My motivation in the realm of visual arts and design springs from a profound belief in the power of creativity to transcend boundaries and connect people on a deep, emotional level. As technology rapidly evolves, presenting us with tools like artificial intelligence, digital art platforms, and automatic script writing tools, my passion to explore these innovations and integrate them into my creative endeavors is fueled by a dual commitment: to push the boundaries of what is possible artistically and to craft narratives that resonate with universal themes and human experiences. The advancements in technology offer unprecedented opportunities to innovate and redefine storytelling. For instance, envisioning a graphic novel series that blends intricate hand-drawn illustrations with AI-assisted narrative generation excites me. This fusion allows for dynamic storytelling where AI can suggest plot twists based on reader interactions or simulate character dialogue in real-time, enhancing immersion and engagement. As a student of the arts, I am dedicated to mastering these technologies while preserving the essence of storytelling craftsmanship. By embracing digital tools without losing sight of traditional artistic techniques, I aim to create visually compelling narratives that captivate and inspire. Each project will be a testament to the seamless integration of artistry and technology, demonstrating how these tools can amplify rather than overshadow the human touch in creative expression. In my envisioned lifelong project, whether it be a groundbreaking TV series exploring existential themes through visually stunning animations or a thought-provoking graphic novel blending intricate plotlines with AI-generated subplots, I aim to push boundaries. Each project will be meticulously crafted to evoke empathy, spark introspection, and challenge perceptions—ultimately fostering a deeper connection between the audience and the story being told. Ultimately, my WHY is anchored in the belief that through continuous exploration, innovation, and a steadfast dedication to storytelling excellence, I can contribute to the evolution of visual arts in a meaningful way. By leveraging technological advancements responsibly and creatively, I aspire to create transformative narratives that resonate globally and endure as timeless expressions of human creativity and imagination.

I am Olivia Sunshine Doucette, formerly Olivia Brown, formerly Olivia Johnson, and I may never know my birth surname. I was born addicted to methamphetamines. After suffering from severe abuse and neglect from birth to the age of four, I was placed into foster care. In my formative years, I was removed and reunited with my birth mother eight times. I was permanently removed when I was found by a city worker crawling down the street wearing only a filthy diaper. Police found the trailer with my birth mother and were unable to rouse her. Social Service reports state there was no food, no clothing, no electricity...just empty bottles, cigarettes and drug paraphernalia scattered about. I lived in four different foster homes and was adopted at age seven. I am Hispanic and Black and being adopted into a white family also took some adjusting. In school, I had extreme difficulty focusing and controlling my anxiety. I was having endless behavioral issues. After being diagnosed with ADHD due to methamphetamine exposure, therapy and medication began at age eight. Although this helped, I still lacked self control. My parents found the United Martial Arts Family Center. I received gold, silver and bronze medals in belt testing, forms and sparring. I am a brown with black belt. Martial Arts helped me develop respect, confidence, self discipline, and begin a path to believing in myself. In my third foster home, my Foster Grandpa, David, would play the bass and sing to us. When I missed my biological mother and did not where I would live, his voice would soothe my tears. Grandpa David passed away from kidney disease but I will never forget the comfort he gave me through song. In the same foster home, my Grandma Shirley had us sing in the church choir. Being surrounded in music was helping me through significantly challenging times before I even knew it. I began playing violin in elementary school orchestra and my soul was touched. I then taught myself guitar and piano, but my true passion is in song writing. Music broke through to me when nothing else could. Having ADHD, I struggled academically, especially when my adoptive father was diagnosed with cancer. My parents had all they could handle with his treatment, but I helped at home and persevered in school. I have been accepted to Elizabeth City State University as a music major. I want to help others as I have been through music. My passion is to become a Music Therapist. I needed support in my life and the best way I can give back is through music. Music broke through to me when tradition therapy and medication alone could not. I want to teach the beauty and peace of sound in therapy. My volunteer service includes Mission Trails Park Rehabilitation, SD Food Bank, SD Ocean Clean Up, 12 inch hair donation to Locks of Love, FOP Library Volunteer, and Old Theater Children's Theater. I loved volunteering with the theater children by far the most. My calling is to work with children in need. My adoptive mother recently shared a story of strength with me. She said I told her that I saved my birth mother and sister from a pool of snakes. I dove into the pool and took all the bites in order to rescue them which is how I got all my scars. The snake bites are actually cigarette burns. My mother cried and cried said she knew my incredible strength right then. I not only found a way to survive, I found a way to flourish in music.

I am Olivia Sunshine Doucette, formerly Olivia Brown, formerly Olivia Johnson, and I may never know my birth surname. I was born addicted to methamphetamines. After suffering from severe abuse and neglect from birth to the age of four, I was placed into foster care. In my formative years, I was removed and reunited with my birth mother eight times. I was permanently removed when I was found by a city worker crawling down the street wearing only a filthy diaper. Police found the trailer with my birth mother and were unable to rouse her. Social Service reports state there was no food, no clothing, no electricity...just empty bottles, cigarettes and drug paraphernalia scattered about. I lived in four different foster homes and was adopted at age seven. I am Hispanic and Black and being adopted into a white family also took some adjusting. In school, I had extreme difficulty focusing and controlling my anxiety. I was having endless behavioral issues. After being diagnosed with ADHD due to methamphetamine exposure, therapy and medication began at age eight. Although this helped, I still lacked self control. My parents found the United Martial Arts Family Center. I received gold, silver and bronze medals in belt testing, forms and sparring. I am a brown with black belt. Martial Arts helped me develop respect, confidence, self discipline, and begin a path to believing in myself. In my third foster home, my Foster Grandpa, David, would play the bass and sing to us. When I missed my biological mother and did not where I would live, his voice would soothe my tears. Grandpa David passed away from kidney disease but I will never forget the comfort he gave me through song. In the same foster home, my Grandma Shirley had us sing in the church choir. Being surrounded in music was helping me through significantly challenging times before I even knew it. I began playing violin in elementary school orchestra and my soul was touched. I then taught myself guitar and piano, but my true passion is in song writing. Music broke through to me when nothing else could. Having ADHD, I struggled academically, especially when my adoptive father was diagnosed with cancer. My parents had all they could handle with his treatment, but I helped at home and persevered in school. I have been accepted to Elizabeth City State University as a music major. I want to help others as I have been through music. My passion is to become a Music Therapist. I needed support in my life and the best way I can give back is through music. Music broke through to me when tradition therapy and medication alone could not. I want to teach the beauty and peace of sound in therapy. My volunteer service includes Mission Trails Park Rehabilitation, SD Food Bank, SD Ocean Clean Up, 12 inch hair donation to Locks of Love, FOP Library Volunteer, and Old Theater Children's Theater. I loved volunteering with the theater children by far the most. My calling is to work with children in need. My adoptive mother recently shared a story of strength with me. She said I told her that I saved my birth mother and sister from a pool of snakes. I dove into the pool and took all the bites in order to rescue them which is how I got all my scars. The snake bites are actually cigarette burns. My mother cried and cried said she knew my incredible strength right then. I not only found a way to survive, I found a way to flourish in music.

I am Olivia Sunshine Doucette, formerly Olivia Brown, formerly Olivia Johnson, and I may never know my birth surname. I was born addicted to methamphetamines. After suffering from severe abuse and neglect from birth to the age of four, I was placed into foster care. In my formative years, I was removed and reunited with my birth mother eight times. I was permanently removed when I was found by a city worker crawling down the street wearing only a filthy diaper. Police found the trailer with my birth mother and were unable to rouse her. Social Service reports state there was no food, no clothing, no electricity...just empty bottles, cigarettes and drug paraphernalia scattered about. I lived in four different foster homes and was adopted at age seven. I am Hispanic and Black and being adopted into a white family also took some adjusting. In school, I had extreme difficulty focusing and controlling my anxiety. I was having endless behavioral issues. After being diagnosed with ADHD due to methamphetamine exposure, therapy and medication began at age eight. Although this helped, I still lacked self control. My parents found the United Martial Arts Family Center. I received gold, silver and bronze medals in belt testing, forms and sparring. I am a brown with black belt. Martial Arts helped me develop respect, confidence, self discipline, and begin a path to believing in myself. In my third foster home, my Foster Grandpa, David, would play the bass and sing to us. When I missed my biological mother and did not where I would live, his voice would soothe my tears. Grandpa David passed away from kidney disease but I will never forget the comfort he gave me through song. In the same foster home, my Grandma Shirley had us sing in the church choir. Being surrounded in music was helping me through significantly challenging times before I even knew it. I began playing violin in elementary school orchestra and my soul was touched. I then taught myself guitar and piano, but my true passion is in song writing. Music broke through to me when nothing else could. Having ADHD, I struggled academically, especially when my adoptive father was diagnosed with cancer. My parents had all they could handle with his treatment, but I helped at home and persevered in school. I have been accepted to Elizabeth City State University as a music major. I want to help others as I have been through music. My passion is to become a Music Therapist. I needed support in my life and the best way I can give back is through music. Music broke through to me when tradition therapy and medication alone could not. I want to teach the beauty and peace of sound in therapy. My volunteer service includes Mission Trails Park Rehabilitation, SD Food Bank, SD Ocean Clean Up, 12 inch hair donation to Locks of Love, FOP Library Volunteer, and Old Theater Children's Theater. I loved volunteering with the theater children by far the most. My calling is to work with children in need. My adoptive mother recently shared a story of strength with me. She said I told her that I saved my birth mother and sister from a pool of snakes. I dove into the pool and took all the bites in order to rescue them which is how I got all my scars. The snake bites are actually cigarette burns. My mother cried and cried said she knew my incredible strength right then. I not only found a way to survive, I found a way to flourish in music.

I am Olivia Sunshine Doucette, formerly Olivia Brown, formerly Olivia Johnson, and I may never know my birth surname. I was born addicted to methamphetamines. After suffering from abuse and neglect from birth to age four, I was placed into foster care. In my formative years, I was removed and reunited with my birth mother eight times. I was permanently removed when found by a city worker crawling down the street wearing only a filthy diaper. Police found the trailer with my birth mother and were unable to rouse her. Social Service reports state there was no food, no clothing, no electricity...just empty bottles, cigarettes and drug paraphernalia scattered about. I lived in four different foster homes and was adopted at age seven. As a BIPOC child, it took some adjusting to being adopted by white parents. They were different from me and the people I was used to. In school, I could not focus or control my anxiety and I was having endless behavioral issues. After being diagnosed with severe ADHD due to methamphetamine exposure, therapy and medication began at age eight. Although this helped, I still lacked self control. My parents found the United Martial Arts Family Center. I received gold, silver and bronze medals in belt testing, forms and sparring. Currently, I hold a brown with black belt. Martial Arts helped me to develop respect, confidence and self discipline. Taekwondo was the first step towards believing in myself. My journey in music began after this in elementary school. I learned violin in orchestra and my soul was truly touched. I taught myself guitar and piano, but my true passion is in song writing. Music broke through to me when nothing else could. Having ADHD, I was challenged academically, but worked hard to persevere, especially once my father was diagnosed with cancer. My mother's struggles and my father's treatments were all they could handle. I began helping at home in every way I possibly able. This included cleaning, watching my younger sister and cooking meals. I was in awe of my parent's strength and wanted to do my part to ensure our family's survival. I have now been accepted to Elizabeth City State University as a music major. I want to help others as I have been. My passion is to become a Music Therapist. Through volunteering with Park Rehabilitation, SD Food Bank, SD Ocean Clean Up, 12 inch hair donation to Locks of Love, FOP LIbrary Volunteer, and Old Theater Children's Theater, I found I loved volunteering with theater children by far the most. I want to provide comfort and peace for lonely and scared children and teenagers. Therapy is my calling. My mother recently shared a story of strength with me. She said I told her about how I saved my birth mother and sister from a pool of snakes. I told her I dove into a pool and took all the bites in order to rescue them, which is how I got my scars...I learned much later that my snake bites are actually cigarette burns. My mother cried and said she knew my absolute strength then and there. I not only found a way to survive, I found a way to flourish and want more than anything to inspire youth. I owe so much gratitude for all the support I received in my journey this far. Two of my greatest inspirations were my foster grandparents in my third home. They were true leaders in our black community. Grandma Shirley led food banks, donation drives, taught at our school, led the church choir, which we sang in, and has fostered hundreds. Grandpa would play the bass and sing to us. When I scared his music would soothe my tears. Grandpa David since passed, but I will never forget the comfort he gave me through song. I remain in touch with Grandma Shirley and she is still a force in the community and truly proud of me. It is heroes like them who change lives like mine and I aspire to do the same.

I am Olivia Sunshine Doucette, formerly Olivia Brown, formerly Olivia Johnson, and I may never know my birth surname. I was born addicted to methamphetamines. After suffering from abuse and neglect from birth to age four, I was placed into foster care. In my formative years, I was removed and reunited with my birth mother eight times. I was permanently removed when found by a city worker crawling down the street wearing only a filthy diaper. Police found the trailer with my birth mother and were unable to rouse her. Social Service reports state there was no food, no clothing, no electricity...just empty bottles, cigarettes and drug paraphernalia. I lived in four different foster homes and was adopted at age seven. As a BIPOC child, it took some adjusting to being adopted by white parents. In school, I could not focus or control my anxiety and I was having endless behavioral issues. After being diagnosed with severe ADHD due to methamphetamine exposure, therapy and medication began at age eight. Although this helped, I still lacked self control. My parents found the United Martial Arts Family Center. I received gold, silver and bronze medals in belt testing, forms and sparring. Currently, I hold a brown with black belt. Martial Arts helped me develop respect, confidence and self discipline. Taekwondo allowed me to begin believing in myself. My journey in music started in elementary school. I learned violin in orchestra and my soul was touched. I taught myself guitar and piano, but my true passion is song writing. Music broke through to me when nothing else could. Having ADHD, I was challenged academically, but persevered, especially once my father was diagnosed with cancer. My mother's struggle and my father's treatment were all they could handle so I began helping at home in every way possible. I was in awe of their strength. I have now been accepted to Elizabeth City State University as a music major. I want to help others as I have been. My passion is to become a Music Therapist. Through volunteering with Park Rehabilitation, SD Food Bank, SD Ocean Clean Up, 12 inch hair donation to Locks of Love, FOP LIbrary Volunteer, and The Old Theater Children's Theater, I found I loved volunteering with theater children by far the most. I want to provide comfort and joy for lonely and scared children and teenagers. This is my calling. My mother recently shared a story of strength with me. She said I told her how I saved my birth mother and sister from a pool of snakes. I told her I dove into the pool and took all the bites in order to rescue them, which is how I got my scars...my snake bites are actually cigarette burns. My mother cried and said she knew my absolute strength right then. I not only found a way to survive, I found a way to flourish and want more than anything to inspire youth. My greatest inspirations were my foster grandparents in my third home. They were true leaders in our black community. Grandma Shirley led food banks, donation drives, taught at our school, led the church choir, which we sang in, and fostered hundreds. Grandpa would play the bass and sing to us. When I scared his music would sooth my tears. Grandpa David since passed, but I will never forget the comfort he gave me through song. I remain in touch with Grandma Shirley and she is still a force in the foster community and truly proud of me. Music is the foundation of my strength and perseverance.

