My freshman year of college was an experience like no other, as is college. I am a sophomore at California Baptist University, majoring in Songwriting and minoring in Christian Studies. Moving to college and adjusting was okay, but the problem was not depending on my parents to solve my problems because I was now an adult. I constantly felt as if I wasn't talented enough to be in the music program. I initially went to college as a Worship Arts major with the same minor as now. I had friends and was doing pretty well in my classes. However, I had such a strong feeling of imposter syndrome. I tried my best to be the best at music so I didn't feel that way, but nothing changed how I felt. The spring semester was even more challenging. My classes were more difficult, and I put more pressure on myself to succeed and be the best. I was at risk of not passing a class, I had a severe ankle injury, and I still had finals to study for, concerts to rehearse for, and auditions to prepare for. I was so stressed that I couldn't even enjoy spending time with family and friends because all I did was worry and stress over everything I had to do. I had this same feeling in high school in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. I convinced myself that I would be better off doing something practical like law than becoming a singer because there was no way I was as talented a singer as other people. I had done mock trials and excelled in them, so I figured law would be the most practical career for me. I dove deep into law schools, scholarships, internships, etc., but through it all, I felt miserable because I wasn't doing what I had dreamed of since I was a little girl. Once I opened my eyes to the misery I was putting myself through, God began to speak to me and tell me that the gift of singing He gave me was not to be doubted but to be nourished. So, at that moment, I decided to walk in His gifts and not run from them because of my fear. This moment played in my heart while I was in college, struggling and doubting my abilities. I had lost sight of what God had told me, allowing my fear to consume me. When God reminded me of the words He spoke, I became different: someone my friends had not seen and someone I had not seen in a long time. I started to remember the dreams and aspirations God had instilled in me for my life from an early age. I had written that my dreams were to be a singer, make music for the Lord, and make music that can touch people’s hearts like mine. I wanted to break barriers like the artists I’ve looked up to, to have a Billboard chart-topping song, to win a Grammy, Dove Award, Stellar Award, American Music Award, and a Billboard Music Award all in the same year. But all in all, I just wanted to praise the Lord through my voice, whether in front of a sold-out stadium or a church congregation. I decided that even though worship was what I wanted to do, the program was not helping me achieve my dream, so I became a songwriting major, keeping my Christian studies minor. Ever since then, I have seen doors open that I never would've imagined, God has moved in my life like never before.

My name is Sharron Lee. I am a music student with a songwriting concentration at California Baptist University in Riverside, California. Music has been a passion of mine since I was born. At the time I was born, my father was an assistant pastor. So, on Sundays, my dad would take me to church with him. My mom worked on weekends, and the ladies of the church would take care of me while my father was in the pulpit. Once the music began, I would start singing, dancing, and praising the Lord. Both my parents are now pastors. They have pastored at numerous different churches, and I have always been involved in the music aspect in some capacity, from singing to praise dancing to controlling the audio equipment. I was previously the “Minister of Music” for a church my parents pastored. Then, we attended another church where I continue to work with kids and sing on the worship team. For nine months, I worked as a Music/Worship Director of a church while also being a full-time student. This was my first paid musical position, which taught me many valuable lessons as a leader and as a musician. My job included everything from leading songs, making chord charts, handling tech equipment to being a stagehand fixing light fixtures and things of that nature for the bettering of the worship experience. I am now a part of a worship team at my previous church, where I lead sometimes as well as work with different ministries of the church. My family and I have moved around quite a bit during my life and even though it was difficult, the only things that got me through it were my two loves, God and music. Music gave me hope, strength, and courage when I thought I didn't have any left. I want to make music that will empower others the same way it has and continues to inspire me. I believe that music is God’s calling in my life. I knew from a young age that I wanted to praise God in song. And that is what I have always done. As I said, I am a music student at California Baptist. This is my second year, and it has been amazing. I have learned more about music and about myself as a musician than I ever expected. I am in 7 bands that perform in and outside of CBU. I have been granted amazing opportunities, such as performing on stage with Grammy-nominated Christian artist Phil Wickham at the Harvest Crusade at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California as well as singing on some of his latest songs and music videos. Music is my life. I listen to it all day, every day. Singing is not only how I express myself but also how I express my praise to God for all that He has done. I have always dreamed of being a musician. I have dreamed of making music for the Lord. I have dreamed of making music that can touch people’s hearts like it has touched mine. Mostly, I want to break barriers like the artists I’ve looked up to my whole life. My goal is to have a Billboard chart-topping song and win a Grammy, Dove Award, Stellar Award, American Music Award, and a Billboard Music Award, all in the same year. But above all else, I just want to be able to praise the Lord through my music whether in front of a big crowd, a small crowd, or just my church congregation.

