I was diagnosed with severe depression when I was 13 years old. What began as persistent sadness eventually affected nearly every aspect of my life. Depression influenced how I saw myself, my relationships, and my future. It created a negative self-image and made even simple tasks feel overwhelming. There were periods when I struggled with self-harm and felt disconnected from the people around me. At one particularly difficult point in my life, I called the suicide prevention hotline three times in a single week because I was struggling to cope with the intensity of my emotions. Living with depression taught me that mental illness is not always visible. Many people who appear fine on the outside may be fighting battles that others cannot see. Because of this, I have developed a deeper sense of empathy and compassion for others. I understand how important it is to check in on people, listen without judgment, and take someone's struggles seriously. My experiences have strengthened my belief that mental health deserves the same attention and care as physical health. Although depression has had a significant impact on my life, therapy has helped me begin rebuilding my relationship with myself. For years, I have actively worked to develop healthier ways of managing my emotions and responding to challenges. Through therapy, I learned coping strategies that allow me to process difficult feelings rather than suppress them. I have also worked to heal relationships with friends and family by improving communication, setting healthy boundaries, and becoming more self-aware. One of the most valuable lessons I have learned is that healing is not about becoming perfect; it is about making the choice to continue growing even when progress feels slow. My mental health journey has also influenced my career aspirations. As an aspiring filmmaker and editor, I want to create stories that honestly portray the complexities of mental health, especially within communities where these conversations are often overlooked. Media has the power to shape how people understand themselves and others. I hope to contribute to more authentic portrayals of mental illness that help reduce stigma and encourage people to seek support when they need it. I want my work to make people feel seen, understood, and less alone. Today, I continue to prioritize my mental health and personal growth. While depression remains a part of my story, it no longer defines who I am. My experiences have taught me resilience, empathy, and the importance of seeking help. They have strengthened my relationships, shaped my values, and inspired me to use my future career to create meaningful change. By continuing to speak openly about mental health and supporting suicide prevention efforts, we can help ensure that more young people know that help is available and that their lives matter.

I was diagnosed with severe depression when I was 13 years old. What began as persistent sadness eventually affected nearly every aspect of my life. Depression influenced how I saw myself, my relationships, and my future. It created a negative self-image and made even simple tasks feel overwhelming. There were periods when I struggled with self-harm and felt disconnected from the people around me. At one particularly difficult point in my life, I called the suicide prevention hotline three times in a single week because I was struggling to cope with the intensity of my emotions. Living with depression taught me that mental illness is not always visible. Many people who appear fine on the outside may be fighting battles that others cannot see. Because of this, I have developed a deeper sense of empathy and compassion for others. I understand how important it is to check in on people, listen without judgment, and take someone's struggles seriously. My experiences have strengthened my belief that mental health deserves the same attention and care as physical health. Although depression has had a significant impact on my life, therapy has helped me begin rebuilding my relationship with myself. For years, I have actively worked to develop healthier ways of managing my emotions and responding to challenges. Through therapy, I learned coping strategies that allow me to process difficult feelings rather than suppress them. I have also worked to heal relationships with friends and family by improving communication, setting healthy boundaries, and becoming more self-aware. One of the most valuable lessons I have learned is that healing is not about becoming perfect; it is about making the choice to continue growing even when progress feels slow. My mental health journey has also influenced my career aspirations. As an aspiring filmmaker and editor, I want to create stories that honestly portray the complexities of mental health, especially within communities where these conversations are often overlooked. Media has the power to shape how people understand themselves and others. I hope to contribute to more authentic portrayals of mental illness that help reduce stigma and encourage people to seek support when they need it. I want my work to make people feel seen, understood, and less alone. Today, I continue to prioritize my mental health and personal growth. While depression remains a part of my story, it no longer defines who I am. My experiences have taught me resilience, empathy, and the importance of seeking help. They have strengthened my relationships, shaped my values, and inspired me to use my future career to create meaningful change. By continuing to speak openly about mental health and supporting suicide prevention efforts, we can help ensure that more young people know that help is available and that their lives matter.

