This written entry into Expression 2016, “I Am Different,” was entered by Jasmine Nguon
Bullied. Different. Suicidal. Misunderstood.
I am different. When people hear, they look at me like I have a third eye, like I have no nose, like I’m a monster. People give me weary glances, scared to go near me as if this is a disease and they don’t want me to contaminate them. They look at me like I’m dumb, like I chose this.
I didn’t.
This art piece, “Cosmic Babe,” was entered into Expression 2016 by Luca Walton
“She represents being diverse, unique and beautiful in her own skin. Oil on Canvas.“
This written entry into Expression 2016, “Cheesy,” was entered by Jennifer Alderton-Moss
He took in a deep breath and looked back at his reflection. This was crazy.
Alistair Mensa did not get nervous. As the schools head boy and prom king, he was always confident to the point of arrogance. Yet here he was, sweating himself silly over some stupid boy. Then again, Demetri wasn’t just any boy. He was perfect.
He’d asked out hundreds of people. He could do this. It would be easy.
This video entry, “Wired,” was entered into Expression 2016 by Miriam Roberts-Thomson
“I would like you to know that ‘Wired’ is a slice of life - the events that take place in the story are events that could easily take place in someone’s life.”
This art piece, “We’re All Human / Straight Line,” was entered into Expression 2016 by Olivia Kiel
“We’re all humans, sharing the same space, the same world. No matter who you are, where you’re from, what your name is, how you identify, what you believe in, living in harmony is what we shall strive for.”
This written entry into Expression 2016, “Sick,” was written by Kaycee Barnes
I am sick, and I am tired and I am scared and I am sad and I am angry.
I am sick.
I am sick of feeling ashamed.
I am sick of living in fear.
I am sick of my community being rejected by society because of who they are, and who they love.
I am sick of my people being hunted, being killed because they want to live, being themselves.
Sickness is the feeling of butterflies in my stomach, cotton balls in my head.
Sickness is a tidal wave pushing me further away from shore.
Sickness is sinking below the waves.
Sickness is wanting to stay in bed, warm and safe.
This video entry into Expression 2016, “Seventeen,” was created by Abby Robertson
“My piece is a monologue of my experience coming out as a lesbian at 17.”