Growing up with parents that immigrated to the United States, they installed the idea in me that being an entrepreneur was the only way to live. After school, I would rarely see my parents and when asked what my parents did for work, I would say "they own a floral business." It wasn't until I was ten years old that I learned my parents would sell flowers on the street. Their hard work eventually amounted to legally owning their own business. Due to this, I was never taught to pursue higher education. I was taught to work. Every weekend, I would follow my parents to luxurious weddings, corporate events, and fancy hotels to deliver flowers. My older brother and I would sit in a corner, and when my parents needed an extra hand, we would help. After a hard day of work, the venue would always give us a plate of food as a thank you. It wasn't until later in my life when I realized that my childhood was far from normal. Every Christmas, Birthday, Sunday Church, it was all exchanged for hard work. When I got to High School, I was surrounded by AP students, college counselors, and career quizzes, but I had no plans in pursuing my education or focusing on extracurricular activities. That was until I picked up a camera. Due to my past, I had developed mild depression and severe anxiety. Once I started seeking counseling, my counselor Mrs. Fredericks recommended that I find comfort within art. Mrs. Fredericks saw something in me that I had not seen yet. Over time, I developed a passion for photography. My images became a way to speak on my emotions and thoughts without having to use my words. Subsequently, I found inspiration within the American photographer Gordon Parks, who used his photography to advocate for the civil rights movement. Immediately, I knew that's what I was born to do. My childhood had prepared me to lend a hand and help others in need. Eventually, my parents were right. I did grow up to be an entrepreneur, but I still managed to pursue my higher education. Now, I am a driven student pursuing my degree in Studio Art with a minor in Visual Communication. Despite multiple acceptances into universities, my financial situation led me to my local community college. Regardless, I remain resilient and inspired to continue my studies to become a visual advocate for others. With my degree, I strive to become a professional photographer who documents important moments in society. Whether that be in America or beyond, I hope to use my work to impact individuals globally. I believe every person has an important story to tell, and I want to capture exactly that. Beyond that, I also aspire to become a founder for an arts organization, dedicated to showcasing artists from underrepresented countries and supplying art supplies to unfunded schools globally. With this scholarship, I will be able to fund my academics to become one-step closer to my journey. To receive my degree would be a milestone, not just for me, but for my family.

In my life, I have come across many obstacles. Whether it be my health or my personal life, I have always been struggling. When I was diagnosed with severe anxiety, I was advised to do things that made me feel like a kid again. In search of finding a pastime, I realized that there was only one thing that could bring me peace-- art. Since I could remember, art has been my life. I love the feeling of a blank canvas or the anticipation before an artistic performance. Specifically, the feeling of fulfillment I receive when I fill my soul with art. Although I enjoy all forms of art, my discipline is photography. My artistic process starts when I wake up. I see the world through my lens and every moment I capture is a reflection of who I am. My camera is a tool to express my ideas, concerns, and perspectives. For me, photography isn't just an art-form, it's a way to speak on society and tell stories. Without photographs, our world would be undocumented, and the visual stories of the past would be forgotten. Thus, I capture the world in its raw form and showcase the reality of life. Most recently, photography has allowed me to appreciate the life I live. Despite my struggles, I seek beauty within nature, strangers on the street, and unfamiliar places. Without art, I wouldn't have found my purpose. In addition, being an artist is a privilege and honor. An artistic eye isn't common, and it takes courage to pursue the arts. Which is why, I am profoundly passionate about pursuing a career within studio art. I aspire to inspire creatives to use their artistic eye for the greater good. I strive to use art as a way to speak for those who can't. Art is a powerful tool that is able to stimulate change within our society, and I aim to do exactly that. Instead of focusing on the negative aspects of my life, photography allowed me to see it in a better light. Now, I'm focusing on continuing my academic and artistic studies. Through my academic goals, I hope to become a studio art professor where I can create an environment for the younger generation to develop their artistic skills and apply profound purpose to the world. Until then, I will continue using my camera, efforts, and dedication to make a change within my community, and the world.

