Mental health has greatly affected me personally. My freshman year of high school was extremely hard for me. I was in an abusive romantic relationship and didn't know right from wrong. I ended most of my days crying or couldn't even make it through the day without crying. I soon discovered my passion for art during this hard time. Morning clubs were announced on Friday and only one club caught my attention: open studio. I thought to myself, "Going once can't hurt." I walked down to the art room and sat down at a table with some watercolor paints and brushes. As soon as I began painting, I felt a weight lifted off of my shoulders. I had found my happy place. I love seeing younger students come into the art room, willing to try something new. Throughout my high school career, I have become known as the girl always in the art room. I take pride in this label because I feel secure and safe in the art room. So far, my favorite piece of art that I've created was my mental health-themed records. I was given the prompt for an art show in my area: tune into mental health. I went through the entire creative process of research, sketches, and ideation to come to my favorite idea. I knew many people were going to do headphones, music notes, and iPods. I wanted to do something different and something nobody has thought of before. I came to the idea of drawing my own records. I sat down at my computer and got to work. I completed my entire project in an hour because of how passionate I felt about my art. I included words that followed how I have felt in my lifetime. I have become stronger than ever and want to be able to share there are healthy outlets. I drew each record, album cover, and shape personally to better portray my art. I still struggle with my mental health to this day but have turned to art for a release instead of self-harm. I still feel all the feelings I have shown in my artwork, but finally found healthy outlets for my issues now. This piece has become my favorite by far because I finally had the strength to share and open up about how I feel. I want to share this with the world and show that there are ways to help. This piece shows the world that mental health needs to be talked about more and better understood. You can find this piece at the top of the Graphics section of my portfolio at mariellenmish.weebly.com

So far, my favorite piece of art that I've created was my mental health-themed records. I was given the prompt for an art show in my area: tune into mental health. I went through the entire creative process of research, sketches, and ideation to come to my favorite idea. I knew many people were going to do headphones, music notes, and iPods. I wanted to do something different and something nobody has thought of before. I came to the idea of drawing my own records. I sat down at my computer and got to work. I completed my entire project in an hour because of how passionate I felt about my art. I included words that followed how I have felt in my lifetime. I have become stronger than ever and want to be able to share there are healthy outlets. I drew each record, album cover, and shape personally to better portray my art. My freshman year of high school was extremely hard for me. I was in an abusive romantic relationship and didn't know right from wrong. I ended most of my days crying or couldn't even make it through the day without crying. I soon discovered my passion for art during this hard time. Morning clubs were announced on Friday and only one club caught my attention: open studio. I thought to myself, "Going once can't hurt." I walked down to the art room and sat down at a table with some watercolor paints and brushes. As soon as I began painting, I felt a weight lifted off of my shoulders. I had found my happy place. I love seeing younger students come into the art room, willing to try something new. Throughout my high school career, I have become known as the girl always in the art room. I take pride in this label because I feel secure and safe in the art room. I still struggle with my mental health to this day but have turned to art for a release instead of self-harm. I still feel all the feelings I have shown in my artwork, but finally found healthy outlets for my issues now. This piece has become my favorite by far because I finally had the strength to share and open up about how I feel. I want to share this with the world and show that there are ways to help. This piece shows the world that mental health needs to be talked about more and better understood.

