Juniors
Juniors worked on photography projects this summer. Using the themes of Americanah, students created a narrative series of images at home. Students were able to look through a physical, but also metaphorical, lens for capturing their current situations, homes, and communities.
Hiii! I’m Shaymaa Abdelah, a rising sophomore at Ewing High School. Some things that I like to do are swimming, biking, meditating, singing, fashion/modeling, learning new languages, and exploring/hiking. I'm currently considering either Political Science/Economics (I’m thinking of becoming a lawyer which I am surprised about myself; I don’t know why I’ve been thinking about this lately because I never thought of being a lawyer before) or Business Administration as my dream is to start my own business in the future.
Shaymaa
Abdelah
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Artist Statement
My project is titled "Unforgetable memories". The materials I used in my piece are beads, which represent the fun, tiny memories I have, and a stretch cord that holds all those beads, and this represents my childhood where I got all those small memories from. When I read "Let It Rain Coffee" and it mentioned how Santo misses his old days where he used to play piano and do fun things that he liked; memories from my childhood started showing up in my head. I did this piece because it reminds me of my childhood days, when I used to spend hours with my old friends and my cousins to make accessories out of the beads we found on old clothes we did not wear. The theme of my piece is childhood; I wanted to show that childhood days are really important and memories from those days will always stay with us.
My name is Lina Lyssia Abtouche and I’m a rising Junior at Ewing High School. I was honored with the opportunity of being accepted as a PUPP scholar during the 2020 school year. Moreover, I happen to be the proud daughter of two hardworking immigrants from Algeria that have taught me ones voice can be their most powerful asset. My passion for social movements is vast and it includes being an avid supporter of social justice, humanitarian rights, women’s rights, BLM, and more. During my personal time I enjoy writing poetry, reading, podcasting, learning about my Berber culture in addition to other ethnicities, and spending time with family. In regards to future career goals I want to study international law apace with foreign policy. I aspire to be an international lawyer and use my platform to be a prominent youth activist that changes the world!
Lina
Abtouche
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Artist Statement
This is a revolutionary collection of photographs that showcases how daily life is emanating with a plethora of indescribable feelings that can be portrayed through both one's identity and perception of the world itself. I juxtapose my Amazigh (Berber) culture along with the American culture to bring awareness to the disparities present for immigrants. Hence, the title of my project “Imazighran Anaraz Wala Naknou” (“We may be broken but we will never yield to our enemies”). This is a phrase us Berbers live by and which many of our ancestors used in times of injustice and war. Now, being a first-generation daughter of two Algerian-Berbers, this phrase has come back to serve a purpose. Americanization is one of the primary culprits of the loss of culture as Eurocentric views are ingrained into the unique roots of different ethnic groups around the world. The true question that must be posed about my work is not what it will tell the world but how it will change it altogether. Drawing inspiration from venerable Algerian surrealist artist Baya Mahieddine as well as foreign celebrities, each photo will be like none you have ever seen. I delve deep into how certain emotions are forced to be suppressed by those who are oppressed in the American society that seeks to maintain a sacred social hierarchy. Because of this, many individuals (most notably women) are unable to voice themselves fully in fear of being degraded or discouraged by misogynistic standards. When one takes a full look at a culture apart from the fallacies surrounding it and through a subjective view, you are able to stray away from the darkness and step into a new light of revelation. Pablo Picasso used to say “The chief enemy of creativity is common sense.". My project discards practicality for a new concept that tests the limits of societal standards and advocates for change that is incumbent in achieving gender equality, cultural awareness, and eradicating American imperialism. At the end of this process it is my hope that these photographs will leave an indelible impression upon all communities and inspire youth like me to build a more just future by speaking up through the timeless mediums of art.
My name is Chrisitian Alvarado and I'm a rising Junior In Ewing High School. I'm on the robotics team for EHS, and do swim and tennis. I enjoy gaming, playing piano, and find drawing and trying out new things fun. My family is Colombian, and we like to travel down to Colombia from time to time and enjoy time with family. I want to be an astronaut, since I've always been fascinated with space, and have had that as my goal since I was little.
Christian
Alvarado
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Artist Statement
My project is a collage of photos taken at Bushkill falls. I took the photos in order to give a sense over "coziness", most of them being taken in the cover the of trees and other plant life. I took the photos to give a sense of being covered, like you are in the center of the valley and everything is around you.