Born and raised in Florida, I grew up around a lot of nature. At three years old, I rescued a baby turtle from my family's outdoor pool. I helped my father put it in an extra fish tank we owned. My older brother and I decided to name it Sheldon. Sixteen years later, I'm still taking care of that little turtle. This story has been told by my family countless times. Because of this, I have earned the title of being a lifesaver. Although, I don't consider myself as a person who saves lives, I have always strived to be a person who inspires others. As I read the description of this scholarship, I felt a heartfelt sense of compassion and connection. Although, I'm not a national championship, I have always had an eye for photography. Similar to John, I began taking photographs through something I was very passionate about. From a young age, I began playing piano. Due to my financial situation, I taught myself how to play on a small, gifted keyboard. It was then when I knew, I wanted to play jazz. Overtime, I trained my ear, but not my mind. My first year of high school, I was ecstatic to audition for jazz band. However, due to my lack of knowledge in scales, theory, and music, I was not considered. Though it was disappointing, I tried to find another way into jazz. Shortly after, I took the yearbook camera to one of their jazz concerts. I stood backstage with my camera pointed to the musicians. Once the musicians began playing, I noticed my focus wasn't on the music, but rather the emotion. I began capturing the physical movement, expression, and passion that exuded from these young musicians. My memorization on the tunes they practiced, allowed me to position my camera at the exact times that each individual solo came in. Thus, the images I captured became a representation of the music they played. Every note, rhythm, and improvisation inspired me to create a lasting image. From that moment on, I never put my camera down. Music had followed me throughout my life and although it wasn't my passion, it ultimately led me to my purpose. Now, I focus on documenting the world in various ways. I strive to use my camera as a way to speak on society. My goal in the near future, is to document and capture compelling images to spark a change within humankind. As a freshman in community college, I aspire to continue my studies and eventually transfer to a university where I can pursue photojournalism. A year ago, I was accepted into the top art schools in New York but sadly had to turn them down due to my financial situation. If given this scholarship, I will put it towards my educational goal of transferring to NYU's Tisch Photography program, to pursue a BFA in photography. Until then, my experience has taught me that everything unfolds at its given time. That belief is why; I continue to use my knowledge within the arts to educate and inspire others within my community and beyond.

Attached to my writing is "Seeing Jazz," a photograph taken by me, featuring Maestro Ron Carter. In September of 2025, I was invited to photograph one of the most influential musicians in jazz history for his residency at Birdland in New York City. When I received an email approving my request to photograph Maestro, I was in disbelief. The sheer excitement of someone who I looked up to appreciating my work, was overwhelming. For as long as I can remember, jazz music had been a part of me. At five years old, I began playing the piano. My parents saved up to gift me a keyboard to practice on. For years, I watched videos online to teach myself the fundamentals of music. Consequently, I never learned music theory but rather played by ear to my favorite tunes. For a long time, it didn't bother me-until I wanted to join jazz band in high school. Because I lacked knowledge on jazz theory, I couldn't play the sheet music. Throughout my first year of high school, I attentively watched the jazz band. I supported them from the audience, peeked in on their rehearsals, and found myself memorizing the music they played. At the end of my freshman year, I decided to take the yearbook camera to one of their concerts. I had no prior experience in photography-just a slip of paper with the camera settings written by my yearbook advisor. The day of the concert, I stood backstage with my camera pointed to the musicians. Once the musicians began playing, I noticed my focus wasn't on the music, but rather the emotion. I began capturing the physical movement, expression, and passion that exuded from these young musicians. My memorization on the tunes they practiced, allowed me to position my camera at the exact times that each individual solo came in. Thus, the images I captured became a representation of the music they played. Every note, rhythm, and improvisation inspired me to create a lasting image. From that moment on, I never put my camera down. Music had followed me throughout my life and although it wasn't my passion, it ultimately led me to my purpose. I spent the next four years of high school learning and growing as a student and artist. By my senior year of high school, I decided to pursue photography as a career. I decided to use my camera, to speak on society and capture profound images. It was then, when I was invited to photograph Maestro Ron Carter in New York. During my time with him, every photograph I captured reminded me of the first time I picked up a camera. "Seeing Jazz," may not be my strongest photographic work, but it's my favorite piece of art I have created. Every time I look at this photograph, I am filled with gratitude. I am reminded of where I come from, and why I create art. Shortly after taking that image, I was accepted into several top art schools in New York. Now, I am a freshman in college, attending my local community college. Due to my financial situation, I was unable to pursue my education at my desired university. Despite this, my passion for my art and education hasn't diminished. Even so, I've been published in student magazines, and continue to work with my local jazz community. Although I may not have the funds to pursue my educational goals, my experience has taught me that everything unfolds at its given time. That belief is why, I remain hopeful, strive for growth, and continue seeing jazz.

