Growing up, I loved watching Disney shows and at the time there were very few black leads on the Disney channel, Zendaya being one of them. Shake it Up was one of my favorite Disney Channel shows when it first came out and I remember being so excited for each episode. Since then, I have been following Zendaya in all of her endeavors such as modeling, singing, and acting. However, I have always been a fan of how Zendaya uses her platform to be an activist and stand on important issues. I remember the first time that I saw Zendaya stand up against racism when she attended the 2015 Oscars. After Giuliana Rancic made a microaggressive comment about Zendaya's hair by saying her dreadlocks looked like they smelled of patchouli oil and weed. Being a young black girl in the South whose family hails from the West Indies, I have had my fair share of dealing with microaggressive comments, especially ones that are targeted towards my natural hair. My hair is a big part of who I am, and in my culture, dreadlocks are a sign of strength. As a child, I was told to ignore the racist comments made about my hair, my skin, and my culture. I was warned not to respond and not to rock the boat. However, what I loved most about Zendaya's response was that she didn't ignore that ignorant comment and she addressed how harmful those words were. It encouraged me to start speaking up for myself and call racism out when I see it. I know for a fact that I was not the only one she inspired to stand up against microaggressive comments. Although Zendaya refuses to call herself an activist, she has done a great job of using her platform to stand up for what is right and inspiring others in the process.

Due to the issue of books being banned in schools and libraries across the nation, it has been increasingly difficult for people to read literature that grapples with important topics such as racism, gender identity, sexual orientation, sexual assault, etc. Although it is currently banned in certain schools in America, I would have everyone in the world read "The Bluest Eye" by Toni Morrison. The book follows an eleven-year-old black girl named Pecola who struggles with internalized racism. Pecola thinks that she is ugly because of her dark skin and believes that she would be much more beautiful if she had blue eyes. The story covers Pecola's self-hatred, child abuse, sexual assault, and her slow descent into schizophrenia which leads her to believe that she has blue eyes and is finally beautiful. The story is important because it grapples with the idea of feeling inferior due to white society's standards and its repercussions. Although this book is well known within the black scholar community, I think all people, regardless of race, political ideology, and gender identity, should read this book at least once in their lives. It's a heartbreaking story that can provide insight into some of the struggles of the black community and how white supremacy and its standards can, unfortunately, become so ingrained in a person. Although Pecola's ending is a very severe example of the issues in today's society, I think it forces the reader to acknowledge these issues by being intense. I truly believe that "The Bluest Eye" will leave everyone with a new outlook on our society.

It is no secret that Atlanta has a large homeless population, especially on the open campus of Georgia State University. However, a year ago, I walked around the streets of Atlanta and noticed that the people passing by homeless people treated them as objects to avoid. In their eyes, they didn't see someone who is dealing with great difficulty in life, they only saw something to walk around or step over. There were even times when I would see some students just taking videos of these people experiencing homelessness and then walking away as if nothing happened. I realized that these passers-by didn't understand that these people experiencing homelessness were just people. People who were just trying their best with what they had. Since then, I have been determined to do my best to make a change in my community for people experiencing homelessness. However, I had no idea where I could start. This year, I took a class that covered the issue of homelessness in Atlanta. It introduced me to resources, such as shelters, that I had no idea were so close to campus. When the class went on the city walk with Chuck from an organization called SafeHouse Outreach which focuses on community outreach and helping to restore stability, I saw the way he interacted with our neighbors. How he gave his name and asked for theirs. It made me realize how important names are because something as simple as sharing names can help create a bond and humanize each other. We often dismiss these people when it comes to recognizing them as a part of our community. Going out of our way to create these bonds helps people experiencing homelessness not feels as isolated and lets them know that there are people who are willing to help them. I also learned that many students who attend Georgia State University struggle with housing and food insecurities. After learning about student homelessness I wanted to do my part in helping because it is very a overlooked demographic of homelessness. We often forget that anyone, including fellow students, can deal with food and housing insecurities. I started to help by volunteering at GSU's Panther's Pantry on the Atlanta campus. The Panther's Pantry focuses on providing food and hygiene products for students. I would create regular and vegetarian food bags that consisted of non-perishable food items for the students. I also made hygiene bags with deodorant, toothpaste, hand sanitizer, body wash, etc. However, since the Panther's Pantry is closed during the summer due to a lack of students on campus. I have been doing what I can to help those around me who may not have many resources to turn to. Currently, I am organizing a clothing drive in my community to provide clothes to those who need them. If that goes well, I can organize a school supply drive in August for students. I plan to continue volunteering at the Panther's Pantry once it opens back up for the upcoming school year and bring more attention to what it provides so that students who need it will be able to get the necessities. Since I am a film major, my major won't be directly useful to helping my community. However, I do hope that after college I can work closely with shelters and organizations that help people experiencing homelessness. Although I hope to do more with the resources that are available to me, I don't have much to work with. But making a difference in my community is extremely important, no matter how small someone thinks the difference might be.

