Hi, my name is Ashley! I’m a junior in high school, and I have an interest in public policy – particularly in art education. My whole life, I’ve been fortunate enough to constantly be surrounded by art and opportunities to expand my creativity. When I think of what has shaped me into the learner, thinker, and person I am today, I truly believe that my focus on creativity has allowed me to approach everything I do in a more meaningful way. However, too often art is thought of as a luxury or prioritized by more traditional subjects like math or science. I believe that art builds upon creativity to allow every individual to approach tasks in their own unique way. Through this blog, I hope to highlight how art and policy intersect, and why creativity belongs in every classroom as a foundational and strengthening element of education.