I was diagnosed with severe depression when I was 13 years old. What began as persistent sadness eventually affected nearly every aspect of my life. Depression influenced how I saw myself, my relationships, and my future. It created a negative self-image and made even simple tasks feel overwhelming. There were periods when I struggled with self-harm and felt disconnected from the people around me. At one particularly difficult point in my life, I called the suicide prevention hotline three times in a single week because I was struggling to cope with the intensity of my emotions. Living with depression taught me that mental illness is not always visible. Many people who appear fine on the outside may be fighting battles that others cannot see. Because of this, I have developed a deeper sense of empathy and compassion for others. I understand how important it is to check in on people, listen without judgment, and take someone's struggles seriously. My experiences have strengthened my belief that mental health deserves the same attention and care as physical health. Although depression has had a significant impact on my life, therapy has helped me begin rebuilding my relationship with myself. For years, I have actively worked to develop healthier ways of managing my emotions and responding to challenges. Through therapy, I learned coping strategies that allow me to process difficult feelings rather than suppress them. I have also worked to heal relationships with friends and family by improving communication, setting healthy boundaries, and becoming more self-aware. One of the most valuable lessons I have learned is that healing is not about becoming perfect; it is about making the choice to continue growing even when progress feels slow. My mental health journey has also influenced my career aspirations. As an aspiring filmmaker and editor, I want to create stories that honestly portray the complexities of mental health, especially within communities where these conversations are often overlooked. Media has the power to shape how people understand themselves and others. I hope to contribute to more authentic portrayals of mental illness that help reduce stigma and encourage people to seek support when they need it. I want my work to make people feel seen, understood, and less alone. Today, I continue to prioritize my mental health and personal growth. While depression remains a part of my story, it no longer defines who I am. My experiences have taught me resilience, empathy, and the importance of seeking help. They have strengthened my relationships, shaped my values, and inspired me to use my future career to create meaningful change. By continuing to speak openly about mental health and supporting suicide prevention efforts, we can help ensure that more young people know that help is available and that their lives matter.

The books that have shaped me the most are Looking for Alaska by John Green and Call Me by Your Name by André Aciman. Although they tell very different stories, both changed the way I understand pain, healing, and what it means to truly live. They came into my life when I needed them most and helped me realize that healing is not about escaping suffering but learning to grow through it. Depression took over my life when I was 13 years old. For years, I isolated myself from the people around me because I was terrified of being hurt or disappointed. Trust became difficult, and instead of allowing myself to process my emotions, I buried them. I thought that if I kept people at a distance, I could protect myself from more pain. Looking back, I realize I wasn't truly living, I was simply trying to survive. One of the most powerful moments in Looking for Alaska is the question, "How will I ever get out of this labyrinth of suffering?" That question resonated with me because I had spent so much of my life trying to escape my own labyrinth. The novel helped me understand that there is no shortcut around grief, trauma, or heartbreak. The only way forward is through them. That lesson became even more meaningful after reading Call Me by Your Name. One quote has stayed with me ever since: "We rip out so much of ourselves to be cured of things faster than we should... But to feel nothing so as not to feel anything—what a waste!" Those words made me realize how much of myself I had sacrificed by avoiding my emotions. In trying to protect myself from pain, I had also prevented myself from experiencing joy, connection, and love. Today, I have learned that life is meant to be felt. There will always be good days, just as there will be bad ones, and neither lasts forever. Therapy has taught me healthier ways to process my emotions, communicate with the people I love, and accept that vulnerability is not a weakness. It is what allows us to heal. These lessons have shaped my goals as an aspiring filmmaker. I want to create stories that honestly portray grief, mental health, and resilience so others can feel seen the way these books made me feel seen. If my work can help even one person realize they are not alone in their suffering, then I will have accomplished exactly what inspired me to pursue storytelling in the first place.

