When it came time for me to pick my hero for the project many thoughts crossed my mind. I decided on Kevin Rice, the Entertainment Director at Hole in the Wall Gang. Last summer I was a camp counselor at Double H Hole in the Wall which is another one of Paul Newman's summer camps for terminally ill kids. I learned many life lessons about living from kids who where dying. I knew what kind of energy, strength, and endurance it takes to work at these camps. Kevin has worked at the Hole in the Wall since 99.
http://www.holeinthewallgang.org/
As if that was not enough Kevin also works at the children's hospital in Hartford. There he does painting with kids while they get their chemotherapy sessions. It takes a really amazing person to be willing to put themselves out there in such a special way for these kids. My only hope is that when I get older I am as dedicated to helping others as Kevin is.Manda (sceen name) - 20 years old
I am a junior photo major at the Hartford Art School.
I grew up in upstate NY and I decided to stay in Hartford, CT this summer to volunteer with the ALYC project. I have been taking photos since I got my first camera for my fifth birthday. I have been volunteering for almost as long. I remember when I was young helping my grandmother cut up quilt patches to send to the children in Africa. My plan is to join the Peace Corp when I graduate from art school and be a photojournalist some day.
ALYC was I wanted to do with my summer. It was a way to help young girls have a voice while they learned the basics of photography.
Kevin Rice
Other photos by Manda
Portrait
Boy with Ball
