When you think of one of Hidden Valley’s most dedicated young artists, Dotti Dorlini comes to mind. As a four-year member of the Center for Visual Arts program at Burton, Dotti has spent her high school career perfecting her craft and surrounding herself with people who push her to grow. With graduation approaching, Hidden Valley is preparing to send this creative mind into the world while also cheering her on.
During her time at Hidden Valley High School, no one has made a greater impact on Dotti than Mrs. Donathan. Dotti said their connection formed because “Mrs. Donathan’s openness and acceptance of all her students sets her apart from other teachers, as I believe anyone can talk to her about anything. Additionally, she crafted her class in a way that was fun, but also educational.” Having a mentor like that during high school is something Dotti does not take for granted.
Dotti’s years in the Center for Visual Arts at Burton not only helped her master artistic techniques, but also strengthened her friendships. “Being surrounded by so many other creative people encouraged me to continue cultivating that passion beyond high school,” Dotti said. Those bonds grew into something bigger than shared class time, as Dotti explained that “everyone in my Center for Visual Arts class is my best friend, and I cannot thank them enough for being part of my journey through high school.”
Looking toward the future, Dotti is most excited about the people she has yet to meet. “I am so excited to explore all the different ways of life and multitude of people the world has to offer,” she said. As Dotti prepares for the future, she has also branched out into unexpected forms of preparation. Despite her deep roots in the artistic world, she has set a goal to conquer something new: coding. Dotti admitted, “I have thought about getting into coding over the summer.” Thinking ahead, she explained that “given my future career path, I think web development and the sorts will come in handy.” Dotti will attend the Georgia Institute of Technology, majoring in industrial design with the goal of creating her own furniture line.
Outside of her ambitions and career goals, Dotti also strives to focus on something more personal. As senior year and the pace of life continue to pick up, she has made the deliberate choice to slow down and appreciate what she has. “Right now, I’m really focused on holding close connections with the people I am grateful for,” the mindful senior said. “I have been working on giving thanks for everything I am blessed with in my life.”
As her final year of high school wraps up, Dotti said one movie she always comes back to is “Ghost” (1990). It has been her favorite film for as long as she can remember and serves as her go-to recommendation. “It is truly so funny at its core,” Dotti said. She explained that she connects with the movie because “I love that the female lead portrayed by Demi Moore is an artist, just like me, in New York City.” As she prepares to walk across the stage at graduation, Dotti seems more than ready to begin living her own version of that story.
