Art is the one ingredient in the creation of who I am that has made all the difference in my life. My art is a direct reflection of all the experiences that have shaped me. From photographs to ceramic sculptures, there is a story to be told with all my creations that for years I have needed to keep silent. Being an immigrant and a recipient of DACA has caused me to hide. My art, however, brings me closer to humanity and the healing that I hope to spread to humankind if permitted. Through my art, I am no longer afraid to be Hispanic, a woman, and a creative entrepreneur. My niche is people and using art to help people. I have used my art to help the mental health community by creating signs, banners, posters, and social media campaigns that spread the message of proper self-care. I have volunteered my time for a handful of Black Lives Matter events as well by creating signage and doing live drawing sessions of the event to spread a message of how inequality and the ugliness that subsists in this country through a medium that allows for honesty and beauty to exist. These experiences have been therapeutic in my own life; giving me a voice when being silent was the safest. I have searched for meaning in all my jobs because of this need to mend humanity. Art as a career is the only reasonable path for me as it can co-exist with all these other areas of interest that I am passionate about as well. This scholarship will allow me to fund my schooling. I will be attending the University of Hawaii at Hilo and double majoring in Art and Psychology. My goal is to become an Art Therapist as well as continue to expand as a Fine Artist showcasing pieces that will bring my advocacy to the foreground. Luckily, it feels like the art world, entertainment world, and the whole world is moving toward amplifying the voices of the underrepresented. My art will only add to this positive trajectory, as will this opportunity to be awarded your scholarship.

There are challenges one would never predict would affect them. Struggling with my own mental health is one of them. At a very young age, I experienced two big life events that shaped me. At the age of four years old, my family and I moved from a heavily militarized country, Paraguay, all the way to the United States of America. Before this happened, our father left to try and set up roots in what would be our new home. Assimilating to American customs, being labeled an immigrant in a political climate that has grown so divisive in recent years, and dealing with the traumatic experience of being separated from my father at a young age gradually took a toll on my stability. On top of that, I am an unusual case. I am a recipient of DACA, better known by popular media outlets as a DREAMer. Because of this, there are certain things I can do -have a job, get into credit card debt, and drive a car- and things I cannot - take out a school loan, apply for Federal aid, and be eligible for certain scholarships. These hindrances in the pursuit of higher education kept me thinking negatively about my future, made me stay silent about pressing issues to avoid conflict, and kept me believing I did not deserve to build a life to be proud of. A life my parents left their country and families for in aspiration for all their children to have success. The guilt would set in about having such thoughts yet I still felt unworthy. I found my escape in the arts and my newfound interest in mental health advocacy. While I studied Fine Art at Sussex County Community College, I joined forces with DegreeUp: a community partner that helps students struggling with food insecurity, mental health issues, and other factors that prevent them from getting the college education they need. I was able to become a certified Mental Health First Aid Administrator through the program and become an outspoken ambassador to my peers about the importance of self-care. This inspired me to then double major in Art and Psychology in the hopes I will make a career in Art Therapy. Learning about positive mental health practices, getting help, and forming a support system made all the difference in pursuing my life and career goals. My niche is people and using art to help people. I have found art and becoming progressively more involved in the mental health community has been therapeutic in my life; giving me a voice when being silent was the safest. I have searched for meaning in all my jobs because of this need to mend humanity. I have worked with those seeking addiction recovery, underprivileged kids, and college kids that have allowed me to be part of the biggest, most daunting moments in their lives and sought me out for guidance! Finishing college with a (two, actually!) bachelor's degree is now the ultimate step towards achieving the latter goal. I would just need a bit more of a push to seal the deal to continue the journey of my true dream.