(June 3, 2003) — Senior Nathan Pak won $300 in fourth grade for best poster in a water-conservation poster contest at Windrows Elementary School in Rancho Cucamonga. As his grades slipped in the eighth he continued to draw and it was then that Pak decided to pursue art. However, despite his admirable talent, he has not entered in a contests since the fourth grade as he believes that contests require you to become what “someone else wants you to do be,” Pak explained. “Plus, I’m too lazy to bother with it,” he added. Despite his apathy, Pak has created a video game for his senior project alongside senior Jeff Kim. Kim was the writer and director of the “role playing game” or RPG with Pak as the character and environmental designer. Pak spent 84 hours drawing thirteen different characters, with an average of three sketches each, plus maps, and diagrams of cities and countries. Pak draws simply because he likes it, he is good at it and as he said “[he isn’t good] at anything else.” Drawing has even helped his social life. At a point in his life when he was shy, Pak used his talent as an ice breaker. A fellow student sitting next to him in class would notice his cartoons of the teacher, acknowledge his talent and ask for Pak to draw him a picture, thereby starting conversation. In the past, Pak has taken three art classes at Clark Magnet and has attending Art Center College in Pasadena. Currently, Pak studies at a private art studio in Glendale in preparation for his portfolio. Next year, portfolio in hand, Pak will be attending Otis College of Art and Design in Los Angeles as an undergraduate freshman. Accepted on the basis of his portfolio, Pak has drawn “serious” pieces—figure drawing and classic sketches. He received a total of $28,000 in grants, scholarships and loans. In his first, or “foundation” year, at Otis, Pak will learn the basics of figure drawing, materials and different mediums. Afterwards, Pak is interested in declaring a major—character design or animation. Without a doubt, 17-year-old Nathan Pak is a talented young artist. However, even for him, “life isn’t a movie.” “When people get [angry] or sad, they hit stuff or listen to music. But I throw on some headphones and stab my paper with a pencil until something good comes out,” said Pak. His philosophy on life: “How many people are happiest when they’re asleep? Everyone. How many people moan and complain when they’re awake? Everyone…I’m a pessimist.” His attitude may not be one that many deem as positive, but seeing as how it has gotten him this far, perhaps we should not criticize but applaud his talent.