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Autumn Hays

Biography

Autumn Hays was told she had dyslexia in elementary school and was placed into special education classes. However, when put through testing, Autumn scored higher than any student the special education teacher had seen. Mother, daughter, and teacher consulted and agreed to move Autumn into a regular track. Once she entered middle school, a teacher anonymously recommended Autumn be tested for honors. "I passed the gifted test with a very high score. I was shocked and overjoyed. I knew my dyslexia made things hard for me and I never believed I could be a gifted student."

"After several years, I have succeeded in becoming a strong and productive individual. Most importantly, I am following my deepest dream, being an artist." Mixed media works challenge and stimulate Autumn. She creates works in which she exposes herself physically and emotionally, directly confronting her own discomfort. She utilizes combinations of sound, photography, smell, performance, instillations, film, painting, drawing, and sculpture. Her pieces have been included in numerous student and public shows, and she intends to focus on a career in studio art while also teaching at the college level.

Autumn worked long hours during her academic career at San Diego Mesa College and traveled on public transportation to afford community college. Autumn held offices in the Honors Club, Phi Theta Kappa, and the Public Art Committee, and also served as president of the Studio Arts Club. Faculty members comment on her academic achievement, calling it "stunning," in the light of so many challenges. This scholarship enables her to focus on her academic and creative goals in the university setting. For Autumn, college represents "hope, dreams, and so much more."

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