Solvay High School students showcase Photovoice project work

Over the past semester, nearly 20 SHS students have worked with students from Syracuse University to participate in a Photovoice project.

What is Photovoice? Photovoice is a participatory research and critical thinking method that allows students to share their experiences and collaborate for change. By taking photographs and writing about the meaning of the photos, students have had the opportunity to think deeply about their learning. This semester-long project culminated with a Photovoice Show where Solvay students, SU students, parents, teachers, professors, and administrators had the opportunity to view the photos and the writings. The end results were thoughtful, well developed works.

Congratulations to all who were involved in this program!

See below to view a sample of some of the Photovoice work.
 

The Eye of the Storm By Mackenzie Crossett   I’m standing on the starting block, seconds away from diving into the pool, and the noise of the crowd surrounds me. I can hear the nagging voice of my coach shouting at me to keep my kick strong. I can hear the cheerful voice of my mom yelling to me just to do my best. I can hear the ecstatic voices of my teammates screaming at me to win. Then, the buzzer goes off and suddenly the only voice I can hear is my own telling me to get to the wall because that's the only thing that matters now. That’s why swimming helps me be successful in school. It teaches me to keep my focus on my goals, despite the distractions that life brings. Someday, I want to be valedictorian, graduate from college with honors, and have a successful career, and the only way I can do this is to ignore all of the drama that comes along. However, when the distractions become too much I can rely on swim practice to refocus my mind and prepare me for a new day. At swim practice, I’m surrounded by the constant love and support of my coaches and my teammates, and I’m provided with a place to work through any of my problems. Swimming, to me, is the eye of the storm that life brings, and without it I wouldn’t be a honor student on the path to accomplish my goals.
A Key to Success By Alyssa Emmi You might be questioning why there is just a picture of a student reading a book at a desk. This picture could represent different things and different meanings. To me this image represents that the student is studying in a quiet room and focusing without any distraction going on. When a room is quiet without distractions I am able to get my work done. The key point to help me succeed in school is working in a place that is best suited for me. I feel that if others work in a place that best fits their needs to be successful, it will better them in the long run. Others may believe that working in an atmosphere that has distractions can still let them get their work complete, but for me, working in an atmosphere with no distractions helps me to stay more focused and be able to get work done that needs to be completed. Working in an atmosphere that is quiet helps me become more successful in school.
Music in My School and in My Life  By Anna Lioto I am more successful when I enjoy what I am doing. I love music and singing so I feel like it helps me get more engaged in my school life. When I know I am helping to create something beautiful, I feel more motivated to do my best. Even outside of the arts, if I feel like my work is benefiting something greater, I will be more willing to try my hardest. I took a picture of some of the instruments in our band that I think create some of the most beautiful and the strongest sounds. That is why I made sure I got both the gong and the chimes in the photo. They both make wonderful sounds that I feel others would also enjoy. What may just look like some strange looking metal to some people shows my feelings toward music. How the playing of each individual person goes toward the creation of one beautiful sound, that is so much bigger than each individual performer. The individual people’s small, simple sound is transformed into something much more wonderful than anyone originally imagined. Being part of something that amazing makes one simple day of school seem like so much more.
Reputation By Ulyana Onufrichuk I believe a good character helps you be successful. A bad character will ruin your reputation, much like muddy water will destroy white shoes if you choose to dip them into the dirty water. A good character will help you uphold a good reputation, and aid you in being the kind of student you need to be, to become successful. Developing character traits such as exceptional work ethic and/or persistence will help you to be successful in school, and uphold a positive reputation.
Silver Linings By Marissa Ramos It helps to be more successful in school when you surround yourself with positive and happy people. For example, in the picture it shows a teacher that is always positive even when she is trapped in her prison office but decorating it with color and always helping others with their problems. Like when she helps me practice reading so I can catch up to other people’s reading levels, and when she is always positive we both have fun. It makes me want to learn and makes me feel bad when I don't practice with her. In conclusion, people that spread positivity to others help in school and are key to being successful in school.
Artful Hallway By Marina Syssoyev    When I had first come to the high school, this was a dimly lit hallway. The tall ceilings and dark blue walls seemed as though they held the epitome of the world’s fears packed into them. Today the hallway is full of brightly colored displays and beautiful artwork. There are brightly colored collages, photos and artistic endeavors of new coming students. It displays something that was missing in my freshman year, light and joy. This artful hallway gives the creators a sense of belonging and home in a place that is often filled with stress and worry. In a broader sense this hallway represents my own growth throughout high school, from a nervous and shy girl to someone who is chasing the life that she wants to live. The hallways didn’t truly have walls packed of fear, I was the one that sealed it there. These four years have showed me that it wasn’t a school bursting with thunder, but rather a sun filled field blooming with flowers.