Concentration, meticulous tracing and a huge imagination keeps Alyssa Mann’s passion for art burning. It all started when she was little, ever since she got her first coloring book for Christmas, Mann has adored submerging herself into her world of creativity.

“I was so mesmerized by anything having to do with art. My parents could just give me a crayon or pencil and a blank sheet of paper, and I’d be occupied for hours, letting everything inside my head flow out into the open world,” Mann said.

The love of art has continued all the way up through high school, but anyone who’s sat by Mann would know.

“Sometimes I get bored or distracted during class or doing homework at home, so I tend to doodle on almost every single paper handed to me. The only exception would be tests or essays we had to turn in, but literally all of my homework has random pictures on it, but people enjoy looking at it,” Mann said.

Throughout her life, Mann has also struggled with ADHD. It makes focusing on class a challenge, even when she tries to do her best, she always feels that her attention is being fought over by the disorder and lectures. However, she describes that she can excel in classes related to art.

“Making the art that I do requires tons on focus. But because it physically requires me to make something versus having to sit in a classroom, focus is way easier. Also, part of the reason my disorder is such a hassle, is because my mind had a flaring imagination that I get lost in, but I can pour it all out into artwork, which is so valuable to me,” Mann said.

Though Mann is sad that it’s her last year in high school, she wanted to leave a positive impact on people younger and continuing with high school and art. That is why she is a key member of Art Club which its goal is to improve and interact with people who share a passion for art. Mann feels people should understand the importance of it and why it has been so helpful to her.

“I want people to realize that art can be a way of life, a stress reliever, a hobby, or all those in one. So there’s no reason to hide if you find art most enjoyable over Math or writing. I used to be ashamed of getting A’s in my art classes and almost failing Geometry, but not anymore–I know art is just my natural talent and I should be proud of it,” Mann said.

by KALEEN SINGH