We are pleased to announce our new Intern for the Art Spark Texas Radio Hour on KOOP Radio, Austin's best independent radio - Jaela Mitchell! We asked Jaela to share a bit about herself - catch her on KOOP radio Mondays from 2-3pm at 91.7 fm or tune in online any time at https://koop.org/program/art-spark-tx-radio-hour/
"I was raised in New Orleans, Louisiana– acclaimed for its vibrant culture, rich cuisine, and
harmonic tunes of jazz. Born in 2006, I’m what’s called a “Katrina Baby,” a child conceived
during the historic Hurricane Katrina. So, birth certificate wise, I’m a Texan due to my family’s
refugee status at the time but at heart I’m a New Orleanian. A city that was left with nothing
following the disastrous hurricane, but the people didn’t stop there. Communities, neighbors,
friends, family all joining as one to rebuild the city forming a resilience like no other. That same
atmosphere is what I grew up with: music, art, cornerstores, secondlines, jazz bands,
po-boys,french markets, and beignets. It’s what made me–me; and for that I couldn't be more
fond of the city. A city engraved with resilience.
I attended the same school K-12, a prestigious charter school famous for its art programs. It
wasn’t until the start of middle school when I started taking interest in the electives offered. I
dabbled in media arts, starting on camera quickly before realizing my skills were more suitable
for behind the scenes needs. At that moment, once the switch was made, I met my real
archnemesis, stagewriting. If anyone has written a screenplay, they too would understand the
tediousness of the task required, so I said no to that because I didn’t quite find it suitable either. The imagination, creativity, and vision was there but how was I too professionally and appropriately share my ideas with others? Writing. I joined creative writing class as an elective for two years before joining the official program where a certificate would be awarded upon completion. I successfully graduated high school with that certificate and six years of creative writing under my belt. I loved it. Writing is freeing, it is fun, it is patient, it is kind. But, I had left it alone.
It wasn’t long before Texas had seen me again, only 18 years later when I attended UT San
Antonio for higher education where I studied supply chain management. A year following that, I
transferred to St.Edwards located here in Austin where I now study Writing & Rhetoric, with a
concentration of Journalism. I am fascinated with language, the power of words and how it
transforms the soul and the people impacted by it. It isn’t hard to be a writer, because we all
write. And for so long I was a writer, but now I am an author. Authorship over your word means
treating language as a canvas for what’s in the mind and heart. It is the one thing that separates
authors and writers, the credibility associated with.
I want all of us to become authors of our own story, sharing what made us who we are. I hope to
continue to use my voice to remind others that it is us who write the pages of our book. We must
continue to do so unapologetically, and resiliently. Forever, and ever."