Raan | Crestview Village Apartments
University of Nebraska – Lincoln

When Raan looks at the world, he sees a place where stories are not only written but told. As a youth resident at Mercy Housing Crestview Village Apartments, where he lives with his family, Raan has always had an affinity for storytelling. “I have always been fascinated by the art of storytelling,” he recently shared. “So, I plan to spend part of my life dedicated to it.”

As one of the 2025 EPIC awardees, Raan will pursue his passion for telling stories at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in the fall, where he plans on double-majoring in finance and emerging media arts. He admits that the two are “very contrasting majors.”

Passion for storytelling

“I love to tell stories through 3D animation because I link the link between abstract and reality,” the future Cornhusker explained.
“Raan has always been involved in storytelling outside of school and has dedicated hours outside of the classroom working on pieces, learning techniques, skills, programs, and developing his talent,” Sara Marquiss, Resident Services Coordinator at Crestview Village, said.

His ambition doesn’t stop there. Raan also founded his school, CP3D (Creighton Prep 3D), and has been actively involved in service learning, notably with Habitat for Humanity and Operation Others, where he helped pack meals to combat food insecurity.

And let’s not forget about his involvement in Powerlifting as his sport of choice, plus working part-time at a moving company. Looking toward the future, Raan hopes to “Start my own production company; rivaling companies like Disney and Pixar.”

A deep sense of community

For now, Raan reflects on his Crestview Village home. “This community has given me a chance to live without fear of having nowhere to go after school.” He continues, “It’s something many of us, especially at a younger age, take for granted, so it’s easy to look the other way.”

He admits that he looked the other way for a long time, but now he considers his neighbors to be part of his extended family.
No matter what, Raan always keeps in mind that with wealth, he must continue to serve others just like his neighbors have served his family in times of crisis.

“There will always be suffering, but it is still important to serve others. It changed my life, so I know it can change anyone else’s.”

Perhaps one day we will read all about it.