As a little kid, I thought that math was just something you had to learn in school. Now I know that math is a powerful tool that I use daily. It helps me solve problems and become a better thinker. It can be challenging, but that’s what makes it fun. One cool fact is that I had math class for the first period of my freshman, sophomore, and junior year in high school. I would often say, “Math wakes me up!” Geometry was really enjoyable because I was able to master formulas that I first learned in sixth grade like area, volume, perimeter, and surface area. I also learned to incorporate algebraic equations to solve more complex problems using formulas like the pythagorean theorem. Writing proofs was very difficult, but it taught me how to think logically and recognize patterns. Another great thing I love about math is utilizing it in my science classes like chemistry and physics. I felt confident using my math skills to solve for percentage error after completing an experiment, determining how fast something moves, or calculating the amount of force applied to an object. These experiences showed me that math is more than numbers and formulas. Math helps us understand how the world works. Math also gives me a great feeling of satisfaction when I work through a challenging problem and finally find the answer. It may not always be easy, but math has taught me to think logically, be persistent, and believe in my ability to solve difficult problems. This is why I love math!

It all started with a Magna Doodle board when I was 3 years old. I would draw on it while watching my favorite cartoon shows and erase quickly so that I could draw the next scene. Since then, I’ve explored a variety of classic media and techniques like watercolor and acrylic paint, charcoal, ink, pastels, figure drawing, and comics. Each style has given me a different perspective and added something new to my unique art style. I also count my voice and my guitar as essential design tools. I spend hours practicing voice acting, serve as one of my school’s PA announcers, and I am taking a theater class this school year to build my performance skills. I like to draw cartoons, people, animals, and backgrounds. I especially love designing my own characters and featuring them in relatable stories that make people feel seen, inspired, and happy. What I dream about most, though, is bringing my stories to life in animated shorts and film. I will design my own characters, voice them, and create music for them. By sharing my imagination and life experiences through the worlds I create, I hope to inspire others to embrace their differences and follow their dreams too! My favorite artist is Stephen Kroninger because he creates strong, effective collage pieces that are featured on social media, film/TV, advertisements, and even in museums. What I like about his collage pieces is that he creates his images using different cutout pieces from just magazines and newspapers. My favorite piece by him is a collage called "Washington Square Park." It is an energetic scene filled with all kinds of people hanging out in the park. The guitarist in the picture catches my eye because he reminds me of myself playing electric guitar. I admired Stephen’s work so much that I reached out to him online in the summer of 2023. He responded and the rest was history! During a birthday trip to New York last year, I received an unforgettable surprise: the opportunity to collaborate with Stephen on a custom gorilla collage and visit the real Washington Square Park with him. Stephen’s work inspired me to create two of my own collages. The first one, "Fabrilliant Face", is a self-portrait that was made with African fabrics from my grandmother. This piece is really special because it shows my heritage. The second one, "Colorful Galaxy", is a space odyssey created with watercolor, magazine cutouts, and African fabrics. In this piece I combined Stephen’s influence with my love of color, storytelling, and world-building. Getting to know Stephen and learning from his work has helped me grow as an artist. He encourages me to explore different art forms, use ordinary materials in new ways, and take risks. That is why he is my favorite artist.