Up until we start seeing penguins swimming on Florida's warm beaches, there won't be any awareness among the careless. There isn't enough knowledge about the situation as a whole despite the media's propensity to raise awareness of issues, and it is all due to the choices we make. We all need to have the ability to learn from and teach one another in order to gain a better understanding of the world. It is not hard to change little things in our daily habits. Simple tasks, such as turning off the water when brushing your teeth or making something new out of something old that we think is useless, make the small changes we strive for. Finding beauty in simple objects helps us find interest in helping the planet; for example, I enjoy relaxing at the beach, and while I am there, I like to go "sea glass hunting." Collecting those sea glass fragments makes me feel part of the story behind each and every piece. I even add them from time to time to my artwork to give it an intriguing feel. As a whole, there are a lot of things that we can do to impact the environment and be part of the change. I strongly like the idea of renewable energy because it comes from sources that are regenerated more quickly than they are used up in nature. Little things, such as saving energy at home, deciding to take a walk to the store, throwing away less food, shopping seasonally, and bringing your own bag to do the groceries, make a huge difference. Even if you think that the small gum wrapper you dropped on the floor wouldn't matter, picture a million individuals saying the same thing all throughout the world, eventually producing the snowball effect of one small gum wrapper developing into a significant environmental burden. Building capacity and raising social awareness of climate change are always important, even when little thoughts like these cross our minds. I believe that there is enough clothing out there for us to rely on thrift stores. We would be able to create our own clothes, be more creative and open-minded about original fashion, and not follow trends with these harmful fast fashion companies. This is not impossible to achieve; we just need enough voices to be heard. There are still many people who believe that climate change is a non-issue or of minor importance, and it needs to change. In conclusion, the only way we can take a step forward is when we stop with the "what ifs." Ignorant minds really drive society towards a hole that later on is going to be hard to get out of. I strive to fight and make a difference, beginning with myself and, of course, spreading the word to raise awareness. This is a susceptible topic for me, and I will continue to fight it from the heart. It is our choice to take action and act on our promises.

I don't remember when I wasn't rushing home to draw little bugs I saw during recess, making paper clothes for my pink erasers, or making paper weddings for my stuffed animals. The joy I felt from my silly creations is how I knew that art is a part of my life and a part of who I am. Even when things at home aren't so nice, art is my escape. This lifesaving quality of art is something that I wish for the whole world to experience, and it is what I seek to convey in my creations. When I was 6, I asked myself, “If Picasso could do it, why couldn't I?” I remember people looking at me innocently with gentle smiles while I was confident about my statement. Now that I am 18, I think it’s a little silly but not impossible. I am constantly experimenting with new techniques and mediums because I believe there is no such thing as a “comfort zone” in the arts. Addressing personal experiences is what has helped me grow from them and be fearless of change. This is what is so interesting about art—it isn't so much definite as it is subjective. Anything can be art as long as your intention is set on it, but artworks that speak for themselves never fail to amaze me. I have vivid memories of myself as a kid standing in front of my parent's bathroom and staring at the funny painting they had on top of the door frame. Not until years later did I find out that the painting was “Guernica” by Pablo Picasso, my "competition." Every day I would stare at it for hours, from the bull in the left-hand corner to the light bulb that reminded me of the sun to the person screaming on the floor. The chaos of the piece reminds me of my relationship with my mother and how messy it can be. There was always something new to notice about that painting. As a young adult, the piece of art that drew my passion and completely changed my perspective was “Death and Life” by Gustav Klimt. I first saw this artwork in an art history book I grabbed out of curiosity. The painting was the first thing I saw when I opened the book to a random page. I will never forget that moment; it felt so magical, kind of like a movie. The way life is portrayed and captured in such simple ways impressed me. The nudity in the figures shows human beings in their most vulnerable state; the way they're interlacing with each other portrays the “procreation of life," and the colors Klimt utilizes are brilliant. There is a skeleton on the left side, portrayed as death, looking over the never-ending cycle of life itself, as if it were waiting to end it. This is another piece where there are a lot of factors to admire every time you look at it; Both Klimt and Picasso have clever views of the world through strange pieces of art. Now, I see them both not as my "competition," but as my idols. The world in its entirety is the turning point that inspires me to make art. I rely on the art hidden between the lines in order to inspire change. These two artists taught me that success is defined as causing a viewer to stop and reflect on the art. I wish to expand others' perspectives, even when they may least expect it.

