Making A Difference: PWHS National Art Honor Society

Press release from the Colonial School District:

2020-12-28

While the National Art Honor Society (NAHS) recognizes high school students who demonstrate an outstanding ability and interest in art, the organization also promotes high standards in character and service — a duty that the artists at Plymouth Whitemarsh High School (PWHS) value as they take art and art education into the community.

Erika Sheaffer, CHOP Child Life Clinical Expert, with Art Teacher Candy Maggioncalda and the donated art supplies.

"We pride ourselves on helping individuals through art," said PWHS Senior and NAHS President Briana Cassidy. "That could mean donating supplies or even painting on people's faces for an event. It's amazing to see everyone work together in order to help those who struggle some days have a bright smile on their face just by working on a project."

Brainstorming projects for the pandemic

With COVID-19 restrictions, the organization had to rethink some of the ways they encourage art in the community and took part in two new initiatives for the 2020-2021 school year so far: collecting art supplies for patients in the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and painting kindness rocks to distribute around PWHS and the community.

"I would say the thing that surprised me most was how great the response was for CHOP, considering COVID-19 is obviously a very large issue going on right now," said PWHS Junior and NAHS Coordinator Alison Feight. "It was great that people were still able to donate as much as they did during times like this."

PWHS Art Teacher and Club Sponsor Candy Maggioncalda dropped off several boxes of markers, crayons, colored pencils, scissors, pads of paper, pencil sharpeners, coloring books, drawing kits, lap desks, and more at the CHOP's King of Prussia location.

Members of the PWHS National Art Honor Society painting rocks while socially distanced on the high school lawn.

"I really hope that the children and teens are able to use these art supplies as a little distraction and that they put a smile on these kids' faces," added Alison.

Inspiring other students through art

The club also gathered on the lawn at school earlier this year to paint kindness rocks. The goal of the kindness rock project was to create a sense of joy around the school; so when a student or faculty member sees a painted rock, it will brighten their day.

"I painted a rock with the quote 'and I think to myself, what a wonderful world' from the song by Louis Armstrong," said Jordyn Green, PWHS Senior and NAHS Vice President. "I chose this quote because even the small things in life show how amazing it is to be on earth and how good it is to spread positivity amongst others even if it's from just one small gesture."

The club plans to put the kindness rocks at the high school and around the community.

This press release was produced by the Colonial School District .The views expressed here are the author’s own.