CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2020🎉 !!

We have come a long way after 13 years being surrounded by incredible, impacting, and diverse people in school that we may or not be in contact with. I am grateful for attending these 3.75 years at Dreyfoos. The openness and creativity of everyone gave me inspiration and motivation to create such unique pieces of art that involved an important part of my identity. Although senior year was cut short due to COVID I believe I was able to get the most out of my experience with art. Due to the advice from my fellow classmates and teachers! I may have not spoken with all of you but I will take this time to congratulate you for all the hardships you may have overcome or the accomplishments you have made. Although, I can’t say the same of getting the most out of the remaining days of senior year with the people I cherish.

No one knew months ago that this would have to be how we say goodbye… but this is how life is. Full of unexpected circumstances. However, it’s up to us to decide what to do from here on out or the way you take it in the end. Never stop striving and continue on! We are surviving this pandemic together. “Everyday we can choose to focus on our gifts instead of our misfortunes…” - Rubi.

I want to thank all the gorgeous people I have met, my friends. Because of you all I was able to grow as an artist and as a person. In life nothing really goes as planned. But every single one of you were always present … even if our time wasn’t long, no matter what happens I still love you all sincerely (yeah deep down). Please stay true and keep loving yourself. I appreciate all memories that were created throughout the years. All of you have impacted my life and I won’t forget that. Gracias… en verdad. I can't wait to see you all againnnn! Thank you to all my teachers who were supportive through these years. I tried my utmost best to take all of your advice in order to refine my creative art style.

Thank you Ms. Van Reeth for all your daily nuggets! It really had me in deep thoughts at times. Ms. Ramos thank you for the 2 pieces of wood I desperately needed and for the introduction of sculpture, that class was a blast. Thank you Mrs. Glosmanova for all the love and support you gave me during the last few months when I needed it the most. I will miss your ongoing talks about animation, art related subjects and sorry for always being the loudest group in class. Honestly, your class was the only class we looked forward to on odd days! Also for letting us drop by during 4th period to visit our buddies and work alongside them! Ms. Jahn, I appreciate the time and patience you had with our senior portfolio class. To me your class was very soothing and you could feel your motherly instincts wrap around us whenever we goofed off or cheered us on.

Mr. Armetta, thank you so much for these 3 years of education and entertainment. Your classes were the ones that impacted my growth as a painter and assisted my pursuit of continuing my concentration. Your meditation lectures and presentations in class helped me relieve all the stress I may have been feeling at that time. Now that there are no longer after school studio Wednesdays, I will dearly miss stampeding into your class with the rest of my group of friends. Sorry for the countless times you had to settle us down. But, I know that most of my precious memories were formed in your class environment! Keep learning Spanish Mr. Armetta you are almost there! Para delante!

I can’t wait to see you all again at least one more time! Please stay safe and healthy. I will miss you all! Thank you for being tolerant with the Class of 2020 and making this experience exciting and unique! For the time, patience and dedication towards us, thank you. Hasta luego! Goodbye Class of 2020.

With gratitude,

Jessica Gonzalez Velasquez