I am going to college at Berklee College of Music to get my degree in vocal performance. With this degree I plan on becoming a music teacher at the college level after I also get my education degree as well. Music education is essential in the development of individuals and communities. This fosters creativity, expression, and collaboration. Music can be seen as a refuge or a place to explore identity and to connect with other people as well. I lived in a small conservative town in Missouri before my move to Michigan. In Missouri cultural and social norms can he harsh, this is why hobbies like music is good for students to have an outlet to express themselves for example the LGBTQ+ community. Music education encourages self-discovery which a very important for young people figuring out the complexities of identity. In environments that are conservative certain identities, such as being bisexual as i am myself, might not be accepted. Music offers ways to explore and express the artist without judgment. Music can range from singing, being in band, or writing music, which ever way a student chooses should be open enough where wone can feel that they can be their true self. Along with music it can provide a sense of community. In choirs and band there is cooperation, listening, and respect for others. this can create a safe space where being different is celebrated and accepted . However, living in a small conservative town in Missouri and identifying as bisexual can have its own set of challenges. there is not many support systems or visible LGBTQ+ communities, this can make if difficult for individuals like myself to find acceptance and understanding. In this environment music can be seen as a lifeline, music offers a way to express how I'm feeling and the story of myself navigating the pressures of conforming social norms. But like the LGBTQ+ community, music is high schools is also a victim of misunderstanding. It is a known fact this music education in high schools is fading, if the arts are not taken away then the funding for these programs are. Both of these communities are so precious and should be protected. Despite these challenges, the role of music education remains crucial. Music education can bring forward a platform for advocacy and visibility. Music has the ability to cross cultural and ideological boundaries. For many living in conservative town music can be used as an escape from the harsh reality that these towns can have. Music has been through my entire journey of realizing I was bisexual to when I finally came out. Music makes me look at my thoughts from an outside perspective and can make me realize that how I am and feel is valid, and I want to bring that to others as well.

am pursuing a career as a choir and theatre teacher because of the impact my music and theatre teachers have had on me in school. I have always been passionate about fine arts because it serves as a form of therapy, not only for me but also for others who watch and listen. Through my experiences in pop chorus, mixed chorus, theatre, speech and debate, and cheerleading, I have seen firsthand how powerful and transformative the arts can be. Being involved in these activities has shaped who I am today. In high school, I was honored to receive the Best Leading Actress awards in both 2023 and 2024. These recognitions were not just about personal achievement; they were about the collective effort and passion that my peers and I put into our performances. The sense of community and support in these groups has been incredible, and I want to create that same environment for my future students. Attending Berklee College of Music, with majors in Theatre/Performing Arts and Music, is a dream come true. Berklee is known for its exceptional programs and dedicated faculty, and I am eager to learn from the best. My goal is to bring the knowledge and skills I gain at Berklee back to the classroom and stage, inspiring the next generation of performers. I believe that fine arts education is crucial for personal and emotional development. It provides an outlet for expression and helps build confidence and resilience. For many students, the arts are a safe space where they can explore their identities and connect with others. As a choir and theatre teacher, I want to create a nurturing environment where students feel valued and encouraged to take risks. My passion for the arts goes beyond performance. I am deeply interested in how music and theatre can be used as tools for social change. Through my studies at Berklee, I hope to explore ways to incorporate themes of diversity, equity, and inclusion into my teaching. I want my students to see the arts as a way to make a positive impact in their communities and the world. In conclusion, I am pursuing a career in choir and theatre education because I have experienced the profound impact that the arts can have on individuals and communities. I am passionate about fine arts because they offer a unique form of therapy and connection. With the education and training I receive at Berklee College of Music, I am committed to inspiring and supporting my future students, just as my teachers have done for me.

I am pursuing a career as a choir and theatre teacher because of the impact my music and theatre teachers have had on me in school. I have always been passionate about fine arts because it serves as a form of therapy, not only for me but also for others who watch and listen. Through my experiences in pop chorus, mixed chorus, theatre, speech and debate, and cheerleading, I have seen firsthand how powerful and transformative the arts can be. Winning this scholarship will significantly help me on my journey to bringing my dreams to life. I grew up in a low income house partially being because of my adoption in 2019, that took a big portion of money from my mom and dad. But with that I will also be a first generation student for college and high school! Attending Berklee College of Music, with majors in Theatre/Performing Arts and Music, is a dream come true. Berklee is known for its exceptional programs and dedicated faculty, and I am eager to learn from the best. My goal is to bring the knowledge and skills I gain at Berklee back to the classroom and stage, inspiring the next generation of performers. I believe that fine arts education is crucial for personal and emotional development. It provides an outlet for expression and helps build confidence and resilience. For many students, the arts are a safe space where they can explore their identities and connect with others. As a choir and theatre teacher, I want to create a nurturing environment where students feel valued and encouraged to take risks. My passion for the arts goes beyond performance. I am deeply interested in how music and theatre can be used as tools for social change. Through my studies at Berklee, I hope to explore ways to incorporate themes of diversity, equity, and inclusion into my teaching. I want my students to see the arts as a way to make a positive impact in their communities and the world. In conclusion, I am pursuing a career in choir and theatre education because I have experienced the profound impact that the arts can have on individuals and communities. I am passionate about fine arts because they offer a unique form of therapy and connection. With the education and training I receive at Berklee College of Music, I am committed to inspiring and supporting my future students, just as my teachers have done for me.

Chappell Roan's music has deeply impacted me because I am also from Missouri, in Missouri sometimes the people that live there especially in my small town don't believe that music can go far as a career. In my many years living in Missouri I have been told too many times that i better enjoy being a failure because they thought there was no way that music could be a good career. Chappell Roan has proven that it can be with enough hard work and dedication, and i am willing to put in the work to be the star that she is. She also has shined a light for the LGBTQ community in conservative states like Missouri. Missouri can be seen as very homophobic and that is mostly true, as a bisexual woman I have been called every slur that is known and it made me think for a while that i was a burden and a problem. Chappell Roan has shown me that I am not a burden that those people just don't understand and it is not my responsibility to make them understand. All i need to do is be myself and that is good enough. Chappell Roan has shown me that me being myself is the best version of myself.

I have embodied a gritty mindset through the biggest impacts on my life that I have had to overcome. The first one is when I was eleven I found out that I was adopted. This completely rocked my world, being in a small town the news was not a secret for long. This made me seem weird and a freak to my peers at school. This then quickly led to bullying at first it was just with words, every day I would hear things like "what is wrong with you, there has to be a reason that your mom left" and "if I was your mom I would leave too." From there the bullying became physical, I had to sit in a different room during lunch due to the many times that I had food thrown at me or even milk being poured on me. Then I has my recess privileges taken away because I was getting physically attacked during that time, the moment that impacted me the most is when I was held against a tree and was kicked in my legs and stomach, there were 5 kids doing this. I felt like I was a problem because I was the one being taken out of fun activities instead of the them, when asked why I was being punished the school said that "there is no place to put all of them, but we have room for you." It did take me a while to realize that I was never a problem, I know now that I am so lucky and blessed that I live with a family that truly loves and cares about me. I am so proud to be a part of the family I am with now, I honestly could never see myself with another family. Another instance that I have had to overcome is when I was in my freshman year of high school I found three of my family members dead in their home in only the time frame of a month. In my family is so important, and I knew that so I would often visit my family members when I had the chance. The first family member I found was my Uncle Rob, I found him in his apartment. Rob had a very big drinking problem, he sadly passed due to this my mother and I were the ones who found him in his apartment passed on the couch, I will never forget that 911 phone call with my mother crying in the background. The next family member was my Aunt Marsha, Marsha had cancer and we knew that the time was coming. I found her in her room, she looked almost like another person, she was yellow yet pale. I had to get the rest of the family to help with this one. Finally was my grandma, she was already very depressed due to the passing of her son (Uncle Rob) she passed in her sleep. I woke up in her house and went to say good morning and she never woke up. These impacted me deeply but I got through it due to feeling that I had to stay strong for my family. Even with all of these moments I have always continued my education and tried to do my best even if I was not feeling my best. These moment has made me realize that life is precious and to take every day a step at a time.

