I've been playing for as long as I can remember. I've always been enthralled with how expressive and evocative music & art can be, and I always knew it was what I was meant to do. Growing up, I often found myself struggling and alone, and music was always there for me when no one else was. I could always put on my headphones and hear my thoughts and feelings that I didn't know how to express myself. There have been huge parts of my life where music was the only thing keeping me sane. I can pay it forward through my music and help other lonely kids feel less alone. Sometimes, that's all it takes to get you through the day. Authenticity is the core of my songwriting philosophy. Why should anyone else be invested in my work if I'm not even invested in myself? Songwriting has to come from a place of truth to go anywhere, but once I find that story, it's just a matter of finding the right words and sounds to convey that. People connect to truth. It's hard not to. Even if someone can't relate to whatever specific experience I'm writing about, authenticity keeps it grounded and human in a way that can be cathartic to anyone. I usually write about processing trauma and living with mental illness, but lately, I've also been writing more about politics as well. There's a lot of overlap between those topics since it comes down to power and control vs empathy and growth. These topics come naturally because I feel them both so strongly in my bones that I can't not write about them. I can't just shut up and do nothing. Especially with those topics, it's important to share my thoughts and experiences because of how dangerous isolation and alienation are. Community and empathy are powerful tools of change, both for individual healing and societal progress, and what better tool than music to unite people? As I've honed my craft, I've seen myself get better at expressing myself musically & lyrically with a fuller range and depth since my early work. I've gotten more confident in my skills as a songwriter and performer. I still think of myself as early in my career, but my main direction is moving forward. I'm moving forward with my work since so much of my practice is tightly based on authenticity and sustainable practice. I just want to do more! More writing, more live shows, more music and art! I also don't feel the need to have a static identity or endpoint. I'm leaving the door open as an ever-evolving identity because that's just what being alive is, so that will show up in my work. The journey is the point. My commitment to constantly growing and changing authentically makes my work consistent and defines my artistic identity.

I've been playing music for as long as I can remember. I've always been enthralled with how expressive and evocative music can be and always knew it was what I was meant to do. Growing up, I often found myself struggling and alone, and music was always there for me when no one else was. I could always put on my headphones and hear all the thoughts and feelings that I didn't know how to express myself. There have been huge parts of my life where music was the only thing keeping me sane. I hope through my music, I can pay it forward and help some other lonely kids feel less alone. Sometimes that's all it takes to get you through the day. Authenticity is the core of my songwriting philosophy. If I'm not invested in what I'm working on, why should anyone else be? I think songwriting has to come from a place of truth to be able to go anywhere, but once I find that story it's just a matter of finding the right words and sounds to convey that. People connect to truth. It's hard not to. Even if someone can't relate to whatever specific experience I'm writing about, authenticity keeps it grounded and human in a way that can be cathartic to anyone. I usually write about processing trauma and living with mental illness, but lately, I've also been writing more about politics as well. I think there's a lot of overlap between those topics since a lot of it comes down to power and control vs empathy and growth. I think these topics come the most naturally to me because I feel them both so strongly in my bones that I can't not write about them. I think, especially with those topics, it's important to share my thoughts and experiences because of how dangerous isolation and alienation are. Community and empathy are such powerful tools of change, both for individual healing and societal progress, and what better tool than music to unite people? I've definitely gotten better at expressing myself musically & lyrically with a fuller range and depth since my early work. I've gotten a lot more confident in my skills as a songwriter and performer. I still think of myself as in the early part of my career, but the main direction for me is just forward. Since so much of my practice is so tightly based in authenticity and sustainable practice, I'm mainly just moving forward with my work. I want to do more! More writing, more live shows, more music and art! I don't really feel like I need to have a static identity or endpoint. I'm leaving the door open as an ever-evolving identity because I think that's just what being alive is, so of course, that's going to show up in my work. The journey is the point. My commitment to constantly growing and changing authentically is what makes my work consistent and what defines my artistic identity.

I've been playing for as long as I can remember. I've always been enthralled with how expressive and evocative music can be and always knew it was what I was meant to do. Growing up, I often found myself struggling and alone, and music was always there for me when no one else was. I could always put on my headphones and hear all the thoughts and feelings that I didn't know how to express myself. There have been huge parts of my life where music was the only thing keeping me sane. I hope through my music, I can pay it forward and help some other lonely kids feel less alone. Sometimes that's all it takes to get you through the day. Authenticity is the core of my songwriting philosophy. If I'm not invested in what I'm working on, why should anyone else be? I think songwriting has to come from a place of truth to be able to go anywhere, but once I find that story it's just a matter of finding the right words and sounds to convey that. People connect to truth. It's hard not to. Even if someone can't relate to whatever specific experience I'm writing about, authenticity keeps it grounded and human in a way that can be cathartic to anyone. I usually write about processing trauma and living with mental illness, but lately, I've also been writing more about politics as well. I think there's a lot of overlap between those topics since a lot of it comes down to power and control vs empathy and growth. I think these topics come the most naturally to me because I feel them both so strongly in my bones that I can't not write about them. I think especially with those topics it's important to share my thoughts and experiences because of how dangerous isolation and alienation is. Community and empathy are such powerful tools of change, both for individual healing and societal progress, and what better tool than music to unite people? I've definitely gotten better at expressing myself musically & lyrically with a fuller range and depth since my early work. I've gotten a lot more confident in my skills as a songwriter and performer. I still think of myself as in the early part of my career, but the main direction for me is just forward. Since so much of my practice is so tightly based in authenticity and sustainable practice, I'm mainly just moving forward with my work. I want to do more! More writing, more live shows, more music and art! I also don't really feel like I need to have a static identity or endpoint. I'm leaving the door open as an ever-evolving identity because I think that's just what being alive is, so of course, that's going to show up in my work. The journey is the point. My commitment to constant growing and changing authentically is what makes my work consistent and what defines my artistic identity. I love playing shows. Playing live is probably my favorite part of being an artist. I have an acting background from when I was a kid and it definitely affected how I approach music and performance. I think acting is a crucial ingredient in my music. I could write the most profound song but if the audience isn't buying the emotional performance behind the song it'll fall flat. I have a self imposed rule that I only use vocal takes that I know I can consistently reproduce and I only release songs I'd be ok having in a setlist.

I've been playing for as long as I can remember. I've always been enthralled with how expressive and evocative music can be and always knew it was what I was meant to do. Growing up, I often found myself struggling and alone, and music was always there for me when no one else was. I could always put on my headphones and hear all the thoughts and feelings that I didn't know how to express myself. There have been huge parts of my life where music was the only thing keeping me sane. I hope through my music, I can pay it forward and help some other lonely kids feel less alone. Sometimes that's all it takes to get you through the day. Authenticity is the core of my songwriting philosophy. If I'm not invested in what I'm working on, why should anyone else be? I think songwriting has to come from a place of truth to be able to go anywhere, but once I find that story it's just a matter of finding the right words and sounds to convey that. People connect to truth. It's hard not to. Even if someone can't relate to whatever specific experience I'm writing about, authenticity keeps it grounded and human in a way that can be cathartic to anyone. I usually write about processing trauma and living with mental illness, but lately, I've also been writing more about politics as well. I think there's a lot of overlap between those topics since a lot of it comes down to power and control vs empathy and growth. I think these topics come the most naturally to me because I feel them both so strongly in my bones that I can't not write about them. I think especially with those topics it's important to share my thoughts and experiences because of how dangerous isolation and alienation is. Community and empathy are such powerful tools of change, both for individual healing and societal progress, and what better tool than music to unite people? I've definitely gotten better at expressing myself musically & lyrically with a fuller range and depth since my early work. I've gotten a lot more confident in my skills as a songwriter and performer. I still think of myself as in the early part of my career, but the main direction for me is just forward. Since so much of my practice is so tightly based in authenticity and sustainable practice, I'm mainly just moving forward with my work. I want to do more! More writing, more live shows, more music and art! I also don't really feel like I need to have a static identity or endpoint. I'm leaving the door open as an ever-evolving identity because I think that's just what being alive is, so of course, that's going to show up in my work. The journey is the point. My commitment to constant growing and changing authentically is what makes my work consistent and what defines my artistic identity. I love playing shows. Playing live is probably my favorite part of being an artist. I have an acting background from when I was a kid and it definitely affected how I approach music and performance. I think acting is a crucial ingredient in my music. I could write the most profound song but if the audience isn't buying the emotional performance behind the song it'll fall flat. I have a self imposed rule that I only use vocal takes that I know I can consistently reproduce and I only release songs I'd be ok having in a setlist.

I've been playing for as long as I can remember. I've always been enthralled with how expressive and evocative music can be and always knew it was what I was meant to do. Growing up, I often found myself struggling and alone, and music was always there for me when no one else was. I could always put on my headphones and hear all the thoughts and feelings that I didn't know how to express myself. There have been huge parts of my life where music was the only thing keeping me sane. I hope through my music, I can pay it forward and help some other lonely kids feel less alone. Sometimes that's all it takes to get you through the day. Authenticity is the core of my songwriting philosophy. If I'm not invested in what I'm working on, why should anyone else be? I think songwriting has to come from a place of truth to be able to go anywhere, but once I find that story it's just a matter of finding the right words and sounds to convey that. People connect to truth. It's hard not to. Even if someone can't relate to whatever specific experience I'm writing about, authenticity keeps it grounded and human in a way that can be cathartic to anyone. I usually write about processing trauma and living with mental illness, but lately, I've also been writing more about politics as well. I think there's a lot of overlap between those topics since a lot of it comes down to power and control vs empathy and growth. I think these topics come the most naturally to me because I feel them both so strongly in my bones that I can't not write about them. I think especially with those topics it's important to share my thoughts and experiences because of how dangerous isolation and alienation is. Community and empathy are such powerful tools of change, both for individual healing and societal progress, and what better tool than music to unite people? I've definitely gotten better at expressing myself musically & lyrically with a fuller range and depth since my early work. I've gotten a lot more confident in my skills as a songwriter and performer. I still think of myself as in the early part of my career, but the main direction for me is just forward. Since so much of my practice is so tightly based in authenticity and sustainable practice, I'm mainly just moving forward with my work. I want to do more! More writing, more live shows, more music and art! I also don't really feel like I need to have a static identity or endpoint. I'm leaving the door open as an ever-evolving identity because I think that's just what being alive is, so of course, that's going to show up in my work. The journey is the point. My commitment to constant growing and changing authentically is what makes my work consistent and what defines my artistic identity. I love playing shows. Playing live is probably my favorite part of being an artist. I have an acting background from when I was a kid and it definitely affected how I approach music and performance. I think acting is a crucial ingredient in my music. I could write the most profound song but if the audience isn't buying the emotional performance behind the song it'll fall flat. I have a self imposed rule that I only use vocal takes that I know I can consistently reproduce and I only release songs I'd be ok having in a setlist.

For as long as I remember I’ve wanted to be a creator. An artist, a musician, a writer, a storyteller. I've always pursued individualized, self-motivated study of styles and techniques that I was interested in. Learning how to read charts from a complete Beatles songbook, and developing my musicianship skills by learning melodies by ear. Understanding composition and layering through observing Monet's brushstrokes. Creativity filled in what I'd always been denied: my voice. To me, art, in its most basic terms, is a form of communication, often being extremely intimate and vulnerable. Due to its personal and intimate qualities, great art is often deeply personal, sometimes only to be shared with (or truly understood by) a select few, if to be shared at all. I believe the best art is created for the self rather than external response. For example, the majority of my art, certainly what I might consider my “best work” is deeply personal, often exploring themes of mental illness, trauma, and interpersonal relationships. That being said, I of course have a wide range through which I can practice authenticity, including brevity, light-heartedness, and humor through which I create work as well. While I am honored that my work connects with those who find it and helps people, it is important to me that that not be the goal. In making others the goal, I feel that art (at least my art) would lose the personal touch, the authenticity, and vulnerability that made it connect in the first place. I make art for myself- art that I need, art that I can personally connect with. If I don't connect with my work, how would anyone else? And in using this approach, I know there will be an audience who will connect when I share it as I understand that my circumstances (and perhaps my thoughts, feelings, and reactions to such circumstances) are not inherently unique. That being said, I am still of course expecting to find work through employment and ability to meet assignment criteria. However, even in professional contexts, I think it's extremely important to hold (and continue to refine and evolve) my own voice. Without my personal touch, I'm a craftsman, not an artist. My personal voice is what gives my work its value and makes me irreplaceable. As a disabled student with complex-PTSD, my disability makes it difficult for me to keep up with my peers and take care of myself. My disability causes flashbacks, chronic fatigue and chronic pain, which makes it difficult for me to focus, concentrate, and participate in class. However, I am determined to succeed, and I believe that a service dog would be life-changing for me. During one class, I experienced a severe flashback to a traumatic event. My heart started to race, my palms became sweaty, and I felt like I couldn't breathe. I tried to focus on the lecture, but the images and sensations from the flashback were too overwhelming. I dissociated and panicked, unable to focus on the lecture. Instead of being treated with compassion and empathy toward my condition, my professor judged me, questioned me, and made me feel like I was not a deserving student. Her judgment and disbelief made me feel isolated, unsupported, and humiliated. I questioned my ability to succeed in school and was worried about if I really had the support of the institution. This experience taught me that I need to be my own advocate and fight for my accommodations and the rights of other disabled students. Given my experience in finding and creating my own pathways to accessibility, I've learned that a service dog would be life-changing for me. These dogs can provide companionship, support, and assistance that can make a significant difference in letting me participate in my life the way I see my peers are able to. However, getting a service dog is extremely challenging and expensive. Service dogs typically cost between $10,000 and $30,000 to train. As a disabled student struggling to keep up with an able-bodied workload as is, it's been extremely difficult and slow to save up for a service dog. This scholarship would help me finance a service dog. This would be life-changing to me as a disabled student. I am confident that a service dog would allow me to participate in my academic life more fully and to achieve my goals. I am determined to get a service dog, and I am working hard to save up for the cost of training, and hope to afford one soon with your support. It’s hard enough being an abuse survivor, a trauma survivor, and a disabled student. It’s made so much more difficult and scary to be forced into the role of educator, and self-advocate. I am alienated from every environment because the world is designed to accommodate the neurotypical and able. As a disabled student with complex-PTSD, I often face significant challenges in my academic life. My disability can cause flashbacks, dissociative episodes, chronic pain, chronic fatigue, and many other symptoms that make it impossible to focus, concentrate, and participate in class. Despite these challenges, I am determined to complete my degree, pursue my goals and to live a fulfilling life. A service dog would be life-changing for me, allowing me to participate in my academic life more fully and to achieve my goals. I am confident that I am a deserving candidate for this scholarship, and I am grateful for the opportunity to apply. I am determined to succeed and voice my unique perspective and experiences. A service dog would be a life-changing investment in my future. I am confident that a service dog would help me to succeed in my academic studies and to pursue my dreams. I am determined to use my voice for advocacy and support my fellow disabled folks, and advocate for myself and what I believe in. My personal voice is what gives my work its impact, and I will always use my voice.

