Reflections Fall 2025

The Zone’s Teen Art & Literary Magazine Fall 2025

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“Brooklyn Bridge March” By Kohei Kurihara, 23

Fall 2025

Creative Editor-in-Chief

Copy Editor

Guest Editor

Social Media Producer

Kyla Ohayon Creative Arts Therapy Coordinator

Christine Barcia Administrative Manager

Tess Malloy

Luis Borges Patient Gaming and Technology Administrator

Graphic Designer Christina Auriemma

Executive Editors

Thank you to the entire Child Life and Creative Arts Therapy Department for their invaluable contributions in making this edition possible.

Diane Rode Senior Director, Patient and Family Centered Care Morgan Stojanowski Director, Child Life and Creative Arts Therapy Department

*Publication template by Melissa Alvey, former Art Therapy Intern

Scan here to view the entire issue online and to view past issues.

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Be sure to check out the multimedia submissions featured in this issue!

Throughout this issue, you’ll hear contributors perform original music and watch digital art come to life.

Interested in contributing to our next issue of Reflections?

Scan here or send submissions to Kyla Ohayon, Creative Arts Therapy Coordinator: kyla.ohayon@mountsinai.org

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Table of Contents Cover art by Kohei Kurihara

17 Artwork by Ayaana Rahman

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18 Interview with Guest Editor Tess Malloy and Olive Loew, Chaplain

3 Artwork by Vaughn Davis

20 Artwork by Sylvester Tatarski

4 Letter from Kyla Ohayon, Creative Editor-in-Chief

21 Artwork by Megan Tung

5 Artwork by Maggie Tung

22 Artwork by Renee Proetta

6 Letter From Tess Malloy, Guest Editor

23 Art Response by Renee Proetta 24 Artwork by Addie Wasserman

8 Artwork by Veronica Franco

25 Art Response by Addie Wasserman

10 Artwork by Thais Murillo Loor

26 Artwork by Star

11 “Adolescere” by Laylani Massanet

27 Artwork by Sam Feliciano

Artwork by Thais Murillo Loor

28 “Summer” by Sophia Saldana

12 Art Response by Kohei Kurihara 13 Artwork by Kohei Kurihara

QR Code featuring original song by Sophia Saldana

14 “Grand Rising” by Laylani Massanet

29 Artwork by Mariia Arteeva

QR Code featuring Camila’s art process

30 “Guy For That” by Avery Attard

15 Artwork by Camila Flores de Gabriel

QR Code featuring Avery’s song re-write

16 Artwork by Ayaana Rahman

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Artwork By Vaughn Davis, 7 31 Concrete Poem by Tess Malloy 32 Artwork by Lucia Wahl 33 Artwork by Mustapha Adekoya 34 Artwork by Kylie Gordon 35 “Dreams” by Darius Benjamin 36 “Damage of my Myelin Sheath” by Laylani Massanet Scan this QR code to explore this issue’s entire multimedia playlist.

37 QR Code featuring Laylani’s TikTok 38 “Beeping Echoes” by Jacob Lieser Artwork by Zachary Sherman 39 Artwork by Hirsa Bhattal 40 Artwork by Kylie Gordon 42 Artwork by Scarlett Brez 43 Artwork by Thais Murillo Loor

46 Artwork by Scarlett Brez

44 Tess’ Song by Tess Malloy

47 Artwork by Scarlett Brez

QR Code featuring Tess’ original song

48 Artwork by Olivia Lee 49 I AM Collaborative art project

45 Artwork by Lucia Wahl

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Dear Readers, I am thrilled to share with you the Fall 2025 edition of Reflections magazine.

Centered on the theme, “It Takes a Village,” this edition features vibrant art, poignant writing, and spirited music by teens and young adults from all walks of life – each one unique yet connected through their shared experiences with hospitalization.

As I flip through the pages of this edition, I am struck by the diversity and bravery of the voices within. These are individuals who are not afraid to tell their stories, to stand up for what they believe in, and especially to ask for help when it is needed.