I am pursuing a career as a choir and theatre teacher because of the impact my music and theatre teachers have had on me in school. I have always been passionate about fine arts because it serves as a form of therapy, not only for me but also for others who watch and listen. Through my experiences in pop chorus, mixed chorus, theatre, speech and debate, and cheerleading, I have seen firsthand how powerful and transformative the arts can be. Being involved in these activities has shaped who I am today. In high school, I was honored to receive the Best Leading Actress awards in both 2023 and 2024. These recognitions were not just about personal achievement; they were about the collective effort and passion that my peers and I put into our performances. The sense of community and support in these groups has been incredible, and I want to create that same environment for my future students. Attending Berklee College of Music, with majors in Theatre/Performing Arts and Music, is a dream come true. Berklee is known for its exceptional programs and dedicated faculty, and I am eager to learn from the best. My goal is to bring the knowledge and skills I gain at Berklee back to the classroom and stage, inspiring the next generation of performers. I believe that fine arts education is crucial for personal and emotional development. It provides an outlet for expression and helps build confidence and resilience. For many students, the arts are a safe space where they can explore their identities and connect with others. As a choir and theatre teacher, I want to create a nurturing environment where students feel valued and encouraged to take risks. My passion for the arts goes beyond performance. I am deeply interested in how music and theatre can be used as tools for social change. Through my studies at Berklee, I hope to explore ways to incorporate themes of diversity, equity, and inclusion into my teaching. I want my students to see the arts as a way to make a positive impact in their communities and the world. Adversity that I have had to overcome is the bullying that happened when I found out that I was adopted in 5th grade. This information completely rocked my world, not only did I feel lied to by my family but my friends that knew as well. Now I know that they just wanted to protect me but it was devastating at the time. I had to eat lunch in a room by myself because I had food thrown at me and milk poured on my more than once. Simply due to me being adopted. I also found three of my family members dead my freshman year of high school. All at different times but all within a month. This greatly impacted me, even then I took my studies seriously as left freshman year with a 3.8 GPA. In conclusion, I am pursuing a career in choir and theatre education because I have experienced the profound impact that the arts can have on individuals and communities. I am passionate about fine arts because they offer a unique form of therapy and connection. With the education and training I receive at Berklee College of Music, I am committed to inspiring and supporting my future students, just as my teachers have done for me.

I am pursuing a career as a choir and theatre teacher because of the impact my music and theatre teachers have had on me in school. I have always been passionate about fine arts because it serves as a form of therapy, not only for me but also for others who watch and listen. Through my experiences in pop chorus, mixed chorus, theatre, speech and debate, and cheerleading, I have seen firsthand how powerful and transformative the arts can be. Being involved in these activities has shaped who I am today. In high school, I was honored to receive the Best Leading Actress awards in both 2023 and 2024. These recognitions were not just about personal achievement; they were about the collective effort and passion that my peers and I put into our performances. The sense of community and support in these groups has been incredible, and I want to create that same environment for my future students. Attending Berklee College of Music, with majors in Theatre/Performing Arts and Music, is a dream come true. Berklee is known for its exceptional programs and dedicated faculty, and I am eager to learn from the best. My goal is to bring the knowledge and skills I gain at Berklee back to the classroom and stage, inspiring the next generation of performers. I believe that fine arts education is crucial for personal and emotional development. It provides an outlet for expression and helps build confidence and resilience. For many students, the arts are a safe space where they can explore their identities and connect with others. As a choir and theatre teacher, I want to create a nurturing environment where students feel valued and encouraged to take risks. My passion for the arts goes beyond performance. I am deeply interested in how music and theatre can be used as tools for social change. Through my studies at Berklee, I hope to explore ways to incorporate themes of diversity, equity, and inclusion into my teaching. I want my students to see the arts as a way to make a positive impact in their communities and the world. In conclusion, I am pursuing a career in choir and theatre education because I have experienced the profound impact that the arts can have on individuals and communities. I am passionate about fine arts because they offer a unique form of therapy and connection. With the education and training I receive at Berklee College of Music, I am committed to inspiring and supporting my future students, just as my teachers have done for me.

I am pursuing a career as a choir and theatre teacher because of the impact my music and theatre teachers have had on me in school. I have always been passionate about fine arts because it serves as a form of therapy, not only for me but also for others who watch and listen. Through my experiences in pop chorus, mixed chorus, theatre, speech and debate, and cheerleading, I have seen firsthand how powerful and transformative the arts can be. Being involved in these activities has shaped who I am today. In high school, I was honored to receive the Best Leading Actress awards in both 2023 and 2024. These recognitions were not just about personal achievement; they were about the collective effort and passion that my peers and I put into our performances. The sense of community and support in these groups has been incredible, and I want to create that same environment for my future students. Attending Berklee College of Music, with majors in Theatre/Performing Arts and Music, is a dream come true. Berklee is known for its exceptional programs and dedicated faculty, and I am eager to learn from the best. My goal is to bring the knowledge and skills I gain at Berklee back to the classroom and stage, inspiring the next generation of performers. I believe that fine arts education is crucial for personal and emotional development. It provides an outlet for expression and helps build confidence and resilience. For many students, the arts are a safe space where they can explore their identities and connect with others. As a choir and theatre teacher, I want to create a nurturing environment where students feel valued and encouraged to take risks. My passion for the arts goes beyond performance. I am deeply interested in how music and theatre can be used as tools for social change. Through my studies at Berklee, I hope to explore ways to incorporate themes of diversity, equity, and inclusion into my teaching. I want my students to see the arts as a way to make a positive impact in their communities and the world. In conclusion, I am pursuing a career in choir and theatre education because I have experienced the profound impact that the arts can have on individuals and communities. I am passionate about fine arts because they offer a unique form of therapy and connection. With the education and training I receive at Berklee College of Music, I am committed to inspiring and supporting my future students, just as my teachers have done for me.

I am pursuing a career as a choir and theatre teacher because of the impact my music and theatre teachers have had on me in school. I have always been passionate about fine arts because it serves as a form of therapy, not only for me but also for others who watch and listen. Through my experiences in pop chorus, mixed chorus, theatre, speech and debate, and cheerleading, I have seen firsthand how powerful and transformative the arts can be. Being involved in these activities has shaped who I am today. In high school, I was honored to receive the Best Leading Actress awards in both 2023 and 2024. These recognitions were not just about personal achievement; they were about the collective effort and passion that my peers and I put into our performances. The sense of community and support in these groups has been incredible, and I want to create that same environment for my future students. Attending Berklee College of Music, with majors in Theatre/Performing Arts and Music, is a dream come true. Berklee is known for its exceptional programs and dedicated faculty, and I am eager to learn from the best. My goal is to bring the knowledge and skills I gain at Berklee back to the classroom and stage, inspiring the next generation of performers. I believe that fine arts education is crucial for personal and emotional development. It provides an outlet for expression and helps build confidence and resilience. For many students, the arts are a safe space where they can explore their identities and connect with others. As a choir and theatre teacher, I want to create a nurturing environment where students feel valued and encouraged to take risks. My passion for the arts goes beyond performance. I am deeply interested in how music and theatre can be used as tools for social change. Through my studies at Berklee, I hope to explore ways to incorporate themes of diversity, equity, and inclusion into my teaching. I want my students to see the arts as a way to make a positive impact in their communities and the world. In conclusion, I am pursuing a career in choir and theatre education because I have experienced the profound impact that the arts can have on individuals and communities. I am passionate about fine arts because they offer a unique form of therapy and connection. With the education and training I receive at Berklee College of Music, I am committed to inspiring and supporting my future students, just as my teachers have done for me.