"Our Family Will Remember...", by Olivia Doucette. I wrote a book with my therapist in my fourth foster home. What a wonderful experience to create this picture book with my adoptive family. These words from by childhood resonate so true and are completely applicable to this day. "Our family will remember that we don't hit, call each other names or say mean things. We will try to have empathy. We should follow rules because this teaches us to have self control. We should make our bed, clean our room, and clear the table. This makes us responsible. We should remember to be healthy. We exercise, go for walks, eat healthy foods and practice Taekwondo. This makes us feel good. Kids need to have fun, be crazy, and act wild sometimes! We should do fun things together like ride bikes, rollerskate, swim, have BBQ's and play Wii. We will love the dogs. We won't tease them. We will be gentle and clean up after them. This helps them trust and love us. Every day is a new day. We can let go of the tough ones! We will remember to use meditation when we feel upset or mad. This will help us calm down and make us feel better. When I feel sad or alone, I can get hugs and kisses. We will remember to respect each other. We knock before entering a room and we give each other space. It is important to do our homework and do well in school. This will help us to be smart and make good choices so we can be successful people. It is important to be honest. We won't lie because we need to trust each other. We need to try to make good choices. We can do this by slowing down and thinking about what we are feeling. Sometimes we make mistakes, and this is OK. We just need to talk about it so we can make a better choice next time. At bedtime, we will remember our routine. PJ's, brush teeth, floss, pee, turn on night light, set music to sleep, hugs, kisses and say goodnight. We will remember that this is our FOREVER FAMILY because I feel safe and loved. My adoptive family read together every night. "Clan of the Cave Bear", "To Kill a Mockingbird", and "Where the Crawads Sing" were but a few. Books built my forever family.

I am Olivia Sunshine Doucette, formerly Olivia Brown, formerly Olivia Johnson, and I may never know my birth surname. I was born addicted to methamphetamines. After suffering from abuse and neglect from birth to age four, I was placed into foster care. In my formative years, I was removed and reunited with my birth mother eight times. I was permanently removed when found by a city worker crawling down the street wearing only a filthy diaper. Police found the trailer with my birth mother and were unable to rouse her. Social Service reports state there was no food, no clothing, no electricity...just empty bottles, cigarettes and drug paraphernalia. I lived in four different foster homes and was adopted at age seven. As a BIPOC child, it took some adjusting to being adopted by white parents. In school, I could not focus or control my anxiety and I was having endless behavioral issues. After being diagnosed with severe ADHD due to methamphetamine exposure, therapy and medication began at age eight. Although this helped, I still lacked self control. My parents found the United Martial Arts Family Center. I received gold, silver and bronze medals in belt testing, forms and sparring. Currently, I hold a brown with black belt. Martial Arts helped me develop respect, confidence and self discipline. Taekwondo allowed me to begin believing in myself. My journey in music started in elementary school. I learned violin in orchestra and my soul was touched. I taught myself guitar and piano, but my true passion is song writing. Music broke through to me when nothing else could. Having ADHD, I was challenged academically, but persevered, especially once my father was diagnosed with cancer. My mother's struggle and my father's treatment were all they could handle so I began helping at home in every way possible. I was in awe of their strength. I have now been accepted to Elizabeth City State University as a music major. I want to help others as I have been. My passion is to become a Music Therapist. Through volunteering with Park Rehabilitation, SD Food Bank, SD Ocean Clean Up, 12 inch hair donation to Locks of Love, FOP LIbrary Volunteer, and The Old Theater Children's Theater, I found I loved volunteering with theater children by far the most. I want to provide comfort and joy for lonely and scared children and teenagers. This is my calling. My mother recently shared a story of strength with me. She said I told her how I saved my birth mother and sister from a pool of snakes. I told her I dove into the pool and took all the bites in order to rescue them, which is how I got my scars...my snake bites are actually cigarette burns. My mother cried and said she knew my absolute strength right then. I not only found a way to survive, I found a way to flourish and want more than anything to inspire youth. My greatest inspirations were my foster grandparents in my third home. They were true leaders in our black community. Grandma Shirley led food banks, donation drives, taught at our school, led the church choir, which we sang in, and fostered hundreds. Grandpa would play the bass and sing to us. When I scared his music would sooth my tears. Grandpa David since passed, but I will never forget the comfort he gave me through song. I remain in touch with Grandma Shirley and she is still a force in the foster community and truly proud of me. It is heroes like them who change lives like mine.

I am Olivia Sunshine Doucette, formerly Olivia Brown, formerly Olivia Johnson, and I may never know my birth surname. I was born addicted to methamphetamines. After suffering from abuse and neglect from birth to age four, I was placed into foster care. In my formative years, I was removed and reunited with my birth mother eight times. I was permanently removed when found by a city worker crawling down the street wearing only a filthy diaper. Police found the trailer with my birth mother and were unable to rouse her. Social Service reports state there was no food, no clothing, no electricity...just empty bottles, cigarettes and drug paraphernalia. I lived in four different foster homes and was adopted at age seven. As a BIPOC child, it took some adjusting to being adopted by white parents. In school, I could not focus or control my anxiety and I was having endless behavioral issues. After being diagnosed with severe ADHD due to methamphetamine exposure, therapy and medication began at age eight. Although this helped, I still lacked self control. My parents found the United Martial Arts Family Center. I received gold, silver and bronze medals in belt testing, forms and sparring. Currently, I hold a brown with black belt. Martial Arts helped me develop respect, confidence and self discipline. Taekwondo allowed me to begin believing in myself. My journey in music started in elementary school. I learned violin in orchestra and my soul was touched. I taught myself guitar and piano, but my true passion is song writing. Music broke through to me when nothing else could. Having ADHD, I was challenged academically, but persevered, especially once my father was diagnosed with cancer. My mother's struggle and my father's treatment were all they could handle so I began helping at home in every way possible. I was in awe of their strength. I have now been accepted to Elizabeth City State University as a music major. I want to help others as I have been. My passion is to become a Music Therapist. Through volunteering with Park Rehabilitation, SD Food Bank, SD Ocean Clean Up, 12 inch hair donation to Locks of Love, FOP LIbrary Volunteer, and The Old Theater Children's Theater, I found I loved volunteering with theater children by far the most. I want to provide comfort and joy for lonely and scared children and teenagers. This is my calling. My mother recently shared a story of strength with me. She said I told her how I saved my birth mother and sister from a pool of snakes. I told her I dove into the pool and took all the bites in order to rescue them, which is how I got my scars...my snake bites are actually cigarette burns. My mother cried and said she knew my absolute strength right then. I not only found a way to survive, I found a way to flourish and want more than anything to inspire youth. My greatest inspirations were my foster grandparents in my third home. They were true leaders in our black community. Grandma Shirley led food banks, donation drives, taught at our school, led the church choir, which we sang in, and fostered hundreds. Grandpa would play the bass and sing to us. When I scared his music would sooth my tears. Grandpa David since passed, but I will never forget the comfort he gave me through song. I remain in touch with Grandma Shirley and she is still a force in the foster community and truly proud of me. It is heroes like them who change lives like mine.

I am Olivia Sunshine Doucette, formerly Olivia Brown, formerly Olivia Johnson, and I may never know my birth surname. I was born addicted to methamphetamines. After suffering from abuse and neglect from birth to age four, I was placed into foster care. In my formative years, I was removed and reunited with my birth mother eight times. I was permanently removed when found by a city worker crawling down the street wearing only a filthy diaper. Police found the trailer with my birth mother and were unable to rouse her. Social Service reports state there was no food, no clothing, no electricity...just empty bottles, cigarettes and drug paraphernalia. I lived in four different foster homes and was adopted at age seven. As a BIPOC child, it took some adjusting to being adopted by white parents. In school, I could not focus or control my anxiety and I was having endless behavioral issues. After being diagnosed with severe ADHD due to methamphetamine exposure, therapy and medication began at age eight. Although this helped, I still lacked self control. My parents found United Martial Arts Family Center. I received gold, silver and bronze medals in belt testing, forms and sparring. I am a brown with black belt. Martial Arts helped me develop respect, confidence and self discipline. Taekwondo allowed me to begin believing in myself. My journey in music began in elementary school. I learned violin in orchestra and my soul was touched. I taught myself guitar and piano, but my true passion was found in song writing. Music broke through to me when nothing else could. Having ADHD, I was challenged academically, but persevered, especially once my father was diagnosed with cancer. My mother's struggle and my father's treatment were all they could handle so I began helping at home in every way I was able. I was in awe of their strength. I have now been accepted to ECSU as a music major. I want to help others as I have been. My passion is to become a Music Therapist. Through volunteering with Park Rehabilitation, SD Food Bank, SD Ocean Clean Up, 12 inch hair donation to Locks of Love, FOP LIbrary Volunteer, and Old Theater Children's Theater, I found I loved volunteering with theater children by far the most. I want to provide comfort for lonely and scared children and teenagers. This is my calling. My mother recently shared a story of strength with me. She said I told her about how I saved my birth mother and sister from a pool of snakes. I told her I dove into the pool and took all the bites in order to rescue them, which is how I got my scars...my snake bites are actually cigarette burns. My mother cried and said she knew my true strength right then. I not only found a way to survive, I found a way to flourish and want more than anything to inspire youth. My greatest inspirations were my foster grandparents in my third home. They were true leaders in our black community. Grandma Shirley led food banks, donation drives, taught at our school, led the church choir, which we sang in, and has fostered hundreds. Grandpa would play the bass and sing to us. When I scared his music would sooth my tears. Grandpa David since passed, but I will never forget the comfort he gave me through song. I remain in touch with Grandma Shirley and she is still a force in the community and truly proud of me. It is heroes like them who change lives like mine.

I am Olivia Sunshine Doucette, formerly Olivia Brown, formerly Olivia Johnson, and I may never know my birth surname. I was born addicted to methamphetamines. After suffering from severe abuse and neglect from birth to the age of four, I was placed into foster care. In my formative years, I was removed and reunited with my birth mother eight times. I was permanently removed when I was found by a city worker crawling down the street wearing only a filthy diaper. Police found the trailer with my birth mother and were unable to rouse her. Social Service reports state there was no food, no clothing, no electricity...just empty bottles, cigarettes and drug paraphernalia scattered about. I lived in four different foster homes and was adopted at age seven. I am Hispanic and African American and my adoptive parents being white were different from me and the people I was used to. In school, I could not focus or control my anxiety and I was having endless behavioral issues. After being diagnosed with severe ADHD due to methamphetamine exposure, therapy and medication began at age eight. Although this helped, I still lacked self control. My parents found United Martial Arts Family Center. I received gold, silver and bronze medals in belt testing, forms and sparring. I am a brown with black belt. Martial Arts helped me develop respect, confidence and self discipline. Taekwondo allowed me to begin believing in myself. My journey in music began in elementary school. I learned violin in orchestra and my soul was touched. I taught myself guitar and piano, but my true passion was found in song writing. Music broke through to me when nothing else could. Having ADHD, I struggled academically, but persevered, especially once my father was diagnosed with cancer. My mother's sadness and my father's treatment were so much for them to handle that I began helping at home in every way I was able. Their strength was an inspiration to me. I have been accepted to ECSU as a music major. I want to help heal others as I have been healed through music. My passion is to become a Music Therapist. My service includes Mission Trails Regional Park Rehabilitation, SD Food Bank, SD Ocean Clean Up, 12 inch hair donation to Locks of Love, FOP Library Volunteer, and Old Theater Children's Theater. I loved volunteering with the theater children by far the most. I want to provide comfort for lonely and scared children and teenagers. My adoptive mother recently shared a story of strength with me. She said I told her about how I saved my birth mother and sister from a pool of snakes. I told her I dove into the pool took all the bites in order to rescue them which is how I got all my scars...my snake bites are actually cigarette burns. My mother cried and said she knew my strength right then. I not only found a way to survive, I found a way to flourish.

