BUSD parent Dr. Teresa Van Woy is taking portraits of graduating seniors and eighth graders throughout town to give back to the community and showcase Benicia’s beauty.
Galen Kusic
Editor
Benicians continue to step up during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr. Teresa Van Woy, president of the Benicia Middle School band boosters was sad when the year was cut short and wanted to give back to the community and express herself creatively.
She has created a YouTube video for the band students and has taken over 80 individual portraits of graduating seniors and eight graders all around town to showcase Benicia’s beauty. All for free of course.
The video can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/x8LIxFm0U1U
“My portraits have all been by word of mouth,” said Van Woy, who got the idea of doing a shelter-in-place video for seniors after seeing a senior getting their picture taken at the 9th Street park. “I have a friend with a senior and asked if I could take her portrait. Then I asked her to ask friends. And it spread by word of mouth like that.”
Photos of graduates in their caps and gowns have generated excitement throughout Benicia, as motorists honk and cheer as they drive by.
She also wanted to showcase Benicia, so instead of going to their homes, she is having students meet her at different areas around town for the backdrop.
“I’m having a lot of fun with it, and the seniors seem to be having even more than me,” she said.
Girls get dressed up in their makeup and high heels, while some bring signs representing the college they’re going to, or the instruments they play in band.
“People drive by honking their horns and cheering, congratulating them as they’re getting their photos taken” she said. “They’re excited for an excuse to get dressed up and wear the cap and gown in public.”
Van Woy is looking to complete her project by Friday, May 15. If anyone is interested, she can be contacted through Facebook Messenger at Teresa Thompson Van Woy. Her email is treedy2000@gmail.com. To view her YouTube video, her channel is Dr. Teresa Van Woy.
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