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Rachel Bird

935

Bold Points

1x

Finalist

Bio

My name is Rachel Bird and I am a homeschooled senior. I also attend Western Albemarle High School in Crozet, VA part-time, and I am hoping to major in Visual Arts. I’m a dedicated student, and my 4.13 GPA reflects this. As a homeschooler I am a self-motivated and independent learner. I express myself through artwork, especially through painting. I enjoy art with vibrant color and a variety of textures. I use many different mediums, my favorite being oils. In my most recent paintings, I’ve been playing with perspectives and angles. I’ve also added texture by using multiple layers of paint, and applying it with cross-hatched strokes. I became interested in photography last year, and am a founding member of the Sports Photography Club. For fun I began photographing my local high school’s games and now this year I am Co-President, and one of two official photographers for varsity football. I've played seven years of club soccer for the Soccer Organization of the Charlottesville Area. My team, the 07/08 Blue Girls, was invited to the National Premier League Finals in Denver, CO, due to our undefeated season. In March of this year I became a certified referee with Metro DC-Virginia State Referee Program. I have enjoyed working with younger players and helping them learn the rules of my favorite sport. In 2019 I started a successful pet sitting business with several regular clients. I plan to attend a four year college and major in Visual Arts and minor in Business. After I graduate college I would love to be a full time artist while running an art store or a gallery.

Education

Virginia High

High School
2021 - 2025

Miscellaneous

  • Desired degree level:

    Bachelor's degree program

  • Majors of interest:

    • Fine and Studio Arts
    • Film/Video and Photographic Arts
    • Design and Applied Arts
  • Not planning to go to medical school
  • Career

    • Dream career field:

      Arts

    • Dream career goals:

    • Sports Photographer

      Western Albemarle High School Football
      2024 – Present10 months
    • Soccer Referee

      Metro DC-Virginia State Referee Program
      2024 – Present10 months
    • Owner

      Rachel Bird Pet Sitting
      2018 – Present6 years

    Sports

    Soccer

    Club
    2018 – Present6 years

    Awards

    • NPL Natiionals 2024
    • Runner-Up VA NPL Championship 2023-24
    • Selected for the West Central District of the Virginia Olympic Development Program 2021, 2022

    Arts

    • Western Albemarle High School The Writers Box Club

      Art Criticism
      2022 – 2024
    • Western Albemarle High School Sports Photography Club

      Photography
      2023 – Present

    Public services

    • Volunteering

      Hope's Legacy — Volunteer
      2022 – 2022
    • Volunteering

      Soccer Organization Charlottesville Area — Junior Counselor
      2024 – 2024
    • Volunteering