I am Olivia Sunshine Doucette, formerly Olivia Brown, formerly Olivia Johnson, and I may never know my birth surname. I was born addicted to methamphetamines. I suffered severe abuse and neglect from birth to the age of four when I was put into foster care. I had been removed from and reunited with my birth mother eight times. The last time I was taken I was found by a city worker playing in the street wearing only a filthy diaper. The police found the trailer with my birth mother and were unable to rouse her. There was no food, no clothing, no electricity...just empty bottles, cigarettes and drug paraphernalia scattered about. I lived in four different foster homes and was adopted by a white family at age seven. I only state "white family" because I am Hispanic/African American and my adoptive parents were very different from me and the people I was used to. I had a lot of difficulty adjusting and endless behavioral issues. I couldn't focus, control my anxiety or my temper. No amount of therapy seemed to be helping. My adoptive parents always seemed aggravated with me. I was then diagnosed with severe ADHD due to methamphetamine exposure. Medication started at age eight. Although this helped numb me, I still lacked self control. My parents found the United Martial Arts Family Center. I received gold, silver and bronze medals in belt testing, forms and sparring. I am a brown with black belt. Martial Arts helped me develop respect, confidence and self discipline. This was one of the first positive factors in my life that helped me to start believing in myself. I know my adoptive parents were working very hard to create a supportive family for me and UMAFC was the first place I ever felt like I belonged somewhere. Even when I would rebel against my parents, for some reason I always respected and listened to Master Tony. I will be forever grateful for his influence in my young life. I then began playing violin in school and my soul was touched. My love for music got me through my darkest hours. I went on to teach myself guitar and piano, but my true love is song writing. I have explored Digital Design, Visual Arts, Band, Orchestra, Sound Design, and Theater Arts. I am passionate about writing and mixing music. As I progressed in high school, art, music, and theater have been my haven. I had a lot of anger through the years. Anger toward my birth mother for leaving me, anger toward her for exposing my brain to drugs and anger toward my adoptive parents for enforcing much stricter rules and routines than any of my friends. Music was my outlet to express my frustrations. Just as I was maturing and understanding why my parents were so strict with me, my adoptive father was diagnosed with cancer in 2022. The strain of seeing my mom's sadness and my dad's sickness from chemotherapy and radiation was a lot to deal with. They were always at the cancer center and when they came home, my mother was exhausted and my father was sick. He lost his hair and turned gray and I was scared. All the times we argued seemed so pointless. I felt like an outsider looking in on my own life through this time. My father was declared "in remission" in March of 2024 and had his chemotherapy port removed. Music continued to inspire me to work hard and persevere. I am now graduating from Pamlico County High School with a 3.1 GPA and have been accepted to Elizabeth City State University as a music major. I want to help others as I have been through music. I plan to become a Music Therapist. I not only found a way to survive, I found a way to flourish in music. I want to help lonely, scared and hopeless children and teenagers see light in their darkness. I needed support in my life and the best way I can give back is through Music Therapy. Music broke through to me when words, medication and nothing else could. I want to teach the beauty and peace of sound in therapy. My first musical inspiration was my foster grandfather in my third foster home. He would play the bass and sing to us. When I missed my biological mother and did not where I would live or if I would ever see her again and what would happen to me, his voice would stop my tears. Grandpa David passed away from kidney disease but I will never forget the peace he gave me through song. In the same foster home, my Grandma Shirley had us sing in the church choir. Music was my savior long before I even knew it.

I am Olivia Sunshine Doucette, formerly Olivia Brown, formerly Olivia Johnson, and I may never know my birth surname. I was born addicted to methamphetamines. I suffered severe abuse and neglect from birth to the age of four when I was put into foster care. I had been removed from and reunited with my birth mother eight times. The last time I was taken I was found by a city worker playing in the street wearing only a filthy diaper. The police found the trailer with my birth mother and were unable to rouse her. There was no food, no clothing, no electricity...just empty bottles, cigarettes and drug paraphernalia scattered about. I lived in four different foster homes and was adopted by a white family at age seven. I only state "white family" because I am Hispanic/African American and my adoptive parents were very different from me and the people I was used to. I had a lot of difficulty adjusting and endless behavioral issues. I couldn't focus, control my anxiety or my temper. No amount of therapy seemed to be helping. My adoptive parents always seemed aggravated with me. I was then diagnosed with severe ADHD due to methamphetamine exposure. Medication started at age eight. Although this helped numb me, I still lacked self control. My parents found the United Martial Arts Family Center. I received gold, silver and bronze medals in belt testing, forms and sparring. I am a brown with black belt. Martial Arts helped me develop respect, confidence and self discipline. This was one of the first positive factors in my life that helped me to start believing in myself. I began playing violin in elementary school and my soul was touched. My love for music got me through my darkest hours. I went on to teach myself guitar and piano, but my true love is song writing. I have explored Digital Design, Visual Arts, Band, Orchestra, Sound Design, and Theater Arts. I am passionate about writing and mixing music. As I progressed in high school, art, music, and theater have been my haven. My adoptive father was diagnosed with cancer in 2022. The strain of seeing my mom's sadness and my dad's sickness from chemotherapy and radiation was a lot to deal with. Music continued to inspire me to work hard and persevere. I am now graduating from Pamlico County High School with a 3.1 GPA and have been accepted to Elizabeth City State University as a music major. I want to help others as I have been through music. I plan to become a Music Therapist. I not only found a way to survive, I found a way to flourish in music. I want to help lonely, scared and hopeless children and teenagers see light in thier darkness. I needed support in my life and the best way I can give back is through Music Therapy. Music broke through to me when words, medication and nothing else could. I want to teach the beauty and peace of sound in therapy. My first musical inspiration was my foster grandfather in my third foster home. He would play the bass and sing to us. When I missed my biological mother and did not where I would live or if I would ever see her again, his voice would stop my tears. Grandpa David passed away from kidney disease but I will never forget the peace he gave me through song. In the same foster home, my Grandma Shirley had us sing in the church choir. Music was my savior long before I even knew it.

I am Olivia Sunshine Doucette, formerly Olivia Brown, formerly Olivia Johnson, and I may never know my birth surname. I was born addicted to methamphetamines. I suffered severe abuse and neglect from birth to the age of four when I was put into foster care. I had been removed from and reunited with my birth mother eight times. The last time I was taken I was found by a city worker playing in the street wearing only a filthy diaper. The police found the trailer with my birth mother and were unable to rouse her. There was no food, no clothing, no electricity...just empty bottles, cigarettes and drug paraphernalia scattered about. I lived in four different foster homes and was adopted by a white family at age seven. I only state "white family" because I am Hispanic/African American and my adoptive parents were very different from me and the people I was used to. I had a lot of difficulty adjusting and endless behavioral issues. I couldn't focus, control my anxiety or my temper. No amount of therapy seemed to be helping. My adoptive parents always seemed aggravated with me. I was then diagnosed with severe ADHD due to methamphetamine exposure. Medication started at age eight. Although this helped numb me, I still lacked self control. My parents found the United Martial Arts Family Center. I received gold, silver and bronze medals in belt testing, forms and sparring. I am a brown with black belt. Martial Arts helped me develop respect, confidence and self discipline. This was one of the first positive factors in my life that helped me to start believing in myself. I began playing violin in elementary school and my soul was touched. My love for music got me through my darkest hours. I went on to teach myself guitar and piano, but my true love is song writing. I have explored Digital Design, Visual Arts, Band, Orchestra, Sound Design, and Theater Arts. I am passionate about writing and mixing music. As I progressed in high school, art, music, and theater have been my haven. My adoptive father was diagnosed with cancer in 2022. The strain of seeing my mom's sadness and my dad's sickness from chemotherapy and radiation was a lot to deal with. Music continued to inspire me to work hard and persevere. I am now graduating from Pamlico County High School with a 3.1 GPA and have been accepted to Elizabeth City State University as a music major. I want to help others as I have been through music. I plan to become a Music Therapist. I not only found a way to survive, I found a way to flourish in music. I want to help lonely, scared and hopeless children and teenagers see light in their darkeness. I needed support in my life and the best way I can give back is through Music Therapy. Music broke through to me when words, medication and nothing else could. I want to teach the beauty and peace of sound in therapy. My first musical inspiration was my foster grandfather in my third foster home. He would play the bass and sing to us. When I missed my biological mother and did not where I would live or if I would ever see her again, his voice would stop my tears. Grandpa David passed away from kidney disease but I will never forget the peace he gave me through song. In the same foster home, my Grandma Shirley had us sing in the church choir. Music was my savior long before I even knew it.

I am Olivia Sunshine Doucette, formerly Olivia Brown, formerly Olivia Johnson, and I may never know my birth surname. I was born addicted to methamphetamines. I suffered severe abuse and neglect from birth to the age of four when I was put into foster care. I had been removed from and reunited with my birth mother eight times. The last time I was taken I was found by a city worker playing in the street wearing only a filthy diaper. The police found the trailer with my birth mother and were unable to rouse her. There was no food, no clothing, no electricity...just empty bottles, cigarettes and drug paraphernalia scattered about. I lived in four different foster homes and was adopted by a white family at age seven. I only state "white family" because I am Hispanic/African American and my adoptive parents were very different from me and the people I was used to. I had a lot of difficulty adjusting and endless behavioral issues. I couldn't focus, control my anxiety or my temper. No amount of therapy seemed to be helping. My adoptive parents always seemed aggravated with me. I was then diagnosed with ADHD due to methamphetamine exposure. Medication started at age eight. Although this helped numb me, I still lacked self control. My parents found the United Martial Arts Family Center. I received gold, silver and bronze medals in belt testing, forms and sparring. I am a brown with black belt. Martial Arts helped me develop respect, confidence and self discipline. This was one of the first positive factors in my life that helped me to start believing in myself. I began playing violin in elementary school and my soul was touched. My love for music got me through my darkest hours. I went on to teach myself guitar and piano, but my true love is song writing. I have explored Digital Design, Visual Arts, Band, Orchestra, Sound Design, and Theater Arts. I am passionate about writing and mixing music. As I progressed in high school, art, music, and theater have been my haven. My adoptive father was diagnosed with cancer in 2022. The strain of seeing my mom's sadness and my dad's sickness from chemotherapy and radiation was a lot to deal with. Music continued to inspire me to work hard and persevere. I am now graduating from Pamlico County High School with a 3.1 GPA and have been accepted to Elizabeth City State University as a music major. I want to help others as I have been through music. I plan to become a Music Therapist. I found a way to flourish in music and I want to share that with as many people as I can. I want to provide comfort for lonely, scared and hopeless children and teenagers. I needed support in my life and the best way I can give back is through Music Therapy. Music broke through to me when words, medication and nothing else could. I want to teach the beauty and peace of sound in therapy. My first musical inspiration was my foster grandfather in my third foster home. He would play the bass and sing to us. When I missed my biological mother and did not where I would live or if I would ever see her again, his voice would stop my tears. Grandpa David passed away from kidney disease but I will never forget the peace he gave me through song. In the same foster home, my Grandma Shirley had us sing in the church choir. Music was my savior long before I even knew it.

I am Olivia Sunshine Doucette, formerly Olivia Brown, formerly Olivia Johnson, and I may never know my birth surname. I was born addicted to methamphetamines. I suffered severe abuse and neglect from birth to the age of four when I was put into foster care. I had been removed from my birth mother and reunited with her eight times. The last time I was taken I was found by a city worker playing in the street wearing only a filthy diaper. The police found the trailer with my birth mother and were unable to rouse her. There was no food, no clothing, no electricity...just empty bottles, cigarettes and drug paraphernalia scattered about. I lived in four different foster homes and was adopted by a white family at age seven. I only state "white family" because I am Hispanic/African American and my adoptive parents were very different from me and the people I was used to. I had a lot of difficulty adjusting and endless behavioral issues. I could not focus or control my anxiety and therapy and medication were not helping. My first musical inspiration was my foster grandfather in my third foster home. He would play the bass and sing to us. When I missed my biological mother and did not know where I would live or if I would ever see her again, his voice would stop my tears. Grandpa David passed away from kidney disease but I will never forget the comfort he gave me. In the same foster home, my Grandma Shirley had us sing in the church choir. Music was my foundation before I even knew it. I began playing violin in elementary school and my soul was touched. My love for music got me through some of my darkest times. I went on to teach myself guitar and piano, but my true love is song writing. In high school I explored Digital Design, Visual Arts, Band, Orchestra, Sound Design, and Theater Arts. I love writing and mixing music. As I progressed in high school, art, music, and theater were always my haven. My adoptive father was diagnosed with cancer in 2022. The strain of seeing my mom's sadness and my dad's sickness from chemotherapy and radiation was a lot to deal with, but I continued to work hard and persevere. My dream is to become a Music Therapist. I am now graduating from Pamlico County High School with a 3.1 GPA and have been accepted to Elizabeth City State University, an HBC, as a music major. I found a way to flourish through music and I want to provide that same opportunity to lonely, scared and troubled youth. Obtaining this scholarship would help alleviate the huge stressor of finacing my education. My volunteer service includes, SDSU Mission Trail Park Rehabilitation, San Diego Food Bank, SD Ocean Clean Up, 12 inch hair donation-Locks of Love, Friends of Pamlico Library, and The Old Theater Children's Theater. Working with the theater children was by far the most fulfilling. I realized my calling is in therapy and music with children and teenagers. I needed support in my life and I feel I can truly give back through Music Therapy. Music broke through to me when nothing else could. I want to encourage children by teaching them the beauty of art and sound. I know from my own childhood that anything is possible if you put your mind to it. I complete high school June 7, 2024 and start ECSU this fall. This is no longer a dream to me. Obtaining my degree and helping children is my reality.

I am Olivia Sunshine Doucette, formerly Olivia Brown, formerly Olivia Johnson, and I may never know my birth surname. I was born addicted to methamphetamines. I suffered severe abuse and neglect from birth to the age of four when I was put into foster care. I had been removed from my birth mother and reunited with her eight times. The last time I was taken I was found by a city worker playing in the street wearing only a filthy diaper. The police found the trailer with my birth mother and were unable to rouse her. There was no food, no clothing, no electricity...just empty bottles, cigarettes and drug paraphernalia scattered about. I lived in four different foster homes and was adopted by a white family at age seven. I only state "white family" because I am Hispanic/African American and my adoptive parents were very different from me and the people I was used to. I had a lot of difficulty adjusting and endless behavioral issues. I could not focus or control my anxiety and therapy and medication were not helping. My first musical inspiration was my foster grandfather in my third foster home. He would play the bass and sing to us. When I missed my biological mother and did not know where I would live or if I would ever see her again, his voice would stop my tears. Grandpa David passed away from kidney disease but I will never forget the comfort he gave me. In the same foster home, my Grandma Shirley had us sing in the church choir. Music was my foundation before I even knew it. I began playing violin in elementary school and my soul was touched. My love for music got me through some of my darkest times. I went on to teach myself guitar and piano, but my true love is song writing. In high school I explored Digital Design, Visual Arts, Band, Orchestra, Sound Design, and Theater Arts. I love writing and mixing music. As I progressed in high school, art, music, and theater were always my haven. My adoptive father was diagnosed with cancer in 2022. The strain of seeing my mom's sadness and my dad's sickness from chemotherapy and radiation was a lot to deal with, but I continued to work hard and persevere. I am now graduating from Pamlico County High School with a 3.1 GPA and have been accepted to Elizabeth City State University, an HBC, as a music major. I want to help others as I have been through music. My goal is to become a Music Therapist. I flourished in music and I want to provide that comfort to lonely and scared youth. Obtaining this scholarship would alleviate the huge stressor of finacing my education. My volunteer service includes, SDSU Mission Trail Park Rehabilitation, San Diego Food Bank, SD Ocean Clean Up, 12 inch hair donation-Locks of Love, Friends of Pamlico Library, and The Old Theater Children's Theater. Working with the theater children was by far the most fulfilling. I want to provide help for troubled and depressed children and teenagers. I definitely needed support in my life and I feel I can give back through Music Therapy. Music broke through to me when nothing else could. I want to encourage children by teaching them the beauty of art and sound. University Christian Church taught me to love and include everyone. I always reach out to the new student or the person sitting alone because we all need acceptance. I want to be a true resource for unity and love in this world.

