"Unbelievable sights, indescribable feeling," I watched in awe as the college kids proudly belted out. When I was nine, I watched U of M's Musical Theater Senior Entrance and was introduced to "A Whole New World." I wish to be in the same room as those students, those who enjoy theater as much as I do and strive to pursue a career in theatre. The amalgamation of glamour, drama, and heartfelt realness in theater resonates with me and supports my Broadway future aspirations. As a queer girl growing up in a small rural town in Michigan, I often felt ostracized for being “too much,” but I always found comfort in the arts. I became determined to have a job on Broadway once I discovered my passion for theatre. However, I felt disappointed by my community's lack of fine arts opportunities. My school district lacked the funding for an expansive fine arts program, and being the youngest child in a family of five, my outside resources were frugal. I became determined to broaden local arts opportunities for me and my peers and create a stronger community where we all could belong. ‘Enhancing the Arts’ is a community service initiative I created to raise funds and support Western High School’s fine arts program. I strive to ensure that my peers have the same artistic opportunities I have access to, if not more. I have over 60 volunteer hours organizing festival arrangements, managing backstage, and working concessions, ticketing, and marketing performances at my high school. I also sewed uniforms for the pep band because our school did not have the funds to provide them. I have written grants for my school’s fine arts department to organizations like the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). These have proven to be a great way to secure funding and awareness of the importance of the arts. In the future, I'd like to expand my community service initiative and help fund my local community as well. My success in leadership endeavors surrounding the arts propels me into my theatre career and lets me embrace my flamboyant identity. Whether it be funding the arts, applying to and auditioning for the most competitive theater program in the country, or now- applying for Michigan-based scholarships to help fund my education, I pride myself on being a Broadway-bound leader. Over time, my affinity for the theatre program at U of M has grown because of its extensive program and the campus's LGBTQ-positive environment. Attending Michigan’s theatre program is an indispensable part of my future goals, and I'm excited to take on all the opportunities available. To afford this plan, I intend to participate in work studies and summer jobs, take out financial loans, and continue to apply for scholarships. The Go Blue Crew Scholarship would help me fund my future, and as an aspiring Michigan-based student, I believe I am the best candidate for this scholarship.

My life is like the Barbie movie. It sounds incredibly cliche, but is fantabulously accurate. Fade in on the perfect pop princess bedroom: light fuschia walls decked in pink posters. The camera pans past my closet, bursting at the seams with incredibly scintillating, handmade pieces, and finally, it lands on me for a closeup. Lizzo is blaring as I give the performance of a lifetime with my mascara wand as a microphone. In my mind I am performing for thousands, in reality I am singing to my mirror. Once I am all dolled up, I leave the room with a tracking shot down the stairs and out the door, on my way to a date with my Ken. The possibilities of what I can do seem endless, and I feel invigorated by all the opportunities I have. I am entirely unrecognizable to the person I was two years ago. Cut to sophomore year, full of static-shot, choreographed music videos, directed to exactly suit a routine and structured very particularly. I knew what I liked, but more importantly, I knew what I didn’t like: conforming to the societal norms of high school. I didn’t want to apply for a job because I disliked the banality of a part time job. I didn’t want a boyfriend because I hated the platitudinous behavior of “boy crazy” girls. I was deeply engrossed in maintaining a consummate Barbie appearance, which eradicated the possibility of going out or extracurricular activities if it meant sacrificing my time to sew and exercise. Obsessed with this “perfect” routine, I thought I was a true contrarian. However, in attempts to avoid high school cliches, I had confined myself to a box. A doll box. Just like Margot Robbie’s Barbie entering The Real World, I began to undergo some major life changes in the spring of my junior year. I met my own Ken, after priding myself on being fiercely independent my whole life, and this Ken’s job was to open doors. My boyfriend introduced me to so many new ideas, people and opportunities. I branched out socially, strengthening bonds with fellow Barbies and Kens, as well as befriending new people I would’ve never met had it not been for my willingness to change. I also started to expand my palate of extracurriculars by reengaging in jazz band and theatre after a four year hiatus. I found myself mitigating my daily routine, and accepting spontaneity as a part of my life. I had transformed into the type of person I had previously disdained… and I was so happy. The more I’ve lived, the more I've digressed from the fear of becoming a “Weird Barbie,” breaking through use. Barbie’s slogan is “you can be anything,” but it’s difficult to see these possibilities if you’re not willing to open yourself up to change. The denouement of my Barbie movie exhibits the outgoing person I have become. The camera pans down from a sunny landscape to me in a fantastically pink outfit, a smile plastered on my face. I am surrounded by an ensemble of dancing Barbies, my Ken, and all that brings me joy. Roll credits.

