I started the tenth grade as a very lonely teenager, my best friend from middle school had recently been expelled for being in a fight, and none of my newer friends were in any of my classes. Tenth grade just so happened to be when I would take my second ever art class. My first of which was when i was much younger, with a lovely teacher named Mrs. Ruldoph. I remember just loving all of the classes and assignments she would give, she was so lovely in fact, that she even sent me all of my class work by mail after I had moved away. But back to high-school, my tenth grade art class was pretty fun as well, it was one of the few times where I actually spoke to my fellow classmates, and where I ended up making a long lasting friendship with Astrid.
Once Astrid and I were well acquainted, we found out that our teacher was planning on starting an art club, a place where all of the students most interested in the class could get together and share pieces, tips, and even participate in a few contests. Astrid and the rest of my friend group got me join, and we found ourselves spending all of our lunch time in the art classroom; sharing stories, talking about bad teachers, and actually even drawing every once and a while. We soon all became some of our art teachers favorite students, always referring to us as her kids or her baby chicks.
The club evolved from year to year, in eleventh grade we actually started making stuff; murals for the schools bulletin boards, background scenery for plays or ceremonies, and just fun activities in between. And as the club got better, so did its students. I watched as everyone's art improved, as we all decided whether we would turn this hobby into our careers. By my senior year, the club had gotten so popular that we had to host auditions since there were so many students eager to join. I got to talk to some of the newer kids this year, and have found that they are all friendly, bright and talented people.
Some of my favorite school memories were made in that classroom, and as we all work on what seems to be our last project together, I can’t help but feel so grateful for the community that my art teacher has created. Just watching her help everyone out made me realize that I too want to create this kind of community in a school. It was clear that the connection that I had built with this environment was something I didn’t want to leave behind. I can’t wait to start my major in artistic education, so I can create that experience for other kids like me.
Thanks to every friend I've made in my school's art club, and an even greater thanks to the best teacher a student like me could ask for. ❤️
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