Hope and Justice

Raising Hope

The woman I was drawing wasn’t going to be able to finish high school with a child, but through many revisions decided she would find success rather than failure. Many young women in this position are unable to finish highschool and have difficult paths to figure out. I realized that although life throws curveballs, people are still able to achieve their goals under tough circumstances. My hope is that women in this situation are able to make choices that are best for them, and no matter what have support to help them achieve their goals and education.

From Caged to Unafraid

My art symbolizes coming out for queer people. As more and more people and forms of media become more accepting of the LGBTQIA+ community, there is more hope.

How to Help A Friend

My drawing represents how to help a friend. Sometimes there are issues, conflcits and problems and sometimes when you need help you cna turn to friends. With friends you can feel free to talk about your problems. Letting friends know you are there for them is so important.

Healing Through Art

My submission is a digital art piece meant to portray myself painting a self portrait! Art has always been an outlet for my emotions. When there aren’t any words to describe how I’m feeling, no one for me to express my emotions to, I start drawing and painting. To me, the process of creating art is calming. It helps me reflect on myself greatly. Contrary to what people might believe, I believe that being able to express yourself through art isn’t exclusive to people who identify as “artists”. Anyone can create art, because behind every art piece is emotion——and we all have emotions.

Café De Olla

When I think of self-care and taking care of my mental health, I connect my experience to my family. We learn a lot–most times unknowingly– about how to go through life by seeing how our family and ancestors have. We do the same and sometimes we try to break into our own path too. For me, I find comfort in cultural and familial traditions in times where I feel ungrounded. Something as simple as finding the time to make coffee in a special way that my family does, grounds me. Its something that brings me back to myself.

Cultivating Mental Health

My submission highlights the importance of taking care of our mental health and compares it to taking care of a plant. Our mental health is a delicate system that requires careful attention, just like a fragile plant. When we provide the right conditions, it can flourish remarkably.

Spartans on

Our video is meant to support students in making positive choices and seeking support from others

Helping Hand

My entry is a watercolor painting of a person helping a friend climb up a hill. I decided to show these two people in the outdoors because, a lot of the time when I don’t feel great, being outside is the best way to ease any stress on my mind. […] Sometimes we can’t do everything by ourselves, and it is important to both provide and ask for help when times are tough.

The Simplest Things

This piece is about finding joy in even the simplest things and how that gives me hope for the future. Whether it be a beautiful sunset or a favorite show, there’s always something around you to appreciate.