Countryside Elementary Students Take "Snapshots of Joy"

On Tuesday, January 15th, members of the Countryside Student Council proudly displayed their photography projects as parents, family members, and students visited the exhibit. The pictures were taken as part of Snapshots of Joy, a program of the Finding One’s Voice (www.findingonesvoice.org) non-profit organization.

Snapshots of Joy is a five-week program in which students are given a disposable camera and asked to take pictures of moments that bring them joy. These moments can be anything from objects to nature to classrooms, or other moments of inspiration found in the everyday school environment. Once the photographs are developed, students choose their favorite and write an artist statement to explain why the picture brings them joy.

“We are so thrilled to be able to bring this program to Countryside this year,” said Finding One’s Voice founder Ann Beach. “It is our hope that through Snapshots of Joy, students learn to find joy in their everyday surroundings. In our program, we share with students that they have a choice in how they respond to the world. It is our hope that they choose kindness, grace, and compassion.”

The program emphasizes process rather than product, aiming to give young people the tools to express themselves constructively, and to develop their resilience and compassion. Waiting for the film to be developed and to see the final pictures is a learning experience for students. Using disposable cameras slows down the results and puts the focus on process, with lessons to be learned as they wait for the pictures to be developed, as well as the surprise of the imagery.

“It was a natural fit to partner with Finding One's Voice and their Snapshots of Joy program because one of Principal Herlihy's themes this year is joy,” said first grade teacher and Student Council adviser Jennifer Terrazzino. “The goal for Student Council is to empower students to be leaders in our school and community. This project taught them to reflect on the things that bring them happiness at school, which in turn helped them to model respect for our building, outdoor spaces, and all of the people that make Countryside an amazing place to be.”

To find out more about Snapshots of Joy, visit Finding One’s Voice at www.findingonesvoice.org.