I am a proud advocate for environmentalism, animal rights, accessibility/disability rights, and many other issues of empathy-based politics. I believe that these issues are all interconnected, and that we must work together to create a better future for all. I describe myself as a "freelance advocate" as I advocate for many important issues where there are opportunities to have a positive impact, but I'm not formally associated with advocacy organizations as my disability would make this very difficult for me. But despite these hurdles, I am passionate about these issues because I believe that all people deserve to live in a safe, healthy, and just world, and I believe there are solutions that, while perhaps imperfect, could vastly & tangibly improve the lives and wellbeing of countless people and animals. I want to find ways to make the world a better place for everyone, and am willing to work hard to make that happen. I have a proven track record of achieving tangible results. As a high school student, I worked with the Mayor of my city to increase resources and accessibility to mental health resources to students amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. I also created lesson plans about mental health, eating disorders, and posttraumatic stress disorder that were incorporated into our high school's health class curriculum. As a college student, I am currently working with the Dean of Student Affairs to reduce my college's environmental impact. I have proposed a number of initiatives, including updating our dining hall menu to be up to 75% more sustainable, and eliminating the use of avoidable high-emission habits such as changing our leaf blowers to rakes or street sweepers. I am confident that these initiatives will make a significant impact on our campus community. Through my keen leadership skills and drive, I was invited by the upper faculty to act as student ambassador on the environmental justice and accessibility committees. I am not shy about participating in these committees, and I frequently offer salient insights that the other committee members have not considered. I am grateful for the opportunity to discuss crucial issues and contribute to constructive decisions to benefit my community. I frequently speak to faculty groups about recognizing our own biases, developing more sustainable practices, and how to ensure our community is committed to fighting injustices at every level. I think it is crucial to passionately fight injustice and recognize the importance of youth activism as a powerful force for change. I am grateful to have witnessed firsthand the effects of my leadership as my friends and peers are inspired to join in with my fervent drive for justice and sustainability. I am proud to empower others to make a difference. I am excited about the future and I am confident that I can make a difference in the world. I am grateful for the opportunity to apply for this scholarship, and I hope that you will consider my application.

For as long as I remember I’ve wanted to be a creator. An artist, a musician, a writer, a storyteller. But taking piano lessons and art classes throughout my childhood, the discipline wasn’t there. I benefited most from individual, self-motivated study of styles and techniques that I was interested in. Learning how to read charts from a complete Beatles songbook, and developing my musicianship skills by learning melodies by ear. Understanding composition and layering through observing Monet's brushstrokes. Perhaps the training didn’t stick because what I was missing was my voice. Perhaps what I really wanted was to be understood. To me, art, in its most basic terms, is a form of communication, often being extremely intimate and vulnerable. Due to its personal and intimate qualities, great art is often deeply personal, sometimes only to be shared with (or truly understood by) a select few, if to be shared at all. I believe the best art is created for the self rather than external response. For example, the majority of my art, certainly what I might consider my “best work” is deeply personal, often exploring themes of mental illness, trauma, and interpersonal relationships. That being said, I of course have a wide range through which I can practice authenticity, including brevity, light-heartedness, and humor through which I create work as well. While I am honored that my work connects with those who find it and helps people, it is important to me that that not be the goal. In making others the goal, I feel that art (at least my art) would lose the personal touch, the authenticity, and vulnerability that made it connect in the first place. I make art for myself- art that I need, art that I can personally connect with. If I don't connect with my work, how would anyone else? And in using this approach, I know there will be an audience who will connect when I share it as I understand that my circumstances (and perhaps my thoughts, feelings, and reactions to such circumstances) are not inherently unique. Even in professional contexts, I think it's extremely important to hold (and continue to refine and evolve) my own voice. Without my personal touch, I'm a craftsman, not an artist. My personal voice is what gives my work its value and makes me irreplaceable. My strong sense of morality, deeply empathetic ethic, and intense drive to have a positive impact through my work allows me to create important and meaningful work. As a disabled student with complex-PTSD, as a disabled creative, I face unique challenges such as flashbacks, dissociation, and chronic pain, which makes it difficult for me to focus, concentrate, and participate in my life as my peers are able to. However, I am determined to succeed and voice my unique perspective and experiences. I am determined to use my voice for advocacy and support my fellow disabled folks, and advocate for myself and what I believe in. My personal voice is what gives my work its impact, and I will always use my voice.

For as long as I remember I’ve wanted to be a creator. An artist, a musician, a writer, a storyteller. But taking piano lessons and art classes throughout my childhood, the discipline wasn’t there. I benefited most from individual, self-motivated study of styles and techniques that I was interested in. Learning how to read charts from a complete Beatles songbook, and developing my musicianship skills by learning melodies by ear. Understanding composition and layering through observing Monet's brushstrokes. Perhaps the training didn’t stick because what I was missing was my voice. Perhaps what I really wanted was to be understood. To me, art, in its most basic terms, is a form of communication, often being extremely intimate and vulnerable. Due to its personal and intimate qualities, great art is often deeply personal, sometimes only to be shared with (or truly understood by) a select few, if to be shared at all. I believe the best art is created for the self rather than external response. For example, the majority of my art, certainly what I might consider my “best work” is deeply personal, often exploring themes of mental illness, trauma, and interpersonal relationships. That being said, I of course have a wide range through which I can practice authenticity, including brevity, light-heartedness, and humor through which I create work as well. While I am honored that my work connects with those who find it and helps people, it is important to me that that not be the goal. In making others the goal, I feel that art (at least my art) would lose the personal touch, the authenticity, and vulnerability that made it connect in the first place. I make art for myself- art that I need, art that I can personally connect with. If I don't connect with my work, how would anyone else? And in using this approach, I know there will be an audience who will connect when I share it as I understand that my circumstances (and perhaps my thoughts, feelings, and reactions to such circumstances) are not inherently unique. Even in professional contexts, I think it's extremely important to hold (and continue to refine and evolve) my own voice. Without my personal touch, I'm a craftsman, not an artist. My personal voice is what gives my work its value and makes me irreplaceable. My strong sense of morality, deeply empathetic ethic, and intense drive to have a positive impact through my work allows me to create important and meaningful work. As a disabled student with complex-PTSD, as a disabled creative, I face unique challenges such as flashbacks, dissociation, and chronic pain, which makes it difficult for me to focus, concentrate, and participate in my life as my peers are able to. However, I am determined to succeed and voice my unique perspective and experiences. I am determined to use my voice for advocacy and support my fellow disabled folks, and advocate for myself and what I believe in. My personal voice is what gives my work its impact, and I will always use my voice.

As a disabled student with complex-PTSD, my disability makes it difficult for me to focus and concentrate in class. My disability causes flashbacks and chronic pain, which makes it difficult for me to focus, concentrate, and participate in class. However, I am determined to succeed, and I believe that a service dog would be life-changing for me. During one class, I experienced a severe flashback to a traumatic event. My heart started to race, my palms became sweaty, and I felt like I couldn't breathe. I tried to focus on the lecture, but the images and sensations from the flashback were too overwhelming. I dissociated and panicked, unable to focus on the lecture. Instead of being treated with compassion and empathy toward my condition, my professor judged me, questioned me, and made me feel like I was not a deserving student. Her judgment and disbelief made me feel isolated, unsupported, and humiliated. I questioned my ability to succeed in school and was worried about if I really had the support of the institution. This experience taught me that I need to be my own advocate and fight for my accommodations and the rights of other disabled students. Given my experience in finding and creating my own pathways to accessibility, I've learned that a service dog would be life-changing for me. These dogs can provide companionship, support, and assistance that can make a significant difference in letting me participate in my life the way I see my peers are able to. However, getting a service dog is extremely challenging and expensive. Service dogs typically cost between $10,000 and $30,000 to train. As a disabled student struggling to keep up with an able-bodied workload as is, it's been extremely difficult and slow to save up for a service dog. This scholarship would help me finance a service dog. This would be life-changing to me as a disabled student. I am confident that a service dog would allow me to participate in my academic life more fully and to achieve my goals. I am determined to get a service dog, and I am working hard to save up for the cost of training, and hope to afford one soon with your support. It’s hard enough being an abuse survivor, a trauma survivor, and a disabled student. It’s made so much more difficult and scary to be forced into the role of educator, and self-advocate. I am alienated from every environment because the world is designed to accommodate the neurotypical and able. As a disabled student with complex-PTSD, I often face significant challenges in my academic life. My disability can cause flashbacks, dissociative episodes, chronic pain, chronic fatigue, and many other symptoms that make it impossible to focus, concentrate, and participate in class. Despite these challenges, I am determined to complete my degree, pursue my goals and to live a fulfilling life. A service dog would be life-changing for me, allowing me to participate in my academic life more fully and to achieve my goals. I am confident that I am a deserving candidate for this scholarship, and I am grateful for the opportunity to apply. I am a determined and motivated student, and I am committed to achieving my academic goals. A service dog would be a life-changing investment in my future. I am confident that a service dog would help me to succeed in my academic studies and to pursue my dreams.

As a disabled student with complex-PTSD, as a disabled creative, I face unique challenges such as flashbacks, dissociation, and chronic pain, which makes it difficult for me to focus, concentrate, and participate in my life as my peers are able to. However, I am determined to succeed and voice my unique perspective and experiences. I am determined to use my voice for advocacy and support my fellow disabled folks, and advocate for myself and what I believe in. My personal voice is what gives my work its impact, and I will always use my voice. This scholarship would help me finance a service dog. This would be life-changing to me as a disabled student. I am confident that a service dog would allow me to participate in my life more fully and to achieve my goals. I am determined to get a service dog, and I am working hard to save up for the cost of training, and hope to afford one soon with your support. Every step I take in finding & creating pathways of accessibility is a step in creating opportunities for advocacy. I know I can go far.

For as long as I remember I’ve wanted to be a creator. An artist, a musician, a writer, a storyteller. But taking piano lessons and art classes throughout my childhood, the discipline wasn’t there. I benefited most from individual, self-motivated study of styles and techniques that I was interested in. Learning how to read charts from a complete Beatles songbook, and developing my musicianship skills by learning melodies by ear. Understanding composition and layering through observing Monet's brushstrokes. Perhaps the training didn’t stick because what I was missing was my voice. Perhaps what I really wanted was to be understood. To me, art, in its most basic terms, is a form of communication, often being extremely intimate and vulnerable. Due to its personal and intimate qualities, great art is often deeply personal, sometimes only to be shared with (or truly understood by) a select few, if to be shared at all. I believe the best art is created for the self rather than external response. For example, the majority of my art, certainly what I might consider my “best work” is deeply personal, often exploring themes of mental illness, trauma, and interpersonal relationships. That being said, I of course have a wide range through which I can practice authenticity, including brevity, light-heartedness, and humor through which I create work as well. While I am honored that my work connects with those who find it and helps people, it is important to me that that not be the goal. In making others the goal, I feel that art (at least my art) would lose the personal touch, the authenticity, and vulnerability that made it connect in the first place. I make art for myself- art that I need, art that I can personally connect with. If I don't connect with my work, how would anyone else? And in using this approach, I know there will be an audience who will connect when I share it as I understand that my circumstances (and perhaps my thoughts, feelings, and reactions to such circumstances) are not inherently unique. That being said, I am still of course expecting to find work through employment and ability to meet assignment criteria. However, even in professional contexts, I think it's extremely important to hold (and continue to refine and evolve) my own voice. Without my personal touch, I'm a craftsman, not an artist. My personal voice is what gives my work its value and makes me irreplaceable. As a disabled student with complex-PTSD, as a disabled creative, I face unique challenges such as flashbacks, dissociation, and chronic pain, which makes it difficult for me to focus, concentrate, and participate in my life as my peers are able to. However, I am determined to succeed and voice my unique perspective and experiences. I am determined to use my voice for advocacy and support my fellow disabled folks, and advocate for myself and what I believe in. My personal voice is what gives my work its impact, and I will always use my voice. This scholarship would help me finance a service dog. This would be life-changing to me as a disabled student. I am confident that a service dog would allow me to participate in my life more fully and to achieve my goals. I am determined to get a service dog, and I am working hard to save up for the cost of training, and hope to afford one soon with your support. Every step I take in finding & creating pathways of accessibility is a step in creating opportunities for advocacy. I know I can go far.

For as long as I remember I’ve wanted to be a creator. An artist, a musician, a writer, a storyteller. But taking piano lessons and art classes throughout my childhood, the discipline wasn’t there. I benefited most from individual, self-motivated study of styles and techniques that I was interested in. Learning how to read charts from a complete Beatles songbook, and developing my musicianship skills by learning melodies by ear. Understanding composition and layering through observing Monet's brushstrokes. Perhaps the training didn’t stick because what I was missing was my voice. Perhaps what I really wanted was to be understood. To me, art, in its most basic terms, is a form of communication, often being extremely intimate and vulnerable. Due to its personal and intimate qualities, great art is often deeply personal, sometimes only to be shared with (or truly understood by) a select few, if to be shared at all. I believe the best art is created for the self rather than external response. For example, the majority of my art, certainly what I might consider my “best work” is deeply personal, often exploring themes of mental illness, trauma, and interpersonal relationships. That being said, I of course have a wide range through which I can practice authenticity, including brevity, light-heartedness, and humor through which I create work as well. While I am honored that my work connects with those who find it and helps people, it is important to me that that not be the goal. In making others the goal, I feel that art (at least my art) would lose the personal touch, the authenticity, and vulnerability that made it connect in the first place. I make art for myself- art that I need, art that I can personally connect with. If I don't connect with my work, how would anyone else? And in using this approach, I know there will be an audience who will connect when I share it as I understand that my circumstances (and perhaps my thoughts, feelings, and reactions to such circumstances) are not inherently unique. That being said, I am still of course expecting to find work through employment and ability to meet assignment criteria. However, even in professional contexts, I think it's extremely important to hold (and continue to refine and evolve) my own voice. Without my personal touch, I'm a craftsman, not an artist. My personal voice is what gives my work its value and makes me irreplaceable. As a disabled student with complex-PTSD, as a disabled creative, I face unique challenges such as flashbacks, dissociation, and chronic pain, which makes it difficult for me to focus, concentrate, and participate in my life as my peers are able to. However, I am determined to succeed and voice my unique perspective and experiences. I am determined to use my voice for advocacy and support my fellow disabled folks, and advocate for myself and what I believe in. My personal voice is what gives my work its impact, and I will always use my voice.

For as long as I remember I’ve wanted to be a creator. An artist, a musician, a writer, a storyteller. But taking piano lessons and art classes throughout my childhood, the discipline wasn’t there. I benefited most from individual, self-motivated study of styles and techniques that I was interested in. Learning how to read charts from a complete Beatles songbook, and developing my musicianship skills by learning melodies by ear. Understanding composition and layering through observing Monet's brushstrokes. Perhaps the training didn’t stick because what I was missing was my voice. Perhaps what I really wanted was to be understood. To me, art, in its most basic terms, is a form of communication, often being extremely intimate and vulnerable. Due to its personal and intimate qualities, great art is often deeply personal, sometimes only to be shared with (or truly understood by) a select few, if to be shared at all. I believe the best art is created for the self rather than external response. For example, the majority of my art, certainly what I might consider my “best work” is deeply personal, often exploring themes of mental illness, trauma, and interpersonal relationships. That being said, I of course have a wide range through which I can practice authenticity, including brevity, light-heartedness, and humor through which I create work as well. While I am honored that my work connects with those who find it and helps people, it is important to me that that not be the goal. In making others the goal, I feel that art (at least my art) would lose the personal touch, the authenticity, and vulnerability that made it connect in the first place. I make art for myself- art that I need, art that I can personally connect with. If I don't connect with my work, how would anyone else? And in using this approach, I know there will be an audience who will connect when I share it as I understand that my circumstances (and perhaps my thoughts, feelings, and reactions to such circumstances) are not inherently unique. That being said, I am still of course expecting to find work through employment and ability to meet assignment criteria. However, even in professional contexts, I think it's extremely important to hold (and continue to refine and evolve) my own voice. Without my personal touch, I'm a craftsman, not an artist. My personal voice is what gives my work its value and makes me irreplaceable.

