A young girl born into a family of dysfunction. Before that young girl came a man who lived a different type of life. A life of violence, internal pain, and a gangly livelihood. Spending seventeen years of his life incarcerated, he missed out on his firstborn’s life. When he realized he’d have the opportunity to father another child, he turned his life around, starting a family with Her. Once his secondborn arrived, he was murdered. He was my father. Her. Her life is an ongoing trauma that bled into mine. Her trauma was so deep that her sense of belonging, sense of peace, and sense of love wasn’t able to be achieved. Whatever she strived towards always succeeded, even if it wasn’t for long. Throughout her life, she struggled with drugs, alcoholism, depression, suicide, lupus, borderline personality disorder, and financial stability. Choosing to be stubborn caught up with her. Which resulted in her facing time in prison. All of her children were adults. The only one left was Rose. She/her is my mother. Rose is that young girl. Being raised as a preacher’s kid, you’d think she had life laid out for her, but she didn’t. After witnessing her mother struggle financially, she knew she had to escape this life. Amid all the chaos in her life, she found one thing that didn’t seem to fail her: Jesus. After finding Jesus, she had to leave her hometown. Though moving was painful for her, she learned more about herself. Rose recognized her pain and worked her way through it. Rose learned sacrifice and perseverance from her parents. One whose life isn’t dictated by her parents. One who is learning to rely on the Holy Spirit. One who is turning her pain into a passion. One that refuses to let her past define her. Rose is that young girl who grew up to become a young woman—a young woman who is ready to walk in her purpose. Rose is a daughter of the Most High. Rose is the daughter of two amazing parents who tried their best to raise a family. Rose is not her past but is instead her future. Rose wants to attain a Bachelor’s degree in natural sciences/ humanities with the end goal of becoming a physician. Rose also wants to show the world her gift through music. Music, for her, has brought healing to her and given her an outlet for expression. She wants to be selected for this scholarship because she has experience in helping out underprivileged youth and giving back to the community through evangelism and outreach. She has a passion for helping others through both music and healthcare. Being a physician is what she's wanted for herself because she'll be the first in her family to become either a medical doctor or a doctor of osteopathic medicine. After going through different seasons of adversity, all she wants to do is make a difference in the world and help others in any way possible. I am Rose. I am a living testimony of a prayer. I know now that life isn’t some fairytale. I will achieve the goals I aspire to achieve. I am Rose.

Charity is important to me because it's a way that I show the love of Christ to strangers in the world. Throughout the Bible, you see a lot of examples of the word giving or give. It appears 2,162 times in the Bible. It is something that God would like us to imitate. Giving to others in the world is something I've always enjoyed. Though I haven't been fortunate enough to give to a charity, I have been blessed to give to strangers from time to time. I may not know where my money goes, but hopefully it's used for the benefit of their lives instead of setting them at a disadvantage. Being a small light for people I may see on the street, in a gas station, or even in a church, it shows me that there isn't enough light in the world. I intend to give back in the future in a few ways, one of them being volunteering. For the past three years, I've volunteered in my church with the youth and in music. I noticed that volunteering allows me to share compassion and love on a more personal level, which I enjoy. Another way would be giving back to high school students through scholarships and providing advice/connections to high school seniors getting ready to enter the real world. Making a difference in the world is something I've always wanted to do, and it'll be through not only charity/volunteering but also evangelism, medicine, and music as well.

I grew up surrounded by art for most of my life. I was exposed to it through my upbringing and the activities I chose to be involved in as I grew up. Throughout middle and high school, I fell in love with dance—so much so that my mom enrolled me in a dance program outside of school. That was when I realized that dance isn’t just art—it’s hard work and dedication if you truly want to pursue it. Since 2019, I’ve been a camper at a performing arts camp that provides training in everything from dance, music, and musical theatre to technical theatre, directing, and more. It was at this camp that I realized I wanted to make a life in the performing arts. Being part of something bigger than myself inspired me to keep coming back year after year. Without fail, I returned, growing in confidence not only in dance but also in voice and musical theatre. I remember watching a show called The Terrell Show on YouTube when I was younger. It features a game called Song Association, where artists are invited to sing on the spot. In one episode, Cynthia Erivo was the guest. I had never heard her sing before, and after watching that episode, I fell in love with her artistry. During the summer of 2023, I studied her work with my vocal coach and learned how to break through personal fears in order to tell a story. If anyone has inspired me, it's my family. Sure, I have favorite artists and dancers I admire, but my family is the fire that keeps me going. I am the first in my family to attend an HBCU and the first sibling to graduate. I aim to be the first of many. Each person in my family has deep goals and aspirations, but many settle for less because those dreams seem unattainable. I'm different. I want to achieve everything. Let me put it this way—if I don’t actively pursue it, it won’t happen. My siblings and my mom always encourage me to push forward while also reminding me to stay realistic. I understand their concerns, but my dreams will be accomplished. You might be wondering, what do I mean by “everything”? Well, I’m a rising sophomore TV/Film major at Howard University. I had a rocky freshman year because I was struggling to find myself and my family battled through some financial hardship. I went through a mental shift of realizing what I wanted my life to be, what I wanted it to look like. That shift doesn’t change what “everything” means to me. To me, “everything” means being a multifaceted artist. I have a passion for dance, acting, music, screenwriting, directing, and musical theatre. I’m determined to pursue all of these because I’ve already explored many of them throughout high school and college. I’m committed to making it work—not just for myself, but to set an example for my family. I have faith in Jesus Christ that it will happen. I believe I will make a difference in the world through art because art changed my life. And finally, to me, Jesus is the greatest artist of all. Through Him, the art created through me will be powerful—and I’ve already seen its impact.

