Students Show Off Art From Around the World

They say that a picture says a thousand words, and that is certainly the case for the pictures that now hang in the Harrison School Superintendent's office at L.M.K Middle School. The photos are the end result of a journey that spanned across the globe and was completed this year at Harrison High School.

Last summer Michelle Sullivan and Casey Stanton, two high school juniors, took a month-long trip to China to explore a small cultural town in the country landscape. The two joined about ten other students from across the United States and spent mornings learning Chinese and evenings taking photographs of the vivid landscape.

The trip enhanced the students' photography skills as well as gave them the opportunity to live in an environment far different from the one they are used to here in Harrison.

"It was one of the most incredible experiences ever," said Michelle. "The culture is so rich and different than anything in the United States."

The two students spent time at a local university learning the language and entrenched themselves in the culture of a small town, a different experience as opposed to seeing the well-traveled tourist destinations the country has to offer.

"It was such a small part of town and we would walk around and everyone would know each other," Casey said. "We were there for one month so you really get to know the people and the food and the culture."

The trip was incorporated into the classroom after it was proposed to fine arts teacher Dom Petrillo. Petrillo asked the students to map out costs and budgets as if they were proposing for a grant or funding. They had to incorporate things like equipment costs and plane tickets in order for the class to "approve" the project.

"They actually created a virtual exhibit," said Petrillo. "I had to have them think about the reality. If you were doing this for real, what would be supplied, what would this be for."

Although the school didn't actually supply the money for the trip, the girls were convincing enough that Petrillo incorporated their work into an 11th grade class this year, giving the girls a chance to photoshop and perfect the photos taken during their journey. The work was finished in class to create the work that is now on display.

The finished products are several photos that now decorate the office of Superintendent Louis Wool, who has raved about the student's work at several public meetings.

The trip itself was an opportunity for Michelle and Casey to create professional style photographs more than a year before even graduating high school. The improvement over time has caught the attention of their teacher.

"When we first have students take pictures it's more about learning the skill," said Petrillo. "I've noticed, since having them last year, that they've gone from having little art background to now, I am really impressed."

Few could blame him, a glance at the work displayed reveals the type of photographs one would expect from a nationally acclaimed magazine, not a high school classroom.

The work will remain on display in the superintendent's office and are also available for viewing online. Some of the photos can also be seen in the photo section of this story.