Emma Leonardo Solórzano

Visual Arts Department

With my days as a high school senior coming to a close, my final piece is a reflection on my growth throughout these four years; An homage to what I love to do most, portraiture.

Originally, my plan was to transfer images of all of you- friends and family- onto the background of the fabric. Even though my plans for this piece changed (because of our current circumstances), the sentiment of love meant for all of you has not.

My senior piece is a reflection on my personal interactions and place in the world. Textiles often bring to mind the interconnectedness of things. Fabrics are made if interlacing fibers and this formation called me to question my connections. The fabric I chose is part of an old, cut up bed sheet representing personal relationships I've developed over the years and how each one has contributed to “me” as a person. I came to the conclusion that a great part of who I am are fragments of other people's personalities and experiences they have contributed to my life.

For my work, the creative process is as much part of the piece as the final, physical creation. The process consists of a meditative experience of self reflection. My art requires me to have extended physical contact with the fabric- sitting on it, laying on it, washing it, erasing it- making me aware of the physical space the fabric takes up; That I as the artist take up, too. Not only do I reflect on who I am, I reflect on my interactions with people and how I have affected their life. This reflective experience becomes material, as I lay down each stroke.

Dear Class of 2020 ...

Thank you. Thank you for letting me be a part of your high school experience, whether I affected your life in a small or major way. Getting to know each of you was truly an honor. To my bldg 9 family, I can say I really love our department. I feel like I've known you all my whole life.

Mr. Armetta, words cannot begin to describe how much your class has meant to me. I can say with absolute certainty that I am a better person because of you. Your continued support, coupled with your kooky humor, is what makes you an amazing teacher. Sending love and kindness always!

Ms. Jahn, thank you for being our art mom this year. Your class was always a period I looked forward to because we felt like a family.

Ms. LVR, thank you for teaching me accountability and responsibility. APAH will forever be the coolest.

Period 4 art table, thank you all for the stories, snacks, and the memories.

To my NAHS Officers, there’s no one else I would rather have done it with.

Michelle, thank you for being my best friend and for instilling in me the confidence you so proudly shine. You're a star baby meech.

Lia, thank you for teaching me how to be chill and manic at the same time. Thanks for all the cool tunes and wild rides. Here's to many more, girlfriend.

Martín, who would have thought that we would become compas? Thank you for all the laughs, flaco. They meant the world to me.

Angel, thank you for being my shoulder to cry on and for letting me do the same for you. You saved me countless times and stuck it out through thick and thin.

José, thank you for always being true to yourself. You taught me to be true to who I am. You are so special in the best way. Go after your dreams. Don't watch The Princess Diaries too much.

Joey, thank you for all the city pizza lunches and for letting me into your world. Lana would be proud. Diamonds are a girl's...

Casiddy + Jess, thank you for many Ehrlich laughs. You are some of my oldest friends yet we never run out if things to talk about.

Rachel, you cool, old soul. Thank you for always being down to earth. #Rachill

Dani, from elementary school until the end of, you will always be my bus buddy. Thanks for being there for me, Hoogie.

Amber, thanks for nerding out with me and for being a ray of sunshine. How's your cat?

Sawyer and Julien, thank you for all the hugs and love. If you're seeing this, send good vibes.

~What a wild and strange trip it's been~ I will treasure in my memory every second of it. Cheers to a new bittersweet beginning for all of us.

hallway hangs>>>

printmaking picnic

senior dress up

lipdub dubz

cityplace lunch

my nahs family

Armetta's

Armetta gang

visual bathroom pics

#Throwback to freshman year when I hadn't discovered curly hair products

DEAR CLASS OF 2021...

Your last year at Dreyfoos is quickly approaching. Congrats for making it this far. Navigating senior year can feel overwhelming and confusing. Hopefully, I can offer up some advice that will make your year less chaotic.

College: Whether we realize it or not our time at Dreyfoos has been marked by a status quo. I think there’s a lot of unspoken pressure to dress the part and look wealthy when that’s not the case for a lot of people. That mindset influences the way people approach the college decision process. If you have your mind set on a prestigious college and you have the means to go, then go for it! However, we all have different circumstances and there’s no shame in going to a smaller school or community college. Even if you decide not to go to college, your choice is still valid. We often compare ourselves to others when we should only be marking our self growth by reflecting on the past versions of ourselves.
Scholarships: Apply early and often. Never in my life did I imagine I would end up with a full ride to college. Starting senior year, I had no college fund. However, I knew I didn’t want to take out a loan. Finances would be the deciding factor when it came down to the wire. Look for scholarships that have smaller application pools and go the extra mile!
Stay in close correspondence with college representatives. I kept in touch with college reps who gave me scholarship information and advice. Their advice led me to applications, interviews, and hella bank.
Art: Deciding whether you will continue with art as a profession or not is on everyone's mind senior year. Trust that you know yourself better than you think you do.
Final Thoughts. Your senior year will be a fleeting experience that you should grab hold of. Take advantage of the many opportunities the vigital department has to offer. Submit to Seeds. Participate in the LakeWorth Street Painting Festival. Apply to the Norton Show. Grab a free donut at a gallery show.

Senior year is one of the most special experiences of high school. Treasure every moment. Every walk to class. Every lunch with your friends. Every joke your favorite teacher makes. You never know how fast things can change.

Best of luck,

Emma N. Leonardo Solorzano

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