Art has been a part of my life from a young age. I could always be found with a pack of crayons in my hand, paint smudged on my clothes, and colored pencil shavings on my floor. I took all the craft classes that I could and tried every medium that I came across. When planning my secondary school schedule each year, I was sure to include an art class in my school day. And then the world shut down along with my motivation. I found quarantine really great at first. No need to get out of bed. I could roll over and jump on my computer to be "in class" in thirty seconds flat. It felt less stressful, like a break from the regular routine. It was great...until it wasn't. That less stressed feeling quickly turned to less motivation. That lack of need to be present anywhere became routine, and some days would go by with me hardly getting out of bed at all. My family was noticing and becoming concerned. The things I once enjoyed, like art, just seemed like one more task for me and I stopped participating in anything meaningful. I was enrolled in a photography class at school. It sounded like it was going to be a lot of fun, looking at objects in new ways, playing with shadows and light, trying to convey feelings that I had about people, places, and things through the lens of a camera. But when we were housebound I found little to be inspired by. "Get some clothes on. We're going for a drive." My mom didn't ask. She was telling me. I threw on some clothes and made my way to the car. Some music was on but not much was spoken. I didn't know where we were going; I really didn't care much. Then I began to notice some of my senses perking up. I could feel a moisture building in the air. I began to see seagulls taking flight on the air currents. I cracked the window and could smell the briny fragrance that could only come from the ocean. We pulled into a parking spot at Asbury Park. This was my place, or had been. The boardwalk, the rocky jetties, the famous music venues I had been to dozens of times for concerts, the sand where we would go to beach bonfires in the summer, it was all there but not a person in sight. We had the place to ourselves. We wandered around the usually bustling boardwalk and soaked in all the beauty amongst the desolation. I felt so renewed, we spent the rest of the day. These photographs are some of my favorites from that day. The benches usually crowded with people getting a view of the waves were piled into one area and roped off to discourage sitting. The music venue where I had seen one of my last concerts before the lockdown was shuttered. But the one I like the best is the view through the old arcade building known as the casino. The way the light came through and made the patterned shadows on the floor was mesmerizing. I really felt so much of what I had been experiencing over the last couple of months was reflected in the images all around me, and I was able to capture them all in our stroll around town. I was finally able to look at things in a new way, and bring some light into a dark time.

Finances in college are a sort of balancing act. Some aspects, like my contribution to my tuition, are predictable but others can vary depending on the semester, like books. I don't want to overextend myself and work too much during the school year, taking away from my time to study and get involved in school activities, but I do think it is important to have a job so I feel more prepared for unexpected expenses. I have found it is best to save in my non-academic months and use my school job for extra living expenses. My post-secondary opportunities were very limited based on my career path choice. I chose my university because it is not far from my hometown thereby reducing transportation costs but also because the program has been recognized by a well-respected magazine as one of the best in the country. It will provide me with the opportunity for amazing internship opportunities with well-known companies. Unfortunately, the costs are well over what my family had budgeted for my education. I receive an academic scholarship and took out federal loans, but additionally I am responsible for several thousand each year on top of my parents' contribution. I work year-round to secure my finances, and the work/school balance can be difficult. Managing my money works best when I have a plan mapped out for the school year. I spend my time when I'm not in school working as much as I can to save up for my August and December tuition payment dates and the September and January semester starts that require large purchases of supplies and books. During the school year, I have taken an on-campus job that has flexible hours so that I may supplement my finances when my schedule is light but pull back on work hours when my academics need my full attention. My extra expenses are few and far between, but I also know that will be changing in the year to come. I use my meal plan to the fullest and only occasionally indulge in a meal out or a GrubHub delivery. I take advantage of the opportunities offered through my school, like 20% off of public transportation, discounted cultural experiences, school-sponsored trips at group discounts, specialty meals like finals late-night breakfast or pop-up bake shops, and on-campus bowling, yoga, and movies. I haven't been bringing a car to campus my first 2 years, but I will not have that option starting next year as some of my classes are located off campus about 10 miles away. Unfortunately, public transportation just isn't available when I need it. I will have to start additional budgeting for a parking pass, gas, and an emergency fund for any unexpected car maintenance that may be needed. Managing my finances is infinitely easier when I can map out what my expenses will be. Pre-planning helps me feel more in control of my financial burden. By keeping track of my loans, my expected monetary contributions, and my known expenses while keeping a healthy cushion in savings and maintaining a flexible job that I can rely on for spending money, I feel I have taken control of my budgetary necessities. I never want to be surprised by financial responsibilities that I wasn't aware of and so taking stock of what is coming and what I need to save for has helped me manage my overall financial plan.

I love art in all its forms. I have dabbled in drawing, painting, sculpture, graphic arts, and most recently photography, and I truly delight in finding the humor in everyday situations. I find my most favorite photographs aren't capturing still-lifes. I don't really enjoy posed photos. I really like capturing a snapshot of a moment in time. Imagine my surprise when a trip to the park resulted in capturing this pirate 'walking the plank'.

Every year is a chance to start anew. Don't carry your baggage into this new opportunity. Make the most of the chance you get at the start of each year to turn the page! I know how easy It is to be put off and discouraged by past experiences. Whether it was an academic performance you were disappointed in, an awkward social experience, a less than successful athletic season-our confidence can certainly take a hit. But each September we get the chance to write a new chapter in the story that is our lives. So we need to seize the possibilities that come with the beginning of a new year. @rumifoster

Dan Reynolds, the lead singer for Imagine Dragons, is an artist but also a true advocate that is not afraid of speaking out on some very important issues. Through his music, he has shared his issues with mental health, helping to normalize seeking therapy and spreading the message that we are not alone in our struggles. He has been a bold spokesperson for LGBT youth going so far as to organize a yearly festival called Love Loud to fundraise for the Trevor Project. And as a man that suffers from 2 autoimmune disorders, he has publicly shared his journey of coming to terms with his physical obstacles and prioritizing his health.

I think memes can be a little moment in time snapshot of the culture and world that we live in. I put this one together after a school spirit day. To me a mascot is a symbol of strength and pride for a school. In this picture, one of a school's teachers tried their best to dress up as the school mascot, the tiger. In our culture of online shopping and lower quality quick buys, the effort was there but the product certainly did not deliver. It was a true moment of levity for such a crazy year that we've had. We all had a great laugh and feel like this is a great representation of the 2020/2021 school year!

I'm not exactly the athletic type. We went to a high ropes/zip line course and, not going to lie, the height was intimidating. There were a lot of ropes and netting to scale, unstable bridges to climb, platforms to zip between. Each obstacle became more challenging as the course went on through acres of forest. One by one I watched as my family members were not able to keep up with me. It felt great to be out of my comfort zone and was so much fun. I'm not exactly the athletic type...but I rocked that course!

We are a rescue family and have 4 dogs, 2 cats, a bunny, and 9 chickens-only 4 chickens haven't been adopted. We have been volunteering with a canine rescue for over 10 years. I even fostered a own dog as my Silver Award project for scouts. Our home is nicknamed Mutty Paws Ranch. Spoo-k is my calico. Magic is her brother. LowRider is our oldest at 13 years old. Ween is our littlest, a dachshund. Liath is our big girl at 70 pounds. Wink is a one-eyed lab mix. Domino is our older bun. Even all 9 chickens have names!