I am pursuing a career as a choir and theatre teacher because of the impact my music and theatre teachers have had on me in school. I have always been passionate about fine arts because it serves as a form of therapy, not only for me but also for others who watch and listen. Through my experiences in pop chorus, mixed chorus, theatre, speech and debate, and cheerleading, I have seen firsthand how powerful and transformative the arts can be. Being involved in these activities has shaped who I am today. In high school, I was honored to receive the Best Leading Actress awards in both 2023 and 2024. These recognitions were not just about personal achievement; they were about the collective effort and passion that my peers and I put into our performances. The sense of community and support in these groups has been incredible, and I want to create that same environment for my future students. Attending Berklee College of Music, with majors in Theatre/Performing Arts and Music, is a dream come true. Berklee is known for its exceptional programs and dedicated faculty, and I am eager to learn from the best. My goal is to bring the knowledge and skills I gain at Berklee back to the classroom and stage, inspiring the next generation of performers. I believe that fine arts education is crucial for personal and emotional development. It provides an outlet for expression and helps build confidence and resilience. For many students, the arts are a safe space where they can explore their identities and connect with others. As a choir and theatre teacher, I want to create a nurturing environment where students feel valued and encouraged to take risks. My passion for the arts goes beyond performance. I am deeply interested in how music and theatre can be used as tools for social change. Through my studies at Berklee, I hope to explore ways to incorporate themes of diversity, equity, and inclusion into my teaching. I want my students to see the arts as a way to make a positive impact in their communities and the world. My Aunt Marsha had pancreatic cancer, and was my biggest supporter. She sadly passed away in March of 2022. Everything I do in my future of music I do for her with the hope that she is proud of me. In conclusion, I am pursuing a career in choir and theatre education because I have experienced the profound impact that the arts can have on individuals and communities. I am passionate about fine arts because they offer a unique form of therapy and connection. With the education and training I receive at Berklee College of Music, I am committed to inspiring and supporting my future students, just as my teachers have done for me.

I am pursuing a career as a choir and theatre teacher because of the impact my music and theatre teachers have had on me in school. I have always been passionate about fine arts because it serves as a form of therapy, not only for me but also for others who watch and listen. Through my experiences in pop chorus, mixed chorus, theatre, speech and debate, and cheerleading, I have seen firsthand how powerful and transformative the arts can be. Being involved in these activities has shaped who I am today. In high school, I was honored to receive the Best Leading Actress awards in both 2023 and 2024. These recognitions were not just about personal achievement; they were about the collective effort and passion that my peers and I put into our performances. The sense of community and support in these groups has been incredible, and I want to create that same environment for my future students. Attending Berklee College of Music, with majors in Theatre/Performing Arts and Music, is a dream come true. Berklee is known for its exceptional programs and dedicated faculty, and I am eager to learn from the best. My goal is to bring the knowledge and skills I gain at Berklee back to the classroom and stage, inspiring the next generation of performers. I believe that fine arts education is crucial for personal and emotional development. It provides an outlet for expression and helps build confidence and resilience. For many students, the arts are a safe space where they can explore their identities and connect with others. As a choir and theatre teacher, I want to create a nurturing environment where students feel valued and encouraged to take risks. My passion for the arts goes beyond performance. I am deeply interested in how music and theatre can be used as tools for social change. Through my studies at Berklee, I hope to explore ways to incorporate themes of diversity, equity, and inclusion into my teaching. I want my students to see the arts as a way to make a positive impact in their communities and the world. In conclusion, I am pursuing a career in choir and theatre education because I have experienced the profound impact that the arts can have on individuals and communities. I am passionate about fine arts because they offer a unique form of therapy and connection. With the education and training I receive at Berklee College of Music, I am committed to inspiring and supporting my future students, just as my teachers have done for me.

I am pursuing a career as a choir and theatre teacher because of the impact my music and theatre teachers have had on me in school. I have always been passionate about fine arts because it serves as a form of therapy, not only for me but also for others who watch and listen. Through my experiences in pop chorus, mixed chorus, theatre, speech and debate, and cheerleading, I have seen firsthand how powerful and transformative the arts can be. Being involved in these activities has shaped who I am today. In high school, I was honored to receive the Best Leading Actress awards in both 2023 and 2024. These recognitions were not just about personal achievement; they were about the collective effort and passion that my peers and I put into our performances. The sense of community and support in these groups has been incredible, and I want to create that same environment for my future students. Attending Berklee College of Music, with majors in Theatre/Performing Arts and Music, is a dream come true. Berklee is known for its exceptional programs and dedicated faculty, and I am eager to learn from the best. My goal is to bring the knowledge and skills I gain at Berklee back to the classroom and stage, inspiring the next generation of performers. I believe that fine arts education is crucial for personal and emotional development. It provides an outlet for expression and helps build confidence and resilience. For many students, the arts are a safe space where they can explore their identities and connect with others. As a choir and theatre teacher, I want to create a nurturing environment where students feel valued and encouraged to take risks. My passion for the arts goes beyond performance. I am deeply interested in how music and theatre can be used as tools for social change. Through my studies at Berklee, I hope to explore ways to incorporate themes of diversity, equity, and inclusion into my teaching. I want my students to see the arts as a way to make a positive impact in their communities and the world. In conclusion, I am pursuing a career in choir and theatre education because I have experienced the profound impact that the arts can have on individuals and communities. I am passionate about fine arts because they offer a unique form of therapy and connection. With the education and training I receive at Berklee College of Music, I am committed to inspiring and supporting my future students, just as my teachers have done for me. The way that I would give back to my community is giving all of the art departments more funding and redo the theatre that has not been changed since that 70's. https://youtu.be/cjJb9NccIC8?si=OFpvEpjjMYkThZtl

I am pursuing a career as a choir and theatre teacher because of the impact my music and theatre teachers have had on me in school. I have always been passionate about fine arts because it serves as a form of therapy, not only for me but also for others who watch and listen. Through my experiences in pop chorus, mixed chorus, theatre, speech and debate, and cheerleading, I have seen firsthand how powerful and transformative the arts can be. Being involved in these activities has shaped who I am today. In high school, I was honored to receive the Best Leading Actress awards in both 2023 and 2024. These recognitions were not just about personal achievement; they were about the collective effort and passion that my peers and I put into our performances. The sense of community and support in these groups has been incredible, and I want to create that same environment for my future students. Attending Berklee College of Music, with majors in Theatre/Performing Arts and Music, is a dream come true. Berklee is known for its exceptional programs and dedicated faculty, and I am eager to learn from the best. My goal is to bring the knowledge and skills I gain at Berklee back to the classroom and stage, inspiring the next generation of performers. I believe that fine arts education is crucial for personal and emotional development. It provides an outlet for expression and helps build confidence and resilience. For many students, the arts are a safe space where they can explore their identities and connect with others. As a choir and theatre teacher, I want to create a nurturing environment where students feel valued and encouraged to take risks. My passion for the arts goes beyond performance. I am deeply interested in how music and theatre can be used as tools for social change. Through my studies at Berklee, I hope to explore ways to incorporate themes of diversity, equity, and inclusion into my teaching. I want my students to see the arts as a way to make a positive impact in their communities and the world. In conclusion, I am pursuing a career in choir and theatre education because I have experienced the profound impact that the arts can have on individuals and communities. I am passionate about fine arts because they offer a unique form of therapy and connection. With the education and training I receive at Berklee College of Music, I am committed to inspiring and supporting my future students, just as my teachers have done for me.

