“What is an art director?” I had searched on Google. Unsatisfied with the search results, I navigated across the page to videos. Maybe I would have better luck there. “Perfect.” A grin and a sigh of triumph percolated across my face. At the top of the page, I found a bright display of colors on a YouTube video, with a title matching my exact query.

The butterflies in my stomach arose from their dormant cocoons as a massive wave of information soared over me in whimsical ecstasy. “Photoshop wizard” … “alum of the Texas Creative program” … “associate creative director at TracyLocke” … “master at conceptual ideation” … “creative mind”. My mind went numb as I was enveloped into a world previously unbeknownst to me. I had transcended – seen my future in greater detail than the stars and moon could ever prophesize. Snap! A forceful gust of wind whipped the blinds above me into my room window, and I was commanded back to reality.

When I was in elementary school, I would consistently receive unsatisfactory marks in the behavior section of my report cards. Why? Well, simply put, I could not keep my mouth shut. Every day, I sent my teacher a constant barrage of questions, exclamations, and suggestions. At the beginning of the day, at the end, in the middle of lessons… My instructors were never safe from my incessant commentary. When learning about music, “Why do half rests look like top hats?” In science, “Why can’t I run faster than the speed of light?”

“Why?” In my childhood, this unsuspectingly simple question guided my often-naïve understanding of the world. I traipsed along in innocent ignorance yearning to become as close to omniscient as possible. I had been indoctrinated with the idea that I was the “smart kid”, which only fueled this naïve perception of the inner workings of the mechanical watch that we call the world – infinitely nuanced yet enslaved to the inexorability of time.

As I grew older, my angelic purity waned. Growing up in an increasingly technologically-dependent age, I watched as the brains of my peers were contorted and jaded into believing that wickedness and hatred were synonymous with normality. Still yet, I searched for the answer to why.

Throughout my teenage years, I have come to appreciate the intersectionality between logic, analytical reasoning, innovation, and creativity. My insatiable desire to learn and expand my inherently limited and biased perspective has manifested itself principally in research, art, and activism. In high school, my mother constantly found herself peeling me away from my computer as I attempted to find the best lawn mower, brand of flooring, or paint color for our home. Still, I find myself struggling to take a break from pouring myself into a new license plate redesign, custom typeface, or mock ad campaign that I’m perpetually “just finishing up”.

The term relaxation is a concept my brain knows nothing of. My mind is always churning, my gears spinning – conjuring up another project to develop or cause to fight for. To me, my time at UT is another project to cultivate – another journey to embark on. While now, from my older, yet sometimes still naïve perspective, I understand omniscience is not something I will ever fully achieve. But as for my quest to find out “why”, it will forever be the source of power in my life.

Major:
Advertising

Honors Program:
Moody College Honors Program

Other Academic Interests:
Real Estate

What drew you to the Forty Acres Scholars Program?
The Forty Acres Scholars Program is a multi-faceted blessing of connection, access, camaraderie, discovery, distinction, and compassion. Since my sophomore year of high school, UT was my dream school. In every forethought I considered of my future, UT was a part of my journey. Having the privilege to attend my dream school alongside a family of driven, tenacious, and kind-hearted scholars while having unhindered access to distinguished and ambitious alumni who are dedicated to seeing me succeed felt nothing short of a fantasy. I saw, and continue to see, the Forty Acres Scholars Program as a divine alignment of the stars, and I am humbled to have the opportunity to be a part of it.

What makes your scholar cohort unique?
In pursuit of critical thinking, ideation, and innovation, having a diverse worldview is vital. One strength of our cohort, in particular, is that we have the most out-of-state scholars in recent history. This additional factor of variety in our perspectives and outlooks will, in my opinion, allow us to interact with the world as global citizens in a truly special way.