Shoutouts 

STORY LINES

This program has been the highlight of my summer. It taught me a lot and showed me that I’m not the only one who’s into reading and reading classics. I got to read some really interesting literature that was different from what I’ve pursued before. It exposed me to more difficult works and allowed me to read other things that I’ve deemed “too hard” the first time I tried it. The films were so much fun and chatting with people and reacting was a blast. It helped me make connections and have some lenses to read through. It’s going to really help me this year in AP Lang, and I absolutely loved taking it.

Eliana (Clear Springs High School)

This program has offered me insight into literature that can not be found at my own school. The faculty has taught me valuable definitions, techniques, and meanings texts contain. Overall, Wonderworks has provided me an immense learning experience.

Lynn (Westchester Academy)

I am currently a freshman at George Washington University, majoring in Creative Writing. I actually wrote parts of my supplemental essays about how the Wonderworks program inspired me to apply as a Creative Writing major. My high school did not expose me to much outside of analytical writing so this course was a big step for me, one I am very grateful for. I really believe the creative thinking skills I picked up from this course helped me to not only gain admission to several of my top choice colleges, but also to receive several merit scholarships. It might seem odd that one summer program could change someone's life but the truth is that the Story Lines course opened my eyes to how much I love to write.

Jenna (Carnegie Vanguard High School)

It was a true blessing indeed. I learned to appreciate different styles of writing and ultimately the power of words to illustrate and create. Story Lines taught me to deconstruct and analyze literature which was essential to my learning during my senior year of high school. I also learned about and admired authors like Eudora Welty and Franz Kafka. Story Lines definitely showed me that there are no limits in literature, you can run free so long as your imagination continues to run. Thus, as my imagination continues on its race toward freedom, I join it alongside passion and a yearning for knowledge. I will attend the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and will graduate with a bachelor’s degree in English and Mass Communications in 2022. 

Thank you for all of what you do for students associated with Wonderworks! You are changing lives for the sake of a future filled with beaming intellectuals who will one day trace back their beginnings to a simple summer program that instilled in them an understanding of the power of education and knowledge. 

Adalia (Idea College Preparatory Weslaco)

As I reflect back, I can’t begin to express how meaningful Story Lines has been in my life. I’ve begun to notice the nuances I would never have been able to catch on my own. Story Lines was a second home for those 5 weeks. I can’t believe how fast those weeks flew by, but by the time I hugged my friends and you both goodbye, the magnitude of it all finally hit me: I’m leaving behind a family, almost.

Gosh, thank you. thank you for being such engaging and outgoing teachers. Your unique personalities meshed so easily and it was never, ever a dull moment. In fact, I was too often instantly inspired by what we read, discussed, wrote, and even debated about, that it all felt so comfortable. You both taught me so much about the kind of college setting I wanted and maybe, what I personally wanted: close-knit conversations about something I’m passionate about with people I would grow to quickly consider as my family.

Thank you for taking time to help me with my Smith fly-in essays and ultimately, with your support, I was accepted!… and cannot wait to see what awaits me at Smith or what Smith will be awaiting from me.

Dieungoc (Debakey High School)

I wanted to thank both of you for expanding my knowledge of literature. I feel more prepared. The first day of school, in my creative writing class (1st period), we talked about Edgar Allan Poe. Just imagine me, taking out my metaphorical notebook, scanning the Edgar Allan Poe section, pointing to ‘The Purloined Letter’. It was amazing! all of this was because of you guys. I would thank myself for choosing Story Lines, but I have to give you points for this. Thank you for introducing us to many different authors and producers. The movies we watched, amazing! The language and fashion of old movies, the humor and sorrow got to me. THANKS! I appreciate the time I had with you guys and the new friends I made. I know what I learned will not go to waste, I guarantee that. 

Gricelda (YES Prep Southwest)

STRANGER THAN FICTION

This program was a wonderful experience to explore the world around me without anxiety of grades or the exhaustion that comes from an industrialized school system. There was freedom to talk and make connections with my peers on an intellectual level. I met some really amazing people and minds I would love to have known more in real life. I enjoyed every minute of it.

