The Taylor Swift performance that has stayed with me the most is her performance of "The Manuscript" during the final night of the Eras Tour in Vancouver. It was more than the closing song of a record breaking tour. It felt like watching an artist look back on every chapter of her life and realize that each one, even the painful ones, had become part of the story she was meant to tell. As someone pursuing a career in musical theater, that performance resonated with me because storytelling is why I fell in love with the performing arts. I have always believed that the best performances are not the loudest or the most technically impressive. They are the ones that leave you feeling understood. Watching Taylor perform "The Manuscript" reminded me that a story does not have to have a perfect ending to be meaningful. Sometimes its greatest purpose is simply to be told. That idea has shaped my own journey. My mother is an Afghan refugee, and I grew up hearing incredible stories about my family's life before and after immigrating to the United States. They were stories of resilience, sacrifice, humor, and love. Yet when I watched television or attended the theater as a child, I rarely saw families like mine represented. I found myself wondering why these stories, which meant everything to me, seemed invisible to everyone else. Taylor's performance reminded me that every person's experiences are worth preserving, even if they begin as something deeply personal. She has built an entire career by trusting that the details of her own life could connect with millions of strangers. That gave me confidence that my family's experiences could do the same. I do not have to change them to make them meaningful. I simply have to tell them honestly. As I continue studying musical theater, my goal is to become both a performer and a creator who brings underrepresented stories to the stage. I want young Afghan girls sitting in theater audiences to experience the feeling I rarely had while growing up, the feeling of seeing themselves reflected in a character with dignity, complexity, and joy. "The Manuscript" is ultimately about making peace with your past and recognizing that every chapter contributes to who you become. That message inspires me because I know my own story, and my family's story, are still being written. Like Taylor, I hope to use performance not only to entertain people but also to remind them that the stories we carry with us can become the stories that help someone else feel seen.

One lyric that has stayed with me comes from Olivia Rodrigo's song "the grudge": "You have everything and you still want more." While the song centers on the pain of a fractured relationship, I hear something broader in it. It reminds me how easy it is to compare yourself to others and feel like you're somehow falling behind, even when you're working as hard as you can. As someone pursuing musical theater, comparison can become a habit. Every audition, every rejection, and every casting announcement creates an opportunity to question whether you're good enough. As an Afghan American performer, those doubts can feel even louder because I rarely grew up seeing people who looked like me on stage or on screen. I spent years wondering whether there was a place for someone with my features, my heritage, and my family's stories in an industry that often overlooked both. Olivia's music helped me realize that vulnerability is not weakness. Throughout her discography, she writes honestly about insecurity, jealousy, disappointment, and hope without trying to make those emotions prettier than they are. Listening to her reminded me that everyone carries fears they do not always show. That honesty encouraged me to stop measuring my journey against someone else's and instead focus on becoming the artist I want to be. My family's story has given me a purpose that reaches far beyond landing a role. My mother came to the United States as an Afghan refugee, and I grew up hearing stories that were funny, heartbreaking, and deeply human. Yet I rarely saw stories like ours represented in the media I loved. Instead of waiting for someone else to tell them, I decided I wanted to become the person who would. Every acting class, rehearsal, and performance is one step toward creating space for people who have been underrepresented for far too long. Olivia's songwriting also taught me that the most personal stories often become the most universal. She writes about specific moments in her life, yet millions of listeners find themselves in her lyrics. That lesson has changed the way I think about storytelling. I no longer worry that my experiences are too different. I believe that if I tell them honestly, audiences will recognize pieces of themselves in them, even if our backgrounds are completely different. Being a fan of Olivia Rodrigo is about more than enjoying her music. It is about seeing an artist who transforms difficult emotions into meaningful art. She has reminded me that authenticity creates connection, and that the stories we are sometimes afraid to share are often the ones that matter most. As I continue pursuing a career in theater, that lesson is one I hope to carry with me both on stage and beyond.