I have always been interested in the art of Cinematography and the way it can be used in various ways. Whether it is to educate or just to entertain; the way films are shot, holds so much power, along with the story. Films have a way of opening our eyes to new worlds and new experiences. I come from a family full of people who chose "practical" and "safe" careers made me feel like I should not even bother with pursuing my dream of becoming a cinematographer. For my family, I was forced to only have filmmaking as a silly hobby, they saw it as something that I would get bored with and forget in a few years. Attending school as a black girl in a predominantly conservative and white town, I felt like my voice was never truly heard. All of that frustration was truly isolating. To help me not feel alone I would make videos documenting my life at school and goofing off with my classmates and friends. Although creating videos helped me feel better about my situation, it still felt like there was no way to truly be understood. It felt like no matter how many times I had spoken up about my horrible experiences with racism in my town, my voice fell on deaf ears. However, my hopelessness changed when I watched the film that is most important to me called 13th. It was the piece of art that pushed me to become a filmmaker and fueled my passion. I remember watching it and having such an appreciation for the message about the racial disparities inside the nation's prisons. Ava DuVernay made sure to go out of her way to make sure that the voices were not silenced and to highlight the struggles of the incarcerated. By the time I had finished the film, I felt awestruck and I had made a vow to myself that I will create a film as amazing and impactful as that piece of art one day. Since then I have been fueled with a passion to create films and videos that highlight life. There is something so beautiful in documenting everyday life, whether it is something as simple as someone talking about their outfit, or something that highlights the struggles that we go through as human beings. Through film, we can reach people from all walks of life with stories that represent who they truly are as people. Whether what I create is mundane or great, I want whoever is watching it to feel seen and know they are not alone in this big world. As Ava DuVernay once said, "If your dream only includes you, it's too small."

I grew up with a single mother who worked at multiple hospitals to pay the bills. When I was little I would watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse every morning at our grandma's house before my brother and I went to school. Believe it or not, Goofy is my favorite Disney character. Like all of the kids, I found him extremely hilarious. From the way that he talked to the way that he walked. But, he wasn't my favorite character until I watched A Goofy Movie one weekend on the Disney channel. I always loved watching fun road trip movies so I was excited to watch this one. After watching it, it was my new favorite movie and Goofy became my favorite Disney character of all time. At the time, I could not pinpoint why I enjoyed watching Goofy so much. To me, he was a huge comfort character. It wasn't until a few years later that I put some thought into it to find my answer. Then I realized, Goofy reminded me of my mother. I understand that to some it may seem like an insult but I say it with the utmost respect. He was a great dad and was always there for his son. Even though he would sometimes mess things up, he made sure to fix them. He did all of that while raising Max in a single-parent household. I never had the experience of a two-parent home or father-daughter dances, my mom was always there for me. While my brother and I were growing up, she always made sure that she took the time and made sure that my brother and I were taken care of. She made sure that we knew we were loved. Even though at times she will embarrass me to no end, she is my favorite person to be around. My mom does her best to be there and support us, just like Goofy.

I have always admired the art of Cinematography and the way it can be used in various ways. One of the things that I love about creating films is simply documenting life. I want to use my skills not only to entertain but to educate as well. Humanity can be beautiful and truly inspiring with new things that happen every day. Unfortunately, in our society, we tend to judge others harshly based on their appearance. People believe that if someone does not fit into their idea of beauty, then they are worth less than those who do fit that standard. People are labeled "ugly" if they have dark skin and a large nose, if they are short and plus-sized, or have a disability that alters their appearance. In the era of social media where looks can get you far, I have seen many instances of bullying. When there is a confident person who isn't conventionally attractive, they are looked down upon because of the ridiculous notion that they shouldn't be confident and that they should humble themselves. There are so many stories where a person has to change their appearance to be accepted. I want to create media where a person doesn't have a face or the build of a Grecian god and they're okay with it. Representation is so important. I aspire to create media with "ugly" people as the main characters who go about their daily lives with confidence and self-assurance. One idea that I love is creating a film that destroys the popular trope of the main character changing who they are when nothing was wrong with them in the first place. I want to create representation in films where people don't feel the need to feel bad about the features that they have. Whether it is to educate or just to entertain; the way films are shot, holds so much power, along with the story. I want them to shine bright and never let anyone dim their light. I want people to see my work and be inspired to express themselves to the fullest without fear of being looked down upon for being different. We all need to be able to be our truest selves without fear and take pride in the things that make us unique. Not only do I want my work to inspire others to be confident, but I also want to understand that they should never make someone feel small because of what they see on the outside.