If you were to ask someone who knows me to describe me in one word, without hesitation they would say ambitious. For as long as I can remember, I have always verbalized my aspirations. My persistent efforts in achieving my goals have always been evident. When I first discovered photography and began understanding it, I knew my photographs could play a larger role in society. As a Hispanic woman and first-generation student, I faced many critiques and obstacles regarding my passion. The world's social stereotype demanded I pursue a non-artistic field, and my parent's lack of financial income caused me to feel guilty. It wasn't until I discovered the legendary African American photographer Gordon Parks that it became clear to me what photography can do. His work was rooted in the African American culture and during the 1970s it was used to highlight awareness of civil rights. Inspired by this, I decided to follow the steps of Parks and face my fears. I began using my photographs to highlight different cultures and stories. I wanted to evoke emotion within my photographs. Wherever I went, I felt the need to take a picture. The world constantly moves but with an image, it froze. Essentially, through my photography, I can highlight aspects of the world from a different perspective. I plan on pursuing photography and becoming a photojournalist. Through my works, the world will see how others see the world. My photographs can showcase what others are feeling, experiencing, and becoming. I plan on covering systematic, cultural, and social topics in my work. Through my artistic view, I will capture the stories of thousands of people while hopefully evoking a sense of wisdom and compassion within others. Photography truly is my passion. It provides me with a voice, community, and a future. I've always felt as if I saw the world differently and now, I understand why. My purpose as a photographer isn't to take pretty pictures, but it's to bring depth and awareness to my photographs. In the future, I also plan on starting an arts foundation dedicated to funding low-income artists. I believe every artist should have the opportunity to share their work in some way. Ultimately, I'm very passionate about the lens as I am for those around me. My objectives are deeply rooted in my past, present, and future. As I strive to pursue my goals, I will always remember Gordon Park's ability to change America with a single photograph while remembering, I can do that too.

As a first-generation female student raised in a Nicaraguense and Venezuelan household, it was evident that higher education wasn't a topic discussed. My parents came to America as immigrants and built a life for themselves. They sold flowers in the streets of Miami while my mother was pregnant and held onto hopes of becoming a nurse. My family's fractured dreams always shifted my perspective on my education. My family's courageous strength is embedded into my blood; however, I would always face insecurities within myself. My family was lucky enough to build a stable life. However, I always wanted to give back to their immense sacrifices they made for me. It wasn't until Sophomore year of high school when I realized what my education meant. My parents weren't educated on GPA's or AP classes; therefore, I never received that guidance. On top of that, I was a quiet kid. My anxiety was a huge obstacle in both my education and my family life. Last year, I spent countless hours researching ways to better my academic status. I wasn't a bad student, but I certainly could have improved. I wanted to get out of my anxious bubble and become more involved in my community. I began pushing myself to become more involved at school and even started to pursue my art career. My parents were immensely proud of my efforts and thanked me for my brilliance. All of the joy quickly turned into disappointment when my parents and I had a talk about college. My family's income status is barely enough to keep us going. Despite their support and love, they can't afford to appoint my higher education. While they want to contribute a small amount, my guilt transpires. My parents are my foundation. They raised me and taught me everything I know. As I am taking a leap in my education, I don't want my financial situation to be a burden to them. I want to reach out for help as much as possible. Through scholarships and financial aid, I will try my hardest to be able to achieve the required help to pursue a higher education. In the near future, I plan to continue my studies and my artistic ambitions. I plan on becoming a documentary photographer. I want to explore the world and share my passion for it. In the process, I want to inspire and share the stories of others. Capturing the essence of my roots is extremely important to me and I want to be able to tell a story through my photographs. My biggest goal is to make my parents proud. I hope to eventually give back to them as much as possible and help curate an even better life for them. With this scholarship, I will be able to ease some of the financial frustration off of my parents' mind. It will go towards my education and my burning passion of the photographic arts while continuing to learn and grow as a person.

