Helping Morgan Finish Her Final 2 Years at SCAD!
Donation protected
Hello, hello!
My name is Morgan Richardson (my closest friends/family call me Meaux), and I am 22 years old.
I genuinely hope this website/fundraiser finds you well, grateful, and glad to be alive. (Thank you for being here.)
It's quite the experience to create a GoFundMe for something so personal to me and my life's journey (honestly, a bit nerve-wracking). Still, my genuine desire to graduate from the Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD) far outweighs anything else.
I have created this fundraiser in hopes and in efforts to raise enough money to finish my remaining two years left at SCAD, ultimately graduating with a B.F.A. in Sound Design and a Minor in Music Production.
Please let me elaborate on why my desire to do so is highly multi-faceted and essential to me:
When I graduated high school (with Honors!) in 2019, I graduated having decided not to go to college. At the time, I was deeply conflicted about pursuing higher education because it felt like a decision I would only be making due to others telling me "it was the right thing to do." Additionally, neither of my parents could help me pay for school - and I did not want to waste my time, energy, and money pursuing a future I didn't have an internal end goal for. So, I chose to stay home, continue working at Kroger (a job I had worked at since I was 16 years old), and save up as much money as possible. Fast forward almost two years (we were all in the middle of the Pandemic), and I genuinely had never felt so discouraged and confused by my life's purpose before. I was still living at home, working a job that (respectfully) did not fulfill me, and craving for my life to change drastically. I felt stuck, trapped by fear, not knowing how to step toward my desired life. Everything felt impossible to me.
Thankfully, by that point in my life, I had met some of the most inspiring, impactful, and loving people who spoke such wisdom, encouragement, and love into me and my life. I now know that was God (Spirit, Light, Source, Universe, Nature - whichever term you resonate with), speaking to me through the love of others.
When I began considering applying to SCAD, I had several conversations with the Universe/God, asking for help and trust: "If you make this possible and allow me to receive an education, gain experience, create new relationships, and develop my skills for the next four years - I promise you that what I give back to this world, and humanity will be that, tenfold." (I still deeply believe this and feel it in my soul.)
Once I realized that my dreams and purpose were possible, I took (what I had before considered impossible) steps and was shown that these things are, in fact, possible.
Fast forward another two years - I am incredibly grateful to say that I have been living in Savannah for the past two years, I just finished my second year at SCAD, and I am a fully financially independent young woman working a full-time job (at The Perry Lane Hotel) that nourishes several aspects of my life, and in complete disbelief at how this is the reality of my life now. I have met some of the most inspiring and beautiful people here and learned some of the most profound things not just educationally through SCAD - but also through the experience and relationships with others that SCAD offers. It is important to me that you know all that I have achieved during my time in Savannah so that you may understand how passionate and determined I am to make the most out of my time here:
- I have made the Dean's List every Quarter I have completed at SCAD thus far.
- I have received an Adobe PhotoShop Certification.
- I have (gratefully) received a promotion to Concierge at The Perry Lane Hotel, been nominated as Employee of the Quarter (Q4 - 2022), been selected as Employee of the Year (2022), and most recently, have successfully aided in forming a Recycling/Sustainable Committee for the hotel.
- I have overcome my fear of singing in front of others, enrolled in vocal lessons, and (gratefully) had my first vocal performance in May of 2023.
- Please see the below Resume for all my accomplishments!
Now, you may be wondering... "How were you able to complete your first two years at SCAD but not finish the remaining two?" --- I'll tell you!
- I am grateful to receive two scholarships from SCAD annually that significantly aid my tuition costs.
- I also very gratefully receive the Georgia Hope Scholarship, Tuition Grant, Federal Pell Grant, and Subsidized/Unsubsidized Direct Loans.
- To fill the gap, my Mimi (grandmother) co-signed on 2 Private Student Loans for me to be able to attend SCAD. Unfortunately, she is no longer able to co-sign, and my parents are also unable to do so.
I believe it is important to be completely transparent in how any/all donations will be used for me to achieve my goals/dreams.
All money will go directly toward the remaining amount of tuition (after scholarships/grants are applied).
If there are any additional funds remaining, they will go toward my school supplies and my cost of living.
Being able to continue my education and graduate from SCAD is deeply important to me because my ability to do so does not just affect myself and my life:
- This will significantly impact my future children, for I am a first-generation college student and want to be able to provide for my future family in ways that I did not experience growing up.
- Again, I have promised myself, The Universe/God, and humanity - "to use all my energies to develop myself, to expand my heart out to others, to achieve enlightenment for the benefit of all beings." (I plan to create many positive ripples throughout my lifetime - helping humans and this earth. I genuinely believe that finishing my degree will significantly aid my ability to do so.)
If you have made it this far and have read my heart and a portion of my life story above, Thank you. Genuinely. I am so grateful that you have taken the time and energy out of your day (life) to visit this fundraiser and read my words.
Sending my love, positive energy, and light to you and yours - always.
Love, Meaux.
Organizer
Morgan Richardson
Organizer
Savannah, GA