Throughout high school I always saw art as just a hobby that sparked my interest, but I never thought I would continue with it. I didn't have an actual art class until 10th grade. It was then that my teacher at the time encouraged me to apply to an art program that was offered at a Cal State Fullerton University. When I was accepted into this art program I realized that these were art professors who dedicated their own time to teach high school students foundational art skills. The professors that I had acted as my own mentors, and at the time the art teacher that I had in high school would encourage me to create my own artwork. In the studio we were not just high school students who liked art, we were artists. The lecture and critiques provided me a great understanding of what studying art would be like. My time throughout this art program inspired me to fully delve into art and at the end of the program I aspired to be like the educators that guided me.