Artists

Seniors denoted with *

An Open Poem to My Seniors

A note to my seniors; my “AP Stars”...
We’ve made countless memories that will always be ours.
You were my last class at Mellon, my first at the high school...
I was with you through good times and sometimes through cruel.
But no matter the hardships or things that made your heart soar...
The “art room” was there for you, of that you were sure.
As your teacher, I watched you grow from freshman to seniors...
From “silly little buggers” to having adult demeanors.
It's been such a JOY to be there as your teacher...
Learning who you are; your individual features.
On top of it all, I have seen your AMAZING ART grow...
For that to be proud of, I don’t need a show.
You’ve worked hard through the years to get where you’ve gotten...
And not finishing in the art room must feel kind of rotten.
But let me tell you a secret or two;
It's not what you’ve lost, is what you’ll soon do!
You are destined for GREATNESS, a fact that is true...
And the memories won't fade, you’ll take them with you!
The future is bright, and we’re in this together...
You’ll think back on the art room with fondness forever!
And let me say one more thing, I’ve never been prouder...
Pushing you as artists has been like growing a flower.
Bristol board, pencils, oil pastels...
Graphite portraits and painted shells.
Acrylic paint on a cut piece of chipboard...
Your artwork always had me floored.
“Epic” projects like the Knit the Grand Staircase...
What’s Chiaroscuro? Does this look like a face?
“Concentrations” became SI’s...
Abandoned paint cups and tiny flies.
Mon Chi-chi and staple guns...
Paint in the closet? You guys took tons.
Many murals...some finished, some not…
Determination is what you’ve got!
“That aint it, Chief” and “That’s the Tea, Sis”...
My sense of humor was hit or miss.
“Wretched beasties” and “idiot box”...
Funky outfits and Bob Ross socks.
You worked so hard through the laughter and tears...
Your talent exploded in 4 short years!
Getting to know you as people has been even better...
My fondness for you can’t be grasped through a letter.
I’ll never forget you, the good times we’ve had...
Though parting this way feels understandably sad.
But lift your heads up and remember what matters most...
You’ve made friendships of a lifetime...of that you can boast!
It was the BEST of the best, our time in the art room...
So CHOOSE TO BE HAPPY and set aside gloom!
No matter where you go, both near or far,
I am so proud of your work and of WHO YOU ARE!

Forever Fondly,
Mrs. Rodriguez