Walgreens has awarded over $25,000 in prize money to high school students and teachers as part of the 15th annual Expressions by Walgreens creative arts contest. This free contest provides teenagers with a platform to express themselves creatively on any topic of their choosing. This year, common themes among submissions included the impact of social media, social justice, and mental health awareness.
Youth mental health is a significant concern, with one survey from 2023 revealing that 87 percent of young people in the United States experience mental health issues regularly. Clinical psychologists praise The Expressions Challenge as an excellent platform for adolescents to confront emotions, reduce anxiety, and build confidence.
The contest has seen a record number of student entries this year, with nearly an 80% increase from the previous year. Walgreens received close to 9,000 submissions from all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Additionally, there was almost double the number of online votes for the People’s Champs winners. Entries are judged in four categories: visual arts, media arts, spoken word, and creative writing. Walgreens also acknowledges and rewards educators as Teacher Champions for their exceptional support of students.
It is heartening to see the success of our 15th Anniversary year of Expressions by Walgreens. All the students who participated shared their voices through their artwork, which aligns perfectly with the purpose of Expressions,” says Alethia Jackson, Senior Vice President of ESG and Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer at Walgreens Boots Alliance. “Our commitment to promoting healthier communities is crucial for current and future generations. The high school years can be filled with numerous pressures and distractions, and self-expression through art can be therapeutic in managing those challenges. Our overarching mission is to rethink how local healthcare can enhance societal health and well-being, and the Expressions Challenge plays a significant role in achieving that mission among our teenagers.
Check out our compilation showcasing this year’s contest and participants here. Below is the full list of winners:
Visual Arts
- First Place: (Lost Remembrance) Zeno P., Bergen County Academies, Hackensack, NJ
- Second Place: (Juvenile Witness) Soleil F., Osceola County School for the Arts, Kissimmee, FL
- Third Place: (September 20th) Kiara P., Escuela Especializada Central de Artes Visuales, Dorado, PR
- People’s Champ: (September 20th) Kiara P., Escuela Especializada Central de Artes Visuales, Dorado, PR
Media Arts
- First Place: (Frame) Chauncey V., James Campbell High School, Ewa Beach, Hawaii
- Second Place: (Anxious Love) Lilli N., Gorham High School, Gorham, ME
- Third Place: (Autism, my mental pet) Jayden A., Denton High School, Denton, TX
- People’s Champ: (Static Starvation) Emma G. and Emma S., Midwood High School, Brooklyn, NY
Spoken Word
- First Place: (The Question vs. The Statement) CarRyn G., Cass Technical High School, Detroit, MI
- Second Place: (Show Us What You Have Done) Sasmitha B., Solon High School, Solon, OH
- Third Place: (The Children of America) Amora S., Dekalb School of the Arts, Lithonia, GA
- People’s Champ: (Acceptance) Aiden F., Gorham High School, Gorham, ME
Creative Writing
- First Place: (Versatile or Violent?) Aliyah B., Dekalb School of the Arts, Scottdale, GA
- Second Place: (Home) Jae B., Sacred Heart Academy, Louisville, KY
- Third Place: (To You, My Memory) Sophia D., Pine-Richland High School, Gibsonia, PA
- People’s Champ: (A Two-Sided Sword) Fabiana H., Littleton High School, Littleton, CO
Teacher Champions
- Whitney Davis, CE King High School, Houston, TX
- Sheanna Eggers, Burnsville High School, Burnsville, MN
- Nicole Jacob Licht, DeKalb School of the Arts, Avondale Estates, GA
- Jonathan Webb, RFK – School for the Visual Arts and Humanities, Los Angeles, CA
Expressions was established by Walgreens to educate, empower, and equip young people and their communities with insights and resources on issues impacting teens. Since 2009, Expressions by Walgreens has reached approximately one million high school students and awarded more than $400,000 in monetary prizes. More than 500 organizations, high schools, teachers, and parents have participated in the program since its inception.
