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.

Shannon Craddock

The most impactful lesson I’ve learned in school is that no one cares. I know It sounds a little insane and harsh, but the moment my teacher said it, it just made sense. It was my first semester at the International Center of Photography in New York City critiquing my latest work. To be honest, I thought the images were very lackluster. I was so busy with other school projects and work that I forgot about the assignment until the night before it was due. So I went out and took some photos of a mutual friend in my dorm hall. In my class, I explained that I had been busy, so my work suffered due to my lack of planning, But my teacher, a retired fashion photographer, told me plainly: “No one cares about that. They don’t see what you’re doing before and after the photo is taken, they only see your work. If your work is bad, that’s what they are going to see and know, and that will be their impression of you.” While I’m not the biggest fan of the “telling it how it is” approach for teaching, I understood at that moment what my teacher meant. I realized that from that point on I had to approach every single assignment and project with my full attention. If I wasn’t able to get the photos I wanted, I had to schedule another shoot until I got the results I was looking for. My greatest fear is not being able to do the work I want to, so being told that no one cares about my excuses taught me to do my very best so that I can get to that point. Read more>>

Anna Baeten

I am a woman with a non-traditional educational and career path.

I hold bachelor’s degrees in both Human Biology and Professional Ethics, with a Chemistry minor. I love science and I always will, but it only took me one year working as a chemist in a pharmaceutical lab to decide that the world of laboratory science was not for me. Read more>>

Vienne Brown

During my college years as a Fine Art major, I found myself immersed in a unique lesson that has resonated with me throughout my journey with VienneMilano. Read more>>

Yuyi Si

The pandemic hit while I was in school, bringing uncertainties and questions, which posed challenges and prompted us to reflect on art and design. I was working on the design of an exhibition for our department during that time. Our team implemented the proposal by utilizing the museum’s windows for display and incorporating reflective materials and existing outdoor fixtures to expand the venue. These integrated pedestrian experiences into the theme as well, immersing the audience in self-reflection and contemplation. Read more>>

Andrea ‘The Chocolate Butterfly’ Williams

This story was a crucial lesson learned during my journey as a mother, particularly in the context of raising a divergent neurodivergent learner. Jade is both autistic and epileptic. Read more>>

Chauncee Hollingsworth

I learned to always stay humble and always make the circle bigger. Don’t get ahead of yourself and think that you are too good to grow more. Your growth is connected to your ability to be humble in all circumstances. Read more>>