Growing up, Victoria was always drawing. “Being creative is a large part of my life — it’s a good escape for me,” she said. “I see things differently as an artist. I see the world as a painting, or scenes of a painting, the colors, the textures, the lighting and the feeling it gives you.”
Victoria is thrilled to be at a high school that offers robust art classes and gives students the autonomy to discover her style and interests.
“My teacher allows me to experiment and explore more than any other experience I’ve had. She helped me go further in my artistic journey than I ever thought possible.”
At her previous schools, Victoria felt the art classes had too many creative constraints that prevented her from exploring her abilities. So, she transferred to Learn4Life – a change from the traditional school environment that allowed her to focus on her mental health and explore her options.
She points out that creative thinking helps her with other schoolwork and life skills. Art is an essential part of a well-rounded education. It opens students’ minds to new ideas, helps them develop confidence and allows them to find their unique voice. Learn4Life’spersonalized learning model means students are taught in the way each learns best in a flexible schedule, while they study subjects that are meaningful to them.
“Being an artist has made me more compassionate and empathetic. My emotional intelligence is greater because of how I process information through the lens of an artist,” she explained. “It allows me to expand on how I see things and express myself. I question things more, read more and want to make a positive difference in the world.”
Victoria entered some of her art class projects in local competitions and won several awards, including several Fresno State Fair awards, 2024 Allard’s High School Art award (one of only four handed out). She participated in a community mural project last summer and has been chosen to attend a summer seminar program at the Savannah College of Art and Design.
“I have considered becoming an art teacher or art therapist, but more recently I want to fight for social justice through a career in law. Perhaps immigration law or constitutional law,” she said. “Through my experience of working collaboratively, I discovered my passion for teaching and leading others. I hope to make a statement with my art and make a difference with my passion for social justice. I would likely begin with a community college and move to a state university and on to law school.”