Having anxiety has touched every part of my life—how I think about myself, how I am with other people, and how I am in the world. It's a quiet weight that I bear day to day, one that isn't very often seen by other people, but one that I can feel sitting at the back of my head. To me, anxiety isn't worrying about being anxious on an exam or worrying about what to say in a conversation—it's this voice inside my head that's always questioning my capability, my judgment, and even my worth. It's the constant "what if? My anxiety is particular to being autistic, having ADHD, and OCD. These situations intersect in ways that heighten how I experience stress, become overwhelmed, and second-guess myself. Loud environments, ambiguous expectations, and sudden shifts can all feed an anxious cycle. My anxiety is an obsession. Something as apparently benign as walking into a crowded area, embarking on a group assignment, or scheduling a doctor's appointment can require hours of psychological preparation. I don't drive, due to such challenges, and that adds a further source of stress to daily life, especially living in a city like Atlanta, where public transportation is not always convenient or affordable. Despite it all, I never let fear of anxiety keep me from doing things. It led me to seek help, create habits, and learn how to cope. It led me to therapy, to self-advocacy, and eventually to Georgia State University—a community that has supported me academically, emotionally, and socially. Through programs such as AMP-up and Disability Services, I've had mentorship, support, and accommodations that allow me to thrive. My anxiety is a part of who I am today, but no longer controls me. If anything, it's made me realize how much strength and resilience I possess. Getting a college degree is not just getting a diploma—it's building a future that will be the life I want to create. With a major in Film and Media, my dream is to be a director and work behind the camera to bring about change through the stories that I tell—stories that will inspire, provoke, and unite people. My degree is only the beginning of making that aspiration a reality. Getting my degree is my best shot at making the world understand that I'm more than my diagnosis, more than my anxiety, more than the obstacles that I've battled to overcome. Education is a chance. Education is freedom. For someone such as myself, whose family has fought to give me the most they can through financial and emotional hardship, a pursuit of a degree is not just for myself, but also for them. My parents gave so much up, and my history is theirs to keep as well. My mom, still paying for her student loans by teaching art classes, inspired me to pursue my passion regardless of obstacles.

During my time at Georgia State University, I’ve discovered that one of the most fulfilling ways to give back is through service. This has become a core part of who I am. As a member of the Delta Zeta sorority, I’ve had the opportunity to engage deeply with philanthropic work that is both meaningful and far-reaching. I’m helping make my community a better place through hands-on service, fundraising, and environmental efforts, and I fully intend to continue and expand these efforts after graduation. Delta Zeta’s national focus on speech and hearing has connected me with impactful organizations such as the Starkey Hearing Foundation, the American Society for Deaf Children, and the Serious Fun Children’s Network. To date, I’ve completed over 45 hours of service and donated more than $100 to various philanthropic causes. Locally, our chapter also supports the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (ASFP) and the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Our partnership with the AFSP is especially close to my heart, as I have personally faced challenges with my mental health. Supporting this cause has allowed me to connect with others and serve as a voice of understanding and encouragement. These experiences have shown me how powerful it can be when communities come together around a shared purpose, and they’ve inspired me to carry this spirit of collective action into life beyond college. One of the most rewarding aspects of my service work has been centered around sustainability. My sisters and I collaborated with Georgia State to plant native trees and bushes around campus, naming them after Delta Zeta’s founders. Every time I walk past 75 Piedmont and see them thriving, I’m reminded of the long-term impact of small, thoughtful actions. I’ve also planted seven trees with Trees Atlanta and plan to continue working with them. These efforts have made me more passionate about environmental advocacy and have shaped how I think about responsibility, not just toward people, but toward the planet. As an aspiring director, I want to carry my passion for service into the entertainment industry. Film and television have the power to change perspectives and elevate important issues, but behind the scenes, many sets still lack accessibility, inclusivity, and sustainability. I plan to change that. I want to help reduce food waste on sets, especially around craft services, encourage the ethical sourcing of costumes and wardrobe materials, and push for greener, more environmentally responsible production practices. Something equally important to me is advocating for neurodiverse inclusion in the film industry. As someone who is autistic and lives with other neurodiversities, I know firsthand how overwhelming traditional film sets can be. Harsh lights, loud sounds, chaotic energy, and a lack of clear communication can make these environments incredibly difficult to navigate. I want to help create production spaces that are more accessible, offering quiet areas, sensory-friendly accommodation, and clearer expectations for cast and crew. Inclusion means more than just representation on screen, it also means creating workspaces where everyone has the tools they need to thrive. After college, I plan to continue serving my community through my career and personal passions. I hope to work in a field where service is central, while still giving my time to causes I care about, whether that’s supporting underrepresented communities, advancing sustainability, or raising awareness for public and mental wellness. The foundation I’ve built through my experiences at Georgia State and in Greek life has taught me that service doesn’t end with college; it’s a lifelong commitment. I’m excited to carry this mindset forward and do my part to make the world a more compassionate, connected, and sustainable place.

