Stress and anxiety are familiar experiences for many high school students, but for one student, these challenges have inspired a creative project aimed at normalizing conversations about mental health. Junior Zion Bennett, a talented cartoonist, has created a graphic novel to address the stigma surrounding stress and anxiety in academic and social settings.

Funded by the Russell Hogg Endowment for Creative Expression, which gives $1,000 to recipients, Zion’s project combines personal interviews with mental health experts and high school peers to create relatable, informative comics that normalize these conversations.

“The minute someone says ‘anxiety,’ it’s like something is wrong with them, they have a disorder or something like that,” said Zion. “I’ve struggled with stress and managing throughout school, with friends and classes. I want to show through interviews and comics that it’s normal to feel this way. I am trying to make relatable stories and strategies to counteract all of this.”

The Russell Hogg Endowment for Creative Expression, a family-funded initiative, supports community projects that combine creativity and facts to improve local communities. Zion’s project fits perfectly into this mission, raising awareness and showcasing artistic talent.

Zion’s journey into cartooning began freshman year in the class Foundations of Studio Art. A dislike for realistic art led her to explore cartooning under the guidance of her art teacher, Mark Green. Mr. Green gave Zion the push she needed to pursue cartooning.

“I love working with Zion, she is talented and going to do great things” Mr. Green said. What started as a passion has now evolved into an independent study, where she meets once a cycle with Mr. Green to develop her graphic novels.

Reflecting on the project, Zion expressed excitement about the opportunity to combine artistic growth with a deeply personal mission.

“I’m very excited about what I’m doing and what I’m learning, so it’s not as if I’m dreading fulfilling an assignment. My passion for independent study doesn’t make it feel like work,” said Zion.

This initiative is more than just a project for Zion; it’s a platform to create meaningful change. Through her comics, she hopes to convey an important message: stress and anxiety are common, and talking about them is okay. As she continues her work, Zion’s creative vision and dedication promise to make a lasting impact on students who struggle with the same things.

With this very ambitious project, Zion plans to ship the finished comic books to high schools across New York to spread awareness. Zion’s project is a powerful reminder of how art can create understanding and bring communities together by blending creativity, passion, and purpose.

This story was originally published on The Dial on December 8, 2024.