The Waldo Middle School Project

These photos were taken while I participated in the art & poetry project at the Waldo Middle School in Salem (OR) in conjunction with the Salem Art Association this past April. I taught collage making while Carlos Reyes taught poetry. The results were collages containing poems the students wrote. It was kind of a primitive Facebook, in that the students were instructed to create a piece (on foam core) that showed how they would like to be seen. Some of the finished products were fairly incredible. While Carlos taught or when they worked on their collages, I took photos. These are just a handful of the literally hundreds I shot.  If you've gone to my website, you know, I rarely shoot people. But this was a rare opportunity and these are rare – and very special – kids. 

This is Alma. It was difficult to take a bad picture of her. She has a beaming, infectious smile. I caught her off-guard here, though you'd never know.

Brenda is another of the kids that seemed to light up for the camera. Her shyness and awkwardness doesn't come across in this image. Instead, she lights up with confidence and woman-knowledge.

Stephanie, on the other hand, was full of confidence. She looks much older than her 14 years as was the fact that she is much more articulate. The more I spoke with her and got to know her a little, the more amazed and impressed I was. She plays cello in the school orchestra. As I was leaving the school one day, I noticed her picture in the glass case in the lobby, singled out as a teacher's assistant. 

Ashley – petite and quiet. And more complex than what shows on the surface. The wonderful thing about this experience was having a rapport with these kids at 13 and 14, a very impressionable age. I love the fact that Ashley just stared at me the way she did – not shying away nor concealing herself.

Taylor and Ashley. Taylor exuded confidence and poise. She was proud to tell me about her Normandy V-shaped Aluminum guitar and Mesa Boogie Amp. Rock on, Little Queenie...

Ally, Alma & Stephanie. Waldo has a dress code. The T-shirt that Stephanie is wearing is one of the options. At first, I didn't know that and just thought it was a cool shirt. In her case, it just might be very appropriate. I hope so, anyway.

Sarah. I don't think she knew I was taking this picture. Maybe the girl behind her did. This is where the term "woman child" was born...

Cody. A class clown. Bright as can be. Personable. And, if allowed, destined for good and great things.

Tiasha. I just love this picture. The kids were supposed to pair up and take one another's portrait. Tiasha didn't have a partner, nor wanted one, for that matter. She knew when to say cheese, to smile for the camera...