
Hobbies and interests
Acting And Theater
Child Development
African American Studies
Music
Singing
Spanish
Veronica James
1x
Finalist
Veronica James
1x
FinalistBio
My name is Veronica James. I am a high school senior planning to pursue a degree in Music Education. I have been singing, acting, and dancing on stage since the age of 6 For the last five years, I have been employed as an event performer. This has given me the opportunity to perform as various princesses at a multitude of events, shows, concerts, and festivals. This job helped me to realize how much of a role model I could become to younger children, and leave a positive influence on their futures. Through my experience, I realized I wanted to become a teacher. I was an energetic, spunky, and bold youth. Unfortunately, I battled with anxiety and major depression in my early high school years which dimmed my light. Seeing young girls believing in themselves the way I used to rekindled a flame within me. These girls also believed in me. I recognize my larger than life personality as an attribute that singles me out in the best ways possible. I present myself exactly as I am, with composure and poise. Getting opportunities to work with children, teach them, and create lasting memories helps me bring those techniques into my everyday life. This journey has given me the building blocks to create a healthy environment for children to express themselves. My bravery teaches young children how to be fearless. My personality provides a fun, everlasting learning experience that motivates students to accomplish their goals and embody a love of learning. I plan to leave a positive impact on the communities I serve, and offer friendship, empathy, and respect to the people around me.
Education
Eastern Regional High School
High SchoolMiscellaneous
Desired degree level:
Bachelor's degree program
Majors of interest:
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas
Career
Dream career field:
Education
Dream career goals:
Elementary Music Teacher
Kids Club Coach
Edge Fitness2025 – Present1 yearParty Host
Sweet & Sassy2024 – 20251 yearEvent Performer / Princess
Sew Classy Royal Eventes2021 – Present5 years
Sports
Lacrosse
Intramural2023 – 2023
Arts
All South Jersey Honors Chorus
Music2021 – 2022Eastern HS Drama
Theatre2022 – 2024Cape & Sword
Theatre2023 – PresentGHVS Players
Theatre2022 – 2025
Public services
Advocacy
Sew Classy Royal Eventes — Event Performer / Princess2021 – Present
Future Interests
Advocacy
Volunteering
Ella's Gift
In my early high school years, I struggled significantly with mental health and anxiety, which required both inpatient and intensive outpatient care. Additionally, I have ADHD. The darkness that overpowered every day became overpowering, and the struggle to get out of bed, interact with people, and participate in the normal daily living was very real. On top of the anxiety and depression, I had constant stomach pain, severe nausea, and cramping. There were no answers, only pain.
I was just recently diagnosed with eosinophilic esophagitis EoE which is a rare chronic progressive condition that can damage the esophagus over time. People with EoE have inflammation that occurs when a large number of immune cells build up in the esophagus. It causes severe nausea, vomiting, blockages, and gastrointestinal discomfort. EoE is flared up by stress.
The combination of living with anxiety and EoE has been extremely challenging. I struggled with gastrointestinal issues for years, with no explanations other than to be told, “it’s your anxiety” and “you just have to push through.” I would wake up in the mornings with severe stomach pain, nausea, cramping, and diarrhea. I would spend an hour in the restroom trying to get ready for school in pain. I had excessive absences, missing crucial instructional time. I had to keep up on my own while combating the anxiety and depression. Once I made it to school, I would either be in pain or struggling with the anxiety of facing my teachers when work was either missing or late. I lived in constant fear of disappointing my teachers, my mom, and myself, which only added to my stress and anxiety. Finally, after months of testing and everything coming up negative, the doctors did an endoscopy and discovered that I have been living with EoE.
With the support of my family, doctors, and therapists, along with music, I have found a way out of the darkness and have found a new sense of confidence and pride.
I discovered a love for teaching and a desire to make a difference in children’s lives. While figuring out what I wanted to do in my future, I decided to pair my two passions together. Studying Music Education will help me use my passion for music to make a positive influence on the students in my classroom. I have a strong, solidified belief that children are the future of our society, and we hold a responsibility to influence them in the greatest ways.
Using my respective art study, I intend to unlock their innate abilities, introduce them to a new passion, and inspire them to create their own tunes. This journey has given me the building blocks to create a healthy environment for children to express themselves. My bravery teaches young children how to be fearless. My personality provides a fun, everlasting learning experience that motivates students to accomplish their goals and embody a love of learning. I plan to leave a positive impact on the communities I step into and offer friendship, empathy, and respect toward the people around me.
Resilient Scholar Award
In my early high school years, I struggled significantly with mental health and anxiety, which required both inpatient and intensive outpatient care. Additionally, I have ADHD. My dad left when I was 10, leaving my mother alone to raise two kids. My older brother is also ADHD and is on the Autism spectrum. The darkness that overpowered every day became overpowering, and the struggle to get out of bed, interact with people, and participate in the normal daily living was very real. On top of the anxiety and depression, I had constant stomach pain, severe nausea, and cramping. There were no answers, only pain.
I was just recently diagnosed with eosinophilic esophagitis EoE which is a rare chronic progressive condition that can damage the esophagus over time. People with EoE have inflammation that occurs when a large number of immune cells build up in the esophagus. It causes severe nausea, vomiting, blockages, and gastrointestinal discomfort. EoE is flared up by stress.
The combination of living with anxiety and EoE has been extremely challenging. I struggled with gastrointestinal issues for years, with no explanations other than to be told, “it’s your anxiety” and “you just have to push through.” I would wake up in the mornings with severe stomach pain, nausea, cramping, and diarrhea. I would spend an hour in the restroom trying to get ready for school in pain. I had excessive absences, missing crucial instructional time. I had to keep up on my own while combating the anxiety and depression. Once I made it to school, I would either be in pain or struggling with the anxiety of facing my teachers when work was either missing or late. I lived in constant fear of disappointing my teachers, my mom, and myself, which only added to my stress and anxiety. Finally, after months of testing and everything coming up negative, the doctors did an endoscopy and discovered that I have been living with EoE.
With the support of my family, doctors, and therapists, along with music, I have found a way out of the darkness and have found a new sense of confidence and pride.
I discovered a love for teaching and a desire to make a difference in children’s lives. While figuring out what I wanted to do in my future, I decided to pair my two passions together. Studying Music Education will help me use my passion for music to make a positive influence on the students in my classroom. I have a strong, solidified belief that children are the future of our society, and we hold a responsibility to influence them in the greatest ways.
Using my respective art study, I intend to unlock their innate abilities, introduce them to a new passion, and inspire them to create their own tunes. This journey has given me the building blocks to create a healthy environment for children to express themselves. My bravery teaches young children how to be fearless. My personality provides a fun, everlasting learning experience that motivates students to accomplish their goals and embody a love of learning. I plan to leave a positive impact on the communities I step into and offer friendship, empathy, and respect toward the people around me.
Elijah's Helping Hand Scholarship Award
In my early high school years, I struggled significantly with mental health and anxiety, which required both inpatient and intensive outpatient care. Additionaly, I have ADHD. The darkness that overpowered every day became overpowering, and the struggle to get out of bed, interact with people, and participate in the normal daily living was very real. On top of the anxiety and depression, I had constant stomach pain, severe nausea and cramping. There were no answers only pain.
I was just recently diagnosed with eosinophilic esophagitis EoE which is a rare chronic progressive condition that can damage the esophagus over time. People with EoE have inflammation that occurs when a large number of immune cells build up in the esophagus. It causes severe nausea, vomiting, blockages, and gastrointestinal discomfort. EoE is flared up by stress.