My favorite song from Taylor Swift's '1989' album has to be "All You Had To Do Was Stay." I love this song because it sums up all I have felt throughout my life. Many people have come and gone without giving me an explanation as to why. I've had to figure out their reasons on my own without any guidance. Friends and boyfriends have walked into my life only to leave. They then eventually became crawling back to me. Taylor says it perfectly with the lines "Here you are now, calling me up, but I don't know what to say / I've been picking up the pieces of the mess you made / People like you always want back the love they pushed aside / But people like me are gone forever when you say goodbye." They have left to realize what they lost when they lost me. I can be nice and forgiving but do not allow these people back in. I know Taylor's badass would probably not always approve of me doing this, but you live and you learn. I believe that if someone does it once, they will do it again. I grew up with divorced parents. My mom was my rock and my dad was never around. Physically yes, but emotionally no. This song also has helped me heal from the trauma my father created. "Hey, all you had to do was stay / Had me in the palm of your hand / Then why'd you have to go and lock me out when I let you in?" I wanted a relationship with my father, but he could never give me the time of day. I was vulnerable with him to let him in, but he locked me and my sister out time after time. When '1989' came out, I was only nine years old. I have been an avid Taylor Swift fan since I was little. I was always surrounded by older girlfriends that were head over heels for Taylor Swift. We would have listening parties and then play strictly Taylor Swift anytime we hung out. My family couldn't afford tickets to her concerts once she turned to more pop music. I've only gone to one of her concerts and was really bummed out when I saw the prices for the Eras Tour. This scholarship opportunity came up on my Instagram feed and I knew I immediately had to apply. Taylor Swift has been present during my entire life and she has helped me through many life events.

Volunteering has been something that always has sat so close to my heart. I grew up volunteering at a camp every summer with my mother. The camp is called Camp PARC and is devoted to serving those with special needs such as Autism and Down Syndrome. A week is devoted to campers to let them enjoy a normal summer camp just like their peers. I grew up in this environment of everyone being equal and loved, all the same, no matter our differences. As I entered elementary school, I was known as the kid who was friends with everyone. It didn't matter to me who someone sat with at lunch, how someone got to school in the morning, or what someone's grades were. I was taught to be compassionate to all because not everyone has a great support system or home life. I watched many of my friends struggle as we got older in different aspects of life. I knew I could help in some way. I always was the person that provided a listening ear, a joke, or even a hug to make someone smile. Camp PARC offered me tools to use outside of camp as well as inside camp. Camp PARC taught me many qualities and I continue to volunteer my summers at camp to keep making a difference in campers' lives. I would not be the person I am today if I was not given the opportunity to volunteer at camp from a young age. Since money has been a struggle throughout my life, I've been taught to volunteer my time. Since I could not give checks to those that are in need, I give my time. There is always someone who could use a hand opening a door, walking to their car, or carrying their groceries. To me, any act of kindness betters you. It teaches one to be less selfish and to always be on the lookout for someone in need. I need this scholarship financially because money has always been a struggle in my home. My mom was a single mother who taught art at a local public school. My dad, who paid child support, jumped from job to job my entire life. Currently, he is unemployed, leaving my mom in charge of supporting both my sister and me. I have been working since I was 13 years old. My mom would never let me contribute to our bills in any way because she wanted me to set aside my hard-earned money for my own use. Every holiday and pay, I would put money into my savings account and would not touch it. Since then, I still do not touch this account and plan to use what money is in it towards my education.

I am North Star High School's very own Mariellen Mish. I am a young woman from Boswell, Pennsylvania who loves spending time working on art, exploring the outdoors, playing basketball, and public speaking. My peers would describe me as courageous, outgoing, admirable, intelligent, and diligent. In school, I am Senior Class President, in the National Honors Society, Secretary of the Community Art Works Club, in Mu Alpha Theta, Vice-President of the Podcast Club, President of the Art Club, a member of the school news and newspaper, and a part of the Yearbook Committee. After graduating high school, I hope to pursue a degree in Graphic Design at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Ever since I was a young child, I have spent a week each summer at a camp for people with mental disabilities. This camp is called Camp PARC (People Always Responding with Compassion). This camp is held in Laurel Hill State Park, specifically Group Camp 8. People ages 6+ can attend one of the three sessions offered at Camp PARC. Usually held in the month of July, the camp starts off with an "Adult Mini Week." This week is meant for senior citizens and others with mental disabilities who can not spend an entire week with us at camp. Next is "Youth Mini Week" for children ages 6-18. Lastly, is "Adult Full Week" for those 18 and older. My mom volunteered as a Senior Staff Counselor at camp. Each year, no matter how little we were, she brought my sister and me with her. We grew up around those with special needs and learned, despite society's standards, that those with mental disabilities are just as able as anyone else. We were taught how to respect and communicate with those who do not process things the same way we do. During these sessions, we provide the best week for our friends with special needs. The weeks are focused completely on campers and have a different theme for campers to interact with each year. Basically, campers get to feel like a celebrity for a week and make many new lasting friendships. Each year volunteers, like myself, are paired up with a new camper. This volunteer may be familiar with that camper but has never served them as a counselor before. Looking back at these weeks in my life, I think I will forever be grateful for the memories and moments I have been lucky enough to experience. I have made so many friendships with those I volunteered for and with that I will never, ever forget. I believe that everyone should experience a camp like this at least once in their life. Not just to help others, but to change society's view on mentally disabled people.

