A “Not So Scary” Learning Experience

Miranda Urquizo, Staff Reporter ♦ February 19, 2026

High schoolers Aubree Newsome and Rihanna Moore socializing with Mrs. Elomar’s second graders on January 27 in Wadsworth’s library. The high schoolers were in charge of assisting the second graders in writing a story about their monsters.

GRIFFITH, IN – The Griffith High School Art Club and Advanced 3D Arts class took a field trip on January 27 to Wadsworth Elementary School to begin their collaboration with the second graders.

Wadsworth principal Katie Garvey asked second-grade teachers Sue Guy and Hara Elomar if they’d be willing to participate in an art project called “Not So Scary Monster,” which was suggested by high school art teacher Christa Siorek.

The high school advanced 3D Arts class, taught by Siorek, is currently learning how to work with clay. As practice, the high schoolers were assigned monsters made by second graders to recreate using clay. They will have two weeks to complete the sculptures.

Once at the school, high schoolers began interacting with the elementary students and trying to learn more about the monsters they created. With the high schoolers’ help, the younger kids created stories to pair with their monsters, helping the art class learn more about the creatures they would be sculpting.

“You can just be yourself; there’s no ego when talking to a seven or eight-year-old,” said Garvey.

The experience not only provided a good creative lesson for both the high schoolers and the second graders, but also a good opportunity to socialize. This assignment allowed both groups to interact with an age group they wouldn’t normally interact with.

“I thought they were going to be mean at first, but then when I met them, I guess I was wrong,” second grader Aurora Szo said about meeting high schoolers.

Garvey hopes to keep the art project going with future generations of second graders. Apart from this project, she wants to do other projects in the future to get Griffith High School more involved with Wadsworth.

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About the Contributor

Miranda Urquizo, Staff Reporter

Miranda Urquizo is a Sophomore at Griffith High School and has been a staffer for one year, returning for her second year. Miranda participates in the Mock Trial club here at GHS. Miranda expresses herself through reading and writing, while also applying her hobbies in stories. She is excited to be back in Panther Press this year and is very eager to get back to writing stories. Miranda’s goals for this year are to pass all her classes and to write good stories. Her goal in life is to become a psychologist and live a productive, happy life.