The combination of living with anxiety and EoE has been extremely challenging. I struggled with gastrointestinal issues for years, with no explanations other than to be told, “it’s your anxiety” and “you just have to push through.” I would wake up in the mornings with severe stomach pain, nausea, cramping, and diarrhea. I would spend an hour in the restroom trying to get ready for school in pain. I had excessive absences, missing crucial instructional time. I had to keep up on my own while combating the anxiety and depression. Once I made it to school, I would either be in pain or struggling with the anxiety of facing my teachers when work was either missing or late. I lived in constant fear of disappointing my teachers, my mom, and myself, which only added to my stress and anxiety. Finally, after months of testing and everything coming up negative, the doctors did an endoscopy and discovered that I have been living with EoE.
With the support of my family, doctors, and therapists, along with music, I have found a way out of the darkness and have found a new sense of confidence and pride.
I discovered a love for teaching and a desire to make a difference in children’s lives. While figuring out what I wanted to do in my future, I decided to pair my two passions together. Studying Music Education will help me use my passion for music to make a positive influence on the students in my classroom. I have a strong, solidified belief that children are the future of our society, and we hold a responsibility to influence them in the greatest ways.
Using my respective art study, I intend to unlock their innate abilities, introduce them to a new passion, and inspire them to create their own tunes. This journey has given me the building blocks to create a healthy environment for children to express themselves. My bravery teaches young children how to be fearless. My personality provides a fun, everlasting learning experience that motivates students to accomplish their goals and embody a love of learning. I plan to leave a positive impact on the communities I step into and offer friendship, empathy, and respect toward the people around me.
ADHDAdvisor Scholarship for Health Students
In my early high school years, I struggled significantly with mental health and anxiety, which required both inpatient and intensive outpatient care. Additionaly, I have ADHD. The darkness that overpowered every day became overpowering, and the struggle to get out of bed, interact with people, and participate in the normal daily living was very real. On top of the anxiety and depression, I had constant stomach pain, severe nausea and cramping. There were no answers only pain.
I was just recently diagnosed with eosinophilic esophagitis EoE which is a rare chronic progressive condition that can damage the esophagus over time. The combination of living with anxiety, ADHD and EoE has been extremely challenging. I struggled with gastrointestinal issues for years, with no explanations other than to be told, “it’s your anxiety” and “you just have to push through.”
With the support of my family, doctors, and therapists, along with music, I have found a way out of the darkness and have found a new sense of confidence and pride.
I discovered a love for teaching and a desire to make a difference in children’s lives. While figuring out what I wanted to do in my future, I decided to pair my two passions together. Studying Music Education will help me use my passion for music to make a positive influence on the students in my classroom. I have a strong, solidified belief that children are the future of our society, and we hold a responsibility to influence them in the greatest ways.
Using my respective art study, I intend to unlock their innate abilities, introduce them to a new passion, and inspire them to create their own tunes. This journey has given me the building blocks to create a healthy environment for children to express themselves. My bravery teaches young children how to be fearless. My personality provides a fun, everlasting learning experience that motivates students to accomplish their goals and embody a love of learning. I plan to leave a positive impact on the communities I step into and offer friendship, empathy, and respect toward the people around me.
Dream BIG, Rise HIGHER Scholarship
Growing up, I have always had a love for music. The beats would ring through my ears, and the bass would thump in my heart. Music has always been a form of self-expression, a means to understand my thoughts, and a place to find peace amidst stress. From attending shows in New York with my mother to dancing to my dad’s Reggaeton as he washed the car, my connection to beautiful melodies has always been there. I began singing, acting, and dancing on stage at the age of six. At the young age of nine, I landed my first professional performing job in Matilda the Musical. I have continued performing throughout my elementary, middle, and high school years and have performed in over 30 shows. Music and theatre have been an integral part of my development and taught me dedication, a strong work ethic, teamwork, humility, confidence, communication, empathy, creativity, collaboration, and so much more.
I first learned how to sing in my elementary school music classroom. My teacher was kind, courageous, and enthusiastic about any instrument she picked up. I found myself putting in extra effort to participate and volunteering to perform at any chance I was given. The same teacher also first taught me to play ukulele. When I learned to accompany myself, it opened me up to a world of composition, freestyling, and musical performances. It was no surprise that I had become a music star student.
When I reached my teenage years, I began working for various children’s companies. Performing as a princess opened many opportunities for me to perform for young boys and girls at various events. Together, those fan-favorite childhood songs brought the audience together and created a fun time for everyone. I discovered a love for teaching and a desire to make a difference in children’s lives.
In my early high school years, I struggled significantly with mental health and anxiety, which required both inpatient and intensive outpatient care. The darkness that overpowered every day became overpowering, and the struggle to get out of bed, interact with people, and participate in the normal daily living was very real. On top of the anxiety and depression, I had constant stomach pain, severe nausea, and cramping. There were no answer,s only pain.
I was just recently diagnosed with eosinophilic esophagitis EoE which is a rare chronic progressive condition that can damage the esophagus over time. People with EoE have inflammation that occurs when a large number of immune cells build up in the esophagus. It causes severe nausea, vomiting, blockages, and gastrointestinal discomfort. EoE is flared up by stress.
The combination of living with anxiety and EoE has been extremely challenging. I struggled with gastrointestinal issues for years, with no explanations other than to be told, “it’s your anxiety” and “you just have to push through.” I would wake up in the mornings with severe stomach pain, nausea, cramping, and diarrhea. I would spend an hour in the restroom trying to get ready for school in pain. I had excessive absences, missing crucial instructional time. I had to keep up on my own while combating the anxiety and depression. Once I made it to school, I would either be in pain or struggling with the anxiety of facing my teachers when work was either missing or late. I lived in constant fear of disappointing my teachers, my mom, and myself, which only added to my stress and anxiety. Finally, after months of testing and everything coming up negative, the doctors did an endoscopy and discovered that I have been living with EoE.
With the support of my family, doctors, and therapists, along with music, I have found a way out of the darkness and have found a new sense of confidence and pride.
I discovered a love for teaching and a desire to make a difference in children’s lives. While figuring out what I wanted to do in my future, I decided to pair my two passions together. Studying Music Education will help me use my passion for music to make a positive influence on the students in my classroom. I have a strong, solidified belief that children are the future of our society, and we hold a responsibility to influence them in the greatest ways.
Using my respective art study, I intend to unlock their innate abilities, introduce them to a new passion, and inspire them to create their own tunes. This journey has given me the building blocks to create a healthy environment for children to express themselves. My bravery teaches young children how to be fearless. My personality provides a fun, everlasting learning experience that motivates students to accomplish their goals and embody a love of learning. I plan to leave a positive impact on the communities I step into and offer friendship, empathy, and respect toward the people around me.
I plan to Major in Music Education and pursue a career as an Elementary Music Teacher. I am still undecided on which school I plan to attend, but I have been accepted to Penn State, Towson, The College of New Jersey, Montclair, and William Paterson.
Through my experience as an event performer, I have noticed a significant discrepancy in the number of requests for princesses such as Rapunzel, Cinderella, Anna, and Elsa to those of color such as Tiana, Moana, and Mirabel. I have had the opportunity to volunteer my talents to perform for underprivileged youth. I have taken the initiative to work within my company to provide FREE appearances and performances for young children of color in inner cities and communities. I hope to show young girls that princesses come in all colors and allow them to see themselves as a princess. I hope to create a non-profit to provide more of these experiences and events on a larger scale.