Love Island Challenge: "The Memory Maze" One of the biggest tests in any relationship is whether two people truly know and trust each other. My original Love Island challenge, called 'The Memory Maze, is designed to test communication, emotional connection, and trust while creating plenty of drama and entertainment. Unlike many Love Island games that focus mainly on physical attraction, this challenge reveals how much the islanders have actually learned about one another during their time in the villa. The challenge takes place at night, with the villa transformed into a glowing maze filled with neon lights, heart-shaped decorations, and checkpoints hidden throughout the course. Each couple begins separated. One islander enters the maze while their partner stays behind in a special “Control Cabana.” Using only a microphone, the partner must guide their significant other through the maze and answer questions based on conversations they have had since coupling up. As the islander reaches each checkpoint, they encounter several doors and can only continue if their partner answers correctly. The questions are deeply personal and reveal whether they have been paying attention to one another. They may be asked about childhood dreams, biggest insecurities, favorite comfort foods, or what qualities they value most in a relationship. Wrong answers trigger funny punishments, such as wearing giant heart-shaped glasses or singing a romantic song before moving on. These moments create plenty of laughs while also exposing couples that may not know each other as well as they thought. Halfway through the maze comes the most dramatic portion of the challenge, known as the “Temptation Tunnel.” Here, islanders are given a choice. They can either press a giant “Trust” button and skip ahead, earning bonus points for believing in their partner, or they can watch short videos of fellow contestants answering revealing questions. These clips include topics such as which islander they find most attractive besides their current partner or who they would choose to couple up with if given the chance. Contestants who choose to watch gain information but risk creating jealousy and unnecessary tension, while those who choose trust demonstrate confidence in their relationship. After making it through the maze, couples reunite for the final round. Sitting back-to-back, one partner begins telling a story about a memorable experience they shared together, and the other must continue it exactly where they stopped. They recount moments such as their first conversation, first kiss, or the moment they realized they had feelings for each other. This portion reveals not only how well they remember shared experiences but also how meaningful those moments have been. To add even more excitement, the public votes beforehand on playful superlatives for each contestant. Throughout the challenge, these results are revealed at random. Contestants discover who was voted the biggest flirt, the most dramatic, or the person most likely to fall in love too quickly. These surprises create laughter and playful teasing while occasionally sparking jealousy and unexpected conversations. The winning couple receives a romantic overnight stay away from the villa, complete with a private dinner and immunity from the next elimination. They are also given the power to send another couple on a date, potentially influencing future relationships in the villa. The Memory Maze would be memorable because it tests more than attraction. It reveals who communicates well, who trusts one another, and which couples have formed genuine emotional connections. At the same time, the challenge creates the perfect balance of romance, humor, and drama that makes Love Island so entertaining.

When I think about the person who has inspired me the most and given me the confidence to pursue my goals, the first person who comes to mind is my dad. He has been my biggest supporter, my motivator, and the foundation of the person I am becoming. His unwavering love and commitment have shaped my life in ways words can barely express. My parents divorced when I was only two years old, and my dad suddenly found himself as a single father raising me and my brother. Life wasn’t easy for him. He was constantly working and didn’t even have a stable place to live. For a while, he stayed at friends’ and family’s homes just to get by. Despite all the obstacles, he never let anything stop him from being there for us. Even when the snow was falling hard in Chicago, he would still find a way to drive and see us on the weekends. What always amazed me was that no matter how little he had, he always gave us everything he could. Every weekend, without fail, he would buy us toys, even if it meant stretching his last dollar. It wasn’t about the gifts though. It was about the time, the laughter, and the memories. He would take us to hotels just for fun, turning the simplest moments into special adventures. Whether we were rich or poor, being around my dad felt like the best place in the world. He was there when I struggled with my homework, coaching me through tough problems with patience and care. When my mom said we could no longer stay with her, my dad didn’t hesitate. He took us in, fought for custody, and gave us a home. We went from living in our grandma’s house in the hood of Chicago to a peaceful neighborhood in the suburbs, all because of his determination to give us a better life. Through all of this, he never missed a moment that mattered. He came to every daddy-daughter dance, every talent show, and every school ceremony. He even coached me in tennis, despite not knowing how to play himself. Because of his encouragement, I made the varsity team in my very first month. That’s the kind of confidence he gave me: the belief that I could do anything, even when I wasn’t sure myself. My dad has always told me that I’m beautiful, smart, and capable of achieving great things. He reminds me every day how proud he is of me, and because of that, I’ve learned to be proud of myself. His sacrifices, his love, and his belief in me have given me the courage to dream big and work hard. He didn’t just raise me; he inspired me. My goals feel possible because my dad showed me that even in the hardest times, with enough love and perseverance, anything is achievable.