I’m not me without acrylic paint on my nails, glitter on my body, or a trail of faux feathers following me. In other words, I’m not me without art. In the past year, I’ve indulged in various art genres for reasons of self-expression, education, and career advancement. My art projects submitted to the Lewis Hollins Memorial Art Scholarship are all deeply connected to my self-identity. As a queer teenage girl, I often feel confined to stereotypes, but expressing myself in a variety of different mediums helps me break free from the high school social paradigm. I enjoy mixed media projects, like my collage self-portrait, made of notes and pieces I had created in art therapy, or the patchwork pants I made, which feature handmade swatches displaying my interests and hobbies. I also use my art to communicate feelings, like painting a streaky makeup portrait when I feel sad or adding glitter to a drawing to express confidence. Furthermore, I am intensely involved in the arts at Western School District. I’ve been in my school’s choir for four years and band for six years. I pride myself in holding leadership roles in these programs like “section leader” and “colorguard captain.” My artwork has been in numerous art shows across southern Michigan, an opportunity that wouldn’t have been available to me if it weren’t for Western art classes. I am also ardently invested in various theater programs, both locally and nationally. Being in school plays sparked my love for theater and my interest in a career on Broadway. I must give back to the educational system that has propelled me into my career, which is where my ‘Miss Jackson Crossroads’ Community Service Initiative comes into play: Enhancing the Arts is a program I created to promote student advocacy, volunteer work, and grant writing. I strive to ensure that my peers have the same artistic opportunities I had access to, if not more. I have participated in over 45 volunteer hours working with local fine arts programs for my CSI. I have also used art to propel my entrepreneurial aspirations. I have owned a small business selling custom-made clothing, paintings, and accessories for the past four years. Owning a small business has helped me improve my productivity and maturation, and I fully intend to expand my business in the future. As an aspiring creative, pursuing an education in the arts is an imperative step for my career. This fall, I applied to schools nationwide for design and film majors, and I am eager to pursue a degree in the arts. In all forms, art is represented in the many facets of my life and makes me into who I am. Receiving the Lewis Hollins Memorial Art Scholarship as a senior in high school would be immensely pertinent in propelling my college education and career aspirations. As the youngest of three siblings with plans to attend a prestigious art college, I am ardently in need for financial aid through any means. I am a motivated student who has maintained exceptional grades throughout high school, while being involved in a variety of extracurriculars, such as sports, music, theater, owning a small business, and having a part-time job. I also balance a thriving social life and maintain a strong fitness regimen. I strive to be successful in all that I do, and the funds received from this scholarship would be put forth towards a fulfilling education and an art-filled life.

Receiving the Dr. William and Jo Sherwood Family Scholarship as a senior in high school would be pertinent in propelling my college education and career aspirations. As the youngest of three siblings with plans to attend the University of Michigan, I am ardently in need of financial aid through any means. I am a motivated student who has maintained exceptional grades throughout high school while being involved in various extracurriculars, balancing a thriving social life, and maintaining a solid fitness regimen. I strive to be successful in all that I do, and the funds received from this scholarship will be put forth toward a fulfilling education. When I was thirteen, I watched U of M's Musical Theater Senior Entrance and sewed myself homemade college merch. Little did I know I was introducing myself to a new world of passions. Every year since then, I've added more maize and blue to my closet and wished to be in the same room as those students. I have yearned to be a part of such a renowned arts program, and I have taken on the responsibility of making these opportunities possible for myself and others. ‘Enhancing the Arts’ is a community service initiative I created to promote student advocacy, volunteer work, and grant writing to raise funds and support for Western High School. I strive to ensure that my peers have the same artistic opportunities I had access to, if not more. I have over 50 volunteer hours working with local fine arts programs for my CSI. I’ve always believed that I can do anything I put my mind to. Whether it be funding the arts, applying to and auditioning for the most competitive theater program in the country, or now- applying for Michigan-based scholarships to help fund my education, I pride myself on being innovative and dedicated to attaining my goals. Further examples of this behavior are my leadership roles in high school, which required me to be creative and friendly. I’ve been in my school’s choir for four years and band for six years, holding leadership roles in these programs like “section leader” and “colorguard captain.” I'm also involved in various theater programs, both locally and nationally. Being in school plays sparked my love for theater and my interest in a career on Broadway. Being a leader helps me achieve my personal goals and support my community. Over time, my affinity for the theatre program at U of M has grown as I have worked hard to develop my performance skills and build an impressive portfolio. Attending Michigan’s theatre program is an indispensable part of my future, and I'm excited to take on all the opportunities available. To afford this plan, I intend to participate in work studies and summer jobs, take out financial loans, and continue to apply for scholarships. The Dr. William and Jo Sherwood Family Scholarship would help me fund my future, and as a Michigan-based aspiring creative, I believe I am the best candidate for this scholarship.

