition. For a while, I was angry about life. I had enough of people breaking my heart by leaving me to start their new life as an adult. Just as background about me, I have high-functioning autism, bipolar 2, and suicidal thoughts. I tried to take my own life a couple of times since age fourteen. Making friends proved to be nearly impossible. I turned to the internet for peace, but it only worsened my mental health. Before joining the St. Bridgit disability group, I had been part of many different groups, ranging from youth groups to Sunday fellowship. I joined a youth group and was friendly and kind to everyone, expecting to make at least one friend. However, no matter how hard I tried, they never talked or hung around me. I questioned myself, wondering why people didn’t want to approach me. It made me feel bad about myself. I thought things would be different in an adult setting. However, when I went to the Sunday fellowship group, no adults sat at my table, even though all the other tables were filled with people. My peers at my Catholic Church rejected me. I opened my heart, only to be forgotten weeks later. This experience left me feeling isolated and disheartened. Then someone recommended that I join St. Bridgit's special needs group. Being part of LTE makes me feel valuable. By always having a buddy at your side, it becomes easier to let your guard down and be yourself. In this environment, you can be heard and seen without worrying about any judgments. When you first come in, you are greeted with warm smiles. Your buddy sits next to you and helps you when you need it. This sense of belonging and support has made a positive impact in my life . Being part of St. Bridgit's disability group has grown my faith. At LTE, we learn about our faith through fun games and wind down by going to adoration or praying the rosary. I feel I grow closer to the Lord when I pray as a group. We learn more about our faith in easy, understandable ways, ensuring everyone can learn at their own pace. To make learning more engaging, we have interactive games that we play as a group. The games vary with each new topic, making our faith more relatable and easier to grasp. This interactive approach has deepened my understanding and connection to my faith. I want to treat everyone with respect and dignity. Since joining the group, it has provided me with a sense of belonging, support, and grown my self-worth.

The Significance of Finding Purpose in My Career For me, success is finding a job that gives me a sense of purpose. Two things make that possible: personal satisfaction and a sense of purpose. Job Satisfaction: Being passionate about my job can lead to a greater sense of purpose and boost my output. When I am excited about what I do, my routine work life becomes more enjoyable and less stressful. I found that the classes aligned with my interests made me more motivated. This passion translated into better performance and a genuine sense of fulfillment. For instance, when volunteering, I was able to make a difference. Not only did I have a good attitude, but I also found immense joy and satisfaction in knowing my work contributed to a greater cause. This experience solidified my belief that job satisfaction is crucial for long-term career fulfillment. Mental Health: A purposeful job where I can utilize my talents and nurture my mental well-being and happiness, making life enjoyable. When I am engaged in work that I find meaningful, it has a positive impact on my mental health. For example, during times when I struggled with anxiety, volunteering at a non-profit, which allowed me to focus on my strengths and interests, helped alleviate some of the stress and provided a sense of stability. Knowing that my work makes a difference gives me a reason to get through tough days and keeps me motivated. Work-Life Balance: Selecting reasonable working hours is essential so there is no imbalance in my personal life. I learned this the hard way when tackling too many school assignments at once, which required long hours of studying. My personal life suffered, and I felt constantly exhausted. Now, I prioritize roles that offer flexible hours or the possibility of remote work, ensuring I have time to recharge and spend with loved ones. This balance is key to maintaining my overall happiness and productivity. Growth Opportunities: Building on success in a job where I can acquire new skills and enhance my resume is important. A productive career should help me grow and achieve my long-term goals as a young female. A worthwhile job offers development opportunities, such as workshops and certifications, which significantly enhance my skill set and career prospects. These opportunities allowed me to envision a successful career path with the opportunity to reach impressive milestones. They also kept me motivated and engaged, as I could see tangible progress in my professional journey. For instance, in one of my previous roles, I participated in a professional development program that included workshops on leadership and project management. These experiences not only enhanced my skills but also gave me a clear sense of direction and goals to strive for in my career. In conclusion, finding a job that gives me a sense of purpose is integral to my success. Job satisfaction, mental health, work-life balance, and growth opportunities are all critical factors in my overall well-being and fulfillment. By aligning my career choices with these values, my future promises to be a rewarding and meaningful professional life.

