miami, Florida, United States
Entertaining people has always been my biggest dream. My name is Latoya Hill. I was born on June 17, 1983 in Albany, Georgia. I am the eldest of six children. Although I am not an only child, I got pretty lonely growing up. My grandparents raised me while my parents raised my siblings. My parents traveled a lot because my dad was in the army. He joined soon after I was born. His first destination was on an army base in Louisiana. Then, Jessup, Georgia where my brother was born. Then, Hinesville, Georgia. Finally, he and my mother settled in a small town in West Germany for five years. There my mother gave birth to my three sisters. I was left with my grandparents because everyone thought that was the right thing to do. They wanted me to be stationed in one place until they came home to get me. So I spent most of my leisure time watching television. My favorite programs were nickelodeon and video soul on B.E.T. Then I would go outside and pretend to be the many different characters I saw. I would dance and sing in my kitchen and pretend to be Janet Jackson in concert. Eventually, I became really good at memorizing dance moves and song lyrics. That’s when I discovered I had a gift. That’s when I realized what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. I was only five years old when I discovered my calling. I’ve always known that there was something special about me. I could feel it down within my soul. That feeling has never left me. When my parents finally came home I was seven. I didn’t go to live with them. Instead, I continued to live with my grandparents because that was home for me. But I’m glad they were there. I finally had someone to play with. My mom brought me a surprise too. She was pregnant with my baby sister. My brother, my sisters and I loved putting on shows for my family. Talent shows, fashion shows, dance contests, you name it. That was our idea of fun. I never had any real training. My family couldn’t afford it. I desperately wanted to join drama in high school, but my grandfather was so strict. I had to go to school and then come directly home. I didn’t get training until I moved to Miami with my mom. By the time I was eleven years old my parents had divorced. I started singing in the church choir and attending acting workshops. I got some pictures done but I haven’t put them to good use. They aren’t that good. I even playwright and write songs. Now I’m ready for the big leagues becoming a star is my destiny. It’s all I ever wanted. Without my dream I am incomplete. I pray to God every night for one door to open. And when it does I am going to push my way through. I deserve this scholarship because I am willing to work hard. I will take full advantage of what it has to offer. Nobody...nobody wants this more than me. With my new found fame I intend to help people. I would like to donate money and support foundations. Like sickle cell anemia for example or Parkinson’s disease or Alzheimer’s foundation. These diseases hit pretty close to home because they have affected my family so dramatically. I would like to help others. I would like to give to help find a cure because there are medicines and vaccines. There’s just no money to produce them. I would like to help orphans find a home. I love kids and it breaks my heart when people just throw them away. I have struggled with abandoned issues for years. I finally let them go and I would like to help others let go of their frustrations and move on with their lives. I want to open a school for performing arts where kids who would like to follow their dreams could come and do so. I don't want them to feel ashamed of their gift that God has given them. There they will be around kids who are just like them. I never had that growing up. If I did, I believe my life would be different. That’s why I deserve this scholarship. It’s a starting point of many great things to come.

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