As a disabled student with complex-PTSD, my disability makes it difficult for me to focus and concentrate in class. My disability causes flashbacks and chronic pain, which makes it difficult for me to focus, concentrate, and participate in class. However, I am determined to succeed, and I believe that a service dog would be life-changing for me. During one class, I experienced a severe flashback to a traumatic event. My heart started to race, my palms became sweaty, and I felt like I couldn't breathe. I tried to focus on the lecture, but the images and sensations from the flashback were too overwhelming. I dissociated and panicked, unable to focus on the lecture. Instead of being treated with compassion and empathy toward my condition, my professor judged me, questioned me, and made me feel like I was not a deserving student. Her judgment and disbelief made me feel isolated, unsupported, and humiliated. I questioned my ability to succeed in school and was worried about if I really had the support of the institution. This experience taught me that I need to be my own advocate and fight for my accommodations and the rights of other disabled students. Given my experience in finding and creating my own pathways to accessibility, I've learned that a service dog would be life-changing for me. These dogs can provide companionship, support, and assistance that can make a significant difference in letting me participate in my life the way I see my peers are able to. However, getting a service dog is extremely challenging and expensive. Service dogs typically cost between $10,000 and $30,000 to train. As a disabled student struggling to keep up with an able-bodied workload as is, it's been extremely difficult and slow to save up for a service dog. This scholarship would help me finance a service dog. This would be life-changing to me as a disabled student. I am confident that a service dog would allow me to participate in my academic life more fully and to achieve my goals. I am determined to get a service dog, and I am working hard to save up for the cost of training, and hope to afford one soon with your support. It’s hard enough being an abuse survivor, a trauma survivor, and a disabled student. It’s made so much more difficult and scary to be forced into the role of educator, and self-advocate. I am alienated from every environment because the world is designed to accommodate the neurotypical and able. As a disabled student with complex-PTSD, I often face significant challenges in my academic life. My disability can cause flashbacks, dissociative episodes, chronic pain, chronic fatigue, and many other symptoms that make it impossible to focus, concentrate, and participate in class. Despite these challenges, I am determined to complete my degree, pursue my goals and to live a fulfilling life. A service dog would be life-changing for me, allowing me to participate in my academic life more fully and to achieve my goals. I am confident that I am a deserving candidate for this scholarship, and I am grateful for the opportunity to apply. I am a determined and motivated student, and I am committed to achieving my academic goals. A service dog would be a life-changing investment in my future. I am confident that a service dog would help me to succeed in my academic studies and to pursue my dreams.

I am a proud advocate for environmentalism, animal rights, accessibility/disability rights, and many other issues of empathy-based politics. I believe that these issues are all interconnected, and that we must work together to create a better future for all. I describe myself as a "freelance advocate" as I advocate for many important issues where there are opportunities to have a positive impact, but I'm not formally associated with advocacy organizations as my disability would make this very difficult for me. But despite these hurdles, I am passionate about these issues because I believe that all people deserve to live in a safe, healthy, and just world, and I believe there are solutions that, while perhaps imperfect, could vastly & tangibly improve the lives and wellbeing of countless people and animals. I want to find ways to make the world a better place for everyone, and am willing to work hard to make that happen. I have a proven track record of achieving tangible results. As a high school student, I worked with the Mayor of my city to increase resources and accessibility to mental health resources to students amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. I also created lesson plans about mental health, eating disorders, and posttraumatic stress disorder that were incorporated into our high school's health class curriculum. As a college student, I am currently working with the Dean of Student Affairs to reduce my college's environmental impact. I have proposed a number of initiatives, including updating our dining hall menu to be up to 75% more sustainable, and eliminating the use of avoidable high-emission habits such as changing our leaf blowers to rakes or street sweepers. I am confident that these initiatives will make a significant impact on our campus community. Through my keen leadership skills and drive, I was invited by the upper faculty to act as student ambassador on the environmental justice and accessibility committees. I am not shy about participating in these committees, and I frequently offer salient insights that the other committee members have not considered. I am grateful for the opportunity to discuss crucial issues and contribute to constructive decisions to benefit my community. I frequently speak to faculty groups about recognizing our own biases, developing more sustainable practices, and how to ensure our community is committed to fighting injustices at every level. I think it is crucial to passionately fight injustice and recognize the importance of youth activism as a powerful force for change. I am grateful to have witnessed firsthand the effects of my leadership as my friends and peers are inspired to join in with my fervent drive for justice and sustainability. I am proud to empower others to make a difference. I am excited about the future and I am confident that I can make a difference in the world. I am grateful for the opportunity to apply for this scholarship, and I hope that you will consider my application.

I am a proud advocate for environmentalism, animal rights, accessibility/disability rights, and many other issues of empathy-based politics. I believe that these issues are all interconnected, and that we must work together to create a better future for all. I describe myself as a "freelance advocate" as I advocate for many important issues where there are opportunities to have a positive impact, but I'm not formally associated with advocacy organizations as my disability would make this very difficult for me. But despite these hurdles, I am passionate about these issues because I believe that all people deserve to live in a safe, healthy, and just world, and I believe there are solutions that, while perhaps imperfect, could vastly & tangibly improve the lives and wellbeing of countless people and animals. I want to find ways to make the world a better place for everyone, and am willing to work hard to make that happen. I have a proven track record of achieving tangible results. As a high school student, I worked with the Mayor of my city to increase resources and accessibility to mental health resources to students amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. I also created lesson plans about mental health, eating disorders, and posttraumatic stress disorder that were incorporated into our high school's health class curriculum. As a college student, I am currently working with the Dean of Student Affairs to reduce my college's environmental impact. I have proposed a number of initiatives, including updating our dining hall menu to be up to 75% more sustainable, and eliminating the use of avoidable high-emission habits such as changing our leaf blowers to rakes or street sweepers. I am confident that these initiatives will make a significant impact on our campus community. Through my keen leadership skills and drive, I was invited by the upper faculty to act as student ambassador on the environmental justice and accessibility committees. I am not shy about participating in these committees, and I frequently offer salient insights that the other committee members have not considered. I am grateful for the opportunity to discuss crucial issues and contribute to constructive decisions to benefit my community. I frequently speak to faculty groups about recognizing our own biases, developing more sustainable practices, and how to ensure our community is committed to fighting injustices at every level. I think it is crucial to passionately fight injustice and recognize the importance of youth activism as a powerful force for change. I am grateful to have witnessed firsthand the effects of my leadership as my friends and peers are inspired to join in with my fervent drive for justice and sustainability. I am proud to empower others to make a difference. I am excited about the future and I am confident that I can make a difference in the world. I am grateful for the opportunity to apply for this scholarship, and I hope that you will consider my application.

I am a proud advocate for environmentalism, animal rights, accessibility/disability rights, and many other issues of empathy-based politics. I believe that these issues are all interconnected, and that we must work together to create a better future for all. I describe myself as a "freelance advocate" as I advocate for many important issues where there are opportunities to have a positive impact, but I'm not formally associated with advocacy organizations as my disability would make this very difficult for me. But despite these hurdles, I am passionate about these issues because I believe that all people deserve to live in a safe, healthy, and just world, and I believe there are solutions that, while perhaps imperfect, could vastly & tangibly improve the lives and wellbeing of countless people and animals. I want to find ways to make the world a better place for everyone, and am willing to work hard to make that happen, incorporating sustainability into both my personal and professional life. As a student advocate and problem-solver, I am currently working with the Dean of Student Affairs to reduce my college's environmental impact. I have proposed a number of initiatives, including updating our dining hall menu to be up to 75% more sustainable, and eliminating the use of avoidable high-emission habits such as changing our leaf blowers to rakes or street sweepers. I am confident that these initiatives will make a significant impact on our campus community. Through my keen leadership skills and drive, I was invited by the upper faculty to act as student ambassador on the environmental justice and accessibility committees. I am not shy about participating in these committees, and I frequently offer salient insights that the other committee members have not considered. I am grateful for the opportunity to discuss crucial issues and contribute to constructive decisions to benefit my community. I frequently speak to faculty groups about recognizing our own biases, developing more sustainable practices, and how to ensure our community is committed to fighting injustices at every level. Furthermore, I find it crucial to acknowledge animal agriculture as a major contributor to climate change. It is responsible for about 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions, more than the entire transportation sector combined. Animal agriculture also uses a tremendous amount of land and water resources, and it is a leading cause of water pollution. The University of Oxford found that a vegan diet produces 73% less greenhouse gas emissions than a standard diet. Going vegan is the best thing I can do for the environment. By eliminating animal products from my diet, I've reduced my carbon footprint, conserved water and land resources, and helped to protect our planet. I am proud to live consistently with my morals. I think it is crucial to passionately fight injustice and recognize the importance of youth activism as a powerful force for change. I am grateful to have witnessed firsthand the effects of my leadership as my friends and peers are inspired to join in with my fervent drive for justice and sustainability. I am proud to empower others to make a difference. I am excited about the future and I am confident that I can make a difference in the world. I am grateful for the opportunity to apply for this scholarship, and I hope that you will consider my application.

I am a proud advocate for environmentalism, animal rights, accessibility/disability rights, and many other issues of empathy-based politics. I believe that these issues are all interconnected, and that we must work together to create a better future for all. I describe myself as a "freelance advocate" as I advocate for many important issues where there are opportunities to have a positive impact, but I'm not formally associated with advocacy organizations as my disability would make this very difficult for me. But despite these hurdles, I am passionate about these issues because I believe that all people deserve to live in a safe, healthy, and just world, and I believe there are solutions that, while perhaps imperfect, could vastly & tangibly improve the lives and wellbeing of countless people and animals. I want to find ways to make the world a better place for everyone, and am willing to work hard to make that happen. I have a proven track record of achieving tangible results. As a high school student, I worked with the Mayor of my city to increase resources and accessibility to mental health resources to students amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. I also created lesson plans about mental health, eating disorders, and posttraumatic stress disorder that were incorporated into our high school's health class curriculum. As a college student, I am currently working with the Dean of Student Affairs to reduce my college's environmental impact. I have proposed a number of initiatives, including updating our dining hall menu to be up to 75% more sustainable, and eliminating the use of avoidable high-emission habits such as changing our leaf blowers to rakes or street sweepers. I am confident that these initiatives will make a significant impact on our campus community. Through my keen leadership skills and drive, I was invited by the upper faculty to act as student ambassador on the environmental justice and accessibility committees. I am not shy about participating in these committees, and I frequently offer salient insights that the other committee members have not considered. I am grateful for the opportunity to discuss crucial issues and contribute to constructive decisions to benefit my community. I frequently speak to faculty groups about recognizing our own biases, developing more sustainable practices, and how to ensure our community is committed to fighting injustices at every level. I think it is crucial to passionately fight injustice and recognize the importance of youth activism as a powerful force for change. I am grateful to have witnessed firsthand the effects of my leadership as my friends and peers are inspired to join in with my fervent drive for justice and sustainability. I am proud to empower others to make a difference. I am excited about the future and I am confident that I can make a difference in the world. I am grateful for the opportunity to apply for this scholarship, and I hope that you will consider my application.

As a disabled student with complex-PTSD, my disability makes it difficult for me to focus and concentrate in class. My disability causes flashbacks and chronic pain, which makes it difficult for me to focus, concentrate, and participate in class. However, I am determined to succeed, and I believe that a service dog would be life-changing for me. During one class, I experienced a severe flashback to a traumatic event. My heart started to race, my palms became sweaty, and I felt like I couldn't breathe. I tried to focus on the lecture, but the images and sensations from the flashback were too overwhelming. I dissociated and panicked, unable to focus on the lecture. Instead of being treated with compassion and empathy toward my condition, my professor judged me, questioned me, and made me feel like I was not a deserving student. Her judgment and disbelief made me feel isolated, unsupported, and humiliated. I questioned my ability to succeed in school and was worried about if I really had the support of the institution. This experience taught me that I need to be my own advocate and fight for my accommodations and the rights of other disabled students. Given my experience in finding and creating my own pathways to accessibility, I've learned that a service dog would be life-changing for me. These dogs can provide companionship, support, and assistance that can make a significant difference in letting me participate in my life the way I see my peers are able to. However, getting a service dog is extremely challenging and expensive. Service dogs typically cost between $10,000 and $30,000 to train. As a disabled student struggling to keep up with an able-bodied workload as is, it's been extremely difficult and slow to save up for a service dog. This scholarship would help me finance a service dog. This would be life-changing to me as a disabled student. I am confident that a service dog would allow me to participate in my academic life more fully and to achieve my goals. I am determined to get a service dog, and I am working hard to save up for the cost of training, and hope to afford one soon with your support. It’s hard enough being an abuse survivor, a trauma survivor, and a disabled student. It’s made so much more difficult and scary to be forced into the role of educator, and self-advocate. I am alienated from every environment because the world is designed to accommodate the neurotypical and able. As a disabled student with complex-PTSD, I often face significant challenges in my academic life. My disability can cause flashbacks, dissociative episodes, chronic pain, chronic fatigue, and many other symptoms that make it impossible to focus, concentrate, and participate in class. Despite these challenges, I am determined to complete my degree, pursue my goals and to live a fulfilling life. A service dog would be life-changing for me, allowing me to participate in my academic life more fully and to achieve my goals. I am confident that I am a deserving candidate for this scholarship, and I am grateful for the opportunity to apply. I am a determined and motivated student, and I am committed to achieving my academic goals. A service dog would be a life-changing investment in my future. I am confident that a service dog would help me to succeed in my academic studies and to pursue my dreams.

As a disabled student with complex-PTSD, my disability makes it difficult for me to focus and concentrate in class. My disability causes flashbacks and chronic pain, which makes it difficult for me to focus, concentrate, and participate in class. However, I am determined to succeed, and I believe that a service dog would be life-changing for me. During one class, I experienced a severe flashback to a traumatic event. My heart started to race, my palms became sweaty, and I felt like I couldn't breathe. I tried to focus on the lecture, but the images and sensations from the flashback were too overwhelming. I dissociated and panicked, unable to focus on the lecture. Instead of being treated with compassion and empathy toward my condition, my professor judged me, questioned me, and made me feel like I was not a deserving student. Her judgment and disbelief made me feel isolated, unsupported, and humiliated. I questioned my ability to succeed in school and was worried about if I really had the support of the institution. This experience taught me that I need to be my own advocate and fight for my accommodations and the rights of other disabled students. Given my experience in finding and creating my own pathways to accessibility, I've learned that a service dog would be life-changing for me. These dogs can provide companionship, support, and assistance that can make a significant difference in letting me participate in my life the way I see my peers are able to. However, getting a service dog is extremely challenging and expensive. Service dogs typically cost between $10,000 and $30,000 to train. As a disabled student struggling to keep up with an able-bodied workload as is, it's been extremely difficult and slow to save up for a service dog. This scholarship would help me finance a service dog. This would be life-changing to me as a disabled student. I am confident that a service dog would allow me to participate in my academic life more fully and to achieve my goals. I am determined to get a service dog, and I am working hard to save up for the cost of training, and hope to afford one soon with your support. It’s hard enough being an abuse survivor, a trauma survivor, and a disabled student. It’s made so much more difficult and scary to be forced into the role of educator, and self-advocate. I am alienated from every environment because the world is designed to accommodate the neurotypical and able. As a disabled student with complex-PTSD, I often face significant challenges in my academic life. My disability can cause flashbacks, dissociative episodes, chronic pain, chronic fatigue, and many other symptoms that make it impossible to focus, concentrate, and participate in class. Despite these challenges, I am determined to complete my degree, pursue my goals and to live a fulfilling life. A service dog would be life-changing for me, allowing me to participate in my academic life more fully and to achieve my goals. I am confident that I am a deserving candidate for this scholarship, and I am grateful for the opportunity to apply. I am a determined and motivated student, and I am committed to achieving my academic goals. A service dog would be a life-changing investment in my future. I am confident that a service dog would help me to succeed in my academic studies and to pursue my dreams.

