I was six years, six months, and six days old when I was adopted on January 16, 2014. My biological dad was abusive, so as a little girl my day consisted of watching my father hit my mother. One day it got so bad that her head was thrown into a car windshield and it shattered. I tried to call someone to help but no one came; no one believed me. Looking back on this incident, I most definitely see why I am the person I am today. After I got adopted I was kinda lost and a little broken to be honest. How could my parents just give me away? Did they not love me? Was I not good enough? I always thought that I would never know… I got into singing a little later, I mean I’ve always been into singing but like Really got into singing. In some ways it helped me to heal. As a little girl I should’ve been singing Let it go or Party in The USA but I loved singing breakup songs and pretending that my “family” had broken up. When I sang I felt like I was actually heard. I felt as if people could hear every word I was saying. I remember I would sing and people would tell me to stop so I would sing even louder. At the time I didn’t realize some people were actually happy and didn’t want to hear depressing songs 24/7. Growing up I didn’t know what to do with my singing passion. Especially when I moved to the school I go to now. The kids at Graham thought calling me racial slurs and names were funny, so being able to tell them to stop was life-changing. I thought it would just get worse, I didn't know any better. So after moving I usually just sang along with the radio, but I actually wanted to make a change… to change myself… In middle school I started Choir. It’s not really what I had in mind with doing something with myself but I figured I would like it so might as well try. It was alright but I was always too scared to go for the solo. So much for having a voice, right? I was scared someone would try out and they would be better than me, I feared rejection. It made matters worse when Covid hit and we went online. We didn’t even sing songs, we only did homework. In High School, I started Varsity Choir and Musical. Freshman year, we did Addams Family and it was just like middle school choir; I didn’t try out for a lead position. The following two years I finally started to take initiative and try out for bigger parts, lead roles. I was Milly in 7 Brides for 7 Brothers and Sharpay in High School Musical. Singing on stage in front of people is something so wonderful I don't know how to explain it. I feel bad for the people who never get to experience it because it’s life changing. No matter how good you sing, just to be able to get up on a stage and let your voice be heard. When I sing I'm very loud, and very dramatic also. This ability has also helped me with being a cheerleader, and it has made me who I am today.

I was six years, six months, and six days old when I was adopted on January 16, 2014. My biological dad was abusive, so as a little girl my day consisted of watching my father hit my mother. One day it got so bad that her head was thrown into a car windshield and it shattered. I tried to call someone to help but no one came; no one believed me. Looking back on this incident, I most definitely see why I am the person I am today. After I got adopted I was kinda lost and a little broken to be honest. How could my parents just give me away? Did they not love me? Was I not good enough? I always thought that I would never know… I got into singing a little later, I mean I’ve always been into singing but like Really got into singing. In some ways it helped me to heal. As a little girl I should’ve been singing Let it go or Party in The USA but I loved singing breakup songs and pretending that my “family” had broken up. When I sang I felt like I was actually heard. I felt as if people could hear every word I was saying. I remember I would sing and people would tell me to stop so I would sing even louder. At the time I didn’t realize some people were actually happy and didn’t want to hear depressing songs 24/7. Growing up I didn’t know what to do with my singing passion. Especially when I moved to the school I go to now. The kids at Graham thought calling me racial slurs and names were funny, so being able to tell them to stop was life-changing. I thought it would just get worse, I didn't know any better. So after moving I usually just sang along with the radio, but I actually wanted to make a change… to change myself… In middle school I started Choir. It’s not really what I had in mind with doing something with myself but I figured I would like it so might as well try. It was alright but I was always too scared to go for the solo. So much for having a voice, right? I was scared someone would try out and they would be better than me, I feared rejection. It made matters worse when Covid hit and we went online. We didn’t even sing songs, we only did homework. In High School, I started Varsity Choir and Musical. Freshman year, we did Addams Family and it was just like middle school choir; I didn’t try out for a lead position. The following two years I finally started to take initiative and try out for bigger parts, lead roles. I was Milly in 7 Brides for 7 Brothers and Sharpay in High School Musical. Singing on stage in front of people is something so wonderful I don't know how to explain it. I feel bad for the people who never get to experience it because it’s life changing. No matter how good you sing, just to be able to get up on a stage and let your voice be heard. When I sing I'm very loud, and very dramatic also. This ability has also helped me with being a cheerleader, and it has made me who I am today.

