Linda "Noni" Anderson Memorial Music & Arts Scholarship

I have always been deeply drawn to the creative arts. From a young age, I discovered that I had a natural inclination towards drawing and other forms of visual art. As I grew older, I began to explore other mediums such as painting, sculpture, and printmaking. Through these explorations, I discovered that the creative arts were not only a way for me to express myself, but they also provided me with a sense of fulfillment and joy. I believe that all humans are creative beings and that anyone can be an artist. I think that the ability to create is something that is inherent in all of us, and it is something that should be nurtured and encouraged. The act of creating is deeply personal, and it allows us to connect with our inner selves and the world around us. One of the earliest pieces of art that inspired me was Monet's series of paintings of water lilies. I remember seeing these paintings for the first time when I was in kindergarten and being struck by their beauty. The colors and composition of these paintings were so captivating that they left a lasting impression on me. To me, the imagery of water lilies represents peace and tranquility, and the paintings convey this sense of serenity in a way that is both powerful and moving. The creative arts have the power to connect people and evoke emotions in a way that nothing else can. They can inspire, challenge, and transform the way we see the world. As an artist, I have the ability to use my talents and imagination to create something that can have a lasting impact on others. This is what makes the pursuit of art so valuable and meaningful to me. The act of creating something new, something that didn't exist before, is something that fills me with a sense of purpose and pride. In conclusion, my passion for the creative arts is deeply rooted in my belief in the power of art to express myself and evoke emotions in others. The piece of art that holds the most importance to me is Monet's series of paintings of water lilies. These paintings have been an inspiration to me since my early childhood and they have shaped the way I view and understand art. The creative arts have the ability to connect people and evoke emotions, and the pursuit of art is a meaningful and fulfilling endeavor for me.

When my dad was in a near-fatal car crash during my senior year of high school, ceramics and dance allowed me to express and work through difficult emotions. Three years later, when we lost my childhood home my father had built with his own two hands to foreclosure, writing was my sacred space to let go and heal. When I faced depression in College, coaching soccer was the only responsibility that got me out of bed. And when a dear friend and business partner suddenly died, charcoal was my way of processing death and making something beautiful from those dark feelings. The music I danced to, the charcoal horse and goat I drew and the journals I wrote are the most important pieces of art to me. They tell the story of human suffering and perseverance through it. The creative arts have always been a part of me; my mom raised her children with craft, drawing, painting, and dancing days. Meanwhile, life experience taught me that expressing myself through creative practice will guide me through the toughest times and guide necessary healing. Ultimately, through dancing, drawing, writing, and being a mentor, I found immense gratitude and a life purpose. I am passionate about the arts because they helped form most of what I believe is important in life: gratitude, love, health, and expression. Now, it is my turn to share this powerful relationship with others. I decided to become an art teacher in the summer of 2020. The Covid-19 pandemic altered life as the entire world knew it, and in my eyes, younger generations suffered the worst of it. Everything positive and healthy was taken away from them, and their mental health paid the price. Reading news stories about the skyrocketing suicide, anxiety, and depression rates in teenagers struck a personal chord in my heart. Recognizing that creative arts had gotten me through the worst and toughest moments of my life, I knew I needed to become an art teacher. We have all had a teacher who was as influential as a parent or guardian. That teacher in my life was my high school ceramics teacher, Mr. Emery. He taught me lessons about clay, yes, but more importantly, he taught me lessons about life and the way our minds shape the reality we live in. His extravagant and, for lack of a better description, off-the-wall teaching methods impacted me just as much as discovering yet another creative art to express myself through. Whether it was walking into his classroom one day to find him wearing a suit covered in square pieces of a mirror with a white spiral painted on his hands and face, or listening to him lecture about 'what we actually know', Mr. Emery stretched the little minds of his students. It was in his classroom I began learning that it is not about what happens to us that defines us, it is about how we react to it that does. I was in his class when my dad crashed his truck. The clay soaked up the combination of disbelief, grief, and sorrow, and wheel-throwing brought mental peace from the worry and stress. Mr. Emery provided a safe space for me to freely express myself and make sense of tragedy. Without clay and his mentorship, I might have become an angry, resentful person. Today, 13 years later, my dad walks through life grateful and happier than he has ever been; and so do I. Thanks to the creative arts.

My passion for dance and art began at a young age of five. Ever since I was young I would dance in front of the TV to all different types of music enjoying every beat and every single song. My mother new I love dance so much she signed me up for my first dance class which was ballet. I was drawn to the expressiveness and creativity of the arts. Dance, in particular, allowed me to express myself in ways that words couldn't. As I grew older, my passion for the arts only deepened, branching out to include fashion and hip hop dance. The creative arts, including dance, art, music, and fashion, offer a means of self-expression and a way to connect with others. For me, the arts provide a sense of empowerment and a way to tell my own story. my passion for dance and art is not just a hobby, but a vital part of who I am. In terms of the most important piece of art or music to me, it would be difficult to pick just one. The significance of art and music is often personal and subjective. For me, the most important piece of art or music is likely the one that resonates with me the in most particular moment in my life. I was also deeply influenced by my Puerto Rican and African roots. Growing up in a Puerto Rican Hispanic cultural background, I was exposed to a rich tapestry of cultural music and dance. The exposure and the cultural heritage played a significant role in my development as a dancer and fashion stylist. I was particularly drawn to the rhythms and movements of traditional Puerto Rican and African music and dance, which served as a powerful source of inspiration for my own artistic expression. The lively rhythms of salsa, merengue and other traditional music styles, as well as the expressive movements of Afro-Caribbean dances, provided a foundation for my own style of hip hop dance. As I grew older, I began to explore the connection between my cultural heritage and my passion for the creative arts, using my dance and art as a way to honor and celebrate my roots. This was an important way to connect with my community and to share my story. Whether it's a fashion that speaks to my emotions or a song that reminds me of a special memory when I was growing up. The arts have the power to touch us in profound ways. In conclusion, my passion for dance, art, fashion and hip hop dance is a reflection of my desire to express myself and connect with others through the creative arts. The arts play a significant role in my life and are a vital part of who I am. The importance of the creative arts in my life may change over time, but my passion for them will remain constantly in my heart.