I am so pleased and proud to announce that my writing student, McKenzie Royo, has received acceptances and scholarships to four top art schools in the United States: Pratt, Parsons, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and Otis. He has chosen to attend Pratt in Brooklyn because he “loved the campus and their traditional approach to art school.”

McKenzie and I worked together on his writing while he was in high school. After taking a gap year, he asked me for guidance with his college essays. Much to my delight, all that writing work in high school had paid off. He wrote his college essays with very little help, and they were clear, heartfelt, and reflective of both his authenticity and passion for art. After making tiny tweaks, I knew he would fare well in his application process. And fare well he did. Four acceptances with scholarships to four exceptional schools. He could have chosen any of them and been happy. That is a rare and wonderful position to find oneself. I’m delighted with his choice of Pratt. Going somewhere beautiful and entering a program that aligns with his values and vision is critical for success.

McKenzie, I am so proud of you. You took the time to figure out which direction you wanted to head and then used your natural talents in writing and art to get there. Fine work, my dear. I could not be happier for you.

Here’s to success!

Here’s a photo of McKenzie: