Art has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I’ve been painting since I could hold a brush, and over the years it has become much more than just a hobby—it’s how I make sense of the world. From a young age, I was drawn to the human form and expression. People have always been my favorite subjects to paint. I enjoy portraying them both realistically and in surreal, imaginative ways. Realistic portraits allow me to study the small, telling details that make someone unique, while surreal work gives me the freedom to explore emotion, symbolism, and abstract concepts. Blending both styles helps me express ideas that can’t always be put into words. In the last few years, my creative interests expanded into photography—especially sports photography. I became fascinated with capturing the energy, tension, and movement of live action. There's something so powerful about freezing a split-second moment: the concentration in an athlete’s eyes, the celebration after a goal, or the silent focus before a race begins. This passion led me to start a sports photography club at my high school. I wanted to give myself and others a platform to document and celebrate the achievements of our athletes. Through this club, I’ve grown not only as a photographer but also as a storyteller. I’ve learned that powerful stories can be told without words—through light, motion, and emotion. What ties both painting and photography together for me is my love for visual storytelling. Whether it's a surreal portrait on canvas or an action shot from a soccer game, I aim to capture something real, something human. For years, I have dreamed of studying art at the university level so I can deepen my understanding, refine my technique, and push myself creatively. I’m especially eager to focus on oil painting, which I find to be one of the most expressive and layered mediums. The opportunity to study at Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts, where I have been accepted to study beginning this fall, would be a dream come true. Receiving the Raymond W. Walsh Video Production Scholarship would mean more than financial support. It would be an affirmation of my journey so far and an investment in the future I hope to build. With this help, I’ll be able to attend VCU Arts and continue growing as both a painter and a photographer. I’m excited to keep telling stories through my art—stories that inspire, connect, and make people feel seen.

The first thing I ever drew was a big yellow sun with a smiley face when I was eighteen months old. Art has been a huge part of my life ever since. I honestly don’t know where I’d be if I wasn’t able to create; it's how I express myself. I love using many types of mediums and trying new things. I’ve done oil paints, charcoal, needle felting, photography and so much more. Art is extremely important because it makes the world a happier place, and it makes it far more interesting. I believe art is a great way for people to express themselves. It's a way for people to project their ideas and beliefs out into the world. A way to be heard. I am excited to make a positive impact on the world through my education in the Arts. I spend many hours a week working on paintings and other types of art and I would love to continue to do so in college and after. Professionally I aspire to be an artist and entrepreneur. My first step towards that goal is to continue my artistic development through a Visual Arts degree. I have been accepted to VCU Arts for this fall and am so excited to attend! Eventually I would love to open a studio or gallery. I know it will not be easy, but I plan on being a working artist in five years, and a business owner in seven. In addition to opening a studio I want to be able to use my art education to make an impact on schools in low income areas where art programs are being cut. I want to teach kids how important art is and to inspire them to find their passion. I want all children to have the opportunity to paint or draw, and I want them to feel the same joy I feel when I pick up my paint brush or camera. I co-founded my local high school’s Sports Photography Club two years ago, and through this club I’ve become friends with some really talented people. It’s really cool watching a new member discover a new talent and knowing that I got to play a small part in that. I plan on making a positive impact in the world by helping people find joy in creating art.

The first thing I ever drew was a big yellow sun with a smiley face when I was eighteen months old. Art has been a huge part of my life ever since. I honestly don’t know where I’d be if I wasn’t able to create; it's how I express myself. I love using many types of mediums and trying new things. I’ve worked in oil paints, charcoal, needle felting, photography and so much more. Art is extremely important because it makes the world a happier place, and it makes it far more interesting. I believe art is a wonderful way for people to express themselves. It's a way for people to project their ideas and beliefs out into the world. A way to be heard. I am excited to make a positive impact on the world through my education in the Arts. I spend many hours a week working on paintings and other types of art, and I would love to continue to do so in college and after. Professionally, I aspire to be an artist and entrepreneur. My first step towards that goal is to continue my artistic development through a Visual Arts degree as well as a Business degree. I feel that taking business or finance courses would give me knowledge to achieve my goals. Eventually I would love to open a studio or gallery. I know it will not be easy, but I plan on being a working artist in five years, and a business owner in seven. In addition to opening a studio I want to be able to use my art education to make an impact on schools in low income areas where art programs are being cut. I want to teach kids how important art is and to inspire them to find their passion and their voice. I want all children to have the opportunity to paint or draw, and I want them to feel the same joy I feel when I pick up my paint brush or camera . I co-founded my local high school’s Sports Photography Club two years ago, and through this club I’ve become friends with some really talented people. It’s really cool watching a new member discover a new talent and knowing that I got to play a small part in that. I plan on making a positive impact in the world by helping people find joy in creating art.

