Carolyn is a first time Story Xperiential participant who created a moving story about the loss of a parent and the subsequent reconnection between a child and the parent left behind. "Here 4 You" won the hearts and minds of Carolyn's peers which garnered her a Best Storyreel Peer Recognition Award and the May 2024 Grand Prize.
We asked her about her motivation, aspirations and plans for the future.
I have been doing animation throughout my high school career. In Texas, I haven't known a lot of people who have continued animation. My animation instructor, who is exceptional at his job and wants to see us succeed, introduced the Story Xperiential program to the senior class because we were the ones who stuck it out. There are only two of us. I thought it would be a new adventure, so I agreed.
Before starting the Story Xperiential program, I had turned eighteen but I didn't consider myself a true adult due to my childlike nature and still being in high school, which is why I opted for the youth cohort.
One of my passions is learning, specifically how the brain works. A lot of it plays into psychology. I have so much more to learn, and honestly I can't wait! At the moment, I am planning on gearing myself more towards Creative Writing and Psychology. I do, however, plan to work on animations from time to time as a hobby. In my animation class, we have been learning how to do 3D-animation, and, although I prefer traditional, I do enjoy the challenge of 3D-animation, which I may use for future projects.
Rough storyboards by Carolyn Watson depicting scenes from "Here 4 You"
What I enjoyed most about the Story Xperiential program was the simplicity of the instruction and if you wanted further detail it was your choice to find it.
I have been writing stories and drawing for as long as I can remember. I have also been working on writing a book for about eight years. Still haven't figured that all out yet, but that's another challenge to overcome.
To give some context for my story "Here 4 You", I had taken health in my senior year and there was a huge emphasis on being safe when driving, we ended up creating a PSA for it. When I began working on my Story Xperiential project, I didn't quite know what to write, so I played with my own experience taking bits and pieces of my life and adding it in.
For the beginning with Kyle as a baby, I took my own emotions of happiness when my younger siblings were born. I remember the times that I was like a parent to them. I would help encourage them to do their homework, and go to their soccer games or swim meets. Always in the back of my mind there is that fear. What if I lost them? How would I live? I thought about it, again and again, day after day. Eventually, I realized that I would never really lose them. Every memory, every picture, every moment I have with them is a blessing and a miracle. I will be leaving for college in the fall and that fear of losing them or being alone has creeped up on me, occasionally. In my head, I will often remind myself, "You're not alone. You'll never be truly alone. There are people who love you, even if you don't realize it."
Illustrations by Carolyn Watson - Kyle's external and internal characteristics
So, be patient with yourself and talk to people every once in a while. Talking to people is harder for me to do, as I suffer from anxiety. Sometimes it can get so overwhelming, and then depression follows like a plague playing on my doubts and insecurities. I'm slowly learning how to be more patient with myself and as time goes on I can see improvement. I hope that all those reading this are able to find peace in their circumstances even if they are challenging. Know you have the power to get back up when you're knocked down.
With these parting words, I bid you adieu,
Carolyn
Carolyn is now working on her second Story Xperiential project and is planning on enjoying her summer vacation.
To watch her full video you can visit Story Xperiential's YouTube Channel: https://youtu.be/ZO4g5BRamfc
or go to the May 2024 Exhibition Page: