Perpich National Art Honor Society Members Share the Joy of Art at Sonnesyn Elementary

March 11, 2026

Six Visual Arts and Media Arts students from Perpich Arts High School recently stepped into the role of teachers during a visit to Sonnesyn Elementary, leading second graders in an art lesson focused on silhouette portraits and storytelling.

Signe Gozola (Visual Arts 2027) speaks with a 2nd grade student at Sonnesyn Elementary

Perpich Arts High School Principal Rebecca Bullen accompanied the students and helped guide them through the experience, sharing strategies for engaging young learners and balancing creativity with structure in the classroom. The Perpich students quickly rose to the challenge. “Our Perpich students were amazing,” Bullen said. “They brought passion, creativity, play, and leadership in all forms—quiet and steady, bold, expressive, gentle, and encouraging.”

For Signe Gozola (Visual Arts 2027), the experience was both nerve-racking and rewarding. “I’ve never done anything like that before,” she said. “It’s very nerve-racking when you’re in there and all the eyes are on you. But once you give them directions and they start doing their thing, they’re just so fun and so sweet.”

Gozola was especially surprised by how eager the second graders were to participate. “They really wanted to talk to you and ask questions,” she said. “It just felt really good to bring smiles to their faces.”

Ajay Nicholas (Visual Arts 2026) also found the experience meaningful, particularly during a moment with a student who seemed to be having a tough day. “I showed him how you can mix different watercolor paints on the lid,” Nicholas said. “He just lit up and got really excited. Being able to see that I could make such an impact on such a young person was really heartwarming.”

Ajay Nicholas (Visual Arts 2026) speaks with 2nd grade students at Sonnesyn Elementary

Perpich students returned to Sonnesyn the following week to help with the school’s Art Night, where they hosted creative activity tables and reconnected with some of the same students.

Beyond sharing their artistic skills, the Perpich students also learned valuable lessons about teaching and leadership. Nicholas said Bullen encouraged the group to focus on connection rather than strict instruction. “She talked about empowering the students however they wanted to present themselves and trying to find points to connect with them,” Nicholas said. “Just being someone they can look up to.”

Gozola said Bullen also encouraged them to seek out the quiet kids “because they’re always wanting to be included. Usually when you see kids like that, you’re thinking, Oh, they don’t want to be bothered, but they’re just too afraid to talk. So you have to be the one to talk to them first. I never thought about it that way.”

The second graders’ artwork was displayed at Sonnesyn’s Art Night on March 3rd, where the young artists, and their Perpich mentors, continued celebrating creativity together.

Sonnesyn Elementary provides a comprehensive, responsive education for K-5 students. Sonnesyn’s Parent Teacher Student Organization (PTSO) sponsors many lively events such as BINGO, School Dance, Carnival, and more.

The National Art Honor Society (NAHS) is an American honor society for high school students. It was established in 1978 by the National Art Education Association (NAEA) to recognize outstanding accomplishments in the visual arts by students in grades 9 to 12. The NAEA also supports a National Junior Art Honor Society for students in grades 6 to 8. The NAHS chapter at Perpich Arts High School started in 2024.