“The lights are so bright, but they never blind me,” Taylor Swift's Welcome to New York was released in 2014. Coincidentally, this is the first year I ever visited New York City with my family, a trip that sparked my love for the Big Apple and started the tradition of quarterly trips to NYC. Recently, the relevance of this “1989” song has resurfaced, with both Taylor’s rerelease of the album and my serious ventures towards moving to the city. In 2014 and 2023, Taylor Swift’s "Welcome to New York" indubitably defined my year, shared my affinity for the town, and propelled my desire to live in the “Big Apple.” “Walking through a crowd, the village is aglow,” my 2023 could easily be measured in New York trips. I have visited the city five times in 2023, the most I have ever been in a calendar year. Each trip’s itinerary was filled with college visits, dazzling Broadway shows, and hearing the sound of Taylor Swift’s music blaring through Times Square. It is difficult to go to New York without hearing the famous Welcome to New York chorus. However, the song perfectly encapsulates everything I adore about Manhattan. The mixing pot environment is invigorating for an extrovert such as myself, and the microcosm of the city is accurately translated through Swift’s lyrics about individualism and community. I resonate with her lyric: “boys and boys and girls and girls,” as I feel comfortable embracing my true queer identity in the city. The song is upbeat and empowering, precisely how I feel in the metropolis. Taylor Swift’s song has altered the city’s domain, and I aspire to do the same. “Welcome to New York, it’s been waiting for you,” my aspirations of living in a major metropolis are finally coming to fruition. Swift’s song perfectly captures my enthusiasm about applying to colleges and preparing to move to Manhattan in 2024. I am finally accomplishing my goal after utilizing much hard work and everything that makes me who I am. I am excited to become a city girl and experience the ever-changing, fast-paced world that I have dreamed of joining since the release of Taylor Swift’s album, “1989.” “It’s a new soundtrack, I could dance to this beat,” if my 2023 had a soundtrack, Taylor Swift’s “Welcome to New York” would be the first track. I powerfully resonate with the pop opener as it reflects my exciting visits to New York throughout the year, my love for the city, and the future of my attending college in Manhattan. Taylor Swift’s music has significantly impacted me and sparked my passion for and aspirations about New York.

