WE ARE ALL ABLED
I am currently a student at Florida International University, majoring in Digital Animation and minoring in Art History.
I also have autism, which gives me unique skills and abilities.
Passions
Digital animation. I started doing digital animation in 2015 by attending summer programs at Exceptional Minds, a film academy in Los Angeles that teaches autistic people how to do animation.
Art. I started taking art classes at an early age and love to draw and paint. My favorite artist is Vincent Van Gogh. I have seen his art in many museums around the world.
Music. I love both popular and classical music. I have perfect pitch and can name any note or chord when played. I can play the piano, and taught myself play Grant Woolard’s Classical Mashups from just watching the Youtube videos.
Skills
I have an excellent memory, which allows me to remember dates, faces and names, and music and sounds.
My visual-spatial skills help me see how things fit.
I also have great concentration, which allows me to do things for hours without getting bored or distracted.
Computer skills. Advanced computer skills using Windows and Mac. Advanced Microsoft PowerPoint (can prepare most presentations) and Word. Proficient in Excel. Proficient in Adobe Software Suite (Photoshop, Premiere, Illustrator, etc.).
Experience
Florida International University’s Owa Ehan’s Maker’s Space (Miami, FL). Intern. Made movies, TV shows, and video games.
Celebrate the Children’s Tech Lab (Denville, NJ). Office Intern. Co-led the Turtle Talk Show, script writing, green screen filming, teleprompter, and Adobe Premium editing.
Panera Bread (Rockaway, NJ). Helper. Maintained the cheese station in the kitchen. Cut and label cheeses. Helped bus tables. Refilled sugar packets, coffee lids, coffee cups, and stirrers. Wiped tables and swept the floor.
Habitat for Humanities (Randolph, NJ). Office Intern. Maintained contact database by entering new contacts using Microsoft Excel.
Education
Florida International University (Miami, FL). Majoring in Digital Animation and Minoring in Art History. Cumulative GPA: 3.73. Participating in the FIU Embrace Center for Advancing Inclusive Communities to independent living skills.
Celebrate the Children (Denville, NJ). Graduated with a high school diploma. Participated in CTC’s Adult Program as part of the adult transition plan.
County College of Morris (Randolph, NJ). Certificate of Completion – Hospitality/Baking. Serve Safe Certified.
Interests
- Baking and cooking. I enjoy creating new recipes and dishes. Signature creations include Ben’s Cookie Jar Cheesecake, Looney Tunes Terrine, and Lobster ala Ben.
- Won First Prize four years in a row in the Frelinghuysen Arboretum’s annual gingerbread contest for my Imagine Van Gogh Restaurant and Monet’s Garden at Giverny, Imagine Van Gogh in Portofino, and Impressionism at the Mendham Mudhole.
- Enjoy playing the piano (have taken lessons for 13 years). I have perfect pitch and can tell any note or chord.
- Proud Special Olympics New Jersey Athlete in Track & Skiing.
- Volunteer coach with Mendham Magic for 3 years. Help runners prepare for track and cross-country meets.