Years ago I overheard a friend refer to the term legacy. I knew what legacy means, but I never put any serious thought into what it actually meant to me. They were talking about the legacy they'd leave behind for their children and family before they passed on. They talked about how much money they would leave behind so that their grandchildren would never have to worry about paying bills or living check to check. At the time I agreed with them. I thought that it was an admirable life goal to strive for. However, in the years since, my definition of legacy has changed. In 2016, I enrolled in Valley Forge Military College. It's a private boarding school that has pride in developing student's sense of discipline and leadership skills. During my time there, I had a fantastic collegiate soccer career and made great life-long friends. However, after the soccer season, I felt as though there wasn't much else for me to do productively. I followed along with some friends that partook in underage drinking, smoking, drugs, and other questionable activities. That is definitely not to say that they were bad people. However, it was absolutely some of the worst ways to manage our time. In time, I began to make those things a part of my lifestyle. It got to the point where police would strip search our dorms for narcotics and paraphernalia. In a matter of two semesters, most of the friends I made had either left, been expelled, or dropped out. It destroyed me. I was disgusted with myself and who I'd become. I battled with a form of depression for some time. I really had to look within myself and ask if this was the person I wanted to be. If I were to pass away that day, would I have been happy with what I accomplished or left behind? Is this what people would recognize me by? The answer was no. In April of 2017, along with the help of my family, I made the decision to enlist in the United States Army Reserves. It was one of the best decisions I could have ever made. It cleared my head of all the negativity and opened my eyes to envision exactly what I wanted to do in life. It was a fresh start. People I've met along the way have been critical to my character. At that point, I made my mind up as to what it is I want to leave behind when I pass. Fast forward to the present, here I am in Pittsburgh PA studying to earn a B.A. in Cinema Production. My passion is visual storytelling and cinematography. Shortly after graduating, I anticipate establishing an LLC that specializes in short films, feature films, music videos, and commercials. Along with that, I aim to develop a program that opens doors for the youth. Years ago, while in basic training, I met a fellow soldier who was also interested in filmmaking. He said to me, "Everyone is a storyteller. It's only a matter of what medium you tell it through." That has been ingrained in my head ever since. I think that this is what I'd like to be apart of my legacy. I want to offer the opportunity for younger storytellers to visualize and make their stories, dreams, and wild ideas a reality. It will not be for profit. To me, a legacy isn't about how much money you've left behind in your bank account. I think what's more important is what you've done with it. You could open schools, specialized programs, organizations, and methods to make pathways for others. It's also about the people you've touched along the way. I personally don't care for recognition. I would be more than satisfied if I knew someone I helped succeed. There are different types of valuable legacies. I don't think that a legacy has to necessarily be some sort of grand gesture. Legacies could be as small as someone volunteering at a soup kitchen and generating a positive impact. There are people in that soup kitchen that will remember you for your kindness and generosity. A legacy can also take the form of opening doors for people who don't have the means to achieve what it is that they'd like. The types of legacies are countless, truly. I believe that the greatness of a legacy does not lie within wanting to be recognized for the good you've done. A legacy is selfless.

Everyone is a storyteller. It's only a matter of what medium you decide to tell it through. My name is Keandre Castro. I am currently a first-semester Senior enrolled in the B.A. Cinema Production program at Point Park University. My focus and passion are in Cinematography. I am forever a student of visual storytelling. I grew up falling in love with cinematographer's works such as Roger Deakins, Emmanuel Lubezki, and Wally Pfister. I am incredibly amazed by visual storytelling. Everything down to the composition, the lighting, and camera movement. Going to Point Park University has become essential in paving my very own path within the film industry. In the short 3 years I've been here I've learned priceless knowledge and have formed unforgettable relationships. The intellectual conversations I've had with brilliant professors alone is far more than I've ever imagined. I've worked with dozens of extremely talented individuals and had fun doing it. Attending Point Park for Cinema has taught me a lot outside of my passion. I've learned much about myself during my college career as well. It's taught me about overall time management, handling financial responsibilities, the importance of networking, and so much more. I have made tremendous progress in my craft and have built my very own website that showcases my work. I am very confident that Point Park has equipped me with the necessary tools to succeed in the workforce. I am currently planning on establishing my very own LLC that specials in the production of music videos, commercials, short films, and feature films. Along the way, I anticipate creating programs that offer opportunities to youth to tell their stories and explore the vast world of cinema.