Back in 2017, I found myself tagging along on a college visit with my older sister (who would go on to graduate from the U. with a BFA in Graphic Design). While she had her sights set on another residence hall, my mom and I took a detour from the tour to check out the relatively new Lassonde Studios. From the moment I stepped in the front lobby and scanned the industrial-tech themed creative spaces and vending machines filled with tools and spare parts instead of Vitamin Water…I knew I’d found my future home. I made sure to get pictures as a manifestation of what I decided I wanted my college experience to look like.

Fast forward to Fall of 2024, when I moved into Lassonde as a Freshman at the U. After living here for a semester, I can say that it has been everything I expected and MORE! On the Games and Digital Media floor, I have truly met “My People” and created a social and academic network that will stay with me through my years here at the U.

Update: As a freshman Film & Media Arts major at the U living in a Lassonde Double on the Gaming & Media floor, I have made great friends and big strides as a student filmmaker. I hope to continue living at Lassonde Studios, where I am surrounded with creative students like myself.

About Me: I graduated with High Honors from InTech Collegiate Academy, a small STEM charter school in Logan, UT. InTech has consistently ranked as one of the top high schools in the state and even the nation, but it was the people that I liked best about it. I’ll just say it..I’m a nerd. These people were my people and I loved my high school experience.

While at InTech, I participated in activities such as First Robotics Team (4 years), Student Leadership, and National Honor Society. Along with my regular classes, I took college courses in Russian Language studies and Political Science.

By the time I graduated, I knew that I wanted to attend college at the U, where I hope to major in Film and Media Arts. Though I was awarded two academic scholarships, I decided to defer my enrollment until Fall of 2024 so that I could serve a church mission for 18 months.

Someday, I’d like to be a filmmaker (screenwriting and/or directing), and possibly be involved in developing a more cinematic experience in the video game industry.

I love my family—there is never a dull moment around our house! My dad retired from the Marine Corps after 22 years in Special Operations units and now owns a consulting firm that provides technical advising to the film and entertainment industry. My mom helps run the consulting business as well as working as a freelance journalist and writer. I have one sister (a U of U alum), who is married and works as a graphic designer for a publishing company in Salt Lake City.

For as long as I can remember, I have loved all things FILM! I especially love the classics: Seventh Samurai, Casablanca, Citizen Kane and Psycho are favorites, along with modern classics like The Shining, The Godfather, and Pulp Fiction.

I have been lucky to meet many people in the industry—from actors to directors, stunt coordinators and prop masters—and even tag along on projects to see them in action!

*Fun Fact: Because of my father’s work as a technical consultant to various film and television projects, it’s not uncommon for someone like Michael B. Joran to visit the house over the Christmas holiday or actor Ryan Phillippe to be a guest at Thanksgiving dinner!

A short film called Hall Pass was my first attempt at filmmaking, which I premiered at our school talent show, followed by The Devil Roams at Night —my first, and definitely not my last project in the horror genre.

After graduation, I thought I would have to take my director’s hat off for 18 months while I served a mission for my church, however, I was able to use my knowledge in unexpected ways—creating social media content in both Spanish and English for the Mesa, Arizona Temple Visitor’s Center!

I’m so excited to start new projects with my fellow students this Fall!

I learned to fly both a plane and a helicopter at Utah State University’s Aviation Camp.

I worked as a Certified Lifeguard my Junior & Senior years in high school.

I consider myself a gamer and believe that the future of filmmaking and gaming will be even more intertwined—and I’m here for it!!

I studied Russian in high school, but ended up learning Spanish while on my church mission.

I train regularly with both pistol and rifle (my father is retired military and a firearms instructor) and have my Hunter’s Safety Certification. (My sister was a member of the U of U Pistol Team).

I lived in California before moving to Utah and learned to surf. If I stayed in California, I definitely would be a “surfer chick.”

I listen to all kinds of music, from metal to rap. You’ll often catch me studying to movie scores from my favorite films.