2021-22 PTA Reflections Program:
I will change the world by…

Student Name

Art Category

Title 

Artist Statement

Image

Catherine Xue

Visual Arts

Changing The World Starts From Here

This piece was inspired by Michael Jackson’s “Man in the Mirror”; change in the world must stem from change in oneself. You can change the world by first beginning with yourself - your efforts will then blossom into something greater and more impactful.

Vidya Ramamurthy

Visual Arts

Masked

During the Covid-19 pandemic, healthcare workers have put strangers above themselves, endangering their lives and putting themselves on the front lines. They have isolated themselves from their loved ones due to continuous exposure to the virus. Depression and anxiety harmed countless healthcare workers and resulted in numerous deaths. They have battled the helplessness of having to retract ventilators and life support systems due to scarcity of medical resources. I will change the world by doing my part: getting vaccinated, distancing myself, masking up and encouraging others to do the same. Together we can support our frontline workers and end this pandemic.

Esther Fang

Visual Arts

The New Beginning

If pride stands in the way, then we lose our sense. It doesn’t matter who you are, where you are from, what you did – we’re all human, striving towards this idea of this perfect end because we’re all trying to escape our broken world. Perhaps to heal our fractured world means to understand that everyone has an ultimate goal. First or last, we’re all searching for a way – our own empyreal - yet maybe we don’t have to if we simply lend a compassionate hand to those who may not deserve it.

Charlotte Park

Visual Arts

Food Connecting Our World

I will change the world through my own cuisine, opening restaurants that serve multi-ethnic culinary creations. Food has power to promote empathetic connections as seen with the outdoor tables filling up with people who missed bonding over delicious meals over the past year. Cooking is my creative outlet; the ability to explore various recipes from all parts of the globe brings me joy. The unique dishes I make will let people experience new cuisines and celebrate their diversities. My painting reflects this passion. 

Anshika Rath

Visual Arts

Embrace The Light

My brain harbors negativity, allowing it to foster and influence the way I act and express my emotions. I harvest that negative energy, lock it up in cages within cages until I’m blinded by darkness. But is that how we really want to see the world? Break the cage. Escape our thoughts. Live. How? We must transform our negativity into a light that seeks the hidden-in-plain-sight positivity surrounding us. In turn, changing ourselves and changing the world. There is a new dawn awaiting to wash away yesterday’s tears and color us with hope and love.

Kavya Chandrasekar 

Visual Arts

One Paper At A Time

We use too much paper – kitchen towels, toiletries, tissues, paper napkins, stationery, newspaper, paper bags, and more. Paper utilization has increased by 400% over last 40 years! Every time paper is produced, trees are cut, forests are lost, and habitats are destroyed, Half the massive amount of paper we use still ends up in the landfill. My fear is, soon we will only have memories of what once was. That is why I will reduce my paper consumption in all forms. By using e-books, printing double-sided, using reusables, and ardently encouraging others to do so as well.

Aanika Nakra

Visual Arts

Light In The Darkness

I believe that we can all change the world by looking for the positive instead of the negative. The work of art illustrates an eye searching for the light in the darkness, focusing on the beauty of the world rather than the things that may hold someone back from accomplishing their dreams, as illustrated by the charm of the rose and prominent light from the candle that illuminates the darkness and fence wires.

Jasmine Marwaha 

Visual Arts

Designing Blue Print For A Green Future

On one hand, we are realizing the devastating effects of rapid urbanization on our environment. On the other, we cannot disregard the need for housing for our ever-growing population. This is how we will safeguard our precious earth for the future generations and at the same time, take care of our present needs. This is how I will change the world – for the better of our ever-growing population. The answer to balancing these two opposing trends lies in building cities with eco-friendly materials. My artwork portrays me envisioning a blueprint of an urban center that will be built using natural resources that are sustainable and kind to the environment.

Leo Chen

Photography

Against The Tide

To change the world, it starts with attitude, by taking a small action. Sometimes the world can be overwhelming. Changes are like the ocean, constant and powerful. I may be tiny compared to the ocean, but I could change the direction of the tide by standing strong. If I stay true to myself, my beliefs, and values, I will not be influenced by the external circumstances. I will change the world by being authentic. Just like the crystal ball standing against the tide in my picture, I’ll keep believing in myself, face the tide, and make them into splashes.

Anshika Rath

Literature

A Ripple To A Wave

Our lives are constantly inhabited with stress and struggles, our only motive at times being just to get through the day. Sometimes when our feelings are distorted and dismal, it's hard for us to give time to others and have positive interactions. We don't realize that a little bit of kindness, just a drop of honey on top of the bitter, can change the overall taste of someone else's day and your own. Just toss the pebble whenever you are ready, and watch it skip across the water by itself - engulfing our world with waves of kindness.

Brinda Moudgalya 

Music Composition

Slowing Things Down

This song is an a cappella piece on pollution. It speaks to the fact that we can all change the world simply by slowing down on technological advances. Because what once helped humans is now hurting the one place we need to stay alive. Instead of being focused on artificially altering life, it is imperative to focus on keeping our planet alive. Especially right now, we need to take care of nature - plant trees and allow our planet to reset.

Aditi Srinivasan 

Dance Choreography

Mother Earth

"Mother Earth" is an Indian semi-classical dance that incorporates nature imagery into the performance to symbolize aspects of our environment that we may be taking for granted. These include birds, fish, deer, trees, and other elements that are affected by human activity such as pollution, littering, and capitalism. We must take into account and care for every life big, and small. I will change the world by advocating for the preservation of our mother earth / environment and inspiring others through dance to do so as well.