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Emma Vopal

1x

Finalist

1x

Winner

General information

Hobbies & Interests

  • 3D Modeling
  • American Sign Language (ASL)
  • Art
  • Animation
  • Babysitting And Childcare
  • Church
  • Crocheting
  • Game Design and Development
  • Horseback Riding
  • Minecraft
  • National Honor Society (NHS)
  • Softball
  • Basketball
  • Archery
  • Community Service And Volunteering
  • Baking
  • Dungeons And Dragons
  • Drawing And Illustration
  • Dance
  • Gaming
  • Graphic Design
  • Korean
  • Music
  • Magic The Gathering
  • Poetry
  • Reading
  • Spending Time With Friends and Family
  • STEM
  • Volunteering
  • Writing
  • Youth Group
  • digital art

Reading

  • Fantasy
  • Adult Fiction
  • Young Adult
  • Romance

I read books multiple times a week.

Bio

I am a digital artist and aspiring game designer preparing to major in Video Game Animation. Growing up alongside my twin sister, who has Down syndrome, taught me early how deeply exclusion can affect someone—and how much it matters to find a place where you belong. I found mine in some unexpected places. In Minecraft, I joined a collaborative community of builders where I could create, problem-solve, and eventually help others with their own builds. At school, I found my people in Tech Crew, where I now serve as President, working with everything from complex wiring and programming lighting cues to running the booth during major productions. At church, years spent in youth group and service have come full circle: after turning 18, I chose to stay and step into an adult leadership role. Creating is also simply part of who I am. I crochet, build digital worlds, and am learning 3D modeling in Blender, worldbuilding in Unreal Engine 5, and digital character design in Procreate. Along the way, I developed my own “plan, build, improve” approach, which helped me overcome academic struggles with ADHD and earn twelve consecutive Honor Rolls, induction into the National Honor Society, and my Seal of Biliteracy in American Sign Language. Now, I want to bring everything I have learned about creativity, community, and inclusion into game design. I hope to build immersive worlds where people can find their own place in the story, because everyone deserves to feel like they belong.

Education

Ridge High School

High School

2023 – 2027

Miscellaneous

Desired degree level:
Bachelor's degree program
Majors of interest:
Design and Applied Arts, Visual and Performing Arts, General, Visual and Performing Arts, Other, Fine and Studio Arts
Desired degree modality:
In-Person
Medical school interest:
No
English as first language:
Yes
Homeschooled:
No

Career

  • Vacation Bible School - Team Leader

    Religion · Liberty Corner Presbyterian Church

    Jan 2026 – Present

  • Tech Crew - program lighting/complex wiring/working the sound board for the school's productions

    Performing Arts · Ridge High School Performing Arts Center

    Jan 2023 – Present

Miscellaneous

Dream career field:
Arts, Computer Games, Graphic Design
Work experience:
1 year
Has nursing license:
No
Leadership experience:
Yes

Future Interests

  • Advocacy
  • Volunteering
Emma Vopal Student Profile | Bold.org