With a love of Henna and Panama culture, senior Thalia Lucia designs her way through the school on the palms and hands of students within.

Lucia moved to Austin in December of 2012 from Panama a country between North and South America. A place that she adored and lived in for all her life.

“I started my love for Henna in my hometown,“ Lucia said. “It’s so relaxing and it’s one of my greatest passions.”

Lucia turned her passion for Henna into something she could make a profit from. She started charging for her body art at no more than $8 per piece.

“I’ve known Thalia since she first moved here,” senior Jocelyn Martinez said. “She’s really good at what she does, just like a professional.”

Henna, also known as Mehndi, is a type of body art originated in India. The Henna paste usually comes in plastic cones or metal-tipped bottles.

“It’s a good alternative for people that don’t want permanent tattoos,” junior Alyssa Rodriguez said.

Many people create their own Henna paste as a tradition. Some love it so much that they cover their bodies in the art work.

“The style that is portrayed through the Henna is very unique,” Rodriguez said.

Mehndi is used in Weddings, Parties and coming of age traditions. Henna is associated with happiness and imagination.

“When I miss my hometown I just cover myself in Henna,” Lucia said.

Lucia designs her own Henna and the people she paints on absolutely loves it.

“I got a sun on the top of my hand and it was so beautiful,” Martinez said. “You can tell she doesn’t only do it for the money, it really is a passion for her.”

The love of her Henna helped her adapt to the new country she was unfamiliar with. It helped her create new friends and find a spot here at Akins.

“I used to just do it for myself, but then one day someone asked me if I could design one for them and it just went on from there,” Lucia said.

From a new country to a hobby that developed into a passion, Lucia’s love for Henna helped her in more ways then she could have imagined.

“I’m just glad that I adapted in the way I have,” she said. “It’s all thanks to my interest in the art of Henna.”