Meet Point Community College Scholarship Recipient Madison Chaparro

Which community college are you currently attending?

Saddleback College

Which program are you pursuing and what about the subject intrigues you most?

I am pursuing both Film & English. They intrigue me equally.

What are your education and career aspirations?

I am going to be an art director in film and television and an author on historical and mythological subjects.

What is a fun fact about you that few people know?

I collect antiques so that one day I’ll live in a fully furnished dramatic Victorian mansion.

What is your favorite book/movie/song and why?

My favorite song is “Hell” by the Squirrel Nut Zippers because it is an exciting combination of jazz revival and klezmer style music. The song depicts hell in a more cartoonish & classic sense which is not often done anymore. It’s chaotic & bizarre, give it a listen!

What is your current favorite streaming binge and why?

Over the Garden Wall and Umbrella Academy are some of the few shows I will binge. Over the Garden Wall is a unique yet brief animated story that has traditional Halloween tones.

Umbrella Academy marks the only time I have been floored by a superhero series. Umbrella Academy is both dark and comedic, with characters unlike any I have ever seen.

In your spare time, what do you enjoy doing?

I paint, sew, and thrift any moment I get the chance. My spare time is creating time!

How are you practicing self-care during this difficult time?

Every day I try dressing to a certain era or theme, sometimes it is Victorian gothic and other times I am a cowboy. One day I’m 70s and the next I’m 50s. It brings me joy!

How are you adjusting to remote life and what are your tips to stay motivated?

My tip to stay motivated is to really keep in mind WHY you’re completing a class to begin with. I think of my classes as my career so I refuse to fail.

As a Point Community College Scholarship Recipient, what is your message to other LGBTQ+ students?

My message to other LGBTQ+ students is that some people are beyond arguing. If you find that you are constantly trying to argue your point of view with someone who refuses to listen, know that it is a dead-end. Some people are determined to never understand you, so let them keep trying. Don’t engage with them to begin with. Fighting back is a natural response but leaving the conversation altogether is the healthier response.