Self-control and determination. I am 18 years old, and if we need to speak the truth, I am not the best at making my own decisions. I used to go out of my way to get a $7 matcha latte at Starbucks almost every day because the money in my bank account will magically appear again once I got my paycheck. These “harmless” thoughts are what drew me back to progressing forward with my goal of saving every cent for college. Given my situation of asylum pending, I am on a thin rope balancing my future in this country, educating me to be more mindful of how I manage my finances. In today's world, having money is essential; we can look at it as a tool or as a way to accomplish our goals. In order to grasp the information regarding our personal finances, becoming aware of how money functions in the actual world is key. Including how it is generated, invested, spent, and managed through smart decisions. From this new perspective, time taught me that those matcha latte cravings are manageable and unimportant. I now always seek help when managing my finances, especially with my dad, and with his help, I’ve developed some tactics that make this whole situation easier for me. Especially as an immigrant student, money is a delicate topic in my family, and I need to do what I can to help them and also help myself succeed in this foreign country. Opportunities are already out there, all we have to do is chase them. A person with a strong financial education will be able to succeed, regardless of their wealth, will understand how their environment runs, and be able to make the appropriate decisions while learning independence. Contrarily, a person with poor financial education will experience financial difficulties even if they are earning a great income, as is the case for celebrities and lottery winners who are swiftly devastated by their poor financial education. We must be aware of the various paths that lead to outstanding financial education. Personally, this is how I have learned to teach myself self-control when talking about personal expenses: - Making a budget is essential and the key to having financial control. I write down on my agenda my expenses and required monthly payments. - Savings are also very important; they enable your capacity to hold onto money and invest it in various ventures - Banking has helped me a lot with the capacity to manage my accounts and comprehend charges, deductions, and other financial terms. - Lastly, debt and credit management involve knowing how to properly take on debt and navigate its conditions and interest rates. Financial education teaches us the skills we need to develop outstanding personal management, giving us the capacity to examine consumerism and become more self-aware. As a student, I need to make choices that are suited to my requirements and circumstances and prevent bad outcomes brought on by either excessive debt or insufficient risk positions. This is a very important topic that needs to be spoken about, especially with the younger generation, so that we can all teach others and grow as financially literate individuals.

Sometimes I wonder what led me to draw my favorite characters every time they were on TV. I used to draw everything I saw in the little notebook I got from a Piñata prize and bring it around with me wherever I went. I never knew why giving my family a drawing of them always felt so rewarding and exciting. As I grew older, I understood that art was more than my interest; it was my talent and my identity. The world of the arts opened up new opportunities for me and stoked a fierce fire inside of me. I feel that I can now pursue a better life for my future after leaving a part of me full of self-guilt for lacking a career that would make others proud. I have a strong will and don't easily give in. I am a first-generation daughter who migrated to a different country along with my parents and my little sister. This experience helped me develop emotional and mental strength. I learned valuable skills that have helped me through life more straightforwardly. I learned how to be flexible with the situations that come into my life, feel compassion for my parents, and open my perspective on coming to face my reality. I want to create a life that involves constantly reflecting on the good, dreaming big, and making progress. Something I want to share with those around me is this passion I have for the arts, helping those less fortunate than me by filling their hearts with hope. Given that you never know what someone's future holds, it's important to support everyone in their current situation, and I want to be there to help. I wish to paint murals that are filled with inspirational words and images to uplift those who feel somber when they glance at them. I have started to look for programs in hospitals, libraries, museums, and animal protection groups that are looking for artists to design posters, murals, or advertisements. I want to volunteer in an orphanage to create art projects together with the kids; this gave me the idea of running activities like these that could serve as art therapy for kids as a future project. The potential materials for use could be recycled or found objects; this way, we would also be creating less waste and helping the earth. In an effort to generate money for organizations, I've just started researching art auctions and contacting influential people who organize these events. It has been a long process, but on the other side, I am trying to put myself out there every day in the hopes that I will be able to achieve these goals. My life experiences have shaped me into who I am today, and I aspire for my art to cause the viewer to stop and reflect because art is another way to expand our minds and hearts. I wish for my education to lead me to more opportunities and open more doors in my life, always thinking about making a positive impact wherever I am.