Growing up in a single-parent household has shaped me in profound ways. My mother, a woman of strength and faith, was the anchor and light of our home. She taught me the power of faith—not only during the good times but also in life’s challenges. Her belief that everything, both good and bad, had a purpose left a lasting impact on me. This foundation of faith, perseverance, and love has inspired me to explore the world, pursue a meaningful career, and positively impact others. I believe that my future, especially through music therapy, will be the start of building a legacy for my family. My mother’s resilience in the face of hardship motivated me to adopt the same mindset. Whether it was overcoming financial struggles, dealing with personal setbacks, or facing life’s uncertainties, she maintained an unwavering belief that good things were ahead. This perspective helped me cultivate resilience and see life’s challenges not as roadblocks, but as opportunities for growth. I learned that faith isn’t just about waiting for things to improve but about trusting that they will, no matter the obstacles. Witnessing my mother’s strength made me want to be someone who, like her, would face challenges with determination and faith. She encouraged me to see the world as full of opportunities, regardless of my background or the difficulties ahead. This mindset fueled my curiosity and eagerness to explore the world, learn about different cultures, and understand diverse perspectives. I realized that my purpose in life was to be a vessel for Christ—to spread His love and message wherever I go. One of the most powerful ways I hope to make a difference is through music therapy. Music has a unique ability to heal, comfort, and connect people in ways that words cannot. It transcends barriers, speaking directly to the heart. Music therapy goes beyond playing instruments or singing; it’s about using music as a medium to help others find emotional release, inner peace, and healing. By combining music therapy with my faith, I believe I can make a meaningful impact. Through music, I aim to help people connect with Jesus and experience healing not just emotionally but spiritually. Music creates an environment where people can feel God’s presence, find comfort, and know they are loved. By pursuing a degree in music therapy, I want to bring healing and hope to those in need, while inspiring them to see God’s hand in their lives, even in difficult times. My upbringing also taught me that success isn’t solely about individual achievements; it’s about building a legacy for future generations. Watching my mother navigate the complexities of raising a family alone showed me the importance of financial responsibility, long-term planning, and goal-setting for a brighter future. I aspire to build a strong foundation for myself and my future family, ensuring we live with purpose, security, and the ability to make a lasting impact on the world. Ultimately, my upbringing has shaped me into someone who values faith, resilience, and community. It has inspired me to live a life that heals and inspires others while sharing the message of hope. I am driven to use my talents and experiences not only to make a difference in society but also to create a future for my family where love, faith, and success flourish for generations to come.

Exemplifying a spirit of excellence in everyday life for me is executed by nurturing my relationship with Jesus Christ and giving back to the community. These elements are a huge part in my journey. Mainly through my passion for music and my involvement in my local church. By pursuing excellence in my craft, growing in my faith, and serving others, I aim to make a positive impact on both the spiritual and practical aspects of my community. Firstly, I believe that a spirit of excellence should be in all areas of life. Whether it's in my personal responsibilities, school, or relationships, I seek to approach each task with the mindset of doing it to the best of my ability. In the context of my music, this means consistently refining my skills, paying attention to the detail, and always seeking to improve. The pursuit of excellence in music is not just for personal fulfillment, but as a way of honoring God and reflecting His creativity through me. By approaching each note or performance with dedication, I hope to inspire others and set an example of how excellence can be a form of worship. In 1st Corinthians 10:31, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God”. The strive for greatness is only because of my relationship with Jesus Christ. The goal is to glorify Him. By aligning my actions with His teachings, I am able to offer my talents and efforts for a greater purpose than personal gain. As I grow in my faith, I seek to reflect His character by loving others, serving without expectation of return, and using my gifts to uplift and encourage those around me. Giving back to my community is an essential part of living out my faith. Through music initiatives, I have had the privilege of creating opportunities for others to experience and engage with the arts. Music has the power to unite, heal, and inspire, and I believe that by sharing this gift with my community, I can create spaces for people to connect, reflect, and grow. Serving at my local church is another key way I give back to the community. The church is a place of spiritual growth, fellowship, and outreach, and I am committed to using my gifts to contribute to its mission. Whether I’m leading worship, volunteering in children’s ministry, or helping the media team, I approach each role with a mindset of service. I believe that the church should be a reflection of Christ’s love, and I seek to contribute to an environment where people can encounter God in meaningful ways. In conclusion, a spirit of excellence, a deep relationship with Jesus Christ, and a commitment to serving my community are all interconnected in my daily life. By striving for excellence in my music, nurturing my faith, and giving back to others through both music initiatives and church involvement, I aim to reflect God’s love and make a positive impact. Excellence through God’s lens is when you live life for Him and not yourself. Through my actions, I hope to inspire others to live with purpose, serve with love, and grow in their relationship with Christ.