I am an 18-year-old Asian-American dancer from Ohio, studying dance and theatre design and technology. Through my 16 years of dance, I've challenged the dance status quo, inventing and reinventing who I am through dance. Dance is in my soul, even when I am away from my studios. I have been dancing with Praise His Name with Dancing-a nonprofit organization that strives to teach dance and the beauty of biblical stories through worship and performance. Our shows are mostly original ballets and allegorical in nature. Over the years I've danced, acted, designed, choreographed, and taught at this company. Giving all the gifts and skills I've honed to bring beauty and wonder to everyone who comes to our performances. I am going to college at Kent State University to further what I've learned and honed and to learn the skills necessary to take my art to another level. However, my dream is bigger than just performing in the same place my whole life. I want to travel and take dance with me, to bring the arts of all kinds with me around the world. Dance has been my life, dancing since the age of three, the movements, the music to me-magic. It has always captivated me. I believe firmly that everyone deserves the opportunity to apply themselves to the arts. Everyone deserves a chance to be great. Everyone deserves the ability to pursue their dreams. I hope and dream of the day that I can travel the world and bring the beauty of the arts to anyone and everyone. I want to be an inspiration to little girls and boys like me who love to dance and are driven to pursue it despite everything, I want to give them that gift and opportunity. I want to teach everyone that it doesn't matter what you look like or act like, dance is a beautiful expression buried inside all of us and everyone should be given the chance to let it out. I dream of taking my heart full of passion for the arts and spreading that love to others. To teach and share and learn and grow-all because of the power of dance. A world where anyone can express themselves, a world of equality and beauty and richness and power. A bond which no earthly thing can break and no one can take away-the passion and desire to communicate with the body the things which are not seen.

I am an 18-year-old Asian-American dancer from Ohio. I live among a largely white populated area and have dreamed about bringing my dance heritage home. Through my many years of dance, I've challenged the dance status quo, cutting my hair short and getting piercings, confidently empowering change and being myself despite what people say. Dance is for everyone. Equality should not based on financial status, racial status, or public appearances. Everyone should be given the same opportunities in every field and stage of life. Rather than worrying about appearances from the public eye and fear of being considered racist if they should not include someone, we should instead focus on a merit based system. In which, everyone is considered in equality and those who fit the career or position best are chosen, regardless of gender, sexuality, race, or financial status. That being said, I hope to give the gift of equality to people through the arts. Whether they are financially struggling, underprivileged, or discriminated against in that field, I want to provide equal opportunity for those wanting to learn the arts. Having been a victim of discrimination during my time in the arts, I want everyone to have the ability to experience it the way it should be, without the judgement of others. I want to give these people the ability to travel and learn during their journey through the arts in a safe environment. Unafraid of discrimination based on their appearances. I want to bring a change in the dance world, a passion for equality in all art forms, especially those often challenging of equality. Throughout the years, I have faced adversity and challenged the status quo, as the dance world is not always accepting of dancers of color and ethnic diversity. Dance has been my life. The movements, the music, the magic, it has always captivated me. I believe firmly that everyone deserves the opportunity to apply themselves to the arts. Everyone deserves a chance to be great. Everyone deserves the ability to pursue their dreams. I hope and dream of the day that I can travel the world and bring the beauty of the arts to anyone and everyone. I want to be an inspiration to little girls just like me who love to dance and are driven to pursue it despite everything, I want to give them that gift and opportunity. I want to teach everyone that it doesn't matter what you look like or act like, dance is a beautiful expression buried inside all of us and everyone should be given the chance to let it out.

