Art therapy is more than a career goal for me, it is a reflection of the healing and connection that art has provided throughout my own life. When I was younger, art became my escape. I struggled with self-esteem and experienced difficulties in my relationship with my mother that often left me feeling as though I was not good enough. Art gave me a place where I could be free, process my emotions, and express who I truly was on the inside. It became a safe space where I could find confidence and discover my own voice. As I grew older, art transformed from a personal outlet into a way of communicating and connecting with others. I began teaching young children and eventually pursued work within schools. Throughout those experiences, I noticed how naturally many children learned through creativity. Students who struggled with traditional methods often thrived when lessons included visual and artistic elements. I made it my goal to incorporate creativity into learning whenever possible. When I first started college, I pursued studies in art education and special education because I wanted to advocate for children who were often overlooked or not given the same opportunities to succeed. I saw firsthand that creative approaches allowed many learners to retain information, build confidence, and express themselves in ways that words alone could not. Those experiences planted the seed for my desire to become an art therapist. Although life circumstances prevented me from completing that degree at the time, I continued working in education. As an ESL teacher and later an English tutor, I consistently used art as a learning tool. I watched students gain confidence, overcome challenges, and find healthy outlets for self-expression through creative activities. Nearly four years ago, I became an art specialist at an alternative school, and that experience reaffirmed my passion for art therapy. Working with learners who have experienced trauma and difficult life circumstances has shown me the incredible power art has to help individuals explore their identities, process emotions, and begin healing. I have witnessed students who struggled to communicate verbally find their voices through creativity, and I have been honored to guide them through that process. These experiences inspired me to return to school and continue pursuing my dream. I am currently completing my bachelor's degree with the goal of continuing on to earn a master's degree in Art Therapy. I also hope to establish my own studio and create a safe, welcoming environment where children, adolescents, and families can use art as a pathway to healing and self-discovery. My greatest hope is to provide others with the same sense of freedom, acceptance, and understanding that art once provided for me. I believe that creativity has the power to help people heal, rediscover their strengths, and realize that they are worthy of being seen, heard, and valued.

Art has always been a constant presence in my life—a passion that allows me to explore emotions, tell stories, and create meaning. From the time I was young, I’ve found comfort in sketching, painting, and working with various mediums. Over the years, I’ve come to appreciate how art provides not only a creative outlet but also a safe space for expression. That realization became even more powerful as I began working with children and young adults who were facing challenges of their own. Currently, I work as the Art Specialist at an alternative school that serves students with a variety of unique needs, including adjudicated youth, learners with mental health challenges, and those with learning disabilities. Many of these students come from difficult backgrounds and struggle to trust adults or articulate what they’re going through. I quickly discovered that art gave them a way to communicate when words felt too hard. It gave them a voice. Whether through painting, drawing, or sculpting, I saw students find comfort, clarity, and pride in their work. Watching them develop their own artistic identities and realize they had something to say—and a way to say it—was transformational. This experience led me to the field of art therapy. I began researching programs, speaking to professionals, and learning how clinical training could support what I was already doing naturally in the classroom. I am now enrolled in a bachelor’s program for art therapy and plan to pursue my master’s immediately after. I know this path is where I belong. My long-term goal is to open a community art studio that serves as both an art education space and a therapeutic resource. I envision a place where children, teens, and adults can explore art in a supportive environment, whether they are healing from trauma, managing anxiety or depression, or simply looking for a creative outlet. I want this space to be welcoming to all—where art is both the journey and the destination. This scholarship would be instrumental in helping me move forward toward that dream. As a single mother working full-time while going to school, I am doing everything I can to build a better future not only for myself, but for my students, my child, and others who can benefit from this work. Financial support would ease the burden and allow me to focus more fully on my studies and continued service in the community. Art heals, and I believe it can change lives. It’s already changed mine—and I want to share that gift with others.