For me, going to college means more than earning a degree—it means creating opportunities that previous generations in my family did not always have access to. It represents growth, independence, and the chance to transform my passion into a meaningful career. As a first step toward achieving my long-term goals, college has given me the opportunity to develop my creative abilities, connect with like-minded individuals, and gain the knowledge necessary to make a lasting impact through storytelling. From a young age, film and television have shaped the way I understand the world. Stories told through visual media helped me explore emotions, identity, and perspectives that I had never encountered before. As I grew older, I became fascinated by the technical and creative processes behind filmmaking, particularly editing and post-production. What began as a personal interest quickly developed into a passion and a career goal. Over the past six years, I have taught myself editing, created original content, and built an audience of more than 30,000 followers through my creative work. Through these experiences, I discovered the power of storytelling to connect people and make them feel seen. Attending college has allowed me to take that passion to the next level. At Columbia College Chicago, I am gaining the professional training, mentorship, and hands-on experience necessary to succeed in the film industry. College has challenged me to grow as both an artist and a leader while exposing me to new perspectives and collaborative opportunities. Through projects, internships, and creative organizations, I have been able to work alongside talented individuals who share my commitment to storytelling and representation. One of the most important goals I hope to accomplish through my education is helping create a media landscape that more accurately reflects the diversity of the world we live in. Growing up, I often noticed that Black people, particularly Black women, were either absent from mainstream stories or portrayed through limiting stereotypes. As a Black woman pursuing a career in film, I want to contribute to changing that narrative. I hope to create films and television projects that present Black characters as complex, authentic, and multidimensional individuals whose stories deserve to be told. My experiences working with predominantly Black creative spaces have strengthened this goal. As a member of the creative team for On the Outside Films, Columbia College Chicago's first Black female-led independent production company, and through my involvement with Black-centered media projects, I have witnessed firsthand the importance of representation both on-screen and behind the camera. These experiences have shown me that storytelling has the power not only to entertain but also to inspire, educate, and challenge assumptions. Beyond building a successful career, I hope to use my education to create opportunities for others. I want to mentor aspiring filmmakers from underrepresented communities and help make the industry more accessible for those whose voices have historically been overlooked. My goal is not only to tell meaningful stories but also to help create spaces where future storytellers can thrive. Going to college means investing in my future and in the stories I hope to tell. It represents the opportunity to turn my passion into purpose and to use my creativity to make a positive impact. Through education, hard work, and dedication, I am working toward a future where I can contribute to a more inclusive film industry and inspire others through the power of storytelling.

For me, going to college means more than earning a degree—it means creating opportunities that previous generations in my family did not always have access to. It represents growth, independence, and the chance to transform my passion into a meaningful career. As a first step toward achieving my long-term goals, college has given me the opportunity to develop my creative abilities, connect with like-minded individuals, and gain the knowledge necessary to make a lasting impact through storytelling. From a young age, film and television have shaped the way I understand the world. Stories told through visual media helped me explore emotions, identity, and perspectives that I had never encountered before. As I grew older, I became fascinated by the technical and creative processes behind filmmaking, particularly editing and post-production. What began as a personal interest quickly developed into a passion and a career goal. Over the past six years, I have taught myself editing, created original content, and built an audience of more than 30,000 followers through my creative work. Through these experiences, I discovered the power of storytelling to connect people and make them feel seen. Attending college has allowed me to take that passion to the next level. At Columbia College Chicago, I am gaining the professional training, mentorship, and hands-on experience necessary to succeed in the film industry. College has challenged me to grow as both an artist and a leader while exposing me to new perspectives and collaborative opportunities. Through projects, internships, and creative organizations, I have been able to work alongside talented individuals who share my commitment to storytelling and representation. One of the most important goals I hope to accomplish through my education is helping create a media landscape that more accurately reflects the diversity of the world we live in. Growing up, I often noticed that Black people, particularly Black women, were either absent from mainstream stories or portrayed through limiting stereotypes. As a Black woman pursuing a career in film, I want to contribute to changing that narrative. I hope to create films and television projects that present Black characters as complex, authentic, and multidimensional individuals whose stories deserve to be told. My experiences working with predominantly Black creative spaces have strengthened this goal. As a member of the creative team for On the Outside Films, Columbia College Chicago's first Black female-led independent production company, and through my involvement with Black-centered media projects, I have witnessed firsthand the importance of representation both on-screen and behind the camera. These experiences have shown me that storytelling has the power not only to entertain but also to inspire, educate, and challenge assumptions. Beyond building a successful career, I hope to use my education to create opportunities for others. I want to mentor aspiring filmmakers from underrepresented communities and help make the industry more accessible for those whose voices have historically been overlooked. My goal is not only to tell meaningful stories but also to help create spaces where future storytellers can thrive. Going to college means investing in my future and in the stories I hope to tell. It represents the opportunity to turn my passion into purpose and to use my creativity to make a positive impact. Through education, hard work, and dedication, I am working toward a future where I can contribute to a more inclusive film industry and inspire others through the power of storytelling.

Recovery, to me, is a daily choice to prioritize healing over the things that once provided temporary comfort. At 16, I struggled with severe depression and turned to alcohol and marijuana as coping mechanisms. Instead of addressing my emotions, I tried to escape them. Looking back, I realize that neglecting my mental and physical health was a form of self-harm. There was a time when I did not value myself or my future enough to believe I deserved better. Now, at 18, recovery has taught me that healing requires sacrifice. It means letting go of unhealthy habits and choosing growth, even when it is difficult. Through therapy, I have learned healthier ways to manage my emotions and communicate openly with my biggest supporters, my parents. Being honest with them about how I feel has strengthened our relationship and shown me that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Recovery has also given me a renewed sense of purpose. I care deeply about my education and my future career as a filmmaker and editor, and I refuse to lose myself to addiction or depression. My dreams are too important to abandon. Most importantly, recovery has taught me that healing is an act of self-respect. It is choosing myself every day and believing that my future is worth fighting for. Recovery means choosing growth, hope, and the person I am becoming.