Ethel Hayes Destigmatization of Mental Health Scholarship
In my early high school years, I struggled significantly with mental health and anxiety, which required both inpatient and intensive outpatient care. The darkness that overpowered every day became overpowering, and the struggle to get out of bed, interact with people, and participate in the normal daily living was very real. On top of the anxiety and depression, I had constant stomach pain, severe nausea and cramping. There were no answers only pain.
I was just recently diagnosed with eosinophilic esophagitis EoE which is a rare chronic progressive condition that can damage the esophagus over time. People with EoE have inflammation that occurs when a large number of immune cells build up in the esophagus. It causes severe nausea, vomiting, blockages, and gastrointestinal discomfort. EoE is flared up by stress.
The combination of living with anxiety and EoE has been extremely challenging. I struggled with gastrointestinal issues for years, with no explanations other than to be told, “it’s your anxiety” and “you just have to push through.” I would wake up in the mornings with severe stomach pain, nausea, cramping, and diarrhea. I would spend an hour in the restroom trying to get ready for school in pain. I had excessive absences, missing crucial instructional time. I had to keep up on my own while combating the anxiety and depression. Once I made it to school, I would either be in pain or struggling with the anxiety of facing my teachers when work was either missing or late. I lived in constant fear of disappointing my teachers, my mom, and myself, which only added to my stress and anxiety. Finally, after months of testing and everything coming up negative, the doctors did an endoscopy and discovered that I have been living with EoE.
With the support of my family, doctors, and therapists, along with music, I have found a way out of the darkness and have found a new sense of confidence and pride.
I discovered a love for teaching and a desire to make a difference in children’s lives. While figuring out what I wanted to do in my future, I decided to pair my two passions together. Studying Music Education will help me use my passion for music to make a positive influence on the students in my classroom. I have a strong, solidified belief that children are the future of our society, and we hold a responsibility to influence them in the greatest ways.
Using my respective art study, I intend to unlock their innate abilities, introduce them to a new passion, and inspire them to create their own tunes. This journey has given me the building blocks to create a healthy environment for children to express themselves. My bravery teaches young children how to be fearless. My personality provides a fun, everlasting learning experience that motivates students to accomplish their goals and embody a love of learning. I plan to leave a positive impact on the communities I step into and offer friendship, empathy, and respect toward the people around me.
Learner Mental Health Empowerment for Health Students Scholarship
In my early high school years, I struggled significantly with mental health and anxiety, which required both inpatient and intensive outpatient care. The darkness that overpowered every day became overpowering, and the struggle to get out of bed, interact with people, and participate in the normal daily living was very real. On top of the anxiety and depression, I had constant stomach pain, severe nausea and cramping. There were no answers only pain.
I was just recently diagnosed with eosinophilic esophagitis EoE which is a rare chronic progressive condition that can damage the esophagus over time. People with EoE have inflammation that occurs when a large number of immune cells build up in the esophagus. It causes severe nausea, vomiting, blockages, and gastrointestinal discomfort. EoE is flared up by stress.
The combination of living with anxiety and EoE has been extremely challenging. I struggled with gastrointestinal issues for years, with no explanations other than to be told, “it’s your anxiety” and “you just have to push through.” I would wake up in the mornings with severe stomach pain, nausea, cramping, and diarrhea. I would spend an hour in the restroom trying to get ready for school in pain. I had excessive absences, missing crucial instructional time. I had to keep up on my own while combating the anxiety and depression. Once I made it to school, I would either be in pain or struggling with the anxiety of facing my teachers when work was either missing or late. I lived in constant fear of disappointing my teachers, my mom, and myself, which only added to my stress and anxiety. Finally, after months of testing and everything coming up negative, the doctors did an endoscopy and discovered that I have been living with EoE.
With the support of my family, doctors, and therapists, along with music, I have found a way out of the darkness and have found a new sense of confidence and pride.
I discovered a love for teaching and a desire to make a difference in children’s lives. While figuring out what I wanted to do in my future, I decided to pair my two passions together. Studying Music Education will help me use my passion for music to make a positive influence on the students in my classroom. I have a strong, solidified belief that children are the future of our society, and we hold a responsibility to influence them in the greatest ways.
Using my respective art study, I intend to unlock their innate abilities, introduce them to a new passion, and inspire them to create their own tunes. This journey has given me the building blocks to create a healthy environment for children to express themselves. My bravery teaches young children how to be fearless. My personality provides a fun, everlasting learning experience that motivates students to accomplish their goals and embody a love of learning. I plan to leave a positive impact on the communities I step into and offer friendship, empathy, and respect toward the people around me.
Dr. G. Yvette Pegues Disability Scholarship
In my early high school years, I struggled significantly with mental health and anxiety, which required both inpatient and intensive outpatient care. The darkness that overpowered every day became overpowering, and the struggle to get out of bed, interact with people, and participate in the normal daily living was very real. On top of the anxiety and depression, I had constant stomach pain, severe nausea and cramping. There were no answers only pain.
I was just recently diagnosed with eosinophilic esophagitis EoE which is a rare chronic progressive condition that can damage the esophagus over time. People with EoE have inflammation that occurs when a large number of immune cells build up in the esophagus. It causes severe nausea, vomiting, blockages, and gastrointestinal discomfort. EoE is flared up by stress.
The combination of living with anxiety and EoE has been extremely challenging. I struggled with gastrointestinal issues for years, with no explanations other than to be told, “it’s your anxiety” and “you just have to push through.” I would wake up in the mornings with severe stomach pain, nausea, cramping, and diarrhea. I would spend an hour in the restroom trying to get ready for school in pain. I had excessive absences, missing crucial instructional time. I had to keep up on my own while combating the anxiety and depression. Once I made it to school, I would either be in pain or struggling with the anxiety of facing my teachers when work was either missing or late. I lived in constant fear of disappointing my teachers, my mom, and myself, which only added to my stress and anxiety. Finally, after months of testing and everything coming up negative, the doctors did an endoscopy and discovered that I have been living with EoE.
With the support of my family, doctors, and therapists, along with music, I have found a way out of the darkness and have found a new sense of confidence and pride.
I discovered a love for teaching and a desire to make a difference in children’s lives. While figuring out what I wanted to do in my future, I decided to pair my two passions together. Studying Music Education will help me use my passion for music to make a positive influence on the students in my classroom. I have a strong, solidified belief that children are the future of our society, and we hold a responsibility to influence them in the greatest ways.
Using my respective art study, I intend to unlock their innate abilities, introduce them to a new passion, and inspire them to create their own tunes. This journey has given me the building blocks to create a healthy environment for children to express themselves. My bravery teaches young children how to be fearless. My personality provides a fun, everlasting learning experience that motivates students to accomplish their goals and embody a love of learning. I plan to leave a positive impact on the communities I step into and offer friendship, empathy, and respect toward the people around me.
Through my experience as an event performer. I have had the opportunity to volunteer my talents to perform for underprivileged youth. I have taken the initiative to work within my company to provide FREE appearances and performances for young children of color in inner cities and communities. I hope to show young girls that princesses come in all colors and allow them to see themselves as a princess. I hope to create a non-profit to provide more of these experiences and events on a larger scale.
Jules Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Resilience Scholarship
In my early high school years, I struggled significantly with mental health and anxiety, which required both inpatient and intensive outpatient care. The darkness that overpowered every day became overpowering, and the struggle to get out of bed, interact with people, and participate in the normal daily living was very real. On top of the anxiety and depression, I had constant stomach pain, severe nausea and cramping. There were no answers only pain.
