Whisper Joy - I captured this photo in our backyard prior to Olivia’s senior prom for Barnstable High School in 2015. This was an exciting time for Olivia and was the beginning of a very memorable summer. Her smile was something that made people feel special. “Whisper Joy” was her Tumblr account name where she turned to find artistic inspiration like fashion, design, and meaningful quotes. This story was awarded the Scholastic Gold Key Art Portfolio (2018) and Scholastic National Silver Medal with distinction (2018).
A Moment in Time - On April 11, 2016, my older sister, Olivia, was diagnosed with cancer. She had over 42 weeks of treatment ahead of her, including 30 rounds of radiation therapy through June and July. I aimed to capture a moment to symbolize my sister's journey. I learned that one photo can relay an emotion that will make people react differently as they connect with their own personal experiences. This story was awarded the Scholastic Gold Key Art Portfolio (2018) and Scholastic National Silver Medal with distinction (2018).
Snippets - This story was awarded the Scholastic Gold Key Art Portfolio (2018) and Scholastic National Silver Medal with distinction (2018).
Battle Ahead - Scholastic Gold Key Art Award (2017) This story was awarded the Scholastic Gold Key Art Portfolio (2018) and Scholastic National Silver Medal with distinction (2018).
Stages - Stage Three, Stage Two, Stage One; My sister, Olivia, fought through 42 weeks of cancer treatment at the age of 19. These photos were taken at her weakest point, following thirty rounds of radiation, July of 2016. Despite her condition, she was willing to model for these photos to document her journey. The flowers bordering the right edge of the photos represent the intensity of cancer at each specific stage. This story was awarded the Scholastic Gold Key Art Portfolio (2018) and Scholastic National Silver Medal with distinction (2018).
Paint by Number - In times of serious pain and illness, Olivia insisted on finding activities that brought her peace and joy. Her actions inspired people, near and far, to find happiness in life no matter how small. This story was awarded the Scholastic Gold Key Art Portfolio (2018) and Scholastic National Silver Medal with distinction (2018).
The Waiting Room - It wasn't often that I was able to accompany Olivia while in treatment. At this time, I knew she was truly suffering. This was not her usual - she insisted on hiding her pain. She was finally showing her weakness. My sister was told repeatedly at these visits to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute that the tumors were gone and she would survive - until they said she wouldn’t. This story was awarded the Scholastic Gold Key Art Portfolio (2018) and Scholastic National Silver Medal with distinction (2018).
"The Art of Hearing Heartbeats" - For Christmas vacation 2016, my family traveled to Turks and Caicos. This was a special trip that was planned long before Olivia’s original diagnosis. We were hopeful that she would be well enough to travel. Eventually, we decided to use the trip to celebrate Olivia's return to college later than January, as well as the end of her treatment in February. “The Art of Hearing Heartbeats” was the title of the book she was reading on the flight. This story was awarded the Scholastic Gold Key Art Portfolio (2018) and Scholastic National Silver Medal with distinction (2018).
Restoration and Relaxation - After the hustle and bustle of traveling, we finally could sit back and relax as a family. Olivia's upbeat attitude and witty personality fooled many in terms of her health. She would be the first one up each morning and enjoy early coffee with my parents while I was sound asleep. This story was awarded the Scholastic Gold Key Art Portfolio (2018) and Scholastic National Silver Medal with distinction (2018).
Yellow - I was drawn to the vibrant yellow umbrellas on this beach in Turks and Caicos. A yellow ribbon is the symbol for children’s cancer and sarcoma cancers. Noticing this color in our surroundings while being supported by the community with the symbol itself, constantly reminds my family to cherish moments of sunshine. We are not alone in our journey. This story was awarded the Scholastic Gold Key Art Portfolio (2018) and Scholastic National Silver Medal with distinction (2018).
