Hi, I'm Alex and I had no idea that I wanted to go to Art Center bad enough to create a fundraising page...

I have until the end of this weekend 9/17-18 to accept a scholarship amount unheard. Just having been accepted to Art Center is a huge honor. And the following story, may not come as a surprise for those of you that know me and my relationship with numbers/money. Until today, Friday 9/16 at 12p i was reading my tuition and aid invoice to indicate a couple of thousand due in tuition. Except what I was reading as a year's worth of tuition was actually only a semester. And the last 6 hours have had myslef and the most incredible staff and leadership across the Creative Direction dept, Student Services, Cashier, and Financial Aid office scrambling in the last minutes of the day to get me the most to be able to stay.

The remaining balance will be a total of 8k for the two semesters, and I'd be happy to get half that and some for the gofund me fees and supplies. I am still actively looking for jobs or contract work, so if you can help in that way, do let me know!

I never finished my BA, opting instead to stay and carve a path for myself with the opportunity I was given at American Apparel in the mid-oughts. With blood, sweat and tears, I made a career out of that opportunity. Now I'm desperately trying to keep this opportunity to make a degree out of this privilege. On a whim and hope, I applied to earn a BFA in Creative Direction at Art Center. It's an honor to have been considered and accepted to learn from these incredible industry powerhouses. I would have never thought of going back to school if it wasn't for the encouragement and support of my spouse. But ever since the first day of classes this past Monday, I realize just how bad I want to be able to stay and put my all into this, as so many have put so much into me. I cannot even begin to articulate how much of a big deal it is to have the support of this entire institution. I know that i can emerge from this program as you all see me but haven't achieved. I know that this is the thing that gets me there, so that i may create means and opportunities to tangibly thank you. I feel foolish to have ended up in this situation, asking for yet a little more help, but i just need a little bit more to be able to go through with this.

It is a HUGE honor to be considered, accepted, and granted so much aid and support. I thank you all for all you have done and contributed to me and my life. You all are a part of me, and that's what makes me good enough to be here.

all my love and gratitude,

Alex