Saint Bernard Students Use Art to Make Real-World Impact

Two Saint Bernard School art students are gaining real-world experience by contributing original illustrations to a children’s book promoting water safety across Connecticut.

Selected for their creativity and skill, the students worked on a professional project that connects classroom learning with community outreach and service.

Their artwork will be featured in Bay the Connecticut Water Safety Dog, an upcoming children’s book published by Light The Way, Inc., a Connecticut nonprofit dedicated to water safety education, prevention, and community engagement. The book, due out in May, teaches children the importance of wearing life jackets and making safe choices around water.

According to Light The Way founder Jessica Britagna, Saint Bernard School was “thoughtfully selected for this opportunity because of its meaningful connection to the Old Saybrook Breakwater boating accident.”

Three local men — including Saint Bernard alumnus Ian Duchemin ’16 — lost their lives in the Labor Day 2024 crash.

“This project exists to honor his memory and the memories of the other young men we lost, ensuring their stories continue to educate and protect others through water safety awareness,” Britagna wrote. “We would be honored if Saint Bernard School would select students to illustrate a page of the book.”

Senior Morghan Kuhn eagerly accepted the challenge.

“Once I heard it was a Saint Bernard alum, I thought it would be really special,” Morghan said. “Art has been part of my whole life.”

Given dialogue from the book and a set of possible scenarios, Morghan spent two days in January illustrating Bay, a golden Labrador who serves as Light The Way’s official mascot. Beyond the pages of the book, Bay appears throughout the community to support boating safety education for children, offer calm and comfort at outreach events, and help make important water safety conversations approachable and engaging. 

After graduation, Morghan plans to pursue a career in secondary education and hopes to incorporate art into her future classroom.

Senior Yoyee Chen was assigned a page explaining how life jackets help keep people afloat and make wearers easier to spot in the water. She was asked to illustrate a scene featuring a jet ski, with everyone wearing a life jacket. The piece took her approximately six to seven hours to complete.

“I couldn’t turn down the opportunity to promote safety, especially to children,” Yoyee said. “I’m really proud to know that my art could be used for this.”

Yoyee plans to continue pursuing art as a hobby and dreams of becoming an orthodontist.

Through meaningful, hands-on opportunities like this, Saint Bernard students are encouraged to apply their talents beyond the classroom. With guidance from dedicated faculty and a strong connection to mission and community, students are prepared not only for college and careers, but for lives of purpose.