October

Warmth of a Community

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“In my painting, I wanted to represent hope in a community. The community is represented through warm colors. This gives the idea of a warm and welcoming community. These people are happy and willing to help others in need. Then we have someone who suffers from mental health issues. They are represented with cool colors. The idea behind this is that the darkness surrounds the person to the point where it feels suffocating. I wanted to represent mental health issues in this way because if a person doesn’t reach out for help, whether it’s in a community or just a singular person, one can struggle so much to the point where it feels like they are trapped in the darkness.”

As we rise

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“Plastic is a material widely recognized as a danger to our Earth, and yet, as the Pandemic took over, plastic entwined itself into every new norm in our lives quickly becoming the very material we would communicate through. Digital media removed our masks, a safe space behind a screen, showing us our voices cannot be stifled. Not now. Basic human rights have been ignored, and trampled upon, in crises. Access. Access to medicine, vaccines, equity, equality. Much like the plastics churning in the ocean, issues rose to the surface, swollen from pain, and humans chose to speak up. We stepped away from our screens and into the streets and we marched. We marched for our lives, for our rights, for love, and for equity. A new sun, toxic rays of light begging for attention. We cannot forget what we have gone through for change to happen. This virus, touches everyone, everything. Six feet apart. They stand, masked, determined, and even when they crumble, they won’t stop. They will never go away. Plastic.”

Love in All Colors

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“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.”

Attention

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“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.”

Skin

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“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.”

The Mountains We Climb

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“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.”

Persevere on Top of Your Problems

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“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.”

Freed

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“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.”

Reflections

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“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.”

Peace of Mind

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“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.”