Hope Found in Harsh Environment
“There is polluted air in the sky, and mountains made of trash on the ground, with one shining bright green plant that survives and grows through all those circumstances.”
November
Mothers
“The meaning of the piece was to give thanks to mothers. I depicted the piece in thermal radiation to show that the mother gives her child warmth, which also represents her love.”
Rainbow Path
“My drawing is intended to bring hope for LGBTQ people.”
The Head the Heart
“I think more times than not deciding the verdict for a court case is made using someone’s biased views, that someone’s emotions (the heart) are used to decide someone’s fate or to judge actions.”
Musical Retreat
“With music as one of the most important things in my life, “Musical Retreat” depicts how I am grateful for music in my life.”
Memories Of a Girl and Her Cat
“What I am grateful for is my cat, Ora. She has been with me through thick and thin. I love my cat and I’m grateful for her being by my side all these years.”
Coach Veronica’s Journey
In our entry, we showcase the story of a high school water polo coach and her journey with mental health. Coach Veronica reveals her past struggles in battling her mental health issues with depression and ADHD and how water polo became a sanctuary for her. The tight-knit community of teammates helped support Coach Veronica through her struggles, and as she soon realized the impact that an uplifting community has on an athlete’s mental health, she became empowered to create a supportive environment for the next generation of water-polo athletes. Veronica has not only powered through her own struggles, but has taken her experiences and learned values to create an environment that is supportive for others as well.
Querido Mexico
“Querido Mexico” – Short Film is a poem I wrote to my home country – and overall the people in my situation – that contrasts the differences in cultures between Mexico City and Palo Alto, California. It is a thank you note to Mexico for keeping me grounded and for helping me not fall into the trap that is the toxic academic competition that goes on in my area’s schools. It goes over the importance of living in the moment, having time to be a child, and making choices for your own hapinness’ sake as it is your life and nobody elses. Living in misery to make other people happy can have grave consequences.
A Brick Wall
My film talks who my mental heath hero is and why they helped me.
Her Light
This category reminded me of my auntie Melea and I wanted to take it as a chance to honor her.