Laura Weston-Pruneda

After 16 years in the news and TV industry, I felt uninspired and disconnected from my passion for creativity. I craved a meaningful change where I could make an impact, and teaching became the answer. As an artist, I love helping students discover their creativity and witnessing their growth. Guiding them through their "aha" moments gives me a sense of purpose I never had before. Teaching has allowed me to share my knowledge and rediscover my own love for art, keeping me inspired every day.

I once taught a lesson on drawing nature, and the class seemed bored, so I took them outside to our courtyard to draw anything they saw (trees, bushes, buildings, etc). Afterward, one of my typically less engaged students excitedly ran up to the assistant principal to proudly show her artwork. Her passion in that moment melted my heart and reminded me how powerful it is to create meaningful, hands-on experiences for students.

This funding would change both my family's and my students' future opportunities! I would use $10k to reach our goal for IVF, as we cannot conceive without it. The remaining $15k would grow my high school art program by adding digital tools (tablets, Apple Pencils) and software like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and Procreate. These resources would introduce students to digital illustration, graphic design, and animation, giving them real-world skills for creative careers.