OPRF Student Wins Walgreens Contest For Video On Eating Disorders

OAK PARK, IL --- An Oak Park-River Forest student was selected from more than 3,300 entrants as the first-place winner in media arts category of the 2018 Expressions Challenge, sponsored by Walgreens. Natalie Serratos was selected for her video entitled "Voices," which depicts a girl who is fighting an eating disorder.

In a statement, Serratos said, "Eating disorders, low self-esteem, and distorted body image are issues that plague people of all groups and genders, but most commonly affect the lives of young women." She added that she hopes the film helps audiences learn more about what it's like to struggle with "a life-threatening mental illness."

The Expressions Challenge was judged by dozens of artists, poets, and college instructors and featured the greatest number of Chicago-area schools participating since it was founded in 2011, according to a press release. The program aims to raise awareness about mental and physical health issues facing teens.

Serrato and the other winners were recognized in a special ceremony at Chicago's Museum of Contemporary Art. Oak Park-River Forest Superintendent Dr. Joylynn Pruitt-Adams said it was "evident how much work went into [Serrato's] thought-provoking video."

Image provided by Oak Park-River Forest High School.