Wheaton High School’s “Celebration of Light” Showcases Student Creativity

Wheaton High School’s ceramics class lit up the school’s main office recently with its "Celebration of Light." The event featured more than 100 handcrafted lanterns, each a unique creation by students in Jeffrey Wilson’s ceramics class.

"Ceramics gives students the chance to turn their vision into reality using real professional materials like kilns and glazes," said Wilson. "It’s about taking ideas and making them tangible."

The lanterns displayed a range of creative designs. Senior Alejandro explained his inspiration: "I wanted to create a Greek ruins style. The contrast between the light and the background will look beautiful." Genesis, another student, shared, "I was inspired by how light attracts insects, so I created a design with a bee drawn to the light."

Yosselin’s lantern featured playful shapes, including spark-like fire and bows. "I tried to make a braid, but it didn’t turn out as planned. Still, I think it looks great," she said. Her classmate, Marín, added olives to the top of her lantern, mixing colors for a striking effect. "I love how the colors complement each other," she said.

Students praised the freedom ceramics offers. "What I love most is that we can let our creativity run wild," Yosselin said. Marín agreed, adding, "It’s fun to play with different shapes and materials."

The event celebrated the students' growth as artists. Wilson reflected on the transformation he’s seen: "At first, they don’t think they can do it, but once they gain experience, their confidence really takes off."