My name is Sharron Lee, and I am a sophomore at California Baptist University. Winning this scholarship would be extremely meaningful because the money would help me pay for college, which would get me closer to achieving my goal of getting my songwriting and Christian studies degree. I want to be a singer/songwriter as well as a Youth Pastor. I know that it doesn't take a degree to become a singer but I want to be the best I can be and I believe that being taught by professional musicians who know the industry is the best way to become the best I can be. I want to take as much stress off of my parents as possible. I am trying to do everything I can to get enough money for college so that my parents don't have to worry about anything. They have done so much for me, and this would be a way to repay them for that. I plan to pay this scholarship forward in the future by creating a scholarship fund so that I can aid students in their college journey and take a bit of the stress off of them the way scholarships have for me. As a music student, finding music scholarships that do not require membership in a musical organization or being from a specific music program is challenging. I want to open a scholarship for any music student. The best solution to a problem is being the solution yourself, which I plan to do. One of the most significant adversities I have had to face is severe asthma. I was diagnosed when I was a little girl. I would constantly cough and wheeze. Then, it worsened as I got older and my family moved around quite a bit. During my years in high school, I was hospitalized twice. I had to be flown out to San Diego, where I was in the hospital, barely conscious for a week. Then, the second time, I was kept at a local hospital for a week. The doctor told my parents that I was having an asthma attack while also having pneumonia. My left lung was 90% blocked, and the other was around 40% blocked. They said that this was the reason that I was in and out of consciousness; there was not enough oxygen in my body. Now, my asthma is barely present except on the occasional windy day. This goes back to my high appreciation of my parents for caring for me. I know that the medical bills and frequent doctor visits were not cheap. They have always supported me in whatever I wanted to pursue, and I want to do this for myself and lift the responsibility off of them. I appreciate your consideration!

My freshman year of college was definitely a challenge. I am now an incoming California Baptist University sophomore majoring in Songwriting and minoring in Christian Studies. Moving to college and adjusting was fine, but the problem was not depending on my parents to solve my problems because I was now an adult. I constantly felt as if I wasn't talented enough to be in the music program. I initially went to college as a Worship Arts major with the same minor as now. I had friends and was doing pretty well in my classes. However, I had this feeling that I didn't belong. I tried my best to be the best at music so I didn't feel that way, but nothing changed how I felt. The spring semester was even more challenging. My classes were more difficult, and I put more pressure on myself to succeed and be the best. I was at risk of not passing some classes, I had a severe ankle injury, and I still had finals to study for, concerts to rehearse for, and auditions to prepare for. I was so stressed that I couldn't even enjoy spending time with family and friends because all I did was worry and stress over everything I had to do. I had this same feeling in high school in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. I convinced myself that I would be better of doing something practical like law than becoming a singer because there was no way I was as talented of a singer as other people. I had done mock trial and excelled in it so I figured law would be the most practical career for me. I dove deep into law schools, scholarships, internships, etc., but through it all, I felt miserable because I wasn't doing what I dreamed of since I was a little girl. Once I opened my eyes to the misery I was putting myself through, God began to speak to me and tell me that the gift of singing He gave me was not to be doubted but to be nourished. So, at that moment, I decided to walk in His gifts and not run from them because of my fear. This moment played in my heart while I was in college, struggling and doubting my abilities. I had lost sight of what God had told me, allowing my fear to consume me. When God reminded me of the words He spoke, I became different: someone my friends had not seen and someone I had not seen in a long time. I started to remember the dreams and aspirations God had instilled in me for my life from an early age. I had written that my dreams were to be a singer, make music for the Lord, and make music that can touch people’s hearts like it does mine. I wanted to break barriers like the artists I’ve looked up to, to have a Billboard chart-topping song, to win a Grammy, Dove Award, Stellar Award, American Music Award, and a Billboard Music Award all in the same year. But all in all, I just wanted to praise the Lord through my voice, whether in front of a sold-out stadium, or church congregation. I then decided that even though worship was what I wanted to do, the program was not helping me achieve my dream, so I became a songwriting major, keeping my Christian studies minor. I am now a Worship Director of a church, and after changing my major, God began to move in my life like never before.

