High School Students and Local Artist Create Art to Honor Veterans

“Through this project I have developed a deeper appreciation for those in our armed forces. It has been an honor having the opportunity to collaborate with Jerome Durr. I am attending RIT this fall to major in Design. Working on this project has given me a better understanding of the design process and all of the work that goes into creating a work of art that expresses a specific idea. Presenting our designs to the hospital CEO was an experience that I will always remember. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to participate in a project of this scale as a high school student. It was very empowering to be received as both an artist and a professional.” - Ruba Tadros, West Genesee graduate and currently a graphic design major at Rochester Institute of Technology

“I was surprised at the amount of problem solving that took place in the planning stage of this project. I admire Jerome greatly for his courage to become a professional artist and his willingness to share his knowledge. It was very inspiring for me to work on this project with him and to work with glass as an art medium. I feel that we faced some of the same challenges that Maya Lin did when she designed the Vietnam Wall. It is my hope that the veterans who view our work will have an understanding of the labor and love that was involved in the creation of this work of art.” - Ali Beishline, West Genesee graduate and currently a freshman at Alfred University majoring in the Visual Arts

“I have been around art as long as I can remember, whether it be courses in school, or cooperative projects with friends. I feel very honored to have had the chance to participate in this stained glass effort that honors veterans. As an enlisted person in the US Air Force, and preparing to leave for basic training, I feel a lot closer to the project’s directed audience. It is more of a personal endeavor for me than a school-related one. It is comforting to me to know that so many people in my community are supportive and appreciative of veterans because I will soon become one.” - Jacob Dean, West Genesee graduate and presently an airman in basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas

“Before starting the Veteran Hospital’s stained glass window I knew very little about veterans and their impact on society. To be able to meet and work with veterans was a blessing. Interactions with the community helped me to realize the importance in remembering the hard work and dedication veterans give in serving our country. It was only through this interaction that can we could truly express our appreciation into the images and forms of the stained glass window. ... The project has taken a year to complete. All of the time and effort spent working to design and fabricate this project helped us to create a piece of art that comes straight from our hearts.” - Kate Vanderpool, West Genesee graduate currently a freshman majoring in visual art at Syracuse University

“As an art educator, I feel that I have the opportunity to empower young adults to become tomorrow's leaders. My approach is not to simply pass on information about art and culture, but to give each student the chance to take an active role within their culture. I have found that the visual arts can become the catalyst for students to become personally involved in their community. Through the creative process I try to encourage students to develop personal and emotional responses to the world around them.” - Jennifer Schrader, West Genesee art teacher that developed the project concept and served as project leader.

“I was eager to participate in the grant project with Mrs. Schrader’s art students from West Genesee High School. I have gotten the opportunity to share my artistic knowledge with the students and to watch them grow as artists. Helping the students to go through the process of designing and constructing a piece of this scale has been a very fulfilling experience. Having served in the US Army as a Green Beret in the Vietnam War, I found myself fortunate to participate in a project that encompassed two things that are of such importance to me. The piece will be there for many years to honor and show our appreciation to veterans from the past, present and our future veterans.” - Jerome R. Durr, Viet Nam Veteran and glass artist