Ducks @ Oregon - University of Oregon

OSAC Statements

Leah C.

January 17, 2010 - 10:00 PM

I was very productive yesterday. I finished my OSAC scholarship application! OSAC, the Oregon Student Assistant Commission is a really great scholarship system. With one application, an Oregon student can apply to over 400 scholarships. Some scholarships require additional essays or documents. I applied the year I graduated from high school and received 2. Last year, I missed the deadline. The deadline for the scholarship is March 1st. If a student wishes to submit before the February 16th deadline, they have a chance to correct their application if errors were found, as well a chance to win $500. Most of the scholarships are directed to graduating high school students. I only found 4 that fitted my situation. The only essays I was required to submit were the four short statements. I thought I would share them to you since they tell a little bit about myself.

1.Explain your career aspirations and your educational plan to meet these goals.

My passion for the arts has influenced my interest in the field of design. I am currently studying digital arts at the University of Oregon which has not only taught me the technical skills in how to design, such as logos or poster, but to expand my skills and see my works as a form of fine art. Not only does my education enhance my creativity but I am currently working with several student organizations in designing their posters, logos, and T-shirts. The community of the campus has given me the opportunity to work with different student organizations. An opportunity to challenge myself to work with diverse ideas and background. I wish to be a graphic designer with a focus in advertising. I want to move, and convey messages to the public through my works of art.

2.Describe a challenge or obstacle you faced in the last ten years. What did you learn about yourself from this experience?

I have had conflicting opinions in regard to a dragon sculpture in Portland's Chinatown. There were many criticisms over the piece in regard to how the artist portrayed the dragon, an important symbol to the Chinese people. This has caused me to feel torn between two sides, myself as a devoted artist and a person of Chinese descent. It was difficult for me to choose between the two sides that make up who I am. I was confused on whether I should feel sympathy for the artist or anger for the misinterpretation of my culture. I interviewed family members, teachers, and peers, but found that this furthered the division. Fortunately, when I went to the city's meeting, it helped me set aside the differences and see the situations as a whole. Instead of independent statements, I realized that in order to resolve these arguments, resolutions need to be made together.

3.Describe a personal accomplishment and the strengths and skills you used to achieve it.

Art has been a tool for me to express my feelings and ideas. During the the last two years of high school, I was in Art Studio. This self-disciplinary class has helped motivate me to push outside my comfort level. In the beginning, I only drew with pencil because I found it easier to control. This course taught me to take risks, using other media such as oil, watercolors, and acrylics. I also begun to take up Chinese paper cutting and finished a crane sculpture made of window blinds and spray paint. Through demonstrations, practice, and research, the class has helped me develop my creativity and technical skills as well. Now I can apply the same techniques and ideas into graphic design. Using the different tools in the software as well as incorporating photos, and handmade pieces, I can still express my ideas in any media I choose.

4.Explain how you have helped your family or made your community a better place to live. Please provide specific examples.

For the past 3 years, I volunteered for the Multnomah Library's Summer Reading Program. Every morning, I would find myself behind a line of kids eagerly waiting for the library doors to open. Unfortunately, they were not waiting to pick books off the shelf but to use the library computers to play games. My job was to signup participants and award prizes to those who complete their reading logs, and as I sat at the Summer Reading desk, I would encourage these children to join. When they came back to claim their incentives, we would discuss the books they have read, their favorite part, and anything new they may have come across through their reading. I hope that my job has helped motivate them to become better readers, and to open up another form of entertainment that will help them through out their lives.