2007 SAM Regional Winner Highlight

Kristen Watson, 12th grade, Ben Hill County

High School Creative Expression

How Communities In Schools has Changed Me

My painting is a reflection of me before I was introduced to the Performance Learning Center and CIS, and after they changed me. The vase with all the colors mixed into one symbolizes me. I am the same person here that I was there. That will never change. In the picture, the vase is holding four dull flowers that are very small. They are all dark colors because they stand for my life at the high school. I had no motivation or ambition. I dreaded going to school and when I did go, I slept over half of the day. I didn't want to help with anything or do anything; I just wanted to get by. I hated it because I had to wait on others to get done all the time and I couldn't move on or work at my own pace. The large, bright colored flower symbolizes me since I have been at the Performance Learning Center and have been introduced to CIS. I stay awake all day now and complete my work. I can work freely here at my own pace and I have no one I must wait on. Here I have no teacher talking to me for an hour, putting me to sleep. I have the ability to do my work as I please, daily, with no interruptions. I love to help with anything I can here and do anyting they need done.