The movie "Good Will Hunting," impacted me profoundly, primarily because of the protagonists' journey through self-discovery and overcoming internal conflicts. When I first watched this film, I was immediately drawn to Will's way of taking on challenges. His character was stubborn, and his insecurities prevented him from taking a big leap in his education. I deeply resonated with this. My insecurities have always been a challenge in everything I do. I would constantly doubt my abilities and never saw the good in myself. However, it wasn't until I watched this film when I began to see myself for what I really was. Will is an extraordinary young man who has intelligence and capabilities others rarely have. Due to his struggling past and obstacles, he refuses to accept the help needs to improve his physical and mental well-being. In one particular scene, Sean (a professor and licensed counselor) repeats the words "it's not your fault," over and over until Will emotionally breaks down. Although I was watching through a screen, I felt like I was there. My past struggles with mental health have always been a burden in my academic growth. Through my artistic abilities, I would always doubt myself. I would always blame myself even if it had nothing to do with me. This film opened my eyes to what the world around me really was. I hadn't realized my stubbornness until I watched this movie. After watching it, I reflected deeply on my actions and character. I began to think of everything that had happened to me physically and emotionally. It was time for a change. Good Will Hunting made me depict the aspects of my character that needed to change for the better- and I did. I started accepting the help I needed. I started seeing my counselor and explaining to her the ways I felt I was getting in the way of my own education. I constantly worked on my focus. Instead of putting my energy on things that weren't serving me, I began to use it on my academics. My academics quickly improved, and I felt the progress I had been lacking for a long time. My art also helped me immensely. Through my lens, photography helped me see the way of the world. I worked on several projects that depicted my emotions. It was hard for me to talk about them; therefore, I photographed them instead. It took me a while to finally feel comfortable in myself and I do still struggle. However, progress takes effort and time. It is slightly comedic that one singular film helped me see the progression it takes to better oneself but I'm forever grateful it did.

For the past 3 years of my high school career, I've been trying to enhance my education while also impacting my community. As an art student at a magnet art school, I've learned the different ways you can use technique in one's art. However, over time, I wanted to learn how I could use my art in my community. I began to research the different ways I could use my creativity to make others smile. Through hard work and dedication, I opened up a photography business. For discounted prices and packages, I photographed the loving memories of others while leaving a smile on their faces. As much as I enjoyed doing this, I wanted to positively impact my community in a bigger way.  I expanded into an arts club. I started a passion project in which I would educate other art students on how to use their art in a positive manner. Through community service, I would aim to use art in that service. I wanted to brighten others' days. I held meetings for a time, and there were a few students interested. However, it did not prosper with my idea. Over time, fewer people became interested, and the club had to close down. Despite this, I did not let it discourage me. I began to focus on how I could use my art while helping others. I began to photograph events and help other companies flourish using my photographs. I would reach out to micromusicians and offer to take pictures for them. They were delighted.  Continuing, I expanded in my community. I even reached another state. Though I was not getting any financial aid from these trips and events, I was more than glad to do them. It wasn't about the money or the exposure; I knew I was making a difference with my art. This influenced my career aspirations. As of now, I aspire to start an arts foundation. This arts foundation will be an outlet for low-income artists to share their work as well as a platform to tell their stories. The foundation will also aid these artists with the supplies or substantial funds they need to succeed in their artistic careers. I believe anybody in any community can achieve their aspirations. I aim to expand this foundation nationwide, allowing artists from anywhere on the globe to reach their ambitions. Currently, it will take some time before I achieve a bigger project. However, I can start in my community. Through my art, I will continue to prosper and motivate others to pursue their ambitions. The smiles I see in my community are what push me forward and motivate me to continue. I plan on making smaller projects in my community. Perhaps teaching a photography class to younger children or creating an info-session for the older generation on photographic technology. Wherever my aspirations take me, I know I have one particular goal, which is to make others smile.