I am Olivia Sunshine Doucette, formerly Olivia Brown, formerly Olivia Johnson, and I may never know my birth surname. I was born addicted to methamphetamines. I suffered severe abuse and neglect from birth to the age of four when I was put into foster care. I had been removed from my birth mother and reunited with her eight times. The last time I was taken I was found by a city worker playing in the street wearing only a filthy diaper. The police found the trailer with my birth mother and were unable to rouse her. There was no food, no clothing, no electricity...just empty bottles, cigarettes and drug paraphernalia scattered about. I lived in four different foster homes and was adopted by a white family at age seven. I only state "white family" because I am Hispanic/African American and my adoptive parents were very different from me and the people I was used to. I had a lot of difficulty adjusting and endless behavioral issues. I could not focus or control my anxiety and therapy and medication were not helping. My first musical inspiration was my foster grandfather in my third foster home. He would play the bass and sing to us. When I missed my biological mother and did not know where I would live or if I would ever see her again, his voice would stop my tears. Grandpa David passed away from kidney disease but I will never forget the comfort he gave me through song. In the same foster home, my Grandma Shirley had us sing in the church choir. Music was my foundation before I even knew it. I began playing violin in elementary school and my soul was touched. My love for music got me through some of my darkest times. I went on to teach myself guitar and piano, but my true love is song writing. In high school I explored Digital Design, Visual Arts, Band, Orchestra, Sound Design, and Theater Arts. I love writing and mixing music. As I progressed in high school, art, music, and theater were always my haven. My adoptive father was diagnosed with cancer in 2022. The strain of seeing my mom's sadness and my dad's sickness from chemotherapy and radiation was a lot to deal with, but I continued to work hard and persevere. I am now graduating from Pamlico County High School with a 3.1 GPA and have been accepted to Elizabeth City State University as a music major. I want to help others as I have been through music. My goal is to become a Music Therapist. I found a way to flourish in music and I want to provide comfort through sound to lonely and scared youth. My volunteer service includes, SDSU Mission Trail Park Rehabilitation, San Diego Food Bank, Keep the Sea Plastic Free Ocean Clean Up, 12 inch hair donation to Locks of Love, Friends of Pamlico Library, and The Old Theater Children's Theater. Working with the theater children was by far the most fulfilling. I want to provide help for troubled and depressed children and teenagers. I definitely needed support in my life and I feel I can give back through Music Therapy. Music broke through to me when nothing else could. I want to encourage children by teaching them the beauty of art and sound. University Christian Church taught me to love and include everyone. I always reach out to the new student or the person sitting alone because we all need acceptance. I want to be a true resource for unity and love in this world.

I am Olivia Sunshine Doucette, formerly Olivia Brown, formerly Olivia Johnson, and I may never know my birth surname. I was born addicted to methamphetamines. I suffered abuse and neglect from birth to the age of four when I was put into foster care. I had been removed from my birth mother and reunited with her eight times. The last time I was taken I was found by a city worker playing in the street wearing only a filthy diaper. The police found the trailer with my birth mother and were unable to rouse her. There was no food, no clothing, no electricity...just empty bottles, cigarettes and drug paraphernalia scattered about. I lived in four different foster homes and was adopted by a white family at age seven. I only state "white family" because I am Hispanic/African American and my adoptive parents were very different from me and the people I was used to. I had a lot of difficulty adjusting and endless behavioral issues. I could not focus or control my anxiety or temper. Therapy was not helping. My adoptive parents always seemed aggravated with me. I was diagnosed with severe ADHD due to methamphetamine exposure. Medication began at age eight, but I still lacked self control. My parents found United Martial Arts Family Center. I received gold, silver and bronze medals in belt testing, forms and sparring. I am a brown with black belt. Martial Arts helped me develop respect, confidence and self discipline. This was one of the first positive factors in my life that helped me to start believing in myself. I began playing violin in elementary school and my soul was touched. My love for music got me through my darkest hours. I taught myself guitar and piano, but my true passion is song writing. In high school I explored Digital Design, Visual Arts, Band, Orchestra, Sound Design, and Theater Arts. Writing and mixing music are my personal expressions of hope. I have had difficulty academically and emotionally, especially when my adoptive father was diagnosed with cancer in 2022, but art, music, and theater have been my haven. I worked hard and persevered. I am graduating from Pamlico County High School with a 3.1 GPA and have been accepted to Elizabeth City State University as a music major. I want to provide help for troubled and depressed children and teenagers. My passion is to become a Music Therapist. Music broke through to me when nothing else could. I want to help children through the beauty of art and sound. I always reach out to the new student or the person sitting alone because we all need acceptance. I want to be a true resource for unity and love. My volunteer service includes, SDSU Mission Trail Park Rehabilitation, SD Food Bank, SD Ocean Clean Up, 12 inch hair donation to Locks of Love, Friends of Pamlico Library, and The Old Theater Children's Theater. Working with the theater children was by far the most fulfilling. I know this is my future. My adoptive mother, recently shared a story with me. She said I told her about how I saved my birth mother and sister from a pool full of snakes. I told her I dove into the pool and took all the snake bites in order to rescue them which is how I got my scars. My scars are actually cigarette burns. My mother cried and said she knew my undeniable strength right then. I not only found a way to survive, I found a way to flourish in music. Here I am. I am Olivia Sunshine.

I am Olivia Sunshine Doucette, formerly Olivia Brown, formerly Olivia Johnson, and I may never know my birth surname. I was born addicted to methamphetamines. I suffered severe abuse and neglect from birth to the age of four when I was put into foster care. I had been removed from my birth mother and reunited with her eight times. The last time I was taken I was found by a city worker playing in the street wearing only a filthy diaper. The police found the trailer with my birth mother and were unable to rouse her. There was no food, no clothing, no electricity...just empty bottles, cigarettes and drug paraphernalia scattered about. I lived in four different foster homes and was adopted by a white family at age seven. I only state "white family" because I am Hispanic/African American and my adoptive parents were very different from me and the people I was used to. I had a lot of difficulty adjusting and endless behavioral issues. I could not focus or control my anxiety and therapy and medication were not helping. My first musical inspiration was my foster grandfather in my third foster home. He would play the bass and sing to us. When I missed my biological mother and did not know where I would live or if I would ever see her again, his voice would stop my tears. Grandpa David passed away from kidney disease but I will never forget the comfort he gave me through song. In the same foster home, my Grandma Shirley had us sing in the church choir. Music was my foundation before I even knew it. I began playing violin in elementary school and my soul was touched. My love for music got me through some of my darkest times. I went on to teach myself guitar and piano, but my true love is song writing. In high school I explored Digital Design, Visual Arts, Band, Orchestra, Sound Design, and Theater Arts. I love writing and mixing music. As I progressed in high school, art, music, and theater were always my haven. My adoptive father was diagnosed with cancer in 2022. The strain of seeing my mom's sadness and my dad's sickness from chemotherapy and radiation was a lot to deal with, but I continued to work hard and persevere. I am now graduating from Pamlico County High School with a 3.1 GPA and have been accepted to Elizabeth City State University as a music major. I want to help others as I have been through music. My goal is to become a Music Therapist. I found a way to flourish in music and I want to provide comfort through sound to lonely and scared youth. My volunteer service includes, SDSU Mission Trail Park Rehabilitation, San Diego Food Bank, Keep the Sea Plastic Free Ocean Clean Up, 12 inch hair donation to Locks of Love, Friends of Pamlico Library, and The Old Theater Children's Theater. Working with the theater children was by far the most fulfilling. I want to provide help for troubled and depressed children and teenagers. I definitely needed support in my life and I feel I can give back through Music Therapy. Music broke through to me when nothing else could. I want to encourage children by teaching them the beauty of art and music. University Christian Church taught me to love and include everyone. I always reach out to the new student or the person sitting alone because we all need acceptance. In my future, I want to be a true resource for unity and love.

I am Olivia Sunshine Doucette, formerly Olivia Brown, formerly Olivia Johnson, and I may never know my birth surname. I was born addicted to methamphetamines. I suffered severe abuse and neglect from birth to the age of four when I was put into foster care. I had been removed from my birth mother and reunited with her eight times. The last time I was taken I was found by a city worker playing in the street wearing only a filthy diaper. The police found the trailer with my birth mother and were unable to rouse her. There was no food, no clothing, no electricity...just empty bottles, cigarettes and drug paraphernalia scattered about. I lived in four different foster homes and was adopted by a white family at age seven. I only state "white family" because I am Hispanic/African American and my adoptive parents were very different from me and the people I was used to. I had a lot of difficulty adjusting and endless behavioral issues. I could not focus or control my anxiety and therapy and medication were not helping. My first musical inspiration was my foster grandfather in my third foster home. He would play the bass and sing to us. When I missed my biological mother and did not know where I would live or if I would ever see her again, his voice would stop my tears. Grandpa David passed away from kidney disease but I will never forget the comfort he gave me through song. In the same foster home, my Grandma Shirley had us sing in the church choir. Music was my foundation before I even knew it. I began playing violin in elementary school and my soul was touched. My love for music got me through some of my darkest times. I went on to teach myself guitar and piano, but my true love is song writing. In high school I explored Digital Design, Visual Arts, Band, Orchestra, Sound Design, and Theater Arts. I love writing and mixing music. As I progressed in high school, art, music, and theater were always my haven. My adoptive father was diagnosed with cancer in 2022. The strain of seeing my mom's sadness and my dad's sickness from chemotherapy and radiation was a lot to deal with, but I continued to work hard and persevere. I am now graduating from Pamlico County High School with a 3.1 GPA and have been accepted to Elizabeth City State University as a music major. I want to help others as I have been through music. My goal is to become a Music Therapist. I found a way to flourish in music and I want to provide comfort through sound to lonely and scared youth. My volunteer service includes, SDSU Mission Trail Park Rehabilitation, San Diego Food Bank, Keep the Sea Plastic Free Ocean Clean Up, 12 inch hair donation to Locks of Love, Friends of Pamlico Library, and The Old Theater Children's Theater. Working with the theater children was by far the most fulfilling. I want to provide help for troubled and depressed children and teenagers. I definitely needed support in my life and I feel I can give back through Music Therapy. Music broke through to me when nothing else could. I want to encourage children by teaching them the beauty of art and music. University Christian Church taught me to love and include everyone. I always reach out to the new student or the person sitting alone because we all need acceptance. In my future, I want to be a true resource for unity and love.

I am Olivia Sunshine Doucette, formerly Olivia Brown, formerly Olivia Johnson, and I may never know my birth surname. I was born addicted to methamphetamines. I suffered severe abuse and neglect from birth to the age of four when I was put into foster care. I had been removed from and reunited with my birth mother eight times. The last time I was taken I was found by a city worker playing in the street wearing only a filthy diaper. The police found the trailer with my birth mother and were unable to rouse her. There was no food, no clothing, no electricity...just empty bottles, cigarettes and drug paraphernalia scattered about. I lived in four different foster homes and was adopted by a white family at age seven. I only state "white family" because I am Hispanic/African American and my adoptive parents were very different from me and the people I was used to. I had a lot of difficulty adjusting and endless behavioral issues. I couldn't focus, control my anxiety or my temper. No amount of therapy seemed to be helping. My adoptive parents always seemed aggravated with me. I was then diagnosed with severe ADHD due to methamphetamine exposure. Medication started at age eight. Although this helped numb me, I still lacked self control. My parents found the United Martial Arts Family Center. I received gold, silver and bronze medals in belt testing, forms and sparring. I am a brown with black belt. Martial Arts helped me develop respect, confidence and self discipline. This was one of the first positive factors in my life that helped me to start believing in myself. I began playing violin in elementary school and my soul was touched. My love for music got me through my darkest hours. I went on to teach myself guitar and piano, but my true love is song writing. I have explored Digital Design, Visual Arts, Band, Orchestra, Sound Design, and Theater Arts. I am passionate about writing and mixing music. As I progressed in high school, art, music, and theater have been my haven. My adoptive father was diagnosed with cancer in 2022. The strain of seeing my mom's sadness and my dad's sickness from chemotherapy and radiation was a lot to deal with. Music continued to inspire me to work hard and persevere. I am now graduating from Pamlico County High School with a 3.1 GPA and have been accepted to Elizabeth City State University as a music major. I want to help others as I have been through music. I plan to become a Music Therapist. I found a way to flourish in music and I want to share that with as many people as I can. I want to provide comfort for lonely, scared and hopeless children and teenagers. I needed support in my life and the best way I can give back is through Music Therapy. Music broke through to me when words, medication and nothing else could. I want to teach the beauty and peace of sound in therapy. My first musical inspiration was my foster grandfather in my third foster home. He would play the bass and sing to us. When I missed my biological mother and did not where I would live or if I would ever see her again, his voice would stop my tears. Grandpa David passed away from kidney disease but I will never forget the peace he gave me through song. In the same foster home, my Grandma Shirley had us sing in the church choir. Music was my foundation before I even knew it.

