Sponsored by Reach Out Recovery and ROR Empowerment, and funded by Rotary Clubs and individual donors, this unique project has brought healthy living and life skills information to teens on the West Coast Of Florida. Since 2021, more that 1000 students have participated in the What Makes You Healthy mental health initiative.
Twenty high school students have received $24,000 in scholarship prizes for best positive mental health messaging by and for teens. The winning teens have used their experience as part of their college applications and to mentor others both in high school and college. The unique project provides books and a curriculum. Afterschool programs and art teachers can choose which one hour curriculum or all 12 to learn the content. All students receive the book, discuss and create art projects around subjects that interest them, and compete for best entries. This project joins art and education, bringing crucial health and lifestyle information to teens who don’t receive this kind of comprehensive information anywhere else.
The What Makes You Healthy project has been a teen mental health initiative of Rotary District 6960. Rotary Clubs of Sarasota Bay, Sarasota Sunrise, Sarasota Gulf Coast, Sarasota Downtown, and Rotary District 6960 donated 1000 copies of The Teen Guide To Health, by Leslie Glass.
In 2023, 450 students from high school schools and after school programs including Healthy Teens of Manatee, Unidos Now, Boys and Girls Clubs, Suncoast Science Center, Youth Opera of Sarasota, North Port High School, Rotary Interact Club of Venice High School, Riverview High School, State College of Florida Collegiate High School, Pine View High School, and Sarasota High School.
This Year’s Winners
Essay
Karissa By Olivia Lee – “Thank you for your time,” Karrisa spoke confidently. She had just finished her interview with Duke’s admissions officer and nailed it! They loved her essay so much that they wanted to discuss it with her in person. From her creativity to her immaculate grammar, Karissa was bombarded with compliments. It was no doubt that she hit it off. After the meeting, it was only a matter of time before they reached out to her for dorm assignments! For Karissa, this was better than winning the lottery. Her relentless efforts had finally paid off…or, at least, that was the dream.
More Favorite 2023 Entries
$8,000 In Cash Prizes For Best Positive Mental Health Messaging By And For Teens
See the SNN report of 2022 Awards Ceremony.
2022 First Prize Winner is Olivia Lee from Venice High School.
2022 Poster Winners
Graphic Design Winners
The 2023 Contest Sponsors List In Formation
The Rotary Club of Sarasota Bay Foundation, Rotary Club of Sarasota Bay, Rotary District 6960, Rotary Club of Sarasota Sunrise, Sarasota Gulf Gate Rotary Club, ROR Empowerment, Gulf Coast Community Foundation, Sukey Wagner, Sonita Lodwig, Terry Brakett, Kent and Joanne Simon, Cavanaugh & Company, Carol Mitchell, Barry Levinson, Fernando and Victoria Viteri, Andy Lyman, and Reach Out Recovery are among the partners that support this teen mental health initiative. If you are interested in joining our efforts to save our teens, contact us to become a sponsor and join our sponsor list.
