My life has been severely impacted by mental health, my own and others'. From my ex-step fathers drug induced schizoprenia, to my own journey with depression for as long as I can remember. It's been a fight for me with mental health my whole life. The journey has never been easy or clear. But I've always come out on the other side stronger than before. My own personal fight started in 3rd grade, facing bullying for the first time. I was put on antidepressants at age 9, and was dealing with thoughts of taking my own life. I didn't think I'd even make it to age 16, let alone go to college. When I did come out of that episode, I quickly learned that life truly is so short. You need to live your life to the fullest, hug your loved ones tighter, look at them longer, and tell them you love them every chance you get. Because you never really know what they're going through. Making that realization, I based my goals on my newfound love for living. I decided to shoot for my dreams, rather than settling for something I wouldn't feel happy in. I watched too many family members throw out their dreams for something that is stable, rather than thinking of their happiness. Thankfully for me, the very thing that is my dream brought me out of the depths of depression. With my future, my dreams become reality. Theatre helped me fight the darkness that consumed me and allowed me to begin a new life. I never thought I'd make it this far in my life, but now that I have, I can't think of how I would have missed out on everything that makes me so happy now. My journey with mental health may have been long and hard. But I didn't let it take me down or out. It shaped how I treat people and how I saw the world. I realized that no one ever really knows what everyone's going through. It helped me become a kinder and more caring person. And it allowed me to learn other people's stories, and what helped them when they were struggling. The struggle and the fight were all worth it if I was able to help others by telling them my story. Because if there's one thing that I've learned, it's that all it takes is one person to maybe change your life, and make you realize that it's worth it to stay. I'm forever grateful for my one person. I'm happy that I stayed and fought. Because I have my whole life ahead of me, and I can't wait for it to begin.

Eighth grade was a very difficult time for me. COVID was ending, and I fell in with the wrong crowd. I was placed in a theatre class, and my teacher turned into my close mentor. Theatre found me at the time I needed it the very most. It saved my life, gave me a reason to live, and to love. I joined the drama club in my freshman year. I had never considered doing theatre professionally, and at the time, I wanted to settle for being a forensic scientist. I discovered my love for technical theatre and quickly realized that it was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. Stage Management is where I really found my calling. I love watching productions come together, calling every light cue seen and sound cue heard. Getting my spark back for theatre after having it dimmed for so long was the most impactful moment of my life. I was able to find the thing that brought me joy, peers who supported and loved me, and allowed me to shine in a way that I felt comfortable. The people I've met through my theatre program showed me what community really means. We're all one big family that comes together to uplift each other. And that's when I realized that was what I wanted to surround myself with every day. It's joyful, creative, freeing. It's everything I'd ever want as a career. People in my family often settle for less and don't follow their dreams. But I promised myself I never would, and that I'd chase my dreams until I can no longer. I've always wanted to be a part of something that brings me and others joy. I remember seeing a production of "Mary Poppins" when I was younger. The one moment that I remember was seeing a projection of Mary's silhouette gliding across the wall, and that was the first time I truly felt the magic of theatre. Deciding to do stage management professionally made me remember that moment and realize that I can give kids that same feeling of magic and wonder, and that's something that I strive for. If I can bring that same joy and whimsy as I felt to others, then I've done my job right. I never have to question if I actually love or want to continue on with it, because I know it will always be my one constant in the chaos.

From the start, it was never easy. My mom often chose the same kind of man. Rebellious, tattoos, partier. My dad is one of them. He would be drunk, or high, or something else in between the two. Often, my sister would have to take me away, a baby taking care of a baby. But then my mom met Tony. He tormented my family for 6 years. While my mom was usually the target, I was always second in line. When he wasn't under the influence, he wasn't a terrible guy. But those moments were so few and far between that it was a celebration of joy when he wasn't awful. Drug-induced schizophrenia saw me as an enemy, a target. Something to be destroyed rather than cared for. Constantly torn down for little things, the fear of setting him off if I say one word at a slightly wrong time, terrified to just be me, be a kid. When my family finally escaped, my life was therapy, medication, and a pit of depression. What was supposed to be positive processing turned into me realizing it was betrayed by the two men who were supposed to care for me most. I struggled with the notion that the ones that I called dad could do something like this to me. But from there, I did process the things that happened. It made me stronger, made me realize that I will never ever put myself or my future children in a situation like that. While it made me grow up much faster than my peers, it also helped me mature and helped me learn how to handle hardships with grace. When I was little being attacked for being theatrical and dramatic. I learned how to embrace those parts of me after suppressing them for so long. But I learned how to express it in a new way. I found technical theatre and stage management. While not on stage, I am still a part of the show. Calling every light seen, and sound heard. Continuing to college and pursuing it in higher education will help me find my way to self-acceptance and grow more into the person I know I can be. I want to persue my dream of being a stage manager to show the people that hurt me and held me down, that they didn't take me out. That I'm still fighting and thriving despite all they put me through. I know it wont be easy, but nothing in life is. Its a journey, but its one I'm thankful to be on everyday. Because I am more than the sad story I went through, and I can accomplish all of my dreams by furthering my education, and pushing myself to be the best I can be. The men in my life may have never fought for little me, but now, I fight for little me. I fight for the 3 year old girl with dreams too big for her little body, and so much disdain for the people that should have cared. I fight so that I can be the person that little me would be so immensely proud of.

My name is Kelsey, and I'm currently a senior at Henrietta Lacks Health and Bioscience High School in Vancouver, Washington. I plan on attending Southern Oregon University beginning Fall 2026, and I'm majoring in Theatre and getting a certificate in Theatre Arts Management. Theatre is my passion, and has been since I was young. It wasn't until my freshman year that I realized that technical theatre and stage management were my true calling. I absolutely love reading; it takes me to a place of magic and fantasy, even in situations that are difficult. I love finding new books to read and finding different genres I've never dabbled in. Reading has always been so special to me, and I don't ever remember a time when I didn't have a love for it. This really shows, as I was reading "The Magic Treehouse" books by the time I was in kindergarten. I also absolutely adore music. It was there for me in a really dark place in my life, and I've always had a very special connection to it, singing before I could even talk. I jump at opportunities to go to concerts and see the people I listen to daily perform their music. There's nothing quite like live music. My grandpa has been a musician since he was young, and he passed his love of music (specifically 60's rock) down to his grandchildren. I started attending Henrietta Lacks because I originally intended to become a forensic scientist until my spark for theatre came back. I am currently enrolled in our Biotechnology pathway, this year I have learned how to use a spectrophotometer and extract glowing proteins from E. coli, and last year, I made E. coli cells glow and tested foods that claimed to be non-GMO to see if they actually are as advertised. I have a heart for children and being a leader. I volunteer almost every Sunday at my church in our kids' ministry, and have been involved for the past 4 years. If I could start my own charity, it would be serving children who are/were victims of domestic violence. As someone who experienced childhood domestic violence and was able to escape with my mother and sister, I know how isolating and scary it truly is. My mission would be to raise money to end childhood DV, help victims and their families escape their situations, and provide necessities for families that are fleeing or are currently in the throes of it. The volunteers would provide safe spaces for victims to confide in or provide a place to stay while in the process of leaving their situation. No child should have to feel alone, isolated, or ashamed for a situation that's out of their control. I'd hope to provide stability in a time of so much instability and uncertainty, at least for one child and their family.