As a disabled student with complex-PTSD, my disability makes it difficult for me to focus and concentrate in class. My disability causes flashbacks and chronic pain, which makes it difficult for me to focus, concentrate, and participate in class. However, I am determined to succeed, and I believe that a service dog would be life-changing for me. During one class, I experienced a severe flashback to a traumatic event. My heart started to race, my palms became sweaty, and I felt like I couldn't breathe. I tried to focus on the lecture, but the images and sensations from the flashback were too overwhelming. I dissociated and panicked, unable to focus on the lecture. Instead of being treated with compassion and empathy toward my condition, my professor judged me, questioned me, and made me feel like I was not a deserving student. Her judgment and disbelief made me feel isolated, unsupported, and humiliated. I questioned my ability to succeed in school and was worried about if I really had the support of the institution. This experience taught me that I need to be my own advocate and fight for my accommodations and the rights of other disabled students. Given my experience in finding and creating my own pathways to accessibility, I've learned that a service dog would be life-changing for me. These dogs can provide companionship, support, and assistance that can make a significant difference in letting me participate in my life the way I see my peers are able to. However, getting a service dog is extremely challenging and expensive. Service dogs typically cost between $10,000 and $30,000 to train. As a disabled student struggling to keep up with an able-bodied workload as is, it's been extremely difficult and slow to save up for a service dog. This scholarship would help me finance a service dog. This would be life-changing to me as a disabled student. I am confident that a service dog would allow me to participate in my academic life more fully and to achieve my goals. I am determined to get a service dog, and I am working hard to save up for the cost of training, and hope to afford one soon with your support. It’s hard enough being an abuse survivor, a trauma survivor, and a disabled student. It’s made so much more difficult and scary to be forced into the role of educator, and self-advocate. I am alienated from every environment because the world is designed to accommodate the neurotypical and able. As a disabled student with complex-PTSD, I often face significant challenges in my academic life. My disability can cause flashbacks, dissociative episodes, chronic pain, chronic fatigue, and many other symptoms that make it impossible to focus, concentrate, and participate in class. Despite these challenges, I am determined to complete my degree, pursue my goals and to live a fulfilling life. A service dog would be life-changing for me, allowing me to participate in my academic life more fully and to achieve my goals. I am confident that I am a deserving candidate for this scholarship, and I am grateful for the opportunity to apply. I am a determined and motivated student, and I am committed to achieving my academic goals. A service dog would be a life-changing investment in my future. I am confident that a service dog would help me to succeed in my academic studies and to pursue my dreams.

As a disabled student with complex-PTSD, my disability makes it difficult for me to focus and concentrate in class. My disability causes flashbacks and chronic pain, which makes it difficult for me to focus, concentrate, and participate in class. However, I am determined to succeed, and I believe that a service dog would be life-changing for me. During one class, I experienced a severe flashback to a traumatic event. My heart started to race, my palms became sweaty, and I felt like I couldn't breathe. I tried to focus on the lecture, but the images and sensations from the flashback were too overwhelming. I dissociated and panicked, unable to focus on the lecture. Instead of being treated with compassion and empathy toward my condition, my professor judged me, questioned me, and made me feel like I was not a deserving student. Her judgment and disbelief made me feel isolated, unsupported, and humiliated. I questioned my ability to succeed in school and was worried about if I really had the support of the institution. This experience taught me that I need to be my own advocate and fight for my accommodations and the rights of other disabled students. Given my experience in finding and creating my own pathways to accessibility, I've learned that a service dog would be life-changing for me. These dogs can provide companionship, support, and assistance that can make a significant difference in letting me participate in my life the way I see my peers are able to. However, getting a service dog is extremely challenging and expensive. Service dogs typically cost between $10,000 and $30,000 to train. As a disabled student struggling to keep up with an able-bodied workload as is, it's been extremely difficult and slow to save up for a service dog. This scholarship would help me finance a service dog. This would be life-changing to me as a disabled student. I am confident that a service dog would allow me to participate in my academic life more fully and to achieve my goals. I am determined to get a service dog, and I am working hard to save up for the cost of training, and hope to afford one soon with your support. As a disabled student with complex-PTSD, I face significant challenges in my academic life. However, I am determined to succeed. A service dog would be life-changing for me, allowing me to participate in my academic life more fully and to achieve my goals. I am confident that I am a deserving candidate for this scholarship, and I am grateful for the opportunity to apply. I am a determined and motivated student, and I am committed to achieving my academic goals. A service dog would be a life-changing investment in my future. I am confident that a service dog would help me to succeed in my academic studies and to pursue my dreams.

My freshman year, I had a severe PTSD flashback during class and had to leave the room. When I came back from class, I was still very emotionally dysregulated and dissociated. I could barely hear what my professor was saying, let alone focus and process. As the class left for lunch, I privately told my professor that I’d had a flashback, and that I’d try my best to continue class after the lunch break, but wasn’t sure how well I’d be able to participate given the triggering subject matter. “A flashback? Is that, like, a debilitating thing?” She asked with such judgment. Even with registered accommodations allowing me to step out of class specifically due to my complex-PTSD being a severe disability to me, she still disregarded the severity of my disability and questioned me further. “What was the flashback from?” It was extremely impolite to ask such a personal question and feel entitled to an answer. “Well if you’re stepping out now, are you just going to be missing class all the time then? This work is really important and you can’t make up the classwork.” My professor's response to my flashback was crushing. Her judgment and disbelief made me feel isolated, unsupported, and humiliated. It also made me question whether or not I could continue in her class, and made me nervous for the future of my academic career. It’s ridiculous that as a disabled student I’m put in a position to have to justify my disability, justify my use of accommodations, and even be denied reasonable accommodations. It is ridiculous that I’m put in a position to be forced or heavily pressured to disclose things I am not comfortable disclosing and that is no one else’s business just because they feel entitled, valuing the satiation of their curiosity over the pain and discomfort they’re inflicting by asking me to recount horrible things I’ve experienced. It’s ridiculous, but not uncommon. It’s hard enough being an abuse survivor, a trauma survivor, and a disabled student. It’s made so much more difficult and scary to be forced into the role of educator, and self-advocate. I am alienated from every environment because the world is designed to accommodate the neurotypical and able. As a disabled student with complex-PTSD, I often face significant challenges in my academic life. My disability can cause flashbacks, dissociative episodes, and other symptoms that make it impossible to focus, concentrate, and participate in class. It can be painfully discouraging watching my able-bodied peers so much more able to participate and succeed. Despite these challenges, I am determined to complete my degree, pursue my goals and to live a fulfilling life. Given the role I’ve been placed in, I’ve had to learn how to find opportunities to accommodate myself and learn how to advocate for myself to have access to these resources. While it is unfair and exhausting to overcome these hurdles, I am grateful for the lessons I have learned along the way. In being forced to advocate for myself, I have learned how to pay close attention to my own needs and look after my own health and wellness. I have learned to advocate for myself by educating myself about my disability and my rights as a disabled student. I have also learned to communicate with my professors and classmates about my needs and to request accommodations when necessary. I have learned to find and create opportunities that allow me to participate and succeed academically and professionally. I have learned how to participate with the disabled community both personally and via my school's Disabled Students Union (DSU) and advocate for disability justice and accessibility initiatives. Given my experience in finding and creating my own pathways to accessibility, I've learned that a service dog would be life-changing for me. These dogs can provide companionship, support, and assistance that can make a significant difference in letting me participate in my life the way I see my peers are able to. However, getting a service dog is extremely challenging and expensive. Service dogs typically cost between $10,000 and $30,000 to train. As a disabled student struggling to keep up with an able-bodied workload as is, it's been extremely difficult and slow to save up for a service dog. This scholarship would help me finance a service dog. This would be life-changing to me as a disabled student. I am confident that a service dog would help me to pursue my goals and to live a more fulfilling life. I am determined to get a service dog, and I am working hard to save up for the cost of training, and hope to afford one soon with your support. As a disabled student with complex-PTSD, I face significant challenges in my academic life. However, I am determined to succeed. A service dog would be life-changing for me, allowing me to participate in my academic life more fully and to achieve my goals. I am confident that I am a deserving candidate for this scholarship, and I am grateful for the opportunity to apply.

As a disabled student with complex-PTSD, my disability makes it difficult for me to focus and concentrate in class. My disability causes flashbacks and chronic pain, which makes it difficult for me to focus, concentrate, and participate in class. However, I am determined to succeed, and I believe that a service dog would be life-changing for me. During one class, I experienced a severe flashback to a traumatic event. My heart started to race, my palms became sweaty, and I felt like I couldn't breathe. I tried to focus on the lecture, but the images and sensations from the flashback were too overwhelming. I dissociated and panicked, unable to focus on the lecture. Instead of being treated with compassion and empathy toward my condition, my professor judged me, questioned me, and made me feel like I was not a deserving student. Her judgment and disbelief made me feel isolated, unsupported, and humiliated. I questioned my ability to succeed in school and was worried about if I really had the support of the institution. This experience taught me that I need to be my own advocate and fight for my accommodations and the rights of other disabled students. Given my experience in finding and creating my own pathways to accessibility, I've learned that a service dog would be life-changing for me. These dogs can provide companionship, support, and assistance that can make a significant difference in letting me participate in my life the way I see my peers are able to. However, getting a service dog is extremely challenging and expensive. Service dogs typically cost between $10,000 and $30,000 to train. As a disabled student struggling to keep up with an able-bodied workload as is, it's been extremely difficult and slow to save up for a service dog. This scholarship would help me finance a service dog. This would be life-changing to me as a disabled student. I am confident that a service dog would allow me to participate in my academic life more fully and to achieve my goals. I am determined to get a service dog, and I am working hard to save up for the cost of training, and hope to afford one soon with your support. As a disabled student with complex-PTSD, I face significant challenges in my academic life. However, I am determined to succeed. A service dog would be life-changing for me, allowing me to participate in my academic life more fully and to achieve my goals. I am confident that I am a deserving candidate for this scholarship, and I am grateful for the opportunity to apply. I am a determined and motivated student, and I am committed to achieving my academic goals. A service dog would be a life-changing investment in my future. I am confident that a service dog would help me to succeed in my academic studies and to pursue my dreams.

As a disabled student with complex-PTSD, my disability makes it difficult for me to focus and concentrate in class. My disability causes flashbacks and chronic pain, which makes it difficult for me to focus, concentrate, and participate in class. However, I am determined to succeed, and I believe that a service dog would be life-changing for me. During one class, I experienced a severe flashback to a traumatic event. My heart started to race, my palms became sweaty, and I felt like I couldn't breathe. I tried to focus on the lecture, but the images and sensations from the flashback were too overwhelming. I dissociated and panicked, unable to focus on the lecture. Instead of being treated with compassion and empathy toward my condition, my professor judged me, questioned me, and made me feel like I was not a deserving student. Her judgment and disbelief made me feel isolated, unsupported, and humiliated. I questioned my ability to succeed in school and was worried about if I really had the support of the institution. This experience taught me that I need to be my own advocate and fight for my accommodations and the rights of other disabled students. Given my experience in finding and creating my own pathways to accessibility, I've learned that a service dog would be life-changing for me. These dogs can provide companionship, support, and assistance that can make a significant difference in letting me participate in my life the way I see my peers are able to. However, getting a service dog is extremely challenging and expensive. Service dogs typically cost between $10,000 and $30,000 to train. As a disabled student struggling to keep up with an able-bodied workload as is, it's been extremely difficult and slow to save up for a service dog. This scholarship would help me finance a service dog. This would be life-changing to me as a disabled student. I am confident that a service dog would allow me to participate in my academic life more fully and to achieve my goals. I am determined to get a service dog, and I am working hard to save up for the cost of training, and hope to afford one soon with your support. As a disabled student with complex-PTSD, I face significant challenges in my academic life. However, I am determined to succeed. A service dog would be life-changing for me, allowing me to participate in my academic life more fully and to achieve my goals. I am confident that I am a deserving candidate for this scholarship, and I am grateful for the opportunity to apply. I am a determined and motivated student, and I am committed to achieving my academic goals. A service dog would be a life-changing investment in my future. I am confident that a service dog would help me to succeed in my academic studies and to pursue my dreams.

As a disabled student with complex-PTSD, my disability makes it difficult for me to focus and concentrate in class. My disability causes flashbacks and chronic pain, which makes it difficult for me to focus, concentrate, and participate in class. However, I am determined to succeed, and I believe that a service dog would be life-changing for me. During one class, I experienced a severe flashback to a traumatic event. My heart started to race, my palms became sweaty, and I felt like I couldn't breathe. I tried to focus on the lecture, but the images and sensations from the flashback were too overwhelming. I dissociated and panicked, unable to focus on the lecture. Instead of being treated with compassion and empathy toward my condition, my professor judged me, questioned me, and made me feel like I was not a deserving student. Her judgment and disbelief made me feel isolated, unsupported, and humiliated. I questioned my ability to succeed in school and was worried about if I really had the support of the institution. This experience taught me that I need to be my own advocate and fight for my accommodations and the rights of other disabled students. Given my experience in finding and creating my own pathways to accessibility, I've learned that a service dog would be life-changing for me. These dogs can provide companionship, support, and assistance that can make a significant difference in letting me participate in my life the way I see my peers are able to. However, getting a service dog is extremely challenging and expensive. Service dogs typically cost between $10,000 and $30,000 to train. As a disabled student struggling to keep up with an able-bodied workload as is, it's been extremely difficult and slow to save up for a service dog. This scholarship would help me finance a service dog. This would be life-changing to me as a disabled student. I am confident that a service dog would allow me to participate in my academic life more fully and to achieve my goals. I am determined to get a service dog, and I am working hard to save up for the cost of training, and hope to afford one soon with your support. As a disabled student with complex-PTSD, I face significant challenges in my academic life. However, I am determined to succeed. A service dog would be life-changing for me, allowing me to participate in my academic life more fully and to achieve my goals. I am confident that I am a deserving candidate for this scholarship, and I am grateful for the opportunity to apply. I am a determined and motivated student, and I am committed to achieving my academic goals. A service dog would be a life-changing investment in my future. I am confident that a service dog would help me to succeed in my academic studies and to pursue my dreams.

