McKenzie Francisco and Anya Parikh

Tell us a little bit about yourself …

• Anya - My name is Anya Parikh, and I am a freshman at the Orange County School of the Arts in the integrated arts conservatory. I am the co-president of a club that my friend and I founded together called “Crafting Kindness”, where we make crafts to donate to different places in the community. Some of the things that I enjoy doing include musical theatre, traveling, spending time with loved ones, and giving back/helping out in the community!

• McKenzie - My name is McKenzie Francisco, and I am a freshman at the Orange County School of the Arts and have a passion for musical theater, singing and exploring all art forms. I love volunteering, leading teams and working towards common goals. I believe that while challenges in life can be difficult, they are only as hard as you allow them to be, and they are always easier to overcome when you face them together.

What’s your connection to Orange County? 

We have both live and have grown up in Orange County, which has given us a strong personal connection to the area and a meaningful understanding of its community and culture.

Share a little bit about your outlook on life …

• Anya - I think that life is short, so don’t take things for granted, take risks, and always be kind to everybody because you never know what people are going through. Giving to the community and to others is something I think everyone should do and to never expect anything in return. It’s important to speak out, support others, and show kindness in all you do.

• McKenzie - I find that the greatest joy in life comes from brining moments of joy to others. A smile can lighten a mood, a small act of kindness can brighten a day, and showing you care to others is the best form of self care.

What drew you to the arts?

• Anya - I was drawn to the arts by starting to do the musicals at my elementary school every year and soon fell in love with it. I knew I had a big passion and love for musical theater, which made me want to pursue it further, and I’m still pursuing this passion today at the Orange County School of the Arts.

• McKenzie - I was never particularly interested in the arts when I was younger, but watching my sister perform opened my eyes to all the possibilities within the world of arts. Attending OCSA has further deepened my appreciation for the arts and broadened my horizons in ways I never expected.

How does art play a role in your mental wellness?

• Anya - Being part of the arts and attending OCSA gives me something to look forward to each day, it always brings a smile to my face, calms my mind, and helps me forget about my worries.

• McKenzie - Art gives me a sense of calm and relief, it’s like stepping outside my daily life and transforming into a completely different person, allowing me to release stress and express myself freely.

Tell us about the student club at Orange County School of the Arts that you formed and what made you decide to create it …

We chose to start this club because we believe in the importance of giving back to our community and using creativity as a way to make a positive difference. Each project we work on is filled with care and intention, allowing us to share kindness, hope, and encouragement with those who need it most. Through our efforts, we aim to not only brighten someone’s day but also inspire others to use their own talents to help and uplift those around them.

What is the mission and goals of the club? How can the community help support the club mission and goals?

Together with our club members create crafts such as crafting kits, cards, DIY bookmarks, and more, all designed to bring joy and comfort to others. We donate these handmade items to local children’s hospitals and homeless shelters. We will also be donating to an upcoming food drive. The community has already given us so much support, and we are truly grateful for all the help we’ve received. Opportunities like this to spread the word really help us share our message and inspire others to get involved. We can’t wait to see what the future holds for Crafting Kindness and all the ways we’ll continue to grow, create, and give back together.

Do you feel that helping others helps your own mental wellness? 

Yes, helping others definitely helps our own mental wellness because it brings us joy and makes us feel fulfilled. Seeing others happy or relieved because of our actions gives us a sense of purpose!

What advice would you give to some of your peers who may be interested in ways they can help their community?

Some advice that we would give to people interested in helping out in their communities is to get more involved by doing a number of things. Some examples of this can include starting a club (like Crafting Kindness), volunteering for different things in the community, donating to places like food drives and more, and just informing more people on what’s happening in the community today and how to help support. Doing things like this not only bring joy to others, but also to oneself.