I began my freshman year at the height of the pandemic. At 14, I was juggling virtual classes, mental illness, and social conflicts. Things felt overwhelming, but I didn’t think they could get worse—until they did. On St. Patrick’s Day 2021, while learning choreography for a theatre class project, my dad pulled me aside. I felt my world crumble as he told me my grandmother had been diagnosed with cancer. Tears streamed down my face as my dad and I held each other, sobbing. I mustered up the courage to return to class, hiding my tear-stained face. My grandmother had stage 4 small-cell carcinoma, which had already metastasized to her liver and spine. She required emergency spine surgery to remove a tumor that caused a fracture. My grandmother had quit smoking 15 years earlier to avoid exactly this fate. Doctors told us if she had quit just one day sooner, the cancer might not have developed. A month before her diagnosis, I had been diagnosed with autism, ADHD, generalized anxiety, dysthymia, OCD, and sensory processing disorder. Balancing my mental health while supporting my family was exhausting. My grades were slipping, friendships were falling apart, and my grandma was ill. At 14, I wasn’t hanging out with friends or devoting myself to studies like many of my peers. I was at home catching up on schoolwork, at my grandmother’s apartment helping care for her or visiting her in the hospital after treatments and surgeries. The pandemic added its own challenges. COVID tests and masks were difficult, and my sensory issues made wearing a mask especially challenging. I often broke down in bathrooms, overwhelmed by the discomfort. But being with Grammy mattered more, and I pushed through for her. Despite everything, I finished my freshman year. Sophomore year brought a sense of relief. I returned in-person with accommodations in place, and my grandmother’s condition improved—her cancer reduced by 70% after treatments. Inspired by her progress, I auditioned for the competition one-act play and was cast. My grandma was overjoyed that I was pursuing my passion for the arts. An accomplished singer and pianist, she shared my enthusiasm for music and acting. Although her health prevented her from attending my performance, we watched the recording together on YouTube. Around the same time, I was invited to sing at Carnegie Hall alongside 75 other singers. My grandma was ecstatic and encouraged me to audition for the spring musical. However, her health quickly declined, and in December 2021, she was given three months to live. My depression returned. On February 18, 2022, my grandmother passed away, leaving my family heartbroken. I considered dropping out of the musical but knew she wouldn’t have wanted that. Instead, I joined the stage crew, determined to stay involved for her. That spring, I was inducted into the Thespian Society and elected president, accomplishments I knew would have made her proud. I decided to attend Carnegie Hall that summer in her honor, carrying her ashes in a necklace as I performed. In the following year, I was re-elected Thespian president and continued to grow in the arts. During my final high school production—a show I student-directed and also starred in—I once again wore her ashes, a constant reminder of her influence on my life. My grandmother’s passion for music and the arts continues to inspire me. Her love shaped my creative journey and motivated me to persevere through life’s challenges. Now, as a film major, I am dedicated to honoring her memory by pursuing my passions and keeping her legacy alive. She is, and always will be, my greatest inspiration.

My name is Riley Terrell, and I am a Freshman at Georgia State University, majoring in Cinematography and Film/Video Production. As a woman with both mental and physical disabilities, I have faced numerous challenges throughout my academic journey. However, these experiences have also shaped my career goals and given me a unique perspective on the importance of accessibility and accommodation in the film industry. This scholarship will help me immensely. I do not have the financial resources to afford my textbooks and necessary school supplies. With the support of the Dwight "The Professor" Baldwin Scholarship, I can focus more on my studies and less on financial stress. Stress is something that often causes my disabilities to “flare”. This assistance will allow me to excel in my coursework and pursue my passion for filmmaking without the constant worry of how I will afford the tools I need. My disabilities have significantly shaped who I am and what I want to do. As a future filmmaker, it is my goal to make sets more accessible and accommodating to those with both mental and physical disabilities. I have experienced firsthand the struggles and importance of needing accommodations in schooling and on film and theatrical sets. Simple things like having a quiet space to work or ensuring that sets are physically navigable can make a huge difference for someone with disabilities. In my time at GSU, I have already begun to see the impact of accessibility in education and how it can empower students like me to achieve their goals. I am committed to bringing this awareness and dedication to accessibility into the film industry. I want to create an environment where everyone, regardless of their abilities, can contribute and thrive. My high school unweighted GPA was a 3.0, and I worked hard to maintain that despite the challenges I faced. My experiences have taught me resilience and determination, which I bring to my studies and my future career. I believe that my unique perspective and commitment to accessibility will allow me to make a meaningful impact in the film industry. The Dwight "The Professor" Baldwin Scholarship will provide me with the financial support I need to continue my education and pursue my dream of becoming a filmmaker. My disabilities have shaped my career goals, and I am dedicated to making the film industry more inclusive and accommodating for everyone. Thank you for considering my application.