After giving birth to my son, I found myself facing a deep internal struggle. I was navigating the early stages of motherhood while also trying to rediscover the person I was before becoming a mom. It was a confusing time—filled with love, responsibility, and a growing sense that I had lost pieces of myself. I was doing my best to show up for my son every day, but inside, I felt like I was drifting. Who was I outside of being a mother? What happened to the woman who once had dreams, passions, and a sense of direction? As my son grew and life began to shift, I realized that I had to make some hard choices in order to protect both his future and mine. One of the most important decisions I made was to leave my marriage. My son's father had become emotionally abusive over time, and that behavior eventually escalated into physical abuse directed toward our child. I couldn’t allow that to continue. Making the decision to leave was terrifying—it meant starting over with limited resources, little support, and a heavy emotional burden. But it was also the beginning of something powerful: a commitment to our safety, our healing, and our future. Once I left that part of my life behind, I threw myself into rebuilding. I found a better job and created a safe, nurturing home environment for my son. I made it my mission to ensure all his needs were met, and just as importantly, that he felt heard, seen, and valued every single day. I learned to prioritize not just his well-being, but my own mental and emotional health, too. I sought therapy, set boundaries, and practiced self-compassion in ways I hadn’t before. It wasn’t always easy, but it was worth every effort. Through this journey, I rediscovered my passion for helping others—especially those who’ve experienced trauma or emotional hardship. That’s what led me to pursue a degree in art therapy. Art has always been a form of healing for me, a language I could turn to when words weren’t enough. Now, I want to guide others in using creative expression to process pain, rebuild self-esteem, and find clarity. This experience has shaped how I prepare for the future. In school, I am more focused and determined, because I know exactly why I’m there. In life, I am more grounded and empathetic, because I’ve lived through what so many others are just starting to face. Prioritizing my mental, emotional, and physical health wasn’t just a choice—it was a turning point. And it’s made me not only a stronger mother, but a more purposeful human being ready to help others on their own paths to healing.

My name is Samantha Dickey, and I am a dedicated mother of three returning to school to complete a journey I began years ago. Due to personal circumstances, I had to pause my education, but my passion and purpose remained unchanged. Today, I am committed to completing a Pre-Professional Specialization in Art Therapy and continuing on to earn my Master’s degree in the same field. My goal is to open a community-based art therapy studio that offers a safe, creative space for youth—especially those who struggle to articulate their emotions through traditional means. My career and educational journey have not been linear, but they have been driven by a deep desire to help others heal. I currently work in a school that serves adjudicated youth and students from underserved communities—students who often face emotional, social, and academic barriers. Through this experience, I’ve witnessed the incredible power of creative expression to unlock healing and growth. I believe that art is a universal language that can bridge communication gaps and provide emotional clarity. I want to guide young people toward self-discovery and resilience through art therapy, especially those who feel unseen or unheard in other settings. As a returning adult student, I am financing my education entirely out of pocket while working and raising my children. Because I do not qualify for traditional financial aid, including FAFSA, the financial aspect of this journey presents a significant challenge. However, I am committed to this path because I know the impact it can make—not only on my future but on the lives of those I will serve. A scholarship would ease this financial burden, allowing me to focus more fully on my studies, practicum experience, and community engagement. My motivation extends beyond academics. As a longtime fan of the South Korean music group TXT, I have found both inspiration and emotional grounding in their music. Their song "Deja Vu" in particular speaks deeply to my journey. The lyrics evoke the feeling of returning to a moment or version of oneself that feels both distant and familiar—like rediscovering a part of your identity that was set aside. Returning to school after years of delay feels like my own 'déjà vu' moment. I’m reconnecting with the version of myself who once dreamed of using art to help others, and I’m stepping into that vision with renewed strength and purpose. I admire member Taehyun for his emotional honesty and the introspective quality he brings to his performances. His role in "Deja Vu" expresses the quiet struggle of finding oneself again, and that message deeply aligns with my own experience of personal growth and healing. Music, like art, has the power to reveal emotions that words often cannot, and I hope to bring that same emotional clarity to others through therapeutic art practices. Receiving this scholarship would not only alleviate some of the financial weight I carry, but it would also serve as validation that it is never too late to return to your calling. I want my children to see that resilience, purpose, and compassion can lead to transformation—and that dreams, even delayed ones, are still within reach. Thank you for considering my application. Your support would be an investment in a future art therapist committed to helping others find their voice through creativity, just as I have found mine again through this journey. The attached image was digitally created to capture that personal moment of reconnection: reaching back to a dream I once set aside, and now embracing it again with clarity and purpose. It’s not just a tribute to the artistry of TXT, but a reflection of how their music continues to inspire and guide me as I reclaim my path through art and healing.