My name is Efrain Angon-Cruz. I am a rising Junior and attend Lawrence High School. I enjoy listening to music, coding, botting, playing basketball, and soccer. This year I was part of the soccer team for my high school. I was also part of the school’s choir. I am very passionate about school, and my hobbies. In the future I would like to study Computer Science and earn a degree in a respectable college/university.
Efrain
Angon-Cruz
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Artist Statement
My project is titled "Hard Work".I used old pieces of clothing, leaves, and coins. The pieces of old clothing represent the uncomfortable and hard work my father does. The leaves represent the uncertainty of consistency when being an immigrant living in the U.S. The coins represent the idea of earning small amounts of money but still staying motivated and working hard in order to eventually earn more. I was inspired to make this piece because my father is very important to me and has done and continues to do a lot for me and my family. A theme that inspired this piece is the struggles of an immigrant.
Guadalupe
Bueno-Ventura
My name is Guadalupe Bueno. I am a rising junior at Trenton Central High School in the STEM community. I enjoy drawing, singing, writing, and playing music. I am a part of the TCHS orchestra & marching band as well as the comic club. I want to become a software engineer and an artist since I am passionate about technology and any type of visual & performing art.
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Artist Statement
My project is titled “Under the Microscope”. It is a short, edited photo series of close-ups with little people drawn over them. It is made to look like the little people are interacting with the real-life objects in the photos as if it is their own space. I had gained inspiration from the comic-based Netflix cartoon Hilda and its elven characters as well as an artist I had seen on Twitter doing something similar to this project. The three pictures are meant to mimic a couple of famous places in the world as well as natural events, like the Pyramids, Big Ben, and a festival/parade, which show the parallels between the little people and us humans. I wanted to portray the coexistence and intersectionality that this world consists of in a light-hearted and easy-to-understand format through fictional characters with their own elaborate societies.
My name is Ashley Cardona. I am a rising junior at Trenton Central High School. I enjoy listening to music and singing, as well as working out, and hanging out with family and friends. I am also in my school’s soccer team, Honors Society Club, and volunteer club. Looking forward toward the future, I am undecided still as to what career I will go into, but I'd like to explore the stem or medical field.
Ashley
Cardona
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Artist Statement
My project is titled "Lost Dreams". The smaller painted portions of the plate are a representation of different journeys taken by immigrants in order to reach the U.S. The bottom painted portion is the American Dream that they are reaching for. It is only represented in one portion, and the biggest one, because it symbolizes the one goal, and the big picture that is chased by immigrants, even if through different journeys. The object I painted on was a plate. It signifies materialstic things and I chose it because it relates to the concept that the American Dream is a materialistic thing; something that people want. Wanting materialistic things was inspired by the character, Esperanza, from Let it Rain Coffee. She comes to the U.S. in chase of the American Dream- only to live the opposite of it. Based on the book, and family I have, the theme is that people risk coming to the U.S. unaware of the odds of the American Dream. And for most immigrants who I know, life ends up being hard here, not ideal as they thought it would. And so, this grand goal of the American Dream, just ends an old fantasy once had, left behind as a lost dream.
My name is Douglas Davila and I am a rising Junior at TCHS. I like playing soccer and video games. I want to become succesful by starting my own buisness and then selling it off. I like social studies and math and I really dont like ELA.
Douglas
Davila
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Artist Statement
My art piece is called reborn. This is due to the fact that I built my piece of trash. This symbolizes that a country can be reborn of trash or of the ground. Thats why I made a flag that looks pretty torn.
My name is Mia Lavarreda and I am a rising junior at Trenton Central Highschool. I am in the medical community hoping to become a successful dermatologist. My favorite things to do is hanging out with friends, listening to music and listening to new things.
Mia
Lavarreda
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Artist Statement
My art project is called "Identity." My medium is acrylic paint, and I also use pasta to portray curly hair. "Bad hair days" is a saying everyone uses, and when people are having a bad hair day one can get insecure and moody but my art project goes to show how unique hair can be; therefore, no day is a bad hair day. I made this piece to symbolize how much value and identity people have through their hair. I choose to make this art piece to try to teach that everyone/everything is beautiful no matter if someone else finds it unconvential. I was inspired to make this from the natural hair movement on instagram and not only that but at my school Trenton High I'm surrounded by beautiful people blessed with tight 4a-c hair that other people in predominantly white, less diverse, schools aren't.
