From a young age, I have been passionate about music, drawn to various genres and instruments since I was just two years old. I vividly remember beating on household objects as if I were playing the drums, lost in the rhythm and sound. Singing along to songs with my family was a cherished pastime, deepening my love for music and the joy it brings. Music has always been an integral part of my life, providing a source of comfort and creativity. In middle school, I took a significant step by joining the band and starting to play the trumpet. This experience ignited a fervent passion for music that has continued to flourish, ultimately leading me to pursue a formal education in the arts at the Martha Ellen Stilwell School of the Arts. My journey has been transformative, as playing the trumpet not only enhanced my musical skills but also opened my eyes to the world of music production and performance. I found that music was more than just a hobby; it was a path that could lead to numerous opportunities. This journey culminated in my greatest achievement to date: attending my dream school, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU). I am proud to be a member of the Florida A&M Marching 100, where I have the privilege of playing alongside talented individuals who inspire me every day. In my role as an assistant section leader, I have taken on additional responsibilities that have brought me closer to my goal of becoming an educator. Leading my peers and providing guidance allows me to develop essential leadership skills while fostering a sense of community within the band. Furthermore, my involvement with Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity has been particularly impactful. The fraternity's commitment to service and music has strengthened my desire to give back to my community. Through various community service initiatives, I have had the opportunity to mentor younger musicians and support local bands, which has further solidified my desire to empower others through music. Witnessing the demonstration of Black excellence among my peers and professors at FAMU fuels my passion for giving back. I am dedicated to creating pathways for Black students pursuing their musical aspirations and ensuring they have access to the same opportunities that have shaped my life. My mission is to support the flourishing of my community by nurturing the talents of Black youth in the fine arts, just as those who assisted my rural community once did. Ultimately, I aspire to leave a lasting impact on the next generation of musicians and educators, paying it forward and uplifting others in the process.

I believe community service and giving back to the black community play a big part in children's lives. Without community service and giving back to the community, I wouldn't be able to do or accomplish the things that I have done today. Community service helps take students like me and put them in more advanced places than where they started. And being a student of the arts, without these acts of service, our school music programs wouldn't be able to thrive and continue to grow. People helping fund the furtherment of my career and other musicians' careers, is a big reason why I believe community service is so important. My first step to normal black excellence and strengthening the next generation is going back to where my music career started. I would visit the middle schools that I previously attended to mentor and give free music lessons. My goal would be to inspire and motivate young and upcoming musicians. Most African-American students don’t know about or can’t afford private music lessons. I believe I’m a more advanced musician because of the private music lessons my parents invested in. When students have the opportunity to learn more about their craft, they start sounding better, get excited and begin to excel. Secondly, since it's been an extremely long time since I have been in middle school, being a mentor to these younger students will help them be more advanced moving forward in their musical journey. Teaching them how to balance their musical lives with school work, how to fit in practice time when they are crammed with work, and many other challenges when it comes to being a musician would all be taught in the mentor session I would have with these kids. The next step I would take in giving back to the community is by helping kids at my previous high school. I would give them the same opportunities and chances I received when I first started high school. I would also assist them with tutorial and counseling sessions. Because high school is a new environment with new people and new issues, it will be good for them to have someone they feel comfortable talking to. Someone who has gone through similar circumstances and can relate to what they are going through. I would also provide private music lessons and opportunities to perform outside of school. I would help them see that there is more to performing than just in the band room. When I got this experience, it opened my eyes to a whole new world of music and I would love to give this opportunity to other students. As you can see, giving back to the arts is one of my top priorities, especially since I attend a school of the arts. I want to be like the individuals that assisted my rural community through our fine arts programs. What I want to do is help black schools' art programs and provide children with a positive environment in which they may express themselves through their art forms. My purpose is and will be to help my community flourish by assisting the black youth in the area of fine arts.