I am Olivia Sunshine Doucette, formerly Olivia Brown, formerly Olivia Johnson, and I may never know my birth surname. I was born addicted to methamphetamines. I suffered severe abuse and neglect from birth to the age of four when I was put into foster care. I had been removed from my birth mother and reunited with her eight times. The last time I was taken I was found by a city worker playing in the street wearing only a filthy diaper. The police found the trailer with my birth mother and were unable to rouse her. There was no food, no clothing, no electricity...just empty bottles, cigarettes and drug paraphernalia scattered about. I lived in four different foster homes and was adopted by a white family at age seven. I only state "white family" because I am Hispanic/African American and my adoptive parents were very different from me and the people I was used to. I had a lot of difficulty adjusting and endless behavioral issues. I could not focus or control my anxiety and therapy and medication were not helping. My first musical inspiration was my foster grandfather in my third foster home. He would play the bass and sing to us. When I missed my biological mother and did not know where I would live or if I would ever see her again, his voice would stop my tears. Grandpa David passed away from kidney disease but I will never forget the comfort he gave me through song. In the same foster home, my Grandma Shirley had us sing in the church choir. Music was my foundation before I even knew it. I began playing violin in elementary school and my soul was touched. My love for music got me through some of my darkest times. I went on to teach myself guitar and piano, but my true love is song writing. In high school I explored Digital Design, Visual Arts, Band, Orchestra, Sound Design, and Theater Arts. I love writing and mixing music. As I progressed in high school, art, music, and theater were always my haven. My adoptive father was diagnosed with cancer in 2022. The strain of seeing my mom's sadness and my dad's sickness from chemotherapy and radiation was a lot to deal with, but I continued to work hard and persevere. I am now graduating from Pamlico County High School with a 3.1 GPA and have been accepted to Elizabeth City State University as a music major. I want to help others as I have been through music. My goal is to become a Music Therapist. I found a way to flourish in music and I want to provide comfort through sound to lonely and scared youth. My volunteer service includes, SDSU Mission Trail Park Rehabilitation, San Diego Food Bank, Keep the Sea Plastic Free Ocean Clean Up, 12 inch hair donation to Locks of Love, Friends of Pamlico Library, and The Old Theater Children's Theater. Working with the theater children was by far the most fulfilling. I want to provide help for troubled and depressed children and teenagers. I definitely needed support in my life and I feel I can give back through Music Therapy. Music broke through to me when nothing else could. I want to encourage children by teaching them the beauty of art and sound. University Christian Church taught me to love and include everyone. I always reach out to the new student or the person sitting alone because we all need acceptance. In my future, I want to be a true resource for unity and love.

I am Olivia Sunshine Doucette, formerly Olivia Brown, formerly Olivia Johnson, and I may never know my birth surname. I was born addicted to methamphetamines. I suffered severe abuse and neglect from birth to the age of four when I was put into foster care. I had been removed from my birth mother and reunited with her eight times. The last time I was taken I was found by a city worker playing in the street wearing only a filthy diaper. The police found the trailer with my birth mother and were unable to rouse her. There was no food, no clothing, no electricity...just empty bottles, cigarettes and drug paraphernalia scattered about. I lived in four different foster homes and was adopted by a white family at age seven. I only state "white family" because I am Hispanic/African American and my adoptive parents were very different from me and the people I was used to. I had a lot of difficulty adjusting and endless behavioral issues. I could not focus or control my anxiety and therapy was not helping. My first musical inspiration was my foster grandfather in my third foster home. He would play the bass and sing to us. When I missed my biological mother and did not know where I would live or if I would ever see her again, his voice would stop my tears. Grandpa David passed away from kidney disease but I will never forget the comfort he gave me through song. In the same foster home, my Grandma Shirley had us sing in the church choir. Music was my foundation before I even knew it I began playing violin in elementary school and my soul was touched. My love for music got me through some of my darkest times. I went on to teach myself guitar and piano, but my true love is song writing. In high school I explored Digital Design, Visual Arts, Band, Orchestra, Sound Design, and Theater Arts. I love writing and mixing music. As I progressed in high school, art, music, and theater were always my haven. My adoptive father was diagnosed with cancer in 2022. The strain of seeing my mom's sadness and my dad's sickness from chemotherapy and radiation was a lot to deal with, but I continued to work hard and persevere. I am now graduating from Pamlico County High School with a 3.1 GPA and have been accepted to Elizabeth City State University as a music major. I want to help others as I have been through music. My goal is to become a Music Therapist. I found a way to flourish in music and I want to provide comfort through sound to lonely and scared youth. My volunteer service includes, SDSU Mission Trail Park Rehabilitation, San Diego Food Bank, Keep the Sea Plastic Free Ocean Clean Up, 12 inch hair donation to Locks of Love, Friends of Pamlico Library, and The Old Theater Children's Theater. Working with the theater children was by far the most fulfilling. I want to always provide comfort for lonely, scared and hopeless children and teenagers. I definitely needed support in my life and I feel I can give back through Music Therapy. Music broke through to me when nothing else could. I want to help children and teach them the beauty of art and sound. University Christian Church taught me to love and include everyone. I always reach out to the new student or the person sitting alone because we all need acceptance. In my future, I want to be a true resource for unity and love.

I am Olivia Sunshine Doucette, formerly Olivia Brown, formerly Olivia Johnson, and I just may never know my birth surname. I was born addicted to methamphetamines. I suffered severe abuse and neglect from birth to the age of four when I was put into foster care. I had been removed from my birth mother and reunited with her eight times. The last time I was taken I was found by a city worker playing in the street wearing only a filthy diaper. The police found the trailer with my birth mother and were unable to rouse her. There was no food, no clothing, no electricity...just empty bottles, cigarettes and drug paraphernalia scattered about. I lived in four different foster homes and was adopted by a white family at age seven. I only state "white family" because I am Hispanic/African American and my adoptive parents were very different from me and the people I was used to. I had a lot of difficulty adjusting, endless behavior issues, could not focus or control my anxiety and therapy was not helping. I was diagnosed with severe ADHD due to methamphetamine exposure. Medication started at age eight. Although this helped, I still lacked self control. My parents found United Martial Arts Family Center. I received gold, silver and bronze medals in belt testing, forms and sparring. I am a brown with black belt. Martial Arts helped me develop respect, confidence and self discipline. This positive factor helped me to start believing in myself which allowed me to find my true joy in music. I began playing violin in elementary school and my soul was touched. My love for music got me through my darkest hours. I went on to teach myself guitar and piano, but my true love is song writing. In high school, I explored Digital Design, Visual Arts, Band, Orchestra, Sound Design, and Theater Arts. I am passionate about writing and mixing music. As I progressed in high school, art, music, and theater were always my haven. I worked very hard and persevered. I am now graduating from Pamlico County High School with a 3.4 GPA and have been accepted to Elizabeth City State University as a music major. I want to heal others as I have been through music. I plan to become a Music Therapist. I found a way to flourish in music and I want to share that with as many people as I can. I want to provide comfort for lonely, scared and hopeless children and teenagers. I needed a shoulder to lean on several times in my life and I feel the truest way to give back is through Music Therapy. Music got through to me when words, medication and nothing else could. I want to teach the beauty and peace of sound in therapy. It was hard enough accepting being given up by my birth parents and although it has been rough with my adoptive parents, I felt they would always be there. My adoptive mother lost her mother at age 9 to leukemia and at 16 she took on the roll of care taker to her grandmother with breast cancer which ended with in-home hospice. She regularly expressed to me how life is to be treasured because we just never know. My adoptive father was diagnosed with large b-cell lymphoma in 2022. Watching the sadness and fear in my mother was almost as hard as watching my father get sick from chemotherapy and radiation. 2022 was a long, tough year, but music got me through. My Dad is now in remission as of March 2024.

I am Olivia Sunshine Doucette, formerly Olivia Brown, formerly Olivia Johnson, and I just may never know my birth surname. I was born addicted to methamphetamines. I suffered severe abuse and neglect from birth to the age of four when I was put into foster care. I had been removed from my birth mother and reunited with her eight times. The last time I was taken I was found by a city worker playing in the street wearing only a filthy diaper. The police found the trailer with my birth mother and were unable to rouse her. There was no food, no clothing, no electricity...just empty bottles, cigarettes and drug paraphernalia scattered about. I lived in four different foster homes and was adopted by a white family at age seven. I only state "white family" because I am Hispanic/African American and my adoptive parents were very different from me and the people I was used to. I had exteme difficulty adjusting and endless behavioral issues. I could not focus or control my anxiety and therapy was not helping. My first musical inspiration was my foster grandfather in my third foster home. He would play the bass and sing to us. When I missed my biological mother and did not know where I would live or if I would ever see her again, his voice would stop my tears. Grandpa David passed away from kidney disease but I will never forget the comfort he gave me through song. In the same foster home, my Grandma Shirley had us sing in the church choir. Music was my foundation before I even knew it. I began playing violin in elementary school and my soul was touched. My love for music got me through some of my darkest times. I went on to teach myself guitar and piano, but my true love is song writing. I explored Digital Design, Visual Arts, Band, Orchestra, Sound Design, and Theater Arts. I love writing and mixing music. As I progressed in high school, art, music, and theater were always my haven. My adoptive father was diagnosed with cancer in 2022. The strain of seeing my mom's sadness and my dad's sickness from chemotherapy and radiation was a lot to deal with, but I continued to work hard and persevere. I am now graduating from Pamlico County High School with a 3.1 GPA and have been accepted to Elizabeth City State University as a music major. I want to help heal others as I have been through music. My goal is to become a Music Therapist. I found a way to flourish in music and I want to share that with as many people as I can. My volunteer service includes, SDSU Mission Trail Park Rehabilitation, San Diego Food Bank, Keep the Sea Plastic Free Ocean Clean Up, 12 inch hair donation to Locks of Love, Friends of Pamlico Library, and The Old Theater Children's Theater. Working with the theater children was by far the most fulfilling. I want to always provide comfort for lonely and scared children and teens. I definitely needed support in my life and I feel I can give back through Music Therapy. Music broke through to me when nothing else could. I want to help children and teach them the beauty of art and sound. University Christian Church taught me to love and include everyone. I will always reach out to the new student or the person sitting alone because we all need acceptance. I want to be a true resource for unity and love. My advice is, never give up on yourself.

I am Olivia Sunshine Doucette, formerly Olivia Brown, formerly Olivia Johnson, and I just may never know my birth surname. I was born addicted to methamphetamines. I suffered severe abuse and neglect from birth to the age of four when I was put into foster care. I had been removed from my birth mother and reunited with her eight times. The last time I was taken I was found by a city worker playing in the street wearing only a filthy diaper. The police found the trailer with my birth mother and were unable to rouse her. There was no food, no clothing, no electricity...just empty bottles, cigarettes and drug paraphernalia scattered about. I lived in four different foster homes and was adopted by a white family at age seven. I only state "white family" because I am Hispanic/African American and my adoptive parents were very different from me and the people I was used to. I had a lot of difficulty adjusting and endless behavioral issues. I could not focus or control my anxiety and therapy was not helping. My first musical inspiration was my foster grandfather in my third foster home. He would play the bass and sing to us. When I missed my biological mother and did not know where I would live or if I would ever see her again, his voice would stop my tears. Grandpa David passed away from kidney disease but I will never forget the comfort he gave me through song. In the same foster home, my Grandma Shirley had us sing in the church choir. Music was my foundation before I even knew it I began playing violin in elementary school and my soul was touched. My love for music got me through some of my darkest times. I went on to teach myself guitar and piano, but my true love is song writing. In high school I explored Digital Design, Visual Arts, Band, Orchestra, Sound Design, and Theater Arts. I love writing and mixing music. As I progressed in high school, art, music, and theater were always my haven. My adoptive father was diagnosed with cancer in 2022. The strain of seeing my mom's sadness and my dad's sickness from chemotherapy and radiation was a lot to deal with, but I continued to work hard and persevere. I am now graduating from Pamlico County High School with a 3.1 GPA and have been accepted to Elizabeth City State University as a music major. I want to heal others as I have been through music. My goal is to become a Music Therapist. I found a way to flourish in music and I want to share that with as many people as I can. My volunteer service includes, SDSU Mission Trail Park Rehabilitation, San Diego Food Bank, Keep the Sea Plastic Free Ocean Clean Up, 12 inch hair donation to Locks of Love, Friends of Pamlico Library, and The Old Theater Children's Theater. Working with the theater children was by far the most fulfilling. I want to always provide comfort for lonely, scared and hopeless children and teenagers. I definitely needed support in my life and I feel I can give back through Music Therapy. Music broke through to me when nothing else could. I want to help children and teach them the beauty of art and sound. University Christian Church taught me to love and include everyone. I always reach out to the new student or the person sitting alone because we all need acceptance. In my future, I want to be a true resource for unity and love.

I am Olivia Sunshine Doucette, formerly Olivia Brown, formerly Olivia Johnson, and I just may never know my birth surname. I was born addicted to methamphetamines. I suffered severe abuse and neglect from birth to the age of four when I was put into foster care. I had been removed from my birth mother and reunited with her eight times. The last time I was taken I was found by a city worker playing in the street wearing only a filthy diaper. The police found the trailer with my birth mother and were unable to rouse her. There was no food, no clothing, no electricity...just empty bottles, cigarettes and drug paraphernalia scattered about. I lived in four different foster homes and was adopted by a white family at age seven. I only state "white family" because I am Hispanic/African American and my adoptive parents were very different from me and the people I was used to. I had a lot of difficulty adjusting and endless behavioral issues. I could not focus or control my anxiety and therapy was not helping. I was diagnosed with severe ADHD due to methamphetamine exposure. Medication started at age eight. Although this helped, I still lacked self control. My parents found United Martial Arts Family Center. I received gold, silver and bronze medals in belt testing, forms and sparring. I am a brown with black belt. Martial Arts helped me develop respect, confidence and self discipline. This positive factor helped me to start believing in myself which allowed me to find my true joy in music. I began playing violin in elementary school and my soul was touched. My love for music got me through my darkest hours. I went on to teach myself guitar and piano, but my true love is song writing. In high school, I explored Digital Design, Visual Arts, Band, Orchestra, Sound Design, and Theater Arts. I am passionate about writing and mixing music. As I progressed in high school, art, music, and theater have been my haven. My adoptive father was diagnosed with cancer in 2022. The strain of seeing my mom's sadness and my dad's sickness from chemotherapy and radiation was a lot to deal with. Music continued to inspire me to work hard and persevere. I am now graduating from Pamlico County High School with a 3.1 GPA and have been accepted to Elizabeth City State University as a music major. I want to heal others as I have been through music. I plan to become a Music Therapist. I found a way to flourish in music and I want to share that with as many people as I can. I want to provide comfort for lonely, scared and hopeless children and teenagers. I needed support in my life and I feel the truest way to give back is through Music Therapy. Music broke through to me when words, medication and nothing else could. I want to teach the beauty and peace of sound in therapy. My first musical inspiration was my foster grandfather in my third foster home. He would play the bass and sing to us. When I missed my biological mother and did not know what was going on, where I would live or if I would ever see my mother again, his voice would stop my tears. Grandpa David passed away from kidney disease but I will never forget the comfort he gave me in song. In the same foster home, my Grandma Shirley had us sing in the church choir. Music was my foundation before I ever knew it.

