February was Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month and in support of healthy dating relationships, Northwest Assistance Ministries (NAM) called upon creative Houston area students to enter the Uniquely Artistic Creative Arts Challenge. It was a chance for Houston youth to display their creativity and talent and learn more about abuse and healthy relationships.
Middle School and High School students were asked to use their artistic abilities to create an original written, art, or performance piece that expressed their views on the characteristics of either a healthy or an unhealthy teen relationship.
The winning works from these talented students were recognized at a viewing party and reception at NAM on Thursday, March 5 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The students were honored and received a certificate along with their prize. Proud family and close friends of the winners attended to share in the moment and celebrate their student’s achievement.
The writing and art pieces will be on display in NAM’s lobby through March 31, during regular business hours Monday through Thursday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Friday 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Everyone is welcome to visit NAM, located at 15555 Kuykendahl Rd, Houston, TX 77090, and admire these great works of art.
“We want to thank all of the schools, teachers, and students who participated in this art challenge,” said Sheryl Johnson, Director of NAM’s Family Violence Center. “Our hope is to educate young students so they are aware of what abuse looks like and not be ashamed to talk about it. We must help teenagers to identify what a healthy relationship looks like in order to break the cycle of violence.”
Congratulations to all of the winners from NAM’s Uniquely Artistic Creative Arts Challenge promoting Teen Dating Violence Awareness. These individuals are extremely talented and we are honored that they shared their creativity with NAM.
MIDDLE SCHOOL WRITTEN:
- 1st Place – Shannon McCauley – The Memory That Follows
HIGH SCHOOL WRITTEN:
- 1st Place – Valeria Vasquez – He Never Loved Me
- 2nd Place – Mary Swift – Chamber of Gold
- 3rd Place – Angela Zhong – the battered shelter
MIDDLE SCHOOL ART:
- 1st Place – Lindey Morvan – 9 1 1
- 2nd Place – Angie Galindo – Two Faced Love
- 3rd Place – Skylar Stafford – Love and hate
HIGH SCHOOL ART:
- 1st Place – Nolan Butler – Lost In the Storm
MIDDLE SCHOOL PERFORMANCE ART:
- 1st Place – Julia Coe – false love
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
- Caylie Hatch – TOXIC – High School Written
- Johanna Prisk – The Witness – High School Written
- Alyne Gonzales – The causes of being damaged – Middle School Art
- Tanvi Khandekar – A Day of Heartbreak – High School Written
- Reece Geserick – ‘walls’ – High School Written
- Sarah Hyde – Written Down - High School Written
- Addison Hollan – The broken Planet stands strong - Middle School Art
- Alina Banos – Lovely – Middle School Art
The Family Violence Center is dedicated to breaking the cycle of violence by assisting victims of domestic and sexual violence through crisis intervention, long-term support services, and through community violence and awareness prevention education. In the fiscal year 2018-2019, the FVC received more than 5,950 calls to the hotline and provided ongoing services to another 422 individuals. They guided victims through a crisis 5,291 times and created 3,322 safety plans, customized to each person’s situation. They also offer year-round programs, workshops and different events that bring awareness to the domestic violence problem in the area. If you or anyone you know needs help please call our 24 hour Family Violence hotline at (281) 885-HOPE (4673) or toll-free at (888) 750-HOPE (4673).
