PROFILE ON A TALENTED ART STUDENT

Talented, ambitious, creative, fun and positive- these are some adjectives that are very appropriate when describing Romie Sciscio, a first year fine arts student at Rhodes University. There is something uniquely different about her. She gives you a smile that encourages and welcomes you in and after speaking to her briefly, you may mistake her for being a friend that you have known forever. Her friends describe her as “a true gem” which seems a great fit since she sparkles as a person and her talent shines through. She sees herself as “a very tolerant and persevering person who is a good motivator” and is the perfect example of a well rounded University student.

Sitting at the Rat and Parrot (one of Grahamstown’s famous bars), she tells me that she had many expectations of Rhodes when she first arrived here this year “When I first got here I guess I expected instant gratification. I saw myself as a serious artist destined for stardom and success, but soon after I got here I realised that University is like a new language that you need to learn and get used to, and you can’t exactly become a star is a foreign place so it takes time to get where you want to be- and lots of perseverance!”

Like most first year students, Romie was excited about starting a new life for herself this year and loves her independence but also misses home as she is very family orientated. Luckily for her she has become extremely close with fellow art students as they spend countless hours in the art department together whilst working on their “masterpieces” and because of all that time spent together they have formed very close bonds and have become a support away from home. “I know that I can trust them and I really appreciate their opinions when it comes to my art. They support me and I don’t know what I would do without them”.

Growing up, she was always surrounded by art as her mother was always very crafty. Every Christmas she would receive paints and utensils from “Santa” and although at the time she wondered why she didn’t get Barbies like her friends, she is now “very grateful” and sees how her parents encouraged her right from the tender age of five.
She lists the accumulative growth of her artwork as one of her biggest accomplishments and after seeing some of her work it is easy to understand why. “With this year has come the realisation that you forever learn. I came here initially thinking that I would just do my own thing but I have become so inspired by how much more I can actually learn.”

Her advice to new students is for them to take advantage of all the opportunities that present themselves and not to be afraid to ask questions. “First year of Varsity went by so fast so it’s important to make the most of every moment you have to expand your mind, heart and soul.”

FAST FACTS ABOUT ROMIE:

1. FAVOURITE MOVIE: Kiss me Kate; from the 1950’s. I love TCM classics
2. FAVOURITE COLOUR: I’m an artist so I love all colours
3. ROLE MODEL: There are so many great artists to look up to but I want to be myself and bring something unique
4. FAVOURITE VARSITY MOMENT: Meeting new people every day
5. MOST EMBARRASING MOMENT: I was talking about my art lecturer and saying how she scares the crap out of me, and I turned around and found her standing right behind me. Blind one!!!

A letter to my younger self

Dear Kaz

I’m writing to you as your future self, as the girl you are going to evolve into next year. You are about to begin the most exciting journey of your life, and it all starts on the road to independence. You have always been wise beyond your years and have yearned for the opportunity to spread your wings and fly to your highest aspirations, but were warned by your parents that it’s a “big bad world out there that you aren’t quite ready for”. Well guess what? that “big bad world” is not all bad and comes with all sorts of perks and pleasures, but maybe Mom and Dad were right to assume that it might initially come as a shock, as you have had many “firsts” this year and some tough and stressful experiences as well, and that is why I am writing to you- in an attempt to prepare you for what is to come. This year has definitely been a rollercoaster ride, so hop on but don’t forget to fasten that safety belt!

You never did waste any time here and you proved that when you accidently ended up landing a job as the new, hot DJ in town- in your very first week of Varsity! Wow! Awesome! You always wanted fame and there was your stage! In that same week you succeeded in dying all your white clothes pink in the wash, getting a reputation as a ditsy blonde, found out that people actually can run out of money, and met some of the greatest people and friends this planet has to offer.

Sadly the DJ job only lasted for 3 months as you soon realised that you were here for a degree and that playing “the golden oldies” at 3am in the morning on a weekday to drunken disorderly disco dancers was not exactly educational. But still, the experience was fun while it lasted, and so was your first year of freedom.

Keep well and good luck
LOVE ME (a.k.a "you" ;) )