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.