Securing a scholarship is not just a financial boon; it's a transformative key that unlocks doors to higher education for individuals like me—first-generation students hailing from low-income households, with aspirations of pursuing dreams in acting. The significance of this support extends far beyond a mere monetary value, shaping my educational journey and the trajectory of future generations within my family. Coming from a low-income background, the financial challenges associated with pursuing higher education and, specifically, a career in acting are substantial. The cost of acting classes, workshops, and potential relocation for opportunities can be daunting. A scholarship not only provides the means to cover tuition, textbooks, and other essential expenses but also acts as a stepping stone towards realizing my dreams on the theatrical stage or in front of the camera. As a first-generation student, I am navigating uncharted territory within my family, especially concerning a career in the performing arts. The lack of prior familial experience with pursuing dreams in acting intensifies the need for external support. A scholarship not only eases the financial burden but also serves as a beacon of encouragement for my unconventional career path. It symbolizes that someone believes in my artistic potential and is invested in empowering me to break barriers not just academically but in the competitive world of acting. Moreover, the impact of receiving a scholarship extends beyond personal and familial benefits; it holds the potential to redefine the narrative for future generations within my family with artistic aspirations. By breaking the financial barriers to education and acting pursuits, I am not just opening doors for myself but creating a precedent for siblings and relatives who might dream of a career in the arts. The scholarship becomes a catalyst for fostering creativity and a love for performing arts within my family. In a broader societal context, supporting first-generation students from low-income backgrounds pursuing dreams in acting is an investment in diversity and cultural representation. Scholarships act as instruments of equity, offering opportunities to those who might otherwise be excluded from the performing arts due to financial constraints. By facilitating access to education and training for individuals like me, scholarships contribute to building a more inclusive and representative landscape in the world of acting. In conclusion, a scholarship tailored for someone aspiring to pursue dreams in acting is not merely a financial transaction; it is a transformative force that shapes the course of lives, artistic careers, and generations. It is an investment in the future—one that has the power to redefine not only individual destinies but also the trajectory of entire families and communities in the realm of performing arts.

Acting and music have truly been my saving grace, offering me an avenue to express myself fully and momentarily escape the harsh realities of life. Whether I’m stepping into a character’s shoes on stage or pouring my heart out through melodies, these art forms have become my sanctuary. They provide a cathartic release, allowing me to explore different emotions and connect with others on a profound level. My journey into the world of theater began in high school, where I was first exposed to the magic of performing arts. The moment I stepped onto the stage, I knew that this was what I wanted to do with my life. The ability to portray someone other than myself and see life through a character’s eyes has opened my mind to society’s broader spectrum. It has been a revelatory experience, showing me the vast array of human experiences and perspectives. This understanding has not only enriched my performances but also deepened my empathy for others. Theater has become a powerful tool for me to explore and express the complexities of the human condition. Each character I portray is an opportunity to step into someone else’s shoes, to live their story, and to bring their emotions, struggles, and triumphs to life. The process of immersing myself in a role requires deep introspection and empathy. I delve into the character’s background, motivations, and experiences, and in doing so, I gain a greater understanding of the diverse tapestry of humanity. This experience has broadened my horizons and allowed me to see the world through different lenses. It has taught me that there is no single narrative or perspective that defines us; rather, we are all a collection of stories, each one unique and valuable. Through acting, I have learned to appreciate the nuances of human behavior, and this has made me a more compassionate and understanding individual. My passion, however, extends beyond just acting. I am driven by an unwavering desire to inspire and uplift individuals who share my experiences, particularly those who may face unique challenges and doubts. Representation is crucial, and I am determined to be a beacon of hope for those who look like me, showing them that they too can achieve their wildest dreams. I want to create a platform where marginalized voices are heard and celebrated, where everyone feels seen and valued. Through my performances, my music, and my advocacy work, I strive to break down barriers and create a more inclusive world. I believe that art has the power to transcend boundaries and bring people together. It is a universal language that speaks to our shared humanity, and I am committed to using my talents to promote unity and understanding. Together, we can shatter stereotypes and empower others to embrace their true potential. I am passionate about challenging the status quo and advocating for a world where diversity is celebrated and everyone has the opportunity to shine. By being true to ourselves and embracing our unique voices, we can inspire others to do the same. Let us be the change we wish to see and encourage a future where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued.

