In this series, we sit down with teen readers and artists to learn more about what connects them to the comic.
This week we meet Vivian Bravo, one of our two winners of the first ever Trinity City Teen Artivist Contest!
At the end of 2023, Trinity City Arts held our first Trinity City Teen Artivist Contest. Our contest challenged participants to read Issue #1 of Trinity City and write a piece inspired by disability justice, climate justice, or community safety (the themes of social change featured in TC). Out of many incredible entries, we had two winners! This week, we meet Vivian Bravo, author of winning essay "Safe Haven."
Vivian is a senior at Mount Carmel Academy. She runs cross country, plays piano, and is an active leader in her local Catholic Youth Organization (CYO). She loves to write, particularly essays and short stories.
When she read Trinity City, Vivian thought about the theme of community safety. In her essay "Safe Haven," Vivian recounts her experience visiting a reform Jewish synagogue for her World Religion class. Listening to the rabbi encourage her class to be allies for the Jewish community, Vivian realized that not everyone has the right to safety as they practice their religions.
"I am blessed to call the Catholic community of the great city of New Orleans my safe space," Vivian writes, and discusses how she is grateful to able to practice her faith in school, sports, and in New Orleans overall. "No matter what you believe--religion, politics, any of that-- I think it's important to have a safe space that you're able to freely express yourself," Vivian told us in an interview.
Next year, Vivian will attend Sewanee, the University of the South, and plans on studying English and pre-law. "I hope to keep writing and being an activist, too!" Vivian said.
From the TC team, Mat Schwarzman (co-director), Michele Brierre (community champion), and Keith Singleton (TC artist) visited Mount Carmel Academy to present Vivian and Emma Lapene with their awards! Both Vivian and Emma were awarded a $50 cash card, a one-hour mentoring session, and a free virtual illustration class and writing class taught by Trinity City Artists.
Thank you, Vivian, for sharing your work with us. We can't wait to see what you do next!
Our second Trinity City Teen Artivist Contest is now open! Submit your entries by May 8th!
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