According to scientific studies, American students are said to lack creativity due to school, especially when reaching high school. It has been shown that American high schools “kill” creativity. According to educationalist Sir Ken Robinson FRSA claims that “schools kill creativity”, arguing that “we don’t grow into creativity, we grow out of it. Or rather, we get educated out of it”. That doesn’t apply to all students in America, especially not Jaylee Penaflor. 

Penaflor is a senior at East Leyden High School who loves art, even though she wants to pursue a career in the medical field. Penaflor took her first art class in middle school and fell in love with it. Prior to taking art in middle school, both Penaflor’s mom and aunt are cosmetologists, so she’s always had a creative mindset. Penaflor plans on going to a four year university and major in nursing with hopes of becoming an anesthesiologist. She said,“I would love to take some art classes while in college, but I don’t want to spend the extra money doing it but I will continue to draw and paint in my free time.”

According to Penaflor, she is grateful for all the opportunities that Leyden offers students. She is currently in AP Studio Art, where the main reason she took the class was to “be able to create my own artworks and come up with my own ideas for projects.” Penaflor stated. Before taking AP Studio Art her senior year, she took painting I and II and drawing I and II. Penaflor believes that Leyden doesn’t fit into the “lacking creativity” type of high school because of all the things it offers. Penaflor states that she is grateful for all the opportunities Leyden has offered her when it comes to art and creativity, even in the classroom. For example, she says that “Leyden will always try to influence you to go out of your comfort zone and try new things.” For example, Leyden high schools offers all sorts of classes in art, autos, construction, music and many more. 

Penaflor believes that “creativity never really ends, you can be creative your whole life, it just depends on when the person starts to become more critical about life. I believe that I, myself am critical, but I tend to stay away from that.” 

Penaflor clearly proves that high school doesn’t “kill” creativity and she has Leyden to thank for it.