After college I want to pursue a career in acting. I know the entertainment industry can be cruel, but I just want to focus on my craft and do what I love. I also make it my mission to insert myself in spaces people of color aren’t usually seen in, to show other people who like like me that they can achieve whatever they want.

As a person of color, it is always my mission to insert myself into spaces that usually aren’t meant for me. I want to instill in young black girls that they can exist as themselves and achieve anything they have their hearts set on. I also make it my point to shine a light on societal issues that often times go overlooked. I am currently involved in many student led programs and hold several leadership positions. One of my focuses is advocacy for mental health. I feel that it is important for students to understand that their mental health and experiences are important and should be heard. I am a committee leader of our schools Anchored in Wellness Junior board, which is a student led program that focuses on bringing mental health awareness into our schools. Our mission is to let students know that their mental health matters and there are students they can talk to. We make sure that it is student led because most students don’t feel comfortable talking with adults. Another one of my focuses is creating spaces for people who look like me. I attend a predominantly white high school, and as a minority student I find that it is difficult for students of color to be accepted and included in these predominantly white spaces. As previously stated, I am apart of many programs in my school. I am a part of our high school's Student Advisory Board. Our mission is to advocate on the behalf of all students. Topics that I felt were important to include were Cultural Diversity and Celebrating All Success. These two topics were to ensure that all demographics of our schools were being celebrated and appreciated. As a member of our Student Advisory Board, I have had the opportunity to become a member of the Georgia School Board Association’s Youth Advisory Council. My topic of choice was the ratio between minority students and minority teachers. I felt that this was important because the lack of minority teachers comes from teacher retention. It is important for minority students to have an adult who looks like them present so they can feel seen. I have had the opportunity to speak to board members county wide and statewide on the behalf of our students. When I graduate high school, I would love to attend the Savannah College of Art and Design to start my career in performing arts. I am a lover of all things acting and music and I would love the opportunity to perfect my craft at SCAD. Music was one of my first passions. When I joined band in the 6th grade, I had no idea what I was in store for. I have auditioned and made District honor band since the 7th grade, and I have been the Drum Major of my high schools marching band since my junior year. I am thankful for the opportunity that music has given me and I will forever be grateful for that. It wasn’t until I got to high school that I was exposed to theatre, and I instantly knew that this is what I wanted to do with my life. Being able to portray someone other than yourself and see life through the characters eyes has helped my see society differently. Being able to escape reality through a performance has also been my breakaway from reality. With my high school experience in theater, I’ve had the opportunity to compete in Literary Competition where I placed first in region and seventh in state. Inserting myself in spaces has really worked out for me.

Music has always been my safe haven and my way of escaping reality. My love and passion for music revealed itself when I joined band in the 6th grade. When I first joined it was because all of my friends were doing it, and it was just something to do. As school years passed many of my peers dropped out, but I stayed. My time in middle and high school band has awarded me so many wonderful opportunities. I have auditioned and made District Honor Band since the 7th grade and have had the change to be first chair a few times. My Junior year of High School I became the Drum Major of our High Schools Marching band. Having the opportunity to lead a group and conduct two shows has been a true blessing to me and I will forever cherish the moments that I have with the band. I am thankful for the people and mentors who have gotten me where I am today. My range and dependency of music broadened especially during the peak of Covid. I was and still am struggling with my mental health. I turned to music as a coping mechanism, whether that be practicing my Clarinet or listening to a variety of artists. As the Black Lives Matter Movement started to peak again, I was struggling to find a way to use my voice and make sense of it all. Seeing people who looked like me lose their life for simply existing made me lose faith in society. I started attending local protests, making post on social media, but nothing seemed to be enough. Raising awareness to situations that some may not deem relevant is very important to me because a lot of the issues that society faces are not new. Artist like India.Arie uses her music and platform to focus on the advancement of our society. While highlighting the issues she also makes it known that change has to start with us. she also says that we must love on each other even through our differences and flaws. To me that should always be the mission. I was in the 8th grade when the movement started. I am now a high school senior, and I view society on a broader spectrum now. I know and understand that everyone is trying their best and sometimes life can get in the way of that. We can’t only see the world how we perceive it because it will only create more division within us. I will always turn to music when I don’t have the answers, because like books, music tells stories.