Growing up as the youngest of four children, I often found myself surrounded by people who excelled in math and science. My brother was talented in physics, and my two sisters excelled in science and mathematics. I admired them and looked up to their accomplishments, but as I grew older, I began to realize that my own strengths and interests were different. I struggled to find the same excitement in STEM that they did, and I started looking for something that felt uniquely mine. Eventually, I found that sense of identity through art and creativity. While my siblings found their passions in understanding how the world works, I found mine in imagining new worlds, telling stories, and creating things that could bring joy to others.

Some of my earliest memories of creativity come from my childhood friendships. I remember talking with my friends about our favorite cartoons and sharing our excitement over the stories and characters we loved. We also made comics together, turning our ideas into something we could share with one another. Looking back, what made those experiences meaningful was not whether our drawings were perfect or our stories were polished. It was the excitement of creating something from our imaginations and watching other people enjoy it. Those experiences taught me that art is not just about making something; it is also about connecting with others. That is still one of the things I value most about creativity today. I want to make art that gives people the same sense of excitement, comfort, and happiness that I experienced when I was younger.

As I grew older, my appreciation for creative work developed into a desire to create something of my own. I began to understand that becoming an artist involves more than enjoying movies, television, or animation. It requires curiosity, patience, and a willingness to learn from the world around me. I try to find inspiration in different parts of my life, whether I am playing a new game, collecting cards, working out, or spending time with others. Each experience gives me a different perspective and reminds me that inspiration can come from unexpected places. I want to continue developing my artistic voice by learning how to transform these influences and experiences into original ideas and stories.

My family has also played an important role in shaping who I am. Working at my family's bakeshop has allowed me to appreciate the effort that goes into building and maintaining something together. It has strengthened my understanding of the connection between family, hard work, and shared responsibility. In many ways, this experience reflects what I value about creating art. Whether working alongside my family or creating something with friends, I have learned that meaningful work often comes from the time, care, and energy people put into it. My family has influenced my life in countless ways, and finding my own path in a creative field has helped me recognize that I can appreciate their strengths while developing a different set of strengths of my own.

As I look toward college, I hope to surround myself with people who are equally passionate about creating and telling stories. I am interested in schools such as CalArts and SCAD because I want to challenge myself, learn from other artists, and develop the technical and creative skills necessary to pursue a career in animation or a related field. I know I still have much to learn, but that is part of what excites me about this next stage of my life. I want to become an artist who can take personal experiences, everyday observations, and imaginative ideas and turn them into work that resonates with others. Growing up as the youngest of four taught me that I do not have to follow the same path as the people I admire. I can learn from them while discovering what makes me different. Creativity has given me a way to express that individuality, connect with the people around me, and share a part of myself with others. As I continue to grow as an artist, I hope to create stories and experiences that remind people of the joy of imagination and the simple happiness of making something together. Ultimately, I want to give others the same feeling that first inspired me to create: the feeling that something you imagine can become real, and that sharing it can make it even more meaningful.

Also thank you Professor Mita for providing this class!
The videos helped me learn a lot and your response to my personal statement was very insightful. Have a great rest of your year!