Hello, this is Stella speaking!

When I was growing up, I never had a "dream job." I had a hard time understanding how my peers could choose just one major or career path so early on. How could they know that fast? And why would they want to do only one thing for the rest of their lives? I still struggle with these questions today, but I’m grateful to have grown up with a mom who believes in exploring, finding passion in what you do, and embracing positive redirection. 

 

My mom always told me I had a creative eye and encouraged me to explore my artistic side. She signed me up for dance, art, and photography classes through the local YMCA, and supported my decision to take AP Art and AP English in high school. This led to a deep passion for photography, videography, reading, writing, drawing, and digital media. I started bringing my dad’s camera to my high school football games, creating Instagram accounts where I’d post collages, writing poetry, sketching, and editing fun videos. Basically, I fell in love with creating. 

 

Being born and raised in Door County, Wisconsin, introduced me to a handful of other passions. I've worked in the service industry since I was 15 and quickly realized how much I enjoy hearing people's stories and forming genuine connections with customers who cross my path. Working in various restaurants, paired with my parents' effort to expose my sister and me to a wide variety of fresh foods, helped me understand how food brings people together. I love cooking, sharing meals, trying new things, and seeing how something as simple as food can brighten someone’s day. 

 

Music was also a big part of my childhood. My parents made sure my sister and I heard all kinds of genres, took us to concerts, and exposed us to local live music. Of course, there were times we didn’t fully appreciate what we were listening to, but the consistent message to try new things stuck with me. 

 

And, of course, it’s almost impossible to talk about Door County without mentioning the water that surrounds it. Growing up there gave me a deep appreciation for nature and the positive impact of being outdoors. I love swimming, being near the water, hiking, camping, and exploring new places. I’m extremely grateful that my parents prioritized traveling together as a family, introducing us to new places, ideas, and cultures. I hope to keep exploring much more in the future. 

 

A few interests that have always been present in my life, but became especially important during my time at UW-Madison, are film, social media, and sports. Classes like Introduction to Film and Introduction to Media Production exposed me to timeless movies and classic film practices. Watching films such as The Grand Budapest Hotel, Do the Right Thing, and The Matrix shifted my view of movies from simple entertainment to carefully crafted storytelling with endless creative possibilities.Video Journalism and Editing & Post-Production for Video and Film helped me rediscover my love for being behind the camera, asking questions, and creating stories that resonate. 

 

My first real experience with social media came in middle school when I made various fan accounts on Instagram to post edits. I actually saw steady success, though at the time I had no idea it could become a real path or career. Over the past decade, social media has grown immensely, and after taking classes on the Internet’s history, media and the consumer, and how media affects relationships, it’s clear that everyone has their own unique relationship with it. I love social media for its endless creative potential, the information it can share, and the communities it can build. When used intentionally, it can have a truly positive impact. 

 

And finally, sports. Growing up in Wisconsin, it was inevitable, and honestly essential, that I become a Packers, Bucks, and Badgers fan. When I was younger, I mostly watched the Packers as a way to connect with my dad. But once I started attending Badger games in high school, I was completely drawn in by the emotion, energy, and community that sports create. Sports are history and tradition; oftentimes they mean so much more than winning or losing. They’re unpredictable, which is what makes them both beautiful and heartbreaking. More than anything, I fell in love with sports because of the stories – filled with standout moments, compelling characters, and powerful messages. Sports make people feel.

 

While I’m still not exactly sure what my future holds, I’ve finally reached a place where I’m comfortable with the unknown. I know what I’m passionate about, and I’m still learning who I am and what I want. At my core, I enjoy learning, creating, and connecting. Somewhere at the intersection of those passions is where I see myself in the future.