Every year, Project Synapse hosts the MHAWC in hopes of spreading mental health awareness throughout the month of May. Participants in grades K-12 are encouraged to submit art and writing work and are evaluated rigorously against hundreds of other competitors by a panel of expert judges. 

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For the 2024 competition, participants were tasked to submit work along the theme "Mindful Moments." Participants went above and beyond to recreate these themes in their own way - from scenic nature backdrops to precious moments with loved ones.

 

And for the first, the MHAWC went truly INTERNATIONAL, boasting competitors from 3 different countries and over 20 different states/territories in the USA! Here is a quick recap "in numbers":

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350+ PARTICIPANTS

3 COUNTRIES

6 PANEL JUDGES

$1000+ WORTH IN PRIZES

 

Registration for the 2024 MHAWC was announced in late March and was open until April. After submissions closed in the month of May, the judging process was underway for four weeks. ​​​​Our guest judging panel included:

• Andy Su, Elected Mayor of Mountain House

• Bernice Tingle, Elected City Council Member

• Matt Disko, Elected City Council Member

• Harry Dhillon, MHCSD Board Member

• Manny Moreno, MHCSD Board Member

Thank you to all of our guest judges for their time and support. In early June, Project Synapse hosted a live awards ceremony on YouTube to announce the awaited results - the winners of the 2024 Mental Helath Art & Writing Contest. Our judges selected winners in each category as well as two "Best in Show" awardees that will receive a CASH PRIZE!

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Congratulations to all the following winners of the 2024 MHAWC by grade division:

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NOVICE DIVISION (K-2): ART

1st Place: Anna Melina Milton

2nd Place: Ved Balaji

3rd Place: Seyla Museda Smith

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NOVICE DIVISION (K-2): WRITING

1st Place: Yadwin Sankarganesh

2nd Place: Evana Chandra

3rd Place: Wuyou Guo

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JUNIOR DIVISION (3-5): ART

1st Place: Maahi Gollapally

2nd Place: Vidhi Jha

3rd Place: Teekshana Dinesh

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JUNIOR DIVISION (3-5): WRITING

1st Place: Daksha Senthil Kumar

2nd Place: Aaliya Moitra

3rd Place: Arnav Shah

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INTERMEDIATE DIVISION (6-8): ART

1st Place: Alok Hiriyur

2nd Place: Ananya Chamakura

3rd Place: Ananya Ganji

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INTERMEDIATE DIVISION (6-8): WRITING

1st Place: Anika Dasary

2nd Place: Mohitha Nandam

3rd Place: Kevin Antoni Milton

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ADVANCED DIVISION (9-12): ART

1st Place: Sharon Jerome

2nd Place: Umehani Badruddin

3rd Place: Samaya Sardar

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ADVANCED DIVISION (9-12): WRITING

1st Place: Chaitra Shidhalingannavar

2nd Place: Angeline Do

3rd Place: Devika N. Krishna

4th Place: Faizon Potprocky

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BEST IN SHOW - ART

Alok Hiriyur

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BEST IN SHOW - WRITING

Chaitra Shidhalingannavar

 

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