Contrary to popular belief, getting diagnosed with Autism was one of the best experiences of my life. For the first time, I had an explanation for why I struggled so much at school, why I always felt different from my peers, why everything seemed to overwhelm me so much more than other people. For the first time, instead of viewing myself as a broken person, I am able to see that I am a whole Autistic person. For me, and for many other Autistic people, grade school was a nightmare. Socially, I was forever on the outside looking in. Academically, I was deemed gifted at a young age and thus felt the need to overperform in every aspect of my classes, leaving me chronically burnt out. Like many Autistic students, depression and anxiety hit hard and life felt like a brick wall. I felt stuck; if I could hardly manage grade school, how would I ever manage college? Currently, I am a junior at the Cleveland Institute of Art, majoring in Game Design. It took years of self reflection, hitting the lowest of the lows, and rising back out of it stronger for me to feel confident enough to apply to CIA. And for me, discovering my Autism was the tipping point in this decision; I was now equipped with new knowledge about my needs, differences, and strengths, and I felt strong enough to take that leap. Of course, I still struggle in many areas—understanding Autism doesn’t magically negate the struggles it can bring about. I still have quite a hard time socially, and school still often leaves me exhausted. But I have found strength in pursuing art in education and as a career; it took me years longer than it should have to work this one out, but art is one of my longest-standing special interests! Being surrounded by others who are passionate about it is a complete reversal from my grade school experiences. This is one of my favorite aspects at a school completely centered around art. It feels like I can never get enough of learning about it and honing my skills, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. As I enter my junior year, I have been contemplating more and more what career path I would like to follow. While a specialized job in the gaming industry is likely the most attainable, I have never been one to give up that easily. My dream is to start an indie game studio, or even more daring, to make a complete game experience on my own. Even if it’s not possible right away, or it takes years and years of work, I refuse to give up on that. As an artist, I feel a responsibility to provide content that resonates with people and that represents us all as equally worthy of dignity and representation. I’ve noticed a distinct lack of diversity and many gaming communities, and that’s something I wish to change. Secondary to a game production career, I have been exploring the idea of teaching art in the future. I currently work at my college as an Ambassador for Inclusive Learning, as well as a temporary position as a summer Teaching Assistant. I’ve always felt a strong calling for helping others, and by teaching I could both engage with my passion and guide future artists. Wherever my career takes me in life, I want to leave everywhere I go better than how I found it with special regard to accessibility. No matter someone’s disability, I believe we should feel fulfilled and valued in what we do.

Six years ago, I realized I was transgender. Growing up and living in a small town in Ohio meant that my high school was not a friendly space for LGBTQ+ students. Despite this, I socially transitioned at school and spent every day in fear and discomfort, hoping no one would make fun of me or worse. It was one of the most intense and emotional times in my life. If I could go back and change it, would I? Absolutely not. Two years ago I enrolled at the Cleveland Institute of Art as a Game Design major and was blown away by how different it was from my high school. For the first time, I felt accepted and included in a school setting. More than anything, I felt safe. And as soon as I felt this, I knew I needed to help other students feel the same way. I didn’t realize just how painful my previous experiences were until I was able to experience the freedom I do now. Early on in my second year of college, I got a work-study job as a student ambassador for inclusive learning. In this position, I worked directly with a staff member and another student to bring change to CIA, because despite all the good I saw, there were still things to fix. Many transgender students here have had ongoing issues with being deadnamed in the school system and subsequently in class settings. I made it a point to address this, as well as to bring more awareness and attention to the specific needs of our trans students as a whole. As a Game Design major, I wasn’t sure what to expect at first. Historically, the video games industry has lagged behind in terms of progressiveness; I was hopeful for what CIA had to offer, but past experiences told me not to be too hopeful, that maybe I needed to tread lightly. But during my very first class within my major, we had a long discussion about the problems within the gaming industry and the importance of our role in helping to make it better. For the first time in a long time, it felt like my instructor was speaking the same language as me. I’ve seen firsthand the effects of both negative and positive educational experiences, and more and more I feel the need to contribute to making schools more inclusive. Post-graduation, I would like to make my own game studio—one that will put forth content that includes everyone. As video games become ever more popular, I see the importance of what stories are being presented and how. Because players directly interact with games, the emotional impact of what they play is heightened; it is for this reason that being careful about how we represent people is extremely important. I want to create experiences that will bring joy to those being represented, and also show others that difference can very much be a good thing. I also have been cultivating an interest in teaching art in the future. Though my high school experience was overall quite rough, there were a precious few teachers who showed unwavering compassion for their students and made my high school career that much more bearable. I want to be that person for someone. I want to support growing students and show them that they are worth it, that they have value and deserve to be heard. I want to be proof that you can survive and thrive as an LGBTQ+ person, so long as you keep fighting for it.

