Along with Crystal’s reminder about the FAFSA, I want to encourage and urge all of you high school seniors, and even juniors, sophomores and freshmen, to begin applying for scholarships as soon as possible! Along with financial aid, scholarships will help you to pay those large school fees, like tuition, books, and your dorm room – it’s basically FREE money! Apply to as many scholarships as you can, even if it may not seem to you like you will get it. For many of them you can use similar essays and information to apply, but be sure to check the rules to make sure you include everything they ask for.

There is so much money out there going to waste, given by small and larger companies and organizations, just because people don’t apply, and many of those target minority students. So take advantage of this, and even apply to the Duct Tape Prom Dress Scholarship (yes, it really exists!).

One scholarship you should definitely apply for is the Gates Millennium Scholarship. This scholarship was created by Bill Gates (of Microsoft), and his wife, and it is what allowed me to go to school pretty much for free! The scholarship is based on merit and financial need, and can cover everything that you might need as far as school and living expenses. Though the deadline for this year is January 12, I wouldn’t let this discourage you. I remember hearing about the scholarship late and pulling my application together a few days before it was due.

If you’re a senior this year, get your teachers to do recommendations quickly, and fill out the application as well as you can, because this is an opportunity not to be missed! If you’re a junior or sophomore, I would suggest you start early, getting your essays together now, and applying to scholarships available to younger students.

Some resources I would recommend that helped me to apply for scholarships are:

- How to Go to College Almost for Free by Ben Kaplan – This book is fun to read and takes you through the whole scholarship application process. He gives you all types of tips like how to make the most of your past life experiences in your essays. Click here to visit the author Ben Kaplan’s website, he has so many tips for students on how they too can go to college for (almost) free.

- Peterson’s Scholarships, Grants & Prizes – Another big book of scholarships galore!

- Kaplan Scholarships 2008: Billions of Dollars in Free Money for College – This book lists scholarships in every area you can think of; there’s something for everybody!

- Here’s a list of 100 Scholarships for Minority Students that might help as well.

You can do it – get started on your path to success now… Happy scholarship searching – and winning!

Do you love to write or just like to speak your mind creatively? We want you to send in your poetry, short stories or other creations to be features in our Creative Expressions section! Your piece can be about any topic you like – from a fiction story, to a poem about how you felt about the election, etc. So get your creative juices flowing and start writing away! Send your pieces to contribute@youngblackstarz.org. We can’t wait to see what you come up with!

(Note: Please only send original pieces that you wrote yourself!)

If you’re a college bound student, you may be right in the middle of preparing for college next year. There’s lots to take care of and lots to think about. One of those things is money. Everyone has to think about how they are going to pay for school. Because of this, I just thought that I would remind those that are preparing for college that now is the time to fill out the FAFSA form. FAFSA stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Filling out this form will determine your eligibility for financial assistance in college. There are different deadlines depending on which state you live in. Don’t wait! Check out the FAFSA site HERE and don’t let money be the issue when getting ready for college!

A picture is worth a thousand words and after seeing the pictures taken by Courtnee’, our featured talent to watch, you will have a thousand words to say! Courtnee’ is a 20 year old aspiring photographer from Maryland. She’s been passionate about photography since the age of 16. Her work is great and anyone will enjoy looking at her photos. Photography takes skill, creativity, and talent… all of which Courtnee’ has! We took some time to talk to Courtnee’ about photography. Here’s what she had to say…

1. How did you get started in your talent?
I got started with photography when I was in high school. I took a photography class as an elective and fell in love with it instantly! I asked my mom to buy me a camera and I have been taking pictures ever since.

2. What equipment do you use?
I use a Nikon D50 SLR Digital Camera, Sigma 70-300 mm lens and Sigma 28-135 mm Macro lens.

3. Do you have a role model/s in the area of your passion? What inspires you most about them, or have you picked up any tips from them?
Dani Brubaker and Shannon Stewart (of Madison Avenue Photography) are two of my biggest role models. The creativity, beauty and processing of their photos inspire me the most. From both I have picked up on different angles to use and how to style my subjects for a shoot.

4. What are your favorite photography subjects?
Kids! I love capturing every emotion they have from happiness, to sadness, to anger. Their innocence and candidness bring something special to each shoot and make me enjoy what I do even more!

5. What do you hope to do in the future with your talent?
In the future, I hope to be a part-time child model/actor photographer.

6. Are there any special techniques that you use?
The technique that I use the most is shooting with the light coming from behind the camera. This way my photos are not too exposed or under exposed.

7. Maybe photography isn’t as easy as it looks; what are some important things to remember when you photograph?
When you photograph, one of the most important things to remember is lighting. It can make or break your photo. The best light is usually found in the afternoon and 30 minutes before sunset. Other important things to remember are to shoot at different angles and be creative.

8. How do you use photography to express yourself or what do you hope your photos/work say about you?
I use photography to express myself by showing the words that I cannot always speak. When people look at my photos I hope they see my inner thoughts and feelings.

9. How would you suggest newbies to get started in photography?
Research, research, research. There are many helpful links online that will guide you from buying your camera to how to set up for a shoot. Techniques that would take you years to figure out on your own can easily be found with the help of the internet.

10. Besides Photography, what are some of your other talents? What else are you interested in?
One of my other talents is graphic design. I love making banners and composite cards for pageants and modeling. I am also interested in photo processing/retouching and writing poetry.

Check Out More of Courtnee’s Great Photos!

Do you have a unique talent that you’d like to share with the world? Do you write, design, do photography, or have another unique and creative talent? If so, we are looking for you! We would like to put the spotlight on some of you kids/young people. We want to feature all different types of talents, not just those who act, sing, model and dance. If you would like to be featured as our Talent To Watch then please read below for submission information.

If you are an entertainer and want to see if you can be a YBStar, submit yourself HERE

You can be the next featured talent by submitting an email to contribute@youngblackstarz.org with the following *REQUIRED* information. In the subject line put in TALENT TO WATCH: (NAME).

Name
Age
Your Talent
Photo of Talent
Brief Write-Up
Example of Your Talent (photos, videos, writing, etc.)

After your submission is considered by our staff, we will contact to let you know you have been chosen and we will post about you on our site!