I was the kid that was always coloring or drawing. The kid that would ask to create something, like a picture or cartoon, instead of writing an essay in school. I am neurodiverse. For most of my life, this is not something I would lead with to describe myself. I never thought it defined me, but I realized that not everyone is patient or understanding, but most importantly, being “diverse” is remarkable. In addition, I realized that because of it, I am an artist. I have an auditory processing disorder, so understanding and interpreting auditory information are complex. In my journey, I found that I could “communicate” and understand the things around me through drawing and art.

 

I took art and gaming classes in and out of school, which helped me achieve my goals. I loved them and was good at them. I have learned that life is never easy, and my path to success will probably look different than most others, but if I make a plan, create structure, and don’t give up, I can accomplish my goals. Along with the support I have from my family. I have seen myself grow as a person and an artist during the last few years. I am excited about my next chapter – getting a bachelor’s degree and a job in the art field. I am especially interested in animation, graphic design, and illustration. This would be the greatest gift - doing what I love and getting paid for it.