What's Ne[x]t for Scholarship Winners

Alexa Bell

$5,000 scholarship winner Decatur, Georgia Film and TV, New York University

Attending NYU has been a dream of mine since I participated in their Future Filmmakers Program. It was then that I discovered my interest in film. The program was a preview of the possibilities of a film education at NYU. I was introduced to the basics of filmmaking through a snippet of the curriculum, which was catered to my visual and hands-on learning preference. Leaving the program with such a positive experience, I knew I would not only flourish as a person, but as a storyteller, inspired by the unique qualities of my peers, the intelligence of my professors, and the engaging structure of my classes.

From an early age, I was always drawing, writing, dancing, painting, and into various other arts. I decided to become a film major because it allows me to combine many aspects of differing art forms into one media. It is my hope to use film as a means to influence the world through narratives displaying the unique struggles of the Black community. Often people of the Black community struggle due to lack of access to proper mental health treatment. This results in an endless cycle of poverty, drug addiction, or violence. While these are heavier topics, I hope to create films that advocate for change. Being accepted into NYU was exciting and lifechanging. However, it was extremely stressful to navigate how I would pay for college. I spent a great deal of my senior year applying for scholarships to make this dream possible. I will never forget the call saying I was the recipient of the What’s Ne[x]t scholarship.

Zaria Owens

$2,000 scholarship winner Hampton, Georgia Health Sciences, High Point University Founder of Charlie's Hope Foundation @zariaowens21

When I was 16 years old, I started my own 501(c) (3) nonprofit, Charlie’s Hope Foundation. Through this foundation, I help people in need through donations to organizations around the community. My goal is to help people live happier, healthier lives. Through Charlie’s Hope Foundation, I have assembled and distributed over 200 care packages with hygienic supplies to a homeless shelter and nursing home. Some of the care packages were donated to hurricane relief victims, too. In addition to care packages, I have organized an initiative to collect school supplies for a local tutoring center. One initiative with Charlie’s Hope Foundation that I am very proud of is “Charlie’s Hope Closets.” With this drive, school supplies and canned goods are collected and available to children in need.

I have always enjoyed helping others. Before Charlie’s Hope Foundation, I spent a great deal of time volunteering with a local hospital and various events in the community. However, I still felt the desire to do more. My grandfather was a prominent leader in his community, known for helping others, and it inspired me to step up and do more. I thought to myself, “If he could pave a path and do great things, then I can do it too!” In an effort to carry on his legacy and my desire to help others, Charlie’s Hope Foundation was formed.

Ten years from now, I hope to be a physician assistant caring for patients here in Georgia and continuing to serve the community through Charlie’s Hope.