Whether you’re an incoming freshman or a departing senior, our Art classes here at RCHS are something worth paying attention to. In fact, you’ll see much of our work displayed throughout the school, hanging from ceilings, pasted to walls, and weaving through room 203.
To assess how such a class has impacted students, I interviewed some of my fellow Seniors in AP art. When I asked about their progress over the years, I received a variety of positive answers. “Well, when I came in Freshman year, I could barely draw, and now I feel like I’ve found my own style,” said Georgia Marshall.
Many students shared quite similar experiences, emphasizing how the program not only strengthened their artistic skills but also helped them develop confidence.
“Before high school, I don’t think I had any pieces that I was really proud of, but as I’ve been learning and building my portfolio to submit, I’m super happy with my work.” – Senior Chris Cooper
To demonstrate this progress, I gathered photos of these students’ first-year projects and compared them to the work they’ve completed this year. The images below show student Chris Cooper’s and Akshara Jones’s progression from Freshman to Senior year.
Freshmen Year ———————————–> Senior Year
Not only do these works show us how beneficial Art can be to someone’s creative skills, but they also dispel the stigma regarding the talent necessary to be a part of this class. Often, students who deem themselves to lack creativity or artistic ability, stray away from such a class. But seasoned students all agree that you don’t need any prior skills to succeed in this class, and it could be especially valuable to those who aren’t experts.
Others whom I interviewed highlighted the supportive environment of the art room itself, which made them feel different from other classes. Compared to academic classes, Art allows for students to make mistakes without it being reflected in their grade. By removing this barrier of pressure, students are allowed to really explore their own abilities and adjust without facing repercussions.
“It’s one of the few classes where you can actually express yourself without the worry of being judged,” said senior Chris Cooper. “Mr. Thelen pushes us to work hard but also lets us make mistakes.. Which I think is important if we want to get anywhere in this class.”
Overall, the art program at RCHS seems to be larger than just your average elective. It serves as a creative outlet, a supportive community, and a defining part of one’s high school experience that helps students discover a part of themselves that they won’t find elsewhere.
