2026 Monthly Prompt Judging

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Dear Judge,

We encourage you to seek personal support if you become troubled by the content of this category. If you experience an emotional crisis, please call or text 988 to reach the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (available 24/7) or the California Warm Line at (833) 845-7415

The entries you are judging are submissions in the Hope and Justice category. Entries in this category deal with a variety of topics including mental health, suicide prevention, social justice and other complex topics that need to be addressed with compassion and knowledge.

For this category we asked youth to communicate about what they are feeling, increase knowledge about an issue or take a stand against injustice, or share their perspective in a way that gives others a glimpse into their lives. While some youth submit entries share ideas for solutions to the issues of concern, others used this as an opportunity to process their feelings in a therapeutic way.

We welcome all types of submissions. In our submission criteria, we remind youth that whatever message they choose, their submissions need to be thoughtful and respectful. We asked youth to be honest about their feelings, but to be sure their entries convey that they are coming from a place of cultural humility and has the intent to further understanding and constructive dialogue about social justice and change. So, as a judge please score each of these entries based on how well they conveyed their messages and followed these guidelines.

At any point if you are experiencing technical difficulties with the website, or have questions regarding the category, please email shanti@youthcreatingchange.org or call (619) 786-5622.

In advance, we appreciate your time.

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Entry Details

Title: Wishing Upon A Star

Grade: 9

A note from the youth artist about their submission

This is a letter that I never sent. It’s for the wish I’ve made more times than I can count. The quiet ache of wanting to be enough for someone you love deeply. Especially when their love feels conditional. Or when their expectations feel too heavy to carry, especially for their approval. Maybe this wish will never come true because I’ve shared it, or maybe I never needed help from Santa in the first place. I just hope that it gives the strength and courage to others to speak up, or understand that people don’t love fairly. To know that they’re enough, and they’re worth more than enough to deserve everything in their life. To understand that sometimes our parents withhold approval to push us, but they still love us just the same.

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Messaging Scoring Measures

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Does the entry creatively incorporate never a bother campaign graphic (up to 5 points)

Please enter a number from 0 to 5.

Overall, how well does the submission communicate a message about this month's prompt:*

Please enter a number from 0 to 25.

For this prompt, we asked youth to create a film, written work, or art piece about what they wish their parents (or other adults) knew about the warning signs of suicide, what life is like as a young person today, or the importance of supporting youth mental health.

How well did the submission educate, inspire or share a unique message with the audience?*

Please enter a number from 0 to 25.

Art can be used to influence change – through education, connection or inspiration. While this scoring measure is highly subjective the goal of this is to consider how this submission provided you with new information, provided you with a new perspective, made you feel, or connected with you personally.

Considering the format of the project, please rate the overall effort, originality, and thought you believe the youth put into creating their project.*

Please enter a number from 0 to 25.

Note: This is not about quality/craftmanship of the submission, but more about overall effort and thought from the youth artist. Please also consider the age of the participant, as ages range from middle school age to 25 years old.

Rate the overall composition and craftmanship of the submission. How well did the youth’s care, effort, and craftsmanship come together to produce a successful submission?*

Please enter a number from 0 to 25.

If a film or TikTok – consider the focus, exposure, audio clarity, use of graphics and/or special effects, pacing and flow.
If a painting, digital art, sketch, comic, animation, or other 2-D art – consider the skill in use of line, color, form, texture, perspective, visual rhythm, etc.
If a radio PSA – consider the pace, clarity of messaging, use of music or sound effects, overall flow of script, etc.
If original music – consider the clarity, rhythm, musical and/or mechanical skill, phrasing, etc.
If a blog, poem, spoken word, essay or other narrative – consider the structure, grammar, word choice, flow, rhyme scheme, expressiveness, etc.

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Total

Optional – Please provide any comments or feedback you would like to share with the youth who created this project.