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.

Rae Lee

When I was in high school, my English teacher wanted us to do a 2-3 page paper on a topic of our choice. I chose snakes because I was really interested in all kind of animals and spent quite a bit of time at the zoo. I turned the paper in and was sure it was an A paper. It was all that she had asked for and more. Clearly, I was wrong and I made an D on the paper. Read more>>

Ashutosh Rokade

I was fortunate to be surrounded by talented friends in college, each excelling in their respective fields. I have had friends who were singers, musicians, dancers, fine artists, writers, poets, and photographers. From them I learned the importance of wholeheartedly embracing one’s craft and continuously striving for improvement. I studied architecture in my undergrad. Read more>>

Chenyu Yang

Back in college, I was enrolled in an advanced graphic design course. The class was known for its rigorous projects and demanding critiques. Our professor was both inspiring and challenging, pushing us to think beyond the surface aesthetics of design and delve into the deeper meanings and narratives behind our work. Read more>>

Chase O’Donnell

I studied theater at UC Santa Barbara. It isn’t known for it’s theater department, but the lessons I learned there have proven to be what’s gotten me ahead in my comedy career. Because there were only 11 of us in my BFA class, we each received plenty of undivided attention and had ample opportunities to perform. Read more>>