KHS art students make a difference
Eight students in Jacki Beane's advanced art class participated in an art project that affected the lives of orphans living in Guatemala.

Now, more than 8,000 portraits have been created by students from all over the U.S. The KHS students who participated are (front)Tamara Craine, Corwin Rowlett, Emily Mitis, (back)Claudia Martinez, Hannah Jacobs, Michael Anthony, Courtney Culpepper and Sergio Espinoza (not pictured).

Ben Schumaker, founder of "the Memory Project," created this program four years ago after returning from a mission trip. Schumaker realized the orphans he met did not have a single possession they could call their own. In his desire to give something to these children, the idea of the portraits was born.

Not only was it a very personal gift, but a gift done by another young person. Starting with only 15 high schools, Schumaker's dream took off. As more schools became involved with drawing the portraits, more orphanages were contacted and more kids received a portrait.

On the back of the portrait, the student artist wrote a letter to the child and attached a photo and their address. Maybe the art students will receive letters back from the children. But whether if they do or not, the joy of giving to a child that has nothing is a feeling like none other.