I am pursuing a career as a choir and theatre teacher because of the impact my music and theatre teachers have had on me in school. I have always been passionate about fine arts because it serves as a form of therapy, not only for me but also for others who watch and listen. Through my experiences in pop chorus, mixed chorus, theatre, speech and debate, and cheerleading, I have seen firsthand how powerful and transformative the arts can be. Being involved in these activities has shaped who I am today. In high school, I was honored to receive the Best Leading Actress awards in both 2023 and 2024. These recognitions were not just about personal achievement; they were about the collective effort and passion that my peers and I put into our performances. The sense of community and support in these groups has been incredible, and I want to create that same environment for my future students. Attending Berklee College of Music, with majors in Theatre/Performing Arts and Music, is a dream come true. Berklee is known for its exceptional programs and dedicated faculty, and I am eager to learn from the best. My goal is to bring the knowledge and skills I gain at Berklee back to the classroom and stage, inspiring the next generation of performers. I believe that fine arts education is crucial for personal and emotional development. It provides an outlet for expression and helps build confidence and resilience. For many students, the arts are a safe space where they can explore their identities and connect with others. As a choir and theatre teacher, I want to create a nurturing environment where students feel valued and encouraged to take risks. My passion for the arts goes beyond performance. I am deeply interested in how music and theatre can be used as tools for social change. Through my studies at Berklee, I hope to explore ways to incorporate themes of diversity, equity, and inclusion into my teaching. I want my students to see the arts as a way to make a positive impact in their communities and the world. Finally, I am pursuing a career in choir and theatre education because I have experienced the profound impact that the arts can have on individuals and communities. I am passionate about fine arts because they offer a unique form of therapy and connection. With the education and training I receive at Berklee College of Music, I am committed to inspiring and supporting my future students, just as my teachers have done for me.

Music is something that can move people sometimes more than words can. This is the reason I want to be a Choir and theatre teacher. I am pursuing a career as a choir and theatre teacher because of the impact my music and theatre teachers have had on me in school. I have always been passionate about fine arts because it serves as a form of therapy, not only for me but also for others who watch and listen. Through my experiences in pop chorus, mixed chorus, theatre, speech and debate, and cheerleading, I have seen firsthand how powerful and transformative the arts can be. Being involved in these activities has shaped who I am today. In high school, I was honored to receive the Best Leading Actress awards in both 2023 and 2024. These recognitions were not just about personal achievement; they were about the collective effort and passion that my peers and I put into our performances. The sense of community and support in these groups has been incredible, and I want to create that same environment for my future students. Attending Berklee College of Music, with majors in Theatre/Performing Arts and Music, is a dream come true. Berklee is known for its exceptional programs and dedicated faculty, and I am eager to learn from the best. My goal is to bring the knowledge and skills I gain at Berklee back to the classroom and stage, inspiring the next generation of performers. I believe that fine arts education is crucial for personal and emotional development. It provides an outlet for expression and helps build confidence and resilience. For many students, the arts are a safe space where they can explore their identities and connect with others. As a choir and theatre teacher, I want to create a nurturing environment where students feel valued and encouraged to take risks. My passion for the arts goes beyond performance. I am deeply interested in how music and theatre can be used as tools for social change. Through my studies at Berklee, I hope to explore ways to incorporate themes of diversity, equity, and inclusion into my teaching. I want my students to see the arts as a way to make a positive impact in their communities and the world. Finally, I am pursuing a career in choir and theatre education because I have experienced the profound impact that the arts can have on individuals and communities. I am passionate about fine arts because they offer a unique form of therapy and connection. With the education and training I receive at Berklee College of Music, I am committed to inspiring and supporting my future students, just as my teachers have done for me.

The way I plan to make a positive impact on the world through my music is by striving to be a Music teacher. I am pursuing a career as a choir teacher because of the impact my music teachers have had on me in school. I have always been passionate about the fine arts because it serves as a form of therapy, not only for myself but for the people that may listen and resonate with what my music is about. Through my experiences in band and different choirs I have seen firsthand how powerful and transformative the arts can be. I have been accepted to Berklee School of Music and I plan to bring the knowledge and skills that I gain at Berklee back to the classroom and stage, inspiring the next generation of performers. I believe that fine arts education is important for personal and emotional development. It allows an area for growth for self expression along with confidence. With my personal experience in choir classes at school, a choir classroom is a safe space where people can explore their identities and connect with people. As a future choir teacher I want to create an environment where students feel valued and encouraged to take risks. Beyond performance I was my students to see how music can be used as a tool for social change. At Berklee I hope to explore ways to include themes of diversity and inclusion into my teaching. Finally I am pursuing a career in choir education because I have experienced the impact that arts can have on individuals and communities. With an education and training I will receive at Berklee School of Music, I am committed to inspiring and supporting my future students, just as my teachers have done for me.

My name is Skilyn Roberts and I come from a little town in Missouri. Ever since I was a child I have always loved music and musical theatre. This has even motivated me into becoming president of drama club and thespian society at my high school. This passion for music has guided me into wanting to become a college professor in musical theatre. I thought to better help my goals of becoming a musical theatre college professor I would try to take some of my general education classes during my senior year of high school that I am currently in. These classes will give me a jump ahead of where I need to be for my future education and career path. These classes though are not always the cheapest, when signing up for classes I had a job at the time that would help me with some of the funding needed to be able to pay for these classes. Since then I have been let go of my job due to being over staffed. Myself being on of the newer ones at the time with the less seniority at the job was let go first. Where I live there is not many job opportunities for high school students that are not outside of town, but my car can barely make it across town. I have tried picking up small random jobs to gain some funding for my classes like babysitting, and dog walking. But these jobs have been taken over by bigger businesses in town, so I barely get customers anymore. Recently I have been singing at bars hoping to be able to get some tip money, but the hours are scarse and my fear for my well being rising. Being a teenage girl surrounded by intoxicated adults can be scary. My parents also do not have the ability to help me financially due to mine and my sisters adoption a few years ago. That left quite a big dent in their finances, and we are still recovering from it now. These dual credit classes are really helping me in the long run and in the now. Because of my sucess in my grades in the dual credit classes it very much helps my GPA in high school, allowing me to be in the top twenty at my school of students. I am as we speaking trying to handle this financial situation on my own but everyone needs help sometimes and this is my time. Thank you.

My name is Skilyn Roberts and I am a senior that lives in a small town called Butler Missouri. Living in butler can be a challange because of how small we are, due to the size of our town there is not many resources for us students some of the time. I love music and theatre, I am actually president of the drama club and thespian society. But our small town is not not always the most supportive of the expression of the arts. I want to go to college to get my degree in music and education so I can eventually work my way to becoming a college professor for musical theatre. This love of musical theatre started when I was eleven. When I was eleven I was in the fifth grade and I did not have many friends, so I was mean. I thought that I had to be to defend myself from others, because they were mean to me. I thought that I was ugly and I hated myself at the time. So when people brought out those insecurities of mine I retaliated. One day in fifth grade a girl told me that my parents were old and that they were going to die at any second and that I would become an orphan. For some reason I took that as an insult so I told that girl that she was just mad because she was adopted. I know now that, that is a horrible thing to make fun of someone for, but at the time it was the only thing I could think of in such short notice again to try to defend myself when I should have just ignored her. Later in the day we got our grade cards back, but when I got mine there was an extra middle name on there. I was really confused because I only had one middle name, why did this one have two? So I went to the office to ask them about if but I don't think that the office lady wanted to talk to me because she just kept on trying to get me to go back to class but I was persistant. She eventually just showed me my birth certificate and on there it did in fact say that I had two middle name but my eyes wondered and I saw under where it said mothers maiden name, it was my sisters name. I was very confused and knew I had to ask my parents about it when I got home. So I did and I was so nervous, and thats when it happened. I found out that I was adopted. When I was a baby my grandparents adopted me and raised me as their own. I also found out that my biological mother was a sex worker with an addiction to meth. Living in such a small town word about this spread fast, so when I went back to school the bullying was even worse. I eventually wasn't even allowed to go to recess any more due to the physical bullying. I hated myself, I thought "what is so wrong with me that my mom didn't want to stay?" I thought that I was the problem, but now this has given me compassion for others and that is a big trait needed for becoming a teacher. This point in my life will never be one I will have fond memories of, but it is one that taught me the absolute most in my life.