      Portico Church/PACEM — Volunteer
      2023 – 2023

    Future Interests

    Volunteering

    Entrepreneurship

    Christal Carter Creative Arts Scholarship
    The first thing I ever drew was a big yellow sun with a smiley face when I was eighteen months old. Even though I do not remember drawing this, since I was so little, art has been a part of my life ever since. I honestly don’t know where I’d be if I wasn’t able to create; it's how I express myself. I love using many types of mediums and trying new things. I’ve done oil paints, charcoal, needle felting, photography and so much more. The first oil painting I ever did was of a bright blue betta fish, and I was about ten years old. I loved mixing so many beautiful, bright colors and creating many different textures, and I have been painting ever since. Oil paint has been my favorite medium since that colorful fish, and I still have a very saturated, textural style today. I think art is extremely important because it makes the world a happier place, and it makes it far more interesting. I believe art is a way for people to express themselves. It's a way for people to project their ideas and beliefs out into the world. Art is more than just self expression, there is plenty of functional art too. Your furniture, lamps, posters, signs, and even the design on your tissue box. We don’t usually think about these things when we think of art, but imagine if all these things were just plain, basic and gray. I think that world would be depressing! I am excited to pursue further education in the Arts. I plan on attending a four year university and majoring in Visual Arts, specifically painting. I spend many hours a week working on paintings and other types of art and I would love to continue to do so in college. I love to paint and I want to keep improving my technique and knowledge. In many schools in low income areas art programs are being cut. I want to be able to use my art education to reach out to those communities, and be able to teach kids how important art is and to inspire them to find their passion. I want all children to have the opportunity to paint or draw, and I want them to feel the same joy I feel when I pick up my paint brush. A degree would help me accomplish that goal.
    John Traxler Theatre Scholarship
    The first thing I ever drew was a big yellow sun with a smiley face when I was eighteen months old. Even though I do not remember drawing this, since I was so little, art has been a part of my life ever since. I honestly don’t know where I’d be if I wasn’t able to create; it's how I express myself. I love using many types of mediums and trying new things. I’ve done oil paints, charcoal, needle felting, photography and so much more. The first oil painting I ever did was of a bright blue betta fish, and I was about ten years old. I loved mixing so many beautiful, bright colors and creating many different textures, and I have been painting ever since. Oil paint has been my favorite medium since that colorful fish, and I still have a very saturated, textural style today. I think art is extremely important because it makes the world a happier place, and it makes it far more interesting. I believe art is a way for people to express themselves. It's a way for people to project their ideas and beliefs out into the world. Art is more than just self expression, there is plenty of functional art too. Your furniture, lamps, posters, signs, and even the design on your tissue box. We don’t usually think about these things when we think of art, but imagine if all these things were just plain, basic and gray. I think that world would be depressing! I am excited to pursue further education in the Arts. I plan on attending a four year university and majoring in Visual Arts, specifically painting. I spend many hours a week working on paintings and other types of art and I would love to continue to do so in college. I love to paint and I want to keep improving my technique and knowledge. In many schools in low income areas art programs are being cut. I want to be able to use my art education to reach out to those communities, and be able to teach kids how important art is and to inspire them to find their passion. I want all children to have the opportunity to paint or draw, and I want them to feel the same joy I feel when I pick up my paint brush. A degree would help me accomplish that goal.
    Rep the Pep Scholarship
    The first thing I ever drew was a big yellow sun with a smiley face when I was eighteen months old. Even though I do not remember drawing this, since I was so little, art has been a part of my life ever since. I honestly don’t know where I’d be if I wasn’t able to create; it's how I express myself. I love using many types of mediums and trying new things. I’ve done oil paints, charcoal, needle felting, photography and so much more. The first oil painting I ever did was of a bright blue betta fish, and I was about ten years old. I loved mixing so many beautiful, bright colors and creating many different textures, and I have been painting ever since. Oil paint has been my favorite medium since that colorful fish, and I still have a very saturated, textural style today. I think art is extremely important because it makes the world a happier place, and it makes it far more interesting. I believe art is a way for people to express themselves. It's a way for people to project their ideas and beliefs out into the world. Art is more than just self expression, there is plenty of functional art too. Your furniture, lamps, posters, signs, and even the design on your tissue box. We don’t usually think about these things when we think of art, but imagine if all these things were just plain, basic and gray. I think that world would be depressing! I am excited to pursue further education in the Arts. I plan on attending a four year university and majoring in Visual Arts, specifically painting. I spend many hours a week working on paintings and other types of art and I would love to continue to do so in college. I love to paint and I want to keep improving my technique and knowledge. In many schools in low income areas art programs are being cut. I want to be able to use my art education to reach out to those communities, and be able to teach kids how important art is and to inspire them to find their passion. I want all children to have the opportunity to paint or draw, and I want them to feel the same joy I feel when I pick up my paint brush. A degree would help me accomplish that goal.
    Creative Expression Scholarship
    One Chance Scholarship