My name is Makenzie Leon, I am a rising juinor, and I go to Ewing High School. I love to sketch, play music while I work, and play video games during my free time. So far, I've been achieving a lot of good grades and been pushing myself to do better and work harder. Right now, I want to graduate from high school and go to college, I plan on becoming a veterinarian one day and own my own clinic.
Makenzie
Leon
Artist Statement
My piece is called Broken Home. My overall element is the idea of poverty overwhelming minority groups. I chose to make this piece to show the fearful struggle of keeping everything a person depends on, a safe place to live and raise their families. I also wanted to show that even though everything around a person may not be perfect, they still have a family to love and care for. The overall theme of my piece is sticking together with your family even when you have so little.
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My name is Melissa Lima and I’m a rising junior at Trenton Central High School. I have aspirations to attend college majoring in the field of my choice. Although I don’t know what career I’d like to pursue, I am interested in social sciences, as well as business and marketing. During my free time, I like to rewatch movies or tv shows, listen to music, and spend time with family and friends. I don’t have many hobbies, but I really enjoy biking and painting.
Melissa
Lima
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Artist Statement
For my project, I created a photo series that consisted of 3 images. The overarching theme I aimed to illustrate was the effect of societal beauty standards on youth. In this day and age, with social media being in its most prominent form, young women are pressured to believe that they have to appear a certain way in order to be considered beautiful. The images are meant to showcase the negative effects and immense pressure that beauty standards have on young girls. I show this through three stages. The first image represents refusal to eat out of fear of gaining weight. The second image depicts a young girl on a weight scale, followed by the third image which shows the same young criticizing herself in a mirror.
My name is Rommel Mendez and I'm a rising junior at Lawrence High School. I wrestle for Lawrence, and I'm planning to go to states and win a title. I also like playing jazz and music in general. I want to pursue in science like astronomy, or pursue engineering.
Rommel
Mendez
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Artist Statement
My project is titled "Cemented". I decided to call it cemented to symbolize hitting rock bottom or issues in someone's life. I photographed two of my teammates wrestling, and you can see my teammate in the orange, Efrain, in control of my other teammate, Matt. However, Matt is always trying to get out of his control and escape. Although cement is a very strong material, it isn't permanent and can be removed. The message I want to share is that people can always overcome an issue and it's never impossible. It may be hard at some times, but there is always a way to overcome your issues. For example, Ifemelu had many issues fitting in and finding a job when she came into America, but she eventually found her passion with her blog. Her blog allowed her to educate many people and share the struggles of people of color and immigrants.
Clibin
Moindi
My name is Clibin Moindi and I'm a rising junior at Nottingham High School. I do cross country and track for my school, and I'm hoping to earn my first medal in track this upcoming school year. After I graduate college I would like to go into medical school so that I can become a cardiologist so that I can save as many lives as I possibly can.
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Artist Statement
My project is titled "flower in a dark room". One of my favorite musical artists, Kendrick lamar once said, "If a flower bloomed in a dark room would you trust it". The reason as to why he said this in his song "Poetic Justice" is becasue Kenfrick comes from a city named Compton in the state of California. This city is filled with alot of harships for a child that grows up in it but somehow Kendrick managed to become succesful coming from a tough city to grow up in. Kendrick is that flower that bloomed in that dark room. This relates to the book Americanah because Ifemelu goes through hardships in the united states and tries her hardest to bloom and stay above the water. This also relates to me because I am also trying to blossom into the best version of myself by working hard every single day.
My name is Daniel Monterroso and I am a rising junior at Lawrence High School. I play soccer for Lawrence and some of my interests are playing volleyball and running. My long-term goals are to graduate college, finish medical school and become a doctor. I wish to be a surgeon as I am interested in human anatomy and I also want to help people with their injuries and diseases. Additionally, I hope to be successful in order to help my family as they helped me
Daniel
Monterroso
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Artist Statement
My project consists of photos that use perspective and blurring photos to demonstrate the theme of being overwhelmed by work, responsibilities, and expectations. I thought of this idea last year when I first joined PUPP and began the summer institue. Although I finished most of my work I felt overwhelmed when it was given and didn't have time for much else. I illustrate this by placing the book close to the camera to display the book "crushing" me and blurring myself, representing me being toppled with work. These images can also be linked to being overwhelmed by responsibilites of a job or someones expectations of themselves to succeed. These images represent the effects of having these expectations or responsibilities for themselves which can lead to one feeling limited. For my final photo I showcase me reading the blurred book to symbolize how I finally caught up with my work and fulfilling my responsibilites. This image expresses how instead of the book toppling me I am the one in control and free from the weight of my work and expectations for myself.