Cold Water - Olivia was trying to make the most of our trip despite her illness. She took the opportunity to swim in the “light blue Gatorade” water. I remember her describing her initial contact with the ocean. My parents watched her dive in from a distance and were excited she was willing and able to take part in this activity. This story was awarded the Scholastic Gold Key Art Portfolio (2018) and Scholastic National Silver Medal with distinction (2018).
Coming Up for Air - Olivia was a swimmer; she felt the water was refreshing and symbolic. For nine months she had been in treatment and there were only two months remaining. The worst part was behind her, and she finally felt like she could breathe again. This story was awarded the Scholastic Gold Key Art Portfolio (2018) and Scholastic National Silver Medal with distinction (2018).
This story was awarded the Scholastic Gold Key Art Portfolio (2018) and Scholastic National Silver Medal with distinction (2018).
Sunset Warrior - This story was awarded the Scholastic Gold Key Art Portfolio (2018) and Scholastic National Silver Medal with distinction (2018).
Reset - It was especially hard, this time, to say goodbye; my best friend left for college a second time. It was bittersweet. The oncologist sent a letter to the college stating that she would make a full recovery. Olivia was weak but determined; nothing would stop her. When she returned to Babson in January of 2017, not only did she take a full course load but also was Chi Omega’s Vice President, obtained an internship, trained with the volleyball team, and continued with physical therapy three times a week. This story was awarded the Scholastic Gold Key Art Portfolio (2018) and Scholastic National Silver Medal with distinction (2018).
Bouncing Back - Olivia went to physical therapy and yoga to build up strength and at the end of January 2017, she began her sophomore year at Babson. Volleyball was more than just a sport that she loved, and it was devastating to have it stripped away from her life. “I can’t say that starting back at square one is easy, but I tell myself each day not to get discouraged. Having a strong mindset has propelled me forward in all aspects of my rehabilitation both physically and mentally.” - Olivia Brodt This story was awarded the Scholastic Gold Key Art Portfolio (2018) and Scholastic National Silver Medal with distinction (2018).
Vitals - “The first few weeks of chemotherapy everything was new; it was a huge adjustment. Lectures, volleyball practices, and dance rehearsals were replaced with scans, countless visits to Dana Farber Cancer Institute, and getting poked and prodded at doctor’s appointments. My body was shocked by the sudden chemotherapy treatments that were essentially poisoning me. It was a lot of trial and error dealing with the side effects and medications. Luckily for me, my cancer responded to the chemotherapy, and I was able to see results fairly quickly. “- Olivia Brodt This story was awarded the Scholastic Gold Key Art Portfolio (2018) and Scholastic National Silver Medal with distinction (2018).
Lost Time - The hospital rooms and chemo did not stop Olivia from catching up and completing assignments. She shied away from using her sickness as an excuse to slack off despite her weakened state. “The power of education is something that I have appreciated since a very young age. Before my leave of absence, Babson College had graced me with the opportunity to seek the highest level of education, broadened my perspective of the world around me, and started to help me build a valuable network.” - Olivia Brodt This story was awarded the Scholastic Gold Key Art Portfolio (2018) and Scholastic National Silver Medal with distinction (2018).
Barely Hanging On - In the middle of February, Olivia was experiencing terrible headaches. After an MRI, we were told it was nothing alarming, but the headaches increased in intensity. A week later, Olivia insisted on completing her treatment; my parents and I wanted to be by her side. She was relieved it was over, but definitely not celebratory. Cape Cod Times, First Place, Photography Competition (2018) This story was awarded the Scholastic Gold Key Art Portfolio (2018) and Scholastic National Silver Medal with distinction (2018).
Hazed Reflection - “Radiation was the most challenging. I went in every weekday for six weeks. After laying on the table, they put a mask over my head and neck and locked it down so there was no chance of movement. My head and neck felt like it was being microwaved from the inside out. I had to take a lot of pain medications for the mouth sores and lived off smoothies. In a matter of weeks, I lost 40 pounds. I went from being a strong athlete in the best shape of my life to a stick figure who could not find the energy to get out of bed.” - Olivia Brodt This story was awarded the Scholastic Gold Key Art Portfolio (2018) and Scholastic National Silver Medal with distinction (2018).
