From a very young age, I have always been interested in learning about art, but more vividly creating it. I haven't had many passions, but one that has always stuck was painting. In high school I took an art class where we created a portfolio that included 12 of our best art pieces from the year. It was the most joy I had ever felt in high school because I got to do what I loved, and then show it off to friends and family who came to the art show. My family was so proud and I was too. Now I work on a wide variety of art, and I do it in my free time when I am in need of something that I love to do. It makes me happy to create, and let my mind wander as the color hits the canvas. I work on projects like decor for my countertops, and big canvas pieces for my walls. I have 5 pieces of art of mine decorating my walls, and it really makes my home feel special, like it's really my place. Right now I am working on a piece that will take up almost my whole wall in the living room, and it is a quiet, serene scene from the movie, "The Notebook". A landscape of a lake hidden in the trees, filled with swans, some so close you can't even see the water through them. At the center of the painting, there is a canoe with the two lovers from the movie as they take in the beautiful view surrounding them. I chose this piece because it reminds me of me and my boyfriend, and I always like to have meaning behind my pieces. When I was in high school, we would be given criteria for our painting but for the most part have free rein of what we could create. This allowed me to define my style and what mediums I liked most. I love to recreate art that I see in stores as well, for example I go to tjmaxx every now and then and I look at the paintings section. If there is any painting that I love and am thinking of buying, I usually just take a picture of it, then go home and recreate it myself. Not only does it save me money, it also adds my own personal touch to the art which makes it feel more fitting in my home. Art will always be a huge part of my life, and I think receiving this scholarship would be so meaningful to me and my passion.

My name is Piper Owens, I am a student at Tidewater Community College in Virginia Beach. When I started reading about this scholarship, about Kalia, I was devastated as I was going through her personal life description. Someone so driven getting their life and opportunities taken away from them is heartbreaking. As someone who believes in the power of education and perseverance, I am determined to not only succeed but also use my knowledge to help others throughout my career. Receiving this $2000 scholarship, in honor of Kalia D. Davis, whose life was tragically cut short, would drive me to commit to my education and, on a broader note, encourage me to live a life with purpose. I am originally from San Diego, California, but moved to Virginia Beach when I was 6 with my family and have been living here ever since. Being a first generation college student, my parents are proud to have a daughter who is taking on this journey by my choice. I grew up always having responsibilities, and got my first job when I was 15. Ever since I have been able to drive I have been paying my car payments and helping out around the house. As I have previously stated, I go to Tidewater Community College right now, and am in my second year. By the end of this year, I plan to transfer to JMU to pursue a career in graphic design or interior design. I am grateful that I chose to first attend community college because I am unsure of a certain career path, but recently I have narrowed it down and hopefully taking more classes will give me more education on each career. I have always had a passion for art, taking classes in high school as well as creating things in my free time. I want to be able to help starting businesses who have the skills to create their own business but don’t quite have the skills to add the aesthetics. As I grow in my career, I hope to take the feedback I get from my clients and persevere through constructive criticism to find my own style that can help the universal clientele. Being a disciplined, ambitious, and creative person, I have found that graphic design is the perfect outlet for me to merge imagination with helping others. It challenges me to think critically and make sure I follow specific guidelines I’ve received from clients. I am motivated by the chance to create artwork that tells a story, and assist others in ways they may not be able to assist themselves. Using my talents to create a positive impact through design would be what defines my success. I was in girl scouts my whole life, from ages 8-17, and it taught me to be a kind, hardworking, person. In high school, I was involved in sports and clubs, specifically tennis was my sport. By receiving this scholarship, it would ease the financial burden of a college education, and help with my tuition, design supplies, and possible softwares I may need. It would also help me focus more on school, as I would need less hours dedicated to work and more towards my education. I am incredibly grateful to be able to be a part of a scholarship dedicated to a fellow student whose life was taken too soon, and hopefully honor her legacy by devoting myself to excellence and kindness. I see this scholarship not only as a financial opportunity, but as a motivator to make the most of my education and leave a lasting, positive impact.