A teacher that has deeply influenced myself and how I approach life is my science teacher Michael Prater. All throughout my childhood I was never a fan of science and just never understood it at all. My teachers that I have had for science classes were just fill in teachers that the school needed because no one really applied for the job. The other science teachers that I have had were on their way to retirement and just wanted to get the year over with. Due to this I never really felt that I've had a full chance to learn and understand science whatsoever. This was until my Sophomore year of high school, this is when I had physical science. I originally was not excited for this class because I expected to just sit there confused like every year. This year though when I walked in the vibe of the room seemed hopeful. The teacher, Mr. Prater, seemed excited to be there, and to be teaching us. This was not a common occurrence that I saw in my previous science teachers, so this made me feel a little less nervous about the class. The first day of class he introduced himself as a veteran, a father, a Aquaman superfan, and a huge nerd. Which wasn't seen as a negative thing in that class, it was actually seen as an honor to be considered a "nerd." Not only was his presence welcoming, he made science seem actually fun. If you asked me four years ago if I would ever consider science fun, I would say that you were crazy and would need some help. Mr. Prater though actually made science seem easy, when I wouldn't be able to understand, he would try to relate it to something that he knew I liked so that way the science seemed cool. Not only did Mr. Prater make science easy and fun, he a real understanding of school life from the perspective of the student. Sometimes it can really seem like a power struggle between teachers and students, and that they don't understand what it's like for us going to school in a new time. If Mr. Prater was having a hard time understanding a situation from our perspective, he takes the time to listen to us so he can try to help the best way he could. If us students had a problem with the way the school was doing something, Mr. Prater was the first to stand behind the students and to have their voices heard. Mr. Prater has taught me that because something seems hard, if you can try to relate to it, it can make it easier. He taught me that my voice does matter and that my age does not mean that I know any less than some adults. He taught me that if I truly believe in something that I need to stick by it, and never back down from anything that is worth fighting for. I think that Mr. Prater is worth fighting for.

The movie that has had teh greates impact on me is the movie "The Wiz", this movie is a take on the 1920 movie "The Wizard of Oz." This movie has had a great impact on me because it made me have a deeper love and understanding of the impact of what musical theatre can do to a person. I have always loved music and acting but I never thought that I could ever make an impact or let alone a career on thos ethings. When I was around the age of 7 my mother showed me the movie The Wiz because I love Michael Jackson and she thought that I would enjoy it. When I watched the opening scene of a family singing about how no matter what happens in life your family will be there to catch you. To have that as a opening scene I just think is beautiful. This really hits close to home now because im a senior and im moving away soon to another state. The next scene that sticks out to me is the first scene that the scarecrow (Michael Jackson) is seen in. In this scene the scarecrow is up on his post and he is being bullied by the crows and they are trying to convice the scarecrow that he is dumb and not worthy. IN this scene after a song is portrayed Dorthy comes out, scares the crows, and helps the scarecrow. While helping the scarecrow off of the post she is also telling him words of affermations that he is worthy and that should not be determined by other people. This really resginated with me becasue I was bullied a lot as a child, it was for things that didn't matter. While the scarecrow was told he was dumb but he was actually really smart, I was told I was ugly when I was actually really beautiful. The best scene of all is towards the end when the group learns that the wizard is not real, all o fthem start to become upset but Dorthy stops this and tells them that they do not need physical objects to prove that they are something they want to be. This on the surface is seen as "you can be whoever you want to be, even if people do not believe" but from a girl that lives in a small town I saw this as just because I do not have the newest and most fancy things, that does not mean that im any less important in this world. This movie has really helped me through my childhood and I can not wait to share this with others.

I am Skilyn Roberts, im 18 years old, and a senior at Butler High School. Butler, where I live, is a small town of under 4,000 in Misssouri. Living in a twon as small as mine it is hard to hav ethe resources for some of the people with big dreams. I consider myself one of those people, I want more than everything in the world to be a Music or Musical Theatre college professor. When people hear what I want my career to be they usually love the professor part but not the music or msuical theatre bit. Where I live everyone here is a farmer, or at least related to a farmer. So the standards are not very high. I want to be able to be the first educator in my family. Im already breaking some walls down with being a first generation High School Graudate, as well as a first generation for attending college. I want to make my family proud, because they have done so much for me. When I was eleven they adopted me and got me out of the life of a drug abusing prostitute. If they didn't get me when they did who knows where I woudl be right now and what my life would look like. So becasue they did so much for me I want to do something for them and this is that thing. When I becaome a college professor I want to be able to show kids, and adults how much music can imapct a persons life. All of us listen to music even when we don't realise it, for example when driving in the car and the radio is playing. So what if we take that experience and turn it into a way to cope, or a hobby. Studies show that music weather that being playing it in the classroom, or kids learning an instrament, raises test scores. Not only that but it teaches students hobbies so social interaction can happen easier and without as much anxiety. Music helps not only kids but adults too, there has been studies of msuic being played for people with memory loss. This study shows that this can help people remeber memories that were once called "gone" or "missing." Music can help every one, I want to be able to educate furture, singers, music therapists, and more. I want to be able to know that my impact has helped someone else make an impact in the world.

The arts are impoartant to me because when I was at my absolute worst the art sgot me out of what I was feeling. When I was younger I found out that I was adopted and I just felt lied to at the time. From them I was very depressed and was doing extreme works of self harm, one time it almost took my life so I realized that I needed to find another way to get my emotions out of my system without hurting others or myself. That is when I started song writing, that was a way that I coudl say exactly how I was feeling. In my personal opinion people do not get too overwhelmed by ones emotions if its put in a song. Yes, the sound and lyrics can be dark, but because it is put to music it does not seem to overwhelming. So thats what I did, it made me not feel ashamed of how I was feeling. Ever since then I loved music and singing. Then in middle school I was very depressed again because four of my family members had passes away in the span of four months, and I was the one to have found them all. So again to try to get my feelings out safely I did theatre. Musical theatre naturally became my favorite. Most people say they love theatre because they get to pretend to be someone else for a while. I love it because after it is all said and done, once I can get out of the hair and makeup, I feel really happy that I am myself again. The roles I play show me that no matter what I ultimatly loe being me and having the life I have no matter how hard it way be. After feeling that I want to be able to spread that joy and acceptance to other kids and adults out there. After high school I want to get my doctorate in education and my masters in musical thetare and music. I want to do this so I can be a high school and/or a college professor in music and musical thetare. This will allow me to have a platform to educate others about the real power that msuical and acting can have on a person. I believe that I can spread that magic that the arts have given me, to others.

My name is Skilyn Roberts, I am a senior at Butler High School. My town of Butler has only a population of around 4,000. Being a small town there is not many resources here for the arts programs at my school. So I understand how music can create an impact on a person but struggling to find the resources to be able to further education in the arts. I am passionate about music because it helped me get through a lot in my life. When I was eleven I found out that I was adopted, I found out from an outside source instead of my parents. This was a very traumatic time in my life, due to living in a small town a lot of people found out very fast. This then led to bullying at school by my peers, with all of the emotions that I had, I didn't know what to do with them. At first I started self harming, that didn't really go well and almost got so bad that I couldve lost my life. Then I had to find another means of letting out all of the strong emotions that I had built up inside. I had already loved to sing before all of this happened, but I had never gotten into songwriting. So thats what I did, I took all of those big emotions that I didn't know what to do with and put them into words. I still create songs to this day when I don't know what to do. My dream is to become a performer, if that dream does happen one day, I want to be able to create a fundraiser for adopted and foster kids to help them get through life. Some have nothing to their name, not even the clothes on their bodies are considered theirs, but instead the governments. My program would help taken these kids shopping so they can have at least something that is theirs. Foster kids and sometimes become agrivated or agressive because they feel as if they have no control in their lives, so this way they can pick out what they want, so for a moment they can be in charge. If my career in being a performer doesn't play out I want to be a college professsor, or high school teacher for music. This way I can introduce the power of music to other kids, so they can have a safe means of escape if needed. I would like to be able to have a fundraiser so kids can be in band and choir and have a time even if the financial need cannot be met for their situation. I would add some of my own money and try to get the commuity to help raise money so these kids can enjoy music and not have to worry about money. This woudl pay for instaments, outfits for showchoir, binders for music, and funds for trips relating to the msuic programs in schools. I believe that music can change kids, but teh resources are little in America. I want to change that and the kids lives.