A special recognition to our Guest Editor, Tess, who is an incredible example of resilience. During her hospitalization, Tess consistently advocated for her needs and called on her community for support. Her courage and vision helped shape this edition. I’m grateful to her for reminding us of the strength that can be found in vulnerability and in asking for help.

To everyone who contributed to this edition, thank you. I am so proud and honored to share the creative expressions of individuals who will no doubt shape our future. To our readers, thank you for joining us on this creative journey. Bringing together the work of our community at Mount Sinai Kravis Children’s Hospital has been a true joy, and I hope this issue leaves you as inspired as I’ve been throughout its creation.

With Gratitude, Kyla Ohayon Creative Editor-in-Chief

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Artwork by Maggie Tung, 17

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Welcome to the Fall 2025 Edition of Reflections “It takes a village to raise a child.”

Growing up, I used to hear this phrase all the time. It’s a proverb that speaks to the idea that community is essential. Children need a community of safe, gentle, caring people to grow into healthy adults. Humans are social creatures; people need people; all of us need each other. As an extrovert, I’m accustomed to spending most of my time with others. I find the presence of others to be nurturing and supportive. I had no idea how much this would prove true while hospitalized at the Mount Sinai Kravis Children’s Hospital for the majority of my summer.

Being hospitalized is tough. You’re already not feeling well and all of a sudden, you find yourself hooked up to a bunch of machines, hearing incessant beeping, and being constantly interrupted by various people you don’t know coming in and out of your room, doing things to you, the works. It’s a tough experience! A week or two into my hospitalization, I found that the lack of sleep, loneliness, isolation, and sense of confinement from spending all day, every day in the same room was getting to me.

The Child Life and Spiritual Care staff came into my life at exactly the right time. I started having frequent art, music, and animal-assisted therapy sessions. I began meeting with Olive, the Chaplain, near daily (and chose to interview her for this issue of Reflections due to how much she supported me).

I began prioritizing connecting with my friends, by phone or FaceTime if I felt well enough, or by text if I didn’t. I engaged my outside support network and voiced my need for visits when possible. I built relationships with the nurses and PCAs on my floor - getting to know them, and letting them get to know me. I built relationships with my treatment team and voiced my need for more enrichment to help maintain my mental health. Once well enough, I made daily visits to the Zone, which allowed me to meet and connect with other patients.

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Building these relationships, forming connections, and asking for help was hard at first. But you know what? Even though the circumstances that brought me to the hospital didn’t necessarily get easier, my experience of being in the hospital did.

If there’s anything I learned this summer, it’s that connection and community really work. It doesn’t just take a village to raise a child - it takes a village to get through life! Everyone needs their own village. Engaging with Child Life, Spiritual Care, and all the other wonderful staff at the Kravis Children’s Hospital preserved my sanity during my extended hospitalization and really showed me the value of connection, community, and building a village. This issue of Reflections is dedicated to all of Kravis’ amazing staff who make being hospitalized just a little bit easier. Thank you all for supporting me through my hospitalization.

To my fellow patients, I hope you are able to lean into the supportive people around you to get through this difficult time in your life.

It really makes it easier. Villages are there to hold you up when you feel like you’re falling down. Sometimes you need to ask for your village, and that might feel hard or scary. But what I’ve learned is that asking doesn’t need to be smooth or pretty. You don’t need a perfectly crafted sentence, or the exact right words. All you need is to know your needs and ask for help meeting them, and then to let your village carry you through until you feel well again.

