"Congrats! You're film has been acknowledged and will be in our film festival! Hope to see you there!-10 Day Film Challenge."

I made a film for the 10 day film challenge in my video class called "Plushaphobia." Most people had 10 days to make this film and my class had 3 hours (stupid snow days). There were many rules we had to follow, like "You have to include a stuffed animal" and "Your main character has to have a phobia"; I honestly thought that making this film in 3 hours was impossible. When I heard that the film got acknowledged, I was ecstatic, I pulled it off. I knew it was good but I did not think that the film was THAT good, since that the schools low quality equipment and short amount of time limited my abilities. We did not win any special awards at the actual ceremony but 30 films out of hundreds got to go to the festival and my film was one. I am still in shock.

 Here's the film incase you wanna watch it!

Since then, I have continued making films; one about conformity (a crowd favorite), a movie trailer for the movie The Call, which is amazing, and one about believing in yourself. Film making is my passion. Opening Premiere and being able to take raw footage and turn it into something amazing is something I never want to give up. There's something about seeing the final product of the film that makes my heart race and makes me smile.

I also love the messages films can send. My films are made to send messages about happiness, self-confidence and being yourself. It is amazing how one film can affect so many people and make them feel safe. I want to be able to continue to help others and make them feel safe through my films.

Film making is not a hobby for me, it is a way of life. Ever since that film festival, ever since I noticed how a film can change of life, I knew that is what I want to do with my life. Art school, a place where I can continue to grow and influence others; art school is a dream of mine. Many people have told me that art school is a bad idea, but you know what? I am passionate about film making, I love my video class and that feeling I get watching my final product is something I want to experience for the rest of my life. Film making is my life.

Here's the movie trailer! 

My rough ride to self-confidence.

The beginning of junior year, my application for National Honor Society had been sent in over a month ago, all I needed was that one letter saying, "Congratulations." I got myself all worked up, thinking I had no chance of not being accepted, that I would be lighting a candle the following week, but my whole world turned on me.

I was visiting my sister in Louisiana, the day was hot and muggy, my friend had texted me saying she was accepted. Immediately I called my grandmother, begging her to open the letter. I was on the phone while helping my sister and brother in law set up their Christmas tree; hanging red ornaments and spreading sparkle all over the house. Then, the words came out of my grandma's mouth, "You were not accepted." I fell to the couch, my tears fell like a waterfall and my phone tumbled on to the ground. I cried for hours on hours on hours. My last day in Louisiana ruined by one letter, one sentence, "You were not accepted."

For days I cried, not understanding why I was not accepted. I questioned my abilities, my grades, my leadership, my life. I felt embarrassed to show up to school, all of my friends had been accepted, they all celebrated without me; I was ashamed. I couldn't help but question, why? I refused to apply senior year, not wanting to feel the pure torture I felt the first time of rejection, but then I realized something.

Okay, I was not accepted. What can I do to improve and be accepted? That question that I believed was impossible to actually answer, was possible. NHS claimed that I was not a leader; I got involved in Step Up and got TRAINED to be a leader. NHS said I needed more extra-curricular activities; I joined yearbook club, decided to run for class officer and got involved in activities outside of school. NHS made me believe that I was not good enough, but I am good enough.

Not being accepted to NHS seemed like my worst nightmare, but it actually helped me to grow. I learned that if someone puts me down, or if something puts me down, they can only knock me over, not keep me down. I need to keep my head up, strive to prove them wrong and fight for what I want. Never give up on yourself, because you are worth it. I learned it the hard way, but it is true; you are worth it.

http://www.nhs.us/