Kim Zamora, a high school senior in AHC’s College and Career Readiness (CCR) program, recently received a Gold Key — the highest regional honor in the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards — for her senior photography portfolio, which is now advancing to the national level.
“I actually wasn’t expecting a Gold Key for my portfolio,” Kim said. “When I found out, I was genuinely shocked.”
Kim joined CCR in the fall and said the program has meaningfully shaped her path forward.
“It’s helped me a lot — not only academically, but also with applying to college, I feel like it’s helped me manage my time better, and I’ve built some great relationships through the program.”
Kim Zamora
She created her portfolio, “Inner Pieces of the Mind,” as part of her AP Photography class. The project centers around mental health. What started as a way to bring awareness to mental health issues became more personal as she worked on it, she said.
“The portfolio is deeply rooted in my personal experiences and emotions, which I think allows viewers to connect with the work’s raw and genuine nature,” Kim said.
One of her featured pieces, “Instability,” represents the overwhelming feeling of anxiety and how unstable one can become when struggling with mental health issues.
In another piece titled “Doomscrolling Blues,” she uses blue-hued lighting to convey the sense of dread and depression when “doomscrolling” through social media and encountering negative news.
“It is slightly out of focus to convey the dissociated and disconnected feeling caused by depression.”
Kim Zamora
Kim said she hopes her portfolio reminds people that they’re not alone. She wants her work to feel relatable and offer a sense of understanding and connection.
Kim will graduate from high school and CCR in June. Looking ahead, she plans to major in mechanical engineering but said photography will remain an important part of her life.
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