Yalenni Elizalde Sauceda: Blending Cultures and Creativity Through Animation

Born in the United States and raised in Mexico, she straddled two worlds and two languages, an experience that has shaped both her art and her ambition.

Yalenni is a first-generation student, one of the first in her family to attend college. She is proud of this accomplishment. “It's definitely been a journey filled with both challenges and growth, but my family has always been supportive, caring and reassuring.”

Now in the Associate Degree in Animation program at Aims, Yalenni has turned that duality into a creative strength. Her journey reflects resilience, curiosity and the courage of a student charting her own path forward.

Growing Up Between Two Worlds

Yalenni's formative years were spent in Mexico, where she discovered her deep-rooted love for art and storytelling. Despite English not being her first language, she was determined to learn, using music and movies as her guides.

“I learned English with music,” she said. “I’d listen to songs I liked, look up the lyrics, write what I thought they meant and then the real translation. That’s how I started learning.”

A family member told her about Aims when exploring higher education options. “I had a hard time deciding where I wanted to study, but someone presented Aims to me, and once I toured it, I thought it was a great opportunity just to explore, and I fell in love with it.”

Yalenni faced the challenges of adapting to a new education system and culture. “It was something pretty new for me. I was a little bit worried about it.” She was put at ease on her very first day of school. “Everyone was helpful, and every time I reached out, people answered and explained everything. They made me feel welcome.”

This feeling of community and support has been essential, as Yalenni is far from home. “Living on my own in a different country from my parents and family has been tough, but my drive to build a better future for myself and them,” she said, “is what keeps me going.”

She attributes some of her success at Aims to her instructors and peers, who have “made all the difference.” Yalenni credits faculty members like Brian Dunning, Bo Baird and Stephanie Newton with helping her build confidence in both her technical and communication skills. “They each made sure we understood everything and encouraged us to do our best,” she said. “Professor Baird pushed us to do what he knew we were capable of, not because we were doing something wrong, but because he saw our potential.”

Other Aims resources and programs, such as Tutoring Services, The MOSAIC and Career Services, have been instrumental in guiding her on her journey. Yalenni has also benefited from services like Arty’s Pantry, which provides food and supplies to students. The Learning Commons device checkout program allowed her to access a laptop and hotspot, providing her with the necessary technology to thrive in her classes. 

With these resources, Yalenni found confidence and a sense of belonging at Aims. That sense of support motivated her to give back, helping other students find their place just as she once did.

Now that Aims has become a second home to her, Yalenni is paying it forward by welcoming new students at Aims through her work-study job as a student ambassador in Admissions. There, she helps new and prospective students, many of whom are first-generation or bilingual, navigate the college process.

“The first time I came to Aims, student ambassadors were the ones who helped me through my application,” she said. “Now I get to do the same for others. It feels like I’m giving back with the help I once received.”

As a bilingual student employee, she often supports Spanish-speaking families and students who might feel uncertain about taking their first steps toward college. “I value the smile I get when I speak to someone in their native language,” she said. “It makes them feel understood and welcomed.”

Yalenni’s former supervisor in her work study job is Kacey Hartshorn, who appreciates her contributions in this role. “Yalenni is truly an ambassador for the college, going above and beyond to ensure each individual who visits Aims feels seen and supported,” Hartshorn said. “Her genuine care and concern for those who are, at times, fearful of taking the next step to pursue higher education undoubtedly impacts these individuals and the college as a whole.”

Reflecting on her Aims experience so far, the people that she’s met are what Yalenni values most. “I’ve gained so many good influences, classmates, coworkers and mentors. You learn a little bit from everyone.”

Finding Herself Through Art and Animation

For as long as Yalenni can remember, art has been her way of understanding and expressing the world around her. Color, movement and storytelling have always drawn her in. When she discovered animation, it felt like a perfect fit.

“I’ve always loved every kind of art. That’s one of the reasons I decided to pursue a career in animation. It’s a great way to express your feelings, thoughts and ideas through something that people can enjoy and share. Animation lets me share my story in a different way. It’s more than just drawings. It’s creativity, emotion and a little piece of who I am.”

At Aims, Yalenni has explored numerous creative paths, from her first watercolor class to popular digital design tools such as Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator. She has also gained experience with software designed for animation, such as ZBrush and Maya. Each class and mastery of tools and techniques has given Yalenni new ways to bring her imagination to life. She enjoys projects that blend traditional art with technology, where she can see her ideas take shape on screen.

One of Yalenni’s favorite projects was creating an animated short featuring a cheerful penguin,  a character that, like her, radiates warmth and resilience. “I did this little penguin that I loved. It’s pretty cute,” she said with a smile. “I love animals and I try to leave a little part of myself in everything I create.”

Each stage of animation, from the first sketch to bringing characters to life on screen, has taught Yalenni patience, teamwork and confidence. Her work, part of the Spring 2025 Aims Film and Animation Showcase, provided her with the opportunity to collaborate in a team and see her work on the big screen. “It was a great challenge and a great opportunity,” she said. “We learned how to organize, share ideas and work together.  Just like we’ll do in our professional lives.”

Looking Ahead

Yalenni’s story is one of perseverance, creativity and cultural pride. Whether she’s animating a character, mentoring a new student, or bridging two languages, she brings the same sense of curiosity and care to everything she does.

“One of the things I’m most proud of is that I started. All of my goals began the moment I decided just to try. It was hard for me, but if I can do it, you can do it too.”

Yalenni plans to continue her studies at Aims to pursue a degree in graphic design after earning her associate’s degree in animation. She’s interested in expanding her artistic skills beyond motion and storytelling to include visual communication and design. Her long-term goal is to build a creative career that combines her love of art, technology and culture.