M'art'ch Madness 2026

"Joy in Belonging"

M'art'ch Madness 2025 Finalists

Thanks to everyone who submitted their work to this year's Arts for Life competition! We are excited to announce the finalists and winners. Congratulations to all the talented artists for their incredible contributions!

First Place

Gwen Lewis: Grade 12

This piece represents my own identity and belonging through symbolism with the things I am passionate about and the things I find remarkable about the identity I've grown into. The flowers along the side all have different symbolic meanings, from freedom, my fear of being forgotten, my smile, rebirth, joy, and creativity. There are silhouettes in the corner to represent the people in my life who truly make me feel like I belong and give me confidence in who I already am, not what I need to be. The clouds represent my imagination, how my head is always in the clouds thinking of a new idea. The moon in the top corner represents surrender, and how it is okay to rest and not overwork myself. The symbols surrounding the moon are the things I'm passionate about in media- Harry Potter, Marvel, Stranger Things and Disney. Each has helped me feel belonging in different phases of my life. Each star surrounding my head represents each of the years I've done theater, because each was significant to getting me to where I am. Lastly, the Angel Moroni represents my religion and beliefs, because I find the most belonging through the love Christ has shown me. I find joy in the fact that I don't have to fit the world's standards to belong.

Runner Up

Adreana Forman: Grade 11

When creating this piece, I wanted to capture the unseen story unfolding beyond the artwork. For many years, belonging has been a struggle for me. I often feel as if I am outside the group, and no matter how hard I try, I will never truly belong. Within the piece, the subject looks with a longing gaze at something offscreen. Her lips are slightly parted, as if she has a thought to speak but catches herself before talking. Overall, I long to feel the joy of belonging, and this artwork represents the emotions I experience when I feel that I don’t belong.

Judges Choice

Allie Dow: Grade 9

As president of my dance company this year, I have made it my goal to center the team around unity and belonging, to make sure everyone truly knows that they have a place they belong.

We portray this in the Icelandic folk-dance inspired piece “Hoppipola”, which translates to “jumping into puddles.” I depicted joy and belonging in the choreography by using airy and light movements, as well as using symbolism in group lifts or shapes to show that each dancer plays a part and each person is

needed on this team. I used choreographed unity to show that we are all a family, and used the sections of variety to show that we are all unique but play a part in a bigger picture.I chose to work with the Icelandic song “Hoppipola” because the song itself instantly depicts joy, and the Icelandic culture values a strong sense of community and equality! Its varying parts of high energy beats in contrast to slow and heartfelt moments in the song made it perfect to choreograph bright and cheerful parts while still including sections where we could all breathe and enjoy the moment dancing together as a team. My goal was to make a piece where nobody had to worry about being perfect or being the most talented dancer. Pairing what Icelandic culture represents in addition to what I wanted dance company to represent, I created this piece for my dance company family to know they are valued beyond measure.

Judges Choice

Olivia Burris: Grade 11

My piece ‘When I Spoke” goes through the difficult journey of finding my voice. Learning to speak up was not as easy as it seems, there was fear, hesitation, and moments where I thought silence was safer than being heard. It reflects the struggle of learning to do so. This experience made me realize that speaking is an act of belonging. When I chose to use my voice, I found a deeper connection with myself, and the people around me. I hope that with sharing this piece, people will be reminded that their voice matters too, and on the other side of the discomfort and struggle, there is joy in being heard, seen, and finding where you belong.

Judges Choice

Imanol Estrada: Grade 12

This piece portrays me and three of my closest friends, Jhatzel, Josiah, and Dalila, and the joy we found in growing up together. Painted in watercolor with a two-tone palette of green and blue, our school colors, the work reflects both unity and individuality. Each of us is in clothing that represents the spaces where we feel most alive: music, dance, leadership, and service. Though our passions differ, they all connect back to a shared sense of purpose and pride.

As students who were often the only Latino faces in advanced classes and leadership programs, belonging did not always come easily. But instead of shrinking ourselves, we chose to show up fully. We joined, we led, we performed, and we supported one another. The face paint we wear symbolizes school spirit, but more importantly, it represents the happiness of standing side by side not as outsiders trying to fit in, but as friends who built our own space.

This artwork celebrates the laughter in rehearsals, the late nights in school hallways decorating, and the feeling of knowing someone understands your experience. It shows that joy deepens when it is shared, and that belonging is something we create together.