Though I didn’t fit the A-student mould, my strengths were clear in the subjects I loved, Art and Mathematics - which were continuously inspired by my parents’ architectural backgrounds. These fields left a lasting impact on my life, especially in refining skills like calculations, measurements, and project organisation that became valuable in the real-world.

In high school, I was neither a standout social figure nor hidden away in books. Rather, I found my stride in unique ways and projects. At the time, my involvement with the church and music became central to my personal growth. I played the flute in the church band, led children’s Bible lessons, and joined a youth orchestra at the Hugo Lambrechts Music Centre in Cape Town, balancing both individual and community-oriented goals.

Motivated to grow, I enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts in Creative Brand Communications program at The AAA School of Advertising in Cape Town, a degree I am immensely proud of. The program was intensive, compressing four years into three by including extra marketing classes after hours, while also working part-time as a waitress at a local golf course, juggling multiple responsibilities while gaining valuable life skills. This blend of practical experience and formal education has provided me with a unique perspective, fuelling my creativity, curiosity, and career journey to this day.