The role of the artist is often overlooked, but it is typically artists and creatives who are the drivers of change. This especially rings true in today’s world, where more and more we see the popularization of media—whether that’s through video games, animation, special effects, and more. With the rise of internet culture and a resurgence of appreciation for art in all its mediums, the responsibilities of both large studios and individual artists has never been more important. It’s not just the “what” that people consume that affects their worldview—it’s the “how.” The way in which stories are presented is equally, if not more, impactful on the viewer. While an overtly political movie, for example, would likely attract certain audiences and push others away, a political story in the form of an animated, story-driven film has a far greater chance of reaching more viewers. And this is not the only example; product ads, corporate marketing, and much more are increasingly leaning on artists to provide content for them. Because of this, artists need to understand the impact their work can have on both the individual consumer and the wider public. From the standpoint of a Game Design student, I have seen this lesson many times over. And it is especially true when it comes to stories one can interact with. Video games can be some of the most immersive experiences out there; the player, in most cases, has a direct influence over what happens within the game. To me, it is unreasonable at best and dangerous at worst to assume that the emotions and choices associated with that do not bleed over into real life. It’s for this reason creators need to be careful with what they present, as audiences can quickly internalize what they consume. It is my goal as both an artist and student looking to enter the gaming industry to seek change and understanding. All too often, I see a lack of diversity within the industry itself, and as a result, in the games being produced. I do not take my responsibility as a creator lightly; rather, I wish to use it to make positive steps forward. Through art, I want to give everyone a chance to feel the immense joy and inspiration that comes from being represented.

To say I love art is a major understatement. Art has been in my life for as long as I can remember, and my appreciation for it has only grown as I’ve become older. I’ll be entering my sophomore year at the Cleveland Institute of Art this fall, where I’m majoring in Game Design. I chose this path for a number of reasons: to pursue what I’m passionate about, to learn as much as I can, and to make a difference in the world. The video games industry is fast-growing, but despite this, I’ve noticed a distinct lack of diversity in many games. This is something I intend to change; as a disabled person and a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I want to offer my perspectives to the video games industry and create change from the inside out. People of all ages play video games, and the more they become a part of daily life, the more they influence the opinions of others. What creators present, whether intentional or not, will impact the people that play their games. That’s why I think inclusion is such an important (but often overlooked) part of video games—it can be the difference between reinforcing stereotypes or having a player resonate with a character for the first time. As someone who has played video games since childhood, the opportunity to create my own seemed like a dream come true. But I realized that I can do more than just that; I can help other people, too. In the games that I’ve played, I have never come across a transgender character. This is just one example, but from firsthand experience, it does hurt to never see yourself reflected in the characters you love. I believe creators have a responsibility to be deliberate about what they create; purposefully or not, art always has a message, and it’s up to the creator to be responsible about what they put into the world. As someone with a goal to be in the arts field, I want to use my abilities in a way that will help other people, while also pursuing what I’m passionate about. As the video games industry continues to grow, I want the messages it sends to grow with the world. The times are always changing, and in the face of these changes, acceptance and inclusion are our strongest allies.

