Thompson Teens United is a group of youth from Loveland and Berthoud that is dedicated to promoting positive alternatives to substance use and spreading mental health awareness and resources.
Sarah Dolan
Age: 15
"The Path"
Wisconsin
This photo is from my great grandpa's woods he has behind his house in Wisconsin. Why I chose this photo was because I find it very relaxing walking through all the paths and with all the trees framing it. There are always so many frogs, bunnies, and also sometimes opossums. When every you walk in there it's always something new and can never get bored of it. We go there once a year in the summer to visit and it never fails to bring me joy. When every you would go in there during night it is a totally different experience especially with all of the fireflies lighting up the grass and trees.
Ella Neisler
Age: 15
“Fog of Remembrance”
Agate Beach at Patrick's Point State Park in Trinidad, California
This photo signifies a sense of belonging to me personally because at this moment I felt so at peace. I felt almost one with nature and my surroundings. This photo was taken at Agate Beach with my little brother and father. Just being there with my family I felt so comfortable and as if I was right where I needed to be in that moment. So of course, I took a photo to remember that feeling, to be able to look back on it and be flooded with those senses again. Being able to remember the crisp and foggy air, and the vibrant colors contrasting the dim sky; a truly amazing moment.
"Where Do I Belong?"
Maggie Langer
Age: 18
Horsetooth Falls, CO
This is a photograph of a cairn I made on a hike I took at Horsetooth Falls. I used this picture to depict “where I belong” because it reminds me of a very peaceful hike and brings back many happy memories of building cairns with my mom.
By definition, “a Cairn may serve as a monument, burial site, navigational aid (by land or sea), or ceremonial ground, among other uses.”
To me, a cairn is a symbol of where I belong. Building these rock statues started out as something fun that my mom and I did whenever we went hiking and it turned into a tradition. Everytime I go on a hike, I try to build a cairn whether I am with my mom or not. It really makes me appreciate the beauty of nature and how there is a place for everything in our world. While I may not have a permanent place that I feel I belong, I know I can always find a sense of belonging in nature.
Marin Napolitano
Age: 16
This photo was taken on a field trip I went on with my friends. This photo is one of many photos I have of me with my friends, and this photo is a reminder of how much fun I have with my friend group.
To me, this photo represents the loving community that I am surrounded by. My friends are such a close knit and supportive group. The fact that they all love me for who I am is what lets me know that I belong in that group. Like in the photo, we might all be different, but the love in that community is what creates a space that we all belong to.
Presley Stevenson
Age: 15
"My Place of Calm"
Horsetooth, CO
In my community, I belong out in nature. My whole life I have found a distinctive type of internal calmness when I am out in the woods or in the mountains. There is something about the lack of people and distractions that make me feel safe and at home. I believe that nature will always be a place I belong no matter how much I grow and change.
Kajsa Oresjo
Age:15
"A Day of Lighting"
Mountain view high school auditorium
I feel like I belong on my school's tech crew. I love lighting and the people I get to do it with. I'm designing the show this year and it has been a great challenge and such a fun experience. In the photo the lights crew and I are hanging new lights for the show. It took us almost the whole rehearsal to get them hung and focused, but it was worth it because they look amazing! My favorite part of tech is laughing with my friends, complaining about how tired we are on long days, and having a group of people I can celebrate with when all our hard work pays off! I think I will always feel like there is a place for me in tech to be myself and create art with wonderful people.
Alyssa Daly
Loveland, CO
Below is the Photo where I feel I belong. This is a photo of lake Loveland for sunrise. I was on my way to lift weights at the gym...another place where I feel I belong. But, this photo I am close to and get emotional with because I can see the beauty and the loved ones that have passed in this photo. I feel closer to them when there are sunsets and sunrises. I also have lived in Loveland my whole life so lake Loveland is a huge part of my community.
Elliot Harrington
Age: 17
Harrington Arts Alliance
​
A sense of belonging is crucial to feeling like an important member of your community. For me, the place I feel I belong the most is Harrington Arts Alliance. Harrington Arts Alliance is a local non-profit theatre company in Loveland. Their mission is to serve at-risk youth in the community. HAA is my second home and I’ve grown into the person I am because of this place (literally). In fact, my family owns and operates HAA.
Lucille Spoon
Age: 14
"Meant to be Here"
Rocky Mountains
​
The place I feel most at home is in the Rocky Mountains. The drive through the canyon is my favorite. When I was little my family would often go for hikes with our Grandpa, and anytime our cousins and aunt visit from Texas we go up to Estes with them. We don't often go out and about because my sister and I's parents are busy with work most of the time, so when we got to hiking it was always a huge joy just to get out of the house. Being in the mountains makes me feel like I do when I'm with family having fun, looking at the beautiful views, finding little treasures in the many shops in Estes, begging my parents to let me buy just one more candy from the old timey candy shop, and all those little joys.
Lilliana Hooverson
Age: 15
​
Where do I belong? Simply put, I belong with my family. I have a fairly large family. My mom has five siblings and my dad has one. I have 10 cousins and I am the oldest amongst them. By default I am the babysitter at our family get togethers. We gather at my grandparents house every Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas. The photo of the raining landscape was taken on the front porch of my grandparents house. I love gathering there with my family and sharing stories and talking with everyone. Now you all may be wondering what the sushi has to do with family. Sushi is my favorite food, so when an important event in my life happened, my mom and I went out for sushi to celebrate. Now whenever we have something to celebrate we go out for sushi at that same place! There’s nothing better than eating food and sharing stories with the ones you love. And that is where I belong.
​
Rebecca Napolitano
Age: 14
​
This is a photo of my tennis racket. The photo is meant to represent my love for tennis. I have been playing tennis since I was seven, and since then it has become my favorite activity and a great outlet for me. Playing tennis makes me feel like I belong in my community because it is where I met some of my very good friends. Playing tennis allowed me to grow as a person, I learned life lessons and achieved major accomplishments, which is why it is representative of where I belong in my community.
​