My name is Roy Scandela and I am fourteen years old. I live in Inwood Manhattan. I guess what makes me who I am, are my talents and personality. Ever since the age of three I’ve showed talent in the arts and music, evidently making me somewhat a prodigy. Being a prodigy can an advantage, because you’re gifted with a special talent, and for that I’m thankful. Without art or music, I just wouldn’t be who I am today. I would say that the effects I have on people would be those of hope and/or admiration because I am an honor student and graduated eighth grade as Valedictorian, having an average of 97.80. The adjectives I would use to describe myself are wise, witty, cunning, and sympathetic. I am wise because I tend to have immense knowledge on things, and am considered very clever by most of my friends. My friends also classify me as being pretty witty, because I’m a very happy and mellow person (though a bit rebellious at times). I’m a kind of person who likes to take risks, which kind of goes into the whole “cunning” category. I consider myself pretty fearless for this reason, and I usually never back down from anything. I consider myself sympathetic because I’m always there to comfort someone who’s feeling gloomy or sad, and I’m very outspoken as well.

In my life, I go by some simple rules: be who you are, never let anyone or anything stop your movements, lead your own trail, help others and let others help you, live life to its fullest, embrace your talents, and never give up.

There are some events that have changed my life, as well people who have helped me through it. When I first began drawing, my mom knew I had inherited something from her. When I first began singing and playing different instruments, I had a hunch, could this be a hidden talent? My friends and family, as well as mentors, helped me see that it is possible to have more than one talent. They helped me see and embrace what I could do. Overcoming the fear of displaying my musical talent was hard at first, and I was nervous of what people would think, but in the end, it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would have been. People were actually amazed by my vocals, much like the way they enjoyed my art. I’ve gained confidence and hope from these experiences, which have helped me.

I will be attending the Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts. This school is one of New York City’s eight specialized high schools, and very hard to get into. I was shocked when

I got my letter from LaGuardia saying they had offered me a ’seat’ in their school. I had been the only one in the entire eighth grade of my school to get in. This had made me really happy; LaGuardia had been a kind of ’dream school’ for me.

In my free time I like to draw, sketch, paint, write lyrics, and play the guitar and piano. I’m also into acting, and have participated in many acts/plays in my schools.

As for sports I like soccer (and I’m trying out for the team at LaGuardia), swimming, and track. Some of my favorite bands include My Chemical Romance, Yellowcard, Blacktop Mourning, Greenday, and Mayday Parade.

I will be starting a rock band soon, possibly in the fall. I hope all goes well for me with that. I’ll be playing lead vocals and possibly keyboard/piano, though I’m not entirely sure about everything yet. I’ve been writing a few songs during these past summer days. One of them is based on a real life experience, called “Together”.