October 2023 – Winners

“As a young closeted queer person, I often felt alone. However, once I finally got to high school, I saw all of these wonderful openly LGBTQ+ people who were happy …

“This poem shares my experience of the trauma of growing up as a woman – being treated as less than, and knowing your rights wouldn’t be as compromised if you …

“With everything going on, it is hard to focus on one thing at a time without worrying about another thing. I chose the theme of ‘hope’ because I wanted to …

“My mother is the unifying piece in my soul, the all-important keystone which keeps me together. I look forward to embracing her warm smile every day after I arrive home, …

“This poem shows how there is hope even when things get hard. This piece is particularly important regarding the current mental health issues in classrooms in America. While working on …

“My submission depicts a person sitting on a pedestal on a stage, with wings that are being cut. I meant for this to symbolize a child with a parent that …

“One of the best ways I find hope is through writing. In this poem, I wrote about hope; and by writing this, I gave myself hope. I am a very …

“If you notice that a friend is sad, you should talk to them. It’s okay if you don’t always know what to say; most of the time, people just need …

“Someone who needs help should get it, even if they won’t ask for it themselves. Something as simple as showing that you care can change a million things. I want …

“You can share something beautiful inside of you with others.”

“A broken heart after a first love as an adolescent can be difficult for many. Adolescents experience a great deal of emotions and at times, don’t know how to manage …

“The comic is about how helping someone can change a person’s life. It can also save someone from [taking their life] or help them with their mental health. The comic …

“Our film highlights a unique spot at Buena Park High School. It’s more than just a room, it’s where we go when things get tough. Here, you’re never just another …

“This submission is about a boy who is having a hard time with comments from the internet, and it’s taking a toll on his mental health. Then, his sister comes …

“My entry is about how having someone check in on you can make you feel. For me, it has always given me hope that things will get better and reassured …

“When you know your friend is struggling, you’ve got to be persistent. They may be afraid to ask for help or talk to someone about their problems. You’ve got to …

“All it takes is one message to ask if someone is ok. It may be hard to reach out, but in the end it will be worth it. I believe …