Issue 6  April 21st 2025

NESA Student Spotlight: The Bright Future of Mercury Ward

This week, we shine a spotlight on Mercury Ward, a remarkable senior at the North East School of the Arts (NESA). A cinema major with a vibrant spirit, Mercury’s passion for film is evident in every aspect of his NESA journey.

“Hi, I’m Mercury and I’m a senior,” he shared, introducing himself with warmth. Mercury’s interests extend beyond the silver screen, encompassing a love for music, the outdoors, and the undeniable charm of pugs. In his free time, Mercury enjoys connecting with friends, experiencing the energy of live music, and expressing his creativity through crafting.

Mercury’s path to NESA was paved by family. “I found out about NESA from my cousin, Tessa, who was also a cinema major at the time,” Mercury explained. Hearing about the “awesome films” being created at NESA sparked an immediate connection, and Mercury knew it was the perfect fit.

For Mercury, the decision to major in cinema was a natural progression of long-held interests. “I chose to be in cinema because I’ve always had an interest in film and photography, but no way to learn more about them,” he said. NESA provided the ideal environment to not only deepen his understanding but also to unlock a new level of creative expression.

When asked about his favorite aspects of NESA, Mercury found it difficult to choose just one. “I love the fun community we have here,” he emphasized, while also highlighting “how important the opportunities and advancements in our careers NESA gives us.” This blend of a supportive environment and tangible career preparation truly defines the NESA experience for Mercury.

Looking towards the future, Mercury plans to major in film at the University of New Mexico, where he will also be part of the honors college and minor in American Sign Language. While his post-college plans are still evolving, Mercury is clear about their immediate goals: “I know I want to focus on building my portfolio by making music videos, hopefully I’ll be able to travel a lot when doing this.”

Reflecting on his time at NESA, Mercury expressed immense pride in his growth. “I am very proud of the skill set I’ve built in my time at NESA. I have grown so much and developed so many skills that are going to help me a lot in my future.”

Adding a surprising personal touch, Mercury revealed, “Something about me that would surprise others is that I like anchovies on my pizza!”

For those just beginning their journey at NESA, Mercury offers valuable advice: “Don’t hold yourself back! You are offered many experiences and opportunities at NESA, you should take advantage of these as much as you can. Not only will you gain lots of experience from these, but you will meet so many awesome people and have so much fun!”

Mercury shared a profound insight into NESA’s broader impact: "Since starting NESA I have had such big changes in my life. NESA has shown me so many amazing things and fostered so much change in my life. I find myself finding new ways to create everyday because of how inspiring everyone and everything is here. Having something that helps me express myself as much as NESA does is very therapeutic and gives me healthy ways to deal with hard things. NESA has made my life outside of school amazing, it has given me great ways to spend my spare time as well as given me something to look forward to. I am very passionate about film and my future career in this, I am passionate about this only because NESA showed me how film could transform my life.”

Mercury’s story is a testament to the transformative power of NESA, nurturing not only artistic talent but also providing a vital outlet for self-expression and personal growth. We eagerly anticipate the bright future that lies ahead for this talented and insightful senior.