WINNERS

Congratulations to the winning students! Your creative piece was selected as one of the most stirring and contemplative among hundreds of submissions from students nationwide.

We want to thank all of our participants in the Bring the Noise student art scholarship contest. Your submissions on the subject of AAPI mental health were brave and awe-inspiring. We heard you. And we look forward to you continuing to Make Noise Today and every day!

MemorialCare Platinum Prize

As a Korean American, I struggled to strike the right balance between two distinct cultures. Growing up in a conservative Korean household taught me to be deferential, reserved, and mature “unnie” (i.e., older sister), whereas American culture emphasized a socially adept lifestyle. Having been exposed to cultural differences since a young age, incidents such as being chastised for bringing my mother’s homemade kimchi and kimbap to school caused me to further isolate my two identities. My piece depicts my internal conflict, a struggle to break free from the grip of my insecurities and fears about how different communities of people perceive different aspects of myself, and to find the courage to overcome them. Furthermore, my piece depicts different stages of emotion, such as frustration, loneliness, and relief. Ropes are prominent in my piece, and they represent the restrictive force that untangles through each stage. As an Asian American, I have discovered the value of combining qualities from both cultures to bring out the best in myself.