I cherish the idea of literacy, as reading has comforted, educated, and helped me throughout my life. Whether it was the many picture books I would receive during my youth, the novels I'd read for school, or the creative writing I'd do in my spare time, literacy is a privilege I've had the honor of obtaining since I was a child. Furthermore, literacy has given me the means to understand the world early on, kickstarting my intellectual development. As a high school senior planning to become an illustrator, my desires consist of creating representation for black girls like me and finding a place in the industry as a black creator. A distinct memory from my childhood consists of me getting particularly animated while reading a picture book about Martin Luther King Jr. I was very inspired by all the good he had done and what he stood for, and subsequently, was devastated by the fact that someone wanted him dead. It got to the point where my parents had to comfort me after I finished the book, crying. While the moment, in retrospect, was depressing, I believe it conveys an essential factor of picture books that makes them so invaluable to me. While picture books may be seen as a "childish" medium, which they inherently might be, that doesn't mean that they lose their value because of that. Picture books can convey important themes and history in a digestible format for children like they did for me long ago. Regarding the skill of writing, literacy has assisted in shaping my academic identity, along with comforting my emotional core. From the start, the abundance of reading I had done has given me an extra edge in school. While my thoughts and words tend to be very scattered, I have found success in conveying myself through writing. It comes naturally to me, though I am always open to developing my prose. Furthermore, the ability to articulate myself well has benefited my mental health immensely. Thoughts and feelings I couldn't put into words, I would write down, using those aforementioned skills to understand both myself and the world better. Since fourth grade, my ultimate goal has been to find a career in the arts. I have been surrounded by art for years, including the very picture books I grew up with. The idea of creating works that feature characters authentic to my identity as a black woman and my background is fascinating and something I want to share with the world, though, truthfully, the art industry has been struggling recently. It is scary to think that I won't find my place in the career, especially as a black woman, as the idea of the "starving artist" isn't entirely false and the system already works against me. My fears are rooted in my experiences with financial instability along with anxiety over my future. Additionally, as I prepare for college in the fall, I have been grappling with the fact that I will be the first in my family to go out of state, which means more costs and stress. This award will not only alleviate my fears but grant me the opportunity to pursue my dream at my top college. I know that debt is inevitable and that my fears won't magically disappear, but it is in moments like those that I think of the books I've read. I think about how many of my favorite protagonists defied the odds and put their best foot forward toward their goals. With this step I am taking now, I am putting everything into my ambitions.

The world is a harsh place. Many fight to live another day, even as those in charge demand that they give in. In my eyes, resilience is an act of defiance. Society benefits from people's pain and apathy. To be resilient is to fight the urge to give up and to live another day. My resilience has inspired many people close to me, highlighting that no matter how hard life gets, we all have to hold hope close to our hearts. I never expected my high school years to be so overwhelming. It was often to the point where sometimes I needed to talk to somebody. Anybody. I always put my all into my academics, even when it hurt, but during 10th and 11th grade, I felt almost crushed by the amount of work I had to manage each day. At first, I wouldn't notice, but soon I realized that the unconscious frustration, fatigue, and sadness I felt was a byproduct of the stress I was dealing with. Often, I was never comfortable enough to express my feelings to my peers. Instead, I would go to my teachers, especially my band teacher. Despite my fears of wasting his time, he was always willing to hear me out and surprised me during one of my talks with him. He confessed that I had inspired him. Of course, I asked why. According to him, his attempts to lead me down the right path had taught him a brand new way of dealing with students. Whenever I find the courage to open up about my struggles, I'm usually at rock bottom, contemplating my place in this world. Yet, I keep moving. I could have let myself sink deeper into apathy, but I decided to hold on and, most importantly, look for help. In turn, I have helped others in unexpected ways. My band teacher didn't have all the answers to my problems, but I was willing to listen, and so was he, and we were both better for it. I believe that hope is found in resilience. Holding on isn't always easy, but through inner strength and understanding one's self, one can find that there is always light at the end of the tunnel. Developing resilience is difficult, as typically it develops as a result of adversity and strife. However, one must defy expectations, and to move forward with intention and patience. This becomes easier when you surround yourself with people who have your best interest in mind. Often, these people will lift you towards brighter horizons, and in turn, you will brighten their hearts as well. To be resilient is to believe in a better future for us all, and to strive for it, no matter what.