Mental health issues run deeply in my family. I was pretty much destined to have mental health issues the moment I was born. Holidays either went amazing or took a turn for the worse. I grew up not knowing what to expect. I watched everyone around me struggle until I turned 12 and realized I too was struggling. It took me entering high school to finally find a healthy outlet for my emotions and thoughts. In seventh grade, I began fighting to do things. This included social events, going to school, and attending church. I just didn't want to be out of the house. I thought I was just maturing faster than those around me and just wanted time to myself. I gradually began to realize that I wasn't maturing fast, I was struggling. Once high school started, all of these things got severely worse. I would fake being sick and make up any excuse I could to get out of going school and hanging out with friends. I would spent whole class periods in the bathroom crying over the same things. My teachers soon began to notice this. I didn't have a healthy outlet for these feelings until one club day freshman year. The clubs were announced that morning and only one caught my attention- the art club. I went to the club and kept to myself in a quiet corner. I started going week after week, then during lunch, until it turned into me asking my teachers if I could miss their classes that day to go down to the art room. Art is a way for me to escape from reality and focus on what makes me happiest. Because of this escape, I want to pursue a degree in Graphic Design after high school. I want to help spread art through our society to help others as art has helped me. I want to be able to show others how therapeutic something you enjoy can be. Knowing many other teens are experiencing what I do, I want to show and share that there are healthy outlets for these issues. With the worry of my symptoms progressing after high school in the back of my mind, I hope to continue my art to help ease my mind in college. I'd truly be lost without art in my life. By getting a degree in art, I can hopefully share my story and art with generations to come.

My life has begun to feel like a never-ending cycle of bad news medically. It's almost like any problem has to be topped by the next. I have become known in my family as the "medically expensive child." Ever since I could walk, I've been super clumsy. I would have brusies all over my legs from tripping and falling. I was likely to spill my drink all over the dining room table. It became concluded that I was being careless. This was all until my mom took me to the eye doctor. As it turned out, I was dealing with Amblyopia. In simple terms, a severe lazy eye. From five years old on, I had to be wearing glasses or contacts. Sometimes I even had to wear an eye patch. As it turns out, this was just the tip of the iceberg. I was soon diagnosed with allergies only a couple years later. I would randomly break out in hives all over my body and be miserable. I was allergic to pretty much everything in sight. Fortunately, all I had to do was go to my checkups, get my allergy shots, and take Benadryl when I would get hives. Because of all this, I now can't go one day without taking my Zyrtec. During one basketball game in 7th grade, I couldn't breathe. I was in shape. Not being able to catch my breath made no sense. It felt as if I was breathing through a straw. Thankfully, my coach noticed something was wrong and took me out of the game. After that incident, my mom took me to the doctor right away. The doctor concluded that I had developed asthma. Ever since, I began carrying my inhaler anywhere. Another unfortanute event led me to getting my blood tested. About twenty vials of my blood were taken that day. Soon after, the specialist broke the news to my mother and I that I had Von Willebrand's Disease. In other words, my blood doesn't clot correctly. This now means that if I ever plan to have surgery, I need to take certain medications to ensure I don't bleed out. This can also put me at risk to many issues down the road. The most recent issue I've had was a severe concussion. I got the concussion in September of 2021. After this happened, I was out of school for three weeks and couldn't complete my work even when I returned to school. No amount of physical therapy or rest helped me heal. It took me about six months to finally find relief. The solution was vision therapy. Finally, after nine months of dealing with this concussion, I was symptom free and finally felt like myself. After high school, my dream is to persue higher education and Major in Graphic Design. Having all these medical issues only scares me for the future. I hope that I can soon make this dream a reality and face whatever else comes my way.

