When Hallie Schwartzkopf closes her eyes and ponders the phrase “shine on,” she imagines empowerment and optimism. Bold, bright colors dance in her mind.
“To shine on means not shying away from who you really are,” said Schwartzkopf, a Columbus North High School senior. “Letting yourself shine.”
Schwartzkopf is one of four local student artists chosen to design a postcard for the Council for Youth Development Bartholomew County’s annual Shine On campaign in celebration of the United Nations International Youth Day.
The council will distribute 8,000 free postcards across Bartholomew County between today and Aug. 12 with a vision that those who pick up a postcard will write a thoughtful message to a young person in their life. The cards are meant to remind youth that they are important and have a impact on the community, said council director Heather Carson.
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“We all have a role to play in ensuring every young person is supported and encouraged to be their best self,” Carson said. “We think these free postcards circulating the community and ending up in the hands of young people show we care about our youngest residents.”
Artwork featured on the front of every postcard was created by four Columbus North seniors, including Schwartzkopf, Joelle Schaibley, Maika Shibata and Suzu Thompson. Each artist created original artwork based on her own interpretation of “Shine On.”
Schwartzkopf’s postcard features the colors of a rainbow stemming from the center with the phrase “Shine On” in a bold, white font. She said she drew several drafts of her design before she took it to a digital program where she could experiment with different colors and fonts.
For Schwartzkopf, it was important to her to create something that kids could look at and find themselves through the artwork.
Shibata said in today’s society, people tend to feel unappreciated or suppressed, but there’s something encouraging about the phrase “Shine On.”
“Those words are so empowering to young people because it makes them realize that their creativity and brilliant minds are needed in the world, and they shouldn’t let anyone tell them not to be themselves,” Shibata said.
Shibata’s design features colorful typography against a white background. The type is made using various shapes of different colors, embodying the diverse community of youth.
When she thinks about the phrase, Shibata said she imagines a world where all people are able to freely express themselves without judgement.
“Youth, because they are the future, need to know that it’s OK to be creative and express themselves how they want — not how the world wants to see them,” Shibata said.
Postcards are available for free at 12 distributions sites across the community including Foundation for Youth, United Way of Bartholomew County and the Bartholomew County Public Library. The Council for Youth Development will also be handing out postcards from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Aug. 10 at the Columbus Farmer’s Market, 401 Brown St.
“There are so many opportunities to encourage a young person, but sometimes we miss those opportunities,” Carson said. “This is an easy way for adults to pause and let a young person know they’re special. “
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Hallie Schwartzkopf
Schwartzkopf is currently a senior at Columbus North High School. She enjoys art and design. She is also part of the Columbus North student media team. In addition, she is devoted to the study of ballet and is heavily involved at her dance studio, Dancer’s Studio Inc.
Maika Shibata
Shibata is a senior at Columbus North High School. She was a part of the Exhibit Columbus high school design team and won Judge’s Distinction in the Architectural Design Competition. She has also founded the I Am movement.
Joelle Schaibley
Schaibley is a senior at Columbus North High School. She plans to pursue a career in Mechanical Engineering after graduation. But, as a passionate and determined artist she enjoys drawing, painting, and sewing as forms of spreading happiness to others.
Suzu Thompson
Thompson is a senior at Columbus North High School. She particularly likes art classes and studying Japanese. She is currently a violinist in the Philharmonic Youth Orchestra and a member of Girl Scouts.
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Free postcards are available to the public at the following locations:
Columbus
kidscommons – 309 Washington St.
Viewpoint Books – 548 Washington St.
Family Services, Inc. – 1531 13th St.
Human Services, Inc. – 4355 E. County Road 600 N.
Foundation For Youth – 405 Hope Ave.
National Youth Advocate Program – 2600 Sandcrest Blvd. Suite A
United Way of Bartholomew County – 1531 13th St.
Columbus Parks and Recreation Department – 739 22nd St.
Lincoln Central Neighborhood Family Center – 1039 Sycamore St.
Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. – 1200 Central Ave.
Columbus Branch of Bartholomew Public Library – 536 Fifth St.
Hope
Hope Branch of Bartholomew Public Library – 635 Harrison St.
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Free postcards are distributed Aug. 5-12 to celebrate International Youth Day and the young people of Bartholomew County.
When you pick up a postcard at one of the 12 listed distribution sites, you can:
Write a thoughtful message on the back of a postcard for a young person in your life.
Share as many postcards and thoughtful messages as you can with young people to show them you care.
Celebrate by posting your Shine On postcards on Facebook and Instagram using #ShineOn2019.
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