Multitude of Aspirations by Jayda

Multitude of Aspirations by Jayda - August 2025 Scholarship Essay

I have millions of aspirations that I am already completing for the upcoming school year. My name is Jayda Smith, I am a Theatre/Drama major attending the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Planning last year during my Freshman year of college, I earned two lead roles for the upcoming fall 2025 semester. One with the University Theatre staring as Zuzu in Dance Nation by Clare Barron and staring in a minority Student wrote play. Starting in a classroom, to the Universities Gilbert Hemsley Theatre. The same theatre as Dance Nation. I aspire to work weekly while maintaining A grades. Being in rehearsals for 20 hours a week while juggling classes and struggling with grief, I ended the school year with a 3.85 GPA. I have many planned out aspirations for the rest of college but what inspires me to complete them are people. I joined my career as being an actress to represent people who feel under-represented. Whether they are a minority, a woman, someone struggling with their mental health, or someone with the same values and wants as me. I am here to show people that no matter the odds if something is truly wanted then it could be achieved. I grew up and continue to grow up in PWI. In my High School I was continuously the only black woman in my class, I felt loved around me but I didn't feel a sense of community. I joined Multicultural Club and ended up having a leadership position in the club, founding and helping out the annual Multicultural Showcase. An event to bring together the schools community and learn about different cultures for all races. In that I in turn wanted to have a more legislative approach to some issues and founded the Student Council with other students. I ended up being the first Vice President at Vel Phillips Memorial High School and I showed others that their words and feelings about the communities that they are in matters and will continue to matter throughout their lives. I am an aspirational woman, and I will continue to aspire for what I value. I hope to make others feel positivity, love, wanting, and care as I wish others would've done for me. Thank you for this opportunity to apply for this scholarship, and have a wonderful day!