Students at Calhoun High School recently demonstrated the power of art and service through their participation in The Memory Project, a nonprofit initiative that connects high school students with children around the world who have experienced hardship, including poverty, loss, and displacement. 

This year, 76 Calhoun students and some staff members volunteered their time outside of school to create 82 portraits and identity art pieces for children in Honduras. The project was led by sophomores Ellie Tzaras and Chloe Dujardin, whose leadership and dedication were instrumental to its success.  

From November through March, they organized meetings, coordinated materials and supplies, tracked student progress, led fundraising efforts, and assembled the completed artwork. 

“I wanted to do an out-of-school service project because I felt I wanted to make a difference,” said Tzaras. 

Most participants were ninth-grade students, with additional involvement from students in grades 10 through 12. Weekly workshops, led by teachers Nancy Scott and Gary Solorzano-Ruiz, provided guidance and support for student artists, fostering a collaborative environment centered on creativity, compassion, and community. 

“Art is a powerful tool. It can cross borders - and it will. It can change a person’s life,” said Scott. “This was a sheer act of selflessness and love for a stranger.” 

Students had the option to work independently or attend workshops held two to three times per week. Tzaras and Dujardin also organized fundraisers, including a bake sale, to help offset material costs and contribute toward the fees required to deliver the artwork to Honduras. 

The project culminated on Wednesday, March 25, with a group photo and a ceremonial send-off of the portraits. 

“That you took time after school to do this project is a beautiful thing,” said Solorzano-Ruiz. “The kids in front of your artwork - you are going to make their day.” 

Over the course of three months, the initiative fostered a strong sense of community and purpose among participants, particularly among freshmen who were new to the school. As the artwork makes its way to Honduras, the Calhoun High School community hopes these portraits will bring joy, connection, and a sense of being seen to the children who receive them. 

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