I am Olivia Sunshine Doucette, formerly Olivia Brown, formerly Olivia Johnson, and I just may never know my birth surname. I was born addicted to methamphetamines. I suffered severe abuse and neglect from birth to the age of four when I was put into foster care. I had been removed from my birth mother and reunited with her eight times. The last time I was taken I was found by a city worker playing in the street wearing only a filthy diaper. The police found the trailer with my birth mother and were unable to rouse her. There was no food, no clothing, no electricity...just empty bottles, cigarettes and drug paraphernalia scattered about. I lived in four different foster homes and was adopted by a white family at age seven. I only state "white family" because I am Hispanic/African American and my adoptive parents were very different from me and the people I was used to. I had a lot of difficulty adjusting, endless behavior issues, could not focus or control my anxiety and therapy was not helping. I was diagnosed with severe ADHD due to methamphetamine exposure. Medication started at age eight. Although this helped, I still lacked self control. My parents found United Martial Arts Family Center. I received gold, silver and bronze medals in belt testing, forms and sparring. I am a brown with black belt. Martial Arts helped me develop respect, confidence and self discipline. This positive factor helped me to start believing in myself which allowed me to find my true joy in music. I began playing violin in elementary school and my soul was touched. My love for music got me through my darkest hours. I went on to teach myself guitar and piano, but my true love is song writing. In high school, I explored Digital Design, Visual Arts, Band, Orchestra, Sound Design, and Theater Arts. I am passionate about writing and mixing music. As I progressed in high school, art, music, and theater were always my haven. I worked very hard and persevered. I am now graduating from Pamlico County High School with a 3.4 GPA and have been accepted to Elizabeth City State University as a music major. I want to heal others as I have been through music. I plan to become a Music Therapist. I found a way to flourish in music and I want to share that with as many people as I can. I want to provide comfort for lonely, scared and hopeless children and teenagers. I needed a shoulder to lean on several times in my life and I feel the truest way to give back is through Music Therapy. Music got through to me when words, medication and nothing else could. I want to teach the beauty and peace of sound in therapy.

I am Olivia Sunshine Doucette, formerly Olivia Brown, formerly Olivia Johnson, and I just may never know my birth surname. I was born addicted to methamphetamines. I suffered severe abuse and neglect from birth to the age of four when I was put into foster care. I had been removed from my birth mother and reunited with her eight times. The last time I was taken I was found by a city worker playing in the street wearing only a filthy diaper. The police found the trailer with my birth mother and were unable to rouse her. There was no food, no clothing, no electricity...just empty bottles, cigarettes and drug paraphernalia scattered about. I lived in four different foster homes and was adopted by a white family at age seven. I only state "white family" because I am Hispanic/African American and my adoptive parents were very different from me and the people I was used to. I had a lot of difficulty adjusting and what seemed like endless behavior issues. I couldn't focus or control my anxiety and temper no matter how much therapy I received. My adoptive parents always seemed aggravated with me. I was diagnosed with severe ADHD due to methamphetamine exposure and medication began at age eight. Although this helped, I still lacked self control. I began playing violin in elementary school and my soul was touched. This was one of the first positive factors in my life that helped me to start believing in myself. My love for music got me through some of my darkest hours. I went on to teach myself guitar and piano, but my true love is in song writing. In high school I explored Digital Design, Visual Arts, Band, Orchestra, Sound Design, and Theater Arts. My true passion is writing and mixing music. As I progressed in high school I had difficulty academically and emotionally, especially when my adoptive father was diagnosed with cancer, but art, music, and theater have always been my haven. I have had to work very hard, but I persevered and I am now graduating from Pamlico County High School with a 3.4 GPA and have been accepted to Elizabeth City State University as a music major. I want to heal others as I have been healed by music. My goal is to become a Music Therapist. I feel like music universally crosses all barriers. When you have difficulty expressing yourself verbally there is a special sort of peace and joy that sound and rhythm provide. I never want a child or teen to feel alone, unwanted or unloved. I know what music has done for me and I want to share that as much as possible.

I am Olivia Sunshine Doucette, formerly Olivia Brown, formerly Olivia Johnson, and I just may never know my birth surname. I was born addicted to methamphetamines. I suffered severe abuse and neglect from birth to the age of four when I was put into foster care. I had been removed from my birth mother and reunited with her eight times. The last time I was taken I was found by a city worker playing in the street wearing only a filthy diaper. The police found the trailer with my birth mother and were unable to rouse her. There was no food, no clothing, no electricity...just empty bottles, cigarettes and drug paraphernalia scattered about. I lived in four different foster homes and was adopted by a white family at age seven. I only state "white family" because I am Hispanic/African American and my adoptive parents were very different from me and the people I was used to. I had a lot of difficulty adjusting, endless behavior issues, could not focus or control my anxiety and therapy was not helping.. I was diagnosed with severe ADHD due to methamphetamine exposure. Medication started at age eight. Although this helped, I still lacked self control. My parents found the United Martial Arts Family Center. I received gold, silver and bronze medals in belt testing, forms and sparring. I am a brown with black belt. Martial Arts helped me develop respect, confidence and self discipline. This was one of the first positive factors in my life that helped me to start believing in myself which allowed me to find my true passion. I began playing violin in elementary school and my soul was touched. My love for music got me through some of my darkest hours. I went on to teach myself guitar and piano, but my true love is song writing. In high school I explored Digital Design, Visual Arts, Band, Orchestra, Sound Design, and Theater Arts. I love writing and mixing music. As I progressed in high school, art, music, and theater were always my haven. It seemed to me that I have had to work twice as hard to get half as far as my peers, but I persevered. I am now graduating from Pamlico County High School with a 3.1 GPA and have been accepted to Elizabeth City State University as a Music major. I want to heal others as I have been healed through music. My passion is to become a Music Therapist. I found a way to flourish in music and I want to share that with as many people as I can. Volunteering is another way I give back. My service has included, SDSU Mission Trails Regional Park Rehabilitation, San Diego Food Bank, Keep the Sea Plastic Free Ocean Clean Up, 12 inch hair donation to Locks of Love, Friends of Pamlico Library, and The Old Theater Children's Theater. I loved working with the theater children by far the most. I want to always provide a comfort zone for lonely, scared and hopeless children and teenagers. I definitely needed a shoulder to lean on several times in my life and I feel I can give back through Music Therapy. Music got through to me when nothing else could. I will always volunteer in any way I can for underprivileged children and teach them the beauty of art and sound. University Christian Church taught me to love and include everyone. I always reach out to the new student or the person sitting alone because we all need acceptance and I want to be a part of unity and love.

I am Olivia Sunshine Doucette, formerly Olivia Brown, formerly Olivia Johnson, and I just may never know my real birth surname. I was born addicted to methamphetamines. I suffered severe abuse and neglect from birth to the age of four when I was put into foster care. I was removed from my birth mother and reunited with her eight times. The last time I was removed, I was found by a city worker playing in the street wearing only a filthy diaper. The police found the trailer with my birth mother and were unable to rouse her. There was no food, no clothes, no electricity...just empty bottles, cigarettes and drug paraphernalia. I lived in four different foster homes and was adopted by a white family at age seven. I only state "white family" because I am Hispanic/African American and my adoptive parents were very different from me and the people I was used to. I had a lot of difficulty adjusting and what seemed like endless behavioral issues. I couldn't focus, I couldn't control my anxiety and no amount of therapy was helping. I could not connect or express what I was feeling. My adoptive parents were so aggravated with me. I was diagnosed with severe ADHD due to methamphetamine exposure and started medication at age eight. Although this seemed to help, I was still acting out and was unable to control my anger, frustration and anxiety. It was then I was introduced to the violin in elementary school and my soul was touched. This was one of the first positive factors in my life and music helped me to start believing in myself. My love for music got me through my darkest hours and most difficult times. I found a peace and calm within myself that I never imagined possible. I went on to teach myself guitar and piano, but my true passion was found in song writing. In high school I explored band, orchestra, and sound design. I truly enjoy writing and mixing music. Music is my haven. I feel like I have always had to work twice as hard to get half as far as my peers, but I persevered. I struggled, especially in math, but I am graduating from Pamlico County High School with a 3.1 GPA and I have been accepted to Elizabeth City State University as a music major. I never thought this was an option for me. If I had not been introduced to violin in elementary school I do not know what would have become of me. I truly believe music saved my life. I will be forever grateful that my elementary school had an orchestra. This was a not just a creative outlet for me, it was life changing therapy. I do not think enough emphasis is placed on music as a language. I also have a true passion to become a therapist and help others. I have looked into pursuing a career in Music Therapy. I want to comfort others the way I have been. When nothing else can break through, music can. I want to give back and pay forward the chances I have received. Sometimes, you do not feel like talking and sometimes you can not, but through the power of sound and rhythm smiles happen, calm washes over and connections are made. As a Music Therapist I hope to help heal youth in need in a very special way. I not only found a way to survive, I found a way to flourish through music. I cannot think of a more important career choice.

I am Olivia Sunshine Doucette, formerly Olivia Brown, formerly Olivia Johnson, and I just may never know my real birth surname. I was born addicted to methamphetamines. I suffered severe abuse and neglect from birth to the age of four when I was put into foster care. I was removed from my birth mother and reunited with her eight times. The last time I was removed, I was found by a city worker playing in the street wearing only a filthy diaper. The police found the trailer with my birth mother and were unable to rouse her. There was no food, no clothes, no electricity...just empty bottles, cigarettes and drug paraphernalia. I lived in four different foster homes and was adopted by a white family at age seven. I only state "white family" because I am Hispanic/African American and my adoptive parents were very different from me and the people I was used to. I had a lot of difficulty adjusting and what seemed like endless behavioral issues. I couldn't focus, I couldn't control my anxiety and no amount of therapy was helping. I could not connect or express what I was feeling. My adoptive parents were so aggravated with me. I was diagnosed with severe ADHD due to methamphetamine exposure and started medication at age eight. Although this seemed to help, I was still acting out and was unable to control my anger, frustration and anxiety. It was then I was introduced to the violin in elementary school and my soul was touched. This was one of the first positive factors in my life and music helped me to start believing in myself. My love for music got me through my darkest hours and most difficult times. I found a peace and calm within myself that I never imagined possible. I went on to teach myself guitar and piano, but my true passion was found in song writing. In high school I explored band, orchestra, and sound design. I truly enjoy writing and mixing music. Music is my haven. I feel like I have always had to work twice as hard to get half as far as my peers, but I persevered. I struggled, especially in math, but I am graduating from Pamlico County High School with a 3.1 GPA and I have been accepted to Elizabeth City State University as a music major. I never thought this was an option for me. If I had not been introduced to violin in elementary school I do not know what would have become of me. I truly believe music saved my life. I will be forever grateful that my elementary school had an orchestra. This was a not just a creative outlet for me, it was life changing therapy. I do not think enough emphasis is placed on music as a language. I also have a true passion to become a therapist and help others. I have looked into pursuing a career in Music Therapy. I want to comfort others the way I have been. When nothing else can break through, music can. I want to give back and pay forward the chances I received. Sometimes, you do not feel like talking and sometimes you can not, but through the power of sound and rhythm smiles happen, calm washes over and connections are made. As a Music Therapist I hope to help heal youth in need in a very special way. I not only found a way to survive, I found a way to flourish through music. I cannot think of a more important career choice.

I began playing violin in elementary school and my soul was touched. My love for music got me through my darkest hours. I taught myself guitar and piano, but my true passion is song writing. In high school I explored Digital Design, Visual Arts, Band, Orchestra, Sound Design, and Theater Arts. Writing and mixing music are my personal expressions of hope. I have had difficulty academically and emotionally, but art, music, and theater are my haven. I struggled, I did, especially in math, but as unbelievable as it is, I am graduating from Pamlico County High School with a 3.1 GPA and have been accepted to Elizabeth City State University as a Music major. I want to heal others as I have been healed through music. My passion is to become a Music Therapist. I am determined to help others through the healing power of music. I have taken on every challenge in my life and powered through no matter what. I know it will be difficult at times but I am willing to work for my goal. Music is a source of comfort and hope in my life. I will do whatever it takes to educate myself so I may in turn spread the joy of music to others. I knew I was destined for a career in the arts. Whether it be visual art, performing art or music. I considered becoming a song writer and realized through my Sound Design teacher, who is an ECSU graduate that getting educated in music was a truly important part of opening up more career options for myself. I have also longed to become a therapist so when I learned I could have a career as a Music Therapist, I knew I needed to further my education to reach this goal. Having been diagnosed with severe ADHD from Methamphetamine exposure I know the struggle in having to navigate life with a brain that processes information differently. The introduction of music into my world helped my anxiety and built my self confidence. I want to pay this forward in my lifetime as much as I am able.

