Miracles in Focus

In his four years of volunteering at the Ruskin PreK-6 school in Dayton, Tom Cook ’18 said he’s seen young students grow and find their voices. This year as a master’s student studying communication, he recorded their stories of self-expression. The result is Miracles in Focus, a short documentary on the school’s Miracle Makers Photovoice Project. Cook shows children behind cameras taking photos of friends, their neighborhood, even their favorite body parts. Says one child, “My favorite part of me is my skin because it can keep my bones safe.” The photo project’s goal is to give participants a voice and break down stereotypes of poverty. The documentary also gave Cook a way to express his interest in social justice issues and highlight the special programs happening at this Neighborhood School Center, a partnership between UD and Dayton Public Schools.