I only found out about the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards last minute when my painting teacher encouraged me to submit my work. I had never heard of the competition before, and with the deadline quickly approaching, I scrambled to put together my submissions. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I decided to take a chance. Submitting my work so last-minute felt rushed, but when I won three Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, I realized how important it was to put myself out there. The experience gave me more confidence in my creativity and solidified my passion for pursuing art and design in college.