PORTRAIT OF A STUDENT WHO GIVES BACK

 

PORTRAIT OF A STUDENT WHO GIVES BACK

By Darrell Kirton

Victoria Robustello has a gift. An artist since age 4, she entertained herself by drawing and with arts and crafts, but it wasn’t until a classmate died of cancer that she realized how her art could impact the world around her.

I drew a portrait of him and gave it to his family,” Victoria said, adding that she is still in touch with them and has given them a second portrait. “I’ve been doing portraits for several years. Once I realized that I can use my talent in my community, I began volunteering my services as much as possible.”

Robustello, now 17, has expanded her palette. Using her talent to affect change in the community, the senior at John Jay High School in Hopewell Junction, N.Y., has painted faces at a children’s cancer event, sent drawings to families of the victims at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., and donated a painting to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Most recently, she designed a logo for Lisa Ghartey, candidate for Family Court Judge in Dutchess County.

Ghartey met Robustello at the Catholic Youth Organization Art & Essay Contest in April. She was drawn to Robustello’s drawing, a sketch of a baby.

lt was so incredibly lifelike. It looked like a photo,” Ghartey said.

Ghartey talked with Robustello’s mother and grandmother, who spoke about Victoria’s love for art and her commitment to use her talent for a deeper purpose.

I could not believe we were talking about a junior in high school,” said Ghartey, who upon meeting the quiet teen with the terrific smile, was further impressed by her considerable charitable work.

I felt connected to Victoria as a person, to her work, to her family,” Ghartey said. She asked Robustello to create a logo for her campaign.

On Mother’s Day, Robustello contacted Ghartey. They met at the Red Line Diner in Fishkill, N.Y. with her mother, where they discussed their shared causes, such as helping victims of domestic violence and working with children.

They met again in August to view Robustello’s ideas for the logo. Ghartey immediately fell in love with one that felt robust, with its big blue “L” filled with white stars, and its red-and-white striped “G.” At the foot of the L was a gavel.

It represented the feel of my campaign,” Ghartey said, praising the logo’s bold and simple style. “My favorite element is the gavel, the symbol of what I’m running for: justice and improved outcomes for the children and families that come before the Dutchess County Family Court.”

Having created her first campaign logo — when she isn’t even old enough to vote — what’s next for Robustello? On October 31st she and a friend are co-hosting “Make the World Purple,” a walk to raise awareness of domestic violence. It starts at 10 a.m. on the Poughkeepsie side of the Walkway Over the Hudson, no pre-registration required. All donations go to the Grace Smith House, a not-for-profit agency that has provided services to battered women and children for more than 30 years.

Ghartey plans to walk, lending her support to yet another cause she feels passionately about.

And Robustello, she is excited to be the host. “It feels good to support the Grace Smith House,” she said, “knowing the money raised will benefit the victims of domestic violence.”

Author: Harlem Valley News