During the summer of 2016, José Orlando Taveras was enrolled in the United States Coast Guard Academy’s AIM program, where he gained a taste of what cadets must endure to be officially commissioned into the United States Coast Guard. His time there, although effective in strengthening his work ethic and ability to focus under pressure, was grueling and, most of the time, maddening; Mr. Taveras left knowing that what he had learned from the experience was well worth the pain and also that military life was not for him at all. After graduating from high school, he decided that instead of just going to work, he would continue his education; except this time, it would be focused on a study he genuinely wanted to pursue.

Mr. Taveras never realized it, but crafting stories was always a part of his life, and it was something that he found came naturally to him. As early as 4th grade, he was so enamored with making sure his stories and characters were accurately portrayed that, in his free time as an elementary school student, he began researching the Ku Klux Klan to incorporate into a narrative about an overtly racist father and his progressive daughter. Mr. Taveras's mind has always wanted to learn more from the world, ugly and all, to create something beautiful and unique through his perspective. Graduating from Hunter College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Film was one of the best decisions he ever made; continuing to pursue his education at The City College of New York has further honed his storytelling and filmmaking skills, making him a more accomplished artist.