On February 5, 2016 two Fort Bragg scholars got to show off their photography in a a show organized by their mentor Denise DeLuise. Last summer, Partnerships Scholars Program was able to send Fort Bragg scholars Celeste (15) and Esme (17) to attend the 2015 Photography Summer Camp course for a week in Brooklyn, New York at the SOCAPA (School Of Creative And Performing Arts). During their time at the camp, Esme and Celeste stayed in the dorms at Poly-Tech University for one week. They spent their second week spent exploring NYC with their mentor, Denise. Both scholars described their experience in New York as completely life changing. This February, they got to share their new-found passion for photography at a gallery show!

You can read short essays by Esme and Celeste about this experience. Below are a few excerpts from essays the scholars wrote about their experiences.

Celeste wrote: This photography show that I was part of is just the beginning of hopefully many more opportunities in photography….. My trip to New York and photography camp truly was a journey of a lifetime and something I will carry on in my life forever. 

Esme shared: A year ago I never thought that I would have the opportunity to go to New York until my mentor Denise suggested it…. I had such an amazing experience being in the city and getting to try new foods, meet new people, and explore the city of New York. It is a memory that I will always cherish…..