Mental health issues run deeply in my family. I was pretty much destined to have mental health issues the moment I was born. Holidays either went amazing or took a turn for the worse. I grew up not knowing what to expect. I watched everyone around me struggle until I turned 12 and realized I too was struggling. It took me entering high school to find a healthy outlet for my emotions and thoughts. It all started with a club day freshman year. The clubs were announced that morning and only one caught my attention- the art club. I went to the club and kept to myself in a quiet corner. I started going week after week, then during lunch, until it turned into me asking my teachers if I could miss their classes that day to go down to the art room. Art is a way for me to escape from reality and focus on what makes me happiest. Because of this escape, I want to pursue a degree in Graphic Design after high school. I want to help spread art through our society to help others as art has helped me. I want to be able to show others how therapeutic something you enjoy can be. Knowing many other teens are experiencing what I do, I want to show and share that there are healthy outlets for these issues. With the worry of my symptoms progressing after high school in the back of my mind, I hope to continue my art to help ease my mind in college. I'd truly be lost without art in my life. By getting a degree in art, I can hopefully share my story and art with generations to come.

Art is a way for me to escape from reality and focus on what makes me happiest. For years I've struggled with mental health issues and finally found an outlet for all my stress, anxiety, etc through art. Because of this passion, I want to pursue a Graphic Design degree after high school. I want to help spread art through our society to help others as art has helped me. I want to be able to show others how therapeutic something you enjoy can be. Knowing many other teens are experiencing what I do, I want to show and share that there are healthy outlets for these issues. Spreading art throughout our world is easier, but also just as difficult today. Art is now known for videos, photos, paintings, murals, statues, carvings, prints, and so much more. It reaches many audiences in many different ways, but sadly it is being taken away from schools nationwide. If this continues to happen, there will be a loss of passion and art could be forgotten. Additionally, if these classes aren't offered in as little as elementary schools, post-high school art programs will fail. Knowing future generations may not get the chance to express themselves through art, I will advocate for art to continue to be a major role in society. With the worry of my symptoms progressing after high school in the back of my mind, I hope to continue my art to help ease my mind in college. I'd truly be lost without art in my life. Through getting a degree in art, I can hopefully share my story and art with generations to come.

I believe the biggest problem facing the world today is division. There is division everywhere around us. Politics are the main example of division today. I do believe that everyone should have the right to their own beliefs, but not when it can harm others. Division is the main cause of wars, racism, laws, and so much more. If many could open their eyes to the world around them, they could see the negative impact that their views on division have to the world around them. I wish for all to not only consider their thoughts when making a decision, but also to those around them. If the world was more inclusive, homosexuals wouldn't be fighting for their rights. If the world was more inclusive, African Americans wouldn't still be fighting for equality in 2022. If the world was more inclusive, religious differences would not be a rocky topic. If the world was more inclusive, parents wouldn't worry about their children's safety when sending them to school everyday. In addition to these points, the war in Ukraine could be avoided if only there wasn't a division. One simple solution to this all is for the people of the world to be more commutative and understanding.

My entire life, I have been taught to put others first and myself second. Along with this, I grew up at a camp for those with special needs. The camp is focused on those with Down Syndrome and Autism, but serves a variety of campers each year. It provides campers with a week that they get to become the main priority and get to be treated like a celebrity. I grew up learning that each and every soul there was so kind and pure. I knew immediately I wanted to do my part in helping others. When I came of age to officially volunteer, I took the chance immediately. Being able to help another feel like they are on top of the world is truly an amazing thing. Every year possible, I volunteer a week of my time to spend helping another. It has shaped me into the selfless person I am today.