Yes I was In foster Care. I was six years, six months, and six days old when I was adopted on January 16, 2014. My biological dad was abusive, so as a little girl my day consisted of watching my father hit my mother. One day it got so bad that her head was thrown into a car windshield and it shattered. I tried to call someone to help but no one came; no one believed me. Looking back on this incident, I most definitely see why I am the person I am today. After I got adopted I was kinda lost and a little broken to be honest. How could my parents just give me away? Did they not love me? Was I not good enough? I always thought that I would never know… I got into singing a little later, I mean I’ve always been into singing but like Really got into singing. In some ways it helped me to heal. As a little girl I should’ve been singing Let it go or Party in The USA but I loved singing breakup songs and pretending that my “family” had broken up. When I sang I felt like I was actually heard. I felt as if people could hear every word I was saying. I remember I would sing and people would tell me to stop so I would sing even louder. At the time I didn’t realize some people were actually happy and didn’t want to hear depressing songs 24/7. Growing up I didn’t know what to do with my singing passion. Especially when I moved to the school I go to now. The kids at Graham thought calling me racial slurs and names were funny, so being able to tell them to stop was life-changing. I thought it would just get worse, I didn't know any better. So after moving I usually just sang along with the radio, but I actually wanted to make a change… to change myself… In middle school I started Choir. It’s not really what I had in mind with doing something with myself but I figured I would like it so might as well try. It was alright but I was always too scared to go for the solo. So much for having a voice, right? I was scared someone would try out and they would be better than me, I feared rejection. It made matters worse when Covid hit and we went online. We didn’t even sing songs, we only did homework. In High School, I started Varsity Choir and Musical. Freshman year, we did Addams Family and it was just like middle school choir; I didn’t try out for a lead position. The following two years I finally started to take initiative and try out for bigger parts, lead roles. I was Milly in 7 Brides for 7 Brothers and Sharpay in High School Musical. Singing on stage in front of people is something so wonderful I don't know how to explain it. I feel bad for the people who never get to experience it because it’s life changing. No matter how good you sing, just to be able to get up on a stage and let your voice be heard. When I sing I'm very loud, and very dramatic also. This ability has also helped me with being a cheerleader, and it has made me who I am today.

I was six years, six months, and six days old when I was adopted on January 16, 2014. My biological dad was abusive, so as a little girl my day consisted of watching my father hit my mother. One day it got so bad that her head was thrown into a car windshield and it shattered. I tried to call someone to help but no one came; no one believed me. Looking back on this incident, I most definitely see why I am the person I am today. After I got adopted I was kinda lost and a little broken to be honest. How could my parents just give me away? Did they not love me? Was I not good enough? I always thought that I would never know… I got into singing a little later, I mean I’ve always been into singing but like Really got into singing. In some ways it helped me to heal. As a little girl I should’ve been singing Let it go or Party in The USA but I loved singing breakup songs and pretending that my “family” had broken up. When I sang I felt like I was actually heard. I felt as if people could hear every word I was saying. I remember I would sing and people would tell me to stop so I would sing even louder. At the time I didn’t realize some people were actually happy and didn’t want to hear depressing songs 24/7. Growing up I didn’t know what to do with my singing passion. Especially when I moved to the school I go to now. The kids at Graham thought calling me racial slurs and names were funny, so being able to tell them to stop was life-changing. I thought it would just get worse, I didn't know any better. So after moving I usually just sang along with the radio, but I actually wanted to make a change… to change myself… In middle school I started Choir. It’s not really what I had in mind with doing something with myself but I figured I would like it so might as well try. It was alright but I was always too scared to go for the solo. So much for having a voice, right? I was scared someone would try out and they would be better than me, I feared rejection. It made matters worse when Covid hit and we went online. We didn’t even sing songs, we only did homework. In High School, I started Varsity Choir and Musical. Freshman year, we did Addams Family and it was just like middle school choir; I didn’t try out for a lead position. The following two years I finally started to take initiative and try out for bigger parts, lead roles. I was Milly in 7 Brides for 7 Brothers and Sharpay in High School Musical. Singing on stage in front of people is something so wonderful I dont know how to explain it. I feel bad for the people who never get to experience it because it’s life changing. No matter how good you sing, just to be able to get up on a stage and let your voice be heard. The events I love the Most in my community, are the musicals that take place every year at my school.I love seeing everyone come together, as one to watch something magical that I get to take place in.