Best, Tess Malloy Guest Editor 7

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Artwork by Veronica Franco, 10

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Artwork by Thais Murillo Loor, 17

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Adolescere Laylani Massanet, 18

In order to grow, you have to let things you cannot control go and in sequence to that extent you have to keep going no matter how low it tries to bring you down, no matter the toll it tries to take on you to bring you back from where you first started! it will be a huge journey full of challenges and obstacles you will have to overcome or obtain in order for you to change and to get over whatever is making you feel this way some-things you won’t be able to come back from or get it undone, it might even make you go a little bit insane. even if you have breakdowns along the way- leaving you in and out, anything is possible with god, let him get you through any flawed obstacles you need to overcome and everything will be okay! you may feel this is a process but god is taking his time with all of us and that’s all you need to know! Faith will lead us into the right direction and will help you get through anything even if it is slow.

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Artwork by Thais Murillo Loor, 17

Art Response Kohei Kurihara, 23

My painting, “Brooklyn Bridge March,” is a depiction of a peaceful Anti-Hate protest on the Brooklyn Bridge to represent the diversity of New York City. The Brooklyn Bridge is placed in the middle of the painting, and it’s designed with various tones of brown and yellow bricks that fade towards the top, and thick cables stem from its towers. Surrounding the bridge are gray and blue skyscrapers, and multi-colored brushstrokes depicting protesters marching – each wearing a mask, different-colored clothing, some holding American flags and signs with anti-hate quotes. The use of simple marks and vibrant colors to create the protestors gives a sense of movement within the crowd. A white car fills the bottom right corner, and a few billboards appear on the top right.

This painting is based on the AAPI protest in New York City in early April of 2021. I chose to recreate this event in a painting since it is an excellent representation of the cultural diversity in New York City and the hope for the diverse community. New York City is like a living United Nations, where immigrants from around the world gather for a positive future. The protest is made up of people with diverse backgrounds coming together–not just Asian Americans– to solve a common goal: to end hate crimes in their community. This protest is a sign of hope, in which the power of the people has the potential to cease upcoming hate crimes through the influence of their government and the people of different communities.

Medium: oil paint on canvas 24 x 18 inches

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Artwork by Kohei Kurihara, 23

Grand Rising Laylani Massanet, 18

I shall rise and continue In this world full of power I never desired any thing more than a golden hour the way the sun sets, the way the air flows the way the rain shines on a beautiful flower, I love to watch it grow as the rain falls and washes away at my window Again here comes the golden hour, I love the sunshine, the way it rises up at 5 am in the morning leaving the night sky behind.

View Camila’s art process here.

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Artwork by Camila Flores de Gabriel, 10

Artwork by Ayaana Rahman, 14

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Guest Editor

Tess’ Interview with

Olive Loew Chaplain

Tess: Why did you want to become a chaplain?

Olive: When I was a kid, I grew up in the military and so we moved around a lot.

That was a lonely experience, and I remember befriending trees, the ocean, or those big rocks that jut out from the earth. There was something about being witnessed by nature that planted the seed for this path -- the importance of bearing witness to each other and feeling seen. And then, many years ago my brother died. That was the real beginning, because I had to live with the question of how we live with suffering and loss. It was friendships, community and connections that allowed me to survive. That intimacy with death changed how I lived and how I wanted to live. It invited the question of what it means for us to really care for each other, and exploring that question led me to becoming a chaplain.

Tess: It sounds like there’s a lot of similarity between what Kyla and I talked about as being instrumental for my hospital stay and what prompted you to become a chaplain.

Olive: You really built a village for yourself and you welcomed that kind of care, which I thought was really beautiful.

Tess: Yeah. And it was essential to me maintaining my sanity.

Olive: Right. It’s not an added layer; it’s core of what is needed.

Tess: When you embarked on becoming a chaplain, what led you to hospital chaplaincy specifically?

Olive: The hospital feels like a microcosm of the world, of the city that we live in, and of myself. It feels like an opportunity for healing on many different levels. I meet people in so many different places of their lives and honor the wholeness of our humanity within a system that’s about care but can also be dehumanizing.

There’s a lot of potential here as much as there is suffering.

Tess: We talked about that a lot like during our time together -- how the hospital is this mixture of care and carceral, like real life in a lot of ways with the unique aspects of hospital life. It functions like a small world within itself.