When I was five years old, I wondered why I never saw families like mine on television or on stage. My mother is an Afghan refugee, and while I grew up surrounded by our music, food, traditions, and incredible family stories, I rarely saw those experiences reflected in the media I loved. That realization became the foundation of my biggest goal. I want to become a professional actor, writer, and theater maker who creates opportunities for Middle Eastern stories to be told with authenticity and heart. To accomplish this goal, I am pursuing a degree in musical theater while continuing to strengthen my skills in acting, singing, dancing, directing, and writing. During college, I plan to audition for every production possible, participate in student films and new works, and seek internships with regional theaters during the summer. These experiences will help me build both my performance abilities and my professional network. My long term plan extends beyond performing. I want to write and develop original stage productions inspired by my family's experiences, including stories like my great uncle and great aunt's love story and my mother's journey as an immigrant growing up in New York. These are stories that deserve to be seen, and I want to be the person who brings them to audiences who have never experienced Afghan culture before. Reaching these goals requires careful planning and financial responsibility. My annual budget includes tuition, books, housing, transportation, audition fees, dancewear, voice lessons, and travel for summer internships and professional auditions. I expect these expenses to total approximately $30,000 each year after financial aid. To manage these costs, I will combine scholarships, grants, savings, part time employment, and paid theater opportunities whenever possible. Scholarships such as this one reduce the financial burden, allowing me to spend more time developing my craft instead of worrying about how to pay for essential training. My timeline is equally important. During my first two years of college, I will focus on building technical skills and gaining as much performance experience as possible. By my junior and senior years, I plan to pursue professional internships, attend unified auditions, and begin developing original scripts. Within five years of graduating, I hope to be working professionally while producing original work that highlights Afghan voices and other underrepresented communities. Joe Gilroy believed in planning your work and working your plan. I share that philosophy. My dream is ambitious, but it is supported by years of preparation, a clear roadmap, and a deep sense of purpose. I am not pursuing theater simply because I love performing. I am pursuing it because I want young people who look like me to see themselves on stage and know their stories matter. That is the impact I hope to make, and every step of my plan is designed to get me there.

Choosing musical theatre and performance as my art form came from my love of storytelling and music’s ability to connect people emotionally. Ever since I was young, I was drawn to performances that could make audiences laugh, cry, reflect, or feel understood within just a few hours. I realized that music and theatre together create a unique kind of connection because they allow stories to come alive in such a powerful and human way. Over time, what began as admiration for performers and productions became a passion that shaped my goals, identity, and future aspirations. Music and theatre became especially important to me because they gave me a space where I felt confident and understood. Growing up, I often found comfort in listening to music and watching performances that reflected emotions I struggled to express myself. When I began performing, I discovered how freeing it felt to communicate through music and storytelling. Performing allowed me to become more confident in my voice and my abilities, and it gave me a sense of purpose that I had not experienced anywhere else. As I became more involved in theatre and the performing arts, I realized how much the experience was shaping me as a person. Rehearsals taught me discipline, teamwork, and perseverance. Performing in front of audiences challenged me to step outside of my comfort zone and trust myself even when I felt nervous or uncertain. Theatre also taught me the importance of collaboration because every production depends on people supporting and trusting one another. Those experiences helped me grow not only as a performer, but also as a more open minded and resilient person. My family background has also influenced why the arts are so meaningful to me. As the daughter of an Afghan immigrant family, I rarely saw people who looked like me represented in theatre, music, or media while growing up. I often questioned why stories from communities like mine were missing from the stage and screen. That realization inspired me to pursue the arts even more seriously because I want to help create greater representation and tell stories that allow people from different backgrounds to feel seen and valued. I believe art has the power to create empathy and understanding, and I want to contribute to that through my work. Being involved in the arts has impacted every part of my life. It has taught me confidence, creativity, empathy, and discipline. It has introduced me to people and perspectives that helped me grow, and it has shown me the importance of vulnerability and authenticity. Most importantly, the arts gave me a voice and showed me that my stories and experiences matter. In the future, I hope to continue using musical theatre and performance to connect with audiences and create meaningful experiences through storytelling. I want to pursue a career where I can inspire others, especially young people from underrepresented communities who may not always see themselves reflected in the arts. Choosing this art form was not simply about finding something I enjoyed. It was about finding something that made me feel alive, understood, and capable of making a difference in the world around me.