I was just recently diagnosed with eosinophilic esophagitis EoE which is a rare chronic progressive condition that can damage the esophagus over time. People with EoE have inflammation that occurs when a large number of immune cells build up in the esophagus. It causes severe nausea, vomiting, blockages, and gastrointestinal discomfort. EoE is flared up by stress.
The combination of living with anxiety and EoE has been extremely challenging. I struggled with gastrointestinal issues for years, with no explanations other than to be told, “it’s your anxiety” and “you just have to push through.” I would wake up in the mornings with severe stomach pain, nausea, cramping, and diarrhea. I would spend an hour in the restroom trying to get ready for school in pain. I had excessive absences, missing crucial instructional time. I had to keep up on my own while combating the anxiety and depression. Once I made it to school, I would either be in pain or struggling with the anxiety of facing my teachers when work was either missing or late. I lived in constant fear of disappointing my teachers, my mom, and myself, which only added to my stress and anxiety. Finally, after months of testing and everything coming up negative, the doctors did an endoscopy and discovered that I have been living with EoE.
With the support of my family, doctors, and therapists, along with music, I have found a way out of the darkness and have found a new sense of confidence and pride.
I discovered a love for teaching and a desire to make a difference in children’s lives. While figuring out what I wanted to do in my future, I decided to pair my two passions together. Studying Music Education will help me use my passion for music to make a positive influence on the students in my classroom. I have a strong, solidified belief that children are the future of our society, and we hold a responsibility to influence them in the greatest ways.
Using my respective art study, I intend to unlock their innate abilities, introduce them to a new passion, and inspire them to create their own tunes. This journey has given me the building blocks to create a healthy environment for children to express themselves. My bravery teaches young children how to be fearless. My personality provides a fun, everlasting learning experience that motivates students to accomplish their goals and embody a love of learning. I plan to leave a positive impact on the communities I step into and offer friendship, empathy, and respect toward the people around me.
Harvest Scholarship for Women Dreamers
Growing up, I have always had a love for music. The beats would ring through my ears, and the bass would thump in my heart. Music has always been a form of self-expression, a means to understand my thoughts, and a place to find peace amidst stress. From attending shows in New York with my mother to dancing to my dad’s Reggaeton as he washed the car, my connection to beautiful melodies has always been there. I began singing, acting, and dancing on stage at the age of six. Music and theatre have been an integral part of my development and taught me dedication, a strong work ethic, teamwork, humility, confidence, communication, empathy, creativity, collaboration, and so much more.
I first learned how to sing in my elementary school music classroom. My teacher was kind, courageous, and enthusiastic about any instrument she picked up. I found myself putting in extra effort to participate and volunteering to perform at any chance I was given. The same teacher also first taught me to play ukulele. When I learned to accompany myself, it opened me up to a world of composition, freestyling, and musical performances.
I began working for various children’s companies. Performing as a princess opened many opportunities for me to perform for young boys and girls at various events. Together, those fan-favorite childhood songs brought the audience together and created a fun time for everyone. I discovered a love for teaching and a desire to make a difference in children’s lives.
In my early high school years, I struggled significantly with mental health and anxiety, which required both inpatient and intensive outpatient care. With the support of my family, doctors, and therapists, along with music, I have found a way out of the darkness and have found a new sense of confidence and pride.
I discovered a love for teaching and a desire to make a difference in children’s lives. While figuring out what I wanted to do in my future, I decided to pair my two passions together. Studying Music Education will help me use my passion for music to make a positive influence on the students in my classroom. I have a strong, solidified belief that children are the future of our society, and we hold a responsibility to influence them in the greatest ways.
Using my respective art study, I intend to unlock their innate abilities, introduce them to a new passion, and inspire them to create their own tunes. This journey has given me the building blocks to create a healthy environment for children to express themselves. My bravery teaches young children how to be fearless. My personality provides a fun, everlasting learning experience that motivates students to accomplish their goals and embody a love of learning. I plan to leave a positive impact on the communities I step into and offer friendship, empathy, and respect toward the people around me.
Through my experience as an event performer, I have noticed a significant discrepancy in the number of requests for princesses such as Rapunzel, Cinderella, Anna, and Elsa to those of color such as Tiana, Moana, and Mirabel. I have had the opportunity to volunteer my talents to perform for underprivileged youth. I have taken the initiative to work within my company to provide FREE appearances and performances for young children of color in inner cities and communities. I hope to show young girls that princesses come in all colors and allow them to see themselves as a princess. I hope to create a non-profit to provide more of these experiences and events on a larger scale.
Autumn Davis Memorial Scholarship
In my early high school years, I struggled significantly with mental health and anxiety, which required both inpatient and intensive outpatient care. The darkness that overpowered every day became overpowering, and the struggle to get out of bed, interact with people, and participate in the normal daily living was very real. On top of the anxiety and depression, I had constant stomach pain, severe nausea and cramping. There were no answers only pain.
I was just recently diagnosed with eosinophilic esophagitis EoE which is a rare chronic progressive condition that can damage the esophagus over time. People with EoE have inflammation that occurs when a large number of immune cells build up in the esophagus. It causes severe nausea, vomiting, blockages, and gastrointestinal discomfort. EoE is flared up by stress.
The combination of living with anxiety and EoE has been extremely challenging. I struggled with gastrointestinal issues for years, with no explanations other than to be told, “it’s your anxiety” and “you just have to push through.” I would wake up in the mornings with severe stomach pain, nausea, cramping, and diarrhea. I would spend an hour in the restroom trying to get ready for school in pain. I had excessive absences, missing crucial instructional time. I had to keep up on my own while combating the anxiety and depression. Once I made it to school, I would either be in pain or struggling with the anxiety of facing my teachers when work was either missing or late. I lived in constant fear of disappointing my teachers, my mom, and myself, which only added to my stress and anxiety. Finally, after months of testing and everything coming up negative, the doctors did an endoscopy and discovered that I have been living with EoE.
With the support of my family, doctors, and therapists, along with music, I have found a way out of the darkness and have found a new sense of confidence and pride.
I discovered a love for teaching and a desire to make a difference in children’s lives. While figuring out what I wanted to do in my future, I decided to pair my two passions together. Studying Music Education will help me use my passion for music to make a positive influence on the students in my classroom. I have a strong, solidified belief that children are the future of our society, and we hold a responsibility to influence them in the greatest ways.
Using my respective art study, I intend to unlock their innate abilities, introduce them to a new passion, and inspire them to create their own tunes. This journey has given me the building blocks to create a healthy environment for children to express themselves. My bravery teaches young children how to be fearless. My personality provides a fun, everlasting learning experience that motivates students to accomplish their goals and embody a love of learning. I plan to leave a positive impact on the communities I step into and offer friendship, empathy, and respect toward the people around me.
Shanique Gravely Scholarship
In my early high school years, I struggled significantly with mental health and anxiety, which required both inpatient and intensive outpatient care. The darkness that overpowered every day became overpowering, and the struggle to get out of bed, interact with people, and participate in the normal daily living was very real. On top of the anxiety and depression, I had constant stomach pain, severe nausea and cramping. There were no answers only pain.
I was just recently diagnosed with eosinophilic esophagitis EoE which is a rare chronic progressive condition that can damage the esophagus over time. People with EoE have inflammation that occurs when a large number of immune cells build up in the esophagus. It causes severe nausea, vomiting, blockages, and gastrointestinal discomfort. EoE is flared up by stress.
