Miriam Morris

My name is Miriam Morris; I am the eldest of four children. My family has moved more than what most do in their entire lifetime. I have lived in Illinois, Texas, Nebraska, and for the last nearly seven years we have called North Carolina home. My family is a culturally mixed family; my father comes from a small coal mining community that has Irish, German and English immigrant backgrounds. My mother is a first generation Mexican American with rich Mexican traditions that are still influential in our lives. Two of the core values that my parents have instilled in their children have been those of sacrifice and personal responsibility. My parents worked opposing shifts so that there was always one parent present with their kids at home. My father
went back to school to complete his college degree while working sixty hours a week in order to provide for his family, and my mother worked on the off shift. Their example of hard work and strong family values are what have shaped me and made me understand the importance of giving your best effort in everything you do. During my last year in high school I learned about the College Promise Program, I decided this was a way that I could help myself earn college credits while still attending high school. Once I had completed thirteen credit hours before the fall semester began, I knew I would continue taking my basic college requirement courses at a community college. This has enabled me to continue to live at home, work and pay for my own college education debt free.
I attended an Appalachian State University forensics camp over the summer in 2016. I fell in love with the campus and the staff. Although the camp was not in the arts, the experience helped me conclude that Appalachian State was a top contender when it came to the colleges and universities that I was considering. The University is situated in such a beautiful environment, with so many inspiring views and a rich history of Appalachian art and culture. I can see myself as a future Mountaineer and would love the opportunity to immerse myself in everything that Appalachian State University has to offer their students, especially in the arts program. My passion is in creating and enabling others to explore their creative potential. I find the arts to be a perfect way to learn about the world and its diversity, as well as a way to communicate my own thoughts and feelings.