Since I joined the gym, my life has been transformed in more ways than one. Not only have I grown physically stronger, but I have also developed a growth mindset that has deeply influenced how I view my role in helping others. This mindset shift has allowed me to focus on personal development, while also encouraging those around me to strive for their best, both in the gym and in life. By embracing the idea that we can all grow and improve with effort, I’ve made it my purpose and passion to help others reach their full potential. As such, one of the most valuable life skills I’ve developed through my gym experience is the ability to encourage and motivate others. In the very beginning, I was focused solely on my own progress, but as I gradually gained more confidence, I realized how rewarding it is to inspire others to push beyond their limits. Whether it’s cheering on a friend to complete that last rep or encouraging someone to start a new fitness routine, I’ve found immense satisfaction in being part of someone else’s growth. I’ve learned that small words of support can make a huge difference and that showing belief in someone’s potential can help them find the courage to take that next step, whether in fitness or in other areas of life. The gym has taught me that growth isn’t about instant results, but rather about consistency, effort, and the willingness to face challenges. This realization has bled into other aspects of my life, where I now encourage people to apply the same principles in their personal and professional endeavors. I’ve grown comfortable in the role of being a motivator, whether it’s helping a friend tackle a new project, or simply reminding someone that it’s okay to fail, as long as they keep moving forward. Seeing others take risks and achieve what they once thought impossible has reinforced my own belief in the power of persistence and positivity. Beyond the gym, my schooling has further fueled my desire to help others. As I work towards becoming a medical illustrator, I see this profession as another opportunity to impact lives, this time through visual communication. Medical illustrations play a crucial role in the healthcare field, helping patients, doctors, and medical students understand complex conditions and procedures. By combining my passion for art with my drive to help others, I aim to contribute to the medical community in a way that enhances patient education and ultimately improves healthcare outcomes. The ability to convey critical medical information through illustrations is both a practical and meaningful way to make a difference in people’s lives. Helping others has become a core part of who I am, and it’s something I’m deeply passionate about. Whether it’s through personal interactions or my future career as a medical illustrator, my purpose is to empower others to achieve their best. The growth mindset I’ve adopted in the gym has extended into every area of my life, showing me that with encouragement, effort, and perseverance, we all have the potential to grow, succeed, and make a positive impact on the world around us.

Oh, growing up in a large Puerto Rican family has deeply influenced the way I see the world. With my grandmother being the middle child of fourteen siblings, my mother the middle child of three, and myself the middle child of seven, I have always been surrounded by a strong sense of community and shared responsibility. This background has shaped my worldview, instilling in me values of family, perseverance, and resilience, all of which have impacted my journey as a first-generation college student. Being part of such a large family has taught me the importance of unity and support. In my family, we rely on each other not only for help but for emotional strength. With so many siblings and relatives, I learned from an early age how to navigate different personalities, resolve conflicts, and find ways to connect with each family member in meaningful ways. This sense of community has carried over into how I interact with the world at large. I value collaboration and the idea that we can accomplish more together than we can on our own, and I seek out opportunities to build strong relationships in both my academic and personal life. My Puerto Rican heritage has also given me a strong sense of cultural pride. Puerto Rican culture is rich with traditions, from music and dance to food and celebrations, and these customs have always been an important part of my identity. Growing up, I experienced firsthand the importance of preserving our heritage and staying connected to our roots, even while adapting to life in a different country. This balancing act between embracing my cultural background and navigating the challenges of being a first-generation student has given me a unique perspective on resilience and adaptability. I’ve learned that success often means blending the old with the new—honoring where you come from while pushing forward into new opportunities. As the first in my family to pursue an undergraduate degree, I’ve had to carve out my own path, often without a clear roadmap. While this has certainly been challenging, my family’s history of perseverance has given me the strength to push through. Watching my grandmother and mother work hard to provide for our family has been a constant source of inspiration. Their determination to overcome obstacles has fueled my own drive to succeed, particularly in a field that bridges both art and science—two areas that traditionally don’t intersect. My goal of earning an undergraduate degree in Art Studies with a minor in Biological Sciences is deeply connected to my desire to help others, a value that has always been central in my family. Pursuing a career as a medical illustrator will allow me to combine my passion for creativity with my interest in the sciences, while also contributing to a field that directly impacts patient care and procedures. The way I see it, my background has given me the resilience to overcome challenges and the compassion to use my skills to make a difference in the world. In many ways, my Puerto Rican family has shaped not only how I view the world but also how I approach my personal goals. The sense of community, cultural pride, and perseverance that I’ve inherited from my family has guided me on my journey, motivating me to break barriers and pursue a career that merges both my artistic and scientific passions. Through this experience, I’ve come to realize that the values I’ve learned from my family are not just a part of my past but a key part of shaping my future.