Fayobami (DeBakey High School)

This program has opened my eyes to so much around me! At home, I always feel so trapped and unmotivated, but Wonderworks has really distracted me from that and made me feel so seen. Everyday after class, I can’t help but run to my mom and just rant about all the things I’ve learned and all the things I felt were SO worth mentioning. Thank you to Wonderworks and my amazing teachers!

Oceana (Bellaire High School)

Stranger Than Fiction showed me how much I want to pursue a career in journalism. During the course of this class, I was able to interact with other people with interests similar to mine, and was exposed to movies based on events that sparked incredible discussions in class. Not only did this class teach me techniques to use in my writing, but it also broadened my mind to topics not always spoken about. If I had to choose again, I would most definitely choose Stranger Than Fiction!

Paulina (YES Prep)

The Wonderworks program has really been a wonderful experience. Stranger Than Fiction has helped me open my mind to new ideas and new styles of writing. Over the course of the summer, we have openly discussed many topics and figured out ways to take ideas from podcasts and films and incorporate those into our own writing. Stranger Than Fiction is perfect for anyone interested in pursuing a career in journalism or creative writing—or for anyone who simply wants to fill up their summer. I was introduced to so many new films that I probably would have never seen if it weren’t for this program, and I can honestly say that I have added some of them to my favorites.

Dulce (Cypress Springs High School)

The Stranger Than Fiction summer workshop has not only helped my critical reading and watching skills, it has also exposed me to the workings of a college campus. My writing instructor, Will Donnelly, was so charismatic and philosophical it ensured a lively discussion every day. Without this program, my skills would not have been polished this summer and for that I am very thankful.

Briana (Chinquapin School)

MOVING PICTURES

This program has been eye-opening for me because it exposed me to a new side of media and art that I had not been exposed to too much before. It helped to show me the vast variety of ways to portray the same idea, and how to embody a film with power and a meaningful message that can last the test of time.

Evan (Carnegie Vanguard High School)

I learned a lot from Professor Houk and the guests he would bring for our classes. The films we saw broadened my knowledge of films and introduced me to directors and genres I hadn't previously known, and it was fun getting to interact with other people who had a similar level of interest in film. We shared many meaningful thoughts on the pictures we had seen such as, M, High and Low or Heaven and Hell, Bicycle Thieves, Casablanca, and The Searchers. His class helped me get over my fear of writing. I really feel like the class was beneficial. I wish we could've had the hands on experience of making our own films, but we obviously couldn't due to unfortunate events.

Josue (YES Prep)

It has always been fun watching movies but now I’ve had a chance to learn how movies are made and to analyze them shot by shot. Now I know about operating cameras, sounds, and editing programs, which I did not know before. It has been an amazing and fun experience. I wish everyone could have the same opportunity.

Norberto (Lee High School)

I had a really wonderful time at Wonderworks’ Moving Pictures program. I had the privilege to meet extraordinary people and learn from my peers. The workshop not only helped me learn new and exciting things but also enlightened me on the difficulty of filmmaking. I have found a new respect for filmmakers and everyone that is involved in the strenuous process. Thank you for an experience I will never forget and i hope to see you all next year.

Lauren (Carnegie Vanguard High School)

I am currently attending the University of North Texas and am in the Media Arts Major intending to become a movie editor. Wonderworks influenced my path greatly because it showed me the beauty and skill behind filmmaking. It has influenced my career choice greatly and sparked my passion in the art of filmmaking. I would not be doing what I am today if it weren’t for this program and great instructors.

Dylan (Westside High School)

CLOSER LOOKS

I have learned SO MUCH! I really enjoyed learning about different artists that I’d never heard of before. I feel like I have a much less generalized view of art history and artists because of the great lectures I got to participate in. Since I am in the IB program, I have to write a paper this summer, and I am planning on doing my paper about art history. Thank you so much for your time in the making of this camp!

Sophia (Bellaire High School)

The Wonderworks program was extremely eye opening and enjoyable. Learning about art and a bit of architecture was interesting. I loved visiting the museums and traveling around Texas. This program definitely did help with preparing for college like being on a college campus everyday, listening to lectures, learning challenging concepts, and having a bit of freedom.

Samantha (Spring Early College)

The program helped me discover my love for Art History and familiarize myself with the Rice University campus. I have this program to thank for expanding my horizons regarding my interests. I currently attend Rice University, double majoring in Psychology and Art History.

