Even though I have been indulged in KPOP for less than 2 years, it's safe to say that my favorite group is ATEEZ. When I first got into them in 2022, I thought that I wasn’t going to have them be my #1 favorite because they had a different and unique sound than most groups. That was until I discovered “The Real” during my KPOP deep dive nights. From there, I listened to almost every song in their discography, from their debut song “Pirate King” to their latest comeback “BOUNCY.” One thing I noticed about their songs in contrast to other groups is that their songs motivate me in a way that makes me want to get up and conquer any challenge I face. The powerful lyrics, strong vocals, and boisterous instrumentals always leave me feeling like I won a war (literally and metaphorically). Lyrics that will always stick with me is the chorus from “Guerrilla,” “춤을 춰 break that wall 우리 feel로, 여기저기 울려 퍼져 guerrilla, This is how we shout (shout), 크게 keep it loud (loud), 모두 다 눈뜰 때까지.” Whenever I’m finishing an assignment last minute, trying to push through the last minute of my workout, or just feeling down, that chorus reminds me to keep pushing forward no matter what. Their strong messages always leave me as a listener feeling like I can take on the word Beyond their musical talents, the ATEEZ members exude a profound sense of inspiration and motivation that parallels the impact of their music. Their genuine concern for the well-being and emotional state of their fanbase, known as ATINY, mirrors the depth of their care for one another. Every time I open social media, see compilations or vlogs of ATEEZ telling their fans and each other to take care of themselves by eating well and getting enough rest. When hearing such words, it encourages me to listen, because I know that it will not only benefit me but it would help ease the minds of the members if they knew I was listening. ATEEZ overall has made me a physically and mentally stronger individual, because I know that through their music, they are constantly motivating me to push on. Another aspect as to that drew me to this group was their global impact. Before I got into KPOP, I’d hear other KPOP fans in my class talk about this group. This piqued my curiosity, considering that discussions involving KPOP typically centered around BTS or Blackpink, both of whom had significantly expanded the global recognition of KPOP music beyond Korea's borders. Thus, whenever ATEEZ entered conversations, I found myself compelled to explore. The global impact this group has on culture is substantial, for many international KPOP fans are a part of the ATINY fanbase. This is because, in my opinion, ATEEZ themselves created a safe space for everyone of any race or religion to enjoy their music. Sometimes it was hard for me to get involved in some groups because I didn’t feel like I was or would be accepted into the fanbase as a black girl who was into KPOP and hardly knew Korean. However, ATEEZ's essence conveyed an unwavering invitation, regardless of my identity or language proficiency, to indulge in their music and engage with both the artists and fellow enthusiasts. ATEEZ perceptibly acknowledges and respects diverse races and cultures, consistently striving to construct an environment that dismantles barriers, fostering an unencumbered enjoyment of their music. I believe, that just like BTS and Blackpink, ATEEZ bears the potential to emerge as trailblazers within KPOP, propelling KPOP's globalization to unprecedented heights.

I am a young black girl in a world where I must work harder than anyone else just to get a foot in the door. I am 17 years old and I have a passion for graphic design. Growing up, I’ve always had a passion for the arts, whether drawing, sketching, or painting. But, something about digital art and the grip that it has on our society has always been of interest to me. From a young age, I was constantly exposed to the reality that there weren’t many people like me in the art field (or any field for that matter). Especially within the graphic design community, as black people make up 3-4% of the design industry. Though I am a part of a small percentage, I want to be someone who shines and stands out from that percentage. I want to become a role model for young black artists, men and women, so that they can have someone to aspire to. I also want to bring new ideas and perspectives to the table to further broaden the horizon of graphic design as technology and trends continue to evolve. I want to create more space and more opportunities for young black artists to thrive. If I were fortunate enough to receive the funds, my primary intention would be to use them towards the pursuit of my higher education and the advancement of my career in graphic design. The financial support would prove useful in covering essential college expenses, including tuition fees, textbooks, and specialized courses that would enrich my knowledge and skills in graphic design. Moreover, the funds would also contribute to meeting my day-to-day living needs, ensuring a comfortable environment for focused learning and creative endeavors. Acquiring top-notch art supplies would enable me to fully explore my artistic potential, experiment with different techniques, and refine my design capabilities. Subscribing to various design platforms and services, like Adobe, would grant me access to cutting-edge tools and resources, enabling me to stay current with industry trends and foster innovation in my work. This would not only enhance my educational experience but also provide a solid foundation for my future career aspirations. Beyond my personal growth, I am deeply committed to supporting and uplifting fellow artists of color who face similar challenges and barriers in the creative field. A portion of the funds would be allocated to strategic investments in corporations that support the development of young artists from diverse backgrounds. These investments would not only serve as a means of financial growth but also contribute to a more inclusive and equitable artistic community. By strategically investing in such corporations, I aim to amplify their impact, allowing them to expand their reach and provide resources to empower and uplift emerging artists of color. This approach aligns with my overarching goal of contributing to a more diverse and vibrant artistic landscape, where talent knows no boundaries and every artist has the opportunity to thrive. In conclusion, if I were bestowed with the financial means, my vision is to utilize the resources to not only enrich my college experience and artistic journey but also to create a lasting positive influence within the field of graphic design by supporting the growth and development of young artists of color. This approach would not only shape my personal growth but also contribute to a more inclusive, dynamic, and progressive creative community.