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Olive: It is. We can hold the ideal of what it should be and then meet the reality of what it is and what is possible here.

Tess: What is your average day like at Mount Sinai?

Olive: I like to start the day walking through the park. It helps me be in my body and surrounded by beauty, to watch change unfolding in the seasons. Then I connect with my colleagues and set my intention for the day. I meet patients -sometimes because of an acute need, sometimes just to check in and offer care.

Sometimes I just round and see who I meet. I feel like a river flowing through the hospital.

Tess: I love the visual of you being like a river flowing through the hospital. What are the most meaningful parts of your job?

Olive: The most life affirming moments are my connections with patients. I think of the time that you and I spent together. That’s one of the most meaningful things for me. When I can fully be with somebody and be able to honor the fullness of their humanity.

Tess: It sounds like when the connection is strong, it becomes the primary focus, and the distractions melt away.

Olive: When I am fully present with another person, there’s a way in which I am then connected to everything and I’m a resource. Even amid difficulty, trauma, and heartbreak there’s an aliveness that feels joyful too. I think of my role as an intimate stranger sometimes. How was it for you to be seen in those vulnerable moments, if I might ask?

Tess: I was having a profoundly difficult time, and as someone who usually runs on the less trusting side, that vulnerability made me way more inclined to seek support at a pace much faster than I usually do with people that I’m growing to trust. And I think that just came from need. I needed support and people in my corner to share and process in my experience. That was a lot of vulnerability, but it was essential and so appreciated on my side.

Olive: That’s really beautiful - your normal way of being might be more protected, and you could have chosen that here, but knowing what you needed for yourself cracked that open and allowed you to receive it.

Tess: I think my healing progressed faster because I welcomed connection and leaned into relationships. I can’t imagine having turned a corner and succeeded if I’d gone through it alone without leaning on the supports that Kravis provides.

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Artwork by Sylvester Tatarski, 11

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“Sometimes you just need a hand. Or a paw.”

Artwork by Megan Tung, 13

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Artwork by Renee Proetta, 20

Art Response Renee Proetta, 20

Hey Everyone! My name is Renee and I have Crohn’s Disease. This is my second submission for Reflections and I’m so excited to share this one with you all! When I heard the theme for this season was connection, I immediately began to think of all the different things that have given me so much support throughout my journey with Crohn’s; so I decided to make a collage of it all together. A few things I featured were sketches of Troy Aikman, my all time favorite football player, The A-Team, which is one of my favorite tv shows, TCM, my favorite movie channel, Twenty One Pilots, along with their lyrics “Push On Through”, and lastly a sketch of me and my two best friends. A little backstory, Twenty One Pilots is my favorite band and their song ‘Oldies Station’ helped me tremendously during my time in the hospital. My friends, Averie and Victoria have always been my biggest supporters, but I also wanted to mention them because they are currently in school studying to become nurses! One day they’ll get to take care of kids just like us.

In the times where we feel our weakest, we must remember the things that truly lift us up the most and for me these are what do it. Due to my battle with Crohn’s Disease I did have surgery, it’s been almost a year since and I just want you all to know if you are feeling discouraged or upset in your current medical situation, that things do get better; it just takes time. Doing this project a year from my last one made me realize that, but I wouldn’t be where I am today in full recovery without all those lovely things I drew, my family, my team at Mount Sinai, and my amazing doctor, Dr. David Dunkin (I always have to mention him, he’s literally the best). But no matter what seems to be going on, no matter how bad things may seem, you are not alone and there’s always going to be those elements of support that’ll pull you back up even when you least expect it.

Don’t forget “When darkness rolls on you, push on through.”

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Artwork by Addie Wasserman, 18

Art Response Addie Wasserman, 18

My name is Addie, and I’m 18 years old. This is a digital drawing I made based on a photo of me and Professor, one of the amazing facility dogs who brought me so much happiness during my many months in the hospital last year. He, along with other facility dogs, showed me there’s always room for hope and positivity. I applied to college from my hospital bed and am now a freshman nursing student at the University of Pennsylvania. I’m still going through treatment for leukemia, but it hasn’t stopped me. This drawing of Professor reminds me that even when things are tough, a little bit of joy can give you the strength to get through the most difficult times.