Up until we start seeing penguins swimming on Florida's warm beaches, there won't be any awareness among the careless. There isn't enough knowledge about the situation as a whole, despite the media's propensity to raise awareness of issues like fast-melting glaciers and the extinction of ocean creatures, and the list goes on. We all need to have the ability to learn from and teach one another in order to gain a better understanding of the world. As a young student, I strive to spread knowledge across all media through my art. Nowadays, social media is what helps get information across rapidly and engage those who share the same interest. I am now working on a huge artwork that involves the research of a young climate change activist that I admire, whose name is Xiye Bastida. Simple tasks, such as turning off the water when brushing your teeth or making something new out of something old or that we think is useless, make the small changes we strive for. Finding beauty in simple objects helps us find interest in helping the planet; for example, I enjoy relaxing at the beach, and while I am there, I like to go "sea glass hunting." Collecting those sea glass fragments makes me feel part of the story behind each and every piece. I even add them from time to time to my artwork to give it an intriguing feel. As a whole, there are a lot of things that we can do about climate change and be part of the change. I strongly like the idea of renewable energy because it comes from sources that are regenerated more quickly than they are used up in nature. Little things, such as saving energy at home, deciding to take a walk to the store, throwing away less food, and stopping fast fashion, make a huge difference. Even if you think that the small gum wrapper you dropped on the floor wouldn't matter, picture a million individuals saying the same thing all throughout the world, eventually producing the snowball effect of one small gum wrapper developing into a significant environmental burden. Building capacity and raising social awareness of climate change are always important, even when small thoughts like these cross our minds. I would say the most impactful way to help with climate change is to not be ignorant, but rather to be held accountable for what we do wrong and to find a way to make it right. According to a Saturday Evening Post report, “With the roughly 7,000 tons of used clothing sent to other countries or donation centers, it is enough for us to rely on thrift stores and recycling." We would be able to create our own clothes, be more creative and open-minded about original fashion, and not follow trends with these harmful clothing companies. This is not impossible to achieve; we just need enough voices to be heard. In conclusion, the only way we can take a step forward is when we stop with the "what ifs." There are still many people who believe that climate change is a non-issue or of minor importance. Ignorant minds really drive society towards a hole that later on is going to be hard to get out of. I strive to fight and make a difference, beginning with myself and, of course, spreading the word to raise awareness. This is a very sensitive topic for me, and I will continue to fight it from the heart. It is our choice to take action and act on our promises.

In today's world, having money is essential; we can look at it as a tool or as a way to accomplish our goals. In order to grasp the information regarding our personal finances and enterprises, it is important for both ourselves and others to become educated on the knowledge that each person has to have. becoming aware of how money functions in the actual world are key, including how it is generated, invested, spent, and managed through donations. A person with a strong financial education will be able to succeed, regardless of their wealth, since they will understand how their environment runs and be able to make the appropriate decisions to have a thriving economy. Contrarily, a person with poor financial education will experience financial difficulties while earning a great income, as is the case for celebrities and lottery winners who are swiftly devastated by their poor financial education. Financial education teaches you how to manage your money in a way that promotes your independence. It helps you examine consumerism and shows you how to become more self-aware. It gives you the analytical tools you require to ascertain what you truly desire and the most efficient way to spend money. We must be aware of the various paths that lead to outstanding financial education, personally, this is how I have learned to teach myself how to have self-control when talking about personal expenses. Making a budget is essential and the key to having control over your money, writing down on my agenda my expenses, and required monthly payments. Savings are also very important, it enables your capacity to hold onto money and invest it in various ventures. Basic needs include the ability to pay for all living expenses, such as housing, transportation, and healthcare. Personally, banking has helped me a lot with the capacity to manage your accounts and comprehend charges, deductions, and other financial terms. Lastly, debt and credit management involves knowing how to properly take on debt and navigating its conditions and interest rates. These strategies will be used in the long-term financial planning necessary for my stability in the future. It is crucial to understand that having a strong understanding of finances and encouraging others to do the same will have a positive impact on each person's achievement and, by extension, the society in which we live. Many individuals think that if they made more money, their issues would be resolved, but this is not always the case. No matter how much money you make, it doesn't matter if you spend it. If you don't manage your money, the issue still exists. Financial education teaches us the skills we need to develop outstanding personal management, giving us the capacity to put money aside, gain access to credit, and invest responsibly in other people. It enables us to develop a better grasp of financial ideas and products, make choices that are suited to your requirements and circumstances, and prevent bad outcomes brought on by either excessive debt or insufficient risk positions. This is a very important topic that needs to be spoken about, especially with the younger generation, so then we can all teach and other and grow as financially literate individuals.

