How do you even begin to put it into words? All the people who have been a part of my life—who have helped me along this journey—not just to grow as an artist, but to grow as a person. At this point, it all comes down to family. Not just family in the traditional sense—mother, father, partner, child—but the family that forms through shared experiences, deep connections, and a journey filled with both challenges and joy. Let me begin with the family right in front of me—the one I’ve had for the past six years during my time in this program. Linda Ganstrom was instrumental in helping me get here. From the very beginning, she held my hand, encouraged me, reminded me that I belonged, and told me I was an artist. She believed in me before I believed in myself. Linda gave me confidence, knowledge, and the courage to imagine I could do anything—and for that, I am forever grateful. Then there’s my clay kinsman—my Fort Hays Crew. I truly cannot imagine my life without them now. I’ve never encountered a group of people so united by a common passion who are also so supportive, honest, nurturing, and inspiring. Every time I see them, they lift me up and remind me who I am. They make me feel real, and international (they know what that means). To my immediate family—my only child, who has patiently supported me while I’ve spent so much time away, who has looked at my art over and over again and still listens with an open heart—thank you. And to my partner, Michael—my sounding board, my engineer, my collaborator—you have taken every idea that rattled in my head and made it better. You’ve never let me doubt myself. You believed in me more than I believed in myself. Thank you for that steady and unwavering love. To my mother and sisters—you may not always understand my art, but you have always understood me, and that has meant everything. Your support, your encouragement, and yes, Mom—even your financial help at times—have been more important than you probably realize. Thank you for showing up for me in your own ways. To the committee—thank you for giving your time and energy, for being part of this journey, and for all the work you do behind the scenes to make this program function. Thank you for saying yes. And a special thanks to Josh Heimsoth for introducing me to this program in the first place. This journey has been nothing short of transformative—and I couldn’t have done it without each and every one of you.