Music has always been more than just something I listen to. It has been a way for me to cope, to feel understood, and sometimes just to escape when everything feels too overwhelming. That is a big part of why I connect so much with Sabrina Carpenter. Her music feels honest and emotional in a way that is hard to explain unless you have really needed it. There have been times in my life where my mental health made everything feel heavy, like I was stuck in my own thoughts with no way out. In those moments, music became my safe place. Listening to Sabrina Carpenter helped me put words to feelings I did not always know how to express. Whether it was heartbreak, confusion, or just feeling lost, her songs made me feel less alone. It felt like someone understood me without me having to say anything. What I admire most about her is how real she is in her music. She talks about things people do not always say out loud, and that gave me comfort during times when I felt like I had to keep everything inside. Her music became a form of escape for me, but also a way to process what I was going through instead of ignoring it. Being a fan of Sabrina Carpenter is not just about liking her songs. It is about what her music has done for me. It has helped me get through difficult moments, understand my emotions, and find a sense of peace when I needed it most. It reminded me that even when things feel overwhelming, I am not alone, and there is always a way to keep going.

I’ve always been drawn to stories that don’t just show you what’s good or bad, but make you question why we label people that way in the first place. That’s why Wicked has stuck with me so deeply. It’s more than just a story about witches, it’s about being misunderstood, judged, and learning how to stand in your truth even when the world paints you as something you’re not. Growing up, I’ve had moments where I felt out of place or misunderstood, especially dealing with personal challenges and trying to figure out who I am. Watching Elphaba’s journey made me feel seen in a way I didn’t expect. She isn’t perfect, and she isn’t always accepted, but she stays true to herself. That idea of you don’t have to shrink yourself to be accepted, has really impacted me. It reminded me that being different isn’t something to hide, it’s something to embrace. What also stands out to me is the friendship between Elphaba and Glinda. It’s complicated, real, and sometimes painful, but it shows how people can grow and change each other. It made me reflect on my own relationships and how even difficult experiences with others can shape who I become. Being a fan of Wicked isn’t just about loving a movie or musical, it’s about connecting to its message. It’s helped me understand that there’s always more to someone’s story than what we see on the surface. As someone who hopes to continue growing, creating, and telling stories of my own, Wicked inspires me to stay authentic, to challenge assumptions, and to never be afraid of who I am, even when it feels like the harder path.

I’ve struggled with my mental health since I was 12, which is around the time everything in life starts to change. Middle school is when you’re figuring out who you are, but for me, it was also when I was first exposed to how serious mental health could be. One moment that has stayed with me was when my best friend at the time tried to end her life. She sent me photos of herself hurting herself and blamed me, saying it was because she wanted me to choose her over someone else. I was only 12, and I remember feeling terrified and confused. When I went to my mom for help, she told me it was my fault and that I should only have one best friend. That moment stuck with me, and I remember crying to my older sister because I didn’t know how to process any of it. At 14, things got difficult again, but this time it was my own experience. I ended a friendship that wasn’t healthy for me. I lost almost all of my friends. They chose her over me, and I felt completely alone. That was when I first started harming myself. It came from a place of feeling like I had no control and no one to turn to. Eventually, I found new people who made me feel better about myself, and for a while, I was doing okay. But when I was 17, I went through another turning point. I found out my boyfriend of almost a year had cheated on me right before my senior year. That situation left me with so many unanswered questions and a lot of pain. I was so used to having him in my life every day that I didn’t know how to function without him. Instead of dealing with it in a healthy way, I tried to distract myself by going out, talking to other people, and picking up habits that only made things worse. During that time, I felt extremely alone. My friendships were strained, my family was disappointed in me, and I kept going back to someone who hurt me. I remember one night feeling so overwhelmed that I was on the verge of ending my life. I reached out to my ex but he was out partying. That moment made me feel even more alone. I couldn’t go through with it, but I relapsed and it was worse than before. That period of my life is something I still carry with me, both emotionally and physically. Even though I was struggling, that experience changed me. It made me realize how important it is to have support, but also how hard it can be to ask for help. My parents offered therapy, but I wasn’t ready at the time because I wasn’t comfortable opening up. Now, I’m in a much better place. I’ve grown from everything I went through, and I’ve learned how important it is to choose myself . I’m no longer in that relationship, and I’ve worked hard to break those unhealthy patterns. I’m proud to say that I am clean from harming myself, and for the first time in a long time, I feel at peace. My experiences with mental health have shaped my relationships by teaching me the importance of boundaries and surrounding myself with people who genuinely support me. They’ve shaped my goals by making me want a future where I am stable, happy, and able to help others who may feel the way I once did. Most importantly, they’ve changed how I see the world. I’ve learned that you never truly know what someone is going through, and because of that, I try to lead with empathy and understanding. Although my journey hasn’t been easy, it has made me stronger, more self aware of others, and gives me motivation to have a better future for myself.