I have always admired the art of Cinematography and the way it can be used in various ways. One of the things that I love about creating films is simply documenting life. Humanity can be beautiful and truly inspiring with new things that happen every day. Unfortunately, in our society, we tend to judge others harshly based on their appearance. People believe that if someone does not fit into their idea of beauty, then they are worth less than those who do fit that standard. People are labeled "ugly" if they have dark skin and a large nose, if they are short and plus-sized, or have a disability that alters their appearance. In the era of social media where looks can get you far, I have seen many instances of bullying. When there is a confident person who isn't conventionally attractive, they are looked down upon because of the ridiculous notion that they shouldn't be confident and that they should humble themselves. There are so many stories where a person has to change their appearance to be accepted. I want to create media where a person doesn't have a face or the build of a Grecian god and they're okay with it. Representation is so important. I aspire to create media with "ugly" people as the main characters who go about their daily lives with confidence and self-assurance. One idea that I love is creating a film that destroys the popular trope of the main character changing who they are when nothing was wrong with them in the first place. I want to create representation in films where people don't feel the need to feel bad about the features that they have. Whether it is to educate or just to entertain; the way films are shot, holds so much power, along with the story. I want them to shine bright and never let anyone dim their light. I want people to see my work and be inspired to express themselves to the fullest without fear of being looked down upon for being different. We all need to be able to be our truest selves without fear and take pride in the things that make us unique. Not only do I want my work to inspire others to be confident, but I also want to understand that they should never make someone feel small because of what they see on the outside.

1. I deserve this scholarship because I'm really desperate. But, I'm also just too cute not to win. 2. My career goal is to not have a career at all. I want to marry a billionaire and be spoiled for the rest of my life. 3.I've never overcome an obstacle ever. Each time there's an obstacle, I cry and have someone else take care of it for me.

One of my favorite hobbies is sewing. Sewing was something that I had to learn in 8th grade because since I have big thighs, the thigh parts of my jeans would always wither away within months and my mom couldn't afford to keep buying me jeans. I followed youtube tutorials and quickly became an expert at sewing up holes in ripped-up jeans by hand. That was pretty much the only type of sewing I would do until my junior year of high school. One day I was scrolling on youtube while I was bored out of my mind and came across a tutorial for plushies made out of fluffy socks. After I had watched the tutorial, I realized that I was able to make those cute plushies for Valentine's day gifts for my friends. I immediately called my mom and asked her to pick up some fluffy socks on her way home from work. I was so excited to make them that I practically jumped my mom when she walked through the door with that dollar tree bag. After I spent hours sewing those cute stuffed animals, I had finally finished. As I looked at them, I felt so proud of what I had created. There was something about putting so much time and effort into something and having it turn out beautiful. It was something that I wanted to do all of the time and I did. Since then, I have moved on from only making stuffed animals. I've been making dresses, zipper pouches, face masks, scrunchies, and tote bags out of my old clothes. Sewing is something that I enjoy doing so much. I'm so glad that I've been able to do something that helps me express my creativity in such an accessible way. I don't think that I will ever get tired of the way that sewing inspires me and pushes my limits on what I can do.

