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"My parents have scholarship money put away for me, but it's not that much. Mashanski's parents' original reaction was that it was fake, but they soon realized it was not. With her teachers' permission, she called home, where her mom confirmed that the package was delivered. "I thought that's really weird because I didn't order anything," she said. On May 15, while in school, she received an email telling her a package was delivered to her home from Taco Bell. A girl can dream and I have a lot of dreams." "I aimed big and went for the $25,000," she said. She said she was asked how much of a scholarship she was seeking and she went for the highest amount. She put together a film and submitted it. Mashanski said she is "obsessed" with Taco Bell and when she heard about the scholarship opportunity, she decided to give it a shot. There were a lot of obstacles I had to go through there, but it was worth it." "I know it was scary for my parents, but it got me where I want to be. "I was traveling around on my own," she said. She saved up - working massive hours - to make that dream a reality. She also took acting classes in Los Angeles for two months last summer. Mashanski attended acting camp in California. It's going to take lots of hard work to get it off the ground, but we're getting a lot of support from people out in Los Angeles, including my acting teacher Deborah Lemen." "It's hard enough being in the acting industry itself without having a disability. "Being deaf, my parents inspired me to work with people who are deaf, blind or have other disabilities," she said. She said she wants to give those individuals an opportunity to do something great. She is in the process of starting DHB (Deaf Hearing and Blind Acting Studio), which provides deaf and blind acting and film classes. Mashanski's dream is to open her own production company that showcases deaf, blind and others with disabilities as leads in those films, she said. "Being through it has been a struggle, but I really hope to inspire others and let them know they can attain their dreams," she said. Mashanski said she uses all the hardships she's encountered in her life and poured it into something she absolutely loves - filmmaking and acting. View Gallery: PHOTOS: Family Fun Day at State Theatre New Brunswick Her dad, Tony, got laid off after working 19 years for a company, she said, adding he recently secured a new job. Her mom, Maritza, was also diagnosed twice with breast cancer, most recently in February of 2017, the teen said. In her application video, Mashanski said she grew up with two deaf parents, who struggled to make an income. Winners are not chosen based on academic merit, but rather the passion exhibited in a two-minute video in which applicants discuss what they love to do, the statement said. The Live Más Scholarship is designed to help youth and employees pursue their unique passions that may not necessarily fit into the traditional “academic” or “athletic” categories. Mashanski will use the scholarship to study film arts at Studio School Los Angeles. READ: East Brunswick residents oppose Summerhill Road mixed-use project READ: East Brunswick: Hearing for Summerhill Road development postponed "I just figured every little bit helps, but this I didn't expect." "I never thought I would win and receive that much," she said. She was also among 16 winners who received $25,000 - the highest amount awarded. Mashanski was among 300 people across the country to receive a share of the $3 million in scholarships awarded. "Financially, it took all the weight off my shoulders. "I am so excited and beyond thankful," said Isabella "Bella" Mashanski, 17, a senior at East Brunswick High School. Watch Video: NewsBreak: Waretown students send science projects to SpaceĮAST BRUNSWICK - A township teen was awarded a $25,000 Live Más Scholarship from the Taco Bell Foundation.
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