Labree’ Cheston
Rising 11th Grader
Cochrane Collegiate Academy
Organization: Catawba River Keeper
Website: http://www.catawbariverkeeper.org
“I have always loved water because I learned to swim when my grandmother threw me into a pool. [laughing] That’s how I learned to swim. So, when I think about water, it makes me happy. Being around oceans and rivers and bodies of water makes me think about good memories, family, and trips. It will be impossible for people to create good memories like the ones I choose to hang on to if the rivers and oceans are filled with trash. Most of my project shows the better parts of nature like the river, and healthy plants and trees. The other half will show the more negative side, like pollution and litter.”
Menelek Simons
Rising 9th Grader
Butler High School
Organization: World Wildlife Fund
Website: http://www.worldwildlife.org
“I picked wildlife as my focus because I like animals, and we need to be more respectful of them because maybe one day they will evolve and take over. So, I picked a shark for my art because they are one of the most endangered species on the planet and we kill more of them than they kill of us. I showed a net and a hook to show that when they are caught by accident and when the line or net is unintended, they drown.”
De’Asia Phillips
Rising 11th Grader
Northwest School of the Arts
Organization: Last Chance for Animals
Website: http://www.lcanimal.org
“I found out about this organization because I was researching the abuse of animals used in circuses. Upon doing my research I found that animals are often abused since birth so they are raised to fear humans, even though many animals in circuses could kill instinctively. They are used for our entertainment and it doesn’t make sense because we are basically valuing our entertainment over the life of a living thing. The reason I decided to show this is that nature is a beautiful thing we should preserve because if we continue to abuse and destroy nature like we are doing now, future generations won’t get to enjoy the beauty of nature.”
Angel Lara
Rising 8th Grader
Eastway Middle School
Organization: Veterans of Foreign Wars
Website: https://www.vfw.org/Common/About-Us/
“I decided to focus on the issues of homelessness and veterans because a lot of them are homeless. I chose to develop a town made of recycled materials, like metal that has been thrown away, and recycled wood. I have added a wall for the safety of the residents. I have a wish for all of the homeless veterans to be safe.”
Joana Robles
Rising 8th Grader
Cochrane Collegiate Academy
Organization: Anxiety and Depression Association of America
Website: https://www.adaa.org/about-adaa/mission-history
“I chose to do a cartoon about social anxiety disorder because I used to have it, and I know how people suffer from it because it’s really hard to talk to people, and when you try to talk to them you get all these thoughts about how people might judge you because of how you talk, how you look…everything about you. So, it freaks them out because they might feel judged by society. My cartoon is showing a girl going to school and when the teacher tells her to work in groups, she kind of freaks out because people with social anxiety aren’t that compatible with working in groups.”
Ronell McGee
Rising College Freshman
Central Piedmont Community College
Organization: The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-TALK)
Website: http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
“I chose to focus on the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline because a lot of teens are going through depression, and they don’t have anyone to talk to, and their parents don’t know what to do, and the teens don’t know what to do. A friend of mine was suicidal and they committed suicide, and I was sad and didn’t know what to do, so I kept quiet. I thought if I could turn this cause into art it may cause people to be more aware about teen suicide, because it happens more than people realize.”
Tatiyana Wingo
Rising 8th Grader
Mountain Island Lake Academy
Organization: Autism Speaks
Webiste: https://www.autismspeaks.org/autism-apps
“I learned that there are apps that can teach autistic kids learn to read and write. Some of the games they have are for teaching and some aren’t. The apps will say words out loud for the autistic kids, and then they have to write the words and say them. They had apps that gave a list of words like home and cat, and they had to match the word with the picture that goes with it. I chose to use video games in my art, because these days kids play video games just for fun, and I thought that the games might be able to get through to some kids. Some games have a lot of violence, and I thought that if people knew what video games did to kids, they might stop. But then I found out about autism and video games. I saw the apps for autistic kids and read about it and that’s how I decided.”