Finding Joy - “I knew that through this difficult journey I had to stay positive. Not only for my well-being but also for my family and friends. I needed them to know that I was going to be okay.” - Olivia Brodt Despite having a terminal diagnosis and repeated lumbar punctures to relieve the pressure in her head, she convinced us that no matter what, this was her fate and she would be alright. This story was awarded the Scholastic Gold Key Art Portfolio (2018) and Scholastic National Silver Medal with distinction (2018).
Keeping Faith - On March 3, 2017, my parents took Olivia to the emergency room for a debilitating headache. I joined my family the next day. She endured five grueling days of tests and teams of doctors; in the end, they confirmed that there were cancer cells in her spinal fluid. This was a terminal diagnosis. She could barely move, laying on the floor in the hospital bathroom; the nurses sent in a priest to give her Last Rites. This story was awarded the Scholastic Gold Key Art Portfolio (2018) and Scholastic National Silver Medal with distinction (2018).
Sleeping Madonna - This white blanket had provided comfort for Olivia since she was an infant. After losing her hair she would often cover her head with it to stay warm. In this photo, she was recovering from shunt surgery in Brigham and Women’s ICU. This day began the rapid decline in Olivia’s physical and mental state. This story was awarded the Scholastic Gold Key Art Portfolio (2018) and Scholastic National Silver Medal with distinction (2018). This story was awarded the Scholastic Gold Key Art Portfolio (2018) and Scholastic National Silver Medal with distinction (2018).
Appetite - I wondered what thoughts filled her glazed blank stare, those bold brown eyes I looked up to: once vibrant and consumed with life. Now Olivia failed to perform simple tasks: walking, talking, swallowing. I watched in despair as her technical ballet feet dragged along the floor while being carried. This story was awarded the Scholastic Gold Key Art Portfolio (2018) and Scholastic National Silver Medal with distinction (2018).
Remedies and Medication - Only cancer patients truly understand the burden of being medicated after chemotherapy and radiation; especially, to the head and neck. For several months, Olivia had a rolling suitcase filled with medications and medications for medications. The side effects were never-ending. She had alarms going off throughout the day reminding her to apply cream, take pills, and administer shots. This story was awarded the Scholastic Gold Key Art Portfolio (2018) and Scholastic National Silver Medal with distinction (2018).
Family Bed - Our family was separated during treatments. While my mother stayed with Olivia at the hospital, clinic, and hotels my father and I commuted to see them when possible. We were finally together, but for not the right reasons. It was to say goodbye. This story was awarded the Scholastic Gold Key Art Portfolio (2018) and Scholastic National Silver Medal with distinction (2018).
A Time to Rest - We were told there was nothing else they could do, and they sent us home. The oncologist gave Olivia three to six months to live. Although I wouldn’t consider it living, she lasted less than a month. My parents and I faced a terrifying decision. I had no choice; she needed me more than ever: I made the decision. Do Not Resuscitate my hero. This story was awarded the Scholastic Gold Key Art Portfolio (2018) and Scholastic National Silver Medal with distinction (2018).
#OliviaStrong - Illness of this magnitude causes emotional, physical, and financial strain on everyone involved; however, our community supplied us with the love and support to carry on. “It seemed like everywhere I looked: walking the halls of the high school, seeing photos on social media, and visiting Babson’s campus I saw people wearing these bracelets. They tell me they look at their bracelet and are inspired by my strength. When I look at mine, I am reminded of all the people who are behind me and praying for me; they are giving me the strength to power through.” - Olivia Brodt This story was awarded the Scholastic Gold Key Art Portfolio (2018) and Scholastic National Silver Medal with distinction (2018).