Mental health is deeply important to me as a student because I understand firsthand how much it can affect every aspect of a person's life. Academic performance, relationships, self-confidence, and future goals can all be impacted when mental health struggles go unaddressed. In a generation facing pressures from social media, academics, financial stress, and uncertainty about the future, mental health and suicide prevention have become more important than ever. Although awareness has increased, many young people still suffer in silence because they fear being judged or misunderstood. My own experiences have shown me the importance of creating spaces where people feel safe asking for help. I was diagnosed with severe depression at age 13. Over time, depression affected how I viewed myself, my relationships, and my future. It created a negative self-image and made everyday tasks feel overwhelming. During some of my darkest moments, I struggled with self-harm and felt disconnected from those around me. At one particularly difficult point, I called the suicide prevention hotline three times in a single week because I was struggling to cope with the intensity of my emotions. Through years of therapy, I have learned healthier ways to manage my emotions, communicate my needs, and build a more positive relationship with myself. Therapy taught me coping strategies that allow me to process difficult feelings instead of suppressing them. It also helped me strengthen relationships with friends and family through better communication and healthier boundaries. One of the most valuable lessons I have learned is that healing is not about becoming perfect, it is about continuing to grow, even when progress feels slow. My experiences have also inspired me to advocate for mental health within my community. I make an effort to support friends who are struggling by being someone they can talk to without fear of judgment. Whether it is during the day or late at night, I try to be available when they need support. I also encourage them to seek professional help when necessary by recommending resources such as therapists, counseling services, and crisis hotlines. I know from personal experience how important it can be to have someone listen and remind you that you are not alone. As an aspiring filmmaker and editor, I hope to continue advocating for mental health through storytelling. Media has the power to shape how people understand themselves and others. I want to create stories that portray mental health honestly and compassionately, especially within communities where these conversations are often stigmatized. My goal is to help people feel seen, understood, and encouraged to seek support when they need it. Today, depression remains part of my story, but it no longer defines who I am. My experiences have taught me resilience, empathy, and the importance of asking for help. By supporting those around me and using my future career to promote understanding, I hope to contribute to a community where more people feel comfortable talking about mental health and where no one has to face their struggles alone.

Over the past year, my family has faced an ongoing legal conflict involving child support between my parents. Although payments have been made, my mother has continued taking my father to court, creating a situation that has become emotionally and financially exhausting. Watching my father fight to support our family while also trying to keep me in college has been one of the most difficult experiences of my life. As a student entering my sophomore year at Columbia College Chicago, I have had to balance the stress of these circumstances with the demands of pursuing my education. Rather than allowing these challenges to derail my goals, they have strengthened my determination to succeed. My passion for film and television is what motivates me to keep moving forward. From a young age, I was captivated by the emotional power of visual storytelling. Films such as Moonlight and television series like Euphoria showed me how editing, cinematography, sound, and color can communicate identity, vulnerability, and emotion in ways that words cannot. As a Black woman, I also became increasingly aware of how limited and stereotypical representations of Black people in media affected how I viewed myself and how others viewed us. This realization inspired me to pursue a career where I could help create stories that reflect the complexity, beauty, and humanity of underrepresented communities. What sets me apart is that I have already begun doing this work. For more than six years, I have independently developed my editing skills through personal projects, teaching myself techniques and refining my craft outside of the classroom. Through social media, I built a community of more than 30,000 followers who connected with the stories I created. This experience taught me that storytelling is not just about technical skill, it is about creating meaningful connections and helping people feel seen. Even during periods when I was not enrolled in film-specific coursework, I remained committed to my goals. I worked as the editor on an independent film featuring a predominantly Black cast, helping shape a story that placed Black characters in genres where they are often overlooked. I also became involved with On the Outside Films, Columbia College Chicago's first Black female-led independent production company. These experiences have allowed me to collaborate with talented creatives who share my commitment to authentic representation and inclusive storytelling. Beyond my creative accomplishments, I believe I deserve this scholarship because I understand the value of opportunity. Financial barriers are one of the greatest challenges standing between me and my educational goals. This scholarship would not simply help pay for my education, it would allow me to continue developing the skills necessary to make a meaningful impact in the film industry. It would give me the ability to focus on my coursework, creative projects, and professional development without the constant burden of financial uncertainty. My long-term goal is to use film and post-production to amplify underrepresented voices and create stories that challenge stereotypes. I hope to contribute to a media landscape where Black audiences can see themselves represented authentically and where aspiring filmmakers from marginalized communities feel empowered to tell their own stories. I also hope to mentor future creatives and create opportunities for those who may not have access to the same resources. I do not believe I deserve this scholarship because I have faced hardships alone. I deserve it because I have transformed those hardships into motivation, remained committed to my education, and already begun using my talents to create positive change. This scholarship would be an investment in a student who has proven her dedication, resilience, and passion, and who is determined to use those qualities to make a lasting impact through storytelling.

