“I wanted to focus on LGBT acceptance, especially for people in families of color. I found that it’s more unlikely for people of color to accept the LGBTQ community, and their members of their family who might happen to be in it. In a perfect world, children would be accepted by their parents no matter their orientation or identity. Supportive families are the first step to acceptance in the greater world.”
“My entry explains how I feel about this generation’s importance towards mental health. I believe that many people don’t have anywhere to turn to when needing help. We need attention and to be considered. People struggle daily and this has to be noticed. In order to fix this situation, many have to recognize what is happening first. Changing this lack of help can strengthen our future and help our society.”
“My poem targets generational trauma and the longterm effects it can have on teens through adulthood. I wanted to compare skin to the perception one may have of their personality, their features, and their body. With time it gets easier and you don’t shy away from the figurative and literal mirror so much. I feel teens need a reminder that it is okay to be vulnerable, open minded, and let go. We are our biggest critic but also our strongest support system and only we know how to resolve the problems we have with ourselves. It is a poem about aging, forgiving yourself, and how digging inwards and allowing your inner child to process trauma is much better for your health than continuing the detrimental cycle you may have been a victim of as a child.”
“Adventurous outdoor activities fill me with the power to achieve any challenge. The different shades of purple represent how life isn’t just a black and white canvas, but there’s an endless variation of color. The variety of purple is my way of looking in between the shades of gray to find my joy, my drive, my power. The abundance of mountains at the bottom show how life comes with many struggles, but if we believe in our own self worth/power we can overcome them. There are endless possibilities when we feel empowered.”
“My painting shows that most life problems are like a mountain. But if you keep going, if you can manage to get on top of your problems, it’ll be worth it. And there is always someone in your life there to help.”
“This is an image of someone who wants to be freed from everyone else’s thoughts and what they have to say. I chose to do this project because that is how I was feeling and feel that someone always has something to say about my life and I am not allowed to think for myself. I hope this can help someone else as well.”
“This image is of a reflection of what people see versus what I feel. I chose reflection because if you look at what people think about you, then you realize that the negative thoughts you are thinking about yourself are really not that bad. I like that this image may give others hope and allow them to overcome what they may be going through.”
“I chose the word ‘Serenity.’ It means ‘the state of being calm, peaceful, and untroubled.’ My project symbolizes having peace of mind or calming one’s mentality.”
“The word I chose to convey was ‘communication.’ Mental struggles can be alleviated through other people’s help, but in order for an individual to receive the help they need, their thoughts and feelings must first be declared. Adolescents are often told to reach out for help, but in reality, asking for help can be a very difficult and muddled process. In my painting, a girl is being dragged down by a tangible manifestation of those restricting factors in the form of blank, white masses. To better help the youth of today, I would like to see more receptive and accepting adults that can offer genuine aid to those inflicted with mental illnesses. Adolescents should not have their words drowned out; they must be heard in order to be helped.”
A guy is struggling with grades and mental health gets offered to run for the track team and enjoys it, ultimately finding his anchor.