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Artwork by Star, 15

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Artwork by Sam Feliciano, 17

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Summer

Sophia Saldana, 10

Scan here to listen to Sophia’s original song.

Hey, Summer, we know you’re new You flew into something brand new, Hey, Summer, you started a new job, You can help patients while they sob, There’s times in the hospital that make me sad, When you take my fear away, you make me glad, so glad, S-U-M-M-E-R, S-U-M-M-E-R, Summer, summer, it’s you, Summer, S-U-M-M-E-R, S-U-M-M-E-R, Just wag your tail!

Hey, Summer, when you’re in the bed curling up, You make me feel so warm, you feel like a pup, Hey, Summer, you feel so fluffy, I hope you feel welcome here, you’re such a sweet puppy, There’s times in the hospital that make me sad, When you take my fear away, you make me glad, so glad, S-U-M-M-E-R, S-U-M-M-E-R, Summer, summer, it’s you, Summer, S-U-M-M-E-R, S-U-M-M-E-R, Just wag your tail!

An original composition Written & recorded by Sophia in February 2025 Harmony & melody composed and selected by Sophia Piano & Bassline composed & recorded by Sophia through use of recording software 28

Artwork by Mariia Arteeva, 13

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Scan here to listen to Avery’s song re-write.

Guy for that

Avery Attard, 15 Song re-write of “Guy For That” By Post Malone I’m pretty good at winning air hockey Gonna beat my Mom, Dad, and Aunt Kathy I go down to the “Zone” every chance I get And I’ll win at Bingo, that’s a sure bet Oh, I am exactly what you’re looking for If you’re looking for...

Someone to block a goal when the ball gets shot ‘Cause soccer is what I do best I’ll cure the cancer, kill the cells with chemo, Grow back my hair, then you know what’s next...

I’m pretty good at staying strong But being away from family’s the hard part If you’re searching for someone who’s gonna build it back You know that I’m the guy for that I am the guy for that I am the guy for that I am the guy for that I am the guy for that

I am the guy up on P2 And I’m gonna kick some butt in UNO Someone to have the best fits in Fortnite And buddy, it’s a “piece of cupcake” I’m someone to block a goal when the ball gets shot ‘Cause soccer is what I do best I’ll cure the cancer, kill the cells with chemo, Grow back my hair, then you know what’s next I’m pretty good at staying strong But being away from family is the hard part If you’re searching for someone who’s gonna build it back You know that I’m the guy for that I am the guy for that I am the guy for that I am the guy for that I am the guy for that

Written & recorded by Avery in Summer 2025 Original lyrics written and recorded by Avery Shakers recorded by Avery Tambourine by Kim (mother) and Electric bassline by Johnny (father) 30

Concrete Poem Tess Malloy, 21

It’s okay to be scared here Lots of new noises and people all around Doctors, nurses, PCA’s, many staff surround They all want to help you feel better and get well It’s okay to be scared but new doesn’t mean unsafe This is a place to help you heal now The days may be long but they will pass Soon you’ll leave for home again Feeling better and doing better Hang in there, it gets better They are here to help And you are here to heal

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Artwork by Lucia Wahl, 18

Artwork by Mustapha Adekoya, 9

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Dreams

Darius Benjamin, 19 Song re-write of “Dreams” by T-Boz You should know by now Faith and family could never leave you Doesn’t matter what you do Nothing else is stronger Whether I’m courageous or scared I hear your voices night and day Encouraging me “not to give up” Somehow it makes me feel secure and safe I’ve got hope and you’ve got plans We both have fears, we both cry tears, but oohYou never have to be frightened As long as we have each other Together we’ll be much stronger More than you’ll ever know Sickle Cell Awareness Month, September 2025

Artwork by Kylie Gordon, 14 35

Damage of my myelin sheath Laylani Massanet, 18

getting used to new things is always so frustrating, getting a grasp of everything and all these strong astonishingly overwhelming emotions and feelings always haunts me in every way possible, im contemplating, pondering and im confused on what to do. there’s so many thoughts roaming in the back of my mind while I’m fighting so hard to get by and I have no clue how or where to start.

