As a child, I would spend countless nights repurposing ordinary household items into something entirely new. Some might’ve called me a peculiar kid with an overactive imagination, but I just called it utilizing the creativity I was given. I didn’t need fancy materials or instruction manuals. I simply saw potential in the things others often overlooked.
The love for making physical art led to a journey sparked by curiosity in the digital realm. I was exposed to the world of graphic design when I was in middle school. I enrolled in a multimedia class without knowing how much it fascinated me and quickly realized this was a great fit. I continued on this path into high school, competing and placing at the state level. This continued to fuel my passion, and it deepened my love for design.
When graduation came so did the highly anticipated moment everyone warns about came—that warning of needing to have life figured out. When enrolling into UTEP, I thought I wanted to major in the health sciences and to specialize in speech language pathology. After a semester into my studies, I quickly realized I should follow my heart. I lacked a true passion for the field and felt like I stood out for all the wrong reasons because my desires lay somewhere else.
Although the pressure mounted to impress others by staying enrolled in the health field, an honest conversation with my dad one day changed everything. He told me, “This isn’t for you. You belong somewhere else; somewhere you can create.” In that moment, it felt like a weight had been lifted from my chest. With my family’s unwavering support, I shifted my path entirely and instead majored in media advertising with a minor in graphic design, something that felt like home.
From there, I sought out opportunities to connect with others who shared my love for creativity and communication. I joined clubs, got involved on campus, and eventually found myself at The Prospector. This is where I found a space that allows me to explore new sides of creativity. Since this summer, this journey has shaped me in ways I never expected personally, professionally, and artistically.
While writing may not be my strongest skill, I’ve been given the space to grow, contribute, and most importantly, create. Every assignment, critique, and deadline has helped me build confidence in my voice and in my work. I’m still learning and evolving, but I now know that growth doesn’t come from perfection, it comes from showing up and trying. Choosing to follow my own dreams instead of settling into someone else’s expectations was the best decision I could have made, and I’m proud of how far I’ve come because of it.
Above all, my deepest gratitude goes towards my family. They have supported me throughout everything in this journey, and I would not be the person I am today if it weren’t for them.
Kahri Reyes is the audience and engagement editor and may be reached at [email protected] and on Instagram @kahricatura.