When I was a little girl, I had a vivid imagination and a soaring ambition for everything. I changed my future career every day, depending on my mood. I wanted to be a dancer, gymnast, doctor, teacher, and artist all at once. My parents always encouraged me that I was limitless and that I should aim for whatever my heart desired. However, I never exactly knew what my heart desired. Jumping into my early teens was an emotional wreck for me. Due to my depression and anxiety, I quit sports. I lost my creativity and motivation to do anything. My mindset changed overnight, and I no longer wanted to pursue anything. I was always emotional, and I tried to put my emotions off, but as time went on, I grew sadder. I created an anxious attachment to everything around me. I couldn't love something because my hatred would consume it. My relationship with my parents was slowly suffocating, and I didn't know what to tell them. Around this time, I knew I had to change, but I didn't know how. It wasn't until my junior year of high school that I began to feel a spark within my soul. I picked up a camera for the first time since I had quit my hobbies. At first, I felt the hatred creeping on me slowly, but instead of letting it consume me, I decided to let it challenge me. I grew conscious of everything around me, and I knew I didn't want to keep living in a livid hole of darkness. I kept pushing through my mental obstacles within myself. Over a short period of time, my work started to receive recognition, and the praise I received was overwhelming. I had been so lost in the crowd that I didn't know what I was missing out on. I kept taking pictures and evoking my own emotions in the work. When I was sad, I would take sad photographs, but when I was happy, I would take happy photographs. It was a cycle, but I had to grow patient within myself. Despite the positive feedback I received, it took me a while to accept I had talent. My low self-esteem influenced me to believe I was below everyone else. Throughout my time discovering more about photography, I learned that it was something I wanted to share with the world. I want to teach others the principles of photography and the artistry it comes with it. Photography is full of emotion and passion. While I took photographs of others, I made them smile. It would make me smile seeing others smile. It was through this that I realized my art had exponentially influenced my emotions for the better. My experience with mental health has made me realize that I cannot control the world around me, but I can control the world I live in. Though mental health is something I still struggle with, my hardships, which almost contributed to ending my life, are what made my life. I grew stronger, more patient, and more resilient through my obstacles. Without my struggles, I wouldn't have found photography. I am a firm believer that everything that happens ultimately prepares you for what is to come, and I am a prime example that anyone can overcome anything. I strive to continue my art and make others, my family, and my younger self proud.

When I was a little girl, I had a vivid imagination and a soaring ambition for everything. I changed my future career every day, depending on my mood. I wanted to be a dancer, gymnast, doctor, teacher, and artist all at once. My parents always encouraged me that I was limitless and that I should aim for whatever my heart desired. However, I never exactly knew what my heart desired.  Jumping into my early teens was an emotional wreck for me. Due to my depression and anxiety, I quit sports. I lost my creativity and motivation to do anything. My mindset changed overnight, and I no longer wanted to pursue anything. I was always emotional, and I tried to put my emotions off, but as time went on, I grew sadder. I created an anxious attachment to everything around me. I couldn't love something because my hatred would consume it. My relationship with my parents was slowly suffocating, and I didn't know what to tell them. Around this time, I knew I had to change, but I didn't know how. It wasn't until my junior year of high school that I began to feel a spark within my soul. I picked up a camera for the first time since I had quit my hobbies. At first, I felt the hatred creeping on me slowly, but instead of letting it consume me, I decided to let it challenge me. I grew conscious of everything around me, and I knew I didn't want to keep living in a livid hole of darkness. I kept pushing through my mental obstacles within myself. Over a short period of time, my work started to receive recognition, and the praise I received was overwhelming. I had been so lost in the crowd that I didn't know what I was missing out on. I kept taking pictures and evoking my own emotions in the work. When I was sad, I would take sad photographs, but when I was happy, I would take happy photographs. It was a cycle, but I had to grow patient within myself.  My experience with mental health has made me realize that I cannot control the world around me, but I can control the world I live in. Though mental health is something I still struggle with, my hardships, which almost contributed to ending my life, are what made my life. I grew stronger, more patient, and more resilient through my obstacles. Without my struggles, I wouldn't have found photography. I am a firm believer that everything that happens ultimately prepares you for what is to come, and I am a prime example that anyone can overcome anything. I strive to continue my art and make others, my family, and my younger self proud.

