Black Student Union Portrait Contest Pulls Historic Talent
PLUM SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL | ONE-MINUTE READ
Plum Senior High School's Black Student Union has concluded its Black History Month Portrait Contest. The event was established to help expand the knowledge on African-American history and the contributions made and marked into American history. Look at the talent in our District and learn more about each person represented below by clicking on their names. Congratulations to each of you!
FIRST PLACE
Maya Angelou1928 - 2014
(activist, actress, author, dancer, poet)
Isabella Surace, Grade 9
The inspiration for this peace was Angelou's fantastic pieces of writing. In particular, the poem 'Still I Rise' really inspired
me to portray Angelou with the power which is held in her writing and poetry. In addition, other works such as 'Phenomenal Woman'and 'When I think About Myself', motivated me to push myself to show the viewers of my portrait the depth and beauty
in her words. Trying to show the strength Maya Angelou holds was a challenging and inspirational part of my art.
SECOND PLACE
Audre Lorde
(activist, feminist, writer)
Ashley Persia, Grade 11
She was a poet and a civil rights activist who had a powerful message for people not to silence
themselves or be afraid of their anger. I made her portrait rainbow because I enjoy creating portraits
in fun colors and to show that she was part of the LGBTQ+ community. I think it is important to also focus
on people who are not as well known during black history month. Not many people know about her, but
she fought hard for her rights as a black, lesbian woman, and she deserves to be recognized. I had a lot
of fun with this project and hope you enjoy it!
THIRD PLACE
Mae Carol Jemison(engineer, NASA Astronaut, physician)
Ava Schroeder, Grade 11
The inspiration for this piece was the incredible feats that black women in NASA and science have
achieved. Astronaut Mae Carol Jemison is depicted with half her face in space being representative of the
greatness of her accomplishments as an engineer and physician. The many abstract marks on her space suit
also represent the many people who she has inspired. All together this mixed media portrait celebrates
black women’s impact in science.
Daisy Bates
(civil rights activist,
First Lady of Little Rock)
Hannah Simak, Grade 12
I tried to capture her essence as a strong woman who was one of the biggest reasons for the desegregation
of schools. I positioned her to look out into the future because she strived to make the future better for the
generations to come. I decided to paint her in shades of blue, because during that time it was dark and there
were a lot of struggles for equality, but she broke those barriers. Represented by the orange background
showing that there is light in the future because of her actions.
Misty CopelandPrincipal Dancer
Addison Sofran, Grade 11
When I was told about the portrait contest, the first person that came to my mind was Misty Copeland. I am a firm
believer in sticking to my gut feeling, but I believe that she was just my inspiration because I have been a dancer for
close to 16 years and Misty Copeland is such a strong and inspirational dancer as the first African American female
principal dancer with the American Ballet Theatre.
Rosa Parks
1913-2005(civil rights activist)
Emily Simmons, Grade 11
Rosa Parks is a very inspirational woman to a lot of people around the world. She inspires me
throughout the day which is what made me want to paint her. Parks helps to inspire many women to stand up
for what they believe in, me included. It is very important that people remember her as years go on.