Matthew C. Stahl

Students participating in Washington School's "Photo Voice" program are strengthening the connection between the school and community, while giving students a powerful voice through the art of photography. The program, founded by Leslie McPhail, a resident artist in Lowell, helps foster relationships with the local elderly home and veteran's associations by partnering student photographers/interviewers with gray-haired models/interviewees. While powerful portraits speak volumes themselves, written biographies of the subjects show the connection that these students have made with members of the community. This program helps students discover their own voice and improve their descriptive writing skills. Photos from the "Photo Voice" program are shown all over the city, and several have been sold to local elderly homes, veteran's hospitals and government buildings for their permanent collection. Stahl is a resident of Lowell.