    Art has always been a huge part of my life, even back when I was only eighteen months old and drawing my first ever smiley-faced sun. I can’t imagine my life without the ability to create new things, it is my way of expressing myself. I think art is extremely important because it makes the world a happier place, and it makes it far more interesting. I believe art is a way for people to express themselves. It's a way for people to project their ideas and beliefs out into the world. But art is more than just self expression; there is plenty of functional art too. Your furniture, lamps, posters, signs, and even the design on your tissue box constitute art. We don’t usually think about these things when we think of art, but imagine if all these things were just plain, basic and gray. I think that world would be depressing, and if I can make the world a little less dull, then I’m going to do it. One of my biggest motivations to continue to pursue an art education is always wanting to grow and improve my skills. Whenever I am frustrated and stuck on an art piece I try to remind myself that I have to keep going, keep trying, and that this is how I get better. No matter how good you are at something you can always be better, there is always room for improvement. I love drawing and painting, they are things that I’m good at and I think the best way for me to improve my technique and style would be to continue to study them after I graduate from high school. I plan on attending a four year university and majoring in Visual/Fine Art and minoring in Business. College is a big commitment of time and money, and this scholarship would help me achieve my dreams. After college I would love to open a teaching studio or a gallery to showcase both my own and other's work. I would also reach out to poorer communities where many school art programs are being cut. I want to be able to teach kids how important art is and to inspire them to find their passion. I want children to be given the opportunity to paint or draw, and I want them to feel the same joy I feel when I pick up my paint brush.
    Froggycrossing's Creativity Scholarship
    John Young 'Pursue Your Passion' Scholarship
    One of my biggest motivations to continue to pursue an art education is always wanting to grow and improve my skills. Whenever I am frustrated and stuck on an art piece I try to remind myself that I have to keep going and that this is how I get better. No matter how good you are at something you can always be better, there is always room for improvement. I love drawing and painting, they are things that I’m good at and I think the best way for me to improve my technique and style would be to continue to study them in college. Art has always been a huge part of my life, even back when I was only eighteen months old and drawing my first ever smiley-faced sun. I can’t imagine my life without the ability to create new things, it is my way of expressing myself. I think art is extremely important because it makes the world a happier place, and it makes it far more interesting. I believe art is a way for people to express themselves. It's a way for people to project their ideas and beliefs out into the world. Art is more than just self expression; there is plenty of functional art too. Your furniture, lamps, posters, signs, and even the design on your tissue box constitute art. We don’t usually think about these things when we think of art, but imagine if all these things were just plain, basic and gray. I think that world would be depressing, and if I can make the world a little less gray, then I’m going to do it. I would continue to add the spirit of creation and storytelling by teaching kids the joys of art and creating. I plan on attending a four year college and majoring in Visual Art and minoring in Business. After college I would love to open a studio or a gallery. I would also reach out to poorer communities where many school art programs are being cut. I want to be able to teach kids how important art is and to inspire them to find their passion. I want children to be given the opportunity to paint or draw, and I want them to feel the same joy I feel when I pick up my paint brush.
    Mad Grad Scholarship
    One of my biggest motivations to continue to pursue an art education is always wanting to grow and improve my skills. Whenever I am frustrated and stuck on an art piece I try to remind myself that I have to keep going and that this is how I get better. No matter how good you are at something you can always be better, there is always room for improvement. I love drawing and painting, they are things that I’m good at and I think the best way for me to improve my technique and style would be to continue to study them in college. Art has always been a huge part of my life, even back when I was only eighteen months old and drawing my first ever smiley-faced sun. I can’t imagine my life without the ability to create new things, it is my way of expressing myself. I think art is extremely important because it makes the world a happier place, and it makes it far more interesting. I believe art is a way for people to express themselves. It's a way for people to project their ideas and beliefs out into the world. Art is more than just self expression; there is plenty of functional art too. Your furniture, lamps, posters, signs, and even the design on your tissue box constitute art. We don’t usually think about these things when we think of art, but imagine if all these things were just plain, basic and gray. I think that world would be depressing, and if I can make the world a little less gray, then I’m going to do it. I would continue to add the spirit of creation and storytelling by teaching kids the joys of art and creating. I plan on attending a four year college and majoring in Visual Art and minoring in Business. After college I would love to open a studio or a gallery. I would also reach out to poorer communities where many school art programs are being cut. I want to be able to teach kids how important art is and to inspire them to find their passion. I want children to be given the opportunity to paint or draw, and I want them to feel the same joy I feel when I pick up my paint brush.
    Elizabeth D. Stark Art Scholarship
    The first thing I ever drew was a big yellow sun with a smiley face when I was eighteen months old. Even though I do not remember drawing this, since I was so little, art has been a part of my life ever since. I honestly don’t know where I’d be if I wasn’t able to create; it's how I express myself. I love using many types of mediums and trying new things. I’ve done oil paints, charcoal, needle felting, photography and so much more. The first oil painting I ever did was of a bright blue betta fish, and I was about ten years old. I loved mixing so many beautiful, bright colors and creating many different textures, and I have been painting ever since. Oil paint has been my favorite medium since that colorful fish, and I still have a very saturated, textural style today. I think art is extremely important because it makes the world a happier place, and it makes it far more interesting. I believe art is a way for people to express themselves. It's a way for people to project their ideas and beliefs out into the world. Art is more than just self expression, there is plenty of functional art too. Your furniture, lamps, posters, signs, and even the design on your tissue box. We don’t usually think about these things when we think of art, but imagine if all these things were just plain, basic and gray. I think that world would be depressing! I am excited to pursue further education in the Arts. I plan on attending a four year university and majoring in Visual Arts, specifically painting. I spend many hours a week working on paintings and other types of art and I would love to continue to do so in college. I love to paint and I want to keep improving my technique and knowledge. In many schools in low income areas art programs are being cut. I want to be able to use my art education to reach out to those communities, and be able to teach kids how important art is and to inspire them to find their passion. I want all children to have the opportunity to paint or draw, and I want them to feel the same joy I feel when I pick up my paint brush. A degree would help me accomplish that goal.