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.