Aaron Goff

Student

“Benny Blades in Counseling is my ‘campus conscience.’ He’s told me the responsibilities I have and reminded me to ‘keep my rear in gear.’”

“The Art 1 and 2 classes really opened my mind to the Old Masters by showing me lessons in anatomy, certain painting skills, and how to use different media,” says Aaron Goff, who plans on becoming a ‘new’ master in the growing field of animation. “I’ve rekindled my interest in the past through art history. Raphael, Donatello—I’ve naturally heard of those guys. But I never realized their contributions to society. And as for da Vinci,” Aaron continues, “what creativity! There was a true Renaissance man.”

Aaron attributes his passion for the arts to “the best art teacher I ever had in my life: my dad. He’s a professional artist who works for a lot of agencies. And he’s also my best friend.” Aaron is already working on some design projects that he hopes will lead him towards his dream career as an animator for Disney Studios. “I’m designing some characters for use in promoting one of their films. And my hope is to transfer to Cal Arts,” he says. “From there, I’m hoping, it’s only a short hop to Disney.” But while preparing for his ‘short hop,’ Aaron was recently made aware of a ‘long haul’ made by others—to his benefit—through a presentation made at SMC.

“My parents are a study in diversity: one white, one black. And I’d never gotten too involved with the black side of my family,” says Aaron. “But last week on campus I saw the Tuskegee Airmen, the famous black World War II pilots. And when I learned about all they had to fight for back in the 1940s, it really made me appreciate all the privileges I have today. I hope my generation never just takes these rights for granted.”

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