Someone who was a big influence in my life was my elementary school art teacher, Ms. Wright. She was a very critical teacher, some even thought that she was a little too hard on her students. However, I saw her as someone who heavily cared about the art we produced and that it was of the highest quality. I always paid close attention in her class and picked up on the things she taught. Whenever she would comment on our art pieces, I would receive high compliments and would even have my art be used as an example for the class to follow. She would still critique my work like everyone else but I took her words gracefully and applied them to my craft. She is the sole reason why I am still interested in art and have made the sole purpose of my future career. From elementary to middle school, I had taken a high interest in digital art and had been practicing it heavily. Even though I transitioned from physical to digital art, I still use the techniques and tips Ms. Wright gave me. I would spend hours and hours on singular pieces, struggling to master what I would see other artists do; but then I remembered something that Ms. Wright told me. She told me that “your art is not going to look like everyone’s art and that not everyone is gonna like your art, but as long as it resonates with you and comes from the heart, that's what truly matters.” I still hold those words with me today, for it keeps me from giving up and getting frustrated. I even applied those words to things other than art; even when I write personally or for educational purposes. As long as I am true to myself and accurate in what I do, I’ll always be satisfied with what I create, even if others aren’t. Today, my interest lies in the field of graphic design, which I've been passionately pursuing since my 10th-grade year. Combining knowledge from both physical and digital art, I apply a unique approach to my designs. Throughout my journey in graphic design, I have worked on numerous projects that have garnered appreciation from both peers and myself. I believe that stepping into the world of graphic design would bring innovation, especially considering I belong to a new generation of artists with fresh ideas and perspectives on various concepts. As a young and curious black woman, my perspective promises to introduce a new aesthetic, trend, and outlook to the field of graphic design. What sets my artistic skill apart is not just my experience but also my willingness to push the boundaries of art and explore new possibilities. When I graduate, I plan to use my graphic designing skills to help people in my community or big corporations/businesses keep their visual and communication strategies up-to-date as art continues to evolve. My ultimate goal is to create impactful posters, advertisements, covers, and other visuals that bring pleasure to people's lives. I hope that when I make a name for myself in the art world, Ms. Wright will recognize me as one of her students and feel proud to see the influence she had on the younger me and the artist I have become.

The Hogwarts house I’d be sorted in would be the Hufflepuff House. I believe I’d be perfect for this house because I possess the qualities that would describe your average Hufflepuff. Based on my small knowledge of what it means to be a Hufflepuff, they are loyal, trustworthy, and hardworking. I see these qualities in the notorious Cedric Diggory. On my first viewing of the Harry Potter movies, I had prior knowledge of this character because of social media boasting about their intense emotion for the character. All I knew was that people found him attractive, he was a part of the Hufflepuff House, and he was played by the same guy who played Edward in “Twilight.” So while on my movie marathon, I made sure to pay close attention to his character when I reached “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.” From his first to last screen appearance, I realized that there was so much more to Cederic than what I was exposed to. Cedric, unlike most characters, was open and kind to Harry from their first interaction. Despite Harry's symbolic status, Cedric treated him like any other person, setting the tone for his genuine behavior throughout the movie. He was humble and confident in his abilities without seeking praise. One standout moment was when Cedric realized that the praise he received for being chosen in the tournament came at Harry's expense. He candidly admitted trying to stop the hateful behavior directed at Harry, showcasing their friendly initial meeting as a foundation of trust. Cedric's loyalty and dependability stood out during the Triwizard Tournament. Despite the competitive nature of the event, he saw Harry as a trustworthy ally after receiving a tip during the dragon game. Cedric then showed unwavering loyalty, supporting Harry despite the risk to his chances of winning. In the final maze game, Harry's choice to save Cedric instead of leaving him for victory demonstrated his true friendship. Cedric appreciated Harry's honesty about the temptation to abandon him, and in return, he insisted Harry take the win. This act reflected Cedric's loyalty and care for his friends. Ultimately, Cedric's Hufflepuff nature shone through his actions, exemplifying kindness and loyalty towards others and himself. If I was chosen to compete in the Triwizard Tournament, I'd emulate Cedric's approach. While striving to win for myself, I'd also show loyalty to those who support me. This was evident during an elementary school Field Day when, despite competing individually, I chose to support a teammate instead of pursuing victory. Field Day games were a competition between the grades, with two representatives from each grade; and out of the representatives, there would only be one winner. Another girl and I were representatives for the 5th grade. By the final game, we had to do a race and the first to do three laps would win. I insisted that my friend should do the race, which meant I would be out of the running. I did this because I knew that they would have a better chance at winning than me and that I genuinely wanted to see them win because of how nice they were to me during the games despite us being strangers. I would’ve been happy to win because I worked hard during the games, but I would’ve been even happier to see my teammate win the game because she was a trusted ally of mine. Just like Cedric's actions with Harry, this experience affirmed my Hufflepuff attributes of kindness and loyalty. Reflecting on these moments, I realized I'd fit into the same house as Cedric.