Growing up in the church with basic Christian teachings gave the shape of each day. Many people hear that. For me the hymns and the church teachings felt like a fight. From the years I saw that my feelings, my desires my sexuality did not match the world the church taught me to live in. I wrestle with the fact that I'm a lesbian, in an environment that often calls queerness wrong and unnatural. The environment creates a steady tension in my life. I spend nights questioning whether love, happiness and authenticity are truly available to me. I have moments of isolation as if the core of the lesbian self can never fully exist. Despite the challenges I found a place in writing fictional stories. I learned that the words could be a place to explore the parts of identity without judgment. Writing let me live in worlds where love was not limited by labels. Writing let characters find their way, to self‑discovery and acceptance. Writing gave me the love I longed for in my life. Stories, books, short narratives and film scripts helped me work through my experiences and give my experiences shape. Storytelling became a mirror. Storytelling reflected the struggles. I have used storytelling to see myself and to let others see me. Coming to terms with my sexuality and eventually coming out did not happen in one moment. The journey took time. Needed courage and patience. I am now openly a lesbian. I have a relationship that has lasted three and a half years. The journey taught me resilience and empathy. It also taught me the importance of authenticity. Beyond growth the journey fueled my drive. I want to write stories that show the detail of the experience. The stories will show the joy, the pain the conflicts we face because of who we're. I want to write characters whose identities are at the core of characters journeys. The characters voices will sound real, deep and brave. My love, for writing comes from narrative. Narrative can connect people can challenge people can change people. Film can pull a viewer into a world that the viewer can see and feel. Books can keep words in a mind. Shape how a person thinks after the page is closed. I go to writing because writing lets me make experiences. I go to film because film lets me make experiences. I go to books because books let me make experiences. Those experiences look at identity, love and resilience. The experiences feel real. Stay with a person. Every story I write lets me look at my journey. Every story I write also gives representation and understanding, for the others who are navigating struggles. The challenges I faced because of my identity have become the base of the voice. The challenges gave the determination to write honestly, and push me to show parts of life that are often silenced or missed. I am committed to telling stories that celebrate authenticity that challenge assumptions and that honor the complexity of identity. Writing is not a passion, for me. Writing is my way to add to the world where everyone can feel seen everyone can feel heard. Everyone can feel understood. Ultimately, my journey as a writer is inseparable from my journey as a person. The struggles I have faced because of my sexuality have shaped the lens through which I view the world. Writing is my grounding for truth, empathy, and connection, and I am driven by the belief that stories have the power to heal, to challenge, and to inspire.

Arts education has profoundly shaped who I am, both as a person and as an aspiring filmmaker. From a young age, I found myself drawn to storytelling projects through drawing, writing, and, eventually, film. These creative outlets provided me with a space to explore my thoughts and emotions, a way to process the world around me, and a sense of purpose that has stayed with me throughout my life. Engaging with the arts taught me to see beyond the surface, to pay attention to detail, and to value the power of imagination and expression. It also instilled in me a belief that creativity is not just a skill but a way of connecting with others, understanding perspectives, and sharing ideas that matter. Throughout my journey in the arts, I have been inspired and supported by several mentors and teachers who recognized my passion and encouraged me to keep pursuing it. One professor in particular has had a profound impact on me. From the first time I stepped into his classroom, he nurtured not only my technical abilities but also my confidence and voice. He challenged me to push past self-doubt, to experiment, and to take risks in my creative work. He reminded me that art is not just about perfection but about authenticity and impact, and that lesson has stayed with me in every project I take on. His guidance made me realize that my passion for the arts could evolve into a lifelong pursuit, and that with dedication and persistence, I could turn that passion into a meaningful career. Arts education also provided a supportive community where I could grow. Being surrounded by peers who shared my enthusiasm for creativity pushed me to improve and broaden my skills. Collaboration became an essential part of my learning. Whether working on group projects, performances, or film productions, I learned to communicate ideas, listen actively, and respect others’ perspectives. These experiences not only honed my craft but also shaped my values. I learned that supporting and uplifting others in their creative endeavors makes the work stronger, more impactful, and more fulfilling. Film, in particular, became the medium through which I could combine all the lessons I had learned in arts education. It allowed me to tell complex, meaningful stories that could evoke emotion, spark dialogue, and build empathy. The confidence, discipline, and curiosity cultivated through years of arts education have directly influenced my ability to pursue filmmaking seriously. They have given me the tools to approach storytelling thoughtfully, to embrace challenges, and to keep growing as both an artist and an individual. Ultimately, arts education has been more than just a series of classes or projects—it has been a foundation for my personal and creative development. It taught me perseverance, self-expression, and the importance of community. It inspired me to pursue my craft with passion, purpose, and intention, and it continues to shape the way I approach both my life and my future career. Thanks to the mentors, peers, and experiences that have guided me, I am committed to carrying forward the lessons I have learned and using my creativity to make a meaningful impact in the world.