Two weeks after I had just received my driver's license in December of 2021, my first car was considered totaled. I soon had to begin looking for a vehicle that ran well, was safe, and reasonably priced. After some looking, I found a wrecked car that had been fixed up like new. The cost of $8,000 was realistic, but not manageable at the time for me. Thankfully, when I was little, my mom had set up a savings account for me. Every holiday and birthday she encouraged me to put money into the account so I could use it when I got older. At the time this accident happened in 2021, I was 1,000 dollars short from the total 8,000 dollars. My mom offered to pay that amount if I worked to pay her back. Since I now was 16 with a car, I decided I needed a job that wasn't just in the summer. I began working everyday afterschool and taking at least 100 from each paycheck to repay my mother. After paying her back, I began working to pay myself back. Every pay I take out money to deposit into my savings account to try to build it back up like it once was. I hope that I can encourage others to put away money for a rainy day and hopefully encourage others to do that for their future kids.

Laughing, snacking, loving, baking (mostly burning), drawing, running, painting, fidgeting, Dr. Pepper-loving, pig-farming, planner-writing, Dunkin-going, singing, and basketball-playing are just some of the words those who know me would use to describe me. I'm Mariellen Mish (pronounced Mary-Ellen) and come from a little town in Pennsylvania that many don't know. (I honestly don't know if the rest of PA knows about us...) In my free time, I love to do many things. Some say I get easily distracted, so more times than once, I am juggling four different things at once.

Ever since I can remember, I've been a complete clutz. Falling upstairs, tripping over my own feet, dropping my phone, running into someone in the hallway, dropping my lunch tray. Everyone always notices my clumsiness at the worst times. Not one day goes by that I don't think about that one, traumatizing day in second grade. The sky was dark and we were expecting rain the whole day. When there was rain, we wouldn't go outside for recess. Instead, we would stay in our classroom and play with either toys or games our teacher had. It just so happens that our classroom was housing mealworms for our science class. We got these tiny worms as eggs and were going to raise them to become beetles. They lived in a clear, see-through container in sawdust on our teacher's desk. They had apple slices to eat and a cheesecloth covering the top. When it was time for science class, they would come off her desk and onto a table for all of us to observe. After science was recess. Which meant that those stupid mealworms had to be moved. My teacher knew how much I liked those things. She asked me to move them from the table to her desk. So, I went to pick up the 6 x 11 container, covered by a cloth. As soon as I took one step with it towards my teacher's desk, I tripped. All the contents of the container flew across the room and all over the floor. Just as fast as it happened, the tears showed up. I began bawling, trying my best to pick up these yellow, smooth creatures. The teacher came over to me and tried to comfort me. She said to me, "Mariellen it's okay, they are just worms." I couldn't shake the feeling that I killed all of these poor, helpless creatures. I murdered them in cold blood, on a rainy day that took away my recess. The teacher ended up calling my mom, telling her I was a mess. When I returned home from school that day, my mom questioned me and I began bawling, yet again. To this day, this story comes up and I can remember it as clear as day. My mom now loves to joke with me about what happened on that one rainy day in second grade. My hatred for those stupid mealworms continues to grow each day I am reminded of that incident.

Art is a way for me to escape from reality and focus on what makes me happiest. For years I've struggled with mental health issues and finally found an outlet for all my stress, anxiety, etc through art. Because of this passion, I want to pursue a Graphic Design degree after high school. I want to help spread art through our society to help others as art has helped me. I want to be able to show others how therapeutic something you enjoy can be. Knowing many other teens are experiencing what I do, I want to show and share that there are healthy outlets for these issues. Spreading art throughout our world is easier, but also just as difficult today. Art is now known for videos, photos, paintings, murals, statues, carvings, prints, and so much more. It reaches many audiences in many different ways, but sadly it is being taken away from schools nationwide. If this continues to happen, there will be a loss of passion and art could be forgotten. Additionally, if these classes aren't offered in as little as elementary schools, post-high school art programs will fail. Knowing future generations may not get the chance to express themselves through art, I will advocate for art to continue to be a major role in society. With the worry of my symptoms progressing after high school in the back of my mind, I hope to continue my art to help ease my mind in college. I'd truly be lost without art in my life. Through getting a degree in art, I can hopefully share my story and art with generations to come.