As a disabled student with complex-PTSD, my disability makes it difficult for me to focus and concentrate in class. My disability causes flashbacks and chronic pain, which makes it difficult for me to focus, concentrate, and participate in class. However, I am determined to succeed, and I believe that a service dog would be life-changing for me. During one class, I experienced a severe flashback to a traumatic event. My heart started to race, my palms became sweaty, and I felt like I couldn't breathe. I tried to focus on the lecture, but the images and sensations from the flashback were too overwhelming. I dissociated and panicked, unable to focus on the lecture. Instead of being treated with compassion and empathy toward my condition, my professor judged me, questioned me, and made me feel like I was not a deserving student. Her judgment and disbelief made me feel isolated, unsupported, and humiliated. I questioned my ability to succeed in school and was worried about if I really had the support of the institution. This experience taught me that I need to be my own advocate and fight for my accommodations and the rights of other disabled students. Given my experience in finding and creating my own pathways to accessibility, I've learned that a service dog would be life-changing for me. These dogs can provide companionship, support, and assistance that can make a significant difference in letting me participate in my life the way I see my peers are able to. However, getting a service dog is extremely challenging and expensive. Service dogs typically cost between $10,000 and $30,000 to train. As a disabled student struggling to keep up with an able-bodied workload as is, it's been extremely difficult and slow to save up for a service dog. This scholarship would help me finance a service dog. This would be life-changing to me as a disabled student. I am confident that a service dog would allow me to participate in my academic life more fully and to achieve my goals. I am determined to get a service dog, and I am working hard to save up for the cost of training, and hope to afford one soon with your support. As a disabled student with complex-PTSD, I face significant challenges in my academic life. However, I am determined to succeed. A service dog would be life-changing for me, allowing me to participate in my academic life more fully and to achieve my goals. I am confident that I am a deserving candidate for this scholarship, and I am grateful for the opportunity to apply. I am a determined and motivated student, and I am committed to achieving my academic goals. A service dog would be a life-changing investment in my future. I am confident that a service dog would help me to succeed in my academic studies and to pursue my dreams.

As a disabled student with complex-PTSD, my disability makes it difficult for me to focus and concentrate in class. My disability causes flashbacks and chronic pain, which makes it difficult for me to focus, concentrate, and participate in class. However, I am determined to succeed, and I believe that a service dog would be life-changing for me. During one class, I experienced a severe flashback to a traumatic event. My heart started to race, my palms became sweaty, and I felt like I couldn't breathe. I tried to focus on the lecture, but the images and sensations from the flashback were too overwhelming. I dissociated and panicked, unable to focus on the lecture. Instead of being treated with compassion and empathy toward my condition, my professor judged me, questioned me, and made me feel like I was not a deserving student. Her judgment and disbelief made me feel isolated, unsupported, and humiliated. I questioned my ability to succeed in school and was worried about if I really had the support of the institution. This experience taught me that I need to be my own advocate and fight for my accommodations and the rights of other disabled students. Given my experience in finding and creating my own pathways to accessibility, I've learned that a service dog would be life-changing for me. These dogs can provide companionship, support, and assistance that can make a significant difference in letting me participate in my life the way I see my peers are able to. However, getting a service dog is extremely challenging and expensive. Service dogs typically cost between $10,000 and $30,000 to train. As a disabled student struggling to keep up with an able-bodied workload as is, it's been extremely difficult and slow to save up for a service dog. This scholarship would help me finance a service dog. This would be life-changing to me as a disabled student. I am confident that a service dog would allow me to participate in my academic life more fully and to achieve my goals. I am determined to get a service dog, and I am working hard to save up for the cost of training, and hope to afford one soon with your support. As a disabled student with complex-PTSD, I face significant challenges in my academic life. However, I am determined to succeed. A service dog would be life-changing for me, allowing me to participate in my academic life more fully and to achieve my goals. I am confident that I am a deserving candidate for this scholarship, and I am grateful for the opportunity to apply. I am a determined and motivated student, and I am committed to achieving my academic goals. A service dog would be a life-changing investment in my future. I am confident that a service dog would help me to succeed in my academic studies and to pursue my dreams.

As a disabled student with complex-PTSD, my disability makes it difficult for me to focus and concentrate in class. My disability causes flashbacks and chronic pain, which makes it difficult for me to focus, concentrate, and participate in class. However, I am determined to succeed, and I believe that a service dog would be life-changing for me. During one class, I experienced a severe flashback to a traumatic event. My heart started to race, my palms became sweaty, and I felt like I couldn't breathe. I tried to focus on the lecture, but the images and sensations from the flashback were too overwhelming. I dissociated and panicked, unable to focus on the lecture. Instead of being treated with compassion and empathy toward my condition, my professor judged me, questioned me, and made me feel like I was not a deserving student. Her judgment and disbelief made me feel isolated, unsupported, and humiliated. I questioned my ability to succeed in school and was worried about if I really had the support of the institution. This experience taught me that I need to be my own advocate and fight for my accommodations and the rights of other disabled students. Given my experience in finding and creating my own pathways to accessibility, I've learned that a service dog would be life-changing for me. These dogs can provide companionship, support, and assistance that can make a significant difference in letting me participate in my life the way I see my peers are able to. However, getting a service dog is extremely challenging and expensive. Service dogs typically cost between $10,000 and $30,000 to train. As a disabled student struggling to keep up with an able-bodied workload as is, it's been extremely difficult and slow to save up for a service dog. This scholarship would help me finance a service dog. This would be life-changing to me as a disabled student. I am confident that a service dog would allow me to participate in my academic life more fully and to achieve my goals. I am determined to get a service dog, and I am working hard to save up for the cost of training, and hope to afford one soon with your support. As a disabled student with complex-PTSD, I face significant challenges in my academic life. However, I am determined to succeed. A service dog would be life-changing for me, allowing me to participate in my academic life more fully and to achieve my goals. I am confident that I am a deserving candidate for this scholarship, and I am grateful for the opportunity to apply. I am a determined and motivated student, and I am committed to achieving my academic goals. A service dog would be a life-changing investment in my future. I am confident that a service dog would help me to succeed in my academic studies and to pursue my dreams.

As a disabled student with complex-PTSD, my disability makes it difficult for me to focus and concentrate in class. My disability causes flashbacks and chronic pain, which makes it difficult for me to focus, concentrate, and participate in class. However, I am determined to succeed, and I believe that a service dog would be life-changing for me. During one class, I experienced a severe flashback to a traumatic event. My heart started to race, my palms became sweaty, and I felt like I couldn't breathe. I tried to focus on the lecture, but the images and sensations from the flashback were too overwhelming. I dissociated and panicked, unable to focus on the lecture. Instead of being treated with compassion and empathy toward my condition, my professor judged me, questioned me, and made me feel like I was not a deserving student. Her judgment and disbelief made me feel isolated, unsupported, and humiliated. I questioned my ability to succeed in school and was worried about if I really had the support of the institution. This experience taught me that I need to be my own advocate and fight for my accommodations and the rights of other disabled students. Given my experience in finding and creating my own pathways to accessibility, I've learned that a service dog would be life-changing for me. These dogs can provide companionship, support, and assistance that can make a significant difference in letting me participate in my life the way I see my peers are able to. However, getting a service dog is extremely challenging and expensive. Service dogs typically cost between $10,000 and $30,000 to train. As a disabled student struggling to keep up with an able-bodied workload as is, it's been extremely difficult and slow to save up for a service dog. This scholarship would help me finance a service dog. This would be life-changing to me as a disabled student. I am confident that a service dog would allow me to participate in my academic life more fully and to achieve my goals. I am determined to get a service dog, and I am working hard to save up for the cost of training, and hope to afford one soon with your support. As a disabled student with complex-PTSD, I face significant challenges in my academic life. However, I am determined to succeed. A service dog would be life-changing for me, allowing me to participate in my academic life more fully and to achieve my goals. I am confident that I am a deserving candidate for this scholarship, and I am grateful for the opportunity to apply. I am a determined and motivated student, and I am committed to achieving my academic goals. A service dog would be a life-changing investment in my future. I am confident that a service dog would help me to succeed in my academic studies and to pursue my dreams.

I've learned that sometimes the most important experiences are the ones where you’re the side character helping someone else achieve their goals. In 2021, I experienced one of the most meaningful experiences in my life when I made my best friend move. Something crucial to this story is understanding that abuse victims and trauma survivors often experience a lot of guilt regarding their trauma. So as a victim of child abuse, my friend hadn’t considered moving out a viable option. In June, I'd taken him to meet with an organization supporting runaway, homeless, and high-risk youth. Toward the end of summer, he'd reached the top of the waitlist for their housing program. Despite my excitement at this amazing opportunity, he wasn’t so thrilled, spiraling deeper into depression and self-blame. He was self-destructive and suicidal. I was constantly checking in, calling, meeting up, and doing anything I could to raise his spirits or give him hope. In October, I called the program and set a move-in date (when he wouldn’t have school/work and his abusers would be out of the house). Move-in day finally came. I met him with a suitcase to help pack and brought donuts to lighten the mood (knowing he would’ve been too nervous to have eaten already). Slipping in and out of dissociation, I tried to ground him. After a few hours of packing everything he owned into a few bags, it was finally time. I reached for the heavier bags, knowing he already carried a heavy conscience. “Ready?” We left that house for the last time, carrying his bags to the bus stop, and transferring to the train before continuing on foot to our final destination. “I wanted to go back,” he commented. “I felt like a total failure.” He knew he would be beaten and horribly abused, but he still missed his family. Unfortunately, his story didn’t end there with a fairytale “happily ever after.” The depression, shame, and guilt plagued him, all the while enduring the trauma of the shelter system and poverty. The shelter was “loud and obnoxious and [had] scary people.” The occupants were treated like children, not being allowed to manage their own medications and having to share their schedules and finances with staff. He didn’t even have his own key, and had to be let in and had to make curfew. The agency was understaffed and the staff present were supercilious to the occupants. They ran tours of conceited donors through their rooms, “like we were animals in a zoo or something. That was incredibly dehumanizing.” The shelter system similarly failed to provide a sense of stability, as ultimately he knew he would have to keep moving to find steady housing. Housing stability is a major contributing factor to future prospects and overall mental health. Journeys like his are not short, simple, or easy, but they are vitally important. Since then, he has made tremendous progress in moving his life forward. As of 2023, he has stable housing in his own apartment and is graduating from college. He never thought he'd be able to achieve either of those accomplishments. He's since confided in me that "[he] wouldn't have done it without [me]" and that my support was crucial in his being able to take the steps he needed to survive. I am so proud of him for the progress he has made and I am so glad to have been able to help him.

For as long as I remember I’ve wanted to be a creator. An artist, a musician, a storyteller. But taking piano lessons and art classes throughout my childhood, the discipline wasn’t there. I benefited most from individual, self-motivated study of music and technique that I was interested in. Learning how to read charts from a complete Beatles songbook, and developing my musicianship skills by learning melodies by ear. Understanding composition and layering through observing Monet's brushstrokes. Perhaps the training didn’t stick because what I was missing was my voice. Perhaps what I really wanted was to be understood. To me, art, in its most basic terms, is a form of communication, often being extremely intimate and vulnerable. Due to its personal and intimate qualities, great art is often deeply personal, sometimes only to be shared with (or truly understood by) a select few, if to be shared at all. I believe the best art is created for the self rather than external response. For example, the majority of my art, certainly what I might consider my “best work” is deeply personal, often exploring themes of mental illness, trauma, and interpersonal relationships. That being said, I of course have a wide range through which I can practice authenticity, including brevity, light-heartedness, and humor through which I create work as well. While I am honored that my work connects with those who find it and helps people, it is important to me that that not be the goal. In making others the goal, I feel that art (at least my art) would lose the personal touch, the authenticity, and vulnerability that made it connect in the first place. I make art for myself- art that I need, art that I can personally connect with. If I don't connect with my work, how would anyone else? And in using this approach, I know there will be an audience who will connect when I share it as I understand that my circumstances (and perhaps my thoughts, feelings, and reactions to such circumstances) are not inherently unique. That being said, I am still of course expecting to find work through employment and ability to meet assignment criteria. However, even in professional contexts, I think it's extremely important to hold (and continue to refine and evolve) my own voice. Without my personal touch, I'm a craftsman, not an artist. My personal voice is what gives my work its value and makes me irreplaceable.

For as long as I remember I’ve wanted to be a musician. I first started learning piano at 4, though classical training never stuck for me. I took formal lessons again at 7, but again, it wasn’t what I was looking for. I first picked up a guitar at 10, and again, the discipline wasn’t there. I benefited most from individual, self-motivated study of songs and notations that I was interested in. Learning how to read charts from a complete Beatles songbook, and developing my musicianship skills by learning melodies by ear. Perhaps the training didn’t stick because what I had always wanted to do– though for many years I was too afraid to do– was sing. Perhaps what I really wanted was to be understood. To me, art, in its most basic terms, is a form of communication, often being extremely intimate and vulnerable. Due to its personal and intimate qualities, great art is often deeply personal, sometimes only to be shared with (or truly understood by) a select few, if to be shared at all. I believe the best art is created for the self rather than external response. For example, the majority of my art, certainly what I might consider my “best work” is deeply personal, often exploring themes of mental illness, trauma, and interpersonal relationships. Despite having a quite limited listener base, my work has received significant praise from those who have heard it. “I really love the emotion. Your pain shines through your voice and the feeling is there. I was married almost as long as you have been alive and the words ring true, even at my age. Keep that rock n roll sound alive.” BjFreeman commented on Feb 16, 2022 on a live video of original song "Love Me or Don’t" from my YouTube channel. While I am honored that my work connects with those who find it and helps people, it is important to me that that not be the goal. In making others the goal, I feel that art (at least my art) would lose the personal touch, the authenticity, and vulnerability that made it connect in the first place. I make music for myself- music that I would want to listen to, music that would help me through difficult circumstances, music that I wish I’d had when I was younger. In a world with autotune, it feels more important to be able to create something people can feel rather than just something pitch-perfect. And in using this approach, I know there will be an audience who will connect when I share it as I understand that my circumstances (and perhaps my thoughts, feelings, and reactions to such circumstances) are not inherently unique. Perhaps one day a lonely kid will hear my music and be inspired as I was, or feel a little less alone.

For as long as I remember I’ve wanted to be a musician. I first started learning piano at 4, though classical training never stuck for me. I took formal lessons again at 7, but again, it wasn’t what I was looking for. I first picked up a guitar at 10, and again, the discipline wasn’t there. I benefited most from individual, self-motivated study of songs and notations that I was interested in. Learning how to read charts from a complete Beatles songbook, and developing my musicianship skills by learning melodies by ear. Perhaps the training didn’t stick because what I had always wanted to do– though for many years I was too afraid to do– was sing. Perhaps what I really wanted was to be understood. To me, art, in its most basic terms, is a form of communication, often being extremely intimate and vulnerable. Due to its personal and intimate qualities, great art is often deeply personal, sometimes only to be shared with (or truly understood by) a select few, if to be shared at all. I believe the best art is created for the self rather than external response. For example, the majority of my art, certainly what I might consider my “best work” is deeply personal, often exploring themes of mental illness, trauma, and interpersonal relationships. Despite having a quite limited listener base, my work has received significant praise from those who have heard it. “I really love the emotion. Your pain shines through your voice and the feeling is there. I was married almost as long as you have been alive and the words ring true, even at my age. Keep that rock n roll sound alive.” BjFreeman commented on Feb 16, 2022 on a live video of original song "Love Me or Don’t" from my YouTube channel. While I am honored that my work connects with those who find it and helps people, it is important to me that that not be the goal. In making others the goal, I feel that art (at least my art) would lose the personal touch, the authenticity, and vulnerability that made it connect in the first place. I make music for myself- music that I would want to listen to, music that would help me through difficult circumstances, music that I wish I’d had when I was younger. In a world with autotune, it feels more important to be able to create something people can feel rather than just something pitch-perfect. And in using this approach, I know there will be an audience who will connect when I share it as I understand that my circumstances (and perhaps my thoughts, feelings, and reactions to such circumstances) are not inherently unique. Perhaps one day a lonely kid will hear my music and be inspired as I was, or feel a little less alone.

