Features

For the 2025 SVA Alumni Scholarship Awards, the SVA Alumni Society granted 92 scholarships to students, totaling $63,000 for projects as varied as animation, product designs, films, photography, and painting. Funding for the Alumni Scholarship Awards is provided through the SVA Alumni Society’s annual Support the Talent campaign; 100% of all donations go directly to students. As the end of the spring semester approaches, we are spotlighting some of this year’s recipients and their excellent, award-winning work.

Today’s featured scholarship recipient is BFA Animation student Schantelle Alonzo. Known online as “Mishipiku,” Alonzo is a Filipina multidisciplinary 2D animator and story artist with roots in Chicago who strives to tell stories of underrepresented communities and immigrants “that inspire a kinder world,” she says. Alonzo was one of the featured speakers at the College’s recent “TEDx SVA Women: The Intersection of Art and Gender” event for Women’s History Month in March, has been interviewed by NPR, and has had her work mentioned in the Chicago Tribune, Sun Times, and Chicago Reader. 

Alonzo’s award-winning thesis project, First Winter, is a timely four-minute animated short about Ángel, a newly arrived immigrant to Chicago experiencing his first cold season in the city. The film follows his realization of what it may mean to be away from home for a very long time. Read on for a short Q&A with Alonzo about First Winter and her student experience at the School of Visual Arts.

Tell us about your project. What inspired the idea?

First Winter synthesizes many things I’ve been driven to tell stories about. My immigrant community has heavily influenced my work in Chicago, and this film does not deviate from those themes. 

The story is inspired by conversations with my immigrant Filipino parents, who reminisced about things they missed about home. The setting follows conversations with my best friend, who teaches theater to kids who have recently migrated from Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador as they learn to adapt to America and Chicago’s heavy winters. This film explores the reality of immigrants not being able to see their home again through the lens of kids who may be facing this now.

What most surprised you once you started working on the film?

This was the highest production value of any project I’ve individually headed. I was surprised by the absolute graciousness everyone had taken on this project. Everyone was careful and receptive to my direction. Many students said this project connected with them emotionally and thus drove them to do their best for the film. There was an earnestness that made me incredibly grateful to receive, as the film interprets a story not usually seen in animated media. 

What was a highlight for you of living and studying in New York City?

Theater was a huge component of my artistic development growing up, so it’s no question how much of a joy it’s been to be located in one of the world’s biggest hot spots for the arts. I’ve seen many plays, musicals, and immersive theater. If you keep your eyes sharp, there are many outlets where you can see theater, even with a college student’s budget.

What is something you learned at SVA that you’ll always take with you?

It’s okay to stumble through the process, as these moments are the ones you’ll grow the most from. I can’t become an expert at anything until I’ve gained experience, which I can’t achieve without stumbling along the way. And knowing what opportunities to say “yes” to is an important skill.

Was there a teacher or course that was essential for you?

Writing the Past, [a Humanities and Sciences course taught by] Stacy Morrison was a class I initially hadn’t expected to take. I approached it hesitantly, as personal history can become a weighty topic. Yet it proved vital to the development of my film and my life, as it pushed me to have difficult conversations I would not have otherwise. I have not had the chance to write often, and this class encouraged much research and reflection to go into everything I did. It was a very thoughtful process.

What was your favorite piece of advice that a teacher or student shared with you?

I like a quote from my background teacher about my community and career: “A rising tide raises all ships.” If you help your friends succeed, they can help you succeed, and vice versa. Recommending jobs and opportunities to peers can come back to you positively. No one is your “competition” in this regard. The phrase describes how I feel about mutual support and why I’ve engaged with community service as much as possible.

What advice do you have for next year’s students going through your program?

Use every resource available. Your teacher’s job is to spend time helping you, so use it. I was also pleasantly surprised at how many industry professionals responded to my cold emails regarding feedback about my film. If you go in with a well-crafted message, it can only help!

For this year’s SVA Alumni Scholarship Awards, 92 thesis or portfolio projects out of hundreds of applications were granted scholarships worth $63,000 for dozens of art and multimedia projects. To see a list of the 2025 recipients, click here.

To contribute to the Support the Talent campaign, you can donate online at sva.edu/give.