Student profile
Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
Today, I sit alongside five children with cognitive disabilities. Opening a platform of expression for underrepresented youth, I guide their hands to a paintbrush. A leader of social justice work, I see myself in these children as I look back to who I used to be... I woke up from these dreams, as a loud intellect with a quiet voice. As an active thinker, I witnessed my revelations inspire new ideas, never having been pursued. Victim to the fear of failure that hindered my ability to turn contemplation into action, I hid my thoughts from the canvas of the world. It wasn't until I experimented with the darkest of paints and the lightest of chalks that I channeled my creativity to help disadvantaged populations voice their opinions.
As I entered my first art class in 10th grade, I expected nothing but a 50-minute time slot designated to myself. Glancing at the wide range of oil pastels, I settled for three shades of blue: a cohesive pastel blue, a calming light blue, and a frighteningly dark blue. Beginning to sketch a female figure with the darkest shade, I felt a projection of my ideal self in her features. While she resembled the statue I intended to recreate, her eyes were more determined and her face exerted confidence. The first sketch signified a new-found assertiveness in character. I began to shade her in with the light blue I had acquired. She came alive with passion for her goals and emphasized the desire to take action. Finally, I colored in the pastel blue to blend each region together. By doing so, I united the personality I had created, combining the boldness and action. Finishing up the portrait, I found a self-assured figure refined by a blue euphonious wave. The woman in the drawing was me.
While the oil painting began as an impulsive decision, guided by my fears, it ended as a prominent choice, led by my feelings. For once, I learned to mute the voice of my worries and give the microphone to my introspection. I began to invest more time doodling, staying up all night to match the concepts I imagined. When I had a sketchbook in hand, I could speak the loudest.
Today, I sit with five students at 'Friends of Children with Special Needs,' as an art teacher helping children express themselves effectively. Working with a 15-year-old girl, I noted a resemblance of myself. As one child began to scream, she responded by drawing a crying bird, channeling her grievances into a tangible picture. Each weekend, I witness these kids become more eager to create. Offering my preferred mode of self-expression to them, I hope to inspire them to channel their creativity despite adversity.
Showcasing my work on the public sphere through social media, I start conversations about matters I'm passionate about. Sketching a female figure with words of empowerment, I advocate for issues such as women's rights through my drawings. Advancing such passions beyond artistic endeavors, I sought to help alleviate stigma around contraceptives. I began to participate in activities such as the UC Berkeley BioEHS competition, designing an implantable device that could periodically release birth control and thus help women avoid picket lines. Presenting months of research to judges and creating videos on reproductive health, I have moved from a reluctant student to an emerging artist and social advocate. Gaining the confidence needed to thrive in a society dominated by the viewpoints of the loudest speakers, I have learned the importance of speaking out, whether that be through an oil pastel and paper or an action towards social improvement.
I decide which element of myself should be colored each day, whether it be the piercing ice blue of an unreached goal or the navy blue of passionate inspiration. These choices draw the picture. I live through colorful paintings, bringing youth with unexpressed voices onto the ever-changing canvas.