I am passionate about music because it helped me get through a lot in my life. When I was eleven I found out that I was adopted, I found out from an outside source instead of my parents. This was a very traumatic time in my life, due to living in a small town a lot of people found out very fast. This then led to bullying at school by my peers, with all of the emotions that I had, I didn't know what to do with them. At first I started self harming, that didn't really go well and almost got so bad that I couldve lost my life. Then I had to find another means of letting out all of the strong emotions that I had built up inside. I had already loved to sing before all of this happened, but I had never gotten into songwriting. So thats what I did, I took all of those big emotions that I didn't know what to do with and put them into words. I still create songs to this day when I don't know what to do. My dream is to become a performer, if that dream does happen one day, I want to be able to create a fundraiser for adopted and foster kids to help them get through life. Some have nothing to their name, not even the clothes on their bodies are considered theirs, but instead the governments. My program would help taken these kids shopping so they can have at least something that is theirs. Foster kids and sometimes become agrivated or agressive because they feel as if they have no control in their lives, so this way they can pick out what they want, so for a moment they can be in charge. If my career in being a performer doesn't play out I want to be a college professsor, or high school teacher for music. This way I can introduce the power of music to other kids, so they can have a safe means of escape if needed. I would like to be able to have a fundraiser so kids can be in band and choir and have a time even if the financial need cannot be met for their situation. I would add some of my own money and try to get the commuity to help raise money so these kids can enjoy music and not have to worry about money. This woudl pay for instaments, outfits for showchoir, binders for music, and funds for trips relating to the msuic programs in schools. I believe that music can change kids, but teh resources are little in America. I want to change that and the kids lives.

Music has affected my life during my high school years because my freshman year I had four of my family members die within two months. This was very hard on my family and I was informed that I had to sing at all of their funerals. This was hard becasue the songs that I usually sang were happy and I had to be very vunerable in front of my family and strangers. Once I finally sang all of those songs at those funerals, it took me a long time to be able to listen or sing those songs again. After that I had my best friend of 7 years plan to kill me and how she was going to get away with it. The reason I found out about this was because I had DCFS at my front door making sure that I was safe and okay. This inspired me to write music about how I was feeling and all of the things that I wanted to say to her but knew I couldn't because of my safety. Then shortly after that I started self harming and as you woudl expect it was hard, I stopped wearing all of the clothes that I enjoyed because I didn't want anyone to know what I have been doing. Again this inspired me to start writing music, and I contuined into my journey of self recovery. Now I haven't done any self harm but whenever I do feel myself slipping in moments I write music, even if its just a chorus or a verse. Now I try to sing as a job in local resturants around my town for some extra cash for college. Music is my passion, it has gotten me so far in my life. I don't think that I could ever stop singing and writing music. I even do musical theatre that gets me so excited to sing even more and due to my dedication in music and musical theatre, I am now president of Drama Club, Thespian Society, and a part of the eliete choir at my school. Music and had me realise that there are other ways to get my emotions out safely and freely. My emotions that I hold against myself and emotions that I feel because of others. Music has made so much of an impact in my life that I want to get my degree in teaching and music production, so I can one day be a college professor for music. This way students can see that music can be a form of therapy. Music and change anyone.

My two favorite Disney Channel shows are The Wizards of Waverly Place and Phinneas and Ferb. I would love for them to have a crossover episode. If they did then the episode would be called "The Magical Summer." In this episode Alex would do a spell that would accidently transport the Russo family into the Phinneas and Ferb universe. In this universe Alex loses her wand which is the only way back to thier universe. So the family would have to try to find Alex's wand while dealing with the fact that they are cartoon charaters. Both parents from the two shows would talk about their kids and the Russo parents woudl talk ab out how their tired of their kids always getting in trouble. The parents from Phinneas and Ferb woudl talk to them about how it is a quirk that will eventually go away and how they acted that way when they were kids. Max and Alex would get along with Phinneas and Ferb, they would show Alex and Max all of their secret creations and how you don't need magic to have a good time. Candace and Justin would get along talking about how they are tired of their younger sibling never getting in trouble for the chaos they create, and how they seem to be the only ones getting in trouble. This is when Candace reveals that she has Alex's wand and wants to use it to have Jermey, Candace's crush, to fall in love with her. Justin in one of his pride moments helps her because he wants Alex to get in trouble for them being there in the first place. While this is happing outside in the backyard Phinneas and Ferb introduce Alex and Max to their group of friends. This is a side note but I can totally see Buford having a crush on Alex but trying to hide it to not look like a "sissy" as he would say. If Harper would be there then she woudl bond with Isabella and her girl group and they would all make crafts together and talk about crushes that they think theyre being obvious about but the crush doesn't see. The episode would have the climax of the Russo kids along with Phinneas and Ferb with their freinds fightging Candace. Candace woudl have Alex's wand and the kids woudl have the technology that they woudl make. All while the parents are clueless. It would end with the kids winning against Candace and the Parents catching Justin and Candace. The Russo family goes back to their universe and all collapse on the couch out of exhaustion while Phinneas and Ferb would lay under their tree in the back yard and say "I wonder what were going to do tomorrow" and Alex would say "I can't wait to sleep all of tomorrow." The End.

In theatre it is no doubt that the area that I thrive in the most is acting. Currently I am the president of my schools drama club and thespian society. I believe that I have earned these titles due to my devoted passion for theatre and acting. I first started acting when I was 4 and have ever since. I believe that I graviatate towards acting not because I can pretend to be someone else, but because after the performance when I can take the makeup, hair, and costume off I truly can appreciate who I am as a person. Playing as someone else of course is fun, but being able to be myself again after a show feels amazing. It feels almost as I have been reborn. Acting also is a way that I can get my feelings out and not feel embarassed or ashamed. I recently was in a production of Addams Family, and I played Wednesday Addams. In the musical Wednesday Addams had spurts of being angry and upset, which was what I was feeling and could relate to at the time. With Wednesday's emotions in the musical I could really let my own anger and sadness out. When I had to preform the song "Crazier Than You" Wednesday was mad at her boyfriend, during that time I was mad at one of my firends. With that I took all of that emotion and put it into the song, which not only made the song look great but afterwards I felt great. It was like I was feeling a rush. Finally acting really allolws me to understand other people, and their emotions, as well as their feelings. In a play called "Trap" I played a girl named Angela, who saw all of her friends die, and no one believed her about how it happened. Angela was sent to a psyc ward and was told she was crazy, for this role I really had to be vulnrable on stage and to my fellow actors. Portraying Angela made me to feel just as small as she felt during the play. Due to this I have to respect for people who feel as if they are not seen, or if others made that person feel crazy. This taught me that everyone can feel different about a topic and that no ones feelings should be belittled because another person doesnt agree. Acting will forever and always be my passion and teach me things.

I believe that mental health is an important thing to all people because if you do not take care of your mental health and well-being, doing things such as daily activities would be highly difficult. Mental health is the reason for everything we do and how we do it, if my mental health is not good then a simple activity like brushing my hair can be very difficult. Good mental health not only can make things easier but also make you happier. How I personally maintain my mental health is by going to therapy, I used to be afraid of therapy and seeing a therapist because I thought that, that made me crazy or sound crazy. Once I got there and talked I realized that this was an outlet for me to pour out those emotions that I felt that I had to keep bundled inside of me. Another way outside of therapy of taking care of my mental health is I meditate every morning when I wake up, this is to get my brain and heart prepared for the day so I won't be as so sensitive to the emotions that I will feel that day. Something that I do to help my mental health that I can do anywhere is a journal, this is a mixture of the two other methods so that way I can get my feelings out and be prepared for future feelings that I may or may not have. This journal is only for my eyes, and with this, I can look back on my previous emotions and learn about what is the best way for me to process things that are safe and helpful for myself and others. As a person who has struggled with mental health problems, I try my absolute hardest to take care of it now, especially now that I will be graduating high school soon I need to make sure that my mental health is at its ti top shape so I can go into the world with a happy and healthy mind. There was once a time when I didn't have that and due to this, I tried to take my life on multiple occasions now that I have bettered myself I preach that people can help themselves now so they don't get to such a low point as I once did. Mental health is important because if you didn't take care of it who knows what would happen or who would be here still, and everyone deserves to be here.