My challenge is called “The Rewind Room,” and it would have both the islanders and the audience going crazy. In this challenge, each person gets called into a private room without their partner knowing. Once they’re inside, they’re shown three clips. One real moment from their relationship, one clip of their partner doing something they haven’t seen yet, and one clip that’s edited to be misleading. The twist is that they don’t know which one is real and which one isn’t. After watching, they have to make a decision. They can either stay loyal and trust their partner, or they can “rewind” a moment. With rewinding they are choosing to redo something from earlier, like flirting with someone else, pulling someone for a chat, or even a kiss. The crazy part is that if they choose to rewind, their partner will never know it happened, but the audience will see both versions. While this is happening, their partner is also being tested. They’re given the chance to go on a date with a new bombshell, but they’re shown a short clip that makes it look like their partner might be moving on. This puts them in a position where they have to decide if they trust their relationship or act on what they think is happening. At the end, everyone comes back together for a big reveal at the fire pit. The host shows what was real, what was fake, and who chose to rewind their actions. This would cause so much tension because some people might look completely loyal, but the truth is way messier. I think this challenge would stand out because it’s not just about drama, it’s about trust, perception, and how people react when they don’t have the full story. It would definitely be one of those moments everyone talks about after the episode ends.

This piece I am most proud of because I think it tells a story to different individuals. One of the reasons why I am so passionate about what art I make, is because I enjoy how everyone can interpret the art into their own personal experiences. This photograph was inspired by my desire to express the emotional depth of grief, specifically focusing on depression. I have always been drawn to art that communicates feelings that are difficult to put into words, and I wanted to capture what depression can feel like from the inside. I did a survey to students at my school asking if they had experienced grief, and when I asked them about depression they used words to describe it as, alone, drained, hopelessness. Instead of just showing sadness in an obvious way, I aimed to represent the weight of isolation and the quiet struggle that most people tend to carry with themselves in private. So I took their experiences and input and had it go with my work. My inspiration came from both personal experiences and observing others around me. Over the years I have come to realize that not all pain is visible. Depression specifically can feel like suffocation with being trapped in your own thoughts, like there's no way out. In this image the idea of water was something that was drawn to me because I believe it symbolizes both life and drowning at the same time. I wanted the water to represent emotions that are showing pouring down, creating a sense of tension between your thoughts and reality. The setting was also intentional because a shower is often seen as a private area where most people can be vulnerable. I had mascara running down the subject's face, to show the emotion within this piece. By placing the subject in this environment, I wanted to highlight how depression often occurs in silence and away from others. I had the subject slightly tilt their head as the water hit their face with their eyes closed, suggesting a sense of exhaustion. It leaves the viewer questioned whether or not they are trying to escape or simply let go. The lighting and color also played a major role in shaping the mood of this piece. I wanted to have a darker tone and include cool green and blue hues to create a dull and eerie atmosphere. I wanted this image to feel heavy towards the viewer and have them be able to relate to the photograph in their own way. I had the area around the subject blurred outwards to emphasize this idea to represent how depression can often make others feel like they are on their own with making the world around them seem distant. The reason why I created this piece was because I am aware that many people experience depression but struggle to express their feelings. I want this photograph to be able to do that. Through this photograph, I hope to create a sense of connection and maybe even comfort, by reminding people that they aren't alone. Everyone has or will experience grief in their lifetime, that is something that we all share in common at the end of the day.