For as long as I remember I’ve wanted to be a musician. I first started learning piano at 4, though classical training never stuck for me. I took formal lessons again at 7, but again, it wasn’t what I was looking for. I first picked up a guitar at 10, and again, the discipline wasn’t there. I benefited most from individual, self-motivated study of songs and notations that I was interested in. Learning how to read charts from a complete Beatles songbook, and developing my musicianship skills by learning melodies by ear. Perhaps the training didn’t stick because what I had always wanted to do– though for many years I was too afraid to do– was sing. Perhaps what I really wanted was to be understood. To me, art, in its most basic terms, is a form of communication, often being extremely intimate and vulnerable. Due to its personal and intimate qualities, great art is often deeply personal, sometimes only to be shared with (or truly understood by) a select few, if to be shared at all. I believe the best art is created for the self rather than external response. For example, the majority of my art, certainly what I might consider my “best work” is deeply personal, often exploring themes of mental illness, trauma, and interpersonal relationships. Despite having a quite limited listener base, my work has received significant praise from those who have heard it. “I really love the emotion. Your pain shines through your voice and the feeling is there. I was married almost as long as you have been alive and the words ring true, even at my age. Keep that rock n roll sound alive.” BjFreeman commented on Feb 16, 2022 on a live video of original song "Love Me or Don’t" from my YouTube channel. While I am honored that my work connects with those who find it and helps people, it is important to me that that not be the goal. In making others the goal, I feel that art (at least my art) would lose the personal touch, the authenticity, and vulnerability that made it connect in the first place. I make music for myself- music that I would want to listen to, music that would help me through difficult circumstances, music that I wish I’d had when I was younger. In a world with autotune, it feels more important to be able to create something people can feel rather than just something pitch-perfect. And in using this approach, I know there will be an audience who will connect when I share it as I understand that my circumstances (and perhaps my thoughts, feelings, and reactions to such circumstances) are not inherently unique. Perhaps one day a lonely kid will hear my music and be inspired as I was, or feel a little less alone.

So much that they promised me. A happy ever after. They gave me mediocrity and said I didn’t matter. They told me feed the system, you’re a cog in a machine And if you break the mold then you’ll never be free. I believed every word. I let them fill my head. I thought that I was broken ‘cause it didn’t make sense. I should have known better, but I was so young All I thought to do was to bite my tongue. My father said “oh, Icarus. Just keep your head down Do as you’re told. Get your head out of the clouds.” My father said “oh, Icarus. Don’t make a mess now. I know what’s best, so never leave the ground.” Look where their advice led me. Nothing to my name. I never really cared about their rules or their game 'Cause no matter what I do, someday I’m facing death. And I’d rather go out with flames than regrets. I’ll take my life in my hands and accept the consequence. I’d rather die as I am than live as your marionette. ‘Cause now I know better, and if you’ve had enough Then I’ll be on my way. I already packed up. My father said “oh, Icarus. Son, you better come down.” But I’d rather burn in the sky than be stuck on the ground. My father said “Icarus. You better watch out” But I’m burning up and I can’t hear you now. Everybody says “Keep your head down. Why bother and cause a scene?” But I know that they’re all wrong and I’m not like my father, And I don’t want to be. So when my father said “Icarus, you’re alone up in those clouds” He was right and soon I’ll surely drown. So when he said “Icarus, son, look, you’ve burned now.” I’ll know I died flying, when I never was allowed.

For as long as I remember I’ve wanted to be a creator. An artist, a musician, a storyteller. But taking piano lessons and art classes throughout my childhood, the discipline wasn’t there. I benefited most from individual, self-motivated study of music and technique that I was interested in. Learning how to read charts from a complete Beatles songbook, and developing my musicianship skills by learning melodies by ear. Understanding composition and layering through observing Monet's brushstrokes. Perhaps the training didn’t stick because what I was missing was my voice. Perhaps what I really wanted was to be understood. To me, art, in its most basic terms, is a form of communication, often being extremely intimate and vulnerable. Due to its personal and intimate qualities, great art is often deeply personal, sometimes only to be shared with (or truly understood by) a select few, if to be shared at all. I believe the best art is created for the self rather than external response. For example, the majority of my art, certainly what I might consider my “best work” is deeply personal, often exploring themes of mental illness, trauma, and interpersonal relationships. That being said, I of course have a wide range through which I can practice authenticity, including brevity, light-heartedness, and humor through which I create work as well. While I am honored that my work connects with those who find it and helps people, it is important to me that that not be the goal. In making others the goal, I feel that art (at least my art) would lose the personal touch, the authenticity, and vulnerability that made it connect in the first place. I make art for myself- art that I need, art that I can personally connect with. If I don't connect with my work, how would anyone else? And in using this approach, I know there will be an audience who will connect when I share it as I understand that my circumstances (and perhaps my thoughts, feelings, and reactions to such circumstances) are not inherently unique. That being said, I am still of course expecting to find work through employment and ability to meet assignment criteria. However, even in professional contexts, I think it's extremely important to hold (and continue to refine and evolve) my own voice. Without my personal touch, I'm a craftsman, not an artist. My personal voice is what gives my work its value and makes me irreplaceable.

I actively pursued advocating for mental health services and ending stigma in my community. I realized that there was no club or organized way for students to participate in school policies or services regarding mental health. So my junior year I founded the Cambridge Rindge and Latin mental health advocacy club. I represented the club in virtual town halls discussing mental health with the Mayor and other Cambridge representatives. I also presented at the “Rise Up” program (an enrichment program for rising 9th graders) to discuss mental health in high school and substance abuse prevention. I participated in a policy conversation with the school committee regarding mental health looking to evaluate how the school system can best support students' well-being during quarantine. Similarly, I was able to work with freshman health and fitness teachers to discuss the addition of mental health topics and self-care into the curriculum, going so far as to create two lesson plans discussing eating disorders and trauma/PTSD respectively. Of course, there is still a lot of work to be done. Changes I was unable to implement during my high school career included a feedback system for mental health services, a student-run crisis chatline, and fundraisers for mental health organizations (i.e. the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation, Change Direction, National Alliance on Mental Health, National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, etc). The most unusual of these plans was the student-run chatline. The reasoning being that some students wouldn’t reach out for support because they’re afraid of being judged or reported. I understood that teachers legally must report certain behaviors (as teachers fall under the legal category of “mandated reporter”), but fear of being reported shouldn’t stop students from reaching out. Since students were not mandated reporters, the entire chat line could remain anonymous and still support students. If need be, recommending them to the same resources mandated reporters would be sending them. I contacted the Cambridge Public Health Department to learn about teen mental health first aid (tMHFA) training. The idea behind tMHFA as a parallel to CPR. CPR skills would help people in distress until professionals could take over, and MHFA is the same concept: there to assist people when they need help, not to diagnose or treat. I did this work because I have suffered from a number of mental illnesses throughout my life. I have often been alone and without support or understanding from those around me, and I didn't want others to go through what I did. Yet at the end of the day, I have only lived my singular experience. It would be naive to assume myself able to develop all the answers and a perfect plan. Because of that, I want as many people to be able to pitch in and share their experiences and ideas as much as possible. To me, it is vitally important that others are able to give feedback through which we can all learn and grow. I hope to have gotten the ball rolling and to have left my community better than I found it.

I actively pursued advocating for mental health services and ending stigma in my community. I realized that there was no club or organized way for students to participate in school policies or services regarding mental health. So my junior year I founded the Cambridge Rindge and Latin mental health advocacy club. I represented the club in virtual town halls discussing mental health with the Mayor and other Cambridge representatives. I also presented at the “Rise Up” program (an enrichment program for rising 9th graders) to discuss mental health in high school and substance abuse prevention. I participated in a policy conversation with the school committee regarding mental health looking to evaluate how the school system can best support students' well-being during quarantine. Similarly, I was able to work with freshman health and fitness teachers to discuss the addition of mental health topics and self-care into the curriculum, going so far as to create two lesson plans discussing eating disorders and trauma/PTSD respectively. Of course, there is still a lot of work to be done. Changes I was unable to implement during my high school career included a feedback system for mental health services, a student-run crisis chatline, and fundraisers for mental health organizations (i.e. the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation, Change Direction, National Alliance on Mental Health, National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, etc). The most unusual of these plans was the student-run chatline. The reasoning being that some students wouldn’t reach out for support because they’re afraid of being judged or reported. I understood that teachers legally must report certain behaviors (as teachers fall under the legal category of “mandated reporter”), but fear of being reported shouldn’t stop students from reaching out. Since students were not mandated reporters, the entire chat line could remain anonymous and still support students. If need be, recommending them to the same resources mandated reporters would be sending them. I contacted the Cambridge Public Health Department to learn about teen mental health first aid (tMHFA) training. The idea behind tMHFA as a parallel to CPR. CPR skills would help people in distress until professionals could take over, and MHFA is the same concept: there to assist people when they need help, not to diagnose or treat. I did this work because I have suffered from a number of mental illnesses throughout my life. I have often been alone and without support or understanding from those around me, and I didn't want others to go through what I did. Yet at the end of the day, I have only lived my singular experience. It would be naive to assume myself able to develop all the answers and a perfect plan. Because of that, I want as many people to be able to pitch in and share their experiences and ideas as much as possible. To me, it is vitally important that others are able to give feedback through which we can all learn and grow. I hope to have gotten the ball rolling and to have left my community better than I found it.

“He may need to be in the Boston area for longer... We do not recommend that he move [shortly after the procedure].” I was crushed. After a year and a half of remote learning, I was more than excited to start my college education alongside my friends and peers, but I didn’t get to do that. Determined not to fall behind my peers, I started researching other options. I enrolled in an online program with the Los Angeles Film School and maintained a 4.0 GPA. Despite my inability to participate in in-person activities this year, I am still a deeply self-directed person. As such a driven individual, I’ve taken the extra time at home to continue bettering myself, building my portfolio of art, writing, and music. I have written and recorded a number of original songs, released an EP across streaming platforms, as well as posted dozens of music YouTube videos accumulating over 10,000 views. I’m also always making visual art with whatever I have. I love sketching with pencils or charcoals, and have been slowly working on my painting skills (primarily in acrylic). Lately, I have been learning how to create digital art, appreciating both the similarities to traditional mediums as well as some unique advantages of digital work (including how easy it is to clean up). Furthermore, I’ve been trying to become a better writer. One of my goals in life is to complete a novel. I have an excellent opportunity to attempt this goal with the extra time at home where my doctor advises I stay in bed. Similarly, with the business of life, I often don’t read as much as I’d like to. Being stuck at home this year, I’ll finally have plenty of time to catch up on my reading (without any excuses!).

I know sometimes the most important experiences are the ones where we’re side-characters helping someone else achieve their goals. This October, I experienced one of, if not the most meaningful experience in my life when I made my best friend move. Something crucial to this story is understanding that abuse victims and trauma survivors often experience a lot of guilt regarding their trauma. So as a victim of child abuse, my friend hadn’t considered moving out a viable option. Last June, I took him to meet with Bridge Over Troubled Waters. An organization supporting runaway, homeless, and high-risk youth in Boston. Toward the end of summer, he reached the top of the waitlist for their housing program. Despite my excitement at this amazing opportunity, he wasn’t so thrilled, spiraling deeper into depression and self-blame. He was self-destructive and suicidal. I was constantly checking in, calling, meeting up, doing anything I could to raise his spirits or give him hope. In October, I called Bridge and set a move-in date (when he wouldn’t have school/work and his abusers would be out of the house). Move-in day finally came. I met him with a suitcase to help pack and brought donuts to lighten the mood (knowing he would’ve been too nervous to have eaten already). Slipping in and out of dissociation, I tried to ground him. After a few hours of packing everything he owned into a few bags, it was finally time. I reached for the heavier bags, knowing he already carried a heavy conscience. “Ready?” We left that house for the last time, carrying his bags to Bridge via public transport. We unpacked all his belongings and I knew he would be safe there. He's still there, and still safe. I'm so glad to have been able to help him.

I know sometimes the most important experiences are the ones where we’re side-characters helping someone else achieve their goals. This October, I experienced one of, if not the most meaningful experience in my life when I made my best friend move. Something crucial to this story is understanding that abuse victims and trauma survivors often experience a lot of guilt regarding their trauma. So as a victim of child abuse, my friend hadn’t considered moving out a viable option. Last June, I took him to meet with Bridge Over Troubled Waters. An organization supporting runaway, homeless, and high-risk youth in Boston. Toward the end of summer, he reached the top of the waitlist for their housing program. Despite my excitement at this amazing opportunity, he wasn’t so thrilled, spiraling deeper into depression and self-blame. He was self-destructive and suicidal. I was constantly checking in, calling, meeting up, doing anything I could to raise his spirits or give him hope. In October, I called Bridge and set a move-in date (when he wouldn’t have school/work and his abusers would be out of the house). Move-in day finally came. I met him with a suitcase to help pack and brought donuts to lighten the mood (knowing he would’ve been too nervous to have eaten already). Slipping in and out of dissociation, I tried to ground him. After a few hours of packing everything he owned into a few bags, it was finally time. I reached for the heavier bags, knowing he already carried a heavy conscience. “Ready?” We left that house for the last time, carrying his bags to Bridge via public transport. We unpacked all his belongings and I knew he would be safe there. He's still there, and still safe. I'm so glad to have been able to help him.

I actively pursued advocating for mental health services and ending stigma in my community. I realized that there was no club or organized way for students to participate in school policies or services regarding mental health. So my junior year I founded the Cambridge Rindge and Latin mental health advocacy club. I represented the club in virtual town halls discussing mental health with the Mayor and other Cambridge representatives. I also presented at the “Rise Up” program (an enrichment program for rising 9th graders) to discuss mental health in high school and substance abuse prevention. I participated in a policy conversation with the school committee regarding mental health looking to evaluate how the school system can best support students' wellbeing during quarantine. Similarly, I was able to work with freshman health and fitness teachers to discuss the addition of mental health topics and self-care into the curriculum, going so far as to create two lesson plans discussing eating disorders and trauma/PTSD respectively. Of course, there is still a lot of work to be done. Changes I was unable to implement during my high school career included a feedback system for mental health services, a student-run crisis chatline, and fundraisers for mental health organizations (i.e. the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation, Change Direction, National Alliance on Mental Health, National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, etc). The most unusual of these plans was the student-run chatline. The reasoning being that some students wouldn’t reach out for support because they’re afraid of being judged or reported. I understood that teachers legally must report certain behaviors (as teachers fall under the legal category of “mandated reporter”), but fear of being reported shouldn’t stop students from reaching out. Since students were not mandated reporters, the entire chat line could remain anonymous and still support students. If need be, recommending them to the same resources mandated reporters would be sending them. I contacted the Cambridge Public Health Department to learn about teen mental health first aid (tMHFA) training. The idea behind tMHFA as a parallel to CPR. CPR skills would help people in distress until professionals could take over, and MHFA is the same concept: there to assist people when they need help, not to diagnose or treat. I did this work because I have suffered from a number of mental illnesses throughout my life. I have often been alone and without support or understanding from those around me, and I didn't want others to go through what I did. Yet at the end of the day, I have only lived my singular experience. It would be naive to assume myself able to develop all the answers and a perfect plan. Because of that, I want as many people to be able to pitch in and share their experiences and ideas as much as possible. To me, it is vitally important that others are able to give feedback through which we can all learn and grow. I hope to have gotten the ball rolling and to have left my community better than I found it.