I was six years, six months, and six days old when I was adopted on January 16, 2014. My biological dad was abusive, so as a little girl my day consisted of watching my father hit my mother. One day it got so bad that her head was thrown into a car windshield and it shattered. I tried to call someone to help but no one came; no one believed me. Looking back on this incident, I most definitely see why I am the person I am today. After I got adopted I was kinda lost and a little broken to be honest. How could my parents just give me away? Did they not love me? Was I not good enough? I always thought that I would never know… I got into singing a little later, I mean I’ve always been into singing but like Really got into singing. In some ways it helped me to heal. As a little girl I should’ve been singing Let it go or Party in The USA but I loved singing breakup songs and pretending that my “family” had broken up. When I sang I felt like I was actually heard. I felt as if people could hear every word I was saying. I remember I would sing and people would tell me to stop so I would sing even louder. At the time I didn’t realize some people were actually happy and didn’t want to hear depressing songs 24/7. Growing up I didn’t know what to do with my singing passion. Especially when I moved to the school I go to now. The kids at Graham thought calling me racial slurs and names were funny, so being able to tell them to stop was life-changing. I thought it would just get worse, I didn't know any better. So after moving I usually just sang along with the radio, but I actually wanted to make a change… to change myself… In middle school I started Choir. It’s not really what I had in mind with doing something with myself but I figured I would like it so might as well try. It was alright but I was always too scared to go for the solo. So much for having a voice, right? I was scared someone would try out and they would be better than me, I feared rejection. It made matters worse when Covid hit and we went online. We didn’t even sing songs, we only did homework. One change that I want to see in America is a better system for kids who were like me. I wish they could all go to good and deserving parents like I did eventually. I want everyone to be able to grow up with a chance at life. A fair chance.

I was six years, six months, and six days old when I was adopted on January 16, 2014. My biological dad was abusive, so as a little girl my day consisted of watching my father hit my mother. One day it got so bad that her head was thrown into a car windshield and it shattered. I tried to call someone to help but no one came; no one believed me. Looking back on this incident, I most definitely see why I am the person I am today. After I got adopted I was kinda lost and a little broken to be honest. How could my parents just give me away? Did they not love me? Was I not good enough? I always thought that I would never know… I got into singing a little later, I mean I’ve always been into singing but like Really got into singing. In some ways it helped me to heal. As a little girl I should’ve been singing Let it go or Party in The USA but I loved singing breakup songs and pretending that my “family” had broken up. When I sang I felt like I was actually heard. I felt as if people could hear every word I was saying. I remember I would sing and people would tell me to stop so I would sing even louder. At the time I didn’t realize some people were actually happy and didn’t want to hear depressing songs 24/7. Growing up I didn’t know what to do with my singing passion. Especially when I moved to the school I go to now. The kids at Graham thought calling me racial slurs and names were funny, so being able to tell them to stop was life-changing. I thought it would just get worse, I didn't know any better. So after moving I usually just sang along with the radio, but I actually wanted to make a change… to change myself… In middle school I started Choir. It’s not really what I had in mind with doing something with myself but I figured I would like it so might as well try. It was alright but I was always too scared to go for the solo. I was scared someone would try out and they would be better than me, I feared rejection. Singing has helped me, and I wanna do the same for others.

I was six years, six months, and six days old when I was adopted on January 16, 2014. My biological dad was abusive, so as a little girl my day consisted of watching my father hit my mother. One day it got so bad that her head was thrown into a car windshield and it shattered. I tried to call someone to help but no one came; no one believed me. Looking back on this incident, I most definitely see why I am the person I am today. After I got adopted I was kinda lost and a little broken to be honest. How could my parents just give me away? Did they not love me? Was I not good enough? I always thought that I would never know… I got into singing a little later, I mean I’ve always been into singing but like Really got into singing. In some ways it helped me to heal. As a little girl I should’ve been singing Let it go or Party in The USA but I loved singing breakup songs and pretending that my “family” had broken up. When I sang I felt like I was actually heard. I felt as if people could hear every word I was saying. I remember I would sing and people would tell me to stop so I would sing even louder. At the time I didn’t realize some people were actually happy and didn’t want to hear depressing songs 24/7. Growing up I didn’t know what to do with my singing passion. Especially when I moved to the school I go to now. The kids at Graham thought calling me racial slurs and names were funny, so being able to tell them to stop was life-changing. I thought it would just get worse, I didn't know any better. So after moving I usually just sang along with the radio, but I actually wanted to make a change… to change myself… In middle school I started Choir. It’s not really what I had in mind with doing something with myself but I figured I would like it so might as well try. It was alright but I was always too scared to go for the solo. So much for having a voice, right? I was scared someone would try out and they would be better than me, I feared rejection. It made matters worse when Covid hit and we went online. We didn’t even sing songs, we only did homework. In High School, I started Varsity Choir and Musical. Freshman year, we did Addams Family and it was just like middle school choir; I didn’t try out for a lead position. The following two years I finally started to take initiative and try out for bigger parts, lead roles. I was Milly in 7 Brides for 7 Brothers and Sharpay in High School Musical. Singing on stage in front of people is something so wonderful I dont know how to explain it. I feel bad for the people who never get to experience it because it’s life changing. No matter how good you sing, just to be able to get up on a stage and let your voice be heard. When I sing I'm very loud, and very dramatic also. This ability has also helped me with being a cheerleader. You have to be loud and have more spirit then all get out. You have to always be positive and “preppy”. Being the loudest than all the other girls on the cheer team is kind of annoying sometimes, other times I’m proud.

