Dancing Through Life: How Wicked Sparked My Love For Theater The night I saw Wicked with my mom was pure magic—a whirlwind of powerful songs, unforgettable characters, and a story that left me dreaming long after the curtain fell. From the moment the curtain rose, I was transported to the magical world of Oz, captivated by the powerful performances, elaborate costumes, and enchanting storyline. The songs, like “Defying Gravity” and “For Good,” left a lasting impact, with lyrics that resonated deeply with me. Watching Elphaba defy expectations and rise above her challenges inspired me in ways I hadn't expected. It was more than just a night at the theater—it was the beginning of a lifelong love for the performing arts. That night sparked a passion for theater that quickly grew into something much more. Inspired by the emotions and storytelling on stage, I began seeking opportunities to become involved in theater myself. At first, I helped backstage, learning the ropes from behind the scenes. Before long, I was on stage as well, relishing the chance to step into different roles and bring stories to life. Each show, every role, felt like another chance to experience the magic I’d first felt watching Wicked with my mom. The thrill of performing and the camaraderie of theater filled me with a sense of purpose and joy. Wicked holds a unique place in my heart, not only because it inspired my involvement in theater but also because it represents a special bond with my mother. We still catch shows several times a year together. Sometimes it's a big production, like Wicked, but more often we support our community theater. However, the magic of that first night remains with me, reminding me that sometimes, we can defy gravity and reach new heights when we’re passionate about what we do.

Paying Kindness Forward: A Grandmother's Wisdom Creating a safe, fun space for teens has become one of my greatest passions. Through organizing a monthly game night for homeschooled teens, I’m able to give them a welcoming environment where they can unwind, connect, and simply have a good time. In today’s fast-paced world, where social media and school pressures often dominate their lives, I wanted to provide an escape—a place where real connections can happen, where they feel seen, valued, and respected. Game nights have become a powerful way for me to support and uplift young people. Watching them bond over friendly competition, celebrate small wins, and even navigate the occasional loss reminds me how these experiences shape character and build resilience. Some teens walk in shy or reserved, but as the evening progresses, their confidence starts to shine. Creating this space where they can open up, be themselves, and form new friendships is incredibly rewarding. It shows me, time and again, that sometimes, just having a space to feel included and supported makes all the difference. My drive to help others, especially teens, comes largely from my grandmother, who has been one of the biggest influences in my life. She always taught me to look beyond first impressions and try to see the good in everyone. Growing up, she’d often remind me that every person has a story and that a little kindness can go a long way. Her wisdom has been my guiding light, especially in my work with teens. Each young person I meet brings a unique story, perspective, and personality, and my grandmother’s advice has shaped how I approach every interaction—with patience, empathy, and understanding. By looking for the good in each person, I can better connect with and support them, no matter their background or challenges. As I move forward in life, I hold onto the values my grandmother instilled in me. Seeing the best in others, even when it’s not obvious, has allowed me to create lasting, supportive connections with the teens I work with. Through game nights, I hope to keep inspiring them to see the best in themselves and each other. Helping these teens discover joy, confidence, and connection is incredibly fulfilling, and I’m grateful for the chance to be a part of their lives. It’s my way of honoring my grandmother’s legacy, paying her kindness forward, one game night at a time.

Brandon Repola Memorial Scholarship Sophia Kitchen Grand Canyon University Marketing Major From Wanderlust to Wisdom I am a fourth generation Arizonan. I come from a family of cattle ranchers and entrepreneurs that helped to lay the foundation for this beautiful state. The second of five children, I learned responsibility early on. But, it wasn’t until graduating that I found my true passion: travel. In the past three years, I embarked on a solo journey across seventeen countries, recording my adventures along the way. Although often portrayed as glamorous by social media, travel can be dangerous. With a degree in marketing my goal is to highlight exotic locations and to bring safety awareness to fellow travelers. I like to feel that I am carrying on a family tradition of pioneering and adventure. With my collected experiences, both marvelous and miserable, I’ve developed a personal mission to shed light on the unrealistic standards shown by social media. As an avid solo traveler, I've fallen victim to the dangers of unrealistic expectations pushed by other travel influencers. I've dedicated myself to creating my own online presence in order to advocate for responsible travel. With hundreds of hours, my content is entertaining and informative. Check it out! My handle is @Podper. Self-funded, each step has been a testament to resilience and growth. I am currently working on a novelization of my trip to London. At one point I was stranded and had to become extremely resourceful to get by. This experience was an inspiration for a cautionary tale to other dreamy-eyed travelers. With an entertaining story line, I want to encourage people to explore the world, but with eyes wide open. I'm close to the editing phase of my book, and I hope to self publish my work within the year, and of course use my online presence to market it. Recognizing the power of the media to shape thought, I've embarked on a marketing degree. I am an innovative thinker and am drawn to the ever-evolving nature of advertising. It’s exciting to keep up with current trends, especially in the sphere of social media and digital marketing. It's the perfect medium for me to make a living while doing something I am passionate about. I’m excited to continue my education and apply what I’ve learned to make real change. Arizona will always be my home, but traveling has afforded me a widening perspective and a greater empathy for others. My journey from wanderlust to wisdom is proof of the transformative power that comes from seeking independence in a part of the world that is unfamiliar. As I continue to collect experiences and contacts abroad, I will eventually plan, market, and lead unforgettable trips. I'm committed to empowering fellow travelers to navigate the globe with awareness, authenticity, and a deep appreciation for differing cultures and landscapes.

