Meet Point Community College Scholarship Recipient Tatiana Claure

Which community college are you currently attending?

Santa Monica College

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

Environmental Engineering because inventing, designing, researching and building ecologically progressive ideas is so intriguing, fascinating and seems rewarding to me. ‍♀️

What are your education and career aspirations?

I plan to pursue a Master’s in Engineering and would love to work on building fully-functioning, tiny, sustainable, affordable homes out of recycled materials. ♻️

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

I am a professional flow artist and performer! I mostly hula hoop and spin poi, sometimes on fire, and I also eat fire.

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

“It’s a Beautiful Life” by Ace of Base because it is a song I heard as a child and has always stuck with me. It’s a daily reminder to me that life is a reality that we create, so why not make it beautiful?

What is your current favorite streaming binge and why?

I generally don’t watch too much TV, but I love documentaries and podcasts about existentialism, the universe, animals and science.

In your spare time, what do you enjoy doing?

I love practicing flow arts whenever I’m not studying. If I’m feeling like a chill day, I choose to craft my life away.

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

During this time, my self-care has become crafting, flowing, reading, exercising and long walks on the beach at sunset.

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

Remote life was a bit of a rough transition for me because I had to force myself to stay motivated. This was especially hard at first because I have not one, not two, but THREE extremely cuddly and playful cats. ‍⬛

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

My message to other LGBTQ+ students is to be as much yourself as possible. I spent too much of my life hiding who I was, afraid of not being liked, and it is a dark, lonely place to be a passenger in your own body. If you’re able, please make your environment a safe space for yourself to be who you are. Love each day, whether good or bad, and find the lesson in difficult moments. Be sure to have a good support system for the hard times, and if you don’t have anyone, I’m always open to new friends! And please remember to respond to negativity with love, not fear, my dear. You are a light so bright that you emit rainbows, so never let anyone dim your sparkle! ✨