I’m at a loss for words right now, confused on what’s my place in life, I never knew something like this could hit me this fast with a snap of a finger, it doesn’t feel right, things feel crazy right now, it makes me toss and turn at night and when the sun hits my eyes, the aching pain of a migraine follows behind as the draining thoughts in my head knocks me out like a light. and somehow I wake up again with blurry vision in my eyesight, scared and worried if it’ll ever come back, I’m always prepared for the next attack but when will it come and what will I do the next time I have too be ready for you?

I wish I was in a treehouse, so high up in the air, it’s the only thing that makes me comfortable the most, i wish I didn’t have to rely on trees to not feel so much despair and not constantly be in my mind, I wish I didn’t care.

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thinking god and everyone around me is judging me when all isn’t right, it’s not fair that I have a fearful mind full of distain and worry which is why I have sleepless nights, more so because my anxiety takes control of me, leaving me hopeless with a body full of numbness, leaving me irritable and aggravated by small things that tic me off to the point where I lose my patience so easily and rather just be alone. and sound bothers me the most but music is my escape from everything and the only thing that makes me calm, it brings me peace, I try to breathe in and out, take walks and use my albuterol because I know I’ll get frustrated by everything around me.

I get hot then I get cold, then I get numb and I’m always confused, I forget things so easily especially whenever I walk into a room, sometimes I feel unreal and don’t know what to do, I felt like this for years, is this what multiple sclerosis does to you?

View Laylani’s TikTok here.

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Beeping Echoes Jacob Lieser, 19

Sitting on the chair Night after night Why even fight Nothing feels right But WAIT! Loved ones are in sight They’ll let you know everything is just gonna be fine and ALRIGHT Out of this fire Leaving like a Maserati’s tire

Artwork by Zachary Sherman, 17 38

Artwork by Hirsa Bhattal, 14

Check out Laylani’s TikTok here!

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Artwork by Kylie Gordon, 14

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Artwork by Scarlett Brez, 16

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Artwork by Thais Murillo Loor, 17

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Tess’ Song

Listen to Tess’ original song here.

Tess Malloy, 21

The days can be boring and stretch on It can be hard to be here for a long time You might be scared or in pain It might feel like everyday is the same Chorus: The hospital is a hard place to be And right now the future might be hard to see Loud and scary and bright It’s very normal to feel fright You are here to help you feel better You might worry, you’ll be here forever But one day you’ll leave feeling better If your body or brain hurt while you’re here Remember there are helpers near Chorus If you are scared, you can ask questions If you are lonely, there are kind staff here If you’re in pain, you can ask for distraction If you are tired, you can close your eyes and rest If you are bored, child life can come There are so many hard parts here But so many ways, you can receive care Chorus 44

Artwork by Lucia Wahl, 18 45

Artwork by Scarlett Brez, 16

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Artwork by Scarlett Brez, 16

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Artwork by Olivia Lee, 12

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I AM An example of an “I AM” poem created collaboratively during Art 4 the Soul, the weekly KidZone TV art therapy program. Callers and studio participants contributed words that described themselves, weaving them together into a shared community poem. The thumbprint imagery symbolizes identity - the unique patterns that define who we are. In this work, however, the thumbprint represents not one individual, but a collective of voices joined in reflection, creativity, and strength.

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“Villages are there to hold you up when you feel like you’re falling down. All you need is to know your needs and ask for help meeting them, and then to let your village carry you through until you feel well again.”

—Tess Malloy, Guest Editor

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