After the graduation excitement dies down, students are tasked with choosing what they will do for the rest of their lives. Statistically, students tend to select a major based on what will make them the most money, rather than picking what they are truly interested in due to fear of failure, and disapproval from families. I, however, decided I was going to be different. I decided my life would be spent doing what I love, which is Musical theatre. All my life I’ve been interested in art, but recently found a deep passion for performing arts. I’m lucky to have support from my family, and regardless of my financial situation, I know I’m going to spend my life making a change. At twelve years old, my parents told me I should join drama because of how dramatic I was. Annoyed, I decided I would investigate. It seemed like such a foreign concept to me, as I was not the best dancer, and I had never acted before. On my first day of rehearsal, my mom dropped me off at my local community theatre and told me to make this day an important day in my life. That day sparked a newfound passion for something I never thought I’d be good at. Walking toward center stage and staring out at the lights and the empty seats made me realize the future I could have. I imagined my family sitting out in the audience, surrounded by a completely sold-out theatre. I knew how important reaching this point would mean to my family and me, but I also recognized the importance of this accomplishment as a Latina. This made me ask: how can I inspire others through art? To get there, I knew I had to take action. It became my new goal to inspire young minority children. As a child, I never had a Disney Princess to who I could relate. None of them spoke Spanish or shared my culture, and at times it made me ashamed of my background. But as I grew, I realized my culture is something I should embrace with open arms. As I face the lights on stage, I see my younger self in the audience. I see her face light up as she finally sees someone who looks like her and shares her heritage on stage. I’d like to be the change. I will be the voice for the voiceless. I will tell untold stories and bring light to issues that have remained in the dark. I will make it so that no child should ever have to feel ashamed of their race, gender, sexual orientation, or ethnicity. As a performer, I will bring pride and hope. Hope for those who come from marginalized communities and pride for people of all backgrounds. Musical theatre has ultimately changed my life. I’ll always be grateful for my parent’s support, as they still managed to find the funds to support my passion even through all their financial hardships. As I finally conclude High School, words cannot describe how excited I am to finally receive the training I’ve dreamed of. I don’t care for fame, instead, I care about making a change. I want the arts to be more accessible to children, and for minorities to be properly represented on stage. I will dedicate my time to making sure that happens. If I’m able to reach and inspire at least one person in my entire career, my job as an artist will be complete.

My favorite piece of art would have to be "The Paradise of Others" by Maria Berrío. This is a more modern piece, as it came out in 2019. I first discovered this work of art while having a conversation with my uncle. Him and I were considered the artistic ones in the family, and he had recommended me Berríos work to take a look at, so I could see more of the art my culture has to offer. I initially was drawn to the enticing title, and fell in love with this portrait, as although it is a painting, the moment is captured like time had been stopped, and the family in the piece were taken off guard by a sudden photograph. I was conflicted by the contrast of the red flamingos, and the bright abstract colors used beneath the dull colored house. After seeing this portrait, I was inspired to learn more about my culture, the impact it had on my life, and how I will use it to carry on with the rest of my life. This piece inspired me to learn more about my great-grandmother and her life and history of growing up in Colombia in the 1920s. I am grateful for this piece as it had opened my eyes to such a wonderful culture, and allowed me to learn more about my strong great-grandmother, who sadly passed away of old age. This piece connected me to my wonderful culture. I intend to do the same to others if I am able to pursue a career in the arts.

From a young age, singing had become something I enjoyed doing, something I wanted to devote my time to mastering. I took lessons from a young age and did choir for six years to master my singing. When I was in the seventh grade, my parents enrolled me into a local theatre with kids from around my area. Then, I really fell in love. I spent every day after school in an auditorium. Five years of my life dedicated to just singing, and from seventh grade to now dedicating my life to the stage. Being given the opportunity to express my feelings and being able to touch someone with song and with delivery of a monologue is one of life's treasures to me. I spend my free time practicing songs, going to competitions and in my school's theatrical productions. As of recently I participated in a theatrical competition and received a superior rated score in my individual solo and will be representing my school at a state level competition. Every day after school, I’m in my school's auditorium. Practicing a song or reciting a monologue, you’ll always catch me here.

When I was a child, I always wondered what was. Always pondering what I was going to be when I grew up, what I was passionate about. My peers around me seeming to already know what they like, who they are, who they were meant to be. I, on the other hand, clueless. Contemplating, question, wondering, why couldn’t I have my passion like all the other kids? Why couldn’t I just be like everyone else? Then it happened. The moment I was waiting for had finally came. The moment of truth, the moment of normality. I held my breath as the answer hit me like a gentle knock: Music. That was the answer. Music was the reason for my happiness. Music is my escape; music is within me. I was 8 years young when this occurred. Third grade, I sang a song to myself, specifically Titanium by David Guetta. I realized that I enjoyed what I was doing – I realized I was good at what I was doing. I told my mom in my native language that I liked singing, and there began the involvement of music in my life. Growing up, I was exposed to cultural music. Bachata, Salsa, Merengue, styles of music and dance from my home country, Colombia. From then music became more meaningful to me because it reminded me of my culture. I grew up dancing and listening to this cultural music, and having it be a part of my identity. I knew growing up that I had a responsibility. As a first generation American in my family, I needed to be successful for my family. As the oldest, and only child, I knew I had to be successful in my future. I began singing, and singing, and just never stopped. I joined my school choir and didn’t stop until 8th grade. I had to have the conversation with myself that music was my life, and I couldn’t live in a life where music wasn’t tenderly holding my hand towards my dream job. It frazzled me, confused me, as I didn’t know how my family would react. Who I would be letting down, as our cultural expectations is to be a lawyer, a doctor, or something that doesn’t involve passion in a career. Middle school rolled around, and I became feeling more and more isolated. I didn’t feel normal, I felt like an outcast. I started gaining feelings towards people I shouldn’t have, and the person I considered my best friend told me I was just faking these feelings. My culture, my family; how would they react? Would my family still love me? These thoughts putting me into a deep state of thought. Music however, music was always there for me. Like the best friend I never knew I needed. In hundreds of different languages, but all speaking to me in one calming melody. Music has made me who I am. I plug in my headphones and play my music as loud as I can. It helps me escape, it reminds me what I’m here for, what I’m working for. It is the most liberating feeling to play the sounds of my heart and release what I’ve been feeling. It gently levitates me and alleviates me of my problems, even just for a minute. Forgetting my responsibilities, forgetting my past, forgetting my issues, and just being able to find myself again. Music reminds me of who I am. It is like a calm voice that takes my hand and tells me who I am. I am able to be myself. This begs the question: What is the role of music in my life? To this, I am finally able to answer. I am now strong enough to admit the truth, say what I’m feeling. Music is not ‘a part of my life,’ no. Music IS my life.