The Flaunt It Award
About This Scholarship
Developed in collaboration with Don’t Hide It, Flaunt It (DHIFI, Inc.), The Flaunt It Award offers two $1,000 scholarships (one for art and one for writing) for teens whose work explores DHIFI’s theme: “The things that make me different make me, me.” The Award recognizes teens who look or feel different and who reflect and share their experiences (challenges, acceptance, celebration, etc.) about what makes them unique.
Why should I flaunt my differences through art and writing?
“Difference” can be defined as the diverse and intersectional qualities that define each individual’s specific life experiences. The traits that make each of us unique shape our artistic voices and the proud celebration of diversity can advance our awareness of the countless ways both visible and invisible differences shape not only our lives, but also those of the people around us. By flaunting the visible or invisible differences that make us unique and our life experiences of how we feel about and handle our differences through art and writing, we can collectively promote acceptance, tolerance, and mutual respect for diversity within our communities.
How do I apply?
Enter your work into any category in the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. At the end of your application, opt-in to the Flaunt It Award. You will be prompted to include a short personal statement of 50 words or more about you/your work.
Deadlines vary by region and can be as early as December 1. Go to My Region to find your deadlines.
What should I include in my submission?
A submission for the Flaunt It Award should encompass how you embody DHIFI’s theme: “The things that make me different make me, me”. Describe/depict what makes you different, your journey toward self-acceptance, and how you’ve been learning to celebrate or honor your difference. The difference you choose to highlight in your writing or art submission can be visible or invisible—simply anything that makes you feel assumptions are made or you are judged.
Your submission should also include a personal statement (50 words or more) that explains how your art or writing entry explores DHIFI’s theme. Judges will take personal statements into consideration when selecting the Flaunt It Award recipients.
Examples of differences that students have highlighted in the past include a wide range of unique traits such as fear of clowns, being tall, illness or special need of you or a family member, disability, a non-traditional family structure, religion, struggles with mental health, etc.
You may wish to reflect upon the following questions as you explore your visible or invisible differences and contemplate your submission to the Flaunt It Award:
- How do my specific differences interact with each other to form my holistic identity?
- How do my specific differences influence how I engage with family, peers, strangers, and my community?
- How do my differences shape my relationships with others?
- How has my attitude toward my specific difference evolved over time? How do I foresee my relationship with difference evolving further?
- How do I celebrate my specific difference?
Getting Started
These resources can help you explore personal and communal differences through art and writing.
- Read about how students and professionals across the United States are flaunting their differences through DHIFI, Inc.’s multimedia campaigns.
About Our Partner
DHIFI, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that works to advance acceptance, understanding, tolerance, and mutual respect for a person’s blatant or invisible difference. Inspired by the theme, “The things that make me different, make me, me.” DHIFI Inc. Encourages people of all ages to flaunt one’s own difference and ultimately embrace and celebrate what makes us all unique. Learn more here.
