The Self-Appreciation Challenge: The Winners!

✨Greetings, Dear Vocalites!✨

🏆🏆🏆 🏆🏆🏆

We have arrived at this most exciting moment! The judges have read the entries and tallied the scores!

🏆🏆🏆 🏆🏆🏆

We have the WINNERS of the Self-Appreciation Challenge!

🏆🏆🏆 🏆🏆🏆

“This challenge taught me that self-love/self-compassion is healing and buoying for the spirit.”

— Tiffany Gordon

🏆🏆🏆 🏆🏆🏆

Behind the Scenes of the Challenge:

This was a well-organized challenge. Everything went like clockwork, and we actually completed the judging session and tallied the points much earlier than anticipated. Each judge brought something unique to the table, helping to shape this challenge into what it ultimately became.

🏆🏆🏆 🏆🏆🏆

Transparency

In an effort to remain transparent, we took several steps to ensure this was an open and honest event:

• Our panel of judges was announced publicly, along with brief descriptions of their experience and why each was a credible and qualified judge.
• We set clear judging criteria and a point structure for each category. It was publicly stated that the maximum total score an entry could receive was 172 points.
• Each judge agreed to judge fairly and impartially, without bias toward or against friends or specific topics.
• Along with this announcement, we are including the total points each winner received.
• Finally, for full transparency: if you did not place among the runners-up or Top 3 and wish to know your total score, you may request it in the comments or send me a private message on Messenger.

🏆🏆🏆 🏆🏆🏆

“Everybody has a different idea of what love is and how it should be given or received.”

— Rick Henry Christopher

🏆🏆🏆 🏆🏆🏆

Initially, we were only going to award prizes to the Top 3 winners. But then Lamar Wiggins suggested also recognizing the Top 3 Runners-Up with a small prize. I thought that was a great idea! So, we now have three runners-up who will each receive a $5 tip, generously sponsored by Lamar.

🏆🏆🏆 🏆🏆🏆

The Runners-Up

Matthew Fromm — 149 points

Entry: “Be the Person Your Dog Thinks You Are”

“A really good story, and I'm glad it did have a conventional list for the challenge at the end.” — Lana V. Lynx

🏆🏆🏆 🏆🏆🏆

Judey Kalchik — 150.5 points

Entry: “10 Things I Appreciate About Me”

“In her own unique and down-to-earth style, Judey let herself become vulnerable as she put it all out there. She moved me to tears with her most riveting statement: ‘I purposefully and determinedly keep my heart open to others.’” — Rick Henry Christopher

🏆🏆🏆 🏆🏆🏆

Marilyn Glover — 151 points

Entry: “10 Things I Like About Myself: The Playlist”

“This is Marilyn's specialty—pairing music with stories—and it worked well here.” — Lamar Wiggins

🏆🏆🏆 🏆🏆🏆

There were 29 entries in total. Each one brought something unique and special to the table.

The following is a random sample of the entries we received.

• Cathy Ben Ameh was the first to enter, bringing her spirituality alive with bold, direct reflections.
• Tim Carmichael shared how deeply he feels things—crying over songs, strangers, and the memory of his granny’s hands.
• L. C. Schafer gave us a hilarious and darkly humorous take with her self-deprecating style that made the judges chuckle.
• Raymond G. Taylor cleverly balanced humor and introspection in an entry that stood out as uniquely original.
• Diane Foster expressed her gift for creating community and connection with the powerful statement: “I don’t create to impress; I create to connect.”
• Antoni De’Leon gave us what might be the most relatable line of all: “I love to eat…eat…and eat.”

All in all, this was a fun, moving, and introspective rollercoaster ride of emotions and confessions. At times, it felt like we were sneaking a peek into the personal journals of some of Vocal’s brightest and most talented creators.

Thank you to all 29 Vocalites who took a closer look at yourselves and shared your passion and creativity with us.

You can see all 29 entries here!

🏆🏆🏆 🏆🏆🏆

🏆 THE WINNERS! 🏆

These next three creators are the ones our judges cumulatively agreed were the cream of the crop. Without further delay, allow me to introduce the Top 3 Finalists:

🥉3rd Place

Entry: “All the Ways I’ve Come Back To Myself”

By: Carolina Borges - 153 points

Carolina’s entry radiated optimism and inspiration. It was that feel-good read we all needed. Her most striking line: “Even in moments of frustration, I remind myself that nothing blooms before it’s time.”

⭐️Carolina will receive the $20 prize.⭐️

Congratulations and thank you, Carolina!

“I loved the beauty and depth of her words. Inspiring and eloquently expressed. Her words beautifully calmed the critic in me.” — Tiffany Gordon

🏆🏆🏆 🏆🏆🏆

🥈2nd Place

Entry: “What I’d Tell My Younger Self”

By: Sandy Gillman - 154 points

Sandy received perfect scores in the categories of Originality and Well-Structured Engaging Content. Each judge gave her a 10 in both. Her entry was a sincere and down-to-earth piece that acknowledged her teenage awkwardness and her growth into adulthood.

⭐️Sandy will receive the $30 prize.⭐️

Congratulations and thank you, Sandy!

“I was taken in by the creative intro, and the story kept me hooked.” — Lana V. Lynx

🏆🏆🏆 🏆🏆🏆

🥇1st Place

Entry: “Am I Worthy”

By: JBaz - 154.5 points

Jason is a favorite Vocal Media creator and is a well-known and respected member of the Vocal Media community on Facebook. Despite his popularity, the judges evaluated him with the same fairness and integrity applied to all 29 entries. Jason crafted a masterful narrative where each point of self-appreciation opened a door to the next, building a thoughtful and cohesive flow. He portrayed himself as a relatable, imperfect, everyday guy who chooses to see the good in others.

⭐️Jason will receive the $50 prize.⭐️

Congratulations and thank you, Jason!

“I loved what J brought to the table. It was very entertaining for me.” — Lamar Wiggins

🏆🏆🏆 🏆🏆🏆

All monetary prizes for the Top 3 winners will be given through Vocal’s tip system by Sunday June 15th. The tips for Top 3 prizes are sponsored by Rick Henry Christopher.

🏆🏆🏆 🏆🏆🏆

I want to say thank you to everyone who participated in this challenge—all 29 of you who bravely and beautifully put your best foot forward.

Thank you as well to our incredible judges. Each of you approached this challenge with integrity and heart. I hold immense respect for the way you carried out your role.

Thank you, Lamar Wiggins.

Thank you, Lana V. Lynx.

Thank you, Tiffany Gordon.

🏆🏆🏆 🏆🏆🏆

With much Love, RHC ❤️

🏆🏆🏆 🏆🏆🏆