Misty Hernandez Art Club

It’s such a great, big world, we’re glad you’re part of it with us!

Misty Hernandez’s Suquamish Elementary 3rd grade class and art club showed us that there are a lot of fishes in our great, big sea, on this great, big world.

From Pre-K to 5th grade, and beyond to include middle schoolers, high school students, and community members, Suquamish Elementary's Rock River received a beautiful refresh through NKSF grant funding to Misty Hernandez’s art club.

As Misty described in her Grant Impact Report:

“This transformation has instilled a strong sense of pride among our students, staff, and the broader community. One of the most meaningful aspects of this project was how it brought together current and former students, staff, and community members, fostering a powerful sense of connection and belonging. It served as a reminder that building community begins with recognizing that everyone has a role to play in creating a better world.”

Misty’s 3rd grade class also stepped out courageously into other classrooms to read Only One You, by Linda Kranz, to develop their confidence, with the stylistic illustrations in the book providing inspiration for the Rock River paintings. 

Students wrote:

"This project made me feel happier. I felt happy when I went into the classrooms and got to read to the younger kids. I also felt creative when designing and painting my rock."

"I think our project made a difference because when kids walk past the river they will be reminded that they belong."

"This project reminded me that it is okay to be myself."

"I learned to be myself. I was nervous to read to 5th graders, but I was happy when I was doing it and proud of myself afterwards."

Misty’s 3rd grade kiddos will carry these realizations throughout their lives, into an inspiring future, just the type of innovative learning environment that NKSF loves to support.