Music is everything to me and always has been. Music is my life. I listen to it all day, every day. Singing is not only how I express myself but how I express my praise to God for all that He has done. I have dreamed of being a singer, making music for the Lord, and making music that can touch people's hearts like mine. Mostly, I want to break barriers like the artists I've looked up to my whole life. My goal is to have a Billboard chart topping song, win a Grammy, Dove Award, Stellar Award, American Music Award, and a Billboard Music Award all in the same year. But all in all, I want to praise the Lord through my voice, whether in front of a big, small, or just my church congregation. I am an incoming 2nd year Songwriting Major and a Christian Studies Minor at California Baptist University. To give some insight and background into who I am and why I want to go into Music and Christian Studies, I am a devout Christian. My parents were deep-rooted believers when they had me, so I was born in Christ. When I was born, my father was an assistant pastor, and when I got old enough, my mom went back to work, which included on the weekends. So, on Sundays, my dad would take me to church. The church ladies cared for me while my father was in the pulpit. Once the music began, I would start singing, dancing, and praising the Lord. Both my parents are now pastors. They used to pastor at New Mount Olive Baptist Church in Brawley, California. I have always handled the worship aspect, from singing to praise dancing to controlling the audio equipment. I was previously the "Minister of Music" for my church. But now, we attend First Baptist Church of Indio, California. The Lord has moved us around various times to start ministries or just minister in general, and even though it was difficult, the only things that got me through it were my two loves, God and music. Music gave me hope, strength, and courage that I didn't know I still had. I want to make music that will empower others the same way it has and continues to inspire me. I believe that music is God's calling in my life. From a young age, I knew I wanted to praise God in song. And that is what I have always done.

Main: @sharron_lee1 Music content: @sharron.nicole_

I was essentially born and raised in the church. At the time I was born, my father was an assistant pastor and when I got old enough my mom went back to work which included on the weekends. So on Sundays, my dad would take me to church with him. The ladies of the church would take care of me while my father was in the pulpit. Once the music began, I would start singing, dancing, and praising the Lord. Both my parents are now pastors. They used to pastor at New Mount Olive Baptist Church in Brawley, California. I have always handled the worship aspect, from singing to praise dancing to controlling the audio equipment. I was previously the “Minister of Music” for my church. But, now we attend First Baptist Church of Indio, California where I continue to work with kids and sing on the worship team. The Lord has moved us around various times to start ministries or to just minister in general and even though it was difficult the only things that got me through it were my two loves, God and music. Music gave me hope, strength, and courage that I didn't know I still had. I want to make music that will empower others the same way it has and continues to inspire me. I believe that music is God’s calling on my life. I knew from a young age that I wanted to praise God in song. And that is what I have always done. Music is my life, I listen to it all day, every day. Singing is not only how I express myself, but how I express my praise to God for all that He has done. I have dreamed of being a singer, I have dreamed of making music for the Lord, I have dreamed of making music that can touch people’s hearts as it has touched mine. Mostly, I want to break barriers like the artists I’ve looked up to my whole life. My goal is to have a Billboard chart-topping song and win a Grammy, Dove Award, Stellar Award, American Music Award, and Billboard Music Award all in the same year. But all in all, I just want to be able to praise the Lord through my voice whether in front of a big crowd, a small crowd, or just my church congregation. This fall I plan to go to California Baptist University as a Worship Arts major with a Christian Studies concentration in hopes of becoming a singer as well as pastor. I want to attend a university where I can continue to grow spiritually as well as musically. I don't want to go to a college where I have to find a group of Christians to be around, I want to go to a college that is filled with Christian, God-fearing individuals. I don't want to attend somewhere where I constantly feel like I am surrounded by stumbling blocks and temptation. I want to go to a place where I can feel safe in God and my peers. A place where I can talk about God in as well as outside the classroom with my peers and professors. Since I want to be a Christian music singer, I need an education centered around teaching me how to invoke worship and praise for the Lord, not just teach music theory. I am used to singing in front of crowds and performing but not recording music and diving into the depth of worship.