The combination of living with anxiety and EoE has been extremely challenging. I struggled with gastrointestinal issues for years, with no explanations other than to be told, “it’s your anxiety” and “you just have to push through.” I would wake up in the mornings with severe stomach pain, nausea, cramping, and diarrhea. I would spend an hour in the restroom trying to get ready for school in pain. I had excessive absences, missing crucial instructional time. I had to keep up on my own while combating the anxiety and depression. Once I made it to school, I would either be in pain or struggling with the anxiety of facing my teachers when work was either missing or late. I lived in constant fear of disappointing my teachers, my mom, and myself, which only added to my stress and anxiety. Finally, after months of testing and everything coming up negative, the doctors did an endoscopy and discovered that I have been living with EoE.
With the support of my family, doctors, and therapists, along with music, I have found a way out of the darkness and have found a new sense of confidence and pride.
I discovered a love for teaching and a desire to make a difference in children’s lives. While figuring out what I wanted to do in my future, I decided to pair my two passions together. Studying Music Education will help me use my passion for music to make a positive influence on the students in my classroom. I have a strong, solidified belief that children are the future of our society, and we hold a responsibility to influence them in the greatest ways.
Using my respective art study, I intend to unlock their innate abilities, introduce them to a new passion, and inspire them to create their own tunes. This journey has given me the building blocks to create a healthy environment for children to express themselves. My bravery teaches young children how to be fearless. My personality provides a fun, everlasting learning experience that motivates students to accomplish their goals and embody a love of learning. I plan to leave a positive impact on the communities I step into and offer friendship, empathy, and respect toward the people around me.
Simon Strong Scholarship
In my early high school years, I struggled significantly with mental health and anxiety, which required both inpatient and intensive outpatient care. The darkness that overpowered every day became overpowering, and the struggle to get out of bed, interact with people, and participate in the normal daily living was very real. On top of the anxiety and depression, I had constant stomach pain, severe nausea and cramping. There were no answers only pain.
I was just recently diagnosed with eosinophilic esophagitis EoE which is a rare chronic progressive condition that can damage the esophagus over time. People with EoE have inflammation that occurs when a large number of immune cells build up in the esophagus. It causes severe nausea, vomiting, blockages, and gastrointestinal discomfort. EoE is flared up by stress.
The combination of living with anxiety and EoE has been extremely challenging. I struggled with gastrointestinal issues for years, with no explanations other than to be told, “it’s your anxiety” and “you just have to push through.” I would wake up in the mornings with severe stomach pain, nausea, cramping, and diarrhea. I would spend an hour in the restroom trying to get ready for school in pain. I had excessive absences, missing crucial instructional time. I had to keep up on my own while combating the anxiety and depression. Once I made it to school, I would either be in pain or struggling with the anxiety of facing my teachers when work was either missing or late. I lived in constant fear of disappointing my teachers, my mom, and myself, which only added to my stress and anxiety. Finally, after months of testing and everything coming up negative, the doctors did an endoscopy and discovered that I have been living with EoE.
With the support of my family, doctors, and therapists, along with music, I have found a way out of the darkness and have found a new sense of confidence and pride.
I discovered a love for teaching and a desire to make a difference in children’s lives. While figuring out what I wanted to do in my future, I decided to pair my two passions together. Studying Music Education will help me use my passion for music to make a positive influence on the students in my classroom. I have a strong, solidified belief that children are the future of our society, and we hold a responsibility to influence them in the greatest ways.
Using my respective art study, I intend to unlock their innate abilities, introduce them to a new passion, and inspire them to create their own tunes. This journey has given me the building blocks to create a healthy environment for children to express themselves. My bravery teaches young children how to be fearless. My personality provides a fun, everlasting learning experience that motivates students to accomplish their goals and embody a love of learning. I plan to leave a positive impact on the communities I step into and offer friendship, empathy, and respect toward the people around me.
Gabriel Martin Memorial Annual Scholarship
In my early high school years, I struggled significantly with mental health and anxiety, which required both inpatient and intensive outpatient care. The darkness that overpowered every day became overpowering, and the struggle to get out of bed, interact with people, and participate in the normal daily living was very real. On top of the anxiety and depression, I had constant stomach pain, severe nausea and cramping. There were no answers only pain.
I was just recently diagnosed with eosinophilic esophagitis EoE which is a rare chronic progressive condition that can damage the esophagus over time. People with EoE have inflammation that occurs when a large number of immune cells build up in the esophagus. It causes severe nausea, vomiting, blockages, and gastrointestinal discomfort. EoE is flared up by stress.
The combination of living with anxiety and EoE has been extremely challenging. I struggled with gastrointestinal issues for years, with no explanations other than to be told, “it’s your anxiety” and “you just have to push through.” I would wake up in the mornings with severe stomach pain, nausea, cramping, and diarrhea. I would spend an hour in the restroom trying to get ready for school in pain. I had excessive absences, missing crucial instructional time. I had to keep up on my own while combating the anxiety and depression. Once I made it to school, I would either be in pain or struggling with the anxiety of facing my teachers when work was either missing or late. I lived in constant fear of disappointing my teachers, my mom, and myself, which only added to my stress and anxiety. Finally, after months of testing and everything coming up negative, the doctors did an endoscopy and discovered that I have been living with EoE.
With the support of my family, doctors, and therapists, along with music, I have found a way out of the darkness and have found a new sense of confidence and pride.
I discovered a love for teaching and a desire to make a difference in children’s lives. While figuring out what I wanted to do in my future, I decided to pair my two passions together. Studying Music Education will help me use my passion for music to make a positive influence on the students in my classroom. I have a strong, solidified belief that children are the future of our society, and we hold a responsibility to influence them in the greatest ways.
Using my respective art study, I intend to unlock their innate abilities, introduce them to a new passion, and inspire them to create their own tunes. This journey has given me the building blocks to create a healthy environment for children to express themselves. My bravery teaches young children how to be fearless. My personality provides a fun, everlasting learning experience that motivates students to accomplish their goals and embody a love of learning. I plan to leave a positive impact on the communities I step into and offer friendship, empathy, and respect toward the people around me.
Kalia D. Davis Memorial Scholarship
Growing up, I have always had a love for music. The beats would ring through my ears, and the bass would thump in my heart. Music has always been a form of self-expression, a means to understand my thoughts, and a place to find peace amidst stress. From attending shows in New York with my mother to dancing to my dad’s Reggaeton as he washed the car, my connection to beautiful melodies has always been there.
I first learned how to sing in my elementary school music classroom. My teacher was kind, courageous, and enthusiastic about any instrument she picked up. I found myself putting in extra effort to participate and volunteering to perform at any chance I was given. The same teacher also first taught me to play ukulele. When I learned to accompany myself, it opened me up to a world of composition, freestyling, and musical performances. IMusic and theatre have been an integral part of my development and taught me dedication, a strong work ethic, teamwork, humility, confidence, communication, empathy, creativity, collaboration, and so much more.
When I reached my teenage years, I began working for various children’s companies. Performing as a princess opened many opportunities for me to perform for young boys and girls at various events. Together, those fan-favorite childhood songs brought the audience together and created a fun time for everyone. I discovered a love for teaching and a desire to make a difference in children’s lives.
In my early high school years, I struggled significantly with mental health and anxiety, which required both inpatient and intensive outpatient care. With the support of my family, doctors, and therapists, along with music, I have found a way out of the darkness and have found a new sense of confidence and pride.
