By Nicole Falco
While some of the collages focused on the violence and assault inflicted on America, other students focused on the missing, the heroes, the displays of patriotism, the tears, the hope and the unity.
"When 20 to 25 junior high school students create art in one space at one time, some level of noise is to be expected. Not so with this project!" said Carol Nelson, Memorial studio art teacher. "This was the quietest project I can remember in over 25 years of teaching. All that could be heard was the snipping of scissors."
As soon as tragedy struck on Sept. 11, Nelson had her students begin cutting out images from magazines including Business Week, People, Time and US News. The images were then copied no more than 10 times for use by students in her two studio art classes. The collages were originally supposed to be painted using watercolors, but Nelson said she and her students decided they were much more powerful in black and white. Katherine Lee Bates' poem, "America the Beautiful," inspired the title, "America! America!" and the students' exhibit was born.
Dr. Bert Nelson, former superintendent of Hewlett/Woodmere schools, was invited to speak at the exhibit's official opening and said, "I've had the opportunity to see a lot of work done by a lot of students....I have to tell you, your artwork is remarkable. You're at a stage where many people your age wouldn't be able to produce something like that."
Those who viewed the students' exhibit in the Memorial Library included parents, Dr. Ronald Valenti, superintendent of schools, staff and faculty of the District and a few local residents. Visitors said they were impressed with the students' work and they were encouraged to save their artwork for future use in an art portfolio or for college admissions.
"I was in here alone the other night because I had a sense I wasn't going to be able to view [the exhibit] in a group without crying. It conjured up emotions we have all felt over the past two months," said Ellen Edwards, an administrative associate at Memorial.
Sylvia Brown, a retired District employee, said, "It is very moving...for me it's like when I stood at the Vietnam Wall [Memorial]."
Saira Anees, one ninth grade art student, used a mix of emotions stemming from the tragedy to create her collage, "Reign of Terror." "This is my feeling on how things are," Anees said. "[That day] I was extremely upset. My first thought was, 'Is my father hurt - he works around there,' and everyone's eyes became teary [at school]."
Anees, who said she has always displayed artistic ability, added, "Even if you weren't born here you still have the same feelings...I was surprised New York on a whole worked together."
Ryan Dewnarayan, another student, agreed and said, "There is so much diversity in New York City, yet we all came together and put that stuff aside."
Estefania Guajardo demonstrated the contrast of emotions she felt after the attack in her piece entitled "Battle Against Terrorism Must Be Fought By The World." Guajardo used an image of Osama Bin Laden with an airplane heading towards his head, yet at the same time her Christian faith is prominently displayed with an image of Pope John Paul II.
"I want to grow up and be able to look back and say, 'That's the guy [to Bin Laden's image],'," the ninth grader said. "Even though this [tragedy] happening might show he's (Bin Laden) powerful in one way...being united and fighting for one cause [like America] is more powerful."
Guajardo added that even two months later her classmates still talk about the tragedy. Though she feels somewhat scared, Guajardo said she will make sure to live her life to the fullest.
"We have liberty, we still have freedom and they can't take that away," stated McAries Amistad, a ninth grader who completed three collages including , "Heroes," "True Survivors," and the cover art for the exhibit's brochure.
This exhibit as well as the Valley Stream Central High School District was featured in a PBS television special on Nov. 15 about students' reactions to Sept. 11.