There are two traits that most people use when describing me. One is that I can draw well, and the other is that I am really, really quiet. Where my words failed, I could connect with my classmates through art. It was a tool I used to get involved and to talk about what interested me, but as a young kid, it remained a fun hobby. It was only when the potential of art was shown to me by others that I was able to view the skill as so much more. Going into high school, I wasn’t sure what to expect from my art classes. To put it plainly, COVID-19 halted everything. It dashed my hopes for a cartooning class offered by my middle school that I was looking forward to, and any art classes I took afterward didn’t feel the same. I love art, but back then, it was more of a skill for myself that I developed myself. Regardless, I put my best foot forward when we went back in person, and my high school art teacher at the time saw that. She often encouraged my questions and enthusiasm but wasn’t afraid to give advice when needed. She and the graphic design teacher at the school felt like the educators I needed. While the teachers I had in the past were set on how art should be done, these two teachers were more open. They primarily focused on fundamentals, but as long as those guidelines were followed, students were free to let their creativity shine. It was just enough freedom to feel excited but not too much to feel overwhelmed. Furthermore, if anything, my teachers were kind. Whether my issue was stress about college, stress from being tormented by others, or just general frustration, they acted as a listening ear, even when words failed. In particular, I felt this sentiment the most while I was a teaching assistant to my old graphic design teacher. The opportunity was open to seniors, and I thought the experience would be valuable as an arts student. When I wasn’t helping students, she let me work on my projects and college applications. I appreciated how she was willing to give advice on my struggles and the space I needed when I was at my least motivated. It was a fresh breath of air as a senior swamped with various responsibilities. During my senior year, I also had the displeasure of being targeted by a few cruel peers, who found it funny to continue pestering me even when I established that I wanted to be left alone. When the frustration became too much, I went to my art teacher right next door. Even though I had rarely gotten the chance to talk to her that early in the school year, she was more than willing to hear me out. When I was at my lowest, these two teachers lifted me back up. Art education used to be second to what I considered important. It was mostly an impersonal tool to learn whatever skill they wanted in the most boring way possible. Entering high school and encountering my art and graphic design teachers taught me that art education could be engaging. They pushed me to see what both my work and I could be. Their wisdom and kindness can not be understated, and I strive to put all their lessons and advice to use in college and beyond.

My submission is primarily an animated video. To me, music fuels my creativity. Depending on the song, the vibe and my ideas completely shift. Most artists can relate to imagining their characters with music in the background. In my case, it has become an essential part of my creative process. It introduces me to new plot points, concepts, and ideas in 2-4 minutes. Art and music are deeply intertwined, and I wanted to convey that through this animation. Thank you sincerely for this opportunity to share my work.

When I was ten years old, I cried at the library because somebody had borrowed the manga I had been waiting for weeks to read. Much of my childhood was spent watching cartoons after school or using my free time to play on my Nintendo 3ds. Recently, I crammed all my time into creating my visual novel-inspired presentation for English, working right up to the due date. My name is Ksena Archer, and I am a high school senior and long-time artist. My passion for the arts is rooted in my love of media. I have always looked up to the creators of my youth. I live in the same timeline as some of my favorite games, shows, and movies, and that always gets me. "I want to do that too," A familiar thought followed after finding a new piece of media to mull over. Whether I am drawing late into the night, writing pages of ideas, or endlessly daydreaming, the thought that I can inspire others just like my superiors pushes me to keep creating. Throughout the years, I have bounced around different ideas as an aspiring art student. Game arts, illustration, and animation all encompass what I have attempted, to varying success. However, my heart lies in character design and storytelling. In my eyes, characters are the backbone of a good story. The art of investing others in a piece of media through character design fascinates me. Sketchbooks lie around my house, filled with designs and concepts I hope to bring to the public eye. With an education in the arts, I plan to continue my journey as a designer. I want to learn more about what makes people who they are and how to convey that in designs and stories. Emerging technology like generative AI can not achieve that. With the rise of technology, it is easy to forget that the beauty of creation directly correlates with humanity. Regardless of the technology that attempts to negate it, art is an intrinsic trait in all humans. As long as I can continue to create lives and stories with my designs, it does not matter what project I pursue. I will do it if it aligns with my values and excites me, whether a game, a television show, or a comic. I plan to continue honing my skills to create my dream project. I have always treasured coming-of-age stories. They feel grounded in reality but are not afraid to get experimental. While I have no concrete ideas yet, I would love to develop a story revolving around feeling outcast and finding family. When I felt alone, stories about people coming together toward a common goal meant a lot to me. I want to communicate that sense of wonder and excitement to engage with creative work. Since my skills lie in illustration, the work would most likely be a comic, but I am open to any type of expression to convey my vision. It will not be my best creation, but everybody struggles early on. It is with additional education that I hope to improve and refine my ideas. Thank you for this opportunity to fund my higher education and to pursue the arts with more security.