Significance of My Catholic Faith My Catholic faith is dear to me, providing comfort and guidance during challenging times. As a 20-year-old living with autism, bipolar disorder, and anxiety disorder, my faith has been a steadfast anchor, offering solace and strength amidst my manic and depressive episodes. For a while, I was angry about life. I had enough of people breaking my heart by leaving me to start their new life as an adult. Just as background about me, I have high-functioning autism, bipolar II, and suicidal thoughts. I tried to take my own life a couple of times in my adolescence. Making friends proved to be nearly impossible. I turned to the internet instead of praying to God, and as a consequence, it worsened my mental health. I joined a youth group and was friendly and kind to everyone, expecting to make at least one friend. However, no matter how hard I tried, they never talked or hung around me. I questioned myself, wondering why people didn’t want to approach me. It made me feel bad about myself. I thought things would be different in an adult setting. However, when I went to the Sunday fellowship group, no adults sat at my table, even though all the other tables were filled with people. My peers at my Catholic Church rejected me. I opened my heart, only to be forgotten weeks later. This experience left me feeling isolated and disheartened. Growing up with these mental health challenges, my teenage years were marked by depression and a wide range of emotions, from deep sadness to bitterness about my condition. During these difficult times, Jesus Christ gave me peace and reassurance. Jesus Christ was also betrayed by his close friends and experienced emotional distress during his crucifixion. Despite the struggles I faced, including the feelings of isolation and rejection from my peers, my faith provided hope when all was lost. My Catholic faith has been a beacon of light. It has taught me the importance of treating others the way I want to be treated. My experiences with mental health challenges have given me a unique perspective on the world, one that emphasizes the need for understanding and support for those who are struggling. My faith has guided me to advocate for mental health awareness and to create inclusive environments where everyone feels valued and supported. In conclusion, my Catholic faith has given me the will to keep living. It provides comfort and guidance during challenging times. It has been a source of strength and resilience, helping me face my inner demons. Through my faith, God inspired me to support others and advocate for mental health awareness. The love and acceptance I have experienced within my faith community have deepened my connection to God and reinforced the importance of compassion and kindness in all aspects of life.

My Journey with Mental Health I am 20 years old and have autism, bipolar disorder, and anxiety disorder. My teenage years were full of depression, and I felt a wide range of emotions, from deep sadness to bitterness about my condition. For a while, I was angry about life. I had enough of people breaking my heart by leaving me to start their new life as an adult. Just as background about me, I have high-functioning autism, bipolar 2, and suicidal thoughts. I tried to take my own life a couple of times since age fourteen. Making friends proved to be nearly impossible. I turned to the internet for peace, but it only worsened my mental health. Before joining the St. Bridgit disability group, I had been part of many different groups, ranging from youth groups to Sunday fellowship. I joined a youth group and was friendly and kind to everyone, expecting to make at least one friend. However, no matter how hard I tried, they never talked or hung around me. I questioned myself, wondering why people didn’t want to approach me. It made me feel bad about myself. I thought things would be different in an adult setting. However, when I went to the Sunday fellowship group, no adults sat at my table, even though all the other tables were filled with people. My peers at my Catholic Church have rejected me. I opened my heart, only to be forgotten weeks later. This experience left me feeling isolated and disheartened. Then someone recommended that I join St. Bridgit's special needs group. Being part of LTE makes me feel valuable. By always having a buddy at your side, it becomes easier to let your guard down and be yourself. In this environment, you can be heard and seen without worrying about any judgments. When you first come in, you are greeted with warm smiles. Your buddy sits next to you and helps you when you need it. The buddy paired with you will accommodate your needs and make you feel invited. This sense of belonging and support has been incredibly uplifting. Being part of St. Bridgit's disability group has grown my faith. At LTE, we learn about our faith through fun games and wind down by going to adoration or praying the rosary. I feel I grow closer to the Lord when I pray as a group. We learn more about our faith in easy, understandable ways, ensuring everyone can learn at their own pace. To make learning more engaging, we have interactive games that we play as a group. We have participated in various activities, such as creating a poster of the topic discussed, reenacting a Bible scene, and playing Jeopardy. The games vary with each new topic, making our faith more relatable and easier to grasp. This interactive approach has deepened my understanding and connection to my faith. It is important to create a safe and welcoming environment for those interested. For me, what makes LTE special is its buddy system, in which each member is paired with a friendly buddy. Having dedicated volunteers who can give their time and energy to make the group experience special is crucial. Well-trained volunteers ensure that each member can be helped in their own way, ensuring no one is left behind and everyone is included in the group. Also, making all the activities accommodating to everyone. Since joining the group, it has provided me with a sense of belonging, and support, and grown my self-worth.

