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Natalia Robles

1,865

Bold Points

1x

Finalist

1x

Winner

Bio

Hello, I'm Natalia Robles. I am deeply passionate about animation and aspire to contribute to the creative processes in film and game design. I recently reached a significant milestone by being accepted into the selective animation department of my dream school. Now, I am diligently working to secure the funds needed to pursue this incredible opportunity. Creativity and continuous learning are central to my life. In my free time, I enjoy honing my skills and spending quality time with my family. As a proud member of a Mexican immigrant family, I am honored to be the fifth first-generation college student among my six siblings. My grandpa's wisdom, "If you are going to do something, do it to the best of your ability," is a principle I hold dear. Whether it's a simple task like tidying up the house or an important endeavor like applying for scholarships, I strive to do my personal best. I embrace failure as a part of the learning and growth process, and I am committed to personal improvement.

Education

North Star Academy

High School
2022 - 2023

Miscellaneous

  • Desired degree level:

    Bachelor's degree program

  • Majors of interest:

    • Design and Applied Arts
    • Film/Video and Photographic Arts
    • Fine and Studio Arts
    • Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management
  • Not planning to go to medical school
  • Career

    • Dream career field:

      Animation

    • Dream career goals:

    • Assistant Drama Coach

      Arch Co-Op
      2023 – 20241 year
    • Guest Experiences Associate

      Grants Farm STL
      2024 – Present9 months
    • Grade school art teacher

      Arch Co-op
      2023 – 20241 year
    • Front Counter Team Member

      Chick-fl-a
      2022 – 20231 year

    Sports

    Climbing

    Club
    2022 – 20231 year

    Arts

    • Arch Co-Op

      Computer Art
      2023 – Present
    • Arch Co-Op

      Acting
      2023 – Present
    • Visual Arts Club

      Visual Arts
      2022 – 2023

    Public services

    • Volunteering

      Pauline Books and Media — To help The Daughters of St. Paul as they host their yearly events
      2017 – Present
    • Volunteering

      Kids of Victory — I lead multiple groups of kids ages 7-13 through a highly active Bible camp.
      2018 – Present
    • Volunteering

      VBS — Vacation Bible School leader
      2023 – Present
    • Volunteering

      Trash for Trees — To clean up trash, count it and planting trees in its place.
      2023 – Present
    • Volunteering

      Great Rivers Greenway — To clean up the trash in the near by rivers for a better, cleaner environment.
      2022 – Present

    Future Interests

    Advocacy

    Volunteering

    Philanthropy

    Entrepreneurship

    Hilda Klinger Memorial Scholarship
    Winner
    Becoming an artist was always in my blood. I can't remember a specific time when art struck me; it has just always been there. One of my earliest memories was sneaking into my grandparents' basement, past the 20-gallon fish tank, and through a small wooden door into my grandpa's painting room. The moment you walked in, you were immediately struck by the smells of acrylic paint and turpentine. It was a humble room with hand-built wooden shelves and paintings filling every inch of the walls. In the middle of the tight space stood a little easel with his current painting. I would marvel at his progress and get so excited to see it finished. While everyone else was trying sports, math, and dance in grade school, I was devoting countless hours to art. I was so invested in my improvement that I quit all extracurricular activities, wanting to spend every minute creating. Over the years, I explored pottery, painting, drawing, and animating, but I never strayed far from the arts. I never grew out of that drive. When I was still in grade school, my grandpa pulled me aside and gifted me some of his paint supplies (I had only been drawing with pencils before this). He told me he noticed how much I loved doing art. He was proud of me and wanted to see what I could create. As someone I look up to in so many different aspects, I was absolutely beaming. My creative bone came from him and will always remind me of him, even though he passed away a year ago. For the inspiration he gave me and the support he showed, my grandpa is my favorite artist. Like Hilda Klinger, my grandpa never had the opportunity to attend art school—or even finish grade school. As an immigrant, my grandpa raised his seven children in a country he didn't know. He had a lot of responsibility but never gave up on art. His paintings were of simple towns and seascapes. His signature elements were cranes and lighthouses, which he just loved to include and I love to point out in real life. My grandpa's dedication to his art, despite his challenges, mirrors Hilda Klinger's own journey and passion. Stories like these inspire me to pursue my dream of becoming a professional artist, despite hardships. This scholarship would provide me with the financial support I need to follow in their footsteps and continue to grow as an artist. Thank you for considering my application for the Hilda Klinger Memorial Scholarship.