As a rising senior, I have many career-oriented ambitions I strive to achieve. My passion for photography goes beyond me. Currently, I have a free-lance photography business in which I use my creative expression to make others smile. I absolutely love my discipline, as it allows me to share my passion while documenting others' moments and memories. I have decided to take an initiative step into my career by using higher education to transcend into a higher form of knowledge in my art.  Through my studies, I want to learn more about photography and how I can market myself as a photographer. An art business doesn't necessarily always allow for stable and steady employment; therefore, I put at risk anything for my passion. Despite any obstacles or hardships that may come in my career, I'm ready to face them head-on with a smile. The thought of impacting others in a positive way helps me maintain my positive and ambitious attitude. I am a person who loves to give, and I certainly want to give back.  Continuing, I plan on starting an arts foundation in the future. I believe art should be expressed anywhere, despite any circumstances. Art is the beautiful language of creation, and artists from everywhere deserve to have a spotlight on their work. Through my arts foundation, I will create a platform that allows low-income artists to have a chance to share their story alongside their artwork. As a first-generation Hispanic low-income student, I dig into the piles of scholarships and art funds, but I don't necessarily always find diversity. My arts foundation will be a great opportunity for those artists who have always wanted to create but might not have the ability, supplies, or exposure. There is talent everywhere, and it should be expressed. Artisans come in every shape and form.  To conclude, my enthusiasm and entrepreneurship for photography will allow me to create a business as well as an arts foundation in the future. I believe I can make a positive impact on others, not just by inspiring them to aim for their artistic ambition but by creating a platform for their work. An artist's story is just as important as their work. Art evokes emotion, and so do their stories. Though it takes time to achieve a project as big and lengthy as this, I plan on learning everything I can to make this plan possible.

A peer of mine once told me that my ambition was the trait of mine, they admired most. I always remember this and in moments of doubt, I reflect on the work I put into my passion every day. Miles Davis once said, "I'm always thinking about creating. My future starts when I wake up every morning... Every day I find something creative to do with my life." I resonate a lot with this quote. Perhaps, it's my connection with jazz or creating in general. I truly wake up with the desire to create, learn, and inspire every day. My ambition and my compassion for others is something that has followed me my entire life. In more recent times, I have found happiness and excitement in life through art. Growing up, I suffered from low self-esteem, and I would doubt myself and have severe insecurities. I would always compare and think low of myself. Being a child, I was always ambitious about life, but I never knew what life meant. All that changed when I picked up a camera and began to take pictures or perhaps it was the moment when I watched a jazz combo perform in front of me. Music and photography became a way that I could look at life in a better way. I resonate with Miles Davis's quote so much because that is how I feel every day when I wake up. Art gave me a purpose and a sense of belonging in my skin. Despite my obstacles with myself, I never lost my ambition. I believe that through my hopeful attitude, I can inspire someone to keep going. Being ambitious isn't easy. It requires a lot of hope and patience. Yet, it can be the only remedy to one's fear of failure. Every day, I wake up and I'm eager to live my life. I want to create and share it with others. The beauty of art is how it brings people together and that is exactly what I want to do. As I continue to learn and grow, I want to inspire others who might have been in the same predicament as I was. Art brings me down to earth but I wouldn't have been able to continue without my aspirations. In the near future, I want to continue photography and pursue a full-time artistic career. Eventually, I want to be a professor in the arts. I hope to motivate other individuals to reach their fullest potential by encouraging them to pursue their passion with ambition. I want to be an influence, guide, and teacher to future creatives. Despite it all, the sun will continue to shine light on my ambition every morning when I wake up.

