Tired of hearing from others that Provincetown High School has closed, students here are mining their creative talent in an effort to let people know that the high school is still alive.

Tired of hearing from others that Provincetown High School has closed, students here are mining their creative talent in an effort to let people know that the high school is still alive.

The result of that effort is an exhibition, to hang at the Truro Council on Aging gallery, of a photo essay project called “4-Teen” that explores the personal and peer views of the 14 young women that make up grades 11 and 12 at Provincetown High School. The program is designed to highlight the important role each student plays in this small community of learners and reflect on some of the key decisions they made by choosing to continue their education at PHS.

“The Provincetown Photo Essay Project — 4 Teen” opens with a reception from 2 to 4 p.m. today, Sunday, at the Truro Council on Aging Gallery, 7 Standish Way, Truro. The public is invited to attend.

With encouragement, guidance and resources from teacher Nancy Flasher, juniors Mairead Hadley and Salena Smith took the lead on the “4-Teen” project. Hadley served as the literary hands, sifting through papers and editing each student’s viewpoints. Smith took charge of capturing photographs of the students in their most honest moments.

Both girls agree it was not an easy task getting everyone to participate, but they are excited to see the outcome.

The project began before winter break and has been in the works since. Each of the 14 young women in grades 11-12 was given a series of questions. First they were asked to reflect on the importance of decision-making and how it affects their lives, as well as their reasons for deciding to stay at PHS for the long haul. Then they were asked to choose five peers (a few they knew well, others not so much) and describe their roles at the high school, the type of profession each represents and any future goals they see them accomplishing.

For the photography portion of this project, Smith asked each student to think of images that best represent who they are as individuals.

“The idea of each photograph is to represent yourself,” says Smith. “It’s not supposed to be how you look in makeup, it’s the everyday look we want.”

After Smith and Hadley gathered the information they needed, Smith went to work on the computer, putting together images, and Hadley worked on editing each response. Together they designed and created intricate portraits of the young women that make up PHS. With the help of Mark Adams, project consultant and longtime mentor at the high school, they were able to print banner-sized posters to be displayed in the show.

“Mairead and Salena have very big and difficult jobs that are stretching them in very different ways,” says Flasher. “I see them as an unlikely but perfect team. Each young woman maintains a piece of her original spark for this project. I am very proud of them.”

Both Hadley and Smith agree it was not an easy task getting each teenager to contribute. However, Hadley notes that while it can be a difficult job, “There’re only 14 of us, so we know each other well.” And while some had to be hounded and reminded each day of their participation, the ending result will reverberate.

“We want to make a statement that we are still here and we are going to stick it out until the end,” says Hadley.

This enthusiastic duo also gives light to the possibility of expanding the project to hopefully include parents, teachers and past PHS graduates. But for now their focus remains on this deadline.