Arafat
Olushi
My name is Arafat Olushi, and I am a rising junior at Trenton Central High School, in the medical arts community. I love playing soccer and softball, singing, dancing, art, listening to music, and hanging out with my friends and family. I am very passionate about the BLM movement, LGBTQ+ rights, human rights, women's rights, and many other movements. As a career, I am interested in becoming an anesthesiologist, as a way of making contributions to society and helping others.
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Artist Statement
My project is titled "From Ara’s POV". I decided on this title for my project because of the meaning behind it. My project is inspired by the way I see my sibling, Abdullah. This project is meant to represent how I see them in the best possible way and how they should love the person they are, even when others tell them that they shouldn’t. I chose to do this because I wanted my sibling to understand that the only opinions that matter are theirs and that of those who love them. People come and go in your life and you should cherish the time you have with them. I want my siblings to go through life remembering the good that had come from the people they met. A lot of times, some people can be very negative, and sadly they have chosen to remember that negative. I don’t want their judgement to be clouded with that negativity so that they can go through life with happiness. Ultimately, my project will consist of 15 pictures of Abdullah in their happiest moments during this summer. I have a lot planned for them so that they can enjoy the summer and see that they did as well.
My name is Haile Pereira. I'm a rising junior at Ewing High School. I'm a certified lifeguard, Mixed Martial Artist, and video game enthusiast. In the future, I plan to go to college in the engineering field, possibly going into electrical or biochemical engineering.
Haile
Pereira
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Artist Statement
My project is titled "Depth". I photographed different bodies of water to symbolize human emotion and how the environment influences how people act. Some people are like a raging waterfall. They are in their element among big crowds. They are extroverted, they do as they please without considering the one's around them. These people are the lake below the waterfall: calm, reserved. Perhaps even insulted by the ignorance of the waterfall. There are also those more suited for a smaller, contained environment. They enjoy the calm, stillness of a smaller environment. There may even be people who act as ripples through this calmness. They signify those who are more extroverted in this environment, more comfortable.
My name is Sorange Rutabairo, and I am a rising junior at Trenton Central High School. I am in the medical community hoping to become a great optometrist. I enjoy art and discovering new art styles. I also enjoy trying new things and doing anything creative.
Sorange
Rutabairo
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Artist Statement
My project is titled, "No Need.” The piece I’m showing is important because of how looked down upon natural hair is. This is to try and address the pressures that black women face when it comes to their hair. Racism encompasses not only overtly racist behaviors but also a social hierarchy, so my work will address the pressures that black women face when they are told that their hair doesn't meet societal standards. There is no intrinsic right or wrong way to wear your hair; you can relax it if you like, but no one should be forced to conform to one style, especially if it is the dominant eurocentric vision of how hair should be.
My name is Yanely Sajche, and I'm a rising junior at Trenton Central High School. I like playing volleyball and enjoy dancing. I would like to become a registered nurse in the future. If not, then I'd like to graduate with a degree in biology.
Yanely
Sajche
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Artist Statement
My project is titled, "Sunset in Manhattan." I decided on this because it's exactly what it is. When I lived in New York, I'd travel to Manhattan often to relieve my stress or anxiety. I'd walk and take photos of the buildings during sunset. I sit as I'd watch the sunset. When coming to this project, I looked over my head and saw the painting on my wall. I planned to recreate it. As I did, memories flew into my head and I enjoyed every part of recreating it.
My name is Arody Samayoa, and I am a rising junior at Trenton Central High School. I am currently in the R&B community with hopes of pursuing business in college. In the future, I hope to run many successful businesses. When I'm not doing PUPP work or dreaming about the future I really enjoy talking with friends and hanging out with my family.
Arody
Samayoa
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Artist Statement
My project is titled, "Facade". I decided on this because I wanted to represent how humans naturally put up facades at first and throughout the course of a friendship it slowly fades away. My cohort truly inspired this project in the sense that through this summer I came in trying to be this perfect student that I'm just not and throughout the summer we have taken the time to get to know each other and realize that we're all more similar than we thought.
