What grades did you attend Bullis? What year did you graduate?
3rd-12th grades, Class of '20
Where did you attend college and what is your occupation?
School of the Art Institute Chicago, currently focusing on student work
What activities or classes were most memorable for you as you reflect on your time at Bullis?
I have great memories of art classes in the morning and spirit days.
How did Bullis best prepare you for college and beyond?
The presentation skills I was exposed to were really valuable and even though I didn't always enjoy presentations, having that practice really pays off in the long run.
Please tell us about what you have been doing since graduating from Bullis.
I have been mostly focused around the Drawing and Painting department at SAIC and honing my illustration skills.
Which part of your journey has been most rewarding?
Drawing never really becomes less time consuming, but I'm learning more each time I practice.
What would you say to Bullis students who are currently on their journey to finding purpose?
It's okay to not be sure what you really want to do, but make sure whatever you are committing yourself to makes you happy.
Who is someone that inspires you and how?
It's hard for me to narrow down to specifics, but my connection to family and friends is really important for my work. Being a good artist and a good person in general is really about keeping supportive relationships with people.
What is the best book or production that you have read, watched, or listened to lately?
Recently I had to read an excerpt from The Secret Language of Color: Science, Nature, History, Culture, Beauty of Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, & Violet by Joann Eckstut and Arielle Eckstut (2013) for color theory, which explains the connection between color in art, science, and chemistry. Even though a lot of people associate colors with reality, it's really a more internal, perceptual experience than anything else. Color isn't really a part of anything, it's just how many people experience the world around them.
What global challenge would you like to see tackled and how do you see yourself contributing to the positive change that you desire?
As we are all working through the pandemic and the conflict in its aftermath, I wish there was more emphasis on empathy and healing collectively in the news and online. Even when I find these new challenges exhausting and frustrating, I try to think from another perspective and keep moving forward.
Why would you tell a prospective family to choose Bullis?
Being able to connect more with teachers and students in the classroom one on one is a valuable opportunity offered at Bullis. It's much easier to work through how much you understand in the classroom; and you get to know people as more than just someone you sit next to or someone you listen to for 45 minutes each day.