Venezuela is the country that birthed, raised, and bitterly overlooked me. It has been five years since I left my country, and I have learned what it means to let go of a piece of yourself. Titled “Innocence is Bliss,” I utilized oil paints on a 25 x 40-inch canvas to pursue this ideal that was sitting on the back of my head, demonstrating the beauty and the chaos of my country and how the lens of innocence made it synchronize in harmony. My goal was to capture the splendor and truth of my native nation, encompassing both its remarkable and unpleasant locales. I wanted to use both organic and geometric shapes while combining expressionism and surrealism, further including mixed media altered by me. I went downstairs on the lookout for some inspiration that would make the painting stand out when I encountered those fake orchids sitting as the centerpiece of my living room. I saw a clever opportunity for a great addition to the painting, so I altered and added those flowers that are now located at the top left in great bloom. Everything around me is the inspiration I need to push myself further into overcoming myself. This painting taught me lessons that I didn't think could get across so easily to me. I centered this piece on the reality of my country by focusing on its true colors. Instead of focusing on physical reality, I used the components of this artwork to convey the essence of my emotional experience of leaving part of me behind. But what really inspired me to pursue this artwork was the need to be in my country one more time and scare away the thought that I may never be able to be in Venezuela again. The image of me at age 6 captures the naiveté and innocence of a young child when everything appeared scintillating, and how I still recall everything from my childhood with such vividness. My little cousins' game ideas, my grandma's backyard, and staying at my auntie’s house for the weekend are the little things that I still miss on a daily basis. Aside from the difficulties, there are memories I would never want to forget and am grateful to have had during my childhood. The hand clutching the heart represents what it means to take your hope-filled heart with you everywhere you go and tear apart a piece of yourself to be somewhere else. My day-to-day life is my inspiration, and my memories are what make me come up with all these ideas to make art. Through art, I can visually explain my thoughts without saying a word and make a lasting impression in less than a second. My goal was to raise awareness about the beauty and chaos of Venezuela but, more importantly, to reveal such an essential part of myself to the world.

Picking up a cigarette butt off the ground is just one tiny gesture that can have a big impact. In order to demonstrate how rewarding it can be to help others, I'd like to tell a story about a series of events that occurred to me recently. A few days ago, I checked the compartment in my car where I keep my $20 emergency gas money after seeing a woman ask for money while I was stopped at a red light. I chose to keep the $20 for gas and give the woman the $1 I was holding on to in exchange for a snack at work. I felt awful for not giving her the additional twenty dollars, as well as guilty for not doing so. This thought stayed on my head, and I promised to give her my emergency gas money if I saw her again. Deep down, all I could hope for was that the $1 I had given the woman could have been of some help. Days passed, and I never saw her again. Four days ago, as I was leaving my pole dancing session, my grandmother called to inform me that there was no food in the house. I made the choice to go to Panera and get an avocado sandwich, a lemonade, and a chocolate croissant, as those are my favorite meals. When I turned around as I was walking towards my car in the cold rain, I saw a woman laying on the ground with nothing but a rag for a blanket. Various anxious thoughts made it difficult for me to think straight at the time, so I was at a loss for what to do or how I could assist her. I pictured my warm chocolate croissant and the complimentary chips resting in the passenger seat. In order to leave her a message explaining that I didn't bite into the croissant but instead tasted it with my hands, I looked around the car for paper. Since the woman was sleeping, I pulled over and left the chips in the paper bag with the croissant next to her so as not to disturb her. Even though I never keep receipts or other trash in my car, I did find paper there, merely in time to leave the note. All I could think about on the drive home was the woman and whether or not she had a chance to sample the croissant while it was still warm. There is only one proper opportunity to act and listen to your heart. I'm delighted I was able to assist her and avoid making the same error twice by claiming, "Next time I'll do it." This experience made me realize how much I want to continue blessing people with what little I have and helping them in every way I can. I want to continue helping people in any way I can as I further my education and bless them with what little I have. I will continue to donate and assist individuals in my community because I have learned to act now rather than waiting for my mind to think of an explanation. Now that I am aware of this, I will not hesitate if given the chance to help, and my ultimate goal is painting murals. I will take the time to create murals that are filled with lovely messages to spread my art throughout the city and brighten the day of anyone who sees them. Cooperation is a beginning that leads to success as individuals and as a community.

