1. ]
MEET THE 2019
CREATIVITY SCHOLARS

2. “
JEROM
THAMBIPILLAI
London, UK
Television Production
As a first-generation immigrant,
I aim to make films that reflect my
experience, and the experience of
people in a similar position. I want
to use my films to represent the
difficulty of finding a place in a
predominantly white society.

3. “
MARIANNE
KUMANAYAKE
Singapore
Illustration
With an attitude of resilience, self-
discipline, patience and belief – as
the Japanese proverb says ‘Fall down
seven times, get up eight times’ – I
will be able to achieve my academic
and career goals. And with the help of
this scholarship, it will also allow me to
develop this characteristic.

4. “
KEIKIKALANI
TAYLOR
Salt Lake City, UT, USA
Film and Media Arts
There is a cultural treasure trove of
ideas, stories, and history we all have
as a part of us. I want to share mine
with the world and encourage others
to share theirs as well.

5. “
STEVEN URIBE
Magna, UT, USA
Film Production
The power that storytelling has on
individuals is what gives me the
passion to create. Simply expressing
one's views and observations of our
world, we have the potential of bringing
change and influencing others into
better understanding and improving
each other as human beings.

6. “
OTTER
JUNG-ALLEN
Philadelphia, PA, USA
Pedagogy / Applied Theatre
Education is so often regarded by students as
dull at best and a waste of time at worst. We
watch our youth trudge through academic
systems with little to no excitement, and drop-
out rates rise as a consequence. But my experience
has shown me that the way in which a practice is
taught can completely revolutionize your life.
Therefore, I will utilize creativity as a force for
positive social impact by consistently engaging
young people with dynamic, original lessons.

7. “
AMEYA
OKAMOTO
Portland, OR, USA
Civic Studies and Interdisciplinary Art
I believe that visual art uniquely
allows me to influence society by
changing opinions, instilling values
and translating experiences across
space, time, language, and culture.

8. “
MONICA ACEDO
Mexico City, Mexico
Animation and Digital Art
My experience with creative projects
has had a very important influence
on my life since they make me feel
free, and they make me see that I
have the potential to make a change
or translate important messages that
can be understood by anyone.

9. “
ZAWAN
MAHMOUD
Seattle, WA, USA
Film and New Media
As a migrant, I experience life as an
alternation between daily struggles
and dreams. Filmmaking allows me
to express this duality. It allows me to
channel my sense of loss and despair
into creating empowering art.

10. “
AZALIA
ESCALERA
Inglewood, CA, USA
Film and Television
I create films that prompt people
to ask questions, to think of the
outcome if only one thing was done
differently, and to emphasize the
weight of every choice.

11. “
LINHAN ZHANG
Hong Kong
Film and Television
(As a producer) I am looking for
opportunities to help many talented
and underrepresented filmmakers
take their first step in telling the
stories they want to tell.

12. “
RIVER WITTKE
Brooklyn, NY, USA
Landscape Architecture
I want to use the skills I’ve developed
through graphic design to create
elegant, effective, and innovate systems
that help combat climate change.

13. “
REEMA SHATAT
Amman, Jordan
Visual Arts
I really hope that I’m having a
positive impact on others through
my art but most of the work I do is
for me to discover myself and my
essence. Hopefully someone else
will find themselves with me.

14. “
JENNY CHUNG
Toronto, ON, Canada
Fashion Design
Textile waste is increasingly getting
worse as well as our environment.
I would like the industry to focus on
sustainability, body positivity, and to
continue evolving the art form.

15. “
MYA JONISHA
Oakland, CA, USA
Kinesiology
My goal is to help young athletes
realize their dreams and take better
care of their bodies. I want youth
to be able to express themselves
through movement.

16. “
AMAN MUKHIYA
Kolkata, India
Humanities, with focus on photography
Photography is a way to express
myself. It is like looking through
the ‘third eye’ which enables you
to analyze and critically observe
the otherwise so-called ‘normal
things’ in a different light, from a
different perspective.

17. “
GENEVA
HEYWARD
Corona, NY, USA
Game Design
Video games can communicate
ideas, invoke feelings, and encourage
and scale empathy – and that’s what
I try to do when I make them.

18. “
PRIYA
SUTRADHAR
Kolkata, India
Arts
As a choreographer, my aim is to
spread the message of education
through dance.

19. “
ROBERTO
STEPHEN
Lynn, MA, USA
Art Illustration / Education
In our current society, there are so many
instances of discrimination between
different ethnic and racial backgrounds.
I feel that through my art designs, and by
collaborating with other artists, we can
unify our society. Channeling my artistic
expression to show feelings and emotions
allows people to see my true self and
hopefully find something they can relate to.

20. “
MERISSA VICTOR
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Media Studies
I realized that age-old cultural
stigmas and stereotypes could be
shattered through the power of film
and media, with the help of a maker
who was aware of their own biases
but still maintained an open heart
and mind.

21. “
INGRID
VALLECIDA
Cali, Colombia
Interactive Media Design
My objective is to create innovative
projects that leave a positive impact
on people, demonstrating how
technology and design can work
together with communities.