AACI’s Growing Up in America (GUA) art, essay, and video contest is an annual celebration of creativity, culture, and community for K–12th grade students across the Bay Area. In partnership with NBC Bay Area, GUA offers students a unique platform to share their stories, ideas, and perspectives. Over the past 30+ years, the contest has inspired thousands of students to explore and celebrate their culture and community.

Connecting with others is an essential part of life, at home, at school, or in the community. They can happen with family, friends, classmates, teammates, mentors, teachers, significant others, or anyone who helps you feel supported and understood. 

As we grow, learning what makes a relationship healthy can help us feel safe, respected, and valued. Healthy connections often include honest communication, kindness during challenges, respect for boundaries, and appreciation for differences. Connections can take many forms across age, background, culture, identity, or family structure. 

Your relationship with yourself matters too. When you treat yourself with respect, accept what makes you unique, and set healthy boundaries, it becomes easier to build strong connections with others.  

For this year’s theme, please share what “Growing Healthy Connections” means to you and how supportive relationships, with yourself and others, help you learn, grow, and feel valued. 

Click HOW TO PARTICIPATE (aaci.org/gua/participants) for more details on the contest theme.

Download a copy of AACI Growing Up in America contest flyer with theme details for distribution.

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