This piece I am most proud of because I think it tells a story to different individuals. One of the reasons why I am so passionate about what art I make, is because I enjoy how everyone can interpret the art into their own personal experiences. This photograph was inspired by my desire to express the emotional depth of grief, specifically focusing on depression. I have always been drawn to art that communicates feelings that are difficult to put into words, and I wanted to capture what depression can feel like from the inside. I did a survey to students at my school asking if they had experienced grief, and when I asked them about depression they used words to describe it as, alone, drained, hopelessness. Instead of just showing sadness in an obvious way, I aimed to represent the weight of isolation and the quiet struggle that most people tend to carry with themselves in private. So I took their experiences and input and had it go with my work. My inspiration came from both personal experiences and observing others around me. Over the years I have come to realize that not all pain is visible. Depression specifically can feel like suffocation with being trapped in your own thoughts, like there's no way out. In this image the idea of water was something that was drawn to me because I believe it symbolizes both life and drowning at the same time. I wanted the water to represent emotions that are showing pouring down, creating a sense of tension between your thoughts and reality. The setting was also intentional because a shower is often seen as a private area where most people can be vulnerable. I had mascara running down the subject's face, to show the emotion within this piece. By placing the subject in this environment, I wanted to highlight how depression often occurs in silence and away from others. I had the subject slightly tilt their head as the water hit their face with their eyes closed, suggesting a sense of exhaustion. It leaves the viewer questioned whether or not they are trying to escape or simply let go. The lighting and color also played a major role in shaping the mood of this piece. I wanted to have a darker tone and include cool green and blue hues to create a dull and eerie atmosphere. I wanted this image to feel heavy towards the viewer and have them be able to relate to the photograph in their own way. I had the area around the subject blurred outwards to emphasize this idea to represent how depression can often make others feel like they are on their own with making the world around them seem distant. The reason why I created this piece was because I am aware that many people experience depression but struggle to express their feelings. I want this photograph to be able to do that. Through this photograph, I hope to create a sense of connection and maybe even comfort, by reminding people that they aren't alone. Everyone has or will experience grief in their lifetime, that is something that we all share in common at the end of the day.

Art has always been a part of my life. Growing up in a low-income family as a first-generation student, I did not always have access to many opportunities, but art was something my parents always encouraged. When I was younger, my parents bought me an easel and art supplies, and I spent hours drawing and just creating new art everyday. Even though we did not have much, those small moments helped me realize how important art was to me. Since I was little I always knew that creating something meaningful was something I wanted to continue doing in my life. My interest in photography began in eighth grade when I first learned about concert and fashion photography. I was so drawn to how photographers could capture energy, emotion, and movement in a single image. Concert photography especially caught my attention because of the way you can capture the most adrenaline moments, when the crowds feel it the most. I enjoy music and photography so much, and the idea of doing that as a career is something I’m very passionate about. Fashion photography also inspired me because of how creative it can be through styling, lighting, and emotions. Seeing those types of images made me realize that photography was more than just taking pictures, it is a form of art that could communicate a powerful message. As I continued learning and practicing photography over the years, my passion for it grew stronger. Eventually I started taking photos of people professionally, and that experience completely changed the way I viewed photography. I realized that what I loved most about it was the ability to capture a frame in time. A photograph can freeze a moment that would otherwise pass quickly. Whether it is someone laughing, feeling confident, or simply being themselves, those genuine emotions are what make photography meaningful to me. What I enjoy most is capturing raw and authentic emotion. When I photograph people, I try to create an environment where they feel comfortable enough to express themselves naturally. Those unscripted moments often turn into the most meaningful images. When I look back at the photos afterward, I am reminded that photography is not just about getting the right angles with lighting or exposure. It is about connection, storytelling, and capturing moments that might otherwise be forgotten. The artistic process itself is something that makes me feel focused and inspired. When I am behind the camera, I become more aware of the details around me that are often overlooked. Photography allows me to slow down and observe the world more carefully. It also gives me a sense of purpose because I know the images I create can mean something to the people in them. Studying fine art and studio art would allow me to continue developing my skills while also exploring new creative possibilities. I want to learn more about visual storytelling, artistic techniques, and how different forms of art influence photography. Being surrounded by other artists would motivate me to push my creativity further and refine my perspective as a photographer. Photography is not just a passion for me, it is a way of capturing stories and emotions that deserve to be remembered. Through art, I hope to continue documenting meaningful moments and sharing perspectives that connect people with one another.