From an early age, I have been fascinated by the ways stories, images, and ideas can shape people’s perceptions and influence their choices. This fascination has grown into a clear passion for digital marketing and editing, fields that perfectly blend creativity with strategy. In a world where content has the power to connect brands with global audiences in seconds, I see digital marketing as more than just promoting a product or service, it’s about crafting narratives that resonate, building trust, and creating value for people. Editing, on the other hand, appeals to my eye for detail and my belief that every message must be presented as clearly and effectively as possible. Whether it’s refining a video to capture the perfect emotional tone, optimizing a social media post for engagement, or ensuring a website communicates a brand’s voice consistently, I find fulfillment in the process of turning raw ideas into polished, impactful content. My interest in this career path stems not only from a love of storytelling but also from my curiosity about consumer behavior and trends. I enjoy analyzing what makes certain campaigns stand out and why particular visuals, words, or videos go viral. I am eager to learn how to use data and analytics to understand audiences better and to develop strategies that are both creative and effective. I see digital marketing and editing as fields that offer endless opportunities for growth and innovation. With technology constantly evolving, there is always something new to learn, from emerging platforms to the latest editing tools and marketing techniques. I am especially drawn to the challenge of adapting to these changes and finding innovative ways to stay ahead of the curve. At the same time, I believe strong communication and storytelling will always be at the heart of successful marketing, and that is where I want to focus my skills. My goal is to build a career where I can combine technical expertise—such as video editing, SEO, and social media strategy—with creativity and critical thinking to produce content that stands out in a crowded digital landscape. Ultimately, I want to pursue digital marketing and editing because it feels like the perfect intersection of my interests and strengths. I enjoy both the artistic side of content creation and the analytical side of understanding what makes content successful. I see myself thriving in roles where I can collaborate with others, brainstorm innovative ideas, and refine them into professional, high-quality campaigns. This career path excites me because it is dynamic and impactful, offering the chance to not only shape how people experience brands but also to continually challenge myself to grow as a creator, editor, and strategist. I believe that by pursuing this field, I can turn my passion for storytelling, technology, and creativity into a fulfilling career that allows me to make a meaningful impact.

Growing up, music was one of the things that made me feel safest. With a house full of noise that I could never seem to get away from, headphones became my best friend. However, I had a hard time finding music I felt connected to on a deeper level. Once it hit 2019, I began to explore more of the music world and different artists. I had come across the song 'lovely' by Billie Eilish and Khalid. It was one of those songs that makes you feel like you're floating. I had immediately felt as though maybe there is music out there that can help me feel less alone. You can interpret music in many different ways, but I tended to feel it more relating to my troubles with mental health. Especially the lyrics, "Oh, I hope some day I'll make it out of here, Even if it takes all night or a hundred years, Need a place to hide, but I can't find one near, Wanna feel alive, outside I can't fight my fear". These lyrics made me think about wanting to get away from all my hardships and feel alive again. 'Lovely' helped me when I was in a very dark place. It's weird to think sad music can make you feel better and less alone, it seems as though it should be the opposite, and I'm sure it is for a lot of other people. This song, and Billie herself, helped to save my life. I resonate deeply with a number her songs, but I'd say 'The Greatest' and 'Wildflower' are ones that I feel a deeper connection with than the others. When it comes to 'The Greatest', this song reminds me of giving all my love to someone, yet still feeling like I'm not doing enough. I think it really goes into the true emotions of feeling stuck in a relationship where you don't feel valued. I perceive 'Wildflower' in a very different way than its original meaning. Personally, I felt as though it was someone thinking about their past selves and wanting to put that person behind them. When listening to 'Wildflower' in that perspective, the emotions it will put you through are astounding. Billie Eilish and her music have changed my life, and I could go on and on about what her songs deeply mean to me.

