Class of 2024: Sarah Méndez

Sarah Méndez is an Art major from Damascus, Maryland.

When I took my first step on the Hill, I was: Nervous, but overall excited to be starting my college experience in a school that was so welcoming.

The me who will ring the Old Main bell on Commencement Day is: Thankful to have met such amazing people that have not only helped me grow as a person, but as a student as well.

Real-world experiences: I have had many fulfilling and unique experiences at McDaniel College, but one that I would like to highlight is my junior year Painting en Plein Air student-faculty summer research with Professor Steve Pearson. While it was only a couple of weeks long, it was an amazing experience in which I made several connections and friendships. I was even able to meet famed artists whose experience and knowledge of painting helped me better my own understanding of oil painting.

My aha moment: My aha moment came with the help of Professor Pearson. I always thought that every decision I made needed to be final. This led me to continuously overthink every single decision I made, making me constantly question if I was making the right choice. Professor Pearson helped me realize that even if it is the “wrong” choice, there is so much you can learn from that “wrong” choice. Never let a “wrong” choice be final.  

Footprints I’m leaving on the Hill: I’m not quite sure if my time here at McDaniel will leave an impact but I hope to have my artwork remembered. Some of my work includes helping the Art Department create postcards and posters for exhibitions and artist talks that will hopefully inspire future students. I would love for future students to take inspiration from my work.

Faculty or staff member who most influenced who I have become: While there are a few that I could name, there is no doubt that Professor Pearson was the most influential in my art journey. I don’t think my artwork would be where it is without the guidance of Professor Pearson and his amazingly vast knowledge of the arts. He encouraged me to follow through with each new art piece and never allowed me to “just give up.” That is something I will never forget.

Best class ever: Printmaking. Coming from an artist who primarily works digitally, I was amazed as to how difficult and fun this class is. I think working with different printmaking techniques, specifically lithography, opened my eyes to a whole new (art) world!

Tell us a little about your activities, including sports, during your years at McDaniel: Since I worked full-time, was a student full-time, and a commuter, I never had the opportunity to participate in any activities outside of the Art Department.

Took me totally by surprise: How laborious art can truly be! I love making art, so spending hours at a time creating a body of work is a dream, but I did not expect it to be such a humbling experience. Good time management is your best friend as an Art major!

My favorite spot on campus: My favorite spot on campus BY FAR is the Art Studio. I could spend hours in that building working on my projects or just hanging out with friends.

Most mind-boggling idea I learned at McDaniel: That you can tell what kind of a person someone is based on how they define what fine art really is. It’s very psychological, and I love how many answers I have come to hear! 

My capstone title: “Women in the Digital World of Men.”

What it’s about in plain talk: My comics aim to explore the challenges, prejudices, and often-disheartening ridicule and humiliation of femininity seen throughout the toxic gaming community. I seek to shed light on the harsh realities experienced by females in this virtual environment, subtly emphasizing the need for a more inclusive and respectful gaming culture.

What’s next: My next steps include finishing my graduate degree in Secondary Education here at McDaniel! I absolutely love teaching and I hope to one day either teach at university level or secondary level. It’s hard to tell which I prefer, but I know that I will also one day complete a Master of Fine Arts degree.

How will you stay connected to McDaniel? I have made so many friends here at McDaniel that I have no doubt I will stay connected with. I will always be thankful for the professors and students who helped me become who I am today.

If you received financial aid, what did that mean for you and your family? Coming from a family of teachers, it means so much to be able to receive financial aid. Specifically, the Educators Legacy Scholarship. What an amazing way to encourage and uplift those coming from a family of educators like myself. I am also very fortunate and grateful to be receiving the Teacher Collaborative Fellowship to help cover my graduate program here at McDaniel. Without the amazing help of the graduate Education department, I would not be able to have such a life-changing experience and opportunity!