Life of a Fellow: Tori
From the outside, Kensington High School looks like any other old building: stately, lots of brick, and slightly haunted. On the inside, however, a different energy shines through. Murals showcasing important beliefs, impactful quotes, and inspiring art fill the long hallways and lively stairwells. Within these walls, our students exist surrounded by messages of equality and creativity. As one who believes in the power of art, I knew I wanted to continue this colorful environment in our PLUS Center.
Due to the pandemic, the PLUS Center had been closed for quite some time and the room felt disconnected from the students we wanted to draw in. Most of them had no idea what 12 PLUS was or what the PLUS Center could be used for. From the beginning, I wanted our seniors to feel a connection to and ownership of the PLUS Center. Within the first few days of the year, a senior suggested that we recreate the senior class sign in graffiti art style. After multiple days of sketching and painting, as well as multiple attempts at taping, the “Seniors 2022” sign hangs proudly above our senior class wall.
Throughout the year, the days have grown longer and the pressure to figure out one’s future has steadily increased. In order to keep some spirit alive in our center, we have participated in multiple door decorating contests (no wins yet!) and have created interactive art that keeps our students involved. We update the artwork on a regular basis to match the season, an upcoming holiday, or a particular goal. It is our hope that these art projects show our students that creativity should always be a part of our lives, even when the work gets tough
Going into this job, I never imagined that I would get the chance to create art so regularly. Many of our students have artistic interests themselves and it has been great connecting with them over a shared passion. Throughout many ups and downs, this year has taught me that creativity can be one’s greatest asset when faced with challenges. It’s my hope that our students will always keep that mentality in mind, even after they leave our center.