The contest winners of Voice for the Voiceless were announced March 20 during the monthly English Honor Society meeting. Senior Elisabeth Tuttass and junior Brittany White took home the first and second place awards.
Voice for the Voiceless was a service project offered to all EHS members who wanted to become more involved in the Flower Mound community. Participants interviewed someone inspirational and made a video, poem, narrative, or piece of artwork reflecting that individual’s story.
“I chose to use a video for my service project,” Tuttass said. “I like filming and editing in my free time.”
Tuttass’s video opens with her describing the purpose of the project: to make someone feel special.
“There are a lot of people, even at our school, who deserve to feel special,” Tuttass said in the video, aptly named “Voice for the Voiceless.” “I realized that most of my closest friends are special in their own unique ways.”
Tuttass gives her friends the opportunity to express themselves and celebrate their “weirdness.”
“I looked at my friends and thought they deserved to have a voice,” Tuttass said. “They are all introverts, and don’t get the opportunity to show off their personality”
In her video, Tuttass describes how introverts hide their true personality and feel judged by the public eye. She wanted to prevent these people from feeling voiceless.
“My friends especially inspired me during the filming,” Tuttass said. “It was non-scripted because I wanted to portray them as their true selves.”
Tuttass appreciates all the different personalities that come and go. Her video made a huge impact on the leaders and sponsors of EHS. For this reason, she placed first in the competition.
While Elisabeth Tuttass finds inspiration from the people close to her in life, Brittany White commends a man she has never met.
White wrote a two-page poem summarizing the life of football legend Darrell Royal.
“I chose Darrell Royal because he remains one of the most inspirational guys I have ever read about,” White said.
White’s poem describes Royal’s early years as “dejected.” He grew up in the Great Depression; his mother and sister died during his teens. Royal lived for football, but his coaching dreams seemed almost hopeless. His relentless hard work led him to the University of Texas. After his promotion to head coach, Royal led the team to eight bowl game victories.
“He didn’t come from a whole lot, but he ended up doing exactly what he wanted and positively effecting lives,” White said.
White wanted to share Royal’s story, so she turned it into an award-winning poem.
“Everyone has a story, no matter the importance, and I find it essential to try to get to know each of them,” White said.
The stories gave life to unheard voices and made the FMHS English department proud. Both girls accepted a scholarship for their efforts. Tuttass received 75 dollars and White received 50. Voice for the Voiceless had a huge impact on all students who volunteered their time towards making a difference.