Soccer has always been a huge part of my life. I started playing when I was four years old and fell in love with the game. I love the exercise, and I’ve noticed that I’m happier and I feel better about myself during soccer season. I’m a homeschooled student and I've never had the opportunity to play high school sports, but this year, my senior year, I was able to join a private school team. It was difficult fitting in at first only knowing a few people. But everyone is so kind and we push to be the best we can be and support one another when it is difficult. I have been a part of a few teams and I have noticed some differences between club soccer and high school soccer. The school team has been a lot of fun! I love this team; we play for each other and the school. The long bus rides have really brought us together, and there is just something different about playing for a school versus for a club that has sixty teams. Playing club soccer is definitely more intense with a much higher skill level; but by playing more competitively I have really improved. I have also gotten to meet and play against some really talented players. Though they are different I love being a part of these two teams. Playing soccer all through my high school years has really made me self motivated. My parents have a rule: if my school work isn’t done then I can’t practice. If I don’t practice I don’t get playing time ,and then I’m letting my team down. I try to get my homework done and go to practice and work hard so that I am the best player that I can be. Playing at a high level and playing for many seasons has really given me a sense of accomplishment, and it has helped me grow as a person. Being a student-athlete has its pros and cons, one of the cons being my busy schedule; I have three practices a week plus games on weekends. It can be challenging to get everything done. I have school work, art classes, my dog walking business and I want to have time with friends. I have a lot going on in my life and it can be overwhelming. I have found that by making a small list of the most important things I need to get done on that day, and focusing on finishing those tasks first I end up feeling like I have more time. My to-do list becomes less intimidating. It is really important for me to come up with a plan or a schedule, even if just in my head. Having so many tasks has really taught me about time management and having self discipline. I feel that I am better prepared for college in the fall. In college I plan on still playing soccer; hopefully for the school’s club team. I most likely will have a similar schedule that is just as busy, if not more so. I will be attending Virginia Commonwealth University in the fall, and will be focusing more on my art. I am an artist who focuses on painting, and I also do photography; I plan on getting dual degrees in Fine Art and Business. I hope that my experience as a student-athlete will make me more prepared for the more challenging classes and club soccer at college. It will be a lot of hard work but I am excited for this new challenge.

The first thing I ever drew was a big yellow sun with a smiley face when I was eighteen months old; nature has been an inspiration in my life ever since. There are so many beautiful colors, patterns and textures in nature and in the everyday world. I am a painter, and when I go outside I’m always thinking about how I would paint things; what brushes I would use and the colors I would mix. Earlier this year I had been struggling to pick a background color for my painting “Don’t Talk to Me”. In my reference photo the background was plain white. One evening I was walking my dog while the sun was setting, and the clouds were fluffy and pink. I knew that pink was the color I needed for my background! Having the hallway be pink made the painting much more interesting, and it contrasted nicely with the green pants on the figure. I love adding some sort of texture in all of my paintings; one way I added texture to this piece was by painting in a circular motion using a makeup brush. The swirly, fluffy clouds inspired the circular texture. One of my favorite places to paint is in my yard. I find it very peaceful, and there are less distractions than inside my house. My painting “Kicks” was painted mostly outside on my driveway where I took the reference picture; this way I didn’t have to follow a photo the whole time. I could just look up from the canvas and there my background was. The colors I find outside continue to be a source of inspiration for me. I am looking forward to seeing what the world outside my door has to show me for future paintings.

The first thing I ever drew was a big yellow sun with a smiley face when I was eighteen months old. Even though I do not remember drawing this, since I was so little, art has been a part of my life ever since. I honestly don’t know where I’d be if I wasn’t able to create; it's how I express myself. I love using many types of mediums and trying new things. I’ve done oil paints, charcoal, needle felting, photography and so much more. The first oil painting I ever did was of a bright blue betta fish, and I was about ten years old. I loved mixing so many beautiful, bright colors and creating many different textures, and I have been painting ever since. Oil paint has been my favorite medium since that colorful fish, and I still have a very saturated, textural style today. I think art is extremely important because it makes the world a happier place, and it makes it far more interesting. I believe art is a way for people to express themselves. It's a way for people to project their ideas and beliefs out into the world. Art is more than just self expression, there is plenty of functional art too. Your furniture, lamps, posters, signs, and even the design on your tissue box. We don’t usually think about these things when we think of art, but imagine if all these things were just plain, basic and gray. I think that world would be depressing! I am excited to pursue further education in the Arts. I plan on attending a four year university and majoring in Visual Arts, specifically painting. I spend many hours a week working on paintings and other types of art and I would love to continue to do so in college. I love to paint and I want to keep improving my technique and knowledge. In many schools in low income areas art programs are being cut. I want to be able to use my art education to reach out to those communities, and be able to teach kids how important art is and to inspire them to find their passion. I want all children to have the opportunity to paint or draw, and I want them to feel the same joy I feel when I pick up my paint brush. A degree would help me accomplish that goal.