I grew up in Valencia, Venezuela, a city of friendly people, breathtaking nature, and diverse cultures. Today, the city has changed drastically: from once a place of beauty to now a place of violence. Currently, Venezuela is going through a huge crisis that has affected everyone, including my family. Due to financial insecurity, I was forced to overcome the great challenge of leaving behind my family and culture in order to move to the United States. This experience has taught me what truly are basic needs, what success means to me, and how I want to use my background to shape my career. Before leaving Venezuela, I had never thought about what "basic needs" meant. It wasn’t until I was fighting for food and security that I realized exactly what my needs were. I have learned that before anything else, we need to take care of our basic needs and have hope for the future if we are ever going to succeed. Coming to the United States was a big transition for all of us. My uncle opened his home to my family, allowing us to live with him for two years until my parents could afford a place. My father, at age 54, now works in construction. As the main financial support for our family, he works long hours, and travels far distances in order to meet our basic needs. My mother also holds multiple jobs, including cleaning houses. Their sacrifices are my most potent source of motivation because they put their past aside, including their careers and culture, to commit to their new lives and jobs. During the past years, we have had the added challenge of COVID-19 in our lives, putting the strength of our unity to the test. I assumed all the responsibilities of taking care of our home and reaching out to family members for support. Through all of the challenges we have faced, my parents never complained, but rather were grateful for the opportunity to give us better lives. This past year has shown me how strong I can be, determining a new personal definition of perseverance despite all obstacles in order to evolve into the best version of myself. As I look to my future, I think about how my past has changed my goals. My Venezuelan culture and new life in the United States have shaped my values as a person and an artist. I have learned that art is the best way to share my perspective with others. I now intend to major in fine arts with a concentration in traditional art and double major in finance to continue pursuing an honors distinction upon graduation. I am proud of all my achievements, including maintaining my honor roll status and being in the top 10% of my class. Overall, my life has clearly been a rollercoaster. I have faced many challenges from leaving behind everything I once knew to move to a foreign land, but as I reflect now on my experiences, I am proud of my heritage and who I have become. Through the experience of growing up in Venezuela, learning about their culture, and now finishing my high school experience in America, I have learned that no matter where I am in the world, I am a strong individual with the dream of becoming an artist. Art has impacted my life by teaching me how to see life through the eyes of others and has inspired me to pursue art as a career and keep looking forward onto the future.

"Class of 2013" is a song made to emphasize the irony of adulthood by the singer-songwriter Mitski, which features elements of Japanese folk music and modern indie. The lyrics of the song romanticize adulthood, surrender, and the relationship between mother and daughter, creating a slow-moving and emotional feeling. The entire song touches on these various topics as a cry for help to her mother, who no longer appears to be willing to be there for her. This freedom also entails having the emotional maturity of adulthood and the capacity to respond to adversity with control. Mitski conveys the terror that many graduates have as they are forced into the start of their adult lives and compelled to establish their own place in the world. The passion and pain put into this song have the power to touch anyone who hears it; her strong voice and long pauses after each verse demonstrate the artist's suffering and exasperation as she tries to rely on her mother. At the start of every verse, Mitski starts with the word "Mom,” behaving like a kid asking to stay with her and promising to leave once she figures out her life. “Mom, would you wash my back?" "This once, and then we can forget.” Emphasizing how fragile their relationship is, she continues to ask, “Mom, am I still young?" "Can I dream for a few months more?” Not only is the last line heartbreaking, but it also causes me to consider how surreal it feels to be content with one's life's outcome. This song serves as a constant reminder of how my life may turn out if I don't live in the moment and get caught up in a cycle of misery, reminding me to be strong and persevere through life.

The world in its entirety is the turning point that inspires me to make art. In order to communicate my truths, challenge social norms, and create change, I rely on everything around me for inspiration. I am certain that my art has the capacity to move audiences, and often enjoy including both societal and personal problems and experiences during my thought process. Practicing plein air lead me to understand and connect to a deeper level with my artwork and myself. After learning more about plein art’s concept and techniques, I felt inspired to follow my creative process completely out in the open and take advantage of the natural light vigor. I'm a firm believer that observational work is essential to developing your artistic ability, being the reason why I decided to incorporate plein air into my regular painting sessions. I love to connect with nature and breath fresh air when letting my ideas brim into the canvas, it also makes me relax from being too perfectionist and judgmental of my work. Art is the talent granted to those who want to create change and have the courage to do so. My work is a constant endeavor to interpret the evolving ideas that I have about life around me and myself as an artist. I do not limit myself to one medium style or specific concept, since art is not concise so much as it is subjective. Nevertheless, “plein air” not only refers to the action of doing landscape paintings outdoors but also letting your you and your art connect to your surroundings with a better understanding of your creation.