Music has always been one of the most important parts of my life. It has given me confidence, comfort, and a way to express emotions that are difficult to put into words. Through music and musical theatre, I discovered not only my passion for performing, but also my sense of identity and purpose. Pursuing a degree in music and musical theatre is more than just a career goal for me. It is a commitment to storytelling, creativity, and creating meaningful connections with others through art. My background in music began at a young age through my love of singing, theatre, and performance. I was drawn to the way music could tell stories and create emotion in a way nothing else could. As I became more involved in theatre productions and performing arts opportunities throughout school, I realized how much joy and fulfillment performing brought me. Music became a space where I felt most confident and most understood. Whether I was rehearsing for a performance, learning music, or collaborating with other performers, I found myself constantly inspired by the creative process. Being involved in the arts has also taught me important life skills beyond performance. Through rehearsals and productions, I learned discipline, teamwork, resilience, and communication. Theatre pushed me outside of my comfort zone and helped me become more confident in myself and my abilities. I learned how to handle criticism constructively, adapt to challenges, and continue growing even when things felt difficult. Those lessons shaped me not only as a performer, but also as a person. My identity and family background have also influenced my passion for music and storytelling. As the daughter of an Afghan immigrant family, I grew up rarely seeing people who looked like me represented in theatre or music spaces. I often wondered why so many stories from communities like mine were overlooked in mainstream media and performance. Over time, that realization inspired me to pursue the arts even more seriously because I want to help create greater representation and tell stories that reflect a wider range of experiences. I want young people from underrepresented backgrounds to see themselves in the arts and feel encouraged to pursue their own creative dreams. After finishing my degree, I hope to build a career in musical theatre and performance while continuing to grow as an artist and storyteller. I want to perform in productions that emotionally connect with audiences and create work that helps people feel seen, understood, and inspired. Beyond performing, I hope to contribute to an arts community that values diversity, authenticity, and collaboration. I want to use my voice and creativity to create opportunities for meaningful storytelling and representation in the industry. Most importantly, I hope my future career allows me to positively impact others through music and performance. Music has been a source of healing, confidence, and connection throughout my life, and I want to give that same feeling to audiences through my work. Pursuing a degree in music is not simply about following a passion. It is about dedicating myself to something that has shaped who I am and using it to inspire and connect with others for years to come.

Collaboration in the fine arts means creating something larger than yourself through trust, communication, and shared passion. In fields like musical theatre and performance, no production can succeed because of just one person. Every actor, musician, stage manager, designer, director, and crew member contributes something meaningful to the final result. To me, collaboration is about listening to others, respecting different perspectives, and working together to tell a story that connects with audiences. It is one of the most rewarding parts of being involved in the arts because it creates a sense of community and belonging that is difficult to find anywhere else. My experiences in theatre and music have shown me how powerful collaboration can be. During rehearsals and performances, I learned that every person involved has an important role, even if their work is not always visible to the audience. I have worked with casts and crews where everyone brought different strengths, personalities, and ideas to the process. At first, I thought performing was mostly about individual talent, but over time I realized that the strongest performances happen when people trust and support one another. Theatre taught me how to communicate effectively, adapt to challenges, and remain open to feedback in order to help the entire production succeed. One of the most inspiring aspects of collaboration for me has been seeing how art can bring together people from completely different backgrounds. As someone from an Afghan immigrant family, I grew up understanding the importance of storytelling and connection. In many rehearsal spaces, I met people with experiences and perspectives very different from my own, yet we were all united by the same goal of creating meaningful art. Those experiences taught me empathy and reminded me that collaboration is not just about working together, but also about learning from one another. Some of my favorite memories in theatre are not necessarily from being on stage, but from the moments backstage when everyone was encouraging one another, solving problems together, and celebrating the work we created as a team. I have also been inspired by the collaborative nature of musical theatre because every artistic element works together to create emotion and meaning. Music, choreography, costumes, lighting, and acting all depend on one another to tell a complete story. Watching how these pieces come together during a production inspired me to continue pursuing the arts because it showed me the beauty of collective creativity. There is something incredibly fulfilling about being part of a group where everyone contributes their talents to create something that could never exist alone. In the future, I hope to continue building collaborative environments where people feel respected, supported, and inspired to share their creativity. I want to be someone who uplifts others both on and off the stage because I know how important encouragement can be in artistic spaces. Collaboration in the arts is not just about creating performances. It is about creating relationships, trust, and experiences that stay with people long after the curtain closes. Those connections are what continue to inspire me to pursue a future in musical theatre and the fine arts.