Laura Sorto
Rising 6th Grader
Cochrane Collegiate Academy
Organization: The Relatives
Website: http://www.therelatives.org
“I decided to make artwork about families because I am separated from my family and I miss them. My mom left me at six months old and left me with my grandmother because my father told my mother to come to the United States, so my mom had to leave me. I came to the United States when I was 11, from El Salvador. I miss one of my uncles in El Salvador. My mom visited me last year in El Salvador, but since I didn’t grow up with her I didn’t have feelings toward her, but now when I saw her again, I cried. It is important to make art about family because I miss my cousins, and when I’m here at Behailu Academy, I don’t feel lonely, but when I am home alone, when my mom is working at night, it’s lonely, and sometimes my sister is there with me but she usually works.”
Javion Thomson
Rising 10th Grader
Phillip O’Berry
Organization: Dilworth Soup Kitchen
Website: https://dilworthsoupkitchen.wikispaces.com
“I decided to create the Dilworth Soup Kitchen in SketchUp because I was there on Monday. There were a lot of people, there was a lot of food, and it was a lot of work. I liked helping people, and want to volunteer at other places. I love working in SketchUp because I can make anything and be creative. I noticed that it was so crowded at the Soup Kitchen, so in SketchUp I decided to give my virtual soup kitchen more space.”
Myasia Thomas
Rising 7th Grader
Eastway Middle School
Organization: UNCC Botanical Garden
Website: https://gardens.uncc.edu
“I picked the botanical garden first of all because the garden is at a college. Then when I go to college, I want to have something to look at that is beautiful. I also like things that have to do with earth and plants. At home we have a tomato plant and some orchids and little flowers that grow on bushes. We used to have a rose bush. I imagine someday I will have a very colorful garden with roses, tulips, and other flowers like that, and vegetables. I hope that the people who visit the botanical garden enjoy the beautiful plants as much as I do.”
Kierra Currie
Rising 9th Grader
Garinger High School
First Organization: Church of God Children’s Home of North Carolina
Website: http://www.cogch.org
Second Organization: Knit for Kids
Website: http://www.KnitForKids.org
“I picked this organization because it’s an adoption agency. Kids who don’t have families might think nobody cares because I know when parents have to move and can’t take their kids with them, they might have to give the kids up for adoption. When I read about the organization I thought about what it would be like if I were in that position. I thought about if I were two years old and not knowing who my parents were, and feeling like my parents don’t care, but then I realize they may have done that because they had to give me up in order to move or something like that. I hope to give those kids courage to keep moving on, and either find their parents, or find a family.”
When I found Knit For Kids, I was looking for something to do for a nonprofit organization that deals with knitting. When I found it I decided to knit a scarf for a kid who needs it. I like to knit and crochet because it is something to get your mind off of things. I learned to crochet from YouTube and I learned to knit here at Behailu Academy. I would encourage other kids to learn to knit because it is a stress reliever. When I first started crocheting it was frustrating, and I thought I never wanted to do it again, but then I realized I could knit.”
Jaden Hoy
Rising 8th Grader
Eastway Middle School
First Organization: Wolf Conservation Center
Website: http://nywolf.org
Second Organization: Safe Cat Foundation
Website: http://www.safecatfoundation.org
“I am interested in wolves because a lot of wolves are being hunted and killed, and should be moved to safer places for them. There, they are taken care of and sent back out into the wild. The organization I looked at, Wolf Conservation Center, takes care of the wolves, lets them play just like dogs like to play, and they feed them, and give them medical help. All the wolves that go to the Wolf Conservation Center have to be checked for disease or sickness to see if they need medicine.
I also looked at the Safe Cat Foundation is an organization that helps cats that are out on the street get better if they are sick, or if they already have an owner, the owner can take the cat to the Safe Cat Foundation will help find the cats new homes, and a new caretaker. The organization raises money to save cats. The organization gives the cats milk, makes sure they have plenty of food, and makes sure that they don’t have any injuries, like a broken bone, or foot. I just love animals because I have a dog and I take care of it every day and make sure she is not injured, and my mom helps me take care of her.”