As a junior in high school, I've struggled many times trying to decide what I plan to do after high school. Since my freshman year, I've always been in the art room. However, it never occurred to me how much art has influenced me, until this year. Spreading art throughout our world is easier, but also just as difficult today. Art has been around for centuries in many different forms. Society has changed it in so many ways today. Art is now known for videos, photos, paintings, murals, statues, carvings, prints, and so much more. It reaches many audiences in many different ways, but sadly it is being taken away from schools nationwide. If this continues to happen, there will be a loss of passion and art could be forgotten. Additionally, if these classes aren't offered in as little as elementary schools, post-high school art programs will fail. Knowing future generations may not get the chance to express themselves through art, I will advocate for art to continue to be a major role in society.

As a junior in high school, I've struggled many times trying to decide what I plan to do after high school. Since my freshman year, I've always been in the art room. However, it never occurred to me how much art has influenced me, until this year. Art is a way for me to escape from reality and focus on what makes me happiest. For years I've struggled with mental health issues and finally found an outlet for all my stress, anxiety, etc through art. Anytime I'm in the art room, I am either working on the computer with graphics, using my hands out in the woodshop, painting on a canvas, or sometimes even a wall. Because of this passion, I want to pursue a Graphic Design degree after high school. I want to help spread art through our society to help others as art has helped me. I want to be able to show others how therapeutic something you enjoy can be. Knowing many other teens are experiencing what I do, I want to show and share that there are healthy outlets for these issues. According to Single Care.com, depression affects 70.77% of teens worldwide. Adding to that statistic, it is shown that depression is twice as likely in women. Statistics continue to rise in college students, who begin experiencing depression symptoms, even after high school. Spreading art throughout our world is easier, but also just as difficult today. Art has been around for centuries in many different forms. Society has changed it in so many ways today. Art is now known for videos, photos, paintings, murals, statues, carvings, prints, and so much more. It reaches many audiences in many different ways, but sadly it is being taken away from schools nationwide. If this continues to happen, there will be a loss of passion and art could be forgotten. Additionally, if these classes aren't offered in as little as elementary schools, post-high school art programs will fail. Knowing future generations may not get the chance to express themselves through art, I will advocate for art to continue to be a major role in society. With the worry of my symptoms progressing after high school in the back of my mind, I hope to continue my art to help ease my mind in college. I'd truly be lost without art in my life. Through getting a degree in art, I can hopefully share my story and art with generations to come.

As a junior in high school, I've struggled many times trying to decide what I plan to do after high school. Since my freshman year, I've always been in the art room. However, it never occurred to me how much art has influenced me, until this year. Art is a way for me to escape from reality and focus on what makes me happiest. For years I've struggled with mental health issues and finally found an outlet for all my stress, anxiety, etc through art. Anytime I'm in the art room, I am either working on the computer with graphics, using my hands out in the woodshop, painting on a canvas, or sometimes even a wall. Because of this passion, I want to pursue a Graphic Design degree after high school. I want to help spread art through our society to help others as art has helped me. I want to be able to show others how therapeutic something you enjoy can be. Knowing many other teens are experiencing what I do, I want to show and share that there are healthy outlets for these issues. According to Single Care.com, depression affects 70.77% of teens worldwide. Adding to that statistic, it is shown that depression is twice as likely in women. Statistics continue to rise in college students, who begin experiencing depression symptoms, even after high school. Spreading art throughout our world is easier, but also just as difficult today. Art has been around for centuries in many different forms. Society has changed it in so many ways today. Art is now known for videos, photos, paintings, murals, statues, carvings, prints, and so much more. It reaches many audiences in many different ways, but sadly it is being taken away from schools nationwide. If this continues to happen, there will be a loss of passion and art could be forgotten. Additionally, if these classes aren't offered in as little as elementary schools, post-high school art programs will fail. Knowing future generations may not get the chance to express themselves through art, I will advocate for art to continue to be a major role in society. With the worry of my symptoms progressing after high school in the back of my mind, I hope to continue my art to help ease my mind in college. I'd truly be lost without art in my life. Through getting a degree in art, I can hopefully share my story and art with generations to come.

