When I was asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, as a senior in high school, I couldn’t really give a clear answer. I wanted to be able to do more than just one thing. I wanted to be able to build and design things, to create things that wowed people. During my first year at college, I was at Quinnipiac University learning game design and development; thinking that was the only way for me to create things in a digital space. I quickly learned that animation was more specifically what I had in mind. So, I transferred to a place that would help me achieve my goals. Being able to sit down and create something just from my imagination amazed me.

Through my years at the University of Tampa, I have learned that everything is art. From the pen you write with to the car you drive, every single aspect of everything you watch, buy, or use was designed by an artist. From the moment I sat down in my first 3D modeling course, I was hooked. I saw endless possibilities for not only my future, but the things I would be able to create and achieve. I could build and design cities, from the biggest skyscrapers to the smallest bugs. My eyes were opened.

Over the last several years, I have been learning all the intricacies of the world of animation, and even though I’m aware it’s impossible to learn everything by the time I graduate, that’s not going to stop me from trying.

My college experience has not been all sunshine and rainbows. Junior year I took a class called creative coding; I have never lost so much sleep over a class, nor have I ever had my work torn apart like that after losing so much sleep. But because of being pushed to my limits, by not only the professor but also by the talented students around me, I learned that I can always be pushing myself and my work to new heights.

My ultimate goal is to be a part of an animation team that can push me to be the best artist I can be by helping me develop my skill in all areas of animation and life. The world of animation is vast, and I look forward to every new bit of material that I get to learn in pursuit of my career. Hopefully, I get to make people smile along the way and push people to be the best versions of themselves as well.