JCU & Heights Students Create Art, Community
March 23, 2017 -- The John Carroll University Arrupe Scholars and the Heights High Social Justice Cadre began meeting in the fall to work on a social justice issue that was important to all of them. They discussed several topics and quickly settled on an issue that is very close to home – creating a stronger connection between the two schools and with the University Heights citizens.
The students met regularly and hosted a culminating Community Day Event for the students and University Height citizens on Saturday, March 18 in the Heights High (Wiley campus) cafeteria.
“We really wanted to strengthen our relationship with the community and we thought this event would be a good way to do that,” said Heights High senior Tia Smith.
The event included food, crafts, card making for local senior citizens, letters for elected officials writing about social justice issues, games (spoons and corn hole) and the unveiling of a mural created by the students.
The Social Justice Cadre - JCU and Heights High students.
“Part of our goal was to have people get to know each other by working on an activity together,” said John Carroll senior and committee chair Marina Giannirakis.
The highlight of the event was the unveiling of the 4’x14’ mural that was created by the students. It is a mosaic photo print with half inch square photos that create a mosaic image of the Cleveland skyline. Students and community members contributed photos and an artist created and printed the finished product.
Before the unveiling, District Superintendent Dr. Talisa Dixon, JCU Arrupe Scholars Program Director Dr. Malia McAndrew, JCU student Marina Giannirakis and Heights High students Tia Smith and Isabella Marrota welcomed the guests and talked about the project.
After a 3,2,1…the cover was lowered and the attendees crowded around the mural to look up at the individual images, then they stepped back to see the Cleveland skyline.
“The mural is like our relationships in a way. When we stand back, we see one thing but when we get up close and get to know people, we learn that they are just like us in so many ways,” said Tia.
She particularly enjoyed working with the JCU students and was very grateful for the opportunity to get to know them. “They were so kind, all of us really loved working with them on this project,” continued Tia.
Ms. Giannirakis echoed the sentiment. “We learned a lot from the Heights students,” she said. “No matter what age people are, they have great ideas and are great partners.”
The mural will stay in the Wiley building as a permanent piece of art for the middle school students to appreciate for the next two years.
But for the next few months, high school students and staff will enjoy the mural.
And, perhaps the mural will serve as a reminder to appreciate objects and people both from a far and up close.
The 2016-2017 Superintendent’s Social Justice Cadre is for Heights High students who want to work on social justice issues. The JCU Arrupe Scholars Program provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to become advocates for positive social change. The partnership was created by Dr. Dixon and Dr. McAndrew.
This summer, the high school students and staff will return to their renovated historic home at the corner of Cedar and Lee and the middle school students will move to the Wiley campus in University Heights. The middle schools students and staff will stay in the University Heights building for two years while their buildings are renovated.
Superintendent Dr. Talisa Dixon, Heights High Social Justice Cadre member Angelique Hale and Angeloque's father, Bobby Hale, (L-R).