As a Gen Z child, I think this makes a lot of sense. My parents are biologically my grandparents (I'm adopted) so this is an even bigger age gap between them. We are supposed to be the future and make a change in the world, but when you have different people with different opinions telling you how to make the world better it can get confusing. Being told what you should do for your every move and be exhausting, To add more to it, there are so many opinions of what to do with the world. We kids, the future, are conflicted about what to do, or if we should do anything at all. This text explains perfectly the hopocracy of people, our elders tell us how to do things and we try to rebel. That's just human nature, when we are forced to do something our natural reaction is to do the opposite. Also, the older generations lived in a different time. The text explains how we all have gone through battles and heartache, but we try to compare them and see who is worse so we can't bond. This is another big factor in the disagreements with the generations. I see it as graduating high school, You will be told what path to take, but ultimately it is our decision what measures will be put in effect to make sure we can be closer to stability. This text shows generations young and old how we may differ on things but the deeper meaning is we agree. We as people can't put our generation's differences aside from everything, but just having a conversation to see the other person's perspective on it is refreshing.

Success to me is being fully happy with where I am in life. I can live in a little cottage and work at a little cafe and think im successful. I believe that this sets me apart from others because when people think of success they think of being rich with a big house and a big job. People can overwork themselves to set these high expectations of where they think they should be because someone fo the media told them what they should do. When I imagine myself being successful I imagine myself living in a little apartment in New York, with my career as a high school teacher for theatre. That may sound boring to some but that is my personal goal. I know that I could do bigger or better things but you have to start small. Rome wasn't built in a day you have to have progression to get where you want to go, you can't just try to get to the top right out of the gate. This will be my success because I will be in a good state of mind while getting where I want to be. the harshness of trying to be the best as soon as possible can have a damaging effect on the mind and body. Stress can take over and it will be even harder to get where you want. I will be successful because slow and steady wins the race.

My name is Skilyn Roberts, I live in a town that has a population of less than 4,000. Because of the size of my town, there are not many local scholarships available to me. I am going to go to college at The American Musical and Dramatics Academy in Los Angeles. Coming from a small town I'm really for a culture shock and a wallet shock. My family is lower class so money is tight. I also have two autistic siblings who need a lot of extra care to make sure they can have a good bright future, Because of this, this is where a lot of our money goes. I work two jobs trying to save for college and to support myself so my parents can focus on my siblings. I also have a love for theatre, so on top of that I am in Two plays right now. This is to help with my college because I am getting a bachelor of fine arts in musical theatre. My end goal for life is to be a college professor of musical theatre, and to get a head start for that I am going to be graduating with my associate's degree at the end of the high school year. I'm trying to do what is best for me financially and to get ahead. This scholarship will help me so much because I am from a low-income household. My parents are not able to help me fund college so I am completely by myself getting money for college. Yes, the two jobs are helping but unfortunately, it's still not going to get me to where I want to be financially. This scholarship will help me get a huge leg up in my scholarship goal. My goal is to get at least $20,000 in scholarships. If I can reach this goal I will be so close to being able to pay for my first year at college, then it is only up from there. I try to work as hard as possible, but I am known to overwork myself. With this scholarship, there will be a huge weight lifted off my shoulders knowing that my cos of tuition will be lowered with the scholarship. This is my dream school and i cant see myself going anywhere else for college. I believe in myself and I hop you do too, if you do then this scholarship will be the perfect reward for all of my efforts at going to my dream school. Thank you!

When I was eleven years old I found out that I was adopted, this is not the reason for my perseverance though. When people found out that I was adopted, they were not kind. Just for some background I live in a very small town in Missouri, and things that seem "weird", or "not normal" scared people, so they retaliated. Once it was announced against my will by my counselor at school that I was adopted kids never looked at me the same. When kids found out I would get teased and bullied verbally, but then the physical altercations came. First, it was just being shoved in the hallways, then it went to me getting milk poured on me during lunch. But the worst of it was when three kids assaulted me two of them held my arms against a tree while the thirst kicked me in the stomach repeatedly. I had to get my recess taken away due to this instead of the children getting in trouble because "they didn't know any better". During what would be my recess time I had to sit in the counters office while I had "therapy time". This would be my counselor asking me questions such as "Why don't you want to live with your biological mother?" and offensive statements like "Its god's will that you live with her." I, unfortunately, was adopted because my mother was not stable to have children she was a drug addict and was a known prostitute in a city near where I live. But regardless of all of that happening I came back the next year to school and stood up for myself, i never used violence but know that if I let them keep saying and doing these things it would never stop. I also found teachers that I could trust to tell if it was a problem bigger than what I could handle. Since the children that bullied me saw that it wasn't going to get me down anymore, they eventually stopped. I also met some of my now friends because I stopped those same people from bullying them. From this whole experience I have learned that me being adopted is not something that I would be ashamed of, in fact, I should be proud that I was handpicked for my beautiful family. I have also learned that some people in my life are going to be ignorant and I can try to educate them but if they are not willing to learn then it's not worth my time, what is worth my time is the people who want to be educated and that can educate me as well. I now have surrounded myself with people that encourage me and teach me things every day, and I'm so grateful for them.

If I had to build my own Barbie Dream House it would be located in New York, because it's the city that never sleeps, and does Barbie really sleep? On the outside, it would look like a high-end apartment building, but it's all for Barbie! The building would be a light baby pink with the doors, windows, and balconies, would be hot pink. There would also be vines on the building to highlight some of the greenery that you don't see in the city, but these vines would be purple. The features that it would have on the inside would be an elevator to each floor because stairs can be exhausting for a Barbie to hop up. In the living room, there would be a button that would turn the living room into a disco room, so the couch and table would go into the floor and a light-up dance floor would come up, along with a disco ball appearing from the ceiling. The bathroom would have a shower with a rain shower head so Barbie can enjoy her invisible water with ease. The second story would have a gym where Barbie could get her gains, and again all of the equipment would be hot pink and purple. Finally from the top floor where her bedroom is there would be a slide to the living room so Barble can start her already beautiful day, with a fun start.

If I could have everyone in the world read one book, it would be "The Perks of Being A Wallflower" by Stephen Chbosky. This is because it's about students struggling in high school, not only can people relate to the main character Charlie, but it also shows how you never know what someone is going through. The character Charlie does struggle but there are moments of him not only finding friends along the way but finding himself. All of us have gone through a time in our life when we didn't know what we wanted to do in our future, or we didn't know we are as a person. But this book ultimately reminds us that even though were going through a terrible time that there will be people that will come into our life to encourage us and uplift us to being the best version of ourselves. This book can teach young people about the troubles and tribulations in our life so they can know what to expect and for older people it's a moment to relate and look at how far we all have come as people. Finally, all of the people who are the same age as Charlie just like him may be feeling lonely, but this book can make them feel a little less alone in the world and they can navigate life through this world. With the power of this book not only will you learn and reflect, but we can inspire others and help lighten someone else's load in life.

I am working on reviving the beauty of art (specifically the theatrical visual arts) because I firmly believe in using the theatrical visual arts for activism. Due to the nature of the United States now we need activism more than ever, using arts for activism is a way to not only get your art into the world and have it flourish. Also, you can leave an audience relating to characters, and allow them to see themselves as those characters so that they can see characters that have been oppressed and can see that they are not alone. Or something that would be even better is after an audience is done watching or viewing the visual theatrical art then they can reflect on themselves and wonder if what they are doing is in the best interest of the world and other people. Not only can you use your art to show messages of artists and actors of today but those same directors, crew, and actors can use their voices to promote and teach stories of people of the past that have been oppressed, and put in a situation where they feel like they do not have a voice, and can't speak their minds. There have been musicals and plays in the past that have shined a light on public issues not only in America but all around the world, an example of this is the play based on Anne Frank's Diary, this example has shown the entire world in a new and effective way of how our world has had catastrophes and how it affects people on a personal level. Art is something that is known to be subjective so why don't we use it to spread awareness of issues that have happened in the past, issues that are happening now, but also issues that could happen in the future?