In my family, education is a valuable asset. I grew up in a household where opportunities were not handed to us. We had to work hard for everything. My mother and grandmother instilled in me that education is a privilege; I can never take it for granted. A good education meant that more opportunities were available to me. Throughout high school, I have made sure to get good grades in all of my classes and keep a grade point average of 3.5. My whole life, I have always strived to achieve greatness using my creativity and my perseverance. During my freshman year of high school, I was introduced to the world of Filmmaking and was inspired to become a Cinematographer. Since then, I have wanted to major in Film Production and increase my knowledge of the industry. I have worked on short films for other schools and directed and edited my short documentary that focused on the media's negative impact on young black girls. Making that documentary furthered my drive to become a cinematographer and put meaningful creations out into the world. I have many goals that I would like to achieve. One of my goals is to graduate from Georgia State University with honors and get an internship at one of the many production companies in Atlanta. After that, I would work my way up from an intern to a cinematographer. With the title of cinematographer. I would also be able to collaborate with many great directors on films. Another goal of mine is to create a production company of my own. With my own company, I would be able to hire up-and-coming black directors and talent with the potential to succeed. To achieve my goal of graduating as an honors student from Georgia State University, I will end my freshman year with a grade point average of 3.5. By having a 3.5 grade point average, I will have the opportunity to apply to the Honors College and join for Fall 2022. During the rest of my time at GSU, I will keep my grade point average at 3.5 or above and continue to be in the Honors College. Being a student in the Honors College will assist me in achieving my goal of interning and working my way up in a production company after I graduate. Georgia State University offers University Assistantships that provide opportunities to work with their department for the academic year. During my time in the assistantship program, I will work on film projects and make connections with my mentor's mutuals. Using those connections and a notable recommendation from my mentor, I will land an internship and work my way up to the title of cinematographer by continuing to strive for greatness. After I become a skilled and accomplished cinematographer, I will start my production company. I will use my company as a chance to provide the shot for black directors and talent to make an advancement in their careers and show the brilliance that they possess. Hopefully, I will be able to inspire the next generation of black artists by showing them that they can build empires by using their education.

My all-time favorite film is Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse. The plot is very captivating with the idea of an alternate universe and having the heroes from those universes come together. Not only is the plot captivating, but so is the animation. This may sound nerdy, but I love the times where the film uses hatch lines and dot to mimic the classic comic book style. I usually don't watch the same movie more than once, but Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse brings me back to every time.

The women in my life who I admire most are my Mother and Grandmother. Being dark-skinned women, they have dealt with so much colorism, on top of misogyny. Even though they have to deal with so much hate, they make sure that they stand up for themselves and love the way that they look. I have been able to see all sides of them. They have taught me the value of self-confidence and that I am also allowed to be vulnerable, despite the "strong black woman" trope. There are times when I'm constantly criticizing myself and wanting to adhere to society's unrealistic way of how women should look and act, especially as a young black girl. But then, I would remember how they constantly say that I was made this way for a reason and that I should love the way I look. I plan to carry my life lessons into my cinematography career by creating a platform in which I can uplift other women and let them know that they don't have to adhere to society's beauty standards. I want to be able to empower them just like my Mom and Grandma empowered me.

My name is Xiara and I am in my senior year in high school. My education journey is most likely, similar to most American students who attend public school. Whether it's the topic of the injustices that minorities have faced in America or basic sex education, the things that I have learned through public school education never provided me with in-depth material. Over the years, I have had to teach myself about the subjects that my school does not and unlearn the lies and harmful misconceptions that they taught me. Although it has been difficult during this pandemic, I have made sure to further my knowledge, prepare myself for my future, and help me achieve my dream. My wildest dream may not seem so wild. Mine is to have a successful platform as a Cinematographer. I want to be able to help educate students with my documentaries. With these documentaries, they will go in-depth on the subjects that have been taught in schools in an appealing way. Many kids do not get a proper education and are victims of misinformation; I want to be able to use this to help. By making this dream a reality will improve the education of our future. Proper education is something that everyone deserves; I would like to be able to provide it.

Something that has made me feel like a misfit in my own home is more than just one thing. Coming from a West Indian household, there is this unspoken way that I should act and be, but I'm not. Most of my family works in the medical field and are Doctors, nurses, CNAs, or Respiratory therapists. But I don't want to be any of those things I want to become a Cinematographer. I remember one day during dinner when I told my grandma that I wanted to be a Cinematographer when I grow up. My grandma went on a whole rant about how I won't make enough money and that there is a huge chance that I will be unsuccessful, just like my cousin Nigel who makes beautiful sculptures and has met with celebrities but is struggling a lot with making money. After that conversation, I felt heartbroken that my grandmother didn't want me to pursue a career that I was passionate about pursuing. But, after a while, I realized that I shouldn't care about a career with only money in mind. If I'm passionate enough about something, then I need to work hard and prove that I can do something that I love and still be successful and I am going to work for that dream. I want to have a truly amazing and flourishing career and for people to look at my story and realize that their aspirations are worth working toward and should work hard for it, despite what anyone else tries to say.