She's all about being whimsical and real, spending her days baking, cooking and crafting gifts for her loved ones. Haunted by the struggle to show up emotionally for friends in middle school, Rachel found a calling in supporting others with their mental health. With the $500, she'll launch "Kindness Starts with You" during Suicide Prevention Month at Sip for Hope Coffee, an event to support the youth-led nonprofit, Speak Now. Rachel will set up activation booths, inviting people to write promises on cards featuring their caterpillar mascot, signifying growth, and express future goals with a butterfly, symbolizing transformation. These cards, complete with contact details for continued engagement, will help remind kids of their strength and compassion. Rachel’s dream is to spark deeper connections across Chicago by taking these initiatives to libraries, hospitals, and schools, planting seeds of kindness throughout.