I felt a natural pull toward the older generation from a young age—a deep love and respect I couldn’t fully explain. There was something sacred in their stories, their resilience, and the quiet wisdom they carried. But everything became more evident when I walked alongside my great-grandmother during the final chapter of her life. She was strong, elegant, and full of quiet fire. I spent hours sitting beside her, listening to her stories, learning about her experiences, and simply being near. As she grew older and her body weakened, I found myself stepping into a caregiving role—her nurse, in her words. Though I wasn’t medically trained, she trusted me to comfort her. I gave her foot soaks, helped her get around, sang to calm her, and stayed present even when words failed her. In those moments, I understood how powerful love, presence, and art could be. What motivated me to tackle this problem was seeing how easily aging adults can become invisible, overlooked, underserved, and unheard. Watching my great-grandmother fade without the consistent emotional support she deserved broke my heart and lit a fire in me to do more. So far, I’ve taken action by volunteering in senior programs, leading praise and worship in elder care homes, and using my voice to bring joy and connection through music. I’ve witnessed firsthand how a familiar song can light up tired eyes or spark a forgotten memory. As I pursue a degree in musical theatre, my mission is to expand these efforts by developing original performances that tell the stories of older adults. I want to bring theater into assisted living communities, create intergenerational workshops, and build space in the arts for aging voices to be seen, heard, and celebrated. This scholarship will help me grow not only as a performer but as a changemaker. Through my training, voice, and heart, I will continue to uplift the aging population—carrying forward my great-grandmother’s legacy and inspiring others to care deeply, advocate fiercely, and love unconditionally.

From a young age, I felt a powerful connection to the older generation—a love rooted in respect, curiosity, and a desire to honor their wisdom. But caring for my great-grandmother during her final chapter revealed the depth of this calling and the role that art—especially music—would play in it. My great-grandmother was grace and strength personified. I cherished our time together, listening to her stories and soaking up her quiet wisdom. As her health declined, I naturally stepped into the role of caregiver. I was not trained, but I was present—bathing her feet, helping her dress, singing to her when she was anxious. She often told me, “You take better care of me than anyone.” It was a heartbreaking and beautiful honor. One day, I noticed a sore on her foot that turned out to be more serious than we realized. It marked the beginning of her physical and emotional decline. I remained by her side, offering not just care, but presence, love, and music. When words failed, music remained. It reached her when nothing else could. That experience showed me that art is more than performance—it’s healing, connection, and advocacy. It can comfort the weary, restore dignity, and express the inexpressible. Though I am pursuing a degree in musical theatre, my vision is more significant than any stage. I want to use my art to spark dialogue, evoke emotion, and help audiences see each other more clearly. My mission is to tell stories that matter—stories that amplify voices often left unheard, especially the elderly, the marginalized, and the forgotten. I envision creating original works based on real people and their experiences, especially seniors who feel invisible in today’s fast-moving world. I want to sing in assisted living homes, write plays that reflect their stories, and create space where they feel seen, heard, and loved. Through musical theatre, I will foster empathy. Theatre naturally invites audiences into someone else’s world—through it, we laugh, cry, reflect, and understand. I hope to create those transformative moments, using performance to increase awareness around aging, community care, and the power of compassion. Art can be a mirror, a movement, and a balm for the soul. My voice, writing, and performances can help people connect across generations, build bridges of understanding, and feel inspired to care more deeply for one another. My great-grandmother gave me a mission: to love, advocate, and serve. I carry that with me in every note I sing and every story I tell. My dream isn’t just Broadway; it’s to change hearts. I want to create a world where aging is honored, compassion is contagious, and storytelling becomes a tool for healing. By pursuing a career in musical theatre, I am not just chasing a dream; I am answering a calling. Through art, I will continue to spark wonder, provoke empathy, and help create a world where everyone feels they matter.

War poem In the endless maze in the jungle I march with a heavy heart Thinking of you my love and all that I have lost All I see is death and wonder why im still alive I think of all the tears I miss my children cry Nation is torn A battle is fought continuing the war I can't imagine anything less comforting than using the bodies of my friends as shields I miss you, my love I miss everything The thought of your touch is the only thing to get me through the nights The endless chatter and your laugh that was so bright I want to come back a hero I just want to get back to you Daisy Buchanan They say that i'm the flower that none can compare But all I can cause is desire or despair In the end it's all dream A dream that can't come true If it's between me and you I choose me Happiness can never out way security You want me to settle with you But what would have happened if our dreams never came true Stuck in one life or the other Stuck with the old or a new adventure to conquer I know some people love a challenge I stick to what I know and remain silent If I know what's to come i'm already prepared for the battle With you I get caught off guard and start to tremble I have seen the look in your eyes One with love and the one with no desire When you looked at me was I less than you wanted me to be Or was I too scared to fit into your American dream Im, not the person you know Im, not the person you knew I grew up I live a life of lavish that won't disappear I would always choose that over love Im daisy I'm the girl that is nothing like you dreamed