I discovered a love for teaching and a desire to make a difference in children’s lives. While figuring out what I wanted to do in my future, I decided to pair my two passions together. Studying Music Education will help me use my passion for music to make a positive influence on the students in my classroom. I have a strong, solidified belief that children are the future of our society, and we hold a responsibility to influence them in the greatest ways.
Using my respective art study, I intend to unlock their innate abilities, introduce them to a new passion, and inspire them to create their own tunes. This journey has given me the building blocks to create a healthy environment for children to express themselves. My bravery teaches young children how to be fearless. My personality provides a fun, everlasting learning experience that motivates students to accomplish their goals and embody a love of learning. I plan to leave a positive impact on the communities I step into and offer friendship, empathy, and respect toward the people around me.
Through my experience as an event performer, I have noticed a significant discrepancy in the number of requests for princesses such as Rapunzel, Cinderella, Anna, and Elsa to those of color such as Tiana, Moana, and Mirabel. I have had the opportunity to volunteer my talents to perform for underprivileged youth. I have taken the initiative to work within my company to provide FREE appearances and performances for young children of color in inner cities and communities. I hope to show young girls that princesses come in all colors and allow them to see themselves as a princess. I hope to create a non-profit to provide more of these experiences and events on a larger scale.
Sunni E. Fagan Memorial Music Scholarship
Growing up, I have always had a love for music. The beats would ring through my ears, and the bass would thump in my heart. Music has always been a form of self-expression, a means to understand my thoughts, and a place to find peace amidst stress. From attending shows in New York with my mother to dancing to my dad’s Reggaeton as he washed the car, my connection to beautiful melodies has always been there. I began singing, acting, and dancing on stage at the age of six. At the young age of nine, I landed my first professional performing job in Matilda the Musical. I have continued performing throughout my elementary, middle, and high school years and have performed in over 30 shows. Music and theatre have been an integral part of my development and taught me dedication, a strong work ethic, teamwork, humility, confidence, communication, empathy, creativity, collaboration, and so much more.
I first learned how to sing in my elementary school music classroom. My teacher was kind, courageous, and enthusiastic about any instrument she picked up. I found myself putting in extra effort to participate and volunteering to perform at any chance I was given. The same teacher also first taught me to play ukulele. When I learned to accompany myself, it opened me up to a world of composition, freestyling, and musical performances. It was no surprise that I had become a music star student.
When I reached my teenage years, I began working for various children’s companies. Performing as a princess opened many opportunities for me to perform for young boys and girls at various events. Together, those fan-favorite childhood songs brought the audience together and created a fun time for everyone. I discovered a love for teaching and a desire to make a difference in children’s lives. While figuring out what I wanted to do in my future, I decided to pair my two passions together. Studying Music Education will help me use my passion for music to make a positive influence on the students in my classroom.
I have a strong, solidified belief that children are the future of our society, and we hold a responsibility to influence them in the greatest ways. Using my respective art study, I intend to unlock their innate abilities, introduce them to a new passion, and inspire them to create their own tunes. This journey has given me the building blocks to create a healthy environment for children to express themselves. My bravery teaches young children how to be fearless. My personality provides a fun, everlasting learning experience that motivates students to accomplish their goals and embody a love of learning. I plan to leave a positive impact on the communities I step into and offer friendship, empathy, and respect toward the people around me.
Through my experience as an event performer, I have noticed a significant discrepancy in the number of requests for princesses such as Rapunzel, Cinderella, Anna, and Elsa to those of color such as Tiana, Moana, and Mirabel. I have had the opportunity to volunteer my talents to perform for underprivileged youth. I have taken the initiative to work within my company to provide FREE appearances and performances for young children of color in inner cities and communities. I hope to show young girls that princesses come in all colors and allow them to see themselves as a princess. I hope to create a non-profit to provide more of these experiences and events on a larger scale.
Marie Humphries Memorial Scholarship
Growing up, I have always had a love for music. The beats would ring through my ears, and the bass would thump in my heart. Music has always been a form of self-expression, a means to understand my thoughts, and a place to find peace amidst stress. From attending shows in New York with my mother to dancing to my dad’s Reggaeton as he washed the car, my connection to beautiful melodies has always been there.
I first learned how to sing in my elementary school music classroom. My teacher was kind, courageous, and enthusiastic about any instrument she picked up. I found myself putting in extra effort to participate and volunteering to perform at any chance I was given. The same teacher also first taught me to play ukulele. When I learned to accompany myself, it opened me up to a world of composition, freestyling, and musical performances. It was no surprise that I had become a music star student. Studying Music Education will help me use my passion for music to make a positive influence on the students in my classroom. My choir teacher is someone I have looked up to for the past 3 years of my high school experience. She assisted me with learning and supported me in auditioning for regional choirs. Being in her classroom brought a desire for me to create a musical classroom of my own.
I began singing, acting, and dancing on stage at the age of six. At the young age of nine, I landed my first professional performing job in Matilda the Musical. I have continued performing throughout my elementary, middle, and high school years and have performed in over 30 shows. Music and theatre have been an integral part of my development and taught me dedication, a strong work ethic, teamwork, humility, confidence, communication, empathy, creativity, collaboration, and so much more.
When I reached my teenage years, I began working for various children’s companies. I discovered a love for teaching and a desire to make a difference in children’s lives. While figuring out what I wanted to do in my future, I decided to pair my two passions together. Studying Music Education will help me use my passion for music to make a positive influence on the students in my classroom. I have a strong, solidified belief that children are the future of our society, and we hold a responsibility to influence them in the greatest ways. Using my respective art study, I intend to unlock their innate abilities, introduce them to a new passion, and inspire them to create their own tunes. This journey has given me the building blocks to create a healthy environment for children to express themselves. My bravery teaches young children how to be fearless. My personality provides a fun, everlasting learning experience that motivates students to accomplish their goals and embody a love of learning. I plan to leave a positive impact on the communities I step into and offer friendship, empathy, and respect toward the people around me.
Chi Changemaker Scholarship
A social problem that matters deeply to me is injustice against biracial children. In my childhood, I faced many struggles because of my diverse background. Having Hispanic, African, and Caucasian roots is something I am incredibly proud of, but was forced to hold shame for. Being a child of mixed descent, I faced a lot of discrimination from other children and adults. Parents would approach my mother and ask, “Is she bothering you?” simply because my mother and I didn’t look alike. When they were trying to be kind, she would receive questions similar to “When did you adopt her?”
While this hurt my feelings, it didn’t hurt my character. With the help of positive role models and experiences to self- actualize, I’ve grown up to be proud of the person my parents created. Coming from multiple backgrounds, I have a greater respect for people of different races, ethnicities, and religions. Unfortunately, that is not the case for everyone. In this day and age, mixed children are incredibly common, thanks to a larger acceptance of interracial couples. However, many do not agree with this, and do not respect these families for their decisions. The place a student should feel most comfortable is the classroom. As a music educator, I plan to use my position to create a safe space where all backgrounds are celebrated and respected. Although I attended a school with many diverse races, not many children learned to appreciate the differences between one another. A way I can contribute to resolving this problem is by inspiring my future classrooms to admire the attributes that set them apart, instead of judging them. In a country full of diversity, I want to encourage young learners to explore friendships with people based on their character, not their color. A way I will do this is introduce students to styles of music originating from different countries and different cultures.
Introducing celebrations of students’ personal heritage can encourage them to be proud of their unique backgrounds, instead of feeling like it’s insufficient. As someone with a colorful background, I will take my experience, my future education, and my personal beliefs to bestow self-love upon each student in my classroom and help them feel recognized as an individual.