I was born addicted to methamphetamines. I suffered abuse and neglect from birth to the age of four when I was put into foster care. I had been removed and reunited with my birth mother eight times. The last time I was taken from her I was found by a city worker, crawling down the street wearing only a filthy diaper. The police found the trailer with my birth mother and were unable to rouse her. There was no food, no clothing, no electricity...just empty bottles, cigarettes and drug paraphernalia scattered about. I lived in four different foster homes and was adopted by a white family at age seven. I only state "white family" because I am Hispanic/African American and my adoptive parents were very different from me and the people I was used to. I had difficulty adjusting and what seemed like endless behavioral issues. My adoptive parents were always frustrated with me. I was then diagnosed with severe ADHD due to methamphetamine exposure. At age eight therapy and medication began which helped to numb me, but I still lacked self control and anger management. My parents found the United Martial Arts Family Center. I received gold, silver and bronze medals in belt testing, forms and sparring. I am a brown with black belt. Martial Arts helped me develop respect, confidence and self discipline. This was one of the first positive factors in my life that helped me to start believing in myself and exploring further creative outlets. I began playing violin in elementary school and my soul was touched. My love for music got me through my darkest hours, which included not wanting to exist. I taught myself guitar and piano, but my true passion is song writing. In high school I explored Digital Design, Visual Arts, Band, Orchestra, Sound Design, and Theater Arts. Writing and mixing music are my personal expressions of hope. I still have had difficulty academically and emotionally, but art, music, and theater are my haven. I struggled, especially in math, but as unbelievable as it is, I am graduating from PCHS with a 3.1 GPA and have been accepted to ECSU as a Music major. I not only found a way to survive, I found a way to flourish in music. I am determined to help others through the healing power of music. I have taken on every challenge in my life and powered through no matter what. I know it will be challenging at times but I am willing to work for my goal. Music is a source of comfort and support. I will do whatever it takes to educate myself so I may in turn spread the joy of music to others. I knew I was destined for a career in the arts. Whether it be visual art, performing art or music. I considered becoming a song writer and realized through my Sound Design teacher, who is an ECSU graduate that getting educated in music was a truly important step in opening more career opportunities to me. I also longed to become a therapist so when I learned I could have a career as a Music Therapist, I knew I needed to further my education to reach this goal. My passion is to become a Music Therapist. I never want a child or teen to feel alone, depression, or abandoned. If I can bring a smile through sound I will have found happiness. I worked to get here and I will continue to work to be able to afford my schooling. This scholarship would bring me closer to my dream.

Like Zendaya, I am a proud biracial young woman. I am African American and Mexican. I also was born in California, specifically in Brawley, and I have a true passion for music and helping others. My start was a little different than hers, but I strive to follow in her foot steps and become just as remarkable. I was born addicted to methamphetamines then suffered severe abuse and neglect from birth to the age of four when I was put into foster care. I had been removed and reunited with my birth mother eight times. The last time I was taken I was found by a city worker, crawling down the street wearing only a filthy diaper. The police found the trailer with my birth mother and were unable to rouse her. There was no food, no clothes, no electricity...just empty bottles, cigarettes and drug paraphernalia scattered about. I lived in four different foster homes and was adopted by a white family at age seven. I only state "white family" because I am Hispanic/African American and my adoptive parents were very different from me and the people I was used to. I had a lot of difficulty adjusting. It just seemed like endless behavior issues. My adoptive parents seemed to be at their wits end. I was diagnosed with severe ADHD due to methamphetamine exposure. Therapy and medication started at age eight. Although this helped, I was still unable to control myself a lot of the time. I began playing violin in elementary school and my soul was touched. My love for music got me through some of my darkest hours. I went on to teach myself guitar and piano, but my true passion was found in song writing. In high school I explored band, orchestra, and sound design. I truly enjoy writing and mixing music. As I progressed into high school I seemed to have more and more difficulty academically and emotionally, but music was my haven. I struggled, I did, especially in math, but as unbelievable as it is, I persevered and I am graduating from PCHS with a 3.1 GPA and I have been accepted to ECSU as a music major. I never thought this was an option for me. I am determined to help others through the healing power of music. Music has been my comfort and my hope. I will do whatever it takes to educate myself so I may in turn spread the joy of music to others in need. I also longed to become a therapist so when I learned I could have a career as a Music Therapist, I knew I needed to further my education to reach higher goals as an educator or instructor. For any child or teen that suffers in loneliness, depression or darkness...I want to be there. I want them to be surrounded by beauty in art & sound and know everything will be alright. Zendaya's music inspires this in me. "Rewrite the Stars" from The Greatest Showman gives me chills. I love her music, her dancing, her acting, her style, her passion and her drive. I have participated in The Old Theater Workshop for the past 4 years and Theater Arts (honors) for the past two years. Zendaya makes me know I can do anything I set my mind to. I am now up for the lead roll in this years theatrical performance. Zendaya is a true roll model who exudes beauty and grace. I will work hard, be creative, be humble, be helpful and emulate her ethic and service to the best of my ability.

"Where the Crawdads Sing" The family who adopted me would read to my sister and I every night. They did not approve of TV and internet and are passionate readers. The problem with this was I would regularly be drifting off looking around and obviously not be paying attention. They would ask why and I said I could not follow the words. The seemed very surprised by this and even my younger sister said, "Olivia, just make pictures in your mind of what they are describing." I could not. I was very frustrated by this and had to struggle to follow the story line. We did a summary after each reading so I did "get it" and a recap before the next reading, but I would get so upset and ask, "When will I see pictures in my mind?" My new family seemed so touched by "Where the Crawdads Sing" and I barely understood it. I was born addicted to methamphetamines, then suffered severe abuse and neglect from birth to the age of four when I was put into foster care. I had been removed and reunited with my birth mother eight times. The last time I was taken I was found by a city worker, crawling down the street wearing only a filthy diaper. The police found the trailer with my birth mother and were unable to rouse her. There was no food, no clothes, no electricity...just empty bottles, cigarettes and drug paraphernalia scattered about. I lived in four different foster homes and was adopted by a white family at age seven. I only state "white family" because I am Hispanic/African American and my adoptive parents were very different from me and the people I was used to. I had a lot of difficulty adjusting to this. It seemed like endless behavior issues and I just could not focus. My adoptive parents seemed to be at their wits end. I was diagnosed with severe ADHD due to methamphetamine exposure. Therapy and medication started at age eight. Although this helped, I still have difficulty understanding some things and seem to learn at a different pace and in a different manner than my peers. Along comes the movie...We went to the Bruin Theather in New Bern. This was a treat for us. My parents even got us popcorn and a Sprite (soda is a holiday only treat)! Both my adoptive parents are acedemics and health enthusiasts so being in their world has always been a struggle for me. The movie begins...I SEE THE BAYOUS, I SEE KYA, I SEE IT! I was so touched by her family life, her struggles, her strength, her wild, fearless, yet fragile nature, her art, her freedom. I FINALLY got to see it in MY MIND. Movies changed my world. I know books are special, I understand that, but for there to be an option for people with learning and comprehension disabilities is just amazing. I immediately became interested in performing arts. I joined The Old Theater Summer Workshop Camp in 2021 and have participated every year since. I love writing scripts, set design and performance, especially improv. In high school I took in Theater Arts in 2023 and am currently in Theater Art Honors. I have been in several plays including, "ALIBIS" and "Charlie Brown's Christmas". This year I am working hard to obtain the lead role. My other passions are visual arts and music. I felt as if I was left with a broken brain for so long...it is not. I now write scripts and song lyrics. It just had to develop my way.

I am Olivia Sunshine Doucette, formerly Olivia Brown, formerly Olivia Johnson, and I just may never know my real birth surname. I was born addicted to methamphetamines. I suffered severe abuse and neglect from birth to the age of four when I was put into foster care. I had been removed from my birth mother and reunited with her eight times. The last time I was taken I was found by a city worker, crawling down the street wearing only a filthy diaper. The police found the trailer with my birth mother and were unable to rouse her. There was no food, no clothing, no electricity...just empty bottles, cigarettes and drug paraphernalia scattered about. I lived in four different foster homes and was adopted by a white family at age seven. I only state "white family" because I am Hispanic/African American and my adoptive parents were very different from me and the people I was used to. I had a lot of difficulty trusting and it seemed as if I was getting in endless trouble for behavior issues...I just could not focus, I could not control my anxiety, and I could not control my behavior. My adoptive parents were at their wits end. I was diagnosed with severe ADHD due to methamphetamine exposure. Therapy and medication started at age eight. Although this helped, I still lacked self control. My parents found the United Martial Arts Family Center through the YMCA. I received gold, silver and bronze medals in belt testing, forms and sparring. I am a brown with black belt. Martial Arts helped me develop respect, confidence and self discipline. This was one of the first positive factors in my life that helped me to start believing in myself. I began playing violin in elementary school and my soul was touched. My love for music got me through some of my darkest hours. I went on to teach myself guitar and piano, but my true passion was found in song writing. In high school I have explored Digital Design, Visual Arts, Band, Orchestra, Sound Design, and Theater Arts. I truly enjoy writing and mixing music. I also began volunteering as I got more comfortable with joining organizations and group participation. I have volunteered with San Diego Ocean Clean Up, Sand Diego State University Mission Trails Clean Up, San Diego Foodbank, Old Theater Children's Workshop, and The Friends of the Pamlico Library Fund Raising. I feel as if so many organizations have helped me and I truly want to give back. I have been helped by Social Services, The YMCA, Public School Orchestra, and The Old Theater Summer Camp. When I needed help, it was there for me. After much hard work I am now graduating from Pamlico County High School with a 3.1 GPA and have been accepted to Elizabeth City State University as a Music major. I want to heal others as I have been healed through music, yet I also want to be a Therapist. My goal is to become a Music Therapist and to provide care, comfort and support to others.

My first experience in a play was in Sunday school. I was a sheep in the Nativity and I was CUTE! I am very shy by nature and there is something about taking on a persona that allows me to perform and drop my insecurities. Growing up, my family had season passes to The Civic Theater and The Old Globe Theater in San Diego. I was able to see magnificent performances and became interested in every aspect including lighting, sound, set design, as well as acting. My elementary class had a field trip to Behind the Scenes at the Old Globe Theater. I was so impressed by the organization, skill and beyond the stage tasks that all contribute to a successful performance. My family moved to Oriental, NC the summer after my freshman year of high school. I received the opportunity to enroll in The Old Theater Summer Workshop Theater Camp. This truly sparked my passion for theater. I played violin, guitar, piano and wrote music so I planned a career in either song writing or orchestra, but acting brought out something special in me. I loved working with a team, writing scripts, doing improvisation and especially performing. I have participated every summer since. My electives were mainly art and music based then in my junior year I enrolled in Theater Arts. My performances include, ALIBIS and Charlie Brown's Christmas. I enjoy set design as much as lighting as much as acting. I recently went on a cruise and was blessed to see the Broadway production of "Saturday Night Fever". I was roaming around the ship during the day and was pleasantly surprised to see the stage doors open during practice. I quietly sat in the back and watched. They worked, laughed, coached each other and it was such a special treat for me. I learned that the performers in the Ice Show do the lighting for the theater performers and vice versa. They all help with props and laundry and can take on additional paid backstage jobs if their schedules allow. It was an amazing experience and everything I could have hoped for. The production manager told a funny story about how the actor left the pizza box prop on stage and house keeping threw it away. He was freaking out and felt just terrible. He went to the on board post office, got a flat white box and hand drew the Italian man tossing dough on the cover in red with an intricate border. Everyone loves that bos so much more than the purchased prop. It was an example of how things happen, but they always find a way to make it work because....the show must go on! I am attending Elizabeth City State University in the fall as a music major with a minor in performing arts. I am interested in all aspects of music and theater but I feel like once I get further in my education I will better know the career path for me.

I am Olivia Sunshine Doucette, formerly Olivia Brown, formerly Olivia Johnson, and I just may never know my real birth surname. I was born addicted to methamphetamines and it actually went downhill from there. I "suffered" severe abuse and neglect (so say the Social Services reports) from birth to the age of four when I was put into foster care. I had been removed from my birth mother and reunited with her eight times. The last time I was taken I was found by a city worker, crawling down the street wearing only a filthy diaper. The police found the trailer with my birth mother and were unable to rouse her. There was no food, no clothes, no electricity...just empty bottles, cigarettes and drug paraphernalia scattered about. I lived in four different foster homes and was adopted by a white family at age seven. I only state "white family" because I am Hispanic/African American and my adoptive parents were very different from me and the people I was used to. I had a lot of difficulty trusting and adjusting. It seemed like endless behavior issues...I couldn't focus, I couldn't control my anxiety, I just couldn't.... My adoptive parents seemed to be at their wits end. I was diagnosed with severe ADHD due to methamphetamine exposure. Therapy and medication started at age eight. Although this helped, I was still unable to control myself a lot of the time. My parents found the United Martial Arts Family Center. I have received gold, silver and bronze medals in forms and sparring. I am a brown with black belt. Martial Arts helped me develop respect, confidence and self discipline. This was one of the first positive factors in life and helped me to start believing in myself. I began playing violin in elementary school and my soul was touched. My love for music got me through some of my darkest hours. I went on to teach myself guitar and piano, but my true passion was found in song writing. In high school I explored band, orchestra, and sound design. I truly enjoy writing and mixing music. As I progressed into high school I seemed to have more and more difficulty academically and emotionally, but music was my haven. It has always seemed to me that I have to work twice as hard to get half as far as my peers, but I persevered. I struggled, I did, especially in math, but as unbelievable as it is, I am graduating from Pamlico County High School with a 3.1 GPA and I have been accepted to Elizabeth City State University as a music major. I never thought this was an option for me. I have recently begun to develop a relationship with my adoptive parents. Because...it is never too late. Never. My adoptive mother never gave up on me and deep inside that made "me" never give up on me. My adoptive mother, my mother, the only mother I have known, recently shared a story of strength with me. When we met she said I told her about how I saved my birth mother and half sister from a pool full of snakes. I told her I dove into the pool and I took all the bites in order to rescue them which is how I got all my scars. My snake bites are cigarette burns. My mother cried and said she knew my strength right then. I not only found a way to survive, I found a way to flourish. Here I am. I am Olivia Sunshine Doucette.

