The Art of Resilience

When Drea McAlister '25 took the stage at commencement to serve as the coordinator of ceremony, her friends and family were there to cheer her on. Her journey, like the journeys of so many, included obstacles that at times seemed impossible to overcome. Rather than stopping her, those hurdles made her stronger and set her on a path to discovering her passion. Artist, poet, creative, and philanthropist, McAlister graduated with a degree in Art Therapy with a minor in Community Engagement and Activism. She is passionate about using her creativity to make an impact, a passion that began when creativity left an impact on her.

At the beginning of sixth grade, McAlister had an undetected strep infection which led to her developing rheumatic heart disease, then Sydenham chorea, a neurological disorder. Despite taking antibiotics for the infection, her symptoms–including losing mobility in her arms and legs, slurred speech and heart problems–did not subside, resulting in her being admitted to a hospital. While hospitalized, she did physical therapy, occupational therapy, and art therapy in order to regain mobility–and express herself as she navigated her illness.

“I had always known that I was an artist. I was a creative kid—while everyone else was playing tag or hide-and-seek, I was singing and memorizing dances from music videos,” said McAlister. “It wasn’t until I was hospitalized that I truly saw visual art as an outlet for me. The ways I had expressed myself—singing and dancing—were essentially stripped from me, so I needed a new way to express myself.” This newfound creative expression led to more than just an outlet for a young girl battling an illness, it ignited a spark for her future.

Following her recovery, McAlister continued to find her passion in working with others and being active in her community. As a high school student, she worked with a theater company that provided opportunities for children with special needs. This experience inspired her to pursue art therapy as a way for her to give back what was given to her. She wants to continue working with children with special needs and minority youth, as she used creative arts to regain her power. The fact that she can teach others to do that is powerful. “You have to be willing to stick with it and truly love what you do,” McAlister said. “Once you find your groove and your population, you'll feel the reward and see the impact you're making on your participants.”

Now, with her degree in art therapy in hand and a desire to help others in her heart, there is so much McAlister is looking forward to. “Getting back into the classroom—whether that’s through after-school programs or community centers—and sharing the power of art as a healing tool. I’m passionate about helping others see that creative expression can be life changing. I’m more than just an artist or a poet; I want to be in a position where I can teach and inspire others to use the creative arts to heal, grow, and thrive.”