Nightmare Before Christmas background credited to Tim Burton and Walt Disney Company via https://fancaps.net/movies/Image.php?imageid=531875

I grew up a "Disney kid" as mentioned in my interests. Their movies and video games still inspire me and have a drastic emotional impact on me to this day. I specifically related to one of Ratatouille's many quotes from the movie's critic, Anton Ego: "Not everyone can be a great artist, but a great artist can come from anywhere." I'll be the first to admit I was not a model student in high school in terms of sports, grades, and popularity. I was an "outcast" and art in various forms was the only way I could be heard or recognized. I felt forgettable. Applying to college scared me. All these students were getting accepted to a reputable local state college left and right. I still didn't know where to go. However, in my vocational trade class, The Culinary Institute of America came my way, and it truly changed my life. My GPA went up drastically (while I was an unfortunate .2 points away from graduating with honors), I instantly made many friends (who are now lifelong chosen family) and no one cared about who I was in high school, and my drive for being the best artist in my craft that I can be went up. For once students in my class enjoyed having me in group projects, I admittedly for once could answer a category 500 in class Jeopardy, teachers called me out on excellent (and not excellent work), and even some of my classmates would look up to me, that had never happened prior. I transferred to a workplace that schedules me specifically to draw and decorate the store with artwork, and I can execute things in my head onto a plate and finally be seen as someone with capabilities. You just have to go, grab the opportunity by the horns, and go where your intuition takes you. Because where you come from means absolutely nothing when you have the passion to do what you truly love.