In third grade I had art class only twice a year. Those were the two most important and exciting days of my school year and I still remember the projects we did. Being able to express myself creatively allowed me to see that I could be successful at something in the curriculum outside of the math and reading exercises I struggled with. Excelling at these art projects bolstered me with confidence in my own creativity and gave me a sense of satisfaction and pride I had never before known in the classroom.

A career in art has always been my dream. It is a goal that I could only realize with a solid foundation in arts education and the support and encouragement of my family. Both are substantial gifts and overwhelm me with a sense of gratitude and desire to pass my small fortune of support and knowledge on to future generations.

I still struggle to believe that I can succeed and achieve my goals. Life as an artist has always seemed like a dream to me and I have trouble convincing myself that it can be and is a reality. It is and was essential for me to have role models in my academic, now professional, as well as personal life–visions of success to aim toward. In working with children, I hope to encourage and inspire them to have the self-confidence to achieve and exceed whatever dreams they might have.

I am aware of the discrepancies in education in my immediate Los Angeles community and giving back what I have been exposed to in school as well as extra-curricularly is fundamental to my personal philosophy. I feel a great sense of responsibility to dispense the information and experiences I have had the privilege of receiving. To me, the essence of gratitude is the desire and then action of sharing the gifts I have with those around me.

I have struggled with finding the right avenue to pass on my encouragement and experience. I have coached a Special Olympics ski team, working with the athletes every Saturday morning on balance and confidence. I directed the art program at a summer camp and created a class where the children only made projects to benefit the entire camp. For the past two years I have worked with a single student, coaching him, practicing with him, and encouraging him to read. I have seen his confidence and enthusiasm grow with each meeting. I love working with this student and feel that both of us have truly benefited from the time we spend together, but he is one student and there are many more.

Thinking back on the service and projects I have done, I begin to realize how much I have learned about myself in the process. I know it is imperative to my own happiness and fulfillment to not just give back to others, but to share my experience with others. I need to form connections with people where each party has the opportunity to both give as well as receive. Every person has something important to share with someone else and no one can go through life unaided and untouched by others. It is this delicate and vital balance that I want to be a part of.

I think I finally know myself well enough to openly and joyously offer the gifts I have to others without feeling like I am losing a part of myself in the process. As important as it is for me to give back, it is equally important for me to express myself artistically and creatively. Until recently, I didn’t know that I would be able to meet both needs in my life. Now, using my jewelry as a creative outlet as well as a means to give back and inspire others, I am able to see the whole picture. I have never felt more inspired and hopeful. This is what I want to do. This is the way I want to spend my life.