I’ve always had a love and passion for music since the age of two. I was always drawn to different genres of music and instruments. As a toddler, I would beat on different objects as if I was playing the drums. I also enjoyed singing songs and listening to tons of music with my family. Music has been and still is a major part of my life. In middle school, I started playing the trumpet and developed a passion for playing in the band. I later continued my musical career at Martha Ellen Stilwell School of the Arts. Playing the trumpet opened my eyes to producing my music, and opened the door to several other opportunities throughout my career. For example, taking my passion and education seriously has resulted in the biggest accomplishment of my life thus far: being at my dream school, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, also known as FAMU. I am majoring in Music Education and also a proud member of the Florida A&M Marching 100. Being shown black excellence by the students, professors, and marching band at my university allowed me to see how I wanted to give back and empower others to receive the same experience I’m receiving. I will be able to pay it forward to other black students in my community who want to follow in my footsteps by earning my degree. I will be able to travel to any school and serve, educate, and give back the same memorable experience my band directors provided me. My goal is to provide black students with endless opportunities to help push them in their musical endeavors. As you can see, giving back to the arts is one of my top priorities, especially since I attend a school of the arts. I want to be like the individuals that assisted my rural community through our fine arts programs. My purpose is and will be to help my community flourish by assisting the black youth in the area of fine arts. What I most desire for my future is to have a greater connection with God, to be physically and mentally strong, and to have a successful music career at Florida A&M University. As I continue on my life's path, God has taught and blessed me in countless ways. As I develop as a Christian, I want to continue to embrace his words and form an even greater and deeper relationship with him. While doing so, I want to flourish academically and musically at my HBCU, Florida A&M University. Music is my greatest love, and I hope to continue studying it in order to become a world-renowned producer or a music teacher who can assist kids in improving their musical skills.

I’ve always had a love and passion for music since the age of two. I was always drawn to different genres of music and instruments. As a toddler, I would beat on different objects as if I was playing the drums. I also enjoyed singing songs and listening to tons of music with my family. Music has been and still is a major part of my life. In middle school, I started playing the trumpet and developed a passion for playing in the band. I later continued my musical career at Martha Ellen Stilwell School of the Arts. Playing the trumpet opened my eyes to producing my music, and opened the door to several other opportunities throughout my career. For example, taking my passion and education seriously has resulted in the biggest accomplishment of my life thus far: being at my dream school, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, also known as FAMU. I am majoring in Music Education and also a proud member of the Florida A&M Marching 100. Being shown black excellence by the students, professors, and marching band at my university allowed me to see how I wanted to give back and empower others to receive the same experience I’m receiving. I will be able to pay it forward to other black students in my community who want to follow in my footsteps by earning my degree. As you can see, giving back to the arts is one of my top priorities, especially since I attend a school of the arts. I want to be like the individuals that assisted my rural community through our fine arts programs. What I want to do is help black schools' art programs and provide children with a positive environment in which they may express themselves through their art forms. I will be able to travel to any school and serve, educate, and give back the same memorable experience my band directors provided me. My goal is to provide black students with endless opportunities to help push them in their musical endeavors. My purpose is and will be to help my community flourish by assisting the black youth in the area of fine arts. I believe I should be considered for this scholarship because it would greatly help me attend my preferred college, Florida A&M University. Given I am from Georgia, the cost of living there is extremely expensive considering that I qualify as an out-of-state student. This scholarship would ease some of my parents' financial problems while at the same contributing to the cost of attending my preferred university and carrying on the family legacy. Thank you so much for your time and consideration for this scholarship opportunity.

I’ve always had a love and passion for music since the age of two. I was always drawn to different genres of music and instruments. As a toddler, I would beat on different objects as if I was playing the drums. I also enjoyed singing songs and listening to tons of music with my family. Music has been and still is a major part of my life. In middle school, I started playing the trumpet and developed a passion for playing in the band. I later continued my musical career at Martha Ellen Stilwell School of the Arts. Playing the trumpet opened my eyes to producing my music, and opened the door to several other opportunities throughout my career. For example, taking my passion and education seriously has resulted in the biggest accomplishment of my life thus far: being at my dream school, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, also known as FAMU. I am majoring in Music Education and also a proud member of the Florida A&M Marching 100. Being shown black excellence by the students, professors, and marching band at my university allowed me to see how I wanted to give back and empower others to receive the same experience I’m receiving. I will be able to pay it forward to other black students in my community who want to follow in my footsteps by earning my degree. As you can see, giving back to the arts is one of my top priorities, especially since I attend a school of the arts. I want to be like the individuals that assisted my rural community through our fine arts programs. What I want to do is help black schools' art programs and provide children with a positive environment in which they may express themselves through their art forms. I will be able to travel to any school and serve, educate, and give back the same memorable experience my band directors provided me. My goal is to provide black students with endless opportunities to help push them in their musical endeavors. My purpose is and will be to help my community flourish by assisting the black youth in the area of fine arts. I believe I should be considered for this scholarship because it would greatly help me attend my preferred college, Florida A&M University. Given I am from Georgia, the cost of living there is extremely expensive considering that I qualify as an out-of-state student. This scholarship would ease some of my parents' financial problems while at the same contributing to the cost of attending my preferred university and carrying on the family legacy. Thank you so much for your time and consideration for this scholarship opportunity.