There are a vast expanse of art forms. Dance, painting, singing, acting, photography, orchestra, and so many more. There are dozens of ways for artists to express themselves. For me, I express myself through acting and being on the stage. It makes me feel alive and vibrant. Nothing makes me feel quite that way. When I think about my career in the arts and what I want to do with my craft. I want create a positive impact on the world by having my profession be more inclusive and accepting. While the arts already are one of the most inclusive spaces, I want to do my part to make it a safe space for everyone. Everyone should be included in their own form of self expression no matter their age, race, sexuality, gender, religious practices, or disability. There is such a bias within the theatre industry and I hope to be apart of the change for this. In my area especially, the arts aren't the most inclusive. It's dominated by the majority and lacks diversity. I want to be able to foster a healthy environment for my fellow actors/theatergoers. I'm not sure how to do this yet but with a little extra effort, I can work hard to make myself and others feel included and respected no matter who we are.

When I first saved this scholarship, I didn't really know what to write about. I had lost one family member to gun violence, an uncle, and was unsure of where to go from there. This past month, I have lost another family member in a mass shooting, my grandmother. The loss of these two people has impacted me severely. While I am still grieving and dealing with the aftermath of these large traumas, I have realized some important things in life. It's important to communicate with those closest to you, give them a phone call or send a text message. Let them know you love them before it all changes. I regret not showing my love for them and as much as I know that they knew I cared, I can't shake that feeling of guilt. Family is important to me and after these events occurred this month, I have found myself clinging closer to my loved ones. The other thing I have come to learn is advocacy. I want to advocate for what I believe in and not let my voice be silenced. I want to fight for gun control so other families don't have to go through what my family has. I want to fight for gun control so students can feel safe at school. I want to fight for gun control so people can go to church and attend functions within their community without fear of violence. I want to fight for change in this country so that no other lives are lost in these senseless tragedies. When you ask how the death of a loved one has changed me, the simplest answer is that I am more resilient. I've grown stronger over the last five years due to these tragedies. I'm more solidified in who I am and all that I want to be. But most importantly, I will continue to fight for justice.

It seems a little cliche for a children's show to have had an impact on me but it's the first thing that popped into my head with this question. Phineas and Ferb was one of those shows that really had me hooked as a kid. It was one my mom encouraged because she loved how it inspired kids to use their imagination. I'm pursuing a degree in theatre performance so I use my imagination all the time. I'd like to attribute that to this show and how it inspired me to always think outside of the box and challenge myself. It's also just a lighthearted show that I could watch again and again and feel just the same about it. I still listen to the songs from it. I'd say it has had a big impact on my life and influenced my personality.

Right before one of my best friends graduated high school, she wrote me a simple note in my yearbook. I was a junior that year, her family was moving, and she was going off to West Point. It was a difficult transition period in my life. She wrote, "When they go low, you go high. Don't let them see you cry, don't give them the satisfaction," which truly helped me get through that summer. I didn't know it until this past year, but it's actually a quote by former First Lady Michelle Obama. These words have had a deep impact on my life. It helped me get through every challenge I faced that summer. Every time I felt alone, mistreated, upset, I remembered those words. Every time I missed my friend, I read and reread her note until it felt like she was with me. And I still think about it from time to time. Nowadays, I think of it and remember how much strength her advice gave me. I think I would consider it the wisest thing I've heard because of the strength it has given me and other people. That phrase has carried me through a lot of ups and downs in my life and for that I'll always be grateful.

The beginning of my college journey over the past year and a half has been a hectic one. There's so much to capture in such a little amount of time about my experiences. Based on that, the name I would have to give the playlist is "Exhausting Lives." The songs that I want to include in this playlist are: - "Champagne Problems" by Taylor Swift - "Falling" by Harry Styles - "Both Sides Now" by Joni Mitchell - "She's So High" by Tal Bachman - "Share Your Address' by Ben Platt - "LazyBaby" by Dove Cameron If this were my album, my artist name would be just my first name, McEwen. I have a unique name that means a lot to me and has shaped me into who I am today. I would use it because it represents me and my family as well.

The first time I took my curtain call on stage, I knew it was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. The rush and the joy I felt in that moment is incomparable. The way the lights hit my face, blinding my view of the audience, the noise of clapping drowning out all other thoughts, and feeling my face beam through it all is one of the most beautiful feelings I've ever felt. Over the years, I have felt more at home performing on stage than in some places I used to call home. I feel free and vibrant, like nothing else in the world matters. And when I get to be up there with the people I love, that's when that energy transforms. We come to life and feel so big and lively. COVID-19 has hit me hard by taking away this source of happiness, but coming back to the stage, whether it be virtual or live, has been absolutely magical. This comeback has reignited a spark I forgot I had and filled me with so much joy that I feel as if I'm back on that stage taking my very first bow all over again. I can't wait to feel this way forever.

Everyone has choices. A choice in what you wear, what you say, what you do, and what to do with your body. Except not everyone has these choices. Lately and historically, there has been an attack on women and their rights. Personal decisions are being revoked from women left and right. I believe that in order for society to most effectively empower women, society needs to give us our choices back. To ensure that this is met, laws banning abortion shouldn't be allowed into affect, or restrictions on our reproductive rights in general. Women can't get their tubes tied without their husbands permission in many states. There also needs to be more support for victims of rape and sexual assault and more punishments for those who commit these crimes. Too often, rapists get off so easily because the blame is shifted over to women with questions like "what were you wearing?", "were you drunk?", "why were you out alone?" instead of questions like "why did you rape her?" To get power back to women and empower them, we have to support them. Women can make decisions for themselves. We know what we need and we need the government to give us this freedom over our lives. Women need their voices uplifted, especially BIPOC and LGBTQIA+, and any other minority. If our voices are heard, we can make real change in our society. I want every women to be able to have choice over her own body and her own life. If you want access to abortion, health care, job opportunities, mental health resources, you should be able to get it. I believe that women deserve to be heard and that in order for us to feel empowered, we just need society and those in charge to listen to what we need. If they listen, so much change can be made and so many lives can be saved. We want equality and inalienable rights. I want to live my life as I see fit without judgement and I think that is the root of the problem. Empower women by allowing them to empower themselves and you will have changed our society for good.