Brookwood High visual arts teacher Loria Crews was recently named a Beacon of Light, Unsung Hero Award winner.
The honor, awarded by Congressman Hank Johnson of the 4th Congressional District, celebrates professionals and educators who shine brightly through their efforts with young people and the community.
“Mrs. Crews’ successes with three Congressional First Place winners (totaling $144,000 in scholarship awards) and integrating compassion in the classroom makes her a Beacon of Light to our community. As an art educator, Mrs. Crews uses this opportunity to not only showcase her students’ talents, emotions, voice, but to cultivate a behavior that will follow them into their adult years,” said Johnson at a ceremony celebrating Crews and other honorees.
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Her photography students work with artist Molly Gochman, and aid in her strides to stop human trafficking through the red sand movement. The students compose images for the red sand movement to use on their site, in public and throughout social media in order to bring light to the marginalized victims in metro Atlanta and the world.
Crews’ students also are active volunteers in the fight to end childhood cancer and help families affected by this disease through combined efforts with the Amanda Riley Foundation. Crews, along with colleagues Christopher Vigardt and Elizabeth Debban, annually lead Brookwood High School’s National Art Honor Society Empty Bowls Community wide dinner where art students create handmade ceramic bowls with donated material and serve homemade soup in order to bring awareness to end hunger by selling art with community fellowship.
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