Fostering creativity in students encourages the freedom of self-expression.  Achievement House Cyber Charter School 10^th grader, Hannah Polosky’s artwork showcases her individuality and artistic abilities. Her collage piece, entitled One Day, which has been selected to be displayed at Dulles Airport is a self-portrait depicting old Broadway Playbills embodying her dream of performing on Broadway.

Hannah explains, “Collaging is when you take small pieces of paper, or any medium, and glue each piece together to make something else. I used pieces of vintage playbills found online to create my self-portrait titled, One Day.  This title represents my dream of becoming a Broadway actor.”

Hannah’s piece was chosen to be displayed in Dulles Airport by the nonprofit organization, Uniting US. This organization goal is to inspire, empower, and unite veterans, their families, and their community through the arts (Uniting US). Also, Hannah was recently named the youngest registered artist with Uniting US. Hannah became familiar with this organization through a family friend and her mother.

Hannah’s Mother, a veteran, and a current member of Uniting US is also an artist who has motivated a great deal of Hannah’s work including her piece, One Day. Hannah said, “Basically, all my inspiration is from my mom, always. I would not be an artist without my mother.”

Hannah’s artistic style is very broad. Hannah states, “My artistic style is to express my emotions through the mediums that I love, such as art and acting. However, I also enjoy sketching and watercolors.”  

Hannah chose to enroll at Achievement House Cyber Charter School due to the pandemic and the academic flexibility.  As a cyber school student, Hannah can manage her time to complete her schoolwork and her recreational art.  Also, she can express her artistic ability by applying her creative touch to school assignments and projects. For example, Hannah recently completed a Literature class assignment that required students to write letters in a 1900’s format. Hannah asked her teacher, Mrs. Reighard, if she was permitted to handwrite these letters to exemplify this specific timeframe. Mrs. Reighard constantly encourages all her students to express themselves artistically.

Hannah stated, “I handwrote the letters which were then distressed with coffee and other items. I also learned how to wax seal envelopes for this assignment. ”

Hannah also has tremendously benefited from her teacher’s office hours. She states, “I also love Office Hours! Office Hours have been a life saver. You do not have to be worried about asking a question in front of a class because it is just you one on one with you teacher.”

At AHCCS, Hannah participates in the Minecraft, Thrifting, GSA, and Drama Clubs. Encouraging Hannah to express herself artistically academically has been vital to her success. In the future Hannah hopes to gain acceptance into AHCCS National Honor Society and continue to be an active member of our school.  As an artist she continues to support the Uniting US organization and to push herself to further pursue her creative endeavors and dreams.