I actively pursued advocating for mental health services and ending stigma in my community. I realized that there was no club or organized way for students to participate in school policies or services regarding mental health. So my junior year I founded the Cambridge Rindge and Latin mental health advocacy club. I represented the club in virtual town halls discussing mental health with the Mayor and other Cambridge representatives. I also presented at the “Rise Up” program (an enrichment program for rising 9th graders) to discuss mental health in high school and substance abuse prevention. I participated in a policy conversation with the school committee regarding mental health looking to evaluate how the school system can best support students' wellbeing during quarantine. Similarly, I was able to work with freshman health and fitness teachers to discuss the addition of mental health topics and self-care into the curriculum, going so far as to create two lesson plans discussing eating disorders and trauma/PTSD respectively. Of course, there is still a lot of work to be done. Changes I was unable to implement during my high school career included a feedback system for mental health services, a student-run crisis chatline, and fundraisers for mental health organizations (i.e. the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation, Change Direction, National Alliance on Mental Health, National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, etc). The most unusual of these plans was the student-run chatline. The reasoning being that some students wouldn’t reach out for support because they’re afraid of being judged or reported. I understood that teachers legally must report certain behaviors (as teachers fall under the legal category of “mandated reporter”), but fear of being reported shouldn’t stop students from reaching out. Since students were not mandated reporters, the entire chat line could remain anonymous and still support students. If need be, recommending them to the same resources mandated reporters would be sending them. I contacted the Cambridge Public Health Department to learn about teen mental health first aid (tMHFA) training. The idea behind tMHFA as a parallel to CPR. CPR skills would help people in distress until professionals could take over, and MHFA is the same concept: there to assist people when they need help, not to diagnose or treat. I did this work because I have suffered from a number of mental illnesses throughout my life. I have often been alone and without support or understanding from those around me, and I didn't want others to go through what I did. Yet at the end of the day, I have only lived my singular experience. It would be naive to assume myself able to develop all the answers and a perfect plan. Because of that, I want as many people to be able to pitch in and share their experiences and ideas as much as possible. To me, it is vitally important that others are able to give feedback through which we can all learn and grow. I hope to have gotten the ball rolling and to have left my community better than I found it.

I actively pursued advocating for mental health services and ending stigma in my community. I realized that there was no club or organized way for students to participate in school policies or services regarding mental health. So my junior year I founded the Cambridge Rindge and Latin mental health advocacy club. I represented the club in virtual town halls discussing mental health with the Mayor and other Cambridge representatives. I also presented at the “Rise Up” program (an enrichment program for rising 9th graders) to discuss mental health in high school and substance abuse prevention. I participated in a policy conversation with the school committee regarding mental health looking to evaluate how the school system can best support students' wellbeing during quarantine. Similarly, I was able to work with freshman health and fitness teachers to discuss the addition of mental health topics and self-care into the curriculum, going so far as to create two lesson plans discussing eating disorders and trauma/PTSD respectively. Of course, there is still a lot of work to be done. Changes I was unable to implement during my high school career included a feedback system for mental health services, a student-run crisis chatline, and fundraisers for mental health organizations (i.e. the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation, Change Direction, National Alliance on Mental Health, National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, etc). The most unusual of these plans was the student-run chatline. The reasoning being that some students wouldn’t reach out for support because they’re afraid of being judged or reported. I understood that teachers legally must report certain behaviors (as teachers fall under the legal category of “mandated reporter”), but fear of being reported shouldn’t stop students from reaching out. Since students were not mandated reporters, the entire chat line could remain anonymous and still support students. If need be, recommending them to the same resources mandated reporters would be sending them. I contacted the Cambridge Public Health Department to learn about teen mental health first aid (tMHFA) training. The idea behind tMHFA as a parallel to CPR. CPR skills would help people in distress until professionals could take over, and MHFA is the same concept: there to assist people when they need help, not to diagnose or treat. I did this work because I have suffered from a number of mental illnesses throughout my life. I have often been alone and without support or understanding from those around me, and I didn't want others to go through what I did. Yet at the end of the day, I have only lived my singular experience. It would be naive to assume myself able to develop all the answers and a perfect plan. Because of that, I want as many people to be able to pitch in and share their experiences and ideas as much as possible. To me, it is vitally important that others are able to give feedback through which we can all learn and grow. I hope to have gotten the ball rolling and to have left my community better than I found it.

I actively pursued advocating for mental health services and ending stigma in my community. I realized that there was no club or organized way for students to participate in school policies or services regarding mental health. So my junior year I founded the Cambridge Rindge and Latin mental health advocacy club. I represented the club in virtual town halls discussing mental health with the Mayor and other Cambridge representatives. I also presented at the “Rise Up” program (an enrichment program for rising 9th graders) to discuss mental health in high school and substance abuse prevention. I participated in a policy conversation with the school committee regarding mental health looking to evaluate how the school system can best support students' wellbeing during quarantine. Similarly, I was able to work with freshman health and fitness teachers to discuss the addition of mental health topics and self-care into the curriculum, going so far as to create two lesson plans discussing eating disorders and trauma/PTSD respectively. I did this work because I have suffered from a number of mental illnesses throughout my life. I have often been alone and without support or understanding from those around me, and I didn't want others to go through what I did. Yet at the end of the day, I have only lived my singular experience. It would be naive to assume myself able to develop all the answers and a perfect plan. Because of that, I want as many people to be able to pitch in and share their experiences and ideas as much as possible. To me, it is vitally important that others are able to give feedback through which we can all learn and grow. I hope to have gotten the ball rolling and to have left my community better than I found it.

I know sometimes the most important experiences are the ones where we’re side-characters helping someone else achieve their goals. This October, I experienced one of, if not the most meaningful experience in my life when I made my best friend move. Something crucial to this story is understanding that abuse victims and trauma survivors often experience a lot of guilt regarding their trauma. So as a victim of child abuse, my friend hadn’t considered moving out a viable option. Last June, I took him to meet with Bridge Over Troubled Waters. An organization supporting runaway, homeless, and high-risk youth in Boston. Toward the end of summer, he reached the top of the waitlist for their housing program. Despite my excitement at this amazing opportunity, he wasn’t so thrilled, spiraling deeper into depression and self-blame. He was self-destructive and suicidal. I was constantly checking in, calling, meeting up, doing anything I could to raise his spirits or give him hope. In October, I called Bridge and set a move-in date (when he wouldn’t have school/work and his abusers would be out of the house). Move-in day finally came. I met him with a suitcase to help pack and brought donuts to lighten the mood (knowing he would’ve been too nervous to have eaten already). Slipping in and out of dissociation, I tried to ground him. After a few hours of packing everything he owned into a few bags, it was finally time. I reached for the heavier bags, knowing he already carried a heavy conscience. “Ready?” We left that house for the last time, carrying his bags to Bridge via public transport. We unpacked all his belongings and I knew he would be safe there. He's still there, and still safe. I'm so glad to have been able to help him.

“He may need to be in the Boston area for longer... We do not recommend that he move [shortly after the procedure].” I was crushed. After a year and a half of remote learning, I was more than excited to start my college education alongside my friends and peers, but I didn’t get to do that. Determined not to fall behind my peers, I started researching other options. I enrolled in an online program with the Los Angeles Film School and maintained a 4.0 GPA. Despite my inability to participate in in-person activities this year, I am still a deeply self-directed person. As such a driven individual, I’ve taken the extra time at home to continue bettering myself, building my portfolio of art, writing, and music. I have written and recorded a number of original songs, released an EP across streaming platforms, as well as posted dozens of music YouTube videos accumulating over 10,000 views. I’m also always making visual art with whatever I have. I love sketching with pencils or charcoals, and have been slowly working on my painting skills (primarily in acrylic). Lately, I have been learning how to create digital art, appreciating both the similarities to traditional mediums as well as some unique advantages of digital work (including how easy it is to clean up). Furthermore, I’ve been trying to become a better writer. One of my goals in life is to complete a novel. I have an excellent opportunity to attempt this goal with the extra time at home where my doctor advises I stay in bed. Similarly, with the business of life, I often don’t read as much as I’d like to. Being stuck at home this year, I’ll finally have plenty of time to catch up on my reading (without any excuses!).

I know sometimes the most important experiences are the ones where we’re side-characters helping someone else achieve their goals. This October, I experienced one of, if not the most meaningful experience in my life when I made my best friend move. Something crucial to this story is understanding that abuse victims and trauma survivors often experience a lot of guilt regarding their trauma. So as a victim of child abuse, my friend hadn’t considered moving out a viable option. Last June, I took him to meet with Bridge Over Troubled Waters. An organization supporting runaway, homeless, and high-risk youth in Boston. Toward the end of summer, he reached the top of the waitlist for their housing program. Despite my excitement at this amazing opportunity, he wasn’t so thrilled, spiraling deeper into depression and self-blame. He was self-destructive and suicidal. I was constantly checking in, calling, meeting up, doing anything I could to raise his spirits or give him hope. In October, I called Bridge and set a move-in date (when he wouldn’t have school/work and his abusers would be out of the house). Move-in day finally came. I met him with a suitcase to help pack and brought donuts to lighten the mood (knowing he would’ve been too nervous to have eaten already). Slipping in and out of dissociation, I tried to ground him. After a few hours of packing everything he owned into a few bags, it was finally time. I reached for the heavier bags, knowing he already carried a heavy conscience. “Ready?” We left that house for the last time, carrying his bags to Bridge via public transport. We unpacked all his belongings and I knew he would be safe there. He's still there, and still safe. I'm so glad to have been able to help him.

I actively pursued advocating for mental health services and ending stigma in my community. I realized that there was no club or organized way for students to participate in school policies or services regarding mental health. So my junior year I founded the Cambridge Rindge and Latin mental health advocacy club. I represented the club in virtual town halls discussing mental health with the Mayor and other Cambridge representatives. I also presented at the “Rise Up” program (an enrichment program for rising 9th graders) to discuss mental health in high school and substance abuse prevention. I participated in a policy conversation with the school committee regarding mental health looking to evaluate how the school system can best support students' wellbeing during quarantine. Similarly, I was able to work with freshman health and fitness teachers to discuss the addition of mental health topics and self-care into the curriculum, going so far as to create two lesson plans discussing eating disorders and trauma/PTSD respectively. I did this work because I have suffered from a number of mental illnesses throughout my life. I have often been alone and without support or understanding from those around me, and I didn't want others to go through what I did. Yet at the end of the day, I have only lived my singular experience. It would be naive to assume myself able to develop all the answers and a perfect plan. Because of that, I want as many people to be able to pitch in and share their experiences and ideas as much as possible. To me, it is vitally important that others are able to give feedback through which we can all learn and grow. I hope to have gotten the ball rolling and to have left my community better than I found it.

I actively pursued advocating for mental health services and ending stigma in my community. I realized that there was no club or organized way for students to participate in school policies or services regarding mental health. So my junior year I founded the Cambridge Rindge and Latin mental health advocacy club. I represented the club in virtual town halls discussing mental health with the Mayor and other Cambridge representatives. I also presented at the “Rise Up” program (an enrichment program for rising 9th graders) to discuss mental health in high school and substance abuse prevention. I participated in a policy conversation with the school committee regarding mental health looking to evaluate how the school system can best support students' wellbeing during quarantine. Similarly, I was able to work with freshman health and fitness teachers to discuss the addition of mental health topics and self-care into the curriculum, going so far as to create two lesson plans discussing eating disorders and trauma/PTSD respectively. Of course, there is still a lot of work to be done. Changes I was unable to implement during my high school career included a feedback system for mental health services, a student-run crisis chatline, and fundraisers for mental health organizations (i.e. the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation, Change Direction, National Alliance on Mental Health, National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, etc). The most unusual of these plans was the student-run chatline. The reasoning being that some students wouldn’t reach out for support because they’re afraid of being judged or reported. I understood that teachers legally must report certain behaviors (as teachers fall under the legal category of “mandated reporter”), but fear of being reported shouldn’t stop students from reaching out. Since students were not mandated reporters, the entire chat line could remain anonymous and still support students. If need be, recommending them to the same resources mandated reporters would be sending them. I contacted the Cambridge Public Health Department to learn about teen mental health first aid (tMHFA) training. The idea behind tMHFA as a parallel to CPR. CPR skills would help people in distress until professionals could take over, and MHFA is the same concept: there to assist people when they need help, not to diagnose or treat. I did this work because I have suffered from a number of mental illnesses throughout my life. I have often been alone and without support or understanding from those around me, and I didn't want others to go through what I did. Yet at the end of the day, I have only lived my singular experience. It would be naive to assume myself able to develop all the answers and a perfect plan. Because of that, I want as many people to be able to pitch in and share their experiences and ideas as much as possible. To me, it is vitally important that others are able to give feedback through which we can all learn and grow. I hope to have gotten the ball rolling and to have left my community better than I found it.

“He may need to be in the Boston area for longer... We do not recommend that he move [shortly after the procedure].” I was crushed. After a year and a half of remote learning, I was more than excited to start my college education alongside my peers and friends, but I didn’t get to do that. Determined not to fall behind my peers, I started researching other options. I enrolled in an online program with the Los Angeles Film School where I have maintained a 4.0 GPA. Despite my inability to participate in in-person activities this year, I am still a deeply self-directed person. As such a driven individual, I’ve taken the extra time at home to continue bettering myself, building my portfolio of art, writing, and music. I’m always making art with whatever I have. I love sketching with pencils or charcoals, and have been working on my painting skills (primarily in acrylic). Lately, I've been learning how to create digital art, appreciating both the similarities to traditional mediums as well as some unique advantages of digital work (including how easy it is to clean up). Furthermore, I’ve been trying to become a better writer. One of my goals in life is to complete a novel. I have an excellent opportunity to attempt this goal with the extra time at home where my doctor advises I stay in bed. Similarly, with the business of life, I often don’t read as much as I’d like to. Being stuck at home this year, I’ll finally have plenty of time to catch up on my reading (without any excuses!). While I have tried to make the best of this year, I am still looking forward to transferring to a more traditional, in-person college experience next year.

“He may need to be in the Boston area for longer... We do not recommend that he move [shortly after the procedure].” I was crushed. After a year and a half of remote learning, I was more than excited to start my college education alongside my peers and friends, but I didn’t get to do that. Determined not to fall behind my peers, I started researching other options. I enrolled in an online program with the Los Angeles Film School where I have maintained a 4.0 GPA. Despite my inability to participate in in-person activities this year, I am still a deeply self-directed person. As such a driven individual, I’ve taken the extra time at home to continue bettering myself, building my portfolio of art, writing, and music. I’m always making art with whatever I have. I love sketching with pencils or charcoals, and have been working on my painting skills (primarily in acrylic). Lately, I've been learning how to create digital art, appreciating both the similarities to traditional mediums as well as some unique advantages of digital work (including how easy it is to clean up). Furthermore, I’ve been trying to become a better writer. One of my goals in life is to complete a novel. I have an excellent opportunity to attempt this goal with the extra time at home where my doctor advises I stay in bed. Similarly, with the business of life, I often don’t read as much as I’d like to. Being stuck at home this year, I’ll finally have plenty of time to catch up on my reading (without any excuses!). While I have tried to make the best of this year, I am still looking forward to transferring to a more traditional, in-person college experience next year.