Mental health and suicide prevention are critically important topics among my generation because many young people are struggling silently while trying to navigate academic pressures, social media, family responsibilities, financial stress, and uncertainty about the future. Although conversations about mental health have become more common in recent years, there is still stigma surrounding depression, anxiety, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts. Too often, people suffer alone because they are afraid of being judged or misunderstood. My own experiences have shown me how important it is to create spaces where people feel safe asking for help before they reach a crisis point. I was diagnosed with severe depression when I was 13 years old. What began as persistent sadness eventually affected nearly every aspect of my life. Depression influenced how I saw myself, my relationships, and my future. It created a negative self-image and made even simple tasks feel overwhelming. There were periods when I struggled with self-harm and felt disconnected from the people around me. At one particularly difficult point in my life, I called the suicide prevention hotline three times in a single week because I was struggling to cope with the intensity of my emotions. Living with depression taught me that mental illness is not always visible. Many people who appear fine on the outside may be fighting battles that others cannot see. Because of this, I have developed a deeper sense of empathy and compassion for others. I understand how important it is to check in on people, listen without judgment, and take someone's struggles seriously. My experiences have strengthened my belief that mental health deserves the same attention and care as physical health. Although depression has had a significant impact on my life, therapy has helped me begin rebuilding my relationship with myself. For years, I have actively worked to develop healthier ways of managing my emotions and responding to challenges. Through therapy, I learned coping strategies that allow me to process difficult feelings rather than suppress them. I have also worked to heal relationships with friends and family by improving communication, setting healthy boundaries, and becoming more self-aware. One of the most valuable lessons I have learned is that healing is not about becoming perfect; it is about making the choice to continue growing even when progress feels slow. My mental health journey has also influenced my career aspirations. As an aspiring filmmaker and editor, I want to create stories that honestly portray the complexities of mental health, especially within communities where these conversations are often overlooked. Media has the power to shape how people understand themselves and others. I hope to contribute to more authentic portrayals of mental illness that help reduce stigma and encourage people to seek support when they need it. I want my work to make people feel seen, understood, and less alone. Today, I continue to prioritize my mental health and personal growth. While depression remains a part of my story, it no longer defines who I am. My experiences have taught me resilience, empathy, and the importance of seeking help. They have strengthened my relationships, shaped my values, and inspired me to use my future career to create meaningful change. By continuing to speak openly about mental health and supporting suicide prevention efforts, we can help ensure that more young people know that help is available and that their lives matter.

For me, going to college means more than earning a degree—it means creating opportunities that previous generations in my family did not always have access to. It represents growth, independence, and the chance to transform my passion into a meaningful career. As a first step toward achieving my long-term goals, college has given me the opportunity to develop my creative abilities, connect with like-minded individuals, and gain the knowledge necessary to make a lasting impact through storytelling. From a young age, film and television have shaped the way I understand the world. Stories told through visual media helped me explore emotions, identity, and perspectives that I had never encountered before. As I grew older, I became fascinated by the technical and creative processes behind filmmaking, particularly editing and post-production. What began as a personal interest quickly developed into a passion and a career goal. Over the past six years, I have taught myself editing, created original content, and built an audience of more than 30,000 followers through my creative work. Through these experiences, I discovered the power of storytelling to connect people and make them feel seen. Attending college has allowed me to take that passion to the next level. At Columbia College Chicago, I am gaining the professional training, mentorship, and hands-on experience necessary to succeed in the film industry. College has challenged me to grow as both an artist and a leader while exposing me to new perspectives and collaborative opportunities. Through projects, internships, and creative organizations, I have been able to work alongside talented individuals who share my commitment to storytelling and representation. One of the most important goals I hope to accomplish through my education is helping create a media landscape that more accurately reflects the diversity of the world we live in. Growing up, I often noticed that Black people, particularly Black women, were either absent from mainstream stories or portrayed through limiting stereotypes. As a Black woman pursuing a career in film, I want to contribute to changing that narrative. I hope to create films and television projects that present Black characters as complex, authentic, and multidimensional individuals whose stories deserve to be told. My experiences working with predominantly Black creative spaces have strengthened this goal. As a member of the creative team for On the Outside Films, Columbia College Chicago's first Black female-led independent production company, and through my involvement with Black-centered media projects, I have witnessed firsthand the importance of representation both on-screen and behind the camera. These experiences have shown me that storytelling has the power not only to entertain but also to inspire, educate, and challenge assumptions. Beyond building a successful career, I hope to use my education to create opportunities for others. I want to mentor aspiring filmmakers from underrepresented communities and help make the industry more accessible for those whose voices have historically been overlooked. My goal is not only to tell meaningful stories but also to help create spaces where future storytellers can thrive. Going to college means investing in my future and in the stories I hope to tell. It represents the opportunity to turn my passion into purpose and to use my creativity to make a positive impact. Through education, hard work, and dedication, I am working toward a future where I can contribute to a more inclusive film industry and inspire others through the power of storytelling.