Being a first-generation college student influences my career goals because my family and I are low-income and that is partially the reason that my mom and dad could not go to college. They couldn't go to college because of finances with having a child after high school, so due to this, I want to be able to give my parents a life they didn't get to experience because of not going to college and not having their younger life to themselves. My career goal is to be a college professor myself, this is so hopefully with my position as a professor I can help and encourage others to apply and hopefully get into college. This is also to encourage and remind my parents that it is never too late to go to college, and it might be more comfortable for them if they see a friendly face at college to help them, hopefully, that being myself. Being a first-generation college student can make it difficult at times because my parents can't help me with obstacles in college because they don't understand or relate to them. But ultimately me going to college as a first-generation college student it's also like my parents are going to college. They have raised me my whole life so this isn't just my accomplishment but theirs as well.

Music has changed my life because when I was eleven years old I found out that I was adopted, when I found this out I became extremely depressed. The way I would take out my frustration was by doing self-harm, as a child I didn't know how to express what and how I was feeling. I had always loved music but I didn't think that it could help me. Until one day I listened to the band Paramore and it changed me, their music gave me a new perspective on life that my hurting myself was not helping but could make things worse. Now I'm president of my school's elite choir "Pop Chorus" and I have performed in over five states, and sing as my job from bar to bar. Even though I love singing at bars, the career that I want is a postsecondary music/drama teacher, this is so I can have my life surrounded by music instead of it just being a hobby. Music has not just helped me find myself but it has helped me make new friends. I've met so many people from performing at gigs, that's how I even met my boyfriend. Not only has music given me a different perspective on life but it helped me meet the people that I will have in my life forever. Because music has made such an impact in my life I want to be able to go to college to get my major in music so not only so I can spread my story but to help people with theirs. I want to be a musical mentor and guide so I can help people navigate their way through music. Even if someone sings just for a hobby, listens to it to cope with issues, or makes it their career, I want to be able to help as many people as possible. (I couldn't upload videos of me singing so here are my promotional posters)

About three years ago my Aunt Marsha was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, when my family found this out we were devastated. After doing research we found out that it is usually not treatable, and that my Aunt Marsha didn’t have a lot of time left. So we stayed with her for about two months before she passed away in a hospice home. How this has affected my relationships is that I now really appreciate the time I have with my family, I grew up with my Aunt Marsha being one of my heroes and she was really there for me. I try to appreciate every moment I have with each one of my family members because my Aunt Marsha proved that you can never know how or when someone could leave, and you don't want to regret not doing anything when they do. After this happened my family was really mad at God, my family isn’t the most religious but they do believe in God. My dad was the most mad because it was his sister, but after a couple of months, my dad realized that it was god trying to take her with it being as painless as possible. How this affected me with my career aspirations, I always talked about what I wanted to be when I was older with my Aunt Marsha. She loved the idea of me being a drama and music teacher, she always supported my dreams of being in the music and theatre industry. She really believed in my talents when no one else really did, one of my favorite memories with her is when I showed her my song journal and she loved it. Every page of my music that she looked at she just told me how I was going to do big things one day, and people tell me that just to be nice but I could tell that she really meant it. Every time I feel like music and theatre isn’t for me I just think about all of the things she’s told me, how she believed that I could make it and that as long as I put my heart into what I do that I will be able to do anything. I take these words to heart and with these words in the back of my mind, I have been through the process of getting my music, theatre, and teaching degree. This is so I can spread my Aunt Marsha’s words of encouragement and perseverance, and help the future youth as a music and drama teacher.

Music has changed my life because when I was eleven years old I found out that I was adopted, when I found this out I became extremely depressed. The way I would take out my frustration was by doing self-harm, as a child I didn't know how to express what and how I was feeling. I had always loved music but I didn't think that it could help me. Until one day I listened to the band Paramore and it changed me, their music gave me a new perspective on life that my hurting myself was not helping but could make things worse. Unfortunately regardless of what they were saying in their songs I still didn't feel like a song got exactly how I was feeling. So my only solution was to write music, because it was coming straight from me I knew that I would be able to relate. Because of my discovery of writing music, I started to use that as an outlet for my frustrations and grief instead of taking it out on me and my body. That was six years ago but even to this day I still write music and perform, I can also proudly say that I have been self-harm free since then. Now I'm president of my school's elite choir "Pop Chorus" and I have performed in over five states, and sing as my job from bar to bar. Even though I love singing at bars, the career that I want is a postsecondary music/drama teacher, this is so I can have my life surrounded by music instead of it just being a hobby. Music has not just helped me find myself but it has helped me make new friends. I've met so many people from performing at gigs, that's how I even met my boyfriend. Not only has music given me a different perspective on life but it helped me meet the people that I will have in my life forever. Because music has made such an impact in my life I want to be able t go to college to get my major in music so not only so I can spread my story but to help people with theirs. I want to be a musical mentor and guide so I can help people navigate their way through music. Even if someone sings just for a hobby, listens to it to cope with issues, or makes it their career, I want to be able to help as many people as possible.

My mother is my superhero I know everyone says that but mine really is. My mom get custody of me when I was 3 months old because my biological mother had substance abuse. She has raised me my whole life and when I eventually found out that I was adopted she made me feel loved instead of feeling lied to. Around this time we found out about my sibling and how we had to drive to a different town to get my brother and how my mom took a flight to Texas from Missouri to get my sister before she was sent to foster care. My mom has put everything out of the way to make sure that my siblings and I are safe and loved. My mom is the best person I know.

I am a non-traditional student because I am adopted and am constantly in a battle with my biological mother about her substance abuse to the point of no contact, along with my adoption my siblings are adopted as well by our grandparents. Due to the age and lack of physicality of my grandparents, I take care of my siblings a majority of the time. This is all while going to high school during the school year and taking college classes over the summer while having a job at the same time. What drives me to do more is the reminder of when I'm older that I want my children and my siblings I take care of now, that I want them to have a happy healthy life. Along with good education and good role models to keep them going. What keeps me pushing I knowing that I have two little ones looking up to me and I want to be that good role model for them, that no matter what has happened to us that we can persevere.

My dream, a postsecondary drama teacher doing Broadway on the side with my significant other and our cat.

Music has shaped the way I view the world because it was an outlet for me when I felt like I had no one else. I found out that I was adopted when I was eleven years old and it changed me, at that time i felt like everyone I knew and loved had just lied to me for my whole life. I didn't know what to do with my anger and stress so I started to self-harm. I did this because it was a way for me to get all of my anger and sadness out. I have always loved music and singing but I strayed away from it around this time because I didn't think it could do anything for me. After a while of my self harming I hurt myself really badly and almost had to be taken to the hospital. This was the moment in my life when I realized that I have to stop and find better ways to cope. I tried a bunch of different ways to cope but they never worked, so after a good month of trying and failing to try to feel normal again and to be able to put my feelings somewhere, I found music again. When I first started rediscovering music it was just me listening to it. I would have my earbuds in all of the time finding new songs to relate to on how I was feeling, but sometimes those songs couldn't get my emotion just right so then I started writing music. This is where I flourished, I could finally have a way of expressing what I have to say without harming myself. I still to this day write music as a form of therapy, I am now part of my local and school choir and just recently made it to state as a soloist. Music has always been a part of me, it just got lost a little along the way. But just like everything that we love, we always come back. After high school, I plan on going to college to be a postsecondary music and drama teacher. This is my way of being able to show kids how music can impact your life and how it can help you live a better one too. If I didn't have music in my life I quite literally wouldn't be alive right now to be typing this, but I want to be able to show others how music can truly impact your life.

The most helpful piece of financial advise is that when you get money you split it in half, you safe half for your savings and the other half for spending. I have always thought this was smart becuase if you split it iup you dont think that its a lot that your saving but when you add it up it really is a lot. Another good piece of advise it save your change, every single penny and dime, they also add up fast.