As people grow, they learn all sorts of lessons about the world—how things work, how to do certain tasks, how to navigate uncertain situations. But there's one lesson that I've been taught many times over, and that I am still continuing to learn every day. This lesson is about perseverance. There have been many times in my life where continuing just seems impossible, whether that's in regards to school, work, or even life itself. Sometimes it just seemed entirely overwhelming, or unpredictable; giving up would have been the easiest solution. But one thing that I've realized time and time again is that the easy way out is hardly ever rewarding. Though we all experience it in different capacities, difficult experiences are a part of everyone's lives. In my experiences with mental health, social expectations, and gender identity, sometimes navigating these situations felt like far too much to handle. Trying to face these challenges, especially at crucial times in my life, felt like an uphill battle. All too often I wondered if any of it was worth all the trouble. However, I did not give up. The easy way out is exactly what it sounds like--easy to do, and easy to manage—but it didn't feel like life. It turns out that facing these fears and doubts really, truly, was worth it. Something I discovered early on was that trying to run away from or avoid my problems rarely ever did any good. It just let them build up, and eventually they caught up to me. I realized that there was a lot I needed to work through; I felt that if I didn’t, I would be stuck in the same place forever. And that didn’t mean I had to face this alone—having people that support you is one of the most valuable things someone can have. I am lucky enough to have family and friends that I can lean on, and I do the same for them too. I felt trapped, but I wanted to change that. Had I given up, I wouldn't be where I am today, in many senses of the phrase. I wouldn't be able to live as my most authentic self, or pursue what I'm passionate about, or maybe not be here at all. I wouldn’t have met the friends I have today, or grown closer to my family. Persevering through every challenge, big and small, that life has thrown at me, has allowed me to grow as a person so much. This is a lesson that I'm still continuing to learn every day; the thought of what I've been through, and where I'm going, is a reminder that sticking it through is always worth it. Life doesn't always go exactly our way (in fact, it rarely does), but that doesn't mean we should give up when it does. Rather, it can serve as motivation to keep going—the good will always be a mystery to us if we stop before we get there. And as for the bad moments, once we get through them, they make the good moments that much sweeter.

Being a member of the LGBTQ+ community has had great impacts on my life in all areas. As a transgender and aromantic individual, I believe that my experiences have made me into the person I am today. I used to wish I was not transgender because of the struggles I have gone through; however I have come to realize that every experience I have had because of my identity, both good and bad ones, have shaped my life in important ways. I have had existing relationships become stronger, and have made new friends in the LGBTQ+ community. I have also had to come to terms with losing people in my life because of my identity. I know that I am extremely lucky with the amount of support and acceptance I have received from my family and friends. I believe that this degree of acceptance should be commonplace---unfortunately, negative coming out stories are much more common. Because of the support I have, I have done my best to provide that same support for others in my life. I am always open to supporting my LGBTQ+ friends, family, and peers, and I am currently working towards getting involved in a local LGBTQ+ support network in my hometown. Another way I wish to help other people in the community is through my career. As a college Game Design major, it's my goal to make video games that are inclusive to all. Through the years, I have found that diverse representation, especially LGBTQ+ representation, is sorely lacking in the video games industry, and I want to work towards changing that. Seeing oneself represented in media, whether that's on TV, in literature, or in video games, is extremely important for many reasons. It can help someone affirm their own identity and find community, but it can also be a way to educate others if done correctly and respectfully. I want to use my experiences to help others in the LGBTQ+ community in ways that are often overlooked; though LGBTQ+ voices are being heard more and more these days, there are still many ways to help uplift the community, and that is something I want to be a part of.

To me, creating is almost like an instinct; I feel like I can't rest until I've made something new. I've always been interested in drawing and writing since a young age, and have made a point to create art in some form every day. I set that goal for myself about eight years ago, and have held myself to it consistently throughout the years. Being an art student, I get to exercise my creativity almost every day. I'm always up for a challenge, and since I've started school I have had both my technical abilities and my creativity challenged in many ways. Whether it's with a class assignment or my own personal work, I'm always learning new ways to answer creative questions. Having access to a variety of departments and studios at school also means I can experiment with artistic mediums I've never tried before. It can be a challenge to get started with new materials, but it opens up so many possibilities for what can be created from it! Attending art school has brought me out of my comfort zone in the best way—I feel like I can freely exercise my creativity while being immersed in an art-focused setting. I'm excited to continue my education and meet new creative challenges head-on!