Support My Dream of NYU

Hello Everyone, Leilani here! As I’ve been fundraising for the last 5 months, it's time I update you guys. If you’re new to my fundraising journey no worries, everything you need to know is still written below with additional new info written in bold.

I've been accepted into NYU's Tisch Special Summer Program. Good Morning, Afternoon, Evening or Night! I'm Leilani (she/her) and I'm 17 years old going into my senior year, located in the Bay Area! As of Saturday, February 24th 2024 (the night I'm writing this) I have been accepted to Tisch School of the Arts Summer Program under the Drama Stonestreet Acting Track.

It is now the middle of June, 2024 where I have only $2,472 left to raise! I’d like to thank everyone who has kept up with and supported my fundraising the past 4 months, and I look forward to going to New York on July 6th!

Through working on my application for countless nights, coffee shop days and many free periods where I should've been studying for upcoming tests, I proudly submitted my application with a sense of fulfillment, knowing I had done my best to showcase myself to my dream school.

Then, I got in. 16 year old me, Leilani Anderson, is 1 of 24 students under this drama track, out of over 800 applicants of the program applying internationally.

I’m now 17 and closer to my goal than ever. The last $2,472 will be solely going towards my housing and meals while in New York. As of May 7th thanks to your guys' loving support, I was able to pay for tuition!

Growing up, finances have never been stable. I’ve moved around 5 times and have been to 5 different schools, living with many different relatives. Up until the start of high school I didn’t have resources for any extracurriculars or outlets of expression that spoke to me like acting and directing. Now, after finding such an opportunity I don’t want it to go to waste, even if that means combating the everlasting obstacle of finances, and to do this I need your help.

This program is extremely valuable to me as NYU is my dream university, and has been since I started acting. The Stonestreet Program that is offered only at Tisch NYU excites me most because it will allow me to train in screen acting skills, be challenged in my acting at a professional level as well as potentially specializing in directing, which is the career path I aspire to go down. In this summer program, I’d be able to get a taste of what college life at Tisch will be like, having the enriching opportunity to learn from industry professionals and NYU faculty. This program gives me the resources to kickstart my career in the industry and build NYU connections now, and gain up to 6 college credits through the program.

As I’ve spent the past 5 months balancing school and fundraising, I have developed a focused mindset on making these goals a reality for me. The time and effort that has gone into the last 5 months will not be going to waste. I’m going to New York and I promise to make this happen.

From city life to the incredible culture and diversity the big apple has, I've always dreamed of being able to go to New York, especially for college. And Although this isn't a "college fund" it is still nonetheless, a fund made for my dreams, helping me take this life changing opportunity that can help me later get into my dream university.

I'm a straight A student and currently have a part-time job where most of those funds are used to lift financial weight off of my dad's shoulders. We're currently in the process of moving houses by the end of May, so most of his finances are making that possible. As I will be working to save as much money on my own, I still need additional support!

I have officially moved houses and still have financial weight on my family’s shoulders, so raising this $2,472 will move mountains to where my dad and I can still live comfortably post-program.

For the next couple weeks, and this past summer, I have and plan to continue to put in as many hours I can into my job! I also will be hosting art booths, selling hand-made jewelry and other special treats we have in store! To keep up with this, please consider taking a look at @lei.art4nyu on Instagram!

Any amount helps as all of the money being raised will go toward the tuition, housing, flight expenses, food and any additional fees of the program.

I’d like to give as much thanks as I can once again! I'd like to thank my friends for helping me revise my application, my video production teacher and one of my past directors for writing my references, and my sister for helping me fundraise! Additionally, for past fundraising booths, I want to thank my friends who have helped run the booth, or have made jewelry to help me sell. I’d like to thank my mom for the diamond art and my dad for trying his best to contribute what he can. This has really been a family, friend and community effort that I’m extremely grateful for. The support through this journey is extremely motivating and appreciated. I cannot continue to express just how grateful I am. My last thank you goes to you, the people who took the time to read this, who have the power to make this happen by sharing and donating.

Please [email redacted]4nyu on Instagram for additional fundraising! And cool jewelry! :)

As always, Thank you. <3