Valerie Rabb Academic Scholarship
Growing up, I have always had a love for music. The beats would ring through my ears, and the bass would thump in my heart. Music has always been a form of self-expression, a means to understand my thoughts, and a place to find peace amidst stress. From attending shows in New York with my mother to dancing to my dad’s Reggaeton as he washed the car, my connection to beautiful melodies has always been there. I began singing, acting, and dancing on stage at the age of six. At the young age of nine, I landed my first professional performing job in Matilda the Musical. I have continued performing throughout my elementary, middle, and high school years and have performed in over 30 shows. Music and theatre have been an integral part of my development and taught me dedication, a strong work ethic, teamwork, humility, confidence, communication, empathy, creativity, collaboration, and so much more.
In my early high school years, I struggled significantly with mental health and anxiety, which required both inpatient and intensive outpatient care. With the support of my family, doctors, and therapists, along with music, I have found a way out of the darkness and have found a new sense of confidence and pride.
When I reached my teenage years, I began working for various children’s companies. I discovered a love for teaching and a desire to make a difference in children’s lives. While figuring out what I wanted to do in my future, I decided to pair my two passions together. Studying Music Education will help me use my passion for music to make a positive influence on the students in my classroom. I have a strong, solidified belief that children are the future of our society, and we hold a responsibility to influence them in the greatest ways. Using my respective art study, I intend to unlock their innate abilities, introduce them to a new passion, and inspire them to create their own tunes. This journey has given me the building blocks to create a healthy environment for children to express themselves. My bravery teaches young children how to be fearless. My personality provides a fun, everlasting learning experience that motivates students to accomplish their goals and embody a love of learning. I plan to leave a positive impact on the communities I step into and offer friendship, empathy, and respect toward the people around me.
I plan to Major in Music Education and pursue a career as an Elementary Music Teacher. I am still undecided on which school I plan to attend, but I have been accepted to Penn State, Towson, The College of New Jersey, Montclair, and William Paterson.
Through my experience as an event performer, I have noticed a significant discrepancy in the number of requests for princesses such as Rapunzel, Cinderella, Anna, and Elsa to those of color such as Tiana, Moana, and Mirabel. I have had the opportunity to volunteer my talents to perform for underprivileged youth. I have taken the initiative to work within my company to provide FREE appearances and performances for young children of color in inner cities and communities. I hope to show young girls that princesses come in all colors and allow them to see themselves as a princess. I hope to create a non-profit to provide more of these experiences and events on a larger scale.
Chris Ford Scholarship
Growing up, I have always had a love for music. The beats would ring through my ears, and the bass would thump in my heart. Music has always been a form of self-expression, a means to understand my thoughts, and a place to find peace amidst stress. From attending shows in New York with my mother to dancing to my dad’s Reggaeton as he washed the car, my connection to beautiful melodies has always been there. I began singing, acting, and dancing on stage at the age of six. At the young age of nine, I landed my first professional performing job in Matilda the Musical. I have continued performing throughout my elementary, middle, and high school years and have performed in over 30 shows. Music and theatre have been an integral part of my development and taught me dedication, a strong work ethic, teamwork, humility, confidence, communication, empathy, creativity, collaboration, and so much more.
In my early high school years, I struggled significantly with mental health and anxiety, which required both inpatient and intensive outpatient care. With the support of my family, doctors, and therapists, along with music, I have found a way out of the darkness and have found a new sense of confidence and pride.
When I reached my teenage years, I began working for various children’s companies. I discovered a love for teaching and a desire to make a difference in children’s lives. While figuring out what I wanted to do in my future, I decided to pair my two passions together. Studying Music Education will help me use my passion for music to make a positive influence on the students in my classroom. I have a strong, solidified belief that children are the future of our society, and we hold a responsibility to influence them in the greatest ways. Using my respective art study, I intend to unlock their innate abilities, introduce them to a new passion, and inspire them to create their own tunes. This journey has given me the building blocks to create a healthy environment for children to express themselves. My bravery teaches young children how to be fearless. My personality provides a fun, everlasting learning experience that motivates students to accomplish their goals and embody a love of learning. I plan to leave a positive impact on the communities I step into and offer friendship, empathy, and respect toward the people around me.
I plan to Major in Music Education and pursue a career as an Elementary Music Teacher. I am still undecided on which school I plan to attend, but I have been accepted to Penn State, Towson, The College of New Jersey, Montclair, and William Paterson.
Through my experience as an event performer, I have noticed a significant discrepancy in the number of requests for princesses such as Rapunzel, Cinderella, Anna, and Elsa to those of color such as Tiana, Moana, and Mirabel. I have had the opportunity to volunteer my talents to perform for underprivileged youth. I have taken the initiative to work within my company to provide FREE appearances and performances for young children of color in inner cities and communities. I hope to show young girls that princesses come in all colors and allow them to see themselves as a princess. I hope to create a non-profit to provide more of these experiences and events on a larger scale.
Hester Richardson Powell Memorial Service Scholarship
Growing up, I have always had a love for music. The beats would ring through my ears, and the bass would thump in my heart. Music has always been a form of self-expression, a means to understand my thoughts, and a place to find peace amidst stress. From attending shows in New York with my mother to dancing to my dad’s Reggaeton as he washed the car, my connection to beautiful melodies has always been there. I began singing, acting, and dancing on stage at the age of six. At the young age of nine, I landed my first professional performing job in Matilda the Musical. I have continued performing throughout my elementary, middle, and high school years and have performed in over 30 shows. Music and theatre have been an integral part of my development and taught me dedication, a strong work ethic, teamwork, humility, confidence, communication, empathy, creativity, collaboration, and so much more.
In my early high school years, I struggled significantly with mental health and anxiety, which required both inpatient and intensive outpatient care. With the support of my family, doctors, and therapists, along with music, I have found a way out of the darkness and have found a new sense of confidence and pride.
When I reached my teenage years, I began working for various children’s companies. I discovered a love for teaching and a desire to make a difference in children’s lives. While figuring out what I wanted to do in my future, I decided to pair my two passions together. Studying Music Education will help me use my passion for music to make a positive influence on the students in my classroom. I have a strong, solidified belief that children are the future of our society, and we hold a responsibility to influence them in the greatest ways. Using my respective art study, I intend to unlock their innate abilities, introduce them to a new passion, and inspire them to create their own tunes. This journey has given me the building blocks to create a healthy environment for children to express themselves. My bravery teaches young children how to be fearless. My personality provides a fun, everlasting learning experience that motivates students to accomplish their goals and embody a love of learning. I plan to leave a positive impact on the communities I step into and offer friendship, empathy, and respect toward the people around me.
Through my experience as an event performer, I have noticed a significant discrepancy in the number of requests for princesses such as Rapunzel, Cinderella, Anna, and Elsa to those of color such as Tiana, Moana, and Mirabel. I have had the opportunity to volunteer my talents to perform for underprivileged youth. I have taken the initiative to work within my company to provide FREE appearances and performances for young children of color in inner cities and communities. I hope to show young girls that princesses come in all colors and allow them to see themselves as a princess. I hope to create a non-profit to provide more of these experiences and events on a larger scale.
Aserina Hill Memorial Scholarship
Growing up, I have always had a love for music. The beats would ring through my ears, and the bass would thump in my heart. Music has always been a form of self-expression, a means to understand my thoughts, and a place to find peace amidst stress. From attending shows in New York with my mother to dancing to my dad’s Reggaeton as he washed the car, my connection to beautiful melodies has always been there. I began singing, acting, and dancing on stage at the age of six. At the young age of nine, I landed my first professional performing job in Matilda the Musical. I have continued performing throughout my elementary, middle, and high school years and have performed in over 30 shows. Music and theatre have been an integral part of my development and taught me dedication, a strong work ethic, teamwork, humility, confidence, communication, empathy, creativity, collaboration, and so much more.
