RAMONA, Calif. — A Ramona student is fighting the anxiety she suffers with a love for animation.
In this Zevely Zone, I met an 18-year-old artist with a bright and colorful future.
Gianna Fenner recently won the national 'My Senior Reel' competition and will soon take her skills to the Academy of Art University in San Francisco.
Gianna's winning video highlighted the entertainment and animation skills she developed over six years at California Virtual Academies (CAVA).
"You want it to look realistic to the point that it's believable," said Gianna.
This fall as many students return to brick-and-mortar schools, Gianna will head off to college on her computer.
Gianna says creating colorful characters has brought calmness back into her life.
"It makes me feel very patient," said Gianna.
At age 13, Gianna started taking school online and average grades turned into straight A's.
"It felt pretty great because I struggled in school specifically in math and science," said Gianna.
From 7th grade on through senior graduation, Gianna attended California Virtual Academies, known as CAVA San Diego. "I got better grades, I got less anxious about stuff, and I was more extraverted in that school than I ever was before," said Gianna.
Her parents' concerns about social isolation never materialized.
"It went fantastic," said Gianna's father, Jeff.
He says the freedom and flexibility of virtual learning allowed his daughter to embrace a love for art and animation.
"It's been monumental, it's been beyond what I expected," said Jeff.
Gianna won a national 'My Senior Reel' competition, by creating a compelling video about her high school experience.
"I won a thousand dollars for my scholarship in hopes of getting one step ahead in paying off my tuition," said Gianna.
This fall, Gianna will attend the Academy of Art University in San Francisco.
"For me, I had to force myself to get out there and do stuff that I wasn't comfortable with," said Gianna.
She launched her website and hopes to someday have her show and even make movies.
"I can't possibly understand all of this, "said Jeff who has no idea where all of her talent comes from. "I like all of the brilliant colors," said Jeff. "It's fantastic." He loves how his daughter now holds the world at her fingertips. "Most people don't think that she has any anxiety," said Jeff.
Gianna is walking tall with confidence and living a life filled with color again thanks to the creation of animation. "I am extremely excited because now is the time I get to step up and study something that I love and super passionate about," said Gianna.
Gianna wants to thank her teachers and parents for their support.