Student Artwork Showcases Importance of Mental Health

Colorful cartoons with encouraging words, self-reflective depictions of mindfulness, and bold examples depicting the importance of mental health highlighted the submissions from Riverside County students who put their creativity on display as part of the Mental Health Matters Spirit Week Art Contest organized by the Riverside County Office of Education. The art contest was one of several activities organized for students and educators to participate in Mental Health Matters Spirit Week (May 24-28, 2021) in support of the Mental Health Initiative from Riverside County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Edwin Gomez. Twenty artistic submissions were awarded by judges from the Riverside County Office of Education’s Pupil and Administrative Services team. Awards included gift cards, plaques, and certificates of participation. An online exhibition gallery at www.rcoe.us/mhm-poster-contest features the award-winning artwork from the following students: TK-2nd GRADE DIVISION 1st Place  Evalyn Kivilcim Springs Charter School 2nd Place Audrey Seaman Red Hawk Elementary School Temecula Valley Unified School District 3rd Place (tie) Aaron Rosas Calexico Migrant Head Start Riverside County Office of Education 3rd Place (tie) Austin Castillon Cawston Elementary School Hemet Unified School District Honorable Mention Harper Draper George Washington Charter School Desert Sands Unified School District Honorable Mention Khloe Huculak Amelia Earhart Elementary School of International Studies Desert Sands Unified School District 3RD – 5TH GRADE DIVISION 1st Place Ira Asuncion Santa Rosa Academy Menifee Union School District 2nd Place Mariella Cortez Gerald R. Ford Elementary School Desert Sands Unified School District 3rd Place Isabelle Garcia Winchester Elementary School Hemet Unified School District Honorable Mention Jarithza Arriaga Valle Vista Elementary School Hemet Unified School District 6TH – 8TH GRADE DIVISION 1st Place Madelyn Engels Canyon Lake Middle School Lake Elsinore Unified School District 2nd Place Lyric Nickerson-Hill Amelia Earhart Middle School Riverside Unified School District 3rd Place Taylor Carter Canyon Lake Middle School Lake Elsinore Unified School District Honorable Mention Lucas Bautista Vista Heights Middle School Moreno Valley Unified School District 9TH – 12TH GRADE DIVISION 1st Place Lamariyanna Sterling Hemet High School Hemet Unified School District 2nd Place Nicole Thompson Springs Charter School 3rd Place Natalie Castellanos West Valley High School Hemet Unified School District Honorable Mention Kamilah Alcalde Paloma Valley High School Perris Union High School District Honorable Mention Ahtziri Rojas La Quinta High School Desert Sands Unified School District First place winner in the TK-2nd grade division was Evalyn Kivilcim, a 2nd grade student from Springs Charter School. Evalyn’s submission, “You Are Not Alone”, belies her love of drawing and the significant time spent practicing over the last year. She researched the topic of mental health to become a more self-aware and mindful individual as part of the contest. The high school division first place winner was Lamariyanna Sterling, a 9th grade student from Hemet High School in the Hemet Unified School District. Lamariyanna’s submission includes several drawings combined into a composite of thoughts and emotions—an example of the complexity of the topic of mental health. “I entered this contest to show people about mental health and that everyone has a different mindset, and that no one is perfect,” Lamariyanna said. “On the outside you see all the bad things about mental health like anxiety, pain, insecurities, being suicidal, or maybe even depression because you never know what anyone is going through. But, in the center of this painting you see the good things like a positive mindset, self-care, peace, and that you matter.” For more information visit the RCOE Mental Health Initiative website that features a Virtual Wellness Center, community resources, and additional information for educators looking to incorporate social/emotional learning and mental health practices into school settings.