I come from a devout Christian household where both my parents are pastors. I am a singer so almost everything that involves music, I am involved in. This all started when I was a baby. On Sundays, my dad would take me to church with him while my mom was at work. The ladies of the church would take me while my father was with the other pastors. Once the music began, I would start singing, dancing, and praising The Lord. Both my parents were then pastors at New Mount Olive Baptist Church of Brawley, California. The Lord has moved us all around numerous times to start ministries or to just minister in general. I have always handled the worship aspect, from singing to praise dancing to controlling the audio equipment. I believe that music is God’s calling on my life. I was named the “Minister of Music” at this church before my family moved last year. I knew from a young age that I wanted to praise God in song. And that is what I have always done. Music is my life, I basically listen to it all day, every day. In my church, I am part of the choir and I also volunteer at another local church as one of the leaders of their youth night choir and their summer youth program. The reason I am so passionate about music other than knowing that I am carrying out God’s plan for my life is the ability to impact people’s lives for the better through music and my voice. Singing is not only how I express myself, but how I express my praise to God for all that He has done. Music gave me hope, strength, and courage that I didn't know I had. It's a way to say what is on my mind and express my feelings when I don't know how to. I want to make music that will empower others the same way it has and continues to inspire me. I have dreamed of being a singer, I have dreamed of making music for the Lord, I have dreamed of making music that can touch people’s hearts as it has touched mine. Mostly, I want to break barriers like the artists I’ve looked up to. My goal is to have a Billboard chart-topping song, win a Grammy, Dove Award, Stellar Award, American Music Award, and a Billboard Music Award all in the same year. But all in all, I just want to be able to praise the Lord through my voice whether in front of a big crowd, small crowd, or church congregation. This is all to say that I am pursuing a music career and I am extremely passionate about it because it is my life. I can't go a day, activity, drive, or anything without it. Even writing this essay I am humming a song in my head. When I sing and people come up to me with compliments, while it is nice to hear that I have a nice voice it truly brings me joy when someone says that I toughed their spirit, made their day, or even just made them smile. That is what it is all about and that is why I do it.

Music has always been a big part of my life. My family and I have moved around quite a bit throughout my life but one of my only constants was music. Music gave me hope, strength, and courage that I didn't know I still had. I want to make music that will empower others the same way it has and continues to inspire me. I was basically born and raised in the church since my mother and father are both pastors. Ever since I was little when the music began I would start singing and dancing. They used to pastor at New Mount Olive Baptist Church of Brawley, California. But now we attend First Baptist Church of Indio, California. The Lord has moved us all around at various times to start ministries or to just minister in general. I have always handled the worship aspect, from singing to praise dancing to controlling the audio equipment. I believe that music is God’s calling on my life. I was previously the “Minister of Music” for my church. I knew from a young age that I wanted to praise God in song. And that is what I have always done. Music is my life, I basically listen to it all day, every day. Singing is not only how I express myself, but how I express my praise to God for all that He has done. I have dreamed of being a singer, I have dreamed of making music for the Lord, I have dreamed of making music that can touch people’s hearts as it has touched mine.

To give a little more insight into who I am and why I want to do what I want to do, I am a devout Christian. God gave my mom the name Sharron from The Rose of Sharon in the Bible which means "the flower of the field". The Rose of Sharon thrives in very dry and unfavorable conditions but is one of the most beautiful flowers. Due to this, my mother instilled Jeremiah 1:5, “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee;and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.” I was basically born and raised in the church. At the time I was born, my dad was an assistant pastor and when I got old enough my mom went back to work. So on Sundays, my dad would take me to church with him. The ladies of the church would take me while my father was in the pulpit. Once the music began, I would start singing, dancing, and praising The Lord. Both my parents are now pastors. They used to pastor at New Mount Olive Baptist Church of Brawley, California. But now we attend First Baptist Church of Indio, California. The Lord has moved us all around numerous times to start ministries or to just minister in general. I have always handled the worship aspect, from singing to praise dancing to controlling the audio equipment. I believe that music is God’s calling on my life. I was previously the “Minister of Music” for my church. I knew from a young age that I wanted to praise God in song. And that is what I have always done. Music is my life, I basically listen to it all day, every day. Singing is not only how I express myself, but how I express my praise to God for all that He has done. I have dreamed of being a singer, I have dreamed of making music for the Lord, I have dreamed of making music that can touch people’s hearts as it has touched mine. Mostly, I want to break barriers like the artists I’ve looked up to. My goal is to have a Billboard chart-topping song, win a Grammy, Dove Award, Stellar Award, American Music Award, and a Billboard Music Award all in the same year. But all in all, I just want to be able to praise the Lord through my voice whether in front of a big crowd, small crowd, or church congregation. So I know that music with bring me joy and fulfillment.