As a 20-year-old living with autism, bipolar disorder, and anxiety disorder, my journey has been marked by numerous challenges and profound insights. My experiences, particularly my interactions with various community groups, have significantly changed my entire perspective on life. Before joining a church community called; St. Bridgit disability group, I was part of many different groups, ranging from youth groups to Sunday fellowship at my Catholic Church. My hopeful and friendly nature led me to join a youth group, expecting to form at least one meaningful friendship. However, despite my best efforts, I was ignored and left out. The lack of connection made me question my self-worth. This experience made me dive deep into depression, making me feel bad about myself. I believed that things would be different in an adult setting. However, my experiences in the Sunday fellowship group proved otherwise. Despite all the other tables being filled with people, no adults chose to sit at my table. This rejection left me feeling awful. The consistent feeling of being forgotten and left out by my peers at my Catholic Church made me lonely. These experiences profoundly shaped my goals. They helped me be empathic towards those marginalized. I became committed to advocating for mental health awareness and the importance of creating supportive environments where everyone feels valued and understood. My mental health challenges motivated me to pursue goals that emphasize empathy, resilience, and the empowerment of individuals facing similar struggles. In terms of relationships, my experiences have taught me the value of genuine connections. The feelings of isolation and rejection made me more empathetic towards others who may feel left out or misunderstood. I have learned the importance of loyalty, mutual respect, understanding, and support to my close friends, who accept me for who I am. These experiences have made me more discerning about the people I choose to surround myself with, ensuring that they are supportive and accepting of my mental health challenges. My mental health journey has significantly shaped my understanding of the world. The value of kindness is crucial in creating a more inclusive society. My experiences have highlighted the importance of mental health awareness and the need for communities to be more accepting and supportive of individuals with mental health challenges. They have also taught me the power of resilience and the importance of advocating for oneself and others. In conclusion, my mental health journey grew a strong sense of empathy, resilience, and a commitment to advocating for mental health awareness and inclusivity. While my journey has been challenging, it has also been a source of personal growth and a deeper understanding of the importance of creating supportive and inclusive environments.

Roan, Chappell. Combined Cultures in Her Appearance and Songwriting. Chappell Roan combined cultures in her appearance and songwriting, which helped me be more ambitious in my way of living. Her songs, energy, and passion are present in everything she does. I want to bring my best to everything I do, just like she has with her life. Chappell Roan values the importance of her mental health. Mental health should be a student's priority when starting higher education. As a female struggling with Bipolar 1, being stable is no easy task. For me, putting on headphones and listening to calming music drowns my sorrows away. It levitates me to a calmer world where I feel peace of heart. Her song "Good Luck Babe," resonated with me due to her proclaimed vocals, skilled songwriting, and overall delivery. It comforts me because of the soothing vocals, especially by artists like Chappell Roan. In conclusion, Chappell Roan is a powerhouse figure in the feminist movement. She inspires me to be a voice for the oppressed. Those who are cast aside because of their mental illness should be treated with love and kindness. They should have the opportunity to shine in their passions, to pursue further education despite their disabilities. With role models like her, it gives me hope for the next generation of women.