Hi there everybody! 
My name is Olivia and it would mean the world for me if you please take a second to read my story:

I am currectly an incoming sophomore at Penn State University. I am studying BFA Musical Theatre, which is something that, as many of my close friends know, I am eternally passionate about. I have been singing since before I could walk, and discovered my knack for the stage at around 12 years old. I've been tied at the hip with performing ever since. 

I was brought up in a family of performers. Both of my parents are professional singers, but money became very tight right before I went away for school.  This year really became a struggle due to many personal health problems and expenses we've had to put toward that. I am very grateful that my parents and I were able to seek out proper guidance to get me healthy again and were able to find the tools I needed to move forward. Unfortunately, the money that was suddenly required to achieve this came right out of my college fund. It has affected everything in my life. My dreams of training at Penn State are at stake because of this. 

I was originally counting on a very helpful scholarship from French Woods, the summer camp I have grown up at, but I am unable to fulfill the work I would need to earn the scholarship. It's a wonderful place that has given me many golden, cherished memories that I will never forget. 

I have recently approached PSU's financial aid services about my situation and how I will not be able to return in the Fall if I they could not provide more financial assistance. They informed my family and I that there was very little more they coulf do to help us. They have been very generous with me and I appreciate all they are doing. I attend one of the most enpensive Universities in the country, so sadly it just isn't enough to get me into my sophomore year.  It's very difficult for me to imagine having to leave when I'm just getting started! 

Penn State is a very expensive university that I have worked myself down to the bone artistically to get into. I have decided that before I am forced to leave the Universty due to insufficient funds, I would give GoFundMe a try. My life and education is now in the hands of anyone who is willing to help. Whether it be $1, $5, or a generous $10...it will help me get one step closer to having the proper education for a successful career in the arts. 

I am grateful for the money that has been raised so far, and I hope to reach my goal before the end of the summer! If I cannot, I will be forced to withdraw from the school of my dreams. 
I am the first person in my family to go to college and I am so proud of how far my drive and commitment to my craft has brought me! I have learned more than anyone could ever imagine this past year. I began to find myself as a human being, making life long friends with people who want nothing more than to see everyone reach their dreams. I have found home at Penn State, and I am not leaving without knowing I did everything in my power to take control of my own life and get the education I deserve as a young artist. 


Accomplishments

Growing up, I attended both a middle school and high school of the performing arts. During my junior year of High School, I was deemed a 2014 Young Arts Finalist in Musical Theatre. I was one in 21 young students selected via audition video to study MT for a week in Miami with a number of respectable mentors. I worked with many successful actors, and was chosen by the incomparable Michael McElroy to be one of his mentee's. During that week I was amongst some of the most talented young adults in the world, and I felt so privilaged to have worked with them personally.
You can see my Young Arts Video Here: 

In my senior year, I was selected as a Pathfinder nominee in Musical Theare amongst the entire theatre departement, and was extremely humbled to have received second place. 

Thanks to the summer camp I had attended for the past six summers, I was able to experiment as an actress, playing roles that were far out of my age range such as Mama Rose in Gypsy, Margaret in The Light in the Piazza and Dianna in Next to Normal. Believe it or not, I actually did play many roles appropriate for my age like the title character in Violet, Bonnie in Bonnie & Clyde, and Dot in Sunday in the Park with George. You can find a plethora of videos of me on youtube by simply searching: Olivia Dei Cicchi. 

Thank you so much for taking the time to read through this long page! If you could donate even a dollar to help me out, it would help me reach my goal of training at one of the best Theatre programs in the country, and in my heart, the world! 

Thank you :)