Artist's Statement

Escuela Vieau was a great opportunity for many reasons. It was my first service learning experience and my first service program that bettered the community while working with children. I have done many hours of community service in high school, but nothing quite like this. I have never worked with the Boys & Girls Club or any experience similar since a Kid’s Night Out fundraiser sophomore year. Being a part of Escuela Vieau’s after school program was rewarding. I was able to educate young students through fun activities in the game room or projects like dying eggs. Every student I worked with at Escuela Vieau was inviting and friendly. Maria Espinosa told us at orientation that the students would be excited to see us, but I had my doubts. The kids were always so happy about the little things in life that it changed my outlook on my day to day life. What I consider ordinary, the children considered extraordinary. I left Escuela Vieau on some days feeling lighter about life.
On the other hand, the days that I didn’t leave feeling lighter, I left with a migraine. Thinking about Education as a potential major for my future was also greatly influenced by this service learning experience. I feel that this opportunity has shown me that I have neither the patience nor the tolerance for children and their presence. I could not handle a career dealing with children day in and day out. I love children in small doses.
Not only was Escuela Vieau my first service learning experience, but it was also one that taught me about different communities and cultures. Way back when we had orientation with Maria Espinosa, she stated that their lifestyle was tightly knit and full of loving expressions. This I found true. The children would seem comfortable enough to hug the service learning volunteers and talk to us about every topic of their lives. As long as you were friendly and outgoing, they would be too. Their values as a community were also apparent in the short time span I volunteered there. Family and religion were two main examples. Escuela Vieau put on a Family Easter Event for the surrounding community, providing events and fun activities for everyone. This is very different from my own experiences in public schooling. I do not think my hometown school would even be allowed to put on an Easter event because of the religious significance involved. Interacting with parents and the students at the Family Easter Event gave me more insight into the community. The children’s outgoing and trusting attitudes seemed to be handed down from their parents because the parents were just as friendly. It was a joy to work with the parents and the whole family.
I learned that my camera as a tool not only captured the moment, but holds onto that story for eternity. Escuela Vieau was a great opportunity that taught me about others as well as myself and the documentation through my photographs attest to this.

Multimedia Essay

Multimedia Essay

Service Learning Reflection 2

Escuela Vieau has been a fun service learning experience so far. The last two times I was a helper in the game room playing with the students. In the game room I interacted with two groups of students both times. With the first, we played foosball which was the all time favorite game, it never got old. But for me, I could use some variety, so I switched it up and also played with the Jenga kids. In these groups of kids, I met a variety of personalities and backgrounds.
I met the cutest little boy who was ecstatic because he was going to a Black Eyed Peas concert right after the after school program. Luckily, next day school was canceled as well. This concert was his rich cousin’s birthday party. He was turning 11. I can’t fathom going to a concert for my 11th birthday party. The next week he told me tons of stories all about it. His enthusiasm for music made my day.
Besides being a game room helper, my most recent visit was spent outside in the beautiful spring air. This was the first nice day that the students had the option of going outside and playing. Of course they picked it. The kids ran around the jungle gym, playing tag, or stayed on the black top playing soccer. It was freshening to get to move around outside in the sunshine.