Meet our Winter Winners with a Passion to Create
This group of amazing scholarship winners have individual interests in film, arts and entertainment technologies, photography, and entrepreneurship. We are rooting for them and all they’ll create!
Stephen Ozan
Practical, aware, respectful, and – ultimately - a man committed to following his passions, Stephen Ozan is enrolled in the University of Texas at Austin’s Arts and Entertainment Technologies Bachelor’s Program, which also offers a Certificate in Elements of Computing. It wasn’t an easy decision for Stephen as he neared high school graduation. In fact, he says, “for a while, I foolishly mistook fulfilling others’ expectations as a source of comfort and stability. Once I realized I could bring my community Black representation to the unrepresented media field and the stories it tells, I realized the expectations of others were often what caused my discomfort. My plan may not be as prosperous as some, but with a little financial responsibility, I could still ‘break the generational debt’ and be happy.”
Stephen’s practicality stands out in his choice of a heavily career-oriented program that focuses on the industry itself and bridges employers with future creators and designers. “The program even has a Fine Arts Career Services department with countless employment opportunities that will help jumpstart my career,” In fact, should he face a financial shortfall during his program, Stephen is prepared to take a student employment opportunity offered by one of the many UT departments or services, tutor others, or do creative freelance work, as he has before.
And, looking toward his graduation in 3 years, Stephen says he plans to use the skills and opportunities provided by AET to make his start in animation for local studios in Austin. From there he hopes to work his way up to bigger studios such as Pixar or Industrial Light and Magic, as a technical or VFX director, ultimately opening his own animation studio. We’re rooting for Stephen Ozan!
Miguel Martinez Reyes
Miguel cast off the heavy burden he had carried during his early years, accepting - even embracing - his autism as he entered high school. He realized his classmates’ interest in his creativity and capabilities eclipsed his autism concerns. “High School was a time where I truly became the best version of myself thus far,” Miguel shared.
In the top 10% of his graduating class and accepted at University of Texas at Arlington, Miguel’s story delighted the 431 Exchange. He was chosen as a scholarship-recipient to give him a ‘hand-up’ toward his Cinematic Arts Bachelor’s Degree.
“I hope as a future filmmaker I am able to inspire other people with autism,” Miguel said, elaborating that, by creating films that address the developmental struggles people on the Autistic Spectrum experience, they may be further encouraged to discover self-acceptance and satisfaction. Stay tuned to the work of Miguel Martinez Reyes!
Blake Kidner
Blake Kidner is eagerly pursuing his Bachelor’s Degree in Photography at McNeese State University, in Lake Charles, Louisiana, where he is deep into the art and music departments. He has a GPA of 3.7 and anticipates graduating in the Spring of 2023. Blake’s choice of McNeese State was, in large part, due to the amazing professors in its photography program who, he says, “help students achieve their dreams.” Blake has his eyes set on becoming a photographer for National Geographic!
In high school, Blake had the honor of performing with the Louisiana Stars Drum and Bugle Corps in 2017 and 2018, and with the Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps in 2019. Currently, with the support of university’s band directors, he has been able to perform in the Pride of McNeese Marching Band and the McNeese Wind Symphony. This year he hopes to perform with the Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps in Fort Mills, South Carolina. Meanwhile, Blake continues to perfect his craft by exploring composition, expanding his technical knowledge of equipment and by submitting his photos to local art shows and various publications.
Hemanshu Mirchandani
Hemanshu Mirchandani exemplifies the offspring of parents who traveled across the world, sacrificing a life of security and stability to give their children better lives. Clearly a bright young man, Hemanshu has a GPA of 3.89 in the first two years of pursuing a dual major BBA. He started college with an accounting major, applying himself to the basics of business accounting. Just recently he accepted his second major, Entrepreneurship, which he says encourages students to take risks and learn from their mistakes, and because one of his goals is eventually starting a business of his own. “I am particularly interested in the consumer finance industry,” Hemanshu told us, “Something that would make it easier for the average person to educate themselves about saving and investing their money.”
A young adult setting himself up to make an entrepreneurial mission successful, Hemanshu is – above all – driven by the importance of successfully fulfilling his role as a son and an older brother. “Recognizing my parents’ sacrifices,” Hemanshu said, “I always strive to take advantage of the opportunities presented to me and try my best at whatever I do, to set an example for my younger brother as well.” The 431 Exchange is pleased to know Hemanshu and to give him a hand-up financially.