It is insanely difficult to choose just three top songs, but if I had to pick, I would choose I Love You, Happier Than Ever, and TV. Not only are these songs some of the best I have ever heard in my life, they resonate with me so deeply that I nearly cry listening to them every time. These songs all helped me get through a terrible relationship and a devastating breakup. Starting off with I Love You, I have an emotional connection with this song, as it evokes feelings from deep in my heart about a love I wanted to end but I kept holding on. I used to be in a relationship where it was very toxic and unloving from his end, and we broke up. However, for 6 months after that I was trying to get him back. I loved him, but based on how he would treat me, I didn't want to. I interpret this song in my own way, but I love the meaning of how it is written as well. The line, "The smile that you gave me even when you felt like dying" resonates heavily with me because I think of it as he was just stringing me along long enough to keep me in love however overtime that smile faded and I fell out of love, which was bound to happen with time. The song Happier Than Ever by Billie Eilish is the second most resonating song due to the power that comes with the bridge and last chorus. Billie Eilish has helped me reflect on this past relationship I had and coincidentally this song almost perfectly fits my situation, helping me get through the breakup when I was feeling weak. When I would feel like gravitating back toward him, this song could put me in the right headspace and remind me of just how overbearing and unhealthy he was for me. I am insanely happy where I am now and I can still sing this song with all the passion in the world. The song that I personally resonate with the most, due to an experience I had listening to this song, is TV. This guitar song is genuinely the prettiest song I've ever heard, her voice is so delicate. The boy that I have been referencing to this whole time was with me for 3 years, taking two breaks in between. The first break was the most gut wrenching, evil feeling I have ever felt, and right as I was in the midst of all these emotions, I played TV on my Alexa. Closing my eyes and feeling the music while singing softly was the only thing I could do. I fully believe I wouldn't have gotten through the breakup as well as I did if I had not had this song to listen to and connect with. Having a song that pulls everything away from reality when you're listening soothes the mind and heart. If I could I would give the biggest thank you to Billie Eilish for how she has helped me continue through my struggles in life.

Chappell Roan is a beautiful artist with such an outstanding voice. She has not only impacted me in my personal life and relationships with people, but she has helped me be a more creative and entertaining singer/songwriter. I have loved singing ever since I was a little kid. For Chappell Roan to make music in the style that she does really allows me to find my own voice and bounce off of her energy she gives off in concert and just through vocals. Since I became a fan, her song "Coffee" has resonated with me deeply, as I always think of someone when I sing it, making it even more powerful and heartbreaking. About a year ago I went through the worst breakup of my life, and my best outlet was writing songs. I probably wrote a total of 20 songs during that time when I had so much inspiration, but now it is strenuous to come up with things to write about. However, listening to her music helps me get ideas of what kind of beats to use or the vibe I want for a song, and I have been able to be fulfilled with my writing again since listening to Chappell. People don't realize just how much energy a breakup can take out of you until they experience it. By the way Chappell Roan writes and sings her songs, it's clear she has been through it before. I have seen people online who will say they don't like Chappell Roan either because of her public appearance or the fact that she doesn't like the attention she gets in public. For one, her style is so unique and intricate that to love it you have to understand it. When she explains that she doesn't like people coming up to her and taking pictures, the people who hate on her for these comments have never experienced what she is experiencing, blowing up practically overnight and then having random strangers come up to you for the first time asking to take a picture. It's something I will most likely never experience, but I sympathize with. To meet Chappell Roan would be an absolute blessing, and I would love to tell her how she has changed my life for the better and thank her for her beautiful ability to songwrite and inspire.

As a freshman in my first year of college, I have been following Sabrina Carpenter for close to half of my life now. And no, she wasn't a mainstream singer at that point in her career, but she was on "Girl Meets World". I remember coming home from school, dropping my bag on the floor, and running into the living room to watch my shows. And Girl Meets World was always one of them. I think she was the best actress in the show just because the character she played was so relatable. I would also bond with my mom over watching the show because when she grew up she would watch the show "Boy meets world", which is about Rileys parents in the past. The comfort I got from staring at the television for hours upon hours was insane. Once she started popping out as an artist I really started listening to her music, specifically Thumbs. That song would be on repeat 24/7, and now being able to drive I play it all the time. Specifically with her new albums, I love her new style, not to mention her wardrobe is beautifully crafted. I didn't have the money to see her in concert but if I did I would've gone in a heartbeat. I have a whole playlist dedicated to my favorites by her. No matter the mood I'm in, listening to her songs will always lift it, and I am forever grateful to have the music she has created.