Why do you think people vandalize important monuments, or why someone threw a can of soup at Van Gogh's sunflower still life painting, or why did Hitler ban modern art during his time of dictatorship? It’s simple; art has the power to change the world, because art is the reflection of a historic moment and has the capacity to change people’s mindsets. I'm pursuing fine arts as my career for the foreseeable future. Since I was young, it was never concise what I wanted to do. I dreamed of being a traffic guard because I wanted to stand in the middle of the road and people would obey me, yes, simply because of that I know. Later, I wanted to be a firefighter because I wanted to save people's lives from danger, but then I thought it was too risky. What I always really enjoyed was drawing my favorite characters on TV with a notepad by my side. However, other ideas started crossing my mind and began thinking about other careers. The truth is that becoming an artist was never really my first choice. As I grew older, becoming a marine scientist did not sound regrettable, since I was interested in drawing these creatures' interiors and potential underwater life. Deep inside me, all I really wanted to do was indulge my delight of picking up a pen or a pencil and filling it to the brim with ideas. I appreciate painting not only because it helps me escape my thoughts, but also because I can communicate any problem that our society may be facing or that I as an individual may be facing through this work of imagination without speaking a word. From when I was six years old and a member of the art center I used to attend, I have always admired my art mentor, and my admiration hasn't changed over time. He would always pick up a brush with such ease and, in one way or another, let his ideas run free while creating methods that I thought were incredibly difficult. And again, when I was younger, I had no idea that being an artist was a career or the best option for me to follow. However, as a young adult, I now realize that art is the only thing that will truly bring me happiness and enable me to reach my full potential. For this reason, I'm doing everything in my power to pursue this dream and am prepared to do whatever it takes to disprove everyone who advised me to go with a “real career”. Due to this, I believe a career in fine arts, together with a degree in visual arts and business of art and design, is the best fit for me. As I've said before, I want anyone who glances at my artwork to get a lasting impression of it in less than a second and help impact the world with my art in positive assets. In my artwork, I want to portray contemporary situations and events—not just those that are happening in the real world, but also those that are in a lot of people's thoughts. When people told me that making art wasn't a legitimate career or job that would pay me real money, I reflected on the question stated at the beginning, and also on all those historical eras where art had a significant impact on all of us. Mainly I sit and think, what is a world without art anyway?

Every time I woke up, every time my mind began to talk to itself, and every time I had to battle my anxiety disorder to get through a new day, my heart would feel heavy. Tentacles, that is how I like to refer to each and every issue that resurfaces in my head and starts chasing and persuading me to believe it all. All those problems I didn't realize I had, all those scenarios that could happen, all those things that have never happened in my life; I personally had to fight with that during the past year. Personal growth is not linear, and that's something I had to learn along with my father during these past years of my life, mostly in 2021 and 2022. My father is one of the strongest people I know, and I'm not saying that just because he's my dad, but because of how he fought life's battles. He was shot in his right leg lower down the shin during his military service, which resulted in an accident that left him permanently disabled and paralyzed from the waist down for months. He underwent a dangerous blood transfusion and later on was informed of hepatitis A and C found in his system. Hepatitis C is a liver infection brought on by coming into contact with blood from an infected person, mostly how individuals acquire hepatitis A, B, or C. He continued this treatment throughout his life to prevent the virus from harming him and checked up every year to remain alert for any situation. Even though Hepatitis A can induce incapacitating symptoms it does not result in chronic liver disease, unlike Hepatitis C that if untreated, can cause chronic inflammation, liver cancer, and even liver failure. Additionally, two months ago, news came into our lives that completely altered our life. After all those years of treatment and stress, unsure of the outcome, was over. When my father visited the doctor for his regular examination, he was informed that there was no evidence of the virus hepatitis C in his blood. At this point, I felt excitement and relief. Even though I was aware of the incident all those years ago, I had no idea that my father had been hiding a blood virus from me that was dangerous for him. This whole situation made me realize that I was somewhat correct in feeling preoccupied about something all the time. Sadly, this served to exacerbate my tendency to overthink situations and be right about my negative instincts. This experience in my life served to further open my eyes to the fact that I've got to learn to truly live and how to accept help from others, altering the way I perceive things. Since I was given a diagnosis with an anxiety disorder at the age of eight, my father has never left my side. As he said to me once, "all thoughts are the strongest part of a person," Truly, I learned how to trust life and myself through what he said to me and reflect his experiences into my life. His knowledge showed me how persistence overcomes obstacles and how to have trust that everything would turn out alright. I love my dad, and every day I wake up thankful to have him by my side. I'm well aware that my anxiety will always be a part of me, medicated or not, but I also know that this road of self-discovery will only enable me to live happily for the rest of my days while continuing to learn about who I am.