Growing up in an Afghan immigrant family deeply shaped my understanding of finances, sacrifice, and the importance of education. My mother came to the United States as a refugee, and like many immigrant families, mine had to build a life from almost nothing. I grew up hearing stories about the challenges my family faced when they first arrived in America, including living in crowded homes, working long hours, and adjusting to a completely new culture while still holding onto their own traditions. My mother once shared a home with eleven other family members, all living under one roof while trying to create a stable future together. Even though resources were limited, my family always prioritized hard work, resilience, and education. Watching my family overcome financial struggles taught me lessons that no classroom could fully provide. I learned early on that money is not something to waste and that financial stability takes patience, discipline, and sacrifice. My family worked incredibly hard to provide opportunities for me that they never had growing up. Because of their sacrifices, I have been able to pursue my education and my passion for musical theatre and performance. Their experiences motivate me to take my future seriously and understand the importance of financial literacy as I prepare for adulthood. Although I have not had extensive formal financial education in school, my family’s experiences taught me practical lessons about budgeting, saving, and making responsible choices. I saw firsthand how important it is to plan ahead and make careful financial decisions, especially when supporting a large family or pursuing long term goals. As someone planning to enter the performing arts industry, I also understand that financial literacy will be especially important for me. Careers in the arts can sometimes be unpredictable, so learning how to manage money wisely will allow me to continue pursuing my passion while creating stability for myself. In the future, I plan to use what I learn about finances to build a secure and independent life. I want to continue learning about budgeting, saving, investing, and managing debt so I can make smart decisions throughout college and my career. Scholarships are especially meaningful to me because they help reduce financial stress and make higher education more accessible. Receiving support through scholarships would allow me to focus more on my education, training, and future goals without placing additional financial strain on my family. Most importantly, I want to use financial education to honor the sacrifices my family made for me. My family’s journey is one of resilience, determination, and hope for a better future, and I want to continue that legacy by creating opportunities not only for myself, but for others as well. I hope to eventually use my success to give back to my family and inspire other young people from immigrant backgrounds to pursue both financial stability and their dreams. By combining education, discipline, and passion, I believe I can build a future that reflects everything my family worked so hard to achieve.

Music has always been one of the most important forms of expression in my life. It has the ability to bring people together, tell stories that words alone cannot, and provide comfort during difficult moments. Because of this, I aspire to pursue a career as a performer in musical theatre and the music industry. I want to use my voice, acting, and creativity to connect with audiences in meaningful ways and create performances that leave lasting emotional impact. I chose music because it has always made me feel understood. Whether I was listening to a song that reflected my emotions or performing in front of an audience, music became a space where I could fully express myself. Theatre and music have also helped me grow as a person by teaching me confidence, discipline, collaboration, and resilience. Performing allows me to step into different perspectives and tell stories that inspire empathy and understanding. I realized that this was not just a hobby for me, but something I truly wanted to dedicate my future to. Some of my biggest role models in the music industry are artists and performers who use their platforms to inspire others and remain authentic to themselves. I admire performers in musical theatre and music who are able to emotionally connect with audiences through storytelling and vulnerability. Their dedication motivates me to continue improving my craft and reminds me that music can have a powerful influence on people’s lives. I hope to make an impact on the music industry by creating art that helps people feel seen, heard, and understood. I want to contribute to an environment where creativity and individuality are celebrated, especially for young women pursuing careers in the arts. Representation and authenticity matter, and I hope to encourage others to pursue their passions confidently, even when the path feels uncertain. Through performance, I want to bring people comfort, joy, and inspiration in the same way music has done for me. Most importantly, I want people to remember me as someone who was genuine, passionate, and kind. I hope audiences remember the emotions they felt during my performances and the stories I helped bring to life. Success to me is not only about recognition, but about making a positive impact on others through creativity and human connection. If my work can inspire even one person to feel more confident, hopeful, or understood, then I will know I made a difference.