	Kristin Hinkley is the recipient of the Foundation’s Harper Fowley — Isolated M Award of $600. Kristin lives in Mission Viejo. She graduates from Capistrano Valley High School and intends to pursue a major in Communications and Graphic Design with an emphasis in Journalism.
Communicating a Future As famously quoted by Jim Dine, “There’s no retirement for an artist, it’s your way of living so there’s no end to it.” I have been unmistakably creative my entire life. I started my career by absent-mindedly painting kittens on our sidewalk with water during scorching-hot summer afternoons only to see my creations disappear within seconds. It was then that I realized I wanted to make lasting creations that I could look back on and be proud of. My life always tends to shift towards creativity, helping me through every subject imaginable.., especially English. Soon, writing as well became a natural way of expressing myself creatively. I see both visual arts and writing as one aspect of my life that allows me to express myself freely. By playing with pens and paintbrushes, I like to create images in people’s minds that portray a message or feeling that will hopefully stay with them and gear myself toward a future goal. Art has been a lasting hobby for me for as long as I can remember. I might not always have a sketchbook attached to me, but I take every opportunity possible to be artistic. I’m more of a do-it-yourself rather than buy pre-made kind of person. I thrive on making things that can entertain or interest people. I get a sense of accomplishment out of hopefully affecting someone positively, or at least generating a deep thought or a smile. I started to notice writing was one of my strong points around the beginning of high school. I learned many essential techniques within the last four years that have greatly helped me communicate more clearly and openly. When an instructor or peer compliments me on my style, it makes me feel like I am setting myself apart, which I love. I hope that in college, I can get a writing internship and improve my skills further. It is hard for people to understand my difficulty in choosing one of these subjects over the other. When I say I want to major in journalism as well as graphic design, the first thing people focus on is how the two relate to one another. My dream job is to work for a pop-culture centered publication. The print industry involves both journalists for the articles, and designers for the graphics. I think I would fit into this career very well because I have been co-president/editor of my school’s literary and art magazine for two years, and am always passionate about a job well done. Last year, many of our magazine club’s members disappeared mid-year leaving the co-presidents to put together and edit an entire issue by ourselves. I admit our publication was nowhere near perfect. It was, however, a proud accomplishment considering we had only two people available to meet a two-week deadline. There’s no denying. The art and writing combination is inevitably what I enjoy doing. I am hoping to receive an excellent communications education so I can successfully obtain the career of my dreams. I would like to attend a liberal arts-centered school near home such as Chapman University to make this a reality. No matter what I choose to do, or where I choose to be within the next few years, however, visual and written expression will always be a part of me.
	Other winning essays: Simone Jensen of Laguna Niguel, Kayla Chapman of Anaheim, and Chelsea Maxwell of Mission Viejo. (Click on their names to read their essays.)