Since the age of eighteen, I have embarked on an extraordinary journey to travel the world with nothing but determination and resourcefulness. Self-funded, each step has been a testament to resilience and growth. Traveling has afforded me a widening perspective and a greater empathy. It has shifted my worldview making me appreciate my own culture while enjoying the uniqueness of others. Unfortunately, travel is not always as glamorous as it is portrayed in the media. I am currently working on a novelization of one of my experiences. London, a city I thought would be safe, is where I experienced the worst of solo travel. In exchange for bed and dinner, I volunteered for a month in a youth hostel. We volunteers worked through illness and lack of food and rest. Our schedule would consist of overnight duties immediately followed by a late morning shift. We were too exhausted to explore London, part of the purpose for volunteering there. Eventually, I advocated for better working conditions, and as a result, was immediately asked to leave with no notice and little money. In a city of strangers, I had to become extremely resourceful to get by. A few months later I learned that the hostel had closed. This experience was an inspiration for a cautionary tale to other dreamy-eyed girls. I'm close to the editing phase of my book, and I hope to self publish my work within the year. With my collected experiences, both marvelous and miserable, I’ve developed a personal mission to shed light on the unrealistic standards shown by social media. As an avid solo traveler, I've fallen victim to the dangers of unrealistic expectations pushed by other travel influencers. I've dedicated myself to creating my own online presence in order to advocate for responsible travel. With hundreds of hours, my content is entertaining and informative. Recognizing the power of the media to shape thought, I've embarked on a marketing degree. My ultimate goal is to educate regarding safe travel. I am an innovative thinker and am drawn to the ever-evolving nature of advertising. It’s exciting to keep up with current marketing trends, especially in the sphere of social media. It's the perfect medium for me to make a living while doing something I am passionate about. My journey from wanderlust to wisdom is proof of the transformative power that comes from seeking independence in a part of the world that is unfamiliar. I'm committed to empowering fellow travelers, especially young women, to navigate the globe with awareness, authenticity, and a deep appreciation for differing cultures and landscapes.

Since the age of eighteen, I have embarked on an extraordinary journey to travel the world with nothing but my determination and resourcefulness. Self-funded and devoid of parental guidance, each step of my journey has been a testament to resilience and survival. But past the exotic locales and cultural immersion, I've encountered the harsh realities of life and what it means to become an adult. I have experienced homelessness, work exploitation, and life-threatening illnesses in foreign countries, and survived harsh living conditions. However, each challenge became a moment for personal growth, fortifying my resolve and opening my worldview. Central to my travels has been a mission to shed light on the unrealistic standards shown by social media. As an avid solo traveler, I've witnessed firsthand the dangers of unrealistic expectations pushed by influencers. I've dedicated myself to creating an online presence of my own in order to advocate responsible travel. I am currently working on a novelization of one of my experiences. In London, a city I thought would be safe, is where I experienced the worst of solo travel. In a hostel, I volunteered for a month to the point of exhaustion. I often worked through illnesses (scarlett fever at one point) and lack of food and rest. Volunteers would work for eighteen hours straight, several days in a row. It wasn’t until I advocated for better working conditions that I was kicked out and left homeless with little money. In a city of strangers, I had to find courage and resolve. I'm close to the editing phase, and I hope to self publish my work within the year. Recognizing the power of education, I've embarked on a marketing degree. My goal is to amplify my advocacy efforts, reaching a broader audience and effecting real change into the realm of safe travel awareness. I am an innovative thinker and am drawn to the ever-evolving nature of marketing. It’s exciting to keep up with current marketing trends, especially through social media. It's the perfect medium for me to make a living while doing something I'm passionate about. My journey from wanderlust to wisdom is proof of the transformative power that comes from seeking independence in a part of the world that is unfamiliar. I'm committed to empowering fellow travelers, especially young women, to navigate the world with honest awareness, authenticity, and a deep appreciation for the beauty and complexity it holds. I know I can make a difference. I get limited parental support and this scholarship would help me get one step closer to realizing my dream.

Since the age of eighteen, I have embarked on an extraordinary journey to travel the world with nothing but my determination and resourcefulness. Self-funded and devoid of parental guidance, each step of my journey has been a testament to resilience and survival. But past the exotic locales and cultural immersion, I've encountered the harsh realities of life and what it means to become an adult. I have experienced homelessness, work exploitation, and life-threatening illnesses in foreign countries, and survived harsh living conditions. However, each challenge became a moment for personal growth, fortifying my resolve and opening my worldview. Central to my travels has been a mission to shed light on the unrealistic standards shown by social media. As an avid solo traveler, I've witnessed firsthand the dangers of unrealistic expectations pushed by influencers. I've dedicated myself to creating an online presence of my own in order to advocate responsible travel. I am currently working on a novelization of one of my experiences. In London, a city I thought would be safe, is where I experienced the worst of solo travel. In a hostel, I volunteered for a month to the point of exhaustion. I often worked through illnesses (scarlett fever at one point) and lack of food and rest. Volunteers would work for eighteen hours straight, several days in a row. It wasn’t until I advocated for better working conditions that I was kicked out and left homeless with little money. In a city of strangers, I had to find courage and resolve. I'm close to the editing phase, and I hope to self publish my work within the year. Recognizing the power of education, I've embarked on a marketing degree. My goal is to amplify my advocacy efforts, reaching a broader audience and effecting real change into the realm of safe travel awareness. I am an innovative thinker and am drawn to the ever-evolving nature of marketing. It’s exciting to keep up with current marketing trends, especially through social media. It's the perfect medium for me to make a living while doing something I'm passionate about. My journey from wanderlust to wisdom is proof of the transformative power that comes from seeking independence in a part of the world that is unfamiliar. I'm committed to empowering fellow travelers, especially young women, to navigate the world with honest awareness, authenticity, and a deep appreciation for the beauty and complexity it holds. I know I can make a difference. I get limited parental support and this scholarship would help me get one step closer to realizing my dream.