Later this month 17-year-old Lauren McWhan will jet off to the States to study at The New York Film Academy theatre school.
It has been a busy few months for Lauren who has been fundraising to bridge the gap from her scholarship.
Her acting talents have also been exercised as she landed the lead role of Tracy Turnblad in the StagedRight performance of Hairspray in Carlisle in February.
Speaking about her trip, Lauren said: “I’m very excited to be going away, but also very nervous as I have never been to New York before.”
The teen was given financial help of $4000 for each of the two years but needed to raise an additional £28,000.
Since she was offered the life-changing scholarship, Lauren has been frantically fundraising with a car boot sale, coffee morning and has also received donations.
Lauren commented: “It was a great success thanks to the supportive community of Moffat.
“People have been very generous.”
She will make the move across the pond on August 20 and is yet to find out what will be first in the curriculum, but is looking forward to extending her abilities and learning from state-side professionals.