As a junior in high school, I've struggled many times trying to decide what I plan to do after high school. Since my freshman year, I've always been in the art room. However, it never occurred to me how much art has influenced me, until this year. Art is a way for me to escape from reality and focus on what makes me happiest. For years I've struggled with mental health issues and finally found an outlet for all my stress, anxiety, etc through art. Anytime I'm in the art room, I am either working on the computer with graphics, using my hands out in the woodshop, painting on a canvas, or sometimes even a wall. Because of this passion, I want to pursue a Graphic Design degree after high school. I want to help spread art through our society to help others as art has helped me. I want to be able to show others how therapeutic something you enjoy can be. Knowing many other teens are experiencing what I do, I want to show and share that there are healthy outlets for these issues. Spreading art throughout our world is easier, but also just as difficult today. Art is now known for videos, photos, paintings, murals, statues, carvings, prints, and so much more. It reaches many audiences in many different ways, but sadly it is being taken away from schools nationwide. If this continues to happen, there will be a loss of passion and art could be forgotten. Additionally, if these classes aren't offered in as little as elementary schools, post-high school art programs will fail. Knowing future generations may not get the chance to express themselves through art, I will advocate for art to continue to be a major role in society.

As a junior in high school, I've struggled many times trying to decide what I plan to do after high school. Since my freshman year, I've always been in the art room. However, it never occurred to me how much art has influenced me, until this year. Art is a way for me to escape from reality and focus on what makes me happiest. For years I've struggled with mental health issues and finally found an outlet for all my stress, anxiety, etc through art. Anytime I'm in the art room, I am either working on the computer with graphics, using my hands out in the woodshop, painting on a canvas, or sometimes even a wall. Because of this passion, I want to pursue a Graphic Design degree after high school. I want to help spread art through our society to help others as art has helped me. I want to be able to show others how therapeutic something you enjoy can be. Knowing many other teens are experiencing what I do, I want to show and share that there are healthy outlets for these issues. According to Single Care.com, depression affects 70.77% of teens worldwide. Adding to that statistic, it is shown that depression is twice as likely in women. Statistics continue to rise in college students, who begin experiencing depression symptoms, even after high school. With the worry of my symptoms progressing after high school in the back of my mind, I hope to continue my art to help ease my mind in college. I'd truly be lost without art in my life. Through getting a degree in art, I can hopefully share my story and art with generations to come.

As a junior in high school, I've struggled many times trying to decide what I plan to do after high school. Since my freshman year, I've always been in the art room. However, it never occurred to me how much art has influenced me, until this year. Art is a way for me to escape from reality and focus on what makes me happiest. For years I've struggled with mental health issues and finally found an outlet for all my stress, anxiety, etc through art. Anytime I'm in the art room, I am either working on the computer with graphics, using my hands out in the woodshop, painting on a canvas, or sometimes even a wall. Because of this passion, I want to pursue a Graphic Design degree after high school. I want to help spread art through our society to help others as art has helped me. I want to be able to show others how therapeutic something you enjoy can be. Knowing many other teens are experiencing what I do, I want to show and share that there are healthy outlets for these issues. According to Single Care.com, depression affects 70.77% of teens worldwide. Adding to that statistic, it is shown that depression is twice as likely in women. Statistics continue to rise in college students, who begin experiencing depression symptoms, even after high school. With the worry of my symptoms progressing after high school in the back of my mind, I hope to continue my art to help ease my mind in college. I'd truly be lost without art in my life. Through getting a degree in art, I can hopefully share my story and art with generations to come.

