Students | humela

Student Portfolios

Antonio Gonzalez

I am a senior at HAAT in East LA where I've studied Photography, Digital Media, and Design for three years, with Ms. Dooley. Last spring, in my Digital Media class, I designed my own photo portfolio website and I'm always updating it with my latest images. Coming from East Los Angeles, a low-income neighborhood with rich Mexican cultures, I've learned from my own community. In my spare time, I love taking pictures of my surroundings and anything that captures my eye. I've entered my photographs in contests, such as Scholastic Art Awards and the LA Music Center's Spotlight and have won. Last year I was awarded a scholarship for a photography class at Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, CA. Los Angeles Times photographers selected two of my photographs for display on their Framework web gallery. Two of my other photographs will also be on display, for the next two years, at the Huntington Library and Gardens.

Tatiana Darris

I am a senior at HAAT and this is my second year in Digital Imaging. I love drawing, painting, and animation. I’m also interested in and dancing. I have been in Inner Arts City for a year and half, participated in the Vans Contest for two years and I participated in the Chalk Fest in our school. Also I’m on the Torres softball team.

Jocelyn Rivera

I attend Humanitas Academy of Art and Technology. During my free time I like taking pictures and walking around to try new things. I currently went to an animation retreat to USC and I must say it was an incredible weekend and I honestly enjoyed every minute of it. Being an open-minded person is something I’ve been working on, and being around new, different is giving me new experiences.

Telicia Estrada

I am currently a junior at HAAT. I'm funny, sweet and out-going. I love drawing and photography, and put lots of emotion and thought into it. I take my time to make sure it comes out right, the way I want it to be. I want people to notice every detail. I want people to recognize and like my work because I try my best and hardest to make it perfect. I like to take pictures of the beautiful things in life and the horror in it too because there’s both good and bad in the world, and lots of it too. When people see the pictures they will know what’s happening out there; that’s why the world needs photographers like us.

Francisco De La Cruz

I’m a junior at HAAT and my first year studying Digital Imaging. I love watching documentaries of photography. Photography for me is emotional. Every year I’m learning more about photography. During my free time, I love to take pictures that capture my eye because to me everything is art. Also, I like to play guitar and listen to music (the art of creating rhyme). I took a Design 360 class with Art Center College's Saturday High here at our school and enjoyed it. Even though I won't pursue the visual arts with my career, I would like to be a musician. Whenever I learn about new experiences through photography and the arts I really enjoy those moments as a passion.

Jesus Flores

I am a senior at HAAT. Born and raised in East LA. I have discovered a fascination for photography. I’ve had two years of Photography with Ms. Dooley. That’s when I realized that life seems different, brighter, and clearer through the lens of a camera. I have had my work displayed at the Huntington Gardens, and I also had the pleasure of meeting Barbara Kruger when my social issue photo collage poster was chosen for that project. I am also currently working as an intern at LACMA (Los Angeles County Museum of Art), where I love working with families, showing them the beauty and history of art. I seem to have my camera focused on my people here in East LA. The majority of my photography revolves around my culture.

Julian Alvarez

I'm a junior at HAAT and studying Digital Imaging for the 1st year with Ms. Dooley. I love art, photography and design. Last semester I was awarded a scholarship to the Art Center College of Design Saturday High program and took a class in photography. I also took a before school class here at HAAT called Design 360, part of a new partnership that our school has with Art Center College of Design. I'm working on a mural design for our school's first mural in a Mural Class that I'm taking with HAAT's other art teacher Ms. Ng. I recently took an Animation Class at USC. I'm also helping design one of the HUMELA t-shirts.

Alan Martinez

I am an 11th grade student at HAAT, in my first year of Ms. Dooley's Digital Imaging class. I love making art, especially drawing, photography, and digital design. Last semester I took an after-school art class with Art Center College of Design, offered here at HAAT, called Design 360. I'm currently taking two classes at Inner-City Arts on Saturdays: Portfolio Development and Illustration.

Jasmin Perez

I am an 11th grader attending HAAT. This is my first year enrolled in Digital Imaging. I really enjoy learning and trying new things. Being open minded can really help you discover more about yourself and help you grow as a person. This class has brought out a talent I never knew I had. Although I have not much experience, I am inspired and motivated to learn further about visual and performing arts. When it comes to the arts, I am highly intrigued by photography, drawing, and the art of dance. I hope to study dance in college and possibly pursue a career in it. I am also on the Torres volleyball team.

Surge Gonzales

I am Surge, the quirky group member. I am seventeen-years-old, as of February 2014, and I am just…me. I am very sarcastic, probably too much, but it is in a friendly way, so do not worry about it. My main focus growing up has always been writing; first it was stories, then it was poetry, and then it was songs. Now I mostly try to do stories, but I’ve become very versatile with it all. I never really understood many things in life as I developed into who I am today, and so I questioned everything: why did it have to be this way? Who says it has to be this way? And so obviously, my demeanor was to try to be very different, which was not good. I was always the person everyone knew, but no one knew. I was the outcast, in a way. But now I do not worry about trying to fit in by being different, I just am. And I realized it a little too late; everyone is perfect. And then here I am, interested in photography and arts.

