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By Rebecca Barnes, Publisher, Prince William Living
Michaela Lalli
For Michaela Lalli, art began with a simple childhood fascination. Long before she dreamed of becoming an animator or sharing her work with hundreds of followers online, she was captivated by My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic and spent hours drawing the show’s colorful characters.
“So much so that for a long time I only drew My Little Pony characters,” Michaela said. What started as childhood fun soon became a lifelong passion. Today, the recent graduate of Our Lady of the Lake Homeschool is being recognized as a 2026 Patrick King Art Student Scholar for her artistic talent, commitment to service, and positive impact on the Greater Prince William community.
The scholarship honors the legacy of Patrick King, a local artist, entrepreneur, and community leader who believed creativity should be paired with generosity, mentorship, and service. Michaela’s story reflects those same values.
Finding Inspiration
Michaela credits several artists with shaping her creative journey. One of her earliest inspirations was Lauren Faust, creator of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. She also found herself fascinated by Disney animation, often watching documentaries with her father about how classic films such as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs were created.
Those behind-the-scenes looks planted an early interest in animation, even if it didn’t seem like a realistic career at first. That changed after watching a fan-made animation online. “I was watching a My Little Pony fan animation, and that’s when it really clicked for me that animation is really just a bunch of drawings,” she said. “And I could draw, so I could animate if I wanted to.” Today, she also draws inspiration from Seita Inoue, the official artist for Nintendo’s Splatoon series, and Aida, creator of the manga series Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun.
Learning Through Creativity
Artwork by Michaela Lalli
Like many artists, Michaela has learned that improvement comes through practice, not perfection. One of her favorite creative projects has become her YouTube channel, where she shares artwork, tutorials, and encouragement with aspiring artists. While she says the channel isn’t large, with more than 600 subscribers, it has become one of her proudest accomplishments.
“It has given me the opportunity to share my art with others, and inspire, encourage, and teach young artists the same way that many YouTubers have done for me,” she said. The channel has also challenged her to try new projects, including a “30 Days of Dogs” drawing series, while introducing her to fellow artists who share similar goals. She believes young artists often make the mistake of avoiding subjects that feel difficult.
“When I started taking art seriously, I was scared of the typical things artists are afraid of, like anatomy, landscapes, and hands,” she said. Her advice is simple. “Try everything.” She encourages beginners to experiment before becoming overly critical of their own work. “When you draw something new, and it’s not perfect, it will be fine because none of your art is perfect,” she said. “Work on everything while you’re new to everything.”
Serving the Community
Although art plays a central role in Michaela’s life, it is only one part of her story. Throughout high school, she volunteered as the softball manager for Seton School, despite being homeschooled herself. She became an essential member of the program, managing equipment, maintaining game statistics, coordinating livestream broadcasts, and helping games run smoothly.
Beyond athletics, Michaela tutors students in reading and mathematics, including several with learning disabilities, and spends time teaching drawing to children during the summer. Those experiences reflect her belief that creativity should be shared. Her nomination also highlighted her positive attitude, leadership, patience, and willingness to help wherever needed.
Lessons Beyond the Classroom
Being homeschooled gave Michaela flexibility to pursue her interests, but she says local sports organizations helped shape who she is just as much as academics. She has participated in softball through GMBL, basketball with FHS, volleyball through NVHAA, and lacrosse with Nova 300.
While she doesn’t consider herself highly competitive, she values the life lessons sports have taught her. “Sports and specifically team sports have taught me teamwork both on and off the field or court, how to lead others, whether or not you’re the captain, humility, and determination,” she said.
Those programs also helped her build friendships. “Because I do my school 100% at home, I would most likely not have any friends if not for these organizations.”
Looking Ahead
Michaela plans to study graphic design while pursuing her dream of becoming an animator. Her long-term goal is to create an original animated television series that inspires young artists the way previous generations of artists inspired her.
Receiving the Patrick King Art Student Scholarship nomination means more than recognition. “I come from a family of eight kids, one of whom is already in college,” she said. “If chosen for this scholarship, it would mean less stress for them.” Her priorities are clear. “My family is the most important thing in my life. Between them and art, I would pick them in a heartbeat.”
Continuing Patrick King’s Legacy
Patrick King believed that artistic talent carried the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others. Whether she is mentoring young artists, tutoring students, supporting local athletic programs, or pursuing her own creative dreams, Michaela Lalli is already demonstrating that art has the power to build confidence, strengthen community, and inspire the next generation.
As she continues developing her craft, one thing is already evident: her greatest masterpiece may be the positive impact she leaves on the people around her.
Rebecca Barnes is the Publisher of Prince William Living and was fiancé to the late Patrick King. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with their blended family, misses him immensely, and continues to carry out their mission of making the world a better place.
