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Annabelle Surya

805

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1x

Finalist

Bio

Annabelle Surya is an Indonesian American aspiring architect, studying at the City College of New York, Bernard and Anne Spitzer School of Architecture. As a child, Annabelle loved games that involved creative building such as legos, Minecraft, Sims, etc. She enjoyed the interactivity characters had with the building and spaces she created. When the physical blocks turned digital, she sensed a limitless realm of freedom and play. From hotels with waterslides, a city in the clouds, cafes, apartment studios, fancy restaurants, tree houses, vacation homes, and many more, Annabelle learned how aesthetics and design can positively impact gameplay and the digital world. Annabelle knew that one day she would want to bring this dimension to life, and create a positive impact in the real built environment. After spending a semester abroad in Bali, Indonesia to learn about Southeast Asian Architecture, she was inspired by the Balinese’ efforts to maintain their cultural identity in their building forms and to prioritize respect for the land. She now plans to focus on adaptive reuse by preserving neighborhood identity while newly integrating what a community needs. In this way, buildings that are part of a neighborhood’s story are maintained with new purpose, materials and structure are revitalized, and the environmental damage is reduced from destroying the old and building new. She aspires to spread the significance of architectural sustainability internationally.

Education

CUNY City College

Bachelor's degree program
2018 - 2023
  • Majors:
    • Architecture and Related Services, Other
  • Not planning to go to medical school

    • Career

    • Dream career field:

      Architecture & Planning

    • Dream career goals:

    • Barista

      Starbucks Coffee
      2019 – 20223 years

    Public services

    • Volunteering

      Father's Love Church — Head of digital team, worship team member, youth group member, choir, outreach, graphic design, volunteer
      2018 – Present

    Future Interests

    Advocacy

    Volunteering

    Philanthropy

    Entrepreneurship

    Walking In Authority International Ministry Scholarship
    Monday, September 2nd, 2013 "Wow, school already starts tomorrow. Time goes by so fast, but God has done so much this summer. On the last day of 7th grade, June 26, 2013, we had just left New York on a plane to Minnesota. I hated the idea of moving. I thought it would ruin so many things, but then my mom convinced me & told me to just trust God with this. She believed He has plans for us here... I went back to New York for camp at Word of Life. I learned so much more about God and it encouraged me on living my life for Him and unshamefully telling others about Him. Well we found out after camp was Vacation Bible School at my church, and God was able to cancel my flight that day so I could stay for VBS. I felt eager going around, inviting kids in the neighborhood to VBS and passing out flyers and volunteering as a helper. I was so happy that I could do this for God." Tuesday, April 4th, 2023 Wow, I graduate college in August. Time goes by so fast, but God has done so much in the last 10 years. The summer after high school ended, in 2018, I left Minnesota on a plane back to New York. Sometimes I think about what my mother said, and what God's plan for us was in Minnesota. The drive for serving that stemmed in the summer of 2013 followed me to Minnesota. I would frequently involve myself in any service acts I could as a middle/high schooler. This included many hours volunteering at a Prop Shop which was an organization that served families in need, packing food with Feed My Starving Children, building homes with Habitat for Humanity, and being a verified active listener to teens who were struggling with depression, stress, and anxiety with the organization 7 Cups of Tea. I was so happy that I could do this for God. As I finish my college years, my love for serving has not ceased. Today, I am back with the same church from 2013. As part of the church's worship team, digital team, and youth group, I now see what God's plan is for us. It is energizing the congregation through leading worship service. It is using digital skills to make nostalgic and entertaining videos. It is opening our homes to host youth group growth meetings. It is visiting the local nursing home. It is volunteering at a homeless shelter. It is hosting easter activities for the children in the neighborhood. It is influencing our community with joy through spreading God's love.