"Music is a world within itself, with a language we all understand," are the words of the legendary Stevie Wonder. Growing up, music meant everything to me. I would always dance along to almost anything. As I got older, I began to take an interest in jazz and soul music. There was something so beautiful about watching others play music that made me want to play music myself. From an early age, I took music lessons. I tried to play piano but, because of money and time, my parents had to take me out. I was left with a passion for music but with no instrument or key direction in my musical ambition. When I started high school at a performing arts school, I was introduced to different forms of art. Jazz had always been an interest of mine, but I didn't know much about it. It wasn't until I watched a jazz concert that my eyes completely opened. As I watched the different musicians play their instruments, I noticed they were all in their own world. Although they were playing together, each of them contributed to something different. My passion for piano has always been in the back of my head and at that moment, I knew I wanted to start playing again. I dove back into piano lessons but for the same reasons as before, I had to leave. I lived my passion through other people. I would watch rehearsals and live concerts just to feel the rhythm of jazz in my veins as if I were the one playing it. Over time, I began listening to more music. Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Miles Davis, all became idols of mine. I would dwell on the regret of never learning my instrument properly. On a regular school day, I decided to take my camera to a jazz event. I stood backstage, and I felt as if I was a part of the performance as well. I grew excited as I watched my peers look over their sheets of music and tap to the beat with their feet. As the concert started, I used my camera to capture every moment I thought was worth a million words. I became lost in the music and the hundreds of clicks became a part of the tune in my head. I felt at peace and fulfilled. There was nothing better than listening to music and being a part of it as well. Currently, I still live with the regret of being mediocre at my instrument. However, I don't live with the burden of it. Through my photography, I get to live my passion for music through other people. I take my camera to many jazz events and document the moments of it. I technically get to be a part of the musical process while combining my passion for photography. Ultimately, in the future I want to continue being a jazz photographer. I also hope to better my musical abilities. I plan on flourishing my ambition and combining my passions together. Music brings people together, and it truly is a big factor in my identity and purpose.

I have always been passionate and motivated in the arts. A big passion of mine has always been photography. I have always been stimulated to impacting the lives of others in a positive way. Combining those two passions of mine ultimately led me to realize I can create a legacy for others as well as for myself. I dream of creating a business for my photography as I document the lives of others as well. I want to be able to capture moments in time and share them worldwide. Through this, I can impact the world for the great good while creating art. Continuing, my entrepreneurship skills have been evident since I was a kid. I dreamt of putting my best foot forward to impact those around me. I wanted to create something for myself while also affecting my community and family positively. As I look back on this, I also look into the future. A big goal of mine is to create an arts foundation that allows low-income artists to have the funds to create art. This also allows them to share their art and stories with the world. I believe art can be created anywhere and it is all around us. Therefore, I want to tie my roots into my business. As the daughter of a Nicaraguan father and Venezuelan mother, I have grown up with the cultural roots tied into my daily life. I have also grown custom to believe work can be created by oneself, and employment doesn't always lead to success. With my core beliefs and morals, I understand that my aspirations are big, but not impossible. Going back to my cultural ties, I want to include this in my own business. Through my arts foundation, I want to showcase the beauty and inclusivity of different cultures. The art that goes unnoticed in these smaller more secluded places deserve a light to shine on them. I believe I can ultimately change the lives of people through my business. However, this is a far reach into the future. Currently, I am working on expanding my art in my current community. As a rising senior, I have been funding my art expenses to be able to create a business for myself. On the weekends, I do a lot of street photography and photo storytelling. Through this, I hope to build a portfolio to eventually turn into prints. I've been contacting local art markets and optimistically, I can take a step forward into my entrepreneurship dreams. To conclude, I hope to share my work with others in the future as well as collaborating with artists worldwide. I hope to create a name for others and aid those talented individuals who have dreams as big as mine.

As a photographer, I see the world through my lens. I carry around my camera everywhere as I go. I document everything that catches my eye- even the simple things. Most recently, I've been taking my camera to various places I've never been before. Last February, I visited Japan with my family. I made sure to capture the adversity of the culture, people, and history. I began to see how big the world truly was. At that moment, I knew that my photography wasn't just an outlet of creative expression for me, but it could be used to educate and inspire others. I shared the photographs I took with classmates, teachers, and family. I used it to showcase the culture and beauty of an unfamiliar place. This experience left me believing I could use my art for the greater good. As I continue to study and learn more about my art over the next couple of years, I plan to tell a story through my photographs. I aspire to capture different cultures and spread awareness of diverse subjects most people are unfamiliar with. I want to tie my cultural roots to my art and display the various obstacles and adversity my people face back home in Nicaragua. My art is simply a mere reflection of the lives of others. While this can evoke emotions in many, it can also alert those who can help or educate. While I continue to document, my photographs will tell a story without words. I believe my art can bring people together and surely create a better understanding of numerous cultures and challenges being faced in their everyday lives. To continue, my photography can be used to raise awareness on several different humanitarian issues. I strive to travel to different places and document the lives of hundreds of people in hopes of others gaining apprehension as well as shifting my perspective on the world. A big factor in my work is helping others. In everything I do, I want to give back. From an economic factor, I aim to give back to the people I will document. I aspire to create a charity or allow other charities to be a great factor in what I do. In the future, I hope to start an arts foundation, in which I can help the lives of countless people and families across the globe. Through this, their stories can be told and heard but they also gain a little help from the world. To conclude, I am a long way from my goals and aspirations. However, I am on the path to achieving them. As I continue creating, learning, and communicating, my intentions remain on the ability to positively impact others. I make every effort to not just impact my community but a bigger one too. My passion has been an immense factor in my life, and I want to share it with others. With every initiative I take toward my dream, I'll make sure I impact, inspire, and educate others.