I was six years, six months, and six days old when I was adopted on January 16, 2014. My biological dad was abusive, so as a little girl my day consisted of watching my father hit my mother. One day it got so bad that her head was thrown into a car windshield and it shattered. I tried to call someone to help but no one came; no one believed me. Looking back on this incident, I most definitely see why I am the person I am today. After I got adopted I was kinda lost and a little broken to be honest. How could my parents just give me away? Did they not love me? Was I not good enough? I always thought that I would never know… I got into singing a little later, I mean I’ve always been into singing but like Really got into singing. In some ways it helped me to heal. As a little girl I should’ve been singing Let it go or Party in The USA but I loved singing breakup songs and pretending that my “family” had broken up. When I sang I felt like I was actually heard. I felt as if people could hear every word I was saying. I remember I would sing and people would tell me to stop so I would sing even louder. At the time I didn’t realize some people were actually happy and didn’t want to hear depressing songs 24/7. Growing up I didn’t know what to do with my singing passion. Especially when I moved to the school I go to now. The kids at Graham thought calling me racial slurs and names were funny, so being able to tell them to stop was life-changing. I thought it would just get worse, I didn't know any better. So after moving I usually just sang along with the radio, but I actually wanted to make a change… to change myself… In middle school I started Choir. It’s not really what I had in mind with doing something with myself but I figured I would like it so might as well try. It was alright but I was always too scared to go for the solo. So much for having a voice, right? I was scared someone would try out and they would be better than me, I feared rejection. It made matters worse when Covid hit and we went online. We didn’t even sing songs, we only did homework. In High School, I started Varsity Choir and Musical. Freshman year, we did Addams Family and it was just like middle school choir; I didn’t try out for a lead position. The following two years I finally started to take initiative and try out for bigger parts, lead roles. I was Milly in 7 Brides for 7 Brothers and Sharpay in High School Musical. Singing on stage in front of people is something so wonderful I dont know how to explain it. I feel bad for the people who never get to experience it because it’s life changing. No matter how good you sing, just to be able to get up on a stage and let your voice be heard. When I sing I'm very loud, and very dramatic also. This ability has also helped me with being a cheerleader. You have to be loud and have more spirit then all get out. You have to always be positive and “preppy”. Being the loudest than all the other girls on the cheer team is kind of annoying sometimes, other times I’m proud.

My name is Rihanna Kermode' and music has played a major role into my life. As I continue to navigate my life and career, I realize that furthering my education is crucial not just for personal fulfillment but also for the opportunities it can open up. Continuing my education is important to me for several reasons, because it allows me to expand my knowledge and skills, and enhance my skills singing, acting, and dancing. Something I wish everyone could experience, would be being on stage and experience the feelings it would give to you. As a little girl I was put into foster care and I had felt like no one loved me. Singing made me feel like I was heard, it gave me a voice, so I love music more than anything. Music has had a profound and trans formative impact on my life. It has not only been a source of enjoyment and comfort but also a tool for self-expression, emotional healing, and connection with others. From childhood to adulthood, music has been a constant companion, influencing my mood, behavior, and even my identity. Furthermore, music has been an important means of self-expression for me. Through the years, I’ve explored various genres and even tried playing the trumpet for a few years, finding that music offers a creative outlet for expressing my thoughts, experiences, and dreams that might otherwise be hard for me to express. Performing in front of an audience can initially seem intimidating, but over time, it can significantly boost your self-confidence. Musicals require collaboration and communication among cast members, crew, and directors. So I worked with fellow performers and participated in group rehearsals, I was constantly learning how to communicate clearly, listen actively, and give constructive feedback, and I feel like that is an important part of my future. Things that music has also helped me with was Time Management and Discipline, and encourages creativity. Art can be a powerful tool for coping with my life's problems, offering a unique way to express, process, and heal from difficult emotions and experiences. Whether i'm expressing myself through visual art, music, writing, or performing, engaging with art allows individuals to confront challenges in a way that feels safe, constructive, and therapeutic. Art provides a safe space for expressing my emotions that might be hard to put into words. Sometimes, my pain, sadness, or frustration that I feel in response to life’s difficulties can be difficult to articulate, but music helps me through it all.