“Pretty, But Also Powerful” Female student artist shines at DC Public Schools 

Senior at Calvin Coolidge High School Impacting the District through Her Art 

(Washington, DC) — When Calvin Coolidge High School Senior Tania Salmeron’s artwork was selected for former Vice President Kamala Harris’ holiday card this past December, the young artist saw the opportunity as another way to use her talents to celebrate and uplift her community. 

Salmeron found her love of art at an early age and has maintained that passion throughout her time in DC Public Schools (DCPS). At Coolidge, art teachers Courtney Savoy Harper and Tshianzi Mulangaphuma helped her develop her skills. 

Ms. Savoy, DCPS’ 2023 Art Teacher of the Year, encouraged Tania to enter the former Vice President’s holiday card contest. “I was so shocked when I won,” Tania said. “I called my mom—she was crying, and I was crying.”  

As part of being selected, Salmeron was able to meet the Vice President (VP) in person. “Look at this child of yours,” VP Harris said to Salmeron’s mother, holding up Tania’s design. “So amazing!” 

The card, which featured a cozy winter scene outside of the VP’s residence, included subtle elements that speak to Salmeron’s considerate and kind nature. In the front window, a Menorah can be seen, a nod to former Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff, who is Jewish.  

The VP’s office sent the card to more than 30,000 people and also turned the scene into a 200-piece puzzle. 

Creating former VP Harris’ holiday card is just one of several projects in the young artist’s portfolio. Salmeron, alongside Mulangaphuma – known by her students as “Ms. M” – contributed to a mural titled “The Blooming Sounds of DC.”  

The mural, which was on display at the National Building Museum, brought together students from several schools to celebrate the power and influence of music in the city. 

Tania also brought her artistic talents to HOSA-Future Health Professionals, a student-led organization that helps prepare young people to become leaders in the global health community. Every year, DC HOSA creates a state pin that is used as the official trading pin for the state during the International Leadership Conference. 

Tania’s design won second place last year, and this year she took first place.  

For the Coolidge senior, art is not only pretty but also powerful. “People need a way to visualize. With art, you are able to see that impact.”  

She added that art has long had connections to political and social movements. “All the art you see during WWII, or during Vietnam, and how it impacted people, it shows how art can really affect the human mind.” 

While art started as a creative outlet for Salmeron, she also enjoys using her skillset to make a difference in her community. Most recently, Salmeron created a poster to encourage her peers to attend a blood drive. “I’m more of a visual person. If someone asked me, ‘Do you want to join this, or do X, Y, Z’, I don’t always know, but if you can show me ‘This is what we do’, it all makes much more sense.” 

“It allows me to not only use my own set of skills to participate in a community that I’ve been in for three years, but it allows others to connect and understand too. It brings joy to people to see beautiful artwork they can connect with,” she continued. 

As for what’s next, Tania plans to pursue a career in aviation and looks forward to integrating art into other aspects of her future. “Tania refuses to be boxed in,” said Ms. Savoy of Tania’s goals. “You do not have to go to art school to do art, you can continue doing art for the rest of your life.” 

“I’m most proud of [Tania’s] open-mindedness,” added Ms. Mulangaphuma. “Being open to the process. I know art can be intimidating sometimes, especially if they feel like art isn’t their path. I’ve just always loved her ‘yes’ attitude. You can accomplish a lot of things when you are open to the process.” 

While she does not plan to study art in her secondary education, Tania said she is grateful for having access to the arts while at DCPS. “It’s definitely important to have art in school, because it allows certain students to express themselves in a way they may not otherwise be able to communicate, with teachers or other peers.” 

Coolidge Principal Semanthe Bright spoke fondly of the arts at the school. “The art programs at Coolidge are dedicated not just to the students who have this refined talent, but all students, bringing out the best in all students. We believe in everybody; every student can shine.” 

“When I think about a student like Tania… she has a 3.92 GPA, she took part in the Ed Equity Cohort, she’s made the Honor Society,” Principal Bright said. “This is the type of student we love to see at Coolidge, these are the accomplishments we’re pouring into, and I’m super proud of her.”