The biggest influence in my life has been my father. He is the definition of resilience, determination, and unconditional love. Growing up, my father faced many challenges. He was raised in poverty and had to work hard for everything he achieved. Despite the obstacles he encountered, he never allowed his circumstances to define his future. Instead, he used them as motivation to build a better life for himself and for his children. One of the greatest examples of his dedication was his fight for custody of my siblings and me. As a single father, he took on responsibilities that many people would find overwhelming. He worked tirelessly to provide for us, support us, and ensure we had opportunities that he never had. No matter how difficult life became, he always showed up for us. His actions taught me the importance of perseverance, sacrifice, and believing in yourself even when the odds are against you. Today, my father is an entrepreneur who owns his own brand and T-shirt printing company. Watching him build a business from the ground up has inspired me to pursue my own dreams with confidence. Whenever I face challenges, he reminds me to keep going and trust the process. His journey has shown me that success is not determined by where you start, but by your willingness to continue moving forward. As an aspiring filmmaker, I plan to use my artistic skills after graduating from college to create innovative films that tell authentic stories and expand representation in the media. Too often, Black people are underrepresented or portrayed through harmful stereotypes in film and television. I want to help change that narrative by creating stories that reflect the depth, diversity, and humanity of Black communities. Through filmmaking, I hope to create characters and experiences that audiences can connect with while also challenging outdated perceptions. I have already begun pursuing this goal through my work with Runners to Greatness, a predominantly Black media company. Working alongside creative professionals who are committed to uplifting Black voices has strengthened my passion for storytelling and shown me the impact media can have on culture. This experience has provided me with valuable skills and reinforced my belief that authentic representation matters. What makes my artistic gift different is my commitment to telling stories that are both personal and purposeful. My creativity is shaped by my experiences, my community, and the lessons my father has taught me. I do not simply want to entertain audiences; I want to create meaningful work that inspires, educates, and empowers others. By combining my passion for filmmaking with a desire to represent people authentically, I hope to contribute something unique to the entertainment industry. My father's example continues to guide me every day. His perseverance, entrepreneurial spirit, and unwavering support have inspired me to pursue my goals with determination. As I continue my education and career, I will carry those lessons with me and use my artistic talents to create stories that make a lasting impact on the world.