My name is Ciarra Terrel-Smith, I’m a rising junior at Lawrence high school. I have recently become passionate about stopping AAPI violence and the Free Palestine movement. Additionally, the activities that I enjoyed last year have not changed. I still like to draw, swim, learn languages, and softball. However, my choice in major has changed, now I wish to major in nursing to become a psychiatric nurse practitioner. Furthermore, I wish to minor in psychology since I still have a deep interest in psychology. Being able to help people in the medical field is still one of my greatest aspirations.
Ciarra
Terrell-Smith
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Artist Statement
My project is titled "Doubled Sided Cafe." The materials that I used for my project are newspaper, cardboard, tinfoil, and paint. This project was meant to symbolize society and how people can potentially handle what they hear in the news. The newspaper expresses how the press can consume a person, and I used tinfoil to show how life can be rough, but there is a way to straighten it out so you can continue to move forward. I chose to do this because a lot has been going on and recently there seems to be no positive stories published. Let it Rain Coffee heavily inspired my piece because I wanted my project to be based on society and the way individuals view the community. Themes that go along with my project would be communities because I wanted to express how society can be a person's greatest enemy. Another theme would be memory because people look back at what they did and the mistakes of society and reflect on them.
My name is Cristina Vanegas and I am a rising junior at Trenton Central High School. I enjoy anything that has to do with art. I've been drawing since the age of four so you can say it's a major part of me. I also like playing pool with my siblings, as well as playing video games with them. My plan was to become a teacher but now I'm having second thoughts. I guess I'll have to see what the future has in store for me.
Cristina
Vanegas
Artist Statement
"Unjust" is the title of my project. I drove around Trenton, photographing government buildings. The government, as most of us are aware, is a corrupted system that has been proven to be unjust to its population. My intention was to convey the concept of betrayal. I wanted to be able to draw attention to how higher-ups treat people unfairly and how this affects our reality. I wanted to link this to the book “Americanah” because it consists of situations where betrayal was shown not only in personal issues but also in how their surroundings made it hard for the characters to make a better life for themselves.
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My name is Irving Vasquez. I am a rising junior at PHS.I like to sleep, listen to music, play games, spend time with my friends, and train in MMA. I want to be a succesful business man or nurse because I want to be wealthy.
Irving
Vasquez
Artist Statement
My project is called "Perseverance." I wanted to create something that represented an idealistic or optimistic look on different types of communities. So when I was thinking about unification the first thing that came to mind was hands which is why different layers of hands were put on the canvas to represent different types of community such as minorities,LGBTQ,etc. I made a lotus flower which symbolizes perseverance especially from a buddhist perspective. I made it out of cheerios and it's supposed to convey that every community has suffered a great deal and we can only persevere through it with unification and equity.
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Hi, I’m Melanie a rising junior in PUPP. I’m not really good at drawing when it comes to art, but I do tend to be very creative. I am a first generation student at Nottingham High school. I’m a very outgoing person and really enjoy socializing with others. Although this is true, alone time with my music is an essential part of of me having a stable life. I really hold my culture close to my heart and it’s a piece of who I am. I always like to include it in my everyday life. Honestly, I can never see myself being an American, but technically I am. I hope you enjoy what I came up with.
Melanie
Vasquez
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Artist Statement
This year's project consisted of compiling multiple photographs. My project is called "Locked Up". I wanted to bring attention to the kids that were pulled apart from their families and locked up in cages in the southern border. So many innocent families come to America to try to build a better life, just to get ripped from eachother's arms. I dedicate my project to those kids that are suffering or have suffererd in the hands of ICE.
Jonathan
Velez
My name is Jonathan Velez. I am a Rising Junior at Trenton Central High School. I love playing video games and having fun with my friends. Science is one of my biggest passions and I love to play the piano. One day I hope to become a world famous scientist and leave my mark on this world!
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Artist Statement
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Dorian
Williams
My name is Dorian Williams. I am a rising junior at Ewing High. I wouldn't consider myself to be your average artist, or someone who is vasly intruiged on the topic of artistry. However, activities like football and basketball are things that I enjoy. I like to hang with my close friends and family. I don't know what I would like as a profession as of now, but I know that I want to do something that makes me happy in the end.
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Artist Statement
My project is titled "Life-less Being". My idea going into this was to show a figure that feels lost, with no goal in life. I wanted to show how one could feel empty inside but still be full as a person. In today's day and age we see many people who feel empty and lost, but coming together we can help stop this. We can be there for somebody when they feel like the world is against them. We can be there for them when they have no shoulder to cry on. I used bottle caps, as well as straws to create this. People who feel like they have nothing and who are sturggling motivated me to make this.