Video games have been a powerful and positive influence in my life, particularly imaginative and story-driven role-playing games (RPGs). Through their immersive worlds, intricate narratives, and engaging gameplay, these games have fostered personal growth, creativity, and social connection in ways that few other hobbies could, excluding DnD. They have not only provided entertainment but also taught me valuable life lessons and enhanced various skills that extend beyond the screen. One of the most significant ways RPGs have impacted my life is by stimulating my imagination and creativity. Games such as The Witcher series or Final Fantasy have drawn me into richly detailed universes, filled with complex characters, moral dilemmas, and captivating stories. As I navigate these worlds, I find myself immersed in the role of the protagonist, making choices that shape the fate of the characters and the narrative itself. This interactivity allows me to explore different perspectives and reflect on the consequences of my decisions. It’s a form of storytelling where I am not just a passive consumer but an active participant. As such, it sharpens my creativity and helps me approach real-world problems with a more open and imaginative mindset. Another significant benefit of these games has been the development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills. RPGs often involve complex puzzles, strategic planning, and resource management. Games like The Elder Scrolls or Dragon Age challenge players to think critically about how to approach quests, battles, and character progression. Each decision requires careful consideration of various factors, from character abilities to environmental conditions, pushing me to analyze situations and devise solutions. Over time, these experiences have honed my ability to think strategically and remain calm under pressure—skills that I’ve found invaluable in both academic and professional settings. Moreover, the emotional depth of story-driven RPGs has taught me empathy and emotional intelligence. Many of these games present moral gray areas, where characters must wrestle with difficult choices, often with no clear right or wrong answer. This forces me to empathize with different characters’ perspectives, allowing me to understand complex emotions and situations more deeply. The narratives explore themes of loss, friendship, redemption, and sacrifice, mirroring real-life challenges. As a result, I’ve grown more emotionally resilient and capable of navigating interpersonal relationships in my own life. Additionally, video games have provided me with a sense of community and connection. While RPGs are often single-player experiences, their vast fan bases create opportunities for meaningful social interaction. Online forums, fan communities, and game-related events have allowed me to meet and connect with like-minded individuals who share my passion. These interactions have fostered friendships, discussions, and collaborations, allowing me to feel part of a larger community that values creativity, storytelling, and innovation. In conclusion, video games, especially story-driven RPGs, have profoundly enriched my life. They have nurtured my imagination, sharpened my problem-solving skills, increased my emotional intelligence, and introduced me to multiple supportive community of fellow gamers. What began as a source of entertainment has grown into a platform for personal development, creativity, and meaningful connection, making video games one of the most positive influences in my life.

Hello! I just wanted to quickly say that words could never measure up for that kind of situation, but I'm so sorry for the loss of your daughter. It's very sweet of you to be doing this for other art students in her honor, and it'll be greatly appreciated by whoever you choose. I pray peace of mind over your family. I also want to throw out there that I used to attend SCAD as well with a major in illustration! I transferred after a year because of financial hardships, and I now attend ASU Online. But what I absolutely loved was being engrossed in a creative environment with other like-minded artists. I truly believe it helped me to flourish and bring about my best efforts, especially with my peers cheering each other on. Being an online student now has its drawbacks in terms of my surroundings, but I make great use of the online art communities. As for conveying lived experiences, I enjoyed making portraits of my family members as gifts for them or their family. I especially love capturing their happiest moments on my phone and then using those pictures as references for me to work off of in a traditional medium. My most recent piece was actually a portrait of my Titi Santa and Tio Dino. In English, she is my great aunt, and he was my great uncle. Titi Santa is 82 years old and has Alzheimer's. She doesn't remember saying her goodbyes to her husband who passed away at the beginning of this year, January 29th, and it's something that she feels distraught over daily. I thank God that I had a photo of the two during my Tio's 84th birthday party. I photoshopped it a bit and prepped it be a great reference picture. One important change I made was alter the number on the cake to 86, the age at which he passed. I created this portrait of the two to show my Titi that she did get to say her goodbyes and with it being done in an affectionate send-off. I framed it and gifted it her, and... it's something genuinely appreciated by her and the rest of my family. I brought this specific piece up so as to say that I'm very goal-oriented. When I want to convey to my loved ones how much I adore them, I make them a portrait showing how beautiful I see them- sometimes in a stylistic illustration style and other times in a realistic style. And when I want to make a fun and imaginative piece, I fully dedicate my time and skills in visually interpreting that. I think I have a very passionate soul when it comes to art, and that shows in the amount of details or vivid colors I have in my pieces. Nowadays, I've decided to instead pursue the art field with a dream of becoming a Certified Medical Illustrator. So I must invest my time in honing realistic details only! But I genuinely feel so much more fulfilled knowing that my art pieces will be helping others. In my vision, I see myself providing visual instructions to other medical professionals to study life-saving or life-easing processes; I love the thought of contributing to someone’s physical betterment. However, this entire journey is pretty expensive… I will be working while in school, saving up however much I can because the needed master’s program is a pretty penny in itself. But however much I can round up through scholarships is a huge blessing that will be greatly appreciated. Check out my website! https://suleitha.wixsite.com/suli-n-illustrates