Artist Statement: A memory forgotten by sophomore Tani Thomas, “Sometimes life moves so fast that you never get the chance to take a breath, not just to rest, but to heal. I often fill my schedule to suppress a much-needed moment of silence. For me, silence is scary because silence isn’t silent, it's filled with noise that nobody else can hear but me. My piece is meant to represent someone who doesn't take time for themselves, someone who keeps suppressing their pain and tries to erase memories instead of taking the time to process the effect they had, someone who I never wish to be. They're drowning in an overwhelming spirit and are suddenly surprised by the unpredictability of life. Not only are they drowning in their suffering but their slightly clenched hand represents stubbornness; Though they realize it's too much to bear on their own, they'd rather lose it all than reach out for a helping hand. The memories we choose to ignore are usually the ones that are the most persistent; The memories that keep us awake at night and the ones we zone out on while considering an unhealthy multitude of  ‘what ifs’. Joy is fleeting but despair will linger for as long as we allow it to. Don’t be the person who kills their sanity in the process of killing the idea of everything that's ever hurt you. Now instead of leaving this world healed and true to themselves, the person in my piece chose to suffer up until their last moments, carrying a burden they refused to place down. Now they'll never forget because they refused to remember.”

By Claire Rhee, Grade 9

By Zachary Smith, Grade 10