“There are a million things I can do in life,” said Teresa Beamon, a UAB graduate student from Camden, Miss. “Most of them, things and places I’ll never be or see.”
Facing endless possibilities, Beamon chose persistence (and learning new photoshop skills) when she entered UAB Graduate School’s 2023 Say It In 6 competition. The annual contest, challenging participants to tell a story creatively and succinctly using only six words and a visual aid, is based on Smith Magazine’s “Six-Word Memoirs®” concept. The Graduate School solicited entries in February with final judging in March.
The 2023 categories were Global Engagement, Leadership, Love, Persistence and Social Justice.
For her 1st place-winning entry, Beamon – who is pursuing her degree in the Cancer Biology theme within Graduate Biomedical Sciences (GBS) – wanted to create something lighthearted that would resonate with her peers. She was inspired by the Academy Award-winning film “Everything Everywhere All at Once.”
“We do want to be or do a million things at once, and often it’s overwhelming the things you have to get done in a day (at least for me),” Beamon said. “In my life, it’s trying to find time to talk to friends or family, go out, play video games, watch new Netflix thrillers (I have a lot to recommend, by the way), while still being a student.”
To realize her vision, Beamon exemplified persistence, trying multiple methods, experimenting with photo apps, scrolling through hundreds of images and watching video tutorials.
“I literally did so much new stuff to figure out how to make this picture happen.”
Dr. Shadi Martin, Graduate School Dean and Vice Provost for Graduate and International Education, was impressed with the ingenuity and thoughtfulness of the 175 entries.
“Our UAB campus community inspires me every day. I love this competition as it highlights our entire campus community – students, faculty and staff. I love the spirit of innovation and creativity that defines the UAB campus.”
Judges for the 2023 competition included Lindsay Benson, library clerk at the Albert L. Scott Library in Alabaster; Dan Carsen, teacher at The Altamont School and director of The Altamont Heritage Panel; Stephanie Fisher, owner of Stephanie Fisher Photographer in Helena; Reed Lochamy, chair of the English department at Hoover High School; and Will Lochamy, cohost of The Morning Blend with Reg & Will and Oh