We asked some of the brightest folks from within the community to reflect back on their days in school and to share with us a story of when they learned a particularly important or impactful lesson. We’ve shared highlights below.

Aleena Walters

I was only eight years old when I learned that the people you love most can be taken from you before you’re ready. My aunt wasn’t just my aunt—she was the softest part of my childhood. She taught me how to sew. She loved the color purple. She always made me feel seen, even when I didn’t have the words to explain how I felt. Before she passed, she told me she’d come back as a white butterfly. Read more>>

Saer Fairchild

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned came during my time as a psychology and neuroscience student in college- and what I learned wasn’t a fact or theory learned in a singular class, it was a shift in how I understood people.

As a psychology buff, I was- and still am- completely fascinated by how the brain processes information, makes decisions, and reacts to its surroundings. One day, in a lecture on cognitive load and environmental triggers, my professor said something along the lines of: Read more>>

Wren Halpern

One of the most important lessons I learned while majoring in animation in college was how crucial critique is for the artistic process. As someone who has been writing and drawing since I was little, I had some experience with critique, but I also tend to take things too personally. I love the work that I do and feel strong about it, but that also means I can get too close to my projects. When I get stuck or feel that I can’t move forward on a project, getting outside opinions or talking through the issues I’m having is always incredibly helpful. Furthermore, it is so important to listen to other viewpoints and experiences when creating art, especially when you’re depicting an experience or identity different from your own. Read more>>

Alicia Tippit

The most important lesson I learned in school was when I signed up for a community college Art class because I thought I wanted to be a Graphic Designer. Art had always been a passion of mine, and in thinking about a career that I could pursue through the means of more schooling, a career in Art sounded great. Read more>>

Macky Conlin

The most important lesson from my college years is the one I’m still learning now as I navigate recently post grad life- and that’s the importance of community. As I write this, I’m sitting in the guest bedroom of my best friend’s house. I drove over three hours to spend a few days with her for her birthday tomorrow. Ever since I moved away, our visits have been few and far between, needing to bridge the distance with virtual hangouts and calling when we can. This is the first time in over three years that we’ve been able to celebrate either of our birthdays together on the day, which feels simultaneously extremely special and very saddening. Read more>>