In the future, I envision myself as a successful and renowned actress, singer, and dancer. My journey in the arts has been deeply rooted in my passion for performance, and I am determined to make a meaningful impact in the entertainment industry. I see myself gracing the stages of Broadway, TV, or World Tours, captivating audiences with my performances, and earning a reputation as a versatile and talented artist. My biggest dream is to carve out a career that allows me to express myself through various artistic mediums. Whether through a powerful monologue on stage, a soulful melody sung on Broadway, or a captivating dance performance, I aspire to leave a lasting impression with my art. I am committed to honing my craft and continuously pushing the boundaries of what I can achieve as an artist. As I stand on the brink of adulthood, I am excited and determined to pursue my dreams, but I am also nervous. I believe that I can turn my dreams into reality with perseverance, resilience, and a positive mindset. I also understand that the path to success in the entertainment industry is loaded with challenges, but I am prepared to embrace the hard work and dedication it demands. My journey in the arts has been one of self-discovery, growth, and relentless pursuit of my passions. I am grateful for the unwavering support of my family, who have been my pillars of strength throughout this journey. Their persistent encouragement and guidance have been instrumental in shaping my aspirations and fueling my determination to succeed. In addition to my artistic pursuits, I am dedicated to achieving academic excellence. I understand the importance of a well-rounded education, and I strive to achieve balance my studies and my passion for the arts. This balance has instilled in me a strong work ethic and taught me valuable time management skills, which will serve me well as I embark on my journey to success. I am eager to see where this journey takes me and look forward to the adventures that await. The experiences and lessons I've learned have definitely shaped me into the individual I am today. I am ready to take on the challenges and create a meaningful impact through my art. Thank you for supporting me on this journey. I am truly grateful for the opportunities that lie ahead. ( https://drive.google.com /file/d/1N KT6QSKg8KSGInvV6jprf1 F0bTHvChYG /view?usp= sharing )

In the future, I envision myself as a successful and renowned actress, singer, and dancer. My journey in the arts has been deeply rooted in my passion for performance, and I am determined to make a meaningful impact in the entertainment industry. I see myself gracing the stages of Broadway, TV, or World Tours, captivating audiences with my performances, and earning a reputation as a versatile and talented artist. My biggest dream is to carve out a career that allows me to express myself through various artistic mediums. Whether through a powerful monologue on stage, a soulful melody sung on Broadway, or a captivating dance performance, I aspire to leave a lasting impression with my art. I am committed to honing my craft and continuously pushing the boundaries of what I can achieve as an artist. As I stand on the brink of adulthood, I am excited and determined to pursue my dreams, but I am also nervous. I believe that I can turn my dreams into reality with perseverance, resilience, and a positive mindset. I also understand that the path to success in the entertainment industry is loaded with challenges, but I am prepared to embrace the hard work and dedication it demands. My journey in the arts has been one of self-discovery, growth, and relentless pursuit of my passions. I am grateful for the unwavering support of my family, who have been my pillars of strength throughout this journey. Their encouragement and guidance have been instrumental in shaping my aspirations and fueling my determination to succeed. In addition to my artistic pursuits, I am dedicated to achieving academic excellence. I understand the importance of a well-rounded education, and I strive to achieve balance my studies and my passion for the arts. This balance has instilled in me a strong work ethic and taught me valuable time management skills, which will serve me well as I embark on my journey to success. I am eager to see where this journey takes me and look forward to the adventures that await. The experiences and lessons I've learned have definitely shaped me into the individual I am today. I am ready to take on the challenges and create a meaningful impact through my art. Thank you for supporting me on this journey and I hope by writing this, you learn more about me. I am genuinely grateful for the opportunities that lie ahead.

Hello, I'm McKaela M, an African American woman. I proudly hail from Brooklyn, NY; initially, I'm from Long Island, NY. When I was 6 or 7, I moved to Carteret, and later, I settled in Woodbridge, specifically Avenel, in the fourth grade. My biggest dream is to become a renowned actress, singer, and dancer. Singing has been my passion since age 5, and I ventured into theater at 8. Although I may not consider theater my primary passion, I love singing and acting individually, and I appreciate some plays. My journey in plays started at the age of eight, and I vividly remember my first play, "Hairspray." It was an unforgettable experience, and I continued my journey with a play at Linden High School and later another at Colonia High School when I was 10, during 4th and 5th grade. And by high school, I had done theater throughout Jersey or as far as my parents would take me. This is a glance into my life, filled with my passions and dreams. I was born into a family that cherishes the arts, and I'm endlessly grateful for their support. My parents have always encouraged me to pursue my dreams, and their unwavering support has been a driving force in my journey. They have been my pillars of strength, guiding me through the ups and downs, and I owe a large part of my success to them. As I grew older, my passion for the arts continued to blossom. I constantly sought opportunities to showcase my talents, whether it was through local performances, talent shows, or school productions. Each experience fueled my determination to carve a career in the entertainment industry. I knew that this path would be challenging, but I was ready to embrace the hard work and dedication it demanded. In addition to my artistic pursuits, I also dedicated myself to academic excellence. I understood the importance of having a well-rounded education, and I strived to maintain a balance between my studies and my passion for the arts. This balance instilled in me a strong work ethic and taught me valuable time management skills. As I stand on the point of adulthood, I am filled with excitement and determination to pursue my dreams. I believe that with perseverance, resilience, and a positive mindset, I can turn my dreams into reality. I am ready to take on the challenges that lie ahead and to create a meaningful impact through my art. My journey has been one of self-discovery, growth, and relentless pursuit of my passions. I am confident that the experiences and lessons I've garnered along the way have shaped me into the individual I am today. I am eager to see where this journey takes me and look forward to the adventures that await. Thank you for taking the time to learn more about me and my dreams.