Victoria Barlow, 10th grade, Jordan-Matthews High School
“This shows how you can be anywhere in the world, any race, any religion, any gender, and any sexuality even, and still have access to people that care and are always willing to help.”
Madison Smith, 8th grade, Thales Academy
“This art piece I've created is when I had to go to the dentist while the pandemic was at its peak. Normally, I'm fine with visiting the dentist, but the anxiety of the virus made even normal things like this terrifying. I mainly use my art to express myself, as I have an easier time dealing with pictures rather with words. I believe that a really good way to help teens like me during this pandemic, is to make art challenges like these available, and to offer art supplies to those who aren't able to afford them.”
How this piece is related to mental health: “Sometimes, how someone looks on the outside doesn't necessarily match how they feel on the inside. This is why we need to check on each other and ask how they are doing.”
Sawyer Beavers, 9th grade, Chatham Central High School
“My piece is related to youth mental health because so many people my age tend to bottle their feelings up from experiences like being let down from the person that they look up to or family issues, along with many other examples.
When they refuse to open up then they distance themselves from others and stay quiet while listening to their thoughts on repeat. I believe that they should have someone to reach out to them with everything they need. On the left side of my painting, you can see the person alone with many unorganized thoughts and on the right side is someone who will ove, support and encourage them, reaching out.”
Caroline Scholer, 12th grade, Northwood High School
“I wanted my submission to represent the isolation and loneliness that resides within online learning. As a senior who transferred last year, I find online class (i.e zoom lessons) to be very intimidating, due to the unfamiliarity in being a new kid, especially in the middle of a pandemic. I don't know the majority of my classmates, and often feel very secluded within my learning environment. Due to remote learning, I often feel as if I'm just completing my assignments, without any of the social aspects that school used to withhold. I wanted to reflect on these feelings, and enjoyed the process of creating this piece.
Francisco Morales Hernandez, 11th grade, Chatham Central High School
Madelyn Trunnell, 7th grade Margaret B. Pollard Middle School
“My piece represents staying calm and taking in deep breaths as well as positive thoughts then blowing off the hate and negative things while still staying calm and happy.”
