Volunteer CIT Spotlight: Vera Sablak

Written by Margie Weeks

For 2 weeks this summer, Vera Sablak participated in the Counselor-in-Training (CIT) program for the Summer Arts Under the Umbrella 2018. Vera, a sophomore in high school this year, supported the Assistant Teachers in the classroom and guided campers in all classes ranging from Drawing & Painting, 2D and 3D Mixed Media, Ceramics, Digital Arts, and Performance. The intention of the CIT program is for high school aged young adults ages 14-16 to develop a sense of responsibility through observation, participation, planning and implementation. Camp classes are small, which allows each teacher the chance to get to know each child and build a cooperative spirit within the group of children.

An intelligent young woman, Vera has a warm and friendly personality as is evidenced by her ready smile. When asked how she became interested in Summer Arts Camp at the Umbrella, she recalled being a camper there herself in the 2^nd or 3^rd grade. One or her counselors was especially kind to her at that time, and she never forgot the kindness she was shown. A friend who was a CIT the year before Vera started enjoyed it immensely and recommended it to her.

Says Vera’s camp supervisor, Danielle Moriarty: “Vera was fantastic at being a role model for the campers and other CITs. She had a fun, positive attitude, and was always ready and willing to help in any way she could. We would welcome her back at any time.”

Vera’s favorite activities at the Camp were making demonstrations with the art for the children as well as playing games with the kids as a way of getting to know them better. The wonderful thing about art and helping others experiment with it, Vera says, are those “aha moments” one gets that generally come after struggling with a piece, but give one the confidence to move forward in hopes of refining their craft. As an example, she cited learning collage. It was difficult to get the hang of when she first started it, but it has since become one of her favorite mediums due to the many ways there are to approach it.

Outside of volunteering at The Umbrella, Vera has many interests, including music (playing piano, writing songs), cross-country running, English, writing and psychology.