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Monthly Prompt Judging

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Dear Judges,

The “I will, I am, I will be” media challenge was open to current or formerly incarcerated youth and young adults in California and offered in partnership with the Office of Youth and Community Restoration (OYCR). Youth ages 12 to 25 were asked to reflect on how their lived experience has shaped them into the person they are today and their hope for the future. They were asked to create art (in any form) that helps themselves and others who may not know them understand their story, their growth, their strengths, and the hope they carry into the future.

Youth were asked to creatively explore how their past and present self are connected to their future self and the person they hope to become. Here are some ideas we shared with them to get started:

  • “I was” Who they were in the past (their experiences, challenges, people and places that are a part of their history.)
  • “I am” Who they are now (the strengths, lessons or talents that come from their lived experience and how they make them who they are today.) Celebrate their growth and help their community and others understand their story and see the hope, strength and possibility inside of them.
  • “I will be” Who they hope to be in the future (their hopes and dreams for their future self and the community they want to be a part of.) How can they use what they’ve learned from their past and present to help create that community?
  • Write a letter to “Dear Future Me/Dear Future We” to remind themselves of how far they have come, what they have overcome and experienced, and their hope for the “future you”. Use this as an opportunity to send their future self a hopeful message that reminds them (and others) about their strength and that they are capable of change, growth and healing.

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.

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.

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Entry Details

Judge Name*

Messaging Scoring Measures

Please enter a number from 0 to 25.
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.
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.
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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