What aspirations do you have for the upcoming school year and what motivates you to achieve them? by Laura

What aspirations do you have for the upcoming school year and what motivates you to achieve them? by Laura - August 2025 Scholarship Essay

As I step into this upcoming school year, my heart is set on growth—not just in my academics, but in the way I express my passion for storytelling. I’ve always believed that stories are more than words; they’re connections, bridges between people who might never meet otherwise. My aspiration is to create work that makes those connections possible. I want to develop my writing and multimedia skills to the point where I can take an idea, bring it to life through words, images, or video, and present it in a way that touches people.

One of my main goals is to complete at least three journalism projects that combine my love for writing and photography. I hope to publish them in local or online outlets, not only to strengthen my portfolio but to reach real readers outside the classroom. I want to challenge myself to tell stories in new ways—through photos that speak louder than captions, videos that feel like moments you’re living in, and articles that linger in someone’s mind long after they’ve finished reading.

What motivates me is the thought that every skill I learn this year brings me one step closer to my dream career in journalism. I’m inspired by the possibility of giving a voice to people whose stories might otherwise go untold and by the challenge of finding beauty and meaning in unexpected places. My family’s unwavering support pushes me to keep going, even when things get tough.

This year, I don’t just want to meet my goals—I want to surprise myself by going beyond them. I want to end the year with not just better grades and a fuller portfolio, but with the confidence that I’m becoming the journalist I’ve always dreamed of being.