This year, I was faced with two different sets of adversities that I believe will continue to help shape the woman that I am. The first being, on a personal level, being bullied. I understand that bullying shouldn’t be tolerated, but I was also able to empathize with the person who was bullying me. The words and actions of the person who had been interacting with me were not okay, and I learned to be confident enough to address the issue with them, along with knowing when to ask for help from the school counselor. I was aware that the person saying harsh words towards me had been going through issues within their family, but I did not allow that to become an excuse for the things they had done to me. This experience taught me to be confident and understanding, along with the importance of confiding in others. It also showed me the significance of setting boundaries and standing up for myself in a respectful manner. By addressing the situation directly and seeking support when needed, I was able to navigate through a challenging experience with resilience and empathy. If someone was facing the same circumstances, I would advise them to prioritize self-care and remember that it's okay to say no; seeking help from a counselor or trusted adult can also provide valuable guidance and support during difficult times. When I had been going through this it took me a long time to stand up for myself. Reflecting on my journey, I realize the importance of prioritizing self-care and recognizing the boundaries that safeguard my well-being. In essence, my encounter with bullying has shaped me into a more resilient, empathetic individual who values self-care, communication, and seeking support when facing adversities. This experience has not only strengthened my character but also deepened my commitment to promoting a culture of respect, kindness, and support within my community. Secondly, on a creative level, I was immensely challenged by the use of film cameras. I learned how to use the Canon EOS 2000D and Sony FX3 cameras. It was important for me to ask for help concerning camera settings such as IOS, shutter speed, aperture, etc. From this experience, I also learned to be okay with mistakes and to learn from them. Through this process, I discovered the importance of patience and perseverance in mastering new skills. Additionally, I found joy in the art of storytelling through visual mediums, sparking a newfound passion for photography and videography.

My name is Paris Chyenne Porter. I am a senior at Edna Karr High School who strives for excellence. My academic success has led me to be recognized as being part of the National Honors Society, the ACT 20+ Club, and the recipient of many Leap Mastery certifications. In addition to that, I'm a member of the girls soccer team. Outside of school, I enjoy working closely within the community as a member of Eternal Seeds, a community-based nonprofit where we focus on harnessing the power of creative expression to inspire and empower individuals of all ages. As a part of Eternal Seeds, I've painted murals around the city. Along with hosting events, for example, in celebration of Kwanzaa, we created a quilt and held an event for each day of Kwanzaa, which celebrated and educated those who did not know about the holiday. In addition, my mother is an artist and community leader; I've assisted her with creating murals and reading children's books within the community. I’m an artist. I draw, paint, sculpt, take pictures, play piano, and film. Creativity is a calling; a superpower that we all have. It defies time and connects us. I see it as a superpower because of the range of emotion that goes into creating it and the range of motion received by it. It’s unpredictable and unquantifiable. As artists, we must honor that superpower and use our creativity to show everyone how super they are. As storytellers, it’s our responsibility to not only give a voice to the voiceless but also amplify the story that existed before us and will go on beyond us. My goal is to create works of art that inspire people and leave a positive and lasting impact on the world. My experiences working with Eternal Seeds have allowed me to develop strong leadership and teamwork skills, as well as a deep appreciation for the power of art in bringing people together. Through my involvement in Eternal Seeds and working with my mother, I have witnessed firsthand the positive impact that art has on the community. I am looking forward to pursuing my dreams and making a positive impact on the world. Additionally I plan to use my skills to serve others and improve society by creating artwork which is thought provoking and challenges perspectives. By using my creativity as a tool to create positive change, I hope to contribute to a more inclusive and empowering society. My vision for how art can help create a better world is rooted in the belief that art has the capacity to heal, unite, and uplift. Through my art, I aspire to contribute to a more compassionate, inclusive, and harmonious world where the beauty and power of art inspires us to embrace our shared humanity. In conclusion, I’m a part of a community-based nonprofit that uses creative expression to inspire and empower individuals. Being a part of programs like these allows me to contribute to my goal, which is to create works of art that inspire people and leave a positive impact on the world, using my creativity to create a more inclusive and empowering society.

My name is Paris Chyenne Porter. I am a senior at Edna Karr High School who strives for excellence. My academic success has led me to be recognized as being part of the National Honors Society, the ACT 20+ Club, and the recipient of many Leap Mastery certifications. In addition to that, I'm a member of the girls soccer team. Outside of school, I enjoy working closely within the community as a member of Eternal Seeds, a community-based nonprofit where we focus on harnessing the power of creative expression to inspire and empower individuals of all ages. As a part of Eternal Seeds, I've painted murals around the city. Along with hosting events, for example, in celebration of Kwanzaa, we created a quilt and held an event for each day of Kwanzaa, which celebrated and educated those who did not know about the holiday. In addition, my mother is an artist and community leader; I've assisted her with creating murals and reading children's books within the community. I’m an artist. I draw, paint, sculpt, take pictures, play piano, and film. Creativity is a calling; a superpower that we all have. It defies time and connects us. I see it as a superpower because of the range of emotion that goes into creating it and the range of motion received by it. It’s unpredictable and unquantifiable. As artists, we must honor that superpower and use our creativity to show everyone how super they are. As storytellers, it’s our responsibility to not only give a voice to the voiceless but also amplify the story that existed before us and will go on beyond us. My goal is to create works of art that inspire people and leave a positive and lasting impact on the world. My experiences working with Eternal Seeds have allowed me to develop strong leadership and teamwork skills, as well as a deep appreciation for the power of art in bringing people together. Through my involvement in Eternal Seeds and working with my mother, I have witnessed firsthand the positive impact that art has on the community. I am looking forward to pursuing my dreams and making a positive impact on the world. Additionally I plan to use my skills to serve others and improve society by creating artwork which is thought provoking and challenges perspectives. By using my creativity as a tool to create positive change, I hope to contribute to a more inclusive and empowering society.

My name is Paris Chyenne Porter. I am a senior at Edna Karr High School who strives for excellence. My academic success has led me to be recognized as being part of the National Honors Society, the ACT 20+ Club, and the recipient of many Leap Mastery certifications. In addition to that, I'm a member of the girls soccer team. Outside of school, I enjoy working closely within the community as a member of Eternal Seeds, a community-based nonprofit where we focus on harnessing the power of creative expression to inspire and empower individuals of all ages. In addition, my mother is an artist and community leader; I've assisted her with creating murals and reading children's books within the community. I’m an artist. I draw, paint, sculpt, take pictures, play piano, and film. Creativity is a calling; a superpower that we all have. It defies time and connects us. I see it as a superpower because of the range of emotion that goes into creating it and the range of motion received by it. It’s unpredictable and unquantifiable. As artists, we must honor that superpower and use our creativity to show everyone how super they are. As storytellers, it’s our responsibility to not only give a voice to the voiceless but also amplify the story that existed before us and will go on beyond us. My goal is to create works of art that inspire people and leave a positive and lasting impact on the world. My experiences working with Eternal Seeds have allowed me to develop strong leadership and teamwork skills, as well as a deep appreciation for the power of art in bringing people together. Through my involvement in Eternal Seeds and working with my mother, I have witnessed firsthand the positive impact that art has on the community. I am looking forward to pursuing my dreams and making a positive impact on the world.