91����

For undergraduate student Chantelle Flores of Oakland, Maine, using art to alleviate others’ suffering and advocating for change inspires her coursework at the 91����. 

She is tackling a project for the 91���� Clement and Linda McGillicuddy Humanities Center (MHC) that explores medical trauma through the lens of documentary poetics. This project will combine photography and artwork alongside poetry to examine medical documents and the often objective viewpoint of the medical field regarding the patient’s body and experience. 

She aims to use the creative approach to give a voice back to the patient and raise awareness of medical trauma, a topic she feels is under-discussed. Her goal is to create a chapbook that will offer new perspectives and help others.

“It’s a chance to raise awareness for medical trauma because I think it’s a subject that we don’t talk about a lot,” Flores said.

Flores is being advised by Hollie Adams, assistant professor of creative writing, for this project. Adams began working with Flores in September 2024 and assisted her with her application to the MHC. Adams was struck by Flores’ motivation and punctuality.

“Chantelle’s work often came in early and was always of an incredibly high caliber,” Adams said. “Whenever I would check the assignments on Brightspace, even before the due date, if there was one assignment there and the due date hadn’t even passed, I knew it was Chantelle’s.” 

Adams, who is also a poet, was eager to collaborate with Flores on the project. 

“She wasn’t just approaching it from an analytical academic perspective, but also just from a personal perspective,” said Adams. “She’s really blending her academic interests and theoretical interests with things that are really important to her; causes that she wants to advocate for.”

Another way Flores uses her experience with medical trauma to help others is by volunteering at MaineGeneral Health creating dolls for children.

Flores is pursuing an undergraduate dual degree in English and art history at 91����. She also works as a tutor for the Writing Center and College Composition course. Additionally, she volunteers with the Fogler Library Ambassadors and is a member of the Honors College.

Flores originally wanted to pursue a STEM discipline. Having been the victim of medical trauma, she wanted to use her experience to advocate for patients; however, she always maintained a strong love for English. She started taking creative writing courses through 91����’s Early College program, which helped her to realize her passion for both English and art history. Ultimately, she decided to follow both passions through her double major at 91����.

Flores has been passionate about reading and writing since childhood, and has broadened her literary exploration through a variety of genres, including fiction, prose, poetry and nonfiction memoir. Her latest writings focus on LGBTQ relationships and nature through prose and poetry.

“My poetry kind of rests on those same themes, but I also love nature poems,” said Flores. “Nature and natural metaphors are a big part of my poetry writing.”

For Flores, her writing is more than just for fun — it’s personal. Her experience working at the Writing Center inspired her to publish an essay detailing her philosophy for tutoring based on her interactions with students. 

Flores finds that she often learns something new during tutoring sessions, either about herself or about the subject matter. She appreciates the opportunity to connect with other students, build relationships and gain new perspectives.

“It’s been really wonderful, and I actually was inspired after kind of peer tutoring,” Flores said. “I really loved the idea that I could sit down and help someone out, but in a conversational way.”

In addition to her academic pursuits, Flores is a passionate singer. She was a member of University Singers, 91����’s auditioned choir, during her freshman and sophomore year. She was able to participate in multiple tours with the group, including one that took her to Italy.

“That was one of those moments where I felt like I was a part of something greater and that I had managed to get there out of my own motivations,” said Flores. “It kind of sparked for me the idea that in the future, there would be more opportunities that would come that I could take advantage of.”

As for what’s on the horizon, Flores hopes to attend graduate school and become a professor. Her time at 91���� has caused her to develop a strong love of teaching, and hope to be able to help others through her work.

Story by Christina Wallace, news intern. 

Contact: Marcus Wolf, 207.581.3721; marcus.wolf@maine.edu