Cat Franco

I'm a senior at HAAT and have resided in East LA for quite a long time. I've always felt familiar and close to the people who live in this rich, cultural place. I’ve been learning photography for at least 3 years now, with my Digital Media teacher Ms. Dooley. To tell the truth, in my most deep thoughts, I always ponder on the reason of why I take pictures or create something in the first place. From the people very close to us as our parents or siblings, we all live a daily struggle, or joy taints us. Emotions easily captured in a photograph. With the guidance of my teacher, I have entered a few contests for the good experience. One contest I entered was at the Pasadena Art Center College “Saturday High” that earned me a scholarship to attend a figure drawing class there with Ms. Hataya. Also, a photograph of mine was selected by a Los Angeles Times Photography Editor to be displayed in their online Framework Gallery. I also had two photographs selected for display for the next two years at the Huntington Library. Today, I may not realize this, but when it comes to achievements I may not know how to take them. I merely photograph or draw for the joy of it and the feel of pleasure it gives. To bring a smile to someone is something priceless and is far more valuable then the rest of things that these achievements may carry. My collaboration in this project I hope to be memorable and useful in telling a story that may endure for a long time. ****confused with the highlighted sentence; unsure how to reword Jaylene MenaI’m a senior at HAAT and I am studying Digital Imaging for my 1st year. I am Editor-in-Chief for my school yearbook; it is my 2nd and last year being a part of the yearbook staff. I'm taking a dance class at Inner-City arts this term. I also volunteer regularly in my community at a center for children with special needs. I enjoy the arts whether it is visual or performing. Francisco De La CruzI’m a junior at HAAT and my first year studying Digital Imaging. I love watching documentaries of photography. Photography for me is emotional. Every year I’m learning more about photography. During my free time, I love to take pictures that capture my eye because to me everything is art. Also, I like to play guitar and listen to music (the art of creating rhyme). I took a Design 360 class with Art Center College's Saturday High here at our school and enjoyed it. Even though I won't pursue the visual arts with my career, I would like to be a musician. Whenever I learn about new experiences through photography and the arts I really enjoy those moments as a passion.

Marz Garcia

I'm a senior at HAAT and am studying Digital Imaging for my 2nd year. I'm active in school Leadership and also founded and direct our school's B-Fab Dance Club. This past year, I was chosen to intern at YouTHink, an arts and education program offered by the Zimmer Children's Museum in West Hollywood.

Oscar Cruz

I'm a senior at HAAT, and President of the student body here. I have a passion for visual, oral, and performing arts. I love drawing, painting, photography and animation. I also love music and dance. I've been an active member/performer in the B-Fab Dance Club. Last spring, I won first place for my chalk drawing in the chalk art section of the 2013 Eastside Arts Festival, hosted here on our campus. Last year, one of my photos was chosen by an LA Times photo editor to be displayed in their Framework web gallery. My work was also chosen for exhibition in our school's Barbara Kruger display, where I got to meet Barbara Kruger herself and have her critique my poster. I was also a participant in the Huntington Gardens exhibit and will have two of my images hanging there for the next two years. I also have written my own poetry that has caught my listeners’ attention.

Monique Munoz

I am a senior at HAAT in East LA. I have had art classes at HAAT for three years, Digital Media, Design, and Photography. I have also taken two classes from Art Center College of Design, Design 360 and Photography. Both were great classes. Design 360 was very interesting because we covered mostly everything. We did cool projects like the instructor gave us two words and we had to make a product out of those two words. My two words were liquid and clothing so I made a jacket with an aquarium in the sleeves. I love art because it is a way to express yourself in a creative way. Although I do not wish to pursue a career in art; art is a very important part of my life. Without art nothing would be interesting. My career goal is to become a doctor.

Juan Martinez

I am a junior from HAAT. I have been living in east LA for about 11 years. Throughout my education, I have been creative in everything that has come to me. I put the C in creative and G in goofy. Digital media with Ms. Dooley is great! I learned so many new things like using Photoshop and Video Editing. My real passion is music; I LOVE music. Without music, I’m nothing. My dream is to become a well-known music producer and DJ. I recently took some Saturday classes in music production at Inner-City Arts. Coming from East LA, I can say, life is an adventure. You don’t know what kind of things will happen. I come from a loving family. We may not be rich, but as long as we have a roof over our heads, food in our stomachs, and love from everyone, that’s all we need to be happy.

Jaylene Mena

I’m a senior at HAAT and I am studying Digital Imaging for my 1st year. I am Editor-in-Chief for my school yearbook; it is my 2nd and last year being a part of the yearbook staff. I'm taking a dance class at Inner-City arts this term. I also volunteer regularly in my community at a center for children with special needs. I enjoy the arts whether it is visual or performing.