Art has always been a part of my life. Growing up in a low-income family as a first-generation student, I did not always have access to many opportunities, but art was something my parents always encouraged. When I was younger, my parents bought me an easel and art supplies, and I spent hours drawing and just creating new art everyday. Even though we did not have much, those small moments helped me realize how important art was to me. Since I was little I always knew that creating something meaningful was something I wanted to continue doing in my life. My interest in photography began in eighth grade when I first learned about concert photography. I was drawn to how photographers could capture energy, emotion, and movement in an image. Concert photography especially caught my attention because of the way you can capture the moment when the crowds feel it the most. I enjoy music and photography so much, and the idea of doing that as a career is something I’m very passionate about. As I continued learning and practicing photography over the years, my passion for it grew stronger. Eventually I started taking photos of people professionally, and that experience completely changed the way I viewed photography. I realized that what I loved most about it was the ability to capture a frame in time. A photograph can freeze a moment that would otherwise pass quickly. Whether it is someone laughing, feeling confident, or simply being themselves, those genuine emotions are what make photography meaningful to me. What I enjoy most is capturing raw and authentic emotion. When I photograph people, I try to create an environment where they feel comfortable enough to express themselves naturally. Those unscripted moments often turn into the most meaningful images. When I look back at the photos afterward, I am reminded that photography is not just about getting the right angles with lighting or exposure. It is about connection, storytelling, and capturing moments that might otherwise be forgotten. The artistic process itself is something that makes me feel focused and inspired. When I am behind the camera, I become more aware of the details around me that are often overlooked. Photography allows me to slow down and observe the world more carefully. It also gives me a sense of purpose because I know the images I create can mean something to the people in them. Studying fine art and studio art would allow me to continue developing my skills while also exploring new creative possibilities. I want to learn more about visual storytelling, artistic techniques, and how different forms of art influence photography. Being surrounded by other artists would motivate me to push my creativity further and refine my perspective as a photographer. Photography is not just a passion for me, it is a way of capturing stories and emotions that deserve to be remembered. Through art, I hope to continue documenting meaningful moments and sharing perspectives that connect people with one another.

Growing up in a low-income household as a first-generation student, I learnt early on that challenges were a part of life. However, one of my most personal struggles I faced was living with alopecia, a condition that causes hair loss. At a young age, it made me feel different from others and sometimes insecure about my appearance. The kids I grew up with always made sure to remind me I was different from everyone else. Never feeling pretty was something I struggled with throughout my childhood. I’d say I was a strong kid mentally growing up. I got used to being perceived differently from others. I learnt to be more comfortable with myself. I realized to appreciate things about myself that others couldn’t. Although I was not raised in a particularly religious household, my personal values such as resilience, self-acceptance, and determination, became the foundation that helped me overcome these difficult moments. I never saw a problem with the way I looked until kids around me did. They would call me names, and ask if I was a boy or had cancer. I always got told to brush off those comments, and how others don’t understand because they are just kids, but so was I. People don’t understand how a few words can affect someone’s perception of life. Being so young, you get words thrown at you receptively and to start believing them. I think that if people took time to know my younger self, they wouldn’t only notice my bald spots that covered my head. I’ll always carry that part of myself always and how others made me feel so isolated. It’s a reminder of how far I’ve come as a person. My parents had a huge impact on how I was able to get through this difficult time during my childhood. They always reminded me how my strength, confidence and how my appearance didn’t matter, it was my heart that did. Living with alopecia taught me that strength often comes from the challenges we do not choose. It pushed me to develop confidence, resilience, and determination, qualities that will guide me as I pursue higher education as a first-generation college student. My experiences have shaped my goals for the future, reminding me that obstacles do not define who we are, and how we overcome them matters the most. This scholarship would mean a lot to me and anything that I can get will help a significant amount financially.

One of the first memorable gifts I ever received as a child was an easel. On the side of it was a container that held colorful crayons. I used that easel every day because it was a way of expressing my emotions. I would look at other people’s work and admire it because that is when it hit me that everyone has a different story. Every art work has a different meaning, and it is not just one. Every person views art work differently. My parents and I knew I always wanted to pursue a future within the arts industry. Whether it was painting, drawing, photography, fashion, anything you can think of. I have always been creative and open to trying new things. It is hard for me to think of a future not involving arts. That’s all I’ve ever been known to want to do. I was in my freshman year of high school when I realized that I wanted to specifically focus on photography. I took a photography class and had a teacher with a unique personality. Mr.Jensen was his name, and although he was not the most organized or put together teacher. He knew how to open up students mind and let us create. He showed us his photographs he took a couple years before he got his job, and I was immediately drawn to his work. There was portraits displayed of all kinds of people. Different genders, ethnicity, and characteristics were shown. What stood out the most was the facial expressions. Each person had presented different emotions. It amazed me looking at all the photographs lined up next to eachother. He had us sit in silence and look at the work for around five minutes. He then asked each student in the class to make up a story of the photographs. Hearing everyone’s stories was beautiful as there was not a single one that was similar to each others. They were all different, and including the meanings. That is when I realized that art can be portrayed in many ways. The true meaning of art is not about the looks. It is all about the emotions you get out of it. The way a painting of and ice cream cone, can take you back to the memory of you at the zoo on a hot sunny day. The thought of a photograph taken of a couple by the shore, could make you remember the relationship you once had. Every art has a meaning to it. If you take only take time to acknowledge the appearance, you could miss it.