“We are too busy dancing to get knocked off our feet,” 'New Romantics' is blaring through the Boston AMC theater as I dance in a crowd of twenty other teenagers dressed in their most fabulous “Eras Tour” attire. My heart is beating out of my chest, sweat slicks off my ponytail, and a smile is plastered on my face. Had it not been for Taylor Swift’s “Eras Tour,” I would never have embraced change, formed new friendships, or participated in this exhilarating experience. I, like many of my peers, despise change. My aversion to change has caused me to sequester taking advantage of new possibilities or experiences. Therefore, it shocked me that my best friend, Seth, was moving to Boston. This immense change was overwhelming and terrifying, so I did what any reasonable Swiftie would do- I cried to sad Taylor Swift songs in my car and adjusted as well as I could. Seth and I stayed in contact through phone calls, letters, and Spotify links to Swift’s songs. Taylor Swift undeniably played a significant role in easing this transition. After three months apart, Seth and I had finally planned to reunite and see “The Eras Tour” movie together. Once I arrived in Boston, a considerable stipulation was thrown into our plans; Seth invited not only me to see the film but also his new friends from Boston, Aparna, and Roni. Anxiety flushed through my body as the change was thrown at me. I nervously searched for a way to escape these plans to avoid the unknown, but the excitement of seeing Taylor Swift with my best friend overcame my worry and stopped me from backing down. That evening, teenagers sporting friendship bracelets, gorgeous gowns, and Taylor T-shirts were swarming the Boston AMC while Taylor Swift posters adorned the cinema. When Aparna and Roni arrived, dawning armfuls of friendship bracelets and matching ‘junior jewels’ T-shirts, they were incredibly eager to meet me. Despite my nerves, conversation flowed between us; we talked about our excitement for the movie, our history with our shared friend, and how badly we wanted Taylor Swift-themed popcorn buckets. Friendship was blooming, and my fear had been wholly eradicated. Once the movie began, Aparna encouraged us to get out of our seats and go to the front of the auditorium to have a dance party. We all linked arms and humored her, and by the time 'You Belong With Me' played, the whole audience was out of their seats. Roni and I screamed at the bridge while Seth rocked out on air guitar, and Aparna killed it on the imaginary drums. I couldn’t stop smiling as I partied with my new and old friends and connected with the teens surrounding us. Our small group of moviegoers quickly became a part of a broader community. I felt overjoyed at this moment like the change I had once dreaded had led to one of the greatest moments of my life. I overcame my fear and spent the night with my friends, singing and dancing until our throats and legs were aching. Seeing the “Eras Tour” movie together was only the beginning of our friendship. I spent the remainder of my visit with Seth, Aparna, and Roni, and we have been in close contact ever since. Inadvertently, Taylor Swift helped me overcome my fear of change, open up to making new friends, and let go of the anxious and withdrawn version of me. The “Eras Tour” has profoundly affected me, and I intend to continue embracing change and opportunity in the future.

"It's in my phone, it's in my head, it's in the boys I bring to bed," unrealistic standards for teenage girls are ruining lives. The "ideal teenage girl" paradigm is unattainable. I find it infuriating that every girl I know believes they need to be something they are not to be accepted online, personally, or romantically. Olivia Rodrigo's album 'GUTS' perfectly depicts the struggles of navigating contradictory rules in teenage culture and feeling plagued with the expectation to achieve unrealistic standards on social media, within my stream of consciousness, and in romantic relationships. Social media is undeniably detrimental to my mental health. Scrolling through a scary stream of seemingly stunning strangers and not feeling like I amount to their level of beauty has built up enormous amounts of self-consciousness and resentment for people with whom I have a parasocial relationship. My parasocial relationship with Olivia Rodrigo in 2021 was a massive influence on my unhealthy eating habits. Olivia Rodrigo had just released her debut album, 'SOUR,' and my entire feed was filled with her content. Comparing myself to the popstar's Instagram posts, I grew increasingly insecure about my weight and began to starve myself. My unhealthy eating habits started because I was trying to maintain the physique of someone I could only perceive through the lens of social media. Scrolling through social media and viewing every post as something I needed to look like was like falling down a rabbit hole of self-hatred. Having Olivia Rodrigo discuss the negative impact social media has on someone’s self-esteem in her music is essential because I’ve seen firsthand how harmful my phone can be. Teen girls try to achieve unhealthy standards for two reasons: they think it will make them happier, and they think guys will like them more. Olivia Rodrigo writes songs about love and heartbreak, and she accurately depicts the common teen experience of feeling as though one needs to change themselves for a guy. I always felt as though I was contrarian to this concept until I got a boyfriend and immediately felt like I needed to become the "perfect girlfriend" for him to stay interested in me. I used to drive myself crazy trying to control every aspect of myself and my relationship, and I never felt content with the enormous efforts I put in. It wasn't until I began going to therapy that I could partially detach myself from negative expectations and learn how to enjoy my relationship by living in the moment. But to this day, I see girls around me ruining the best parts of their identity for some guy to show interest in them, and I listen to Olivia Rodrigo’s songs and can connect them to my relationship mistakes. Every girl can relate on some level to the message of changing for love, better or worse, and Rodrigo lyrically reflects on this experience incredibly well. I deeply resonate with Olivia Rodrigo's lyrics and can connect my experiences to her music. In the song “pretty isn’t pretty,” she writes about how unrealistic standards for teen girls are all over and how they become deeply ingrained in impressionable minds through the internet and misogyny. Rodrigo expresses the struggles that women face and paints a holistic picture of the teenage experience in ‘GUTS.’