Fernando De La Cruz

I’m a junior at HAAT and this is my first year in Digital Imaging. I am 16 and I have little experience with photography. I’m an Editor and Graphic Designer on a YouTube Gaming Channel. I like to explore places and play video games. Whenever I have time I like to create logos and banners. I’m a shy and quiet person and I like to listen to music. I’m looking forward to practicing and studying photography more. I enjoy watching other people's designs and I am interested in photography.

Jayson Morales

My name is Jayson A Morales. I’m a Junior at HAAT This is my 1st year in my Digital Imaging class. I have taken a “Design 360” class and also “Sessions LA” , a music production class, at Inner City Arts. I love drawing and really enjoyed helping with our school's Chalk Festival last year. In the near future I would like to pursue an art career.

Rodrigo Flores

I'm a senior at HAAT. I’ve been living in East LA my entire life. This is my second year taking a digital imaging class with my teacher and mentor Ms. Dooley. Looking at paintings, sculptures, sketches, and photographs are things that I can relate to and that is why I love the arts. I am hoping this project makes me evolve in certain aspects as an artist. For now, I just want to focus on the people from my community and get their stories out to others. Although my career goals are not heading towards the arts, it will always continue being a part of me.

Treysi Lopez

I am 17 years old. I am currently a junior at Humanitas Academy of Arts and Technology (HAAT) at Esteban E. Torres High School. I have been working with photography and movies since middle school but here at HAAT I have been able to make my skills sharper and work more with digital imagery. I have been able to work with other students on making short animations and this year I was able to work on another animation program. I can truly say that I love the visual arts. I might not be able to draw but I am great with animations, taking photographs, and making videos. In my free time, I like to walk around taking photos of interesting places or of my surroundings. I personally do not own a camera but my phone always comes in handy to take a shot of an interesting image. In my phone I have 9,531 pictures. I love capturing memories! By being able to capture an image, I know that I could always go back and relive those happy moments that a person never gets twice in a lifetime.

Jose Medina

I’m a senior at HAAT in East L.A. and am studying Digital Imaging for my second year. I love all aspects of art including, drawing, sculpture, architecture, printmaking, painting, electronic media (such as computer and digital graphics), visual design and graphic design. Most of my input for this project was mainly put into coming up with a design for the T-shirts we are going to make. This year I have participated in a before-school art class, called Design 360, part of an Art Center College of Design partnership with our school. I’ve also participated in our school wide Huntington project, where three of my photographs are on display at the Huntington library for the next 2 years.

Sally Vargas

I’m a Senior at HAAT, and I’m on my fourth year of Digital Imaging with Ms. Dooley. I’ve also taken other artistic classes such as Design 360 and Graphic Design at Art Center’s Saturday High. I have won several awards such the Scholastic Art Award and Lleida Latin-American Film Festival. Currently, I have an internship with Margaritaville Apparel Group and it consists of me working with the head Graphic Designer. After high school I am planning to get my B.A. in Graphic Design.

David Silva

Hi!!! I love taking photos, and making photo collages in Photoshop. I so excited to be working on the HUMELA project. Being in HUMELA is a great opportunity for me because in this project I get to take pictures of many inspiring things. I have experienced many fun HUMELA field trips out of school already. I learned how to take portraits of people so they look good. I also learned to take pictures at special events. Some of the best pictures I took were at our photo workshop at the Huntington Gardens, a partner to our high school. I really enjoyed the perfected angles and views I took there. I was also a part of both Dia de Los Muertos photo workshjops. Those events were really beautiful and creative. I got the chance to take amazing pictures of people and art.

Brenda Vasquez

I am a senior at Humanitas Academy of Art and Technology and I took Digital Imaging last semester. I have attended a Drawing Techniques and Acting Workshop at Inner City Arts. I believe these workshops have helped me develop the person I am now by guiding my discovery of my qualities, preferences and interests. It was an experience worth taking. I am currently attending an Advertising Class, which is part of the Saturday High program at Art Center College. I love learning new things far from what I usually learn in school. Working with Ms. Dooley in different creative projects has been a great and enriching experience.

Angel Contreras

I am currently a junior at HAAT. This is my first year taking Digital Imaging taught by Ms. Dooley and so far I’m enjoying it. I am a self-taught artist and I have a passion for art, especially drawing. I mostly spend my spare time practicing the art of drawing. Last year I won an award for one of the best drawings in our school's Chalk Festival. I especially love sketching portraits and have made several drawings after the portrait photographs in our HUMELA project. I was highly interested in this project when I first heard about it, wanting to contribute with my talent. I would love to make something out of my talent in the arts in the future.

Andrew Ortega

2014 HAAT Valedictoran

I am a senior at HAAT and this is my second year studying Digital Imaging. For the last three years I have been studying art and have even taken animation workshops at Inner-City Arts. Growing up art has always been an interest to me. I have done things from 3D animation to studio art. Without art my life would seem boring and lifeless; art gives color to my life. Even though I would not like to pursue a career in the art, it is something that entertains me so I like to do it in my free time. I hope this project helps me broaden my ideas and beliefs I have in art.