Emily (Jane Long Academy)

I am currently a freshman biochemistry major at the University of Texas at Austin and attending classes virtually at home. I would definitely say that Wonderworks did prepare me for college by exposing me to how lectures and discussion sections work, especially in subjects that are not related to the STEM field (plus I got to get to visit UT Austin before matriculation!).

Isma (Jane Long Academy)

FROM THE GROUND UP

The program has taught me so much about a subject that has fascinated me for a long time. I really enjoyed the way we learned about the history of architecture, and how technology has led to changes in what can be designed. The portfolio-building after-class sessions made me much more confident with what to expect and what I would have to do in order to build a solid resume and portfolio.

Michele (Heights High School)

This program has meant a lot to me because it has helped me learn more about architecture and the history behind many of the buildings that have been built. I was also able to reflect more on choosing architecture as my career and I will for sure consider it more now that I was able to attend this program. Overall, the program was great and I honestly learned so much!

Nidia (Yes Prep Southeast)

I am happy to say I just completed my third semester of architecture school at the University of Houston. My scholarship for Wonderworks was a huge catalyst in my life, and my experience at Wonderworks gave me confidence that pursuing architecture was definitely for me. Sarah, a fellow architecture student, and I met at Wonderworks. We randomly sat next to each other at Wonderworks, and then the first year of architecture at UH we found ourselves sitting next to each other again. We hope to have our own firm together one day. Our experience in the program had such a huge impact on the both of us.

The optional essay writing after the architecture portion concluded was extremely helpful in my admissions process. I believe it was Claire and Zach that taught the week long class. I loved it! After we were given the opportunity to reach out to Dr. Paula Tyler who was a huge help in my college application process. She edited many of my essay drafts and helped inform me on the nuances of financial aid.

Amber (Santa Fe High School)

I currently attend Rice University and am majoring in architecture. The Wonderworks summer architecture program was very helpful in preparing me for college. Through time working in the studio, listening in the lecture hall, and exploring on field trips, I became much more knowledgeable (and excited!) about the field of architecture. This program cemented my desire to study architecture in college. I also used a project that I completed during the program in my portfolio when applying to architecture schools.

Grace (Clements High School)

During the program, I spent my time in the architecture building of UH and now I spend each day on this campus as a full-time student funded by scholarships! As a first-generation student, experiencing a summer on an actual university campus gave me the utmost confidence that I could, in reality, attend a university as well. Moving forward, the trips scheduled into our program gave me an eye-opening realization. I still remember each one clearly, including the visit to the firm that designed the Children’s Museum (meeting Jeff Ryan, the architect behind its creation, was even more mind boggling). Experiencing all the outside of Houston trips, such as the Dallas Museum of Art and the rest of the fascinating landmarks, has provided me with a great deal of knowledge about art and creativity. I often find myself visiting these cities with my own friends and family and taking them to explore the same stops the program took me and providing them with tour information as well.

Altogether, Wonderworks helped raise my education in regard to art and architecture which I would not have received in a normal high school classroom. Nor would I have spent time on a university campus, raising my overall confidence.

Arlette (Quest Early College High School)

I’m currently going to school at the University of Texas as a second-year undergrad architecture major. For me the program was beneficial because I was able to get familiar with the studio setting and learn how to analyze architecture from the perspective of a designer, which is a skill I didn’t have before. Our very first studio assignment was actually the same as the first assignment of the Wonderworks program (making a composition with a black line, rectangle, and square on a white piece of square paper). I liked how I was able to get a feel for what architecture school would be like before committing to it entirely. It was also nice to have some background knowledge on important works prior to entering school, because I could quickly connect them to my assignments and reference them in discussions. Given that I knew next to nothing about architecture before doing the program I am glad that I was able to have that advantage.

Ania (Westside High School)

To me, architecture is the most tangible way to express myself in the real world, but I never really knew what it meant until I attended a five-week architecture and design program that consisted of lectures, projects, and field trips.  My first day in this program was essentially like being thrown into a tornado. Nothing was clear, and all I saw was a huge working space, a parallel bar, a triangular shaped tool, rulers with ambiguous scales, and an X-ACTO knife. This huge cloud of confusion slowly moved further and further away from my head as I went through more lectures, critique sessions, and field trips. These five weeks were full of nothing but constant trial and error. From throwing out initial floor plans to reshaping study models to starting a project over entirely, nothing was without failure. On paper, measurements may have worked, but when building a model I found myself constantly making changes and ending up with an entirely different idea than before. Often, I would build a model and have concepts pointed out by my teachers I never saw before. For example, my aviary with a hexagonal base had six sections that wound up splitting up the public and private areas in addition to allowing connection of the aviary with every other part of the building. All of these small things came together with the simple process of trial and error.

