Walker Grossi

I come from a family of five with my two brothers and parents who have encouraged and influenced me to be the person I am today. I always try to create or spread happiness and creativity throughout the world by making videos for people to enjoy. I started making videos when I was five or six years old and continued to keep making videos and even used them to present for large events. I currently attend The New York Film Academy and plan to graduate in December of next year. My hobbies outside of school consist of hanging out with friends, making videos to post online, and playing basketball. Through basketball I have participated in several coaching, mentoring, and volunteering opportunities such as coaching a basketball team made up of 5 and 6 year olds for an entire season and running a basketball summer camp for kids in kindergarten through 8th grade. I took my basketball and coaching skills into an amazing experience where it impacted my life tremendously. Special Olympics is a program that gives kids with special needs a chance to connect with each other through different sports. In 2018 I was selected as a mentor athlete for a basketball team who represented California at the Special Olympics USA Games in Seattle, Washington. Before competing in the week long 50th annual Special Olympics USA Games and taking home Bronze for our team, we were given several amazing opportunities as part of our preparation. As a team, we attended various sporting events throughout the state, met college athletes, attended the NBA All Star Weekend, and so many other experiences. This program has taught me leadership and communication skills as my task was to demonstrate and teach the the art of basketball by connecting with the athletes and helping them understand how to overcome their obstacles, be a team player, and how to be competitive while representing their state. This experience helped me develop skills I will need in the film industry when it comes to working with others, meeting expectations, being part of a team, and achieving a goal. Outside of school I spend time with my family and friends and I always encourage myself to meet new people and try new things such as joining a church youth group, and being selected as part of a year long commitment to the Lompoc Youth Leadership Team. I am often found filming short movies with my friends or helping high school and college athletes create highlight videos. I have always considered myself a hard worker. I always tried to find new jobs and opportunities to earn money and to efficiently perform tasks for those who need help while expanding my skill set. Even in my past job at Skydive Santa Barbara, they are always giving me new tasks to try because they know that I am open to learning new things. Each experience and opportunity I am a part of will only help my perspective when it comes to filming and editing.

• Playing College Basketball at SBCC
• Represented Lompoc High school at the Special Olympics in basketball
• Member of YLLV (Youth Leadership Lompoc Valley)
• Pacesetter for Class Of 2020