The first thing I ever drew was a big yellow sun with a smiley face when I was eighteen months old. Even though I do not remember drawing this, since I was so little, art has been a part of my life ever since. I honestly don’t know where I’d be if I wasn’t able to create; it's how I express myself. I love using many types of mediums and trying new things. I’ve done oil paints, charcoal, needle felting, photography and so much more. The first oil painting I ever did was of a bright blue betta fish, and I was about ten years old. I loved mixing so many beautiful, bright colors and creating many different textures, and I have been painting ever since. Oil paint has been my favorite medium since that colorful fish, and I still have a very saturated, textural style today. I think art is extremely important because it makes the world a happier place, and it makes it far more interesting. I believe art is a way for people to express themselves. It's a way for people to project their ideas and beliefs out into the world. Art is more than just self expression, there is plenty of functional art too. Your furniture, lamps, posters, signs, and even the design on your tissue box. We don’t usually think about these things when we think of art, but imagine if all these things were just plain, basic and gray. I think that world would be depressing! I am excited to pursue further education in the Arts. I plan on attending a four year university and majoring in Visual Arts, specifically painting. I spend many hours a week working on paintings and other types of art and I would love to continue to do so in college. I love to paint and I want to keep improving my technique and knowledge. In many schools in low income areas art programs are being cut. I want to be able to use my art education to reach out to those communities, and be able to teach kids how important art is and to inspire them to find their passion. I want all children to have the opportunity to paint or draw, and I want them to feel the same joy I feel when I pick up my paint brush. A degree would help me accomplish that goal.

The first thing I ever drew was a big yellow sun with a smiley face when I was eighteen months old. Even though I do not remember drawing this, since I was so little, art has been a part of my life ever since. I honestly don’t know where I’d be if I wasn’t able to create; it's how I express myself. I love using many types of mediums and trying new things. I’ve done oil paints, charcoal, needle felting, photography and so much more. The first oil painting I ever did was of a bright blue betta fish, and I was about ten years old. I loved mixing so many beautiful, bright colors and creating many different textures, and I have been painting ever since. Oil paint has been my favorite medium since that colorful fish, and I still have a very saturated, textural style today. I think art is extremely important because it makes the world a happier place, and it makes it far more interesting. I believe art is a way for people to express themselves. It's a way for people to project their ideas and beliefs out into the world. Art is more than just self expression, there is plenty of functional art too. Your furniture, lamps, posters, signs, and even the design on your tissue box. We don’t usually think about these things when we think of art, but imagine if all these things were just plain, basic and gray. I think that world would be depressing! I am excited to pursue further education in the Arts. I plan on attending a four year university and majoring in Visual Arts, specifically painting. I spend many hours a week working on paintings and other types of art and I would love to continue to do so in college. I love to paint and I want to keep improving my technique and knowledge. In many schools in low income areas art programs are being cut. I want to be able to use my art education to reach out to those communities, and be able to teach kids how important art is and to inspire them to find their passion. I want all children to have the opportunity to paint or draw, and I want them to feel the same joy I feel when I pick up my paint brush. A degree would help me accomplish that goal.

Art has always been a huge part of my life, even back when I was only eighteen months old and drawing my first ever smiley-faced sun. I can’t imagine my life without the ability to create new things, it is my way of expressing myself. I think art is extremely important because it makes the world a happier place, and it makes it far more interesting. I believe art is a way for people to express themselves. It's a way for people to project their ideas and beliefs out into the world. But art is more than just self expression; there is plenty of functional art too. Your furniture, lamps, posters, signs, and even the design on your tissue box constitute art. We don’t usually think about these things when we think of art, but imagine if all these things were just plain, basic and gray. I think that world would be depressing, and if I can make the world a little less dull, then I’m going to do it. One of my biggest motivations to continue to pursue an art education is always wanting to grow and improve my skills. Whenever I am frustrated and stuck on an art piece I try to remind myself that I have to keep going, keep trying, and that this is how I get better. No matter how good you are at something you can always be better, there is always room for improvement. I love drawing and painting, they are things that I’m good at and I think the best way for me to improve my technique and style would be to continue to study them after I graduate from high school. I plan on attending a four year university and majoring in Visual/Fine Art and minoring in Business. College is a big commitment of time and money, and this scholarship would help me achieve my dreams. After college I would love to open a teaching studio or a gallery to showcase both my own and other's work. I would also reach out to poorer communities where many school art programs are being cut. I want to be able to teach kids how important art is and to inspire them to find their passion. I want children to be given the opportunity to paint or draw, and I want them to feel the same joy I feel when I pick up my paint brush.

