Winds of Community
Ashley Y.
Drawing paper, graphite
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This past winter, I participated in an international service trip that brought art classes to students in Thailand. From there, I made friends with Ket, a bright and incredibly kind freshman who is pictured. Despite our very different lives—she returned to a dilapidated house without electricity while I lived comfortably in Silicon Valley—we connected through simple joys, like creating pinwheels together. She taught me the value of community as when I was with her, I felt how everyone in the village had genuine bonds with each other while I barely knew my neighbors’ names and lived an impersonal suburban life. Inspired by this, I realized community goes beyond shared interests; it’s about investing in each other’s well-being. Over the trip, we made countless pinwheels which filled up the villagers’ backyards and roadsides. In the future, I plan to bring back that same color and happiness to my community at home.
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Creativity is a way for me to contribute my unique perspective to the world. It’s a way to capture how I see things—the little details that stand out to me. Through each creative choice, I can show others my interpretation of the world, even if it’s in a small way.