Artist Statement of Final Project

The development of the final project was easier for me than the first presentation I did. The last four weeks of service learning, I focused most of my attention on gathering pictures that would help my presentation of what I have learned. Though I had a specific idea on what I wanted to portray, it became difficult to collect useful photos. It seemed like every time I would bring my camera there would only be a few kids that stayed after school. I wanted photos of them playing soccer as a team and being competitive. I was able to get few photos in early April, which helped me start my project.
At the end of April and early May, very few kids would stay for gym and fitness. This left me with more free time to research other after school activities. I was also able to talk to Ms. Janet, the gym and fitness coordinator, about why people volunteer at the school. She helped me realize that the success of Escuela Vieau depends on people like her who volunteer their time to help the school, which in turns helps the community. She also told me about some of the other opportunities the kids have beside what the Boy’s and Girl’s Club has to offer. That is when I was told to talk to Armando Dominguez.

Armando teaches sixth, seventh, and eighth grade at the school. The most difficult part of this entire project was trying to set up a time to interview Armando. I tried for two weeks to schedule a formal face-to-face interview, but after not being able to find a time that accommodated the both of us I settled for a phone interview. Armando was able to tell me about the different programs that there are to allow kids the opportunity to play after school sports, particularly soccer. He told about the teams he coaches through Lake Country United and what is offered in the community during the winter months. I could tell he takes great pride in what he does and he was delighted to be able to share his knowledge with me.
After the phone interview with Armando, I spent the rest of my time working away from the Escuela Vieau. I went to South Division High School to take photos of the school and field which offers some great opportunities for when the kids reach high school. I also spent a great deal of my time on the internet gathering information on the LCU and the many benefits it offers. By the end of the semester, I had learned a great deal about the community and the people that make it a better place.

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Third Journal

As I continue to do my service learning hours, I have been noticing there have been fewer kids staying after school. It seems that as the weather gets nicer, more kids go home after school instead of participating in the activities. The smaller groups allow Miss Janet to plan different sports for the kids to play. In the last two weeks, we have played dodge ball and basketball for the first time. It is interesting to see how their lack of interest in these sports affects their willingness to participate. Most of them play for ten minutes then they get bored and start begging to play soccer instead.

I have recently learned that Escuela Vieau offers an after school soccer program. The little I have learned about it so far is that the teams are divided into two age groups, which are coached by Armando Dominguez. Armando also coaches Lake Country United. The LCU is located in the town of Merton, which is a good forty-five minute drive from Escuela Vieau. I plan on learning more about what Armando does for the school and the LCU with a phone interview. I tried to schedule a personal interview with him, but he has a very busy schedule. I am anxious to learn more about Armando and what he does for the school and the community.

Multimedia Essay

This picture was the first one I took. To a stranger that does not know anything about this school, the appearance of the building is the only thing they have to judge it on. This unique brick building stands out in a community of houses.


Being in the middle of city has its disadvantages when it comes to outdoor recreation. Escuela Vieau does provide a small playground, which they take full advantage when the weather permits.



The kids that stay for the after school activities really enjoy their gym and fitness time. They have an opportunity to play numerous sports inside the school’s gymnasium.



Most of the students enjoy playing soccer the most. They like to brag how their favorite countries soccer team is better than anybody else is. They also pick on Miss Janet, the instructor, for liking the U.S. soccer team. The school provides two goals, which makes for some heated competition.





The walls of the gym are painted with slogans and cartoons of people playing sports. This encourages people to be active and socialize.



Outside of Escuela Vieau, the opportunities for recreation are limited. There is only one park within a mile of the school. Walker Square Park is the size of a small block and provides limited room for sports. It does have a small jungle gym, which provides entertainment for younger kids.



With limited options of outdoor recreation, I feel that it is important that Escuela Vieau provides the afterschool programs that they have. I feel that our contribution to the afterschool programs helps them succeed.

Multimedia Presentation

Multimedia Presentation

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Artist Statement

When it comes to completing projects for school, I like start with brainstorming. I knew from the start of my service learning that I would have to complete a Multimedia Essay. Being able to photograph what I do for my service learning helped me organize my essay and presentation. I thought the best way to show my experience at Escuela Vieau was through photos of places and things that stood out to me. So each time I went to the school I would think of what I wanted to use and how I was going to represent it.
The first time I saw Escuela Vieau, it reminded me of my old elementary school. What was interesting to me was the way the building looked as I drove past it. The photo I took of the building was on the same angle of when I first saw it. I think it is interesting how it looks as though two separate buildings merge into one. I think it is a defining characteristic of the buildings appearance. I thought it was important to include what is outside the building as well as the inside.
Having spent the majority of my time in the school gymnasium, I thought it was important to try to show everything it has to offer to the kids. This is where I had most of my troubles taking pictures. There are so many small details that I wanted to include, such as all of the different paintings on the walls, but I did not know how to put it all together. What I ended up doing was photographing many different objects in the gym at different distances and camera angles. Later when I was putting my essay and presentation together, I was able to choose from a variety of different photographs to pick the one that fit best. I was very glad I did this, because my opportunities to go to Escuela Vieau became limited as spring break approached.
Being able to work with the kids in Gym and Fitness was a benefit to me. I always enjoyed playing sports in school, and I can tell that they enjoy the time they have also. What I discovered after a couple weeks of service learning is that these students do not have many opportunities to play sports. The community offers little in the way of public parks. Beside what Escuela Vieau has for recreational activities, only one other place has the space to play outdoor sports. Walker Square Park is the only public park within a mile of the school. Even though it is small, it does offer a resource for recreation. If it were not for the afterschool programs these kids would have little recreation, which is important for kids to have.

Second Journal

I have attended my service learning for the past four Mondays in row, and each time there is a new experience. What has really surprised me is the way the children respond to me being there. From the moment I meet with the kids there are numerous high fives. They have also made a game of trying to tell me a joke that I have not already heard. Most of the jokes I know, but usually play along anyways.
Interacting with the kids for after school gym and fitness is different compare to socializing with them in the game room. While there in the gym, they are very active. Each time we get together, I ask them what we are going to play today. The usual response is SOCCER! Most of my time spent with them involves playing the games and sports that they want to do. The way I interact with them is through playing the sports, and challenging their skills. I like the service learning that I am doing especially the hands on part. I have really enjoyed the first half of my service learning, and I am looking forward to the next half.

1st Journal Entry

My first step in volunteering was attending the Service Learning Orientation on February 17. I am not very familiar with the school so I was unsure of what to expect. When I saw the school for the first time, it reminded me of my own elementary school. The staff at the orientation were very nice, and seemed eager to have us volunteer. Orientation concluded with a brief tour of the school. Seeing the gym reminded me of my favorite class in elementary school. I like to be active and play sports, so I asked to volunteer for gym and fitness class. I was glad to hear that both Derek and I were doing gym and fitness on Monday afternoons.
My first time volunteering was March 1. I was a little nervous of what I would be doing. I am not use to working with kids so I was not sure how they would act, but after the first five minutes of gym class, I realized how quickly they accepted the volunteers in their school. Miss Janet, the gym teacher, had arranged for the grades 4 and 5 to play indoor kickball. Having twenty 4th and 5th graders in one gym was a little hectic. It was easy to see that the majority of these kids have been in the same classes for years by the way they would playfully tease and challenge each other. It was a close game, but the team I was on took the victory.
My first volunteer experience was very delightful. Any uncertainties that I had about doing it were gone. I am looking forward to getting to know the kids better at next Monday’s gym class. Miss Janet and Maria were both very help and supportive which made the first time of volunteering very enjoyable.