My name is Eowyn and I am a seventeen year-old self-taught artist and high school senior who is beginning her journey for a BA in fine arts. I have created art for as long as I can remember. I began from the time I could hold a crayon. After a long period of doubting myself, I gradually began working to make my dreams come true by persistently practicing and studying all types of media and styles. The arts have impacted my life deeply. After reaching a place of confidence in my creative abilities, I spiraled during the COVID-19 Pandemic. In 2020 I was diagnosed with Persistent Depression Disorder and Generalized Anxiety Disorder and creating art was one of my only outlets for my struggles. My work kept me afloat. Art has always been there for me. Through a long journey with Behavioral Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and medication, I have reached a better place but Art remains the constant in my life. They say art is an expression of the human mind and over the past few years, I've come to understand that greatly. Art has a healing power to it; within oneself is the ability to create and express one’s Self without judgment or shame. It has impacted me deeply, through individual work as well as community work. Art has helped me to become confident in my identity and express myself outwardly without fear. I am a work of art, and that has been a healing thought. I have volunteered in many institutes, caring for many people of all social statuses. I have worked in places that provide food to the hungry and homeless and places that offer care for the children of financially challenged adults. I have gone to nursing homes to perform free shows for the elderly and their caregivers. I strive to accommodate for all people and treat everyone with dignity and equality.` These people often came from underprivileged environments and despite the social call for racial and gender equality, had not been given the same opportunities. We should all strive to care for the good of everyone through love and hope for a greater future equality. An equality not based on financial status, gender roles, racial status, or public appearances. Everyone should be given the same opportunities in every field and stage of life. Rather than worrying about appearances from the public eye and fear of being considered racist if they should not include someone, we should instead focus on a merit based system. In which, everyone is considered in equality and those who fit the career or position best are chosen, regardless of gender, sexuality, race, or financial status. That being said, I hope to give the gift of equality to people through the arts. Whether they are financially struggling, underprivileged, or discriminated against in that field, I want to provide equal opportunity for those wanting to learn the arts. Having been a victim of discrimination during my time in the arts, I want everyone to have the ability to experience it the way it should be, without the judgement of others. I want to bring a change in the world, a passion for equality in all art forms, especially those often challenging of equality. As a woman, I have faced adversity and challenged the status quo, as the world is not always accepting of female artists with ethnic diversity. I believe firmly that everyone deserves the opportunity to apply themselves to the arts. Everyone deserves a chance to be great. Everyone deserves the ability to pursue their dreams.

I have volunteered in many institutes, caring for many people of all social statuses. I have worked in places that provide food to the hungry and homeless and places that offer care for the children of financially challenged adults. I have gone to nursing homes to perform free shows for the elderly and their caregivers. I strive to accommodate for all people and treat everyone with dignity and equality.` These people often came from underprivileged environments and despite the social call for racial equality, had not been given the same opportunities. These works have contributed to a greater good for society. We should all strive to care for the good of everyone through love and hope for a greater future equality. An equality not based on financial status, racial status, or public appearances. Everyone should be given the same opportunities in every field and stage of life. Rather than worrying about appearances from the public eye and fear of being considered racist if they should not include someone, we should instead focus on a merit based system. In which, everyone is considered in equality and those who fit the career or position best are chosen, regardless of gender, sexuality, race, or financial status. That being said, I hope to give the gift of equality to people through the arts. Whether they are financially struggling, underprivileged, or discriminated against in that field, I want to provide equal opportunity for those wanting to learn the arts. Having been a victim of discrimination during my time in the arts, I want everyone to have the ability to experience it the way it should be, without the judgement of others. I want to give these people the ability to travel and learn during their journey through the arts in a safe environment. Unafraid of discrimination based on their appearances. I want to bring a change in the world, a passion for equality in all art forms, especially those often challenging of equality. Throughout the years, I have faced adversity and challenged the status quo, as the dance world is not always accepting of dancers of color and ethnic diversity. Dance has been my life. The movements, the music, the magic, it has always captivated me. I believe firmly that everyone deserves the opportunity to apply themselves to the arts. Everyone deserves a chance to be great. Everyone deserves the ability to pursue their dreams.

My name is Eowyn and I am a seventeen year-old self-taught artist and high school senior who is beginning her journey for a BA in fine arts. I have created art for as long as I can remember. I began from the time I could hold a crayon. My parents talk about my early work and how original it has always been. After a long period of doubting myself, I gradually began working to make my dreams come true by persistently practicing and studying all types of media and styles. The arts have impacted my life deeply. After reaching a place of confidence in my creative abilities, I spiraled during the COVID-19 Pandemic. In 2020 I was diagnosed with Persistent Depression Disorder and Generalized Anxiety Disorder and creating art was one of my only outlets for my struggles. My work kept me afloat. Art has always been there for me. Through a long journey with Behavioral Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and medication, I have reached a better place but Art remains the constant in my life. They say art is an expression of the human mind and over the past few years, I've come to understand that greatly. Art has a healing power to it; within oneself is the ability to create and express one’s Self without judgment or shame. It has impacted me deeply, through individual work as well as community work. Art has helped me to become confident in my identity and express myself outwardly without fear. I am a work of art, and that has been a healing thought. Art is my passion and I want to pursue it as a career to share my journey with people and to share the power of art. I want to create and produce a series that showcases the strength and beauty of art, as well as the healing power of artwork. I hope to give the gift of equality to people through the arts. Whether they are financially struggling, underprivileged, or discriminated against in that field, I want to provide equal opportunity for those wanting to learn the arts. Having been a victim of discrimination during my time in the arts, I long for everyone to have the ability to experience art the way it should be, without the judgement of others. I want to bring change to the world; passion for equality to all art forms,

