Elijah Falker

From the beginning January 16th, 1998: Warsaw, New York Wait, too far. Summer 2010, was when I first visited the Digital Arts program at Stafford Technical Center in Rutland, Vermont. I had had an art class before but nothing like what I experienced there, creating art on computers fascinated me from the first minute. 6th grade Elijah in one afternoon created an interactive flash animation with a working button! Export Play Burn Label. This was the beginning. Unfortunately I could not attend Stafford until my junior year in high school. Anxious to participate in a class devoted to teaching real world skills in the art world" I maintained a good record and grades with Otter Valley Union High School so that I would be accepted to Stafford Technical Center to get a concentrated education in my favorite field. Nothing a little hard work and determination couldnt solve. Striving for the goal of being able to get where I wanted to be was what drove me, where every art teacher and guidance counselor told me I couldnt, shouldnt and never will be. But I couldnt, shouldnt and never will listen to anyone who tells me I cant, because against everyone who said I couldnt, I did. Now I am enrolled in my second semester at Champlain College with minimal loans, thanks to scholarships that I have been awarded. It has been a great honor and privilege for me to attend college and to share what I learn with the people in my community and with those who have helped and continue to help me develop into the person I am today.