The Tristan Becker Alva Award
Tristan Alva was an amazingly creative artist, animator, sculptor, musician, songwriter, and person overall, who attended Orange County School of the Arts for 7th-12th grade. This award will be given in his name to digital media students who exhibit his extraordinary creativity and passion, but more importantly, his empathy, compassion, kindness, generosity, and love for all things and people.
On May 26th 1999, Tristan Becker Alva was born. As soon as he could hold a pen, he began drawing on anything he could get his hands on. Anything creative became his passion in life. He played piano, guitar, bass, was a lead in his 6th grade school play as Mike TV, wrote his own music, wrote poetry, sang, made home made movies on his computer and also had his art featured in the Indy film, "Dear Mr. Watterson", which was a tribute to the creator of Calvin and Hobbes, his favorite comic.
In 6th grade he auditioned for OCSA, as this was his dream school. He began 7th grade at Orange County School of the Arts in the Visual Arts conservatory. In 8th grade he applied for the Digital Arts conservatory because he wanted to "bring his drawings to life". He was accepted and studied Digital Media, focusing on animation for the next four years.
His senior year Tristan applied to several colleges and was accepted to the very best school in the country for animation. California Institute of the Arts accepted him into their "experimental animation" department- he was one of 12 students in the country accepted. At CalArts he was able to use professional equipment and made many experimental animations. He was living his dream life. He had many friends, played in a band, and got to truly express his creativity. His work was truly unique.
Tristan had one semester left at CalArts and was going to receive his Bachelors Degree in Fine Arts in December 2021. However, he passed away unexpectedly on July 21, 2021 at the age of 22. Our family is devastated by our loss and heartbroken beyond words. This will not be the end of his story or his impact on the lives of so many.
We know Tristan would love for another student to be honored in his name. Someone who studies Digital Media and animation at OCSA, and who is also kind and compassionate and will continue to influence the world through art and creation.
We would like to jump start this award with kind donations from his family and friends. Any amount is appreciated. Our hope is that this award will be sustainable for years to come, to honor Tristan's love for the arts.