I have volunteered in many institutes, caring for many people of all social statuses. I have worked in places that provide food to the hungry and homeless and places that offer care for the children of financially challenged adults. I have gone to nursing homes to perform free shows for the elderly and their caregivers. I strive to accommodate for all people and treat everyone with dignity and equality.` These people often came from underprivileged environments and despite the social call for racial equality, had not been given the same opportunities. These works have contributed to a greater good for society. We should all strive to care for the good of everyone through love and hope for a greater future equality. An equality not based on financial status, racial status, or public appearances. Everyone should be given the same opportunities in every field and stage of life. Rather than worrying about appearances from the public eye and fear of being considered racist if they should not include someone, we should instead focus on a merit based system. In which, everyone is considered in equality and those who fit the career or position best are chosen, regardless of gender, sexuality, race, or financial status. That being said, I hope to give the gift of equality to people through the arts. Whether they are financially struggling, underprivileged, or discriminated against in that field, I want to provide equal opportunity for those wanting to learn the arts. Having been a victim of discrimination during my time in the arts, I want everyone to have the ability to experience it the way it should be, without the judgement of others. I want to give these people the ability to travel and learn during their journey through the arts in a safe environment. Unafraid of discrimination based on their appearances. I want to bring a change in the world, a passion for equality in all art forms, especially those often challenging of equality. Throughout the years, I have faced adversity and challenged the status quo, as the dance world is not always accepting of dancers of color and ethnic diversity. Dance has been my life. The movements, the music, the magic, it has always captivated me. I believe firmly that everyone deserves the opportunity to apply themselves to the arts. Everyone deserves a chance to be great. Everyone deserves the ability to pursue their dreams.

I am proud to be an American for many reasons, one of the largest reasons being the freedom to incite change in communities and eventually globally. America being a free country gives its residents the chances to voice their opinions and begin change. Being an American, I am afforded the opportunities to express myself and my opinion vocally and physically. Unfortunately, our goals of equality are not always met. In America, we try to strive for equality, in opportunity and racial status, but I hope to make the whole world a better place through equality for all. We should all strive to care for the good of everyone through love and hope for a greater future equality. An equality not based on financial status, racial status, or public appearances. Everyone should be given the same opportunities in every field and stage of life. Rather than worrying about appearances from the public eye and fear of being considered racist if they should not include someone, we should instead focus on a merit based system. In which, everyone is considered in equality and those who fit the career or position best are chosen, regardless of gender, sexuality, race, or financial status. That being said, I hope to give the gift of equality to people through the arts. Whether they are financially struggling, underprivileged, or discriminated against in that field, I want to provide equal opportunity for those wanting to learn the arts. Having been a victim of discrimination during my time in the arts, I want everyone to have the ability to experience it the way it should be, without the judgement of others. I want to give these people the ability to travel and learn during their journey through the arts in a safe environment. Unafraid of discrimination based on their appearances. I strive to accommodate for all people and treat everyone with dignity and equality. These people often came from underprivileged environments and despite the social call for racial equality, had not been given the same opportunities. These works have contributed to a greater good for society. As a country, we should seek to love one another, and provide opportunities, not just for our citizens, but globally we should seek justice and equality for all. Everyone deserves a voice and the ability to pursue their dreams. As privileged people we should aim to help the less fortunate and provide them the chances that everyone deserves to have.

Who has been the biggest influence in my life? Well, that's not easy to say, but as I've grown older I've come to realize how important my father has been in shaping my artistic journey. As long as I can remember, he was always encouraging and he taught me everything he knew. Besides my father, many shows and movies have pushed me to consider the world from an artistic and narrative view. Storytelling through art has always spoken to me deeply, the use of colors, shapes, sounds, art, and movement are each so unique. Some of my inspirations include Bee and Puppycat, Pixar's Coco, Bluey, Pixar's Up, Into the Spider-verse, If Anything Happens I Love You, and Arcane, to name a few. Now my skill has grown, I have identified a love of my own, a passion for the arts. A desire to pursue a career in something I excel at, something that is so special to me. My art has always been a passionate giving of myself into my work. It may not be the traditional expectation of what artwork is supposed to look like, but I love to create what is beautiful, and I hope to use that passion to share the beauty of art with others. My dream is to design and produce an animation and someday, a show, that illustrates the beauty of the world around us. In a world full of people struggling with their mental health and searching for hope, my dream is to share the beauty and hope that lies in our world. I have struggled these past few years with my mental health, I've experienced that hopelessness, and I want to try to make the world a better place. I want to show people that their existence is worth something and that they are more than what the world tells them. What feels like a desolate wasteland might be filled with promise. Those are big shoes to fill, big dreams to make come true, and big hopes I aspire to fulfill. However, I have the determination and passion to make this dream a reality. No dream is too big if you can prove you have the dedication and drive to accomplish it. My heart is hopeful that every day I come closer to reaching this reality, that my dreams can touch the lives of others and make a difference, through the beauty of art and animation.