As a junior in high school, I've struggled many times trying to decide what I plan to do after high school. Since my freshman year, I've always been in the art room. However, it never occurred to me how much art has influenced me, until this year. Art is a way for me to escape from reality and focus on what makes me happiest. For years I've struggled with mental health issues and finally found an outlet for all my stress, anxiety, etc through art. Anytime I'm in the art room, I am either working on the computer with graphics, using my hands out in the woodshop, painting on a canvas, or sometimes even a wall. Because of this passion, I want to pursue a Graphic Design degree after high school. I want to help spread art through our society to help others as art has helped me. I want to be able to show others how therapeutic something you enjoy can be. Knowing many other teens are experiencing what I do, I want to show and share that there are healthy outlets for these issues. According to Single Care.com, depression affects 70.77% of teens worldwide. Adding to that statistic, it is shown that depression is twice as likely in women. Statistics continue to rise in college students, who begin experiencing depression symptoms, even after high school. Spreading art throughout our world is easier, but also just as difficult today. Art has been around for centuries in many different forms. Society has changed it in so many ways today. Art is now known for videos, photos, paintings, murals, statues, carvings, prints, and so much more. It reaches many audiences in many different ways, but sadly it is being taken away from schools nationwide. If this continues to happen, there will be a loss of passion and art could be forgotten. Additionally, if these classes aren't offered in as little as elementary schools, post-high school art programs will fail. Knowing future generations may not get the chance to express themselves through art, I will advocate for art to continue to be a major role in society. With the worry of my symptoms progressing after high school in the back of my mind, I hope to continue my art to help ease my mind in college. I'd truly be lost without art in my life. Through getting a degree in art, I can hopefully share my story and art with generations to come. What inspired me most to create the piece attached below is the idea of breaking away. In my mural, I show different shapes disconnected from each other. To me, it means to break away from the bad things and to be colorful in your own way.

I have many artisitc passions in my life, so I decided to submit my 3 most important; painting, photography, and graphic design. I am currently a high school junior, working towards earning a Graphic Design degree in college. I am building a website to show off my portfolio, so in the meantime I only have photos to share. Art is a way for me to escape from reality and focus on what makes me happiest. For years I've struggled with mental health issues and finally found an outlet for all my stress, anxiety, etc through art. Anytime I'm in the art room, I am either working on the computer with graphics, using my hands out in the woodshop, painting on a canvas, or sometimes even a wall.

As a junior in high school, I've struggled many times trying to decide what I plan to do after high school. Since my freshman year, I've always been in the art room. However, it never occurred to me how much art has influenced me, until this year. Art is a way for me to escape from reality and focus on what makes me happiest. For years I've struggled with mental health issues and finally found an outlet for all my stress, anxiety, etc through art. Anytime I'm in the art room, I am either working on the computer with graphics, using my hands out in the woodshop, painting on a canvas, or sometimes even a wall. Because of this passion, I want to pursue a Graphic Design degree after high school. I want to help spread art through our society to help others as art has helped me. I want to be able to show others how therapeutic something you enjoy can be. Knowing many other teens are experiencing what I do, I want to show and share that there are healthy outlets for these issues. According to Single Care.com, depression affects 70.77% of teens worldwide. Adding to that statistic, it is shown that depression is twice as likely in women. Statistics continue to rise in college students, who begin experiencing depression symptoms, even after high school. Spreading art throughout our world is easier, but also just as difficult today. Art has been around for centuries in many different forms. Society has changed it in so many ways today. Art is now known for videos, photos, paintings, murals, statues, carvings, prints, and so much more. It reaches many audiences in many different ways, but sadly it is being taken away from schools nationwide. If this continues to happen, there will be a loss of passion and art could be forgotten. Additionally, if these classes aren't offered in as little as elementary schools, post-high school art programs will fail. Knowing future generations may not get the chance to express themselves through art, I will advocate for art to continue to be a major role in society. With the worry of my symptoms progressing after high school in the back of my mind, I hope to continue my art to help ease my mind in college. I'd truly be lost without art in my life. Through getting a degree in art, I can hopefully share my story and art with generations to come.