Film and television have played a central role in my life from a young age, shaping not only how I see stories but how I understand myself and the world around me. Television shows like Euphoria and films such as Moonlight and Sinners introduced me to the emotional power of visual storytelling. Through intentional camerawork, color grading, sound, and editing, these works showed me how emotion, identity, and vulnerability can be communicated without dialogue. Seeing how tone and perspective are shaped in post-production inspired my interest in editing and ultimately guided my decision to pursue a major focused on film, television, and post-production. As I explored storytelling more deeply, I started to study directors such as Sofia Coppola and Luca Guadagnino, as well as cinematographers like Rodrigo Pietro and Greig Fraiser. While their visual styles influenced my appreciation for mood and atmosphere, the lack of diversity in some of their work also revealed the limitations of mainstream media. Historically, people of color, especially Black women, have often been reduced to stereotypes or excluded entirely. This impacted the way I viewed myself as a Black girl since I was very young as well as Black girls all over the world too. As a Black woman, this awareness pushed me to think critically about representation. Film, in particular, has the power to shape culture and influence how viewers see themselves and others. This realization strengthened my desire to enter the industry and help tell authentic stories that center underrepresented voices. Over the past 6 years, I have taught myself the art of editing, working on personal projects inspired by television and film. Making videos became a way for me to express emotions I struggled to articulate verbally. Through editing, music, visuals, and pacing, I was able to translate how I was feeling into something tangible. When I started sharing these videos on social media, I unexpectedly found a community of people who related to my work and felt seen by it. Building an audience of over 30,000 followers and collaborating with aspiring artists showed me how storytelling through editing can create connection, validation, and shared understanding. Seeing how my edits resonated with others helped me understand the importance of storytelling through editing and its ability to foster empathy and belonging. This belief was reinforced when I had the opportunity to work as the editor on my friend’s film featuring a predominantly Black cast. Being entrusted with shaping a story that placed Black characters in genres that we are usually excluded from affirmed the importance of authentic representation both behind and in front of the camera. I was also proud to be apart of the creative team for On the Outside Films, Columbia College Chicago’s first Black female led independent production company. Working within this space allowed me collaborate with like-minded creatives who share my commitment to inclusive storytelling and to highlighting the beauty, complexity, and diversity of Black culture. Looking ahead, I plan to use my skills in editing and post-production to uplift underrepresented voices and contribute to a more inclusive media landscape. Whether through television, film, or independent projects, I hope to create work that is visually compelling, emotionally honest, and culturally responsible. This scholarship would play a vital role in allowing me to continue my education at Columbia College Chicago by easing the financial barriers that come with pursuing a creative degree. In the future, I look forward to giving back by mentoring and creating opportunities for aspiring Black filmmakers, ensuring that the next generation of storytellers has the resources and representation that once felt out of reach for me.

Film and television have played a central role in my life from a young age, shaping not only how I see stories but how I understand myself and the world around me. Television shows like Euphoria and films such as Moonlight and Sinners introduced me to the emotional power of visual storytelling. Through intentional camerawork, color grading, sound, and editing, these works showed me how emotion, identity, and vulnerability can be communicated without dialogue. Seeing how tone and perspective are shaped in post-production inspired my interest in editing and ultimately guided my decision to pursue a major focused on film, television, and post-production. As I explored storytelling more deeply, I started to study directors such as Sofia Coppola and Luca Guadagnino, as well as cinematographers like Rodrigo Pietro and Greig Fraiser. While their visual styles influenced my appreciation for mood and atmosphere, the lack of diversity in some of their work also revealed the limitations of mainstream media. Historically, people of color, especially Black women, have often been reduced to stereotypes or excluded entirely. This impacted the way I viewed myself as a Black girl since I was very young as well as Black girls all over the world too. As a Black woman, this awareness pushed me to think critically about representation. Film, in particular, has the power to shape culture and influence how viewers see themselves and others. This realization strengthened my desire to enter the industry and help tell authentic stories that center underrepresented voices. Over the past 6 years, I have taught myself the art of editing, working on personal projects inspired by television and film. Making videos became a way for me to express emotions I struggled to articulate verbally. Through editing, music, visuals, and pacing, I was able to translate how I was feeling into something tangible. When I started sharing these videos on social media, I unexpectedly found a community of people who related to my work and felt seen by it. Building an audience of over 30,000 followers and collaborating with aspiring artists showed me how storytelling through editing can create connection, validation, and shared understanding. Seeing how my edits resonated with others helped me understand the importance of storytelling through editing and its ability to foster empathy and belonging. This belief was reinforced when I had the opportunity to work as the editor on my friend’s film featuring a predominantly Black cast. Being entrusted with shaping a story that placed Black characters in genres that we are usually excluded from affirmed the importance of authentic representation both behind and in front of the camera. I was also proud to be apart of the creative team for On the Outside Films, Columbia College Chicago’s first Black female led independent production company. Working within this space allowed me collaborate with like-minded creatives who share my commitment to inclusive storytelling and to highlighting the beauty, complexity, and diversity of Black culture. Looking ahead, I plan to use my skills in editing and post-production to uplift underrepresented voices and contribute to a more inclusive media landscape. Whether through television, film, or independent projects, I hope to create work that is visually compelling, emotionally honest, and culturally responsible. This scholarship would play a vital role in allowing me to continue my education at Columbia College Chicago by easing the financial barriers that come with pursuing a creative degree. In the future, I look forward to giving back by mentoring and creating opportunities for aspiring Black filmmakers, ensuring that the next generation of storytellers has the resources and representation that once felt out of reach for me.