Silence fills the familiar room as Drew Alers takes her first step of the new school year into a colorful haven.The comforting smell of paint was exactly as she remembered. She looked around at the new faces in her Pre-AP Art II class, one of these being her new teacher.

“I’d met the teacher a little last year, so I felt comfortable in her class,” Alers said.

With similar passions as her classmates, she doesn’t find it hard to fit in.

“It’s a small class, so it’s easy [for me] to get along with people,” Alers said.

The artists’ work that surrounds Drew can either result in inspiration or intimidation. Art has been one of her passions for as long as she can remember, so she’s learned to see it as encouragement.

“Your art has its own style. I don’t feel like I have to compare it to the artwork around me,” Alers said.

The number one supporter of Alers’ hobby is her mother.This past summer she drew pictures for her mom to give to friends as gifts.

“I think people appreciate it more, because you put more thought and personality into it,” Alers said.

Some use dance, some use photography, and others use acting, but art is Drew’s perfect outlet of expression.

“I like taking the things I see and putting them on paper. Sometimes I just like to put my thoughts down.”