By undergoing this program, I not only bettered my understanding of architecture but also realized that I cannot see myself in any other career. I could not imagine my college experience without long hours in a studio, glue all over my hands, and blueprints upon blueprints, and this is what I seek at UT Austin.

Sara (Bellaire High School)

I am currently attending Texas A&M for my freshman year and I am majoring in Environmental Design. Wonderworks really did help because it made me aware that it was something I was going to do for the rest of my life. It expanded my knowledge of buildings and it made me more creative. Going on those field trips was just incredible because of the experience I gathered. Overall, the program itself was very exciting and I got to meet new people who had the same passion. This is a program I recommend to anyone that wants to be an architect; I think it’s a great experience and boost to start an architecture career. 

Carmen (Westside High School)

RULES OF THE GAME

I think being able to connect with people around my age who share my interests in the field of politics and law has been amazing. I’ve met so many people, made many friends, and been able to listen to so many lectures from people of all different backgrounds - lawyers, professors, judges, and more, and it has genuinely broadened my love for law and politics, as well as firmly establishing law as a career field I may want to pursue!

Emma (Cypress Ranch High School)

Rules of the Game has been a very enjoyable program. Not only did I learn more on widely-used terms such as “democracy” and “the vote” from college professors who specialize on these topics, I got to experience a class that was lecture-based…and this gave me a glimpse of what college life might look like!

Karla (YES Prep Northside)

[Rules of the Game] gave a start to my passion in general humanities and politics, people to look up to, and professors I can talk to when taking my next step.

Eliut (Carnegie Vanguard High School)

For the longest time, politics just seemed like one big headache, and honestly it still is. However, this class has gotten me to realize that even though the power struggle is intense, it’s just one big game. Which means with practice, I can learn to maneuver it, and maybe even win a few rounds.

Rice University has been my dream school for years, so having the opportunity to go on campus for five weeks and meeting Rice students, professors, and alumni has been amazing.

Melanie (Eastwood Academy)

This program means a lot to me because I feel like I gained a new perspective about history, politics, and the law. Not to mention, I got to watch fun movies and make new friends along the way.

Kristina (YES Prep Northbrook)

[This program] helped me really immerse myself into my love of law, government, history, and politics. I expanded my knowledge on the statistics, art, and evolution of these subjects from a variety of perspectives. I was also able to connect to professors, lawyers, judges, politicians, researchers, and others passionate about these fields. This opened my eyes to the diversity and importance of the law occupation for the maintenance of democracy and push for equality and justice entirely. Through Rules of the Game, it not only fueled my ambitions for the law, but gave me an unforgettable experience encapsulated with fond memories that have molded my personal, academic, and career lives for the better.

Aidan (Westside High School)

ADMIT ONE

This program has relieved a lot of the anxiety that I had coming into the college admissions process. Talking one-on-one with counselors, receiving feedback from peers and advisors, and attending the presentations with important information all clarified many of the questions I had coming into the process.

Esteban (Awty International School)

It helped me learn how to self-focus and write about what is not seen in my college profile.

Olivia (Carnegie Vanguard High School)

This program was extremely meaningful to me. I have been navigating through the college admissions process on my own, and having experts assisting me specifically was priceless to me. I feel a lot more prepared for the upcoming fall, and my anxiety associated with it has diminished a little.

Yanevith (Winter Park High School)

I don't think I could've pushed myself this hard over the summer...even though I had a hard time finding time to write at first, I was able to gain so much from the program.

Danny (Bellaire High School)

This program has been amazing. I was able to learn so many things about the college admissions process that I didn’t know before.

Farrah (Phillips High School)

This program has found the words that best express myself. It has given the best piece of writing that tells colleges who I am. It has helped me learn more about myself as a person and has helped me a lot...It helped me put my feelings into words that represent me.

Noemi (Scarborough High School)