I grew up in Valencia, Venezuela, a city of friendly people, breathtaking nature, and diverse culture. Today, the city has changed drastically: from once a place of beauty to now a place of violence. Currently, Venezuela is going through a huge crisis that has affected everyone, including my family. Due to financial insecurity, I was forced to overcome the great challenge of leaving behind my family and culture in order to move to the United States. This experience has taught me what truly are basic needs, what success means to me, and how I want to use my background to shape my career. Before leaving Venezuela, I had never thought about what basic needs meant. It wasn’t until I was fighting for food and security that I realized what exactly my needs were. I have learned that before anything else we need basic needs and hope for the future if we are ever going to succeed. Coming to the United States was a big transition for all of us. My uncle opened his home to my family, allowing us to live with him for two years until my parents could afford a place. My father at age 54 now works in construction. As the main financial support for our family, he works long hours, at far distances, in order to meet our basic needs. My mother also holds multiple jobs, including cleaning houses. Their sacrifices are my most potent source of motivation because they put their past aside, including their careers and culture, to commit to their new lives and jobs. During this year, we had the added challenge of COVID-19 in our lives, putting the strength of our unity to the test. I assumed all the responsibilities of taking care of our home and reaching out to family members for support. Through all of the challenges we have faced, my parents never complained, but rather were grateful for the opportunity to give us better lives. This past year has shown me how strong I can be, determining a new personal definition of perseverance despite all obstacles in order to evolve into the best version of myself. I am proud of all my achievements, including maintaining my honor roll status and being in the top 15% of my class. As I look to my future, I think about how my past has changed my goals. My Venezuelan culture and new life in the United States have shaped my values as a person and an artist. I have learned that art is the best way to share my perspective with others. I now intend to major in Fine Arts with a concentration in traditional art, and double major in finance to continue pursuing an Honors Distinction upon graduation. Overall, my life clearly has been a rollercoaster. I have faced many challenges from leaving behind everything I once knew to moving to a foreign land, but as I reflect now on my experiences, I am proud of my heritage and who I have become. The experience of growing up in Venezuela, learning about their culture, and now finishing my high school experience in America, I have learned that no matter where I am in the world, I am a strong woman with dreams of becoming an artist. Art has impacted my life by teaching me how to see life through the eyes of others and has inspired me to pursue art as a career and open an inclusive gallery.

Art is the talent granted to those who want to create change, and as a young Venezuelan artist, I want to pursue this goal. I had no concept of how my life would develop after leaving my home country, let alone the amount of work required to pursue a higher degree in a foreign country. Day after day I would think about my possibilities in the United States, and they appeared to be getting farther away. The moment my college research started, all I did was worry about how I will afford my education here and think about alternative plans. Many said to start on my own, to not go to college since “art” is no more than a hobby, and to start seeking a plan B. Notwithstanding, my brain replayed over and over what my parents told me when we stayed on our vacation longer than planned: "We have no other option, we are sorry for not being able to provide you the education we had in Venezuela." Sincerely, all I could ask was, why? Why leave my family behind? Why is it so complicated? Why do students worry more about paying their bills than they do about their education? Nevertheless, these questions only made my ambition to attend college and pursue art even stronger. I try my hardest every day to show my parents that it’s not impossible to pursue your dream in a different country, just challenging. I do not live myself to one style or specific concept, since art is not concise so much is as good as it is subjective. This is how I plan to accomplish this dream of mine, success is defined as causing a viewer to stop and reflect on a piece because art is another way to expand our perspectives. One message I want to convey to the Hispanic community as a whole is that everything is attainable if you put your mind to it and are persistent in your commitment to your goals. And as a first-generation college student, I would like to be an example of this statement revealing myself through my art to the world.

