Brian Hagberg
RUSSELL, Pa. – It’s not uncommon to hear people say they’re drowning in something-work, debt, obligations, etc.
One Eisenhower High School student is hoping she can help prevent people from drowning in their own negativity.
Those motorists driving north on Route 62 near the intersection with Hatch Run Road can see a message from Eisenhower freshman Kaite Bunk that encourages them to keep focusing on the positive.
“I feel like everyone thinks mental health is a bad thing,” Bunk said. “You have to surround yourself with people to make you feel as good as possible about yourself.”
Bunk was one of six students across Warren County whose work was chosen to grace billboards purchased by CORE (Choosing Openness Regarding Experiences) for Mental Health Month. Her piece illustrates how a person can “drown” in negative thoughts.
“I had a friend come up to me and say, ‘Sometimes, it feels like I’m drowning in everything that’s around me,'” Bunk said. “I thought of negative words that could hurt people and made a person drowning in the negative below the surface, with positive above the surface. All those thoughts are surrounding you, so you have to stay in the positivity.”
When CORE presented the opportunity to participate in an art contest for Mental Health Month, Bunk thought it would “be a good opportunity to break the stigma surrounding mental health and get my art out there.”
“I like that CORE is doing this and giving opportunities for high school students to create art and show that mental health isn’t always a bad thing,” Bunk said.
CORE wanted to give each student a chance to express what Mental Health Month means for them.
“CORE challenged the high school students to come up with their own messages for Mental Health Month through art which was judged and winners from each school were chosen to have their artwork displayed on the billboards,” CORE founder Kari Swanson said.
While Bunk’s work was one of six chosen to appear on a billboard, all the entries can be viewed around Warren County.
“In addition to the billboards, CORE has secured store windows from McKissock, Total Evolution, the old Phase 2 and Beacon Light to display all of the entries received during the month of May,” Swanson said.
Bunk was in disbelief when she was informed hers was one of the pieces chosen for a billboard.
“It was crazy,” Bunk said. “I couldn’t believe it. I was kind of shocked, and incredibly proud of myself. There were a lot of good pieces. I wasn’t sure I would get picked.”
Though she’s had her work displayed at the Warren County Fair, Bunk is excited about the number of people her billboard piece can reach.
“At the Fair, in order to see my art, people had to walk through the barn,” Bunk said. “With this, you just have to drive by.”
Simply put, Bunk hopes her art can serve as a lifeline to help someone float above the negativity.
“I really want people to be reminded that no matter how many negative words are thrown at them, there is always something positive in them that they have to look for,” Bunk said.
See other billboard stories: Paige Rafalski • Karson Lyon