I am Olivia Sunshine Doucette, formerly Olivia Brown, formerly Olivia Johnson, and I just may never know my real birth surname. I was born addicted to methamphetamines and it actually went downhill from there. I "suffered" severe abuse and neglect (so say the Social Services reports) from birth to the age of four when I was put into foster care. I had been removed from my birth mother and reunited with her eight times. The last time I was taken I was found by a city worker, crawling down the street wearing only a filthy diaper. The police found the trailer with my birth mother and were unable to rouse her. There was no food, no clothing, no electricity...just empty bottles, cigarettes and drug paraphernalia scattered about. I lived in four different foster homes and was adopted by a white family at age seven. I only state "white family" because I am Hispanic/African American and my adoptive parents were very different from me and the people I was used to. I had a lot of difficulty trusting and adjusting. It seemed like endless behavior issues...I couldn't focus, I couldn't control my anxiety, I just couldn't.... My parents were at their wits end. I was diagnosed with severe ADHD due to methamphetamine exposure. Therapy and medication started at age eight. Although this helped numb me, I still lacked self control. My parents found the United Martial Arts Family Center. I received gold, silver and bronze medals in belt testing, forms and sparring. I am a brown with black belt. Martial Arts helped me develop respect, confidence and self discipline. This was one of the first positive factors in my life that helped me to start believing in myself. I began playing violin in elementary school and my soul was touched. My love for music got me through some of my darkest hours. I went on to teach myself guitar and piano, but my true passion was found in song writing. In high school I explored Digital Design, Visual Arts, Band, Orchestra, Sound Design, and Theater Arts. I truly enjoy writing and mixing music. As I progressed in high school I seemed to have more and more difficulty academically and emotionally, but art, music, and theater are my haven. It has always seemed to me that I have to work twice as hard to get half as far as my peers, but I persevered. I struggled, I did, especially in math, but as unbelievable as it is, I am graduating from PCHS with a 3.1 GPA and have been accepted to ECSU as a Music major. I want to heal others as I have been healed by music. My passion is to become a Music Therapist. I have recently begun to develop a relationship with my adoptive parents. Because...it is never too late. My adoptive mother never gave up on me and deep inside that made "me" never give up on me. My adoptive mother, my mother, the only mother I have known, recently shared a story of strength with me. When we met she said I told her about how I saved my birth mother and half sister from a pool full of snakes. I told her I dove into the pool and I took all the bites in order to rescue them which is how I got all my scars...my snake bites are cigarette burns. My mother cried and said she knew my strength right then. I not only found a way to survive, I found a way to flourish in music. Here I am. I am Olivia Sunshine.

I am Olivia Sunshine Doucette, formerly Olivia Brown, formerly Olivia Johnson, and I just may never know my real birth surname. I was born addicted to methamphetamines and it actually went downhill from there. I "suffered" severe abuse and neglect (so say the Social Services reports) from birth to the age of four when I was put into foster care. I had been removed from my birth mother and reunited with her eight times. The last time I was taken I was found by a city worker, crawling down the street wearing only a filthy diaper. The police found the trailer with my birth mother and were unable to rouse her. There was no food, no clothing, no electricity...just empty bottles, cigarettes and drug paraphernalia scattered about. I lived in four different foster homes and was adopted by a white family at age seven. I only state "white family" because I am Hispanic/African American and my adoptive parents were very different from me and the people I was used to. I had a lot of difficulty trusting and adjusting. It seemed like endless behavior issues...I couldn't focus, I couldn't control my anxiety, I just couldn't.... My parents were at their wits end. I was diagnosed with severe ADHD due to methamphetamine exposure. Therapy and medication started at age eight. Although this helped numb me, I still lacked self control. My parents found the United Martial Arts Family Center. I received gold, silver and bronze medals in belt testing, forms and sparring. I am a brown with black belt. Martial Arts helped me develop respect, confidence and self discipline. This was one of the first positive factors in my life that helped me to start believing in myself. I began playing violin in elementary school and my soul was touched. My love for music got me through some of my darkest hours. I went on to teach myself guitar and piano, but my true passion was found in song writing. In high school I explored Digital Design, Visual Arts, Band, Orchestra, Sound Design, and Theater Arts. I truly enjoy writing and mixing music. As I progressed in high school I seemed to have more and more difficulty academically and emotionally, but art, music, and theater are my haven. It has always seemed to me that I have to work twice as hard to get half as far as my peers, but I persevered. I struggled, I did, especially in math, but as unbelievable as it is, I am graduating from PCHS with a 3.1 GPA and have been accepted to ECSU as a Music major. I want to heal others as I have been healed by music. My passion is to become a Music Therapist. I have recently begun to develop a relationship with my adoptive parents. Because...it is never too late. My adoptive mother never gave up on me and deep inside that made "me" never give up on me. My adoptive mother, my mother, the only mother I have known, recently shared a story of strength with me. When we met she said I told her about how I saved my birth mother and half sister from a pool full of snakes. I told her I dove into the pool and I took all the bites in order to rescue them which is how I got all my scars...my snake bites are cigarette burns. My mother cried and said she knew my strength right then. I not only found a way to survive, I found a way to flourish in music. Here I am. I am Olivia Sunshine.

I am Olivia Sunshine Doucette, formerly Olivia Brown, formerly Olivia Johnson, and I just may never know my real birth surname. I was born addicted to methamphetamines and it actually went downhill from there. I "suffered" severe abuse and neglect (so say the Social Services reports) from birth to the age of four when I was put into foster care. I had been removed from my birth mother and reunited with her eight times. The last time I was taken I was found by a city worker, crawling down the street wearing only a filthy diaper. The police found the trailer with my birth mother and were unable to rouse her. There was no food, no clothing, no electricity...just empty bottles, cigarettes and drug paraphernalia scattered about. I lived in four different foster homes and was adopted by a white family at age seven. I only state "white family" because I am Hispanic/African American and my adoptive parents were very different from me and the people I was used to. I had a lot of difficulty trusting and adjusting. It seemed like endless behavior issues...I couldn't focus, I couldn't control my anxiety, I just couldn't.... My parents were at their wits end. I was diagnosed with severe ADHD due to methamphetamine exposure. Therapy and medication started at age eight. Although this helped numb me, I still lacked self control. My parents found the United Martial Arts Family Center. I received gold, silver and bronze medals in belt testing, forms and sparring. I am a brown with black belt. Martial Arts helped me develop respect, confidence and self discipline. This was one of the first positive factors in my life that helped me to start believing in myself. I began playing violin in elementary school and my soul was touched. My love for music got me through some of my darkest hours. I went on to teach myself guitar and piano, but my true passion was found in song writing. In high school I explored Digital Design, Visual Arts, Band, Orchestra, Sound Design, and Theater Arts. I truly enjoy writing and mixing music. As I progressed in high school I seemed to have more and more difficulty academically and emotionally, but art, music, and theater are my haven. It has always seemed to me that I have to work twice as hard to get half as far as my peers, but I persevered. I struggled, I did, especially in math, but as unbelievable as it is, I am graduating from PCHS with a 3.1 GPA and have been accepted to ECSU as a Music major. I want to heal others as I have been healed by music. My passion is to become a Music Therapist. I have recently begun to develop a relationship with my adoptive parents. Because...it is never too late. My adoptive mother never gave up on me and deep inside that made "me" never give up on me. My adoptive mother, my mother, the only mother I have known, recently shared a story of strength with me. When we met she said I told her about how I saved my birth mother and half sister from a pool full of snakes. I told her I dove into the pool and I took all the bites in order to rescue them which is how I got all my scars...my snake bites are cigarette burns. My mother cried and said she knew my strength right then. I not only found a way to survive, I found a way to flourish in music. Here I am. I am Olivia Sunshine.

I am Olivia Sunshine Doucette, formerly Olivia Brown, formerly Olivia Johnson, and I just may never know my real birth surname. I was born addicted to methamphetamines.. I suffered abuse and neglect (so say the Social Services reports) from birth to the age of four when I was put into foster care. I had been removed from my birth mother and reunited with her eight times. The last time I was taken I was found by a city worker, crawling down the street wearing only a filthy diaper. The police found the trailer with my birth mother and were unable to rouse her. There was no food, no clothing, no electricity...just empty bottles, cigarettes and drug paraphernalia scattered about. I lived in four different foster homes and was adopted by a white family at age seven. I only state "white family" because I am Hispanic/African American and my adoptive parents were very different from me and the people I was used to. I had a lot of difficulty trusting and endless behavioral issues...I couldn't focus, I couldn't control my anxiety, I just couldn't.... My parents were at their wits end. I was diagnosed with severe ADHD due to methamphetamine exposure. At age eight therapy and medication helped numb me, but I still lacked self control. My parents found the United Martial Arts Family Center. I received gold, silver and bronze medals in belt testing, forms and sparring. I am a brown with black belt. Martial Arts helped me develop respect, confidence and self discipline. This was one of the first positive factors in my life that helped me to start believing in myself. I began playing violin in elementary school and my soul was touched. My love for music got me through my darkest hours. I taught myself guitar and piano, but my true passion is song writing. In high school I explored Digital Design, Visual Arts, Band, Orchestra, Sound Design, and Theater Arts. Writing and mixing music are my personal expressions of hope. I have had difficulty academically and emotionally, but art, music, and theater are my haven. I struggled, I did, especially in math, but as unbelievable as it is, I am graduating from PCHS with a 3.1 GPA and have been accepted to ECSU as a Music major. I want to heal others as I have been healed through music. My passion is to become a Music Therapist. I have recently begun to develop a relationship with my adoptive parents. Because...it is never too late. My adoptive mother never gave up on me and deep inside that made "me" never give up on me. My adoptive mother, my mother, the only mother I have known, recently shared a story of strength with me. When we met she said I told her about how I saved my birth mother and half sister from a pool full of snakes. I told her I dove into the pool and I took all the bites in order to rescue them which is how I got all my scars...my snake bites are actually cigarette burns. My mother cried and said she knew my undeniable strength right then. I not only found a way to survive, I found a way to flourish in music. Here I am. I am Olivia Sunshine.

I am Olivia Sunshine Doucette, formerly Olivia Brown, formerly Olivia Johnson, and I just may never know my real birth surname. I was born addicted to methamphetamines and it actually went downhill from there. I "suffered" severe abuse and neglect (so say the Social Services reports) from birth to the age of four when I was put into foster care. I had been removed from my birth mother and reunited with her eight times. The last time I was taken I was found by a city worker, crawling down the street wearing only a filthy diaper. The police found the trailer with my birth mother and were unable to rouse her. There was no food, no clothing, no electricity...just empty bottles, cigarettes and drug paraphernalia scattered about. I lived in four different foster homes and was adopted by a white family at age seven. I only state "white family" because I am Hispanic/African American and my adoptive parents were very different from me and the people I was used to. I had a lot of difficulty trusting and adjusting. It seemed like endless behavior issues...I couldn't focus, I couldn't control my anxiety, I just couldn't.... My parents were at their wits end. I was diagnosed with severe ADHD due to methamphetamine exposure. Therapy and medication started at age eight. Although this helped numb me, I was still lacked self control. My parents found the United Martial Arts Family Center. I received gold, silver and bronze medals in belt testing, forms and sparring. I am a brown with black belt. Martial Arts helped me develop respect, confidence and self discipline. This was one of the first positive factors in my life that helped me to start believing in myself. I began playing violin in elementary school and my soul was touched. My love for music got me through some of my darkest hours. I went on to teach myself guitar and piano, but my true passion was found in song writing. In high school I explored Digital Design, Visual Arts, Band, Orchestra, Sound Design, and Theater Arts. I truly enjoy writing and mixing music. As I progressed in high school I seemed to have more and more difficulty academically and emotionally, but art, music, and theater are my haven. It has always seemed to me that I have to work twice as hard to get half as far as my peers, but I persevered. I struggled, I did, especially in math, but as unbelievable as it is, I am graduating from PCHS with a 3.1 GPA and have been accepted to ECSU as a Music major. I want to heal others as I have been healed by music. My passion is to become a Music Therapist. I have recently begun to develop a relationship with my adoptive parents. Because...it is never too late. My adoptive mother never gave up on me and deep inside that made "me" never give up on me. My adoptive mother, my mother, the only mother I have known, recently shared a story of strength with me. When we met she said I told her about how I saved my birth mother and half sister from a pool full of snakes. I told her I dove into the pool and I took all the bites in order to rescue them which is how I got all my scars...my snake bites are cigarette burns. My mother cried and said she knew my strength right then. I not only found a way to survive, I found a way to flourish in music. Here I am. I am Olivia Sunshine.

I am Olivia Sunshine Doucette, formerly Olivia Brown, formerly Olivia Johnson, and I just may never know my real birth surname. I was born addicted to methamphetamines and it actually went downhill from there. I "suffered" severe abuse and neglect (so say the Social Services reports) from birth to the age of four when I was put into foster care. I had been removed from my birth mother and reunited with her eight times. The last time I was taken I was found by a city worker, crawling down the street wearing only a filthy diaper. The police found the trailer with my birth mother and were unable to rouse her. There was no food, no clothes, no electricity...just empty bottles, cigarettes and drug paraphernalia scattered about. I lived in four different foster homes and was adopted by a white family at age seven. I only state "white family" because I am Hispanic/African American and my adoptive parents were very different from me and the people I was used to. I had a lot of difficulty trusting and adjusting. It seemed like endless behavior issues...I couldn't focus, I couldn't control my anxiety, I just couldn't.... My adoptive parents seemed to be at their wits end. I was diagnosed with severe ADHD due to methamphetamine exposure. Therapy and medication started at age eight. Although this helped, I was still unable to control myself a lot of the time. My parents found the United Martial Arts Family Center. I have received gold, silver and bronze medals in forms and sparring. I am a brown with black belt. Martial Arts helped me develop respect, confidence and self discipline. This was one of the first positive factors in life and helped me to start believing in myself. I began playing violin in elementary school and my soul was touched. My love for music got me through some of my darkest hours. I went on to teach myself guitar and piano, but my true passion was found in song writing. In high school I explored band, orchestra, and sound design. I truly enjoy writing and mixing music. As I progressed into high school I seemed to have more and more difficulty academically and emotionally, but music was my haven. It has always seemed to me that I have to work twice as hard to get half as far as my peers, but I persevered. I struggled, I did, especially in math, but as unbelievable as it is, I am graduating from Pamlico County High School with a 3.1 GPA and I have been accepted to Elizabeth City State University as a music major. I never thought this was an option for me. I have recently begun to develop a relationship with my adoptive parents. Because...it is never too late. Never. My adoptive mother never gave up on me and deep inside that made "me" never give up on me. My adoptive mother, my mother, the only mother I have known, recently shared a story of strength with me. When we met she said I told her about how I saved my birth mother and half sister from a pool full of snakes. I told her I dove into the pool and I took all the bites in order to rescue them which is how I got all my scars. My snake bites are cigarette burns. My mother cried and said she knew my strength right then. I not only found a way to survive, I found a way to flourish. Here I am. I am Olivia Sunshine Doucette.