Self-worth is a battle. People tend to swallow perceptions of themselves rather than speak outwardly about who they believe they are or how they feel. This can grow into a constant internal struggle that they carry on their backs throughout their lives. I first noticed this with my friends, who would never outwardly say they felt uncomfortable with their physical appearance but would show it indirectly by hiding behind clothing, makeup, and excessive measures to feel worthy. Social media revealed and amplified the prevalence of this issue, making lack of self-worth the new normal and contributing to the problem by promoting unrealistic standards. As a collective, we are actively consuming the mainstream idea of hourglass body shapes as a norm and looking outwardly for happiness. This was always something I found unsettling and felt the need to take action to address. Myself, as a teenager, have struggled with eating disorders for 3 years, and I am still recovering. The topic about eating disorders is very wide, and generally stereotypical by those who are ignorant about the topic. Speaking through my personal experiences; skipping meals was rewarding for me, I felt like I was making progress and it made me feel light and happy about my body, and as a person who weighed 103 lbs. at 13 years old, it was rather concerning. I felt tired, with migraines, and a heavy body that I still had to carry for the rest of the day. I started creating habits without noticing, looking at my stomach in the mirror, checking the back of the boxes where my meals came, thinking of how many calories are entering my body and measuring the right amount that I was "allowed" to eat each day, all were performed automatically. I was scared of anorexia, reaching the point of starving myself and dying rather than be tormented by that voice of guilt in my head that pushed me to throw up. Eating disorder awareness should be spread to the public in all mediums possible to let those who struggle know that they are not alone, that there is a way to stop these habits and start a healthy life. Many have this idea of what a person who struggles with ED *has* to look like; skinny, visible bone structure, eyebags, among others, but in reality EDs come in all shapes and forms. There is much more there than anorexia and bulimia nervosa, others such as: binge eating, avoidant restrictive food and rumination. The stigma of anorexia and looking skinny needs to be stopped, information about eating disorders need to be taught widely in all mediums possible so anyone who is struggling right now can receive help. As an artist myself, I encourage others to receive the help they need through my artworks. Pieces that show images of people recovering or in the process of rehabilitating their bodies into healthy habits by reminding them that recovery is not linear nor comfortable, but the process is worth the freedom they will achieve. All I can do as a friend is reach my hands to those who need it by being patient. I can't force someone to share what they are going through, but just by letting them know is a step forward; therefore if the time comes, just listen to them non-judgmentally and offer them your help. Eating disorders not only harm mental health, but puts our valuable lives at risk, being the reason why as a survivor I will provide as much support as I can in my will to help others live to the fullest.

Self-worth is a battle. People tend to swallow their perceptions of themselves rather than speak outwardly about who they believe they are or how they feel. This can grow into a constant internal struggle that they carry on their backs throughout their lives. I first noticed this with my friends, who would never outwardly say they felt uncomfortable with their physical appearance but would show it indirectly by hiding behind clothing, makeup, and excessive measures to feel worthy. Social media revealed and amplified the prevalence of this issue, making lack of self-worth the new normal and contributing to the problem by promoting unrealistic standards. As a collective, we are actively consuming the mainstream idea of hourglass body shapes and spotless skin as a norm and looking outwardly for happiness.This was always something I found unsettling and felt the need to take action to address. When I see images that I feel are related to perceptions that I hold about myself; either positive or negative, I noticed that these encounters reinforce my beliefs in these perceptions. I decided to use this observation about myself in my artwork to impact others' self beliefs by giving focus and using surrounding objects/colors with positive connotations to change the stigma that certain imperfections or external appearances may carry. As an artistic activist, I am using my social media accounts to disseminate my paintings and drawings which highlight insecurities as a strength or desirable quality, and inner beauty and joy as something to be proud of. There is no such thing as a target audience, since my artworks speak to everyone. My goal with these pieces is for people that feel negatively to feel seen, and safe in their own skin. The piece I am submitting is a great representation of finding joy within. Closing our eyes to external appearances and looking within to find joy and beauty, outwardly manifested in the universal symbol of a smile. Moths symbolize rebirth, change and transformation. The moths were drawn flat instead of in 3-D so that they would not detract from the woman as the center of focus and could blend in as a part of her rather than separate entities. Light is present everywhere throughout the piece which furthers the idea of the bright energy that a smile can bring. This work will be displayed in the county art museum for my peers, upcoming artists, and other purveyors of art to observe. I feel that my artwork is affecting my community both directly and indirectly. By displaying my artworks locally, they impact my community directly; ringing a bell on the topic of self-worth and allowing others to see themselves represented in a positive way. Indirectly, my presence on online platforms creates a space for others near and far away to find refuge from the onslaught of commercialized beauty and celebrate their individuality. If social media wasn’t as readily accessible to everyone, perhaps we would all find more satisfaction within our own selves.