In my early high school years, I struggled significantly with mental health and anxiety, which required both inpatient and intensive outpatient care. With the support of my family, doctors, and therapists, along with music, I have found a way out of the darkness and have found a new sense of confidence and pride.
When I reached my teenage years, I began working for various children’s companies. I discovered a love for teaching and a desire to make a difference in children’s lives. While figuring out what I wanted to do in my future, I decided to pair my two passions together. Studying Music Education will help me use my passion for music to make a positive influence on the students in my classroom. I have a strong, solidified belief that children are the future of our society, and we hold a responsibility to influence them in the greatest ways. Using my respective art study, I intend to unlock their innate abilities, introduce them to a new passion, and inspire them to create their own tunes. This journey has given me the building blocks to create a healthy environment for children to express themselves. My bravery teaches young children how to be fearless. My personality provides a fun, everlasting learning experience that motivates students to accomplish their goals and embody a love of learning. I plan to leave a positive impact on the communities I step into and offer friendship, empathy, and respect toward the people around me.
Through my experience as an event performer, I have noticed a significant discrepancy in the number of requests for princesses such as Rapunzel, Cinderella, Anna, and Elsa to those of color such as Tiana, Moana, and Mirabel. I have had the opportunity to volunteer my talents to perform for underprivileged youth. I have taken the initiative to work within my company to provide FREE appearances and performances for young children of color in inner cities and communities. I hope to show young girls that princesses come in all colors and allow them to see themselves as a princess. I hope to create a non-profit to provide more of these experiences and events on a larger scale.
Evangelist Nellie Delores Blount Boyce Scholarship
Growing up, I have always had a love for music. The beats would ring through my ears, and the bass would thump in my heart. Music has always been a form of self-expression, a means to understand my thoughts, and a place to find peace amidst stress. From attending shows in New York with my mother to dancing to my dad’s Reggaeton as he washed the car, my connection to beautiful melodies has always been there. I began singing, acting, and dancing on stage at the age of six. At the young age of nine, I landed my first professional performing job in Matilda the Musical. I have continued performing throughout my elementary, middle, and high school years and have performed in over 30 shows. Music and theatre have been an integral part of my development and taught me dedication, a strong work ethic, teamwork, humility, confidence, communication, empathy, creativity, collaboration, and so much more.
In my early high school years, I struggled significantly with mental health and anxiety, which required both inpatient and intensive outpatient care. With the support of my family, doctors, and therapists, along with music, I have found a way out of the darkness and have found a new sense of confidence and pride.
When I reached my teenage years, I began working for various children’s companies. I discovered a love for teaching and a desire to make a difference in children’s lives. While figuring out what I wanted to do in my future, I decided to pair my two passions together. Studying Music Education will help me use my passion for music to make a positive influence on the students in my classroom. I have a strong, solidified belief that children are the future of our society, and we hold a responsibility to influence them in the greatest ways. Using my respective art study, I intend to unlock their innate abilities, introduce them to a new passion, and inspire them to create their own tunes. This journey has given me the building blocks to create a healthy environment for children to express themselves. My bravery teaches young children how to be fearless. My personality provides a fun, everlasting learning experience that motivates students to accomplish their goals and embody a love of learning. I plan to leave a positive impact on the communities I step into and offer friendship, empathy, and respect toward the people around me.
I plan to Major in Music Education and pursue a career as an Elementary Music Teacher. I am still undecided on which school I plan to attend, but I have been accepted to Penn State, Towson, The College of New Jersey, Montclair, and William Paterson.
Kathryn Graham "Keyport's Mom" Scholarship
Growing up, I have always had a love for music. The beats would ring through my ears, and the bass would thump in my heart. Music has always been a form of self-expression, a means to understand my thoughts, and a place to find peace amidst stress. From attending shows in New York with my mother to dancing to my dad’s Reggaeton as he washed the car, my connection to beautiful melodies has always been there. I began singing, acting, and dancing on stage at the age of six. At the young age of nine, I landed my first professional performing job in Matilda the Musical. I have continued performing throughout my elementary, middle, and high school years and have performed in over 30 shows. Music and theatre have been an integral part of my development and taught me dedication, a strong work ethic, teamwork, humility, confidence, communication, empathy, creativity, collaboration, and so much more.
In my early high school years, I struggled significantly with mental health and anxiety, which required both inpatient and intensive outpatient care. With the support of my family, doctors, and therapists, along with music, I have found a way out of the darkness and have found a new sense of confidence and pride.
When I reached my teenage years, I began working for various children’s companies. I discovered a love for teaching and a desire to make a difference in children’s lives. While figuring out what I wanted to do in my future, I decided to pair my two passions together. Studying Music Education will help me use my passion for music to make a positive influence on the students in my classroom. I have a strong, solidified belief that children are the future of our society, and we hold a responsibility to influence them in the greatest ways. Using my respective art study, I intend to unlock their innate abilities, introduce them to a new passion, and inspire them to create their own tunes. This journey has given me the building blocks to create a healthy environment for children to express themselves. My bravery teaches young children how to be fearless. My personality provides a fun, everlasting learning experience that motivates students to accomplish their goals and embody a love of learning. I plan to leave a positive impact on the communities I step into and offer friendship, empathy, and respect toward the people around me.
I plan to Major in Music Education and pursue a career as an Elementary Music Teacher. I am still undecided on which school I plan to attend, but I have been accepted to Penn State, Towson, The College of New Jersey, Montclair, and William Paterson.
Keri Sohlman Memorial Scholarship
Growing up, I have always had a love for music. The beats would ring through my ears, and the bass would thump in my heart. Music has always been a form of self-expression, a way to understand my thoughts, and a place to find peace from stress. From seeing shows in New York with my mother to dancing to my dad’s Reggaeton as he washed the car, my connection to a beautiful melody has always been there.
In my early high school years, I struggled significantly with mental health and anxiety, which required both in-patient and intensive out-patient care. With the support of my family, doctors, and therapists, along with my music, I have found a way out of the darkness and have found a new sense of confidence and pride. This journey was a long and painful struggle, but has taught me about myself and provided the tools to be a stronger and healthier human being. It is my hope to work with young children through music to build emotional strength at an early age.
When I reached my teenage years, I began working for various children’s companies. I discovered a love for teaching, and a desire to make a difference in children’s lives. While figuring out what I wanted to do in my future, I decided to pair my two passions together. Studying Music Education will help me use my passion for music to make a positive influence on the students in my classroom. I have a strong, solidified belief that children are the future of our society, and we hold a responsibility to influence them in the greatest ways. Using my respective art study, I intend to unlock their innate abilities, introduce them to a new passion, and inspire them to create their own tunes. This journey has given me the building blocks to create a healthy environment for children to express themselves. My bravery teaches young children how to be fearless. My personality provides a fun, everlasting learning experience that motivates students to accomplish their goals and embody a love of learning. I plan to leave a positive impact on the communities I step into, and offer friendship, empathy, and respect toward the people around me.
I plan to Major in Music Education and pursue a career as an Elementary Music Teacher. I am still undecided on which school I plan to attend, but I have been accepted to Penn State, Towson, The College of New Jersey, Montclair, and WIliam Paterson.