My name is Natalie Smith, and I'm from a small town in Ohio. My goal for the future is to help create a safe place for children at school. From a young age, the desire to become a teacher was incredibly apparent. I’ve always been driven by the joy that comes with helping the people around me; it was something that could not be ignored. To me, being a teacher isn't only about the basic subjects. Rather than being inspired by an interest in a specific subject, I’m more drawn to the social aspect. There are numerous positive things that come out of teaching. This includes building new relationships, giving children a safe place, teaching them to love learning, nurturing their growth, and creating new memories. Making a difference has been my biggest motivator. I strive to be the change that we need in the future. Fortunately, I was able to grow up with my own role model when it came to teaching– my grandmother. With her being a fourth grade teacher at the school I attended, I spent a lot of extra time in classrooms helping out. Through doing this, I was able to watch as she made learning fun and gave her students someone to come to if they needed it. With my own personal experience as well as her work as an influence, I’ve learned what it is that I want to do for others. I want to make my students feel the same way that my grandmother could, and the same way that I wished my teachers did for me. My high school experience has not been an easy one, which has caused me to second guess my future career on multiple different occasions. When this happens, I have to remind myself that this is exactly why I want to be a teacher. If I had a teacher who I felt was a safe place, that would have made my experience much easier. That is exactly who I want to be for my future students. My motivation as I begin my studies at college this fall isn’t only to have a successful career, but also to make change in the educational system when it comes to mental health and acknowledging that learning new material shouldn’t be all that school revolves around. Without even knowing who they are yet, they’re the ones who keep me going when I begin to fall behind in my work. Most people refrain from entering the educational field, believing it’s not worth all of the effort. The pay isn’t exactly the highest, and it can be exhausting work. However, my response to this is that it’s not what matters to me. The need for teachers is higher than ever, and children deserve to have a strong individual they can see and talk to every day. I am willing to put myself in this position and put in the work necessary to reach this point. It is incredibly important to me to prove that school isn’t such a scary place, and that there are teachers out there that care for you.

From a young age, the desire to become a teacher was incredibly apparent. I’ve always been driven by the joy that comes with helping the people around me; it was something that could not be ignored. To me, being a teacher isn't only about the basic subjects. Rather than being inspired by an interest in a specific subject, I’m more drawn to the social aspect. Numerous positive things come out of teaching. This includes building new relationships, giving children a safe place, teaching them to love learning, nurturing their growth, and creating new memories. Making a difference has been my biggest motivator. I strive to be the change that we need in the future.  Fortunately, I was able to grow up with my own role model when it came to teaching– my grandmother. With her being a fourth-grade teacher at the school I attended, I spent a lot of extra time in classrooms helping out. Through doing this, I was able to watch as she made learning fun and gave her students someone to come to if they needed it. With my own personal experience as well as her work as an influence, I’ve learned what it is that I want to do for others. I want to make my students feel the same way that my grandmother could, and the same way that I wished my teachers did for me. My high school experience has not been an easy one, which has caused me to second-guess my future career on multiple different occasions. When this happens, I have to remind myself that this is exactly why I want to be a teacher. If I had a teacher who I felt was a safe place, that would have made my experience much easier. That is exactly who I want to be for my future students. My motivation as I begin my studies at college this fall isn’t only to have a successful career, but also to make a change in the educational system when it comes to mental health and acknowledging that learning new material shouldn’t be all that school revolves around. Without even knowing who they are yet, they’re the ones who keep me going when I begin to fall behind in my work.  Most people refrain from entering the educational field, believing it’s not worth all of the effort. The pay isn’t exactly the highest, and it can be exhausting work. However, my response to this is that it’s not what matters to me. The need for teachers is higher than ever, and children deserve to have a strong individual they can see and talk to every day. I am willing to put myself in this position and put in the work necessary to reach this point. It is incredibly important to me to prove that school isn’t such a scary place, and that there are teachers out there that care for you.