My theatre history teacher always told me her "why" was me. She always told me the reason she did everything, was for others. I've always been fascinated with the perspective of others. I love hearing people's reasonings as to why they created their art. Technology advances every day of our lives, and though it seems terrifying, there's always something beneficial to everything. Art has expanded throughout time but it continues to inspire people. In some cases, you could say art is timeless. 50 years ago, we didn't have the tools or technology we do today to advance our projects. However, artists still managed to pursue their creatives and immerse their art to this day. We can look back in time, hundreds of years ago, artists created and their works are still seen today. The impact of art is truly sensational. Art captures emotion, value, and creativity. From watching a motion picture to looking at the intricate strokes on a canvas, art maintains value and passion. These artists I look back on are my muses. I want to create to make an impact and inspire others as they inspire me. As an aspiring filmmaker, I want to create and be able to portray valuable themes throughout my storytelling. As a student of the arts, I take into value the ancestry of artists and the time and consideration they put into their works for others. I reflect this not just in my future, but also in my present. Whenever I am creating short films or montages of my life and others, I remember it is not what others think is good, it's about the effort and worth I put into my projects. Nevertheless, quality is also an important characteristic of projects. I take all these qualities that I've learned from other artists and I continue to learn every day. My "why," starts with others. The thought of becoming somebodys vision and mentor is what pursuits me in moments of insecurity. To be able to be someone else's "why," is a gift. In that case, I plan on pursuing film and continuing my journey in the arts. I plan to collaborate with others and share my ideas. Art has positively impacted my life, and I want to do the same for others.

Everyone has dreamed of making their dream home a dream come true. As for me, since I was a little girl, I've always dreamed of living in a pink house with three floors and glitter walls. I would be enchanted by my moving closet every morning. I would have endless room for the amount of shopping I would do every day. In reality, I don't fantasize about living in a dream house anymore. Pink isn't my favorite color and wearing repetitive outfits is most of what I know. However, that girl that I used to be still lives inside of me. If I could build my very own Barbie Dream House, I would do it for her. She loved the beach but hated being in the sun for too long, so it would be located on a hill looking over the ocean. She loved animals and taking care of them, even the ones she wasn't sure existed. She would yell at me if I didn't add a birdhouse and food bowls outside. I'd leave space for any dogs, cats, or faires that would need a place to stay. Our house would have a big kitchen for her to be able to bake and dance but also have childproof outlets just to be safe. The bathrooms would have pink accents with touches of gold and she wouldn't forget adding positive quotes around the walls. She always strived to inspire others. She never wanted to feel left out nor did she make anyone feel that way. Today, I wish I could share that dream house with her. Her parts of kindness still linger in me and what I know is right, comes from her. I ultimately wish I could tell her that her efforts are enough. Maybe not enough to change the world, but enough to change hers. Her creativity and passion still strive within me. Her love for colors and light fulfills the world around me. She always knew to create a good life, meant to be a good person. My nostalgia brings me back to the Barbies she used to play with. The Barbies I wanted to bring to life. I always wanted to be passionate about something. She never knew what it was, but she was positive she would find it. At present time, I didn't achieve my dream of living in a pink Barbie house, but I achieved the award of growth and improvement. I still have that same strive I had at eight years old. I might not have the same energy but her creativity and passion for the world still exert in me. Her passion developed into a passion for others. I'm passionate about inspiring others because of her. In moments of learning and pursuing, I turn back to what she always wanted. I look back at what she wanted me to be because ultimately, I'm the person I am because of her.