I've learned sometimes the most important experiences are the ones where we’re side-characters helping someone else achieve their goals. This October, I experienced one of, if not the most meaningful experience in my life when I made my best friend move. Something crucial to this story is understanding that abuse victims and trauma survivors often experience a lot of guilt regarding their trauma. So as a victim of child abuse, my friend hadn’t considered moving out a viable option. Last June, I took him to meet with Bridge Over Troubled Waters. An organization supporting runaway, homeless, and high-risk youth in Boston. Toward the end of summer, he reached the top of the waitlist for their housing program. Despite my excitement at this amazing opportunity, he wasn’t so thrilled, spiraling deeper into depression and self-blame. He was self-destructive and suicidal. I was constantly checking in, calling, meeting up, doing anything I could to raise his spirits or give him hope. In October, I called Bridge and set a move-in date (when he wouldn’t have school/work and his abusers would be out of the house). Move-in day finally came. I met him with a suitcase to help pack and brought donuts to lighten the mood (knowing he would’ve been too nervous to have eaten already). Slipping in and out of dissociation, I tried to ground him. After a few hours of packing everything he owned into a few bags, it was finally time. I reached for the heavier bags, knowing he already carried a heavy conscience. “Ready?” We left that house for the last time, carrying his bags to Bridge via public transport. We unpacked all his belongings and I knew he would be safe there. He's still there, and still safe. I'm so glad to have been able to help him.

I've learned sometimes the most important experiences are the ones where we’re side-characters helping someone else achieve their goals. This October, I experienced one of, if not the most meaningful experience in my life when I made my best friend move. Something crucial to this story is understanding that abuse victims and trauma survivors often experience a lot of guilt regarding their trauma. So as a victim of child abuse, my friend hadn’t considered moving out a viable option. Last June, I took him to meet with Bridge Over Troubled Waters. An organization supporting runaway, homeless, and high-risk youth in Boston. Toward the end of summer, he reached the top of the waitlist for their housing program. Despite my excitement at this amazing opportunity, he wasn’t so thrilled, spiraling deeper into depression and self-blame. He was self-destructive and suicidal. I was constantly checking in, calling, meeting up, doing anything I could to raise his spirits or give him hope. In October, I called Bridge and set a move-in date (when he wouldn’t have school/work and his abusers would be out of the house). Move-in day finally came. I met him with a suitcase to help pack and brought donuts to lighten the mood (knowing he would’ve been too nervous to have eaten already). Slipping in and out of dissociation, I tried to ground him. After a few hours of packing everything he owned into a few bags, it was finally time. I reached for the heavier bags, knowing he already carried a heavy conscience. “Ready?” We left that house for the last time, carrying his bags to Bridge via public transport. We unpacked all his belongings and I knew he would be safe there. He's still there, and still safe. I'm so glad to have been able to help him.

I've learned sometimes the most important experiences are the ones where we’re side-characters helping someone else achieve their goals. This October, I experienced one of, if not the most meaningful experience in my life when I made my best friend move. Something crucial to this story is understanding that abuse victims and trauma survivors often experience a lot of guilt regarding their trauma. So as a victim of child abuse, my friend hadn’t considered moving out a viable option. Last June, I took him to meet with Bridge Over Troubled Waters. An organization supporting runaway, homeless, and high-risk youth in Boston. Toward the end of summer, he reached the top of the waitlist for their housing program. Despite my excitement at this amazing opportunity, he wasn’t so thrilled, spiraling deeper into depression and self-blame. He was self-destructive and suicidal. I was constantly checking in, calling, meeting up, doing anything I could to raise his spirits or give him hope. In October, I called Bridge and set a move-in date (when he wouldn’t have school/work and his abusers would be out of the house). Move-in day finally came. I met him with a suitcase to help pack and brought donuts to lighten the mood (knowing he would’ve been too nervous to have eaten already). Slipping in and out of dissociation, I tried to ground him. After a few hours of packing everything he owned into a few bags, it was finally time. I reached for the heavier bags, knowing he already carried a heavy conscience. “Ready?” We left that house for the last time, carrying his bags to Bridge via public transport. We unpacked all his belongings and I knew he would be safe there. He's still there, and still safe. I'm so glad to have been able to help him.

I've learned sometimes the most important experiences are the ones where we’re side-characters helping someone else achieve their goals. This October, I experienced one of, if not the most meaningful experience in my life when I made my best friend move. Something crucial to this story is understanding that abuse victims and trauma survivors often experience a lot of guilt regarding their trauma. So as a victim of child abuse, my friend hadn’t considered moving out a viable option. Last June, I took him to meet with Bridge Over Troubled Waters. An organization supporting runaway, homeless, and high-risk youth in Boston. Toward the end of summer, he reached the top of the waitlist for their housing program. Despite my excitement at this amazing opportunity, he wasn’t so thrilled, spiraling deeper into depression and self-blame. He was self-destructive and suicidal. I was constantly checking in, calling, meeting up, doing anything I could to raise his spirits or give him hope. In October, I called Bridge and set a move-in date (when he wouldn’t have school/work and his abusers would be out of the house). Move-in day finally came. I met him with a suitcase to help pack and brought donuts to lighten the mood (knowing he would’ve been too nervous to have eaten already). Slipping in and out of dissociation, I tried to ground him. After a few hours of packing everything he owned into a few bags, it was finally time. I reached for the heavier bags, knowing he already carried a heavy conscience. “Ready?” We left that house for the last time, carrying his bags to Bridge via public transport. We unpacked all his belongings and I knew he would be safe there. He's still there, and still safe. I'm so glad to have been able to help him.

I've learned that sometimes the most important experiences are the ones where we’re side-characters helping someone else achieve their goals. This October, I experienced one of, if not the most meaningful experience in my life when I made my best friend move. Something crucial to this story is understanding that abuse victims and trauma survivors often experience a lot of guilt regarding their trauma. So as a victim of child abuse, my friend hadn’t considered moving out a viable option. Last June, I took him to meet with Bridge Over Troubled Waters. An organization supporting runaway, homeless, and high-risk youth in Boston. Toward the end of summer, he reached the top of the waitlist for their housing program. Despite my excitement at this amazing opportunity, he wasn’t so thrilled, spiraling deeper into depression and self-blame. He was self-destructive and suicidal. I was constantly checking in, calling, meeting up, doing anything I could to raise his spirits or give him hope. In October, I called Bridge and set a move-in date (when he wouldn’t have school/work and his abusers would be out of the house). Move-in day finally came. I met him with a suitcase to help pack and brought donuts to lighten the mood (knowing he would’ve been too nervous to have eaten already). Slipping in and out of dissociation, I tried to ground him. After a few hours of packing everything he owned into a few bags, it was finally time. I reached for the heavier bags, knowing he already carried a heavy conscience. “Ready?” We left that house for the last time, carrying his bags to Bridge via public transport. We unpacked all his belongings and I knew he would be safe there. He's still there, and still safe. I'm so glad to have been able to help him.

Sometimes the most important experiences are the ones where we’re side-characters helping someone else achieve their goals. This October, I experienced one of, if not the most meaningful experience in my life when I made my best friend move. Something crucial to this story is understanding that abuse victims and trauma survivors often experience a lot of guilt regarding their trauma. So as a victim of child abuse, my friend hadn’t considered moving out a viable option. Last June, I took him to meet with Bridge Over Troubled Waters. An organization supporting runaway, homeless, and high-risk youth in Boston. Toward the end of summer, he reached the top of the waitlist for their housing program. Despite my excitement at this amazing opportunity, he wasn’t so thrilled, spiraling deeper into depression and self-blame. He was self-destructive and suicidal. I was constantly checking in, calling, meeting up, doing anything I could to raise his spirits or give him hope. In October, I called Bridge and set a move-in date (when he wouldn’t have school/work and his abusers would be out of the house). Move-in day finally came. I met him with a suitcase to help pack and brought donuts to lighten the mood (knowing he would’ve been too nervous to have eaten already). Slipping in and out of dissociation, I tried to ground him. After a few hours of packing everything he owned into a few bags, it was finally time. I reached for the heavier bags, knowing he already carried a heavy conscience. “Ready?” We left that house for the last time, carrying his bags to Bridge via public transport. We unpacked all his belongings and I knew he would be safe there. He's still there, and still safe. I'm so glad to have been able to help him.

“He may need to be in the Boston area for longer... We do not recommend that he move [shortly after the procedure].” I was crushed. After a year and a half of remote learning, I was more than excited to start my college education alongside my peers and friends, but I didn’t get to do that. Determined not to fall behind my peers, I started researching other options. I enrolled in an online program with the Los Angeles Film School and maintained a 4.0 GPA. Despite my inability to participate in in-person activities this year, I am still a deeply self-directed person. As such a driven individual, I’ve taken the extra time at home to continue bettering myself, building my portfolio of art, writing, and music. I've released an EP across streaming platforms, as well as posted dozens of music YouTube videos accumulating over 10,000 views. I’m always making art with whatever I have. I love sketching with pencils or charcoals, and have been slowly working on my painting skills (primarily in acrylics). Lately, I have been learning how to create digital art, appreciating both the similarities to traditional mediums as well as some unique advantages of digital work (including how easy it is to clean up). Similarly, I’ve been trying to become a better writer. One of my goals in life is to complete a novel. I have an excellent opportunity to attempt this goal with the extra time at home where my doctor advises I stay in bed. In 2022, I will be able to participate in in-person activities again. I hope to be able to attend college in person, where I can better utilize university resources, as well as networking and socializing with my peers for the first time since March of 2020.

I am very self-directed, which is very useful to me as a creative because often the arts are treated as a playtime, “no wrong answers” environment. Because of this, I’ve learned to be able to discipline myself alongside my studies. My occupational aspirations have always been in the arts, specifically as a musician. I have written and recorded a number of original songs (that are currently in the production phase) for my solo work under the name "Vexxed Mess." As "Vexxed Mess" I have already released an EP across all streaming platforms, as well as posted dozens of music YouTube videos accumulating over 10,000 views. I’m also always making visual art with whatever I have. I love sketching with pencils or charcoals, and have been slowly working on my painting skills (primarily in acrylic). Lately, I have been learning how to create digital art, appreciating both the similarities to traditional mediums as well as some unique advantages of digital work (including how easy it is to clean up). Similarly, I've been working as a graphic design/digital media marketing consultant for Abe's Garage (a local company). I've enjoyed being able to apply my creativity to more professional settings (and getting some income from doing it). Furthermore, I’ve been trying to become a better writer. One of my goals in life is to complete a novel. While I have solid prose that is enjoyable to read, I tend to lose steam around the 40 - 100 page mark, and I feel that with better preparation before I start I would be able to finish at least one entire story.

“He may need to be in the Boston area for longer... We do not recommend that he move [shortly after the procedure].” I was crushed. After a year and a half of remote learning, I was more than excited to start my college education alongside my peers and friends, but I didn’t get to do that. Determined not to fall behind my peers, I started researching other options. I enrolled in an online program with the Los Angeles Film School where I have maintained a 4.0 GPA. Despite my inability to participate in in-person activities this year, I am still a deeply self-directed person. As such a driven individual, I’ve taken the extra time at home to continue bettering myself, building my portfolio of art, writing, and music. I’m always making art with whatever I have. I love sketching with pencils or charcoals, and have been working on my painting skills (primarily in acrylic). Lately, I've been learning how to create digital art, appreciating both the similarities to traditional mediums as well as some unique advantages of digital work (including how easy it is to clean up). Furthermore, I’ve been trying to become a better writer. One of my goals in life is to complete a novel. I have an excellent opportunity to attempt this goal with the extra time at home where my doctor advises I stay in bed. Similarly, with the business of life, I often don’t read as much as I’d like to. Being stuck at home this year, I’ll finally have plenty of time to catch up on my reading (without any excuses!). While I have tried to make the best of this year, I am still looking forward to transferring to a more traditional, in-person college experience next year.

I know sometimes the most important experiences are the ones where we’re side-characters helping someone else achieve their goals. This October, I experienced one of, if not the most meaningful experience in my life when I made my best friend move. Something crucial to this story is understanding that abuse victims and trauma survivors often experience a lot of guilt regarding their trauma. So as a victim of child abuse, my friend hadn’t considered moving out a viable option. Last June, I took him to meet with Bridge Over Troubled Waters. An organization supporting runaway, homeless, and high-risk youth in Boston. Toward the end of summer, he reached the top of the waitlist for their housing program. Despite my excitement at this amazing opportunity, he wasn’t so thrilled, spiraling deeper into depression and self-blame. He was self-destructive and suicidal. I was constantly checking in, calling, meeting up, doing anything I could to raise his spirits or give him hope. In October, I called Bridge and set a move-in date (when he wouldn’t have school/work and his abusers would be out of the house). Move-in day finally came. I met him with a suitcase to help pack and brought donuts to lighten the mood (knowing he would’ve been too nervous to have eaten already). Slipping in and out of dissociation, I tried to ground him. After a few hours of packing everything he owned into a few bags, it was finally time. I reached for the heavier bags, knowing he already carried a heavy conscience. “Ready?” We left that house for the last time, carrying his bags to Bridge via public transport. We unpacked all his belongings and I knew he would be safe there. He's still there, and still safe. I'm so glad to have been able to help him.

This October, I experienced one of, if not the most meaningful experience in my life when I made my best friend move. Something crucial to this story is understanding that abuse victims and trauma survivors often experience a lot of guilt regarding their trauma. So as a victim of child abuse, my friend hadn’t considered moving out a viable option. Last June, I took him to meet with Bridge Over Troubled Waters. An organization supporting runaway, homeless, and high-risk youth in Boston. Toward the end of summer, he reached the top of the waitlist for their housing program. Despite my excitement at this amazing opportunity, he wasn’t so thrilled, spiraling deeper into depression and self-blame. He was self-destructive and suicidal. I was constantly checking in, calling, meeting up, doing anything I could to raise his spirits or give him hope. In October, I called Bridge and set a move-in date (when he wouldn’t have school/work and his abusers would be out of the house). Move-in day finally came. I met him with a suitcase to help pack and brought donuts to lighten the mood (knowing he would’ve been too nervous to have eaten already). Slipping in and out of dissociation, I tried to ground him. After a few hours of packing everything he owned into a few bags, it was finally time. I reached for the heavier bags, knowing he already carried a heavy conscience. “Ready?” We left that house for the last time, carrying his bags to Bridge via public transport. We unpacked all his belongings and I knew he would be safe there. I was so glad to be able to help him. What I learned from this experience was that sometimes the most important experiences are the ones where we’re side-characters helping someone else achieve their goal.

I've rewritten this essay several times over now, writing about statistics and culture and psychology. The one thing I've (unconsciously) been desperately avoiding talking about has been myself. I've struggled longer and harder than most people who know me realize. I've battled depression, anxiety, PTSD, eating disorders, and so many more intangible battles than no one knows about, and I've battled them alone. I didn't want anyone else to endure the same. During my time in high school, I did a lot of mental health advocacy work with the goal of increasing accessibility and quality of mental health resources, and positively changing the conversation around mental health. To do this, I founded the Cambridge Rindge and Latin mental health advocacy club where I was able to represent the club in virtual town halls with the Mayor and Cambridge representatives. I also presented at an enrichment program for rising 9th graders discussing teenage mental health and substance abuse prevention. I was also able to participate in a policy conversation with the school committee regarding mental health looking to evaluate how the school system can best support students' wellbeing during quarantine. I received a handwritten letter of thanks from the Mayor of Cambridge for mental health advocacy work within my community. While there were many changes I was unable to make during my time in high school, I am glad to have been able to make the impact that I did.