One of my biggest motivations to continue to pursue an art education is always wanting to grow and improve my skills. Whenever I am frustrated and stuck on an art piece I try to remind myself that I have to keep going and that this is how I get better. No matter how good you are at something you can always be better, there is always room for improvement. I love drawing and painting, they are things that I’m good at and I think the best way for me to improve my technique and style would be to continue to study them in college. Art has always been a huge part of my life, even back when I was only eighteen months old and drawing my first ever smiley-faced sun. I can’t imagine my life without the ability to create new things, it is my way of expressing myself. I think art is extremely important because it makes the world a happier place, and it makes it far more interesting. I believe art is a way for people to express themselves. It's a way for people to project their ideas and beliefs out into the world. Art is more than just self expression; there is plenty of functional art too. Your furniture, lamps, posters, signs, and even the design on your tissue box constitute art. We don’t usually think about these things when we think of art, but imagine if all these things were just plain, basic and gray. I think that world would be depressing, and if I can make the world a little less gray, then I’m going to do it. I would continue to add the spirit of creation and storytelling by teaching kids the joys of art and creating. I plan on attending a four year college and majoring in Visual Art and minoring in Business. After college I would love to open a studio or a gallery. I would also reach out to poorer communities where many school art programs are being cut. I want to be able to teach kids how important art is and to inspire them to find their passion. I want children to be given the opportunity to paint or draw, and I want them to feel the same joy I feel when I pick up my paint brush.

One of my biggest motivations to continue to pursue an art education is always wanting to grow and improve my skills. Whenever I am frustrated and stuck on an art piece I try to remind myself that I have to keep going and that this is how I get better. No matter how good you are at something you can always be better, there is always room for improvement. I love drawing and painting, they are things that I’m good at and I think the best way for me to improve my technique and style would be to continue to study them in college. Art has always been a huge part of my life, even back when I was only eighteen months old and drawing my first ever smiley-faced sun. I can’t imagine my life without the ability to create new things, it is my way of expressing myself. I think art is extremely important because it makes the world a happier place, and it makes it far more interesting. I believe art is a way for people to express themselves. It's a way for people to project their ideas and beliefs out into the world. Art is more than just self expression; there is plenty of functional art too. Your furniture, lamps, posters, signs, and even the design on your tissue box constitute art. We don’t usually think about these things when we think of art, but imagine if all these things were just plain, basic and gray. I think that world would be depressing, and if I can make the world a little less gray, then I’m going to do it. I would continue to add the spirit of creation and storytelling by teaching kids the joys of art and creating. I plan on attending a four year college and majoring in Visual Art and minoring in Business. After college I would love to open a studio or a gallery. I would also reach out to poorer communities where many school art programs are being cut. I want to be able to teach kids how important art is and to inspire them to find their passion. I want children to be given the opportunity to paint or draw, and I want them to feel the same joy I feel when I pick up my paint brush.

The first thing I ever drew was a big yellow sun with a smiley face when I was eighteen months old. Even though I do not remember drawing this, since I was so little, art has been a part of my life ever since. I honestly don’t know where I’d be if I wasn’t able to create; it's how I express myself. I love using many types of mediums and trying new things. I’ve done oil paints, charcoal, needle felting, photography and so much more. The first oil painting I ever did was of a bright blue betta fish, and I was about ten years old. I loved mixing so many beautiful, bright colors and creating many different textures, and I have been painting ever since. Oil paint has been my favorite medium since that colorful fish, and I still have a very saturated, textural style today. I think art is extremely important because it makes the world a happier place, and it makes it far more interesting. I believe art is a way for people to express themselves. It's a way for people to project their ideas and beliefs out into the world. Art is more than just self expression, there is plenty of functional art too. Your furniture, lamps, posters, signs, and even the design on your tissue box. We don’t usually think about these things when we think of art, but imagine if all these things were just plain, basic and gray. I think that world would be depressing! I am excited to pursue further education in the Arts. I plan on attending a four year university and majoring in Visual Arts, specifically painting. I spend many hours a week working on paintings and other types of art and I would love to continue to do so in college. I love to paint and I want to keep improving my technique and knowledge. In many schools in low income areas art programs are being cut. I want to be able to use my art education to reach out to those communities, and be able to teach kids how important art is and to inspire them to find their passion. I want all children to have the opportunity to paint or draw, and I want them to feel the same joy I feel when I pick up my paint brush. A degree would help me accomplish that goal.