Music is my life. First, to give a little insight into who I am, I was basically born and raised in the church. At the time I was born, my dad was an assistant pastor and when I got old enough my mom went back to work. So on Sundays, my dad would take me to church with him. Once the music began, I would start singing and dancing. My family has moved around my whole life to start ministries or to just minister in general. I have always handled the worship aspect, from singing to praise dancing to controlling the audio equipment. Moving around so can be very hard and stressful, but something that never fails in my life is music. No matter where I am, music is there for me. I believe that music is God’s calling on my life. I was the “Minister of Music” at my previous church. I knew from a young age that I wanted to be a singer/performer. And that is what I have always done. Music is my life, I listen to it all day, every day. The way music makes me feel is somewhat euphoric. No matter what my mood is, there is a song to match it. No matter what I am doing or where I am, there is music to match it. Music is universal and that is one of the things I love about it. Singing is not only how I express myself, but how I express my praise to God for all that He has done. I have dreamed of being a singer, I have dreamed of making music for the Lord, I have dreamed of making music that can touch people’s hearts as it has touched mine. Mostly, I want to break barriers like the artists I’ve looked up to. My goal is to have a Billboard chart-topping song and win a Grammy, Dove Award, Stellar Award, American Music Award, and Billboard Music Award all in the same year. But all in all, I just want to be able to praise the Lord through my voice whether in front of a big crowd, small crowd, or church congregation. Music has shaped my view of the world in a positive light. Everywhere I go there is music. Just walking around in nature there is music, from the sound of the wind rustling through the trees to the birds chirping. I always wondered when I was little why they play music everywhere from clothing stores to phone calls when they place you on mute. I now understand that it is because music is a void filler. Music fills the spaces we can ourselves. It would be incredibly awkward and weird to shop in silence or sit in complete silence on the phone waiting for someone to answer. Music is a way of life that is inside everyone which is reflected in different ways just like different genres. Music shows me that the differences and similarities in life is what makes it beautiful.

I plan to go into the music industry since I have always had a passion for singing. There is a special place in my heart for community outreach. I transferred schools from Brawley Union High School which I attended from my freshman to junior year to La Quinta High School which is where I currently attend. While I was at Brawley High I was a member and then later Vice President of a student-led non-profit called The Village, which helps students and their families with their needs from school supplies to prom dresses. During the COVID shutdown starting in 2020, we would have setups at either the school or local restaurants where students could request items and we would put them together in bags and they would come to collect their items. I also participated in various other extracurriculars such as track and field. While I was at Brawley I was Varsity Girl's Discus captain for 3 years. I was in mock trial as an expert witness (doctor), a link crew leader, which was a class where upperclassmen help underclassmen adjust to high school, Co-School Board Representative of ASB Student Government, and finally Student Site Council Co-Chair. Currently, at La Quinta High School I am a leader in the Fellowship of Christain Athletes, Co-Commissioner of Publicity of the Back Student Union, still a Varsity Track and Field athlete and a part of the LQHS Choir. I also sing in the choir at my local church and teach youth Sunday school.

Music is my life, I listen to it almost all day, every day. Singing is not only how I express myself, but how I express my praise to God for all that He has done. I have dreamed of being a singer, I have dreamed of making music for the Lord, I have dreamed of making music that can touch people’s hearts as it has touched mine. Mostly, I want to break barriers like the artists I’ve looked up to. My goal is to have a Billboard chart-topping song and win a Grammy, Dove Award, Stellar Award, American Music Award, and a Billboard Music Award all in the same year. But all in all, I just want to be able to praise the Lord through my voice whether in front of a big crowd, small crowd, or church congregation. Something I want to see changed in teen life today is how being a Christian is being seen as boring. Many teenagers I go to school with assume that because I am a believer, I don’t have fun. Then when I tell people that I go hang out with my friends and go to dances. Being a Christian shouldn't be connected with the word boring. If anything, being a Christian is the most exciting thing I have ever done. Even though I am seeking a degree in music, I do want to be a Youth Pastor as well as a singer because I believe that if we as teenagers seek God and follow His path for our life, then we can change the world to be more like Christ. Children have a special opportunity that adults don’t have. Children and teenagers are in the period of their life where once they find God and their calling they can devote their whole life to it. They are also in a time of growth and learning. They are more adaptable to new thinking and changing their ways. And I think it is important to instill God in them so they can continue to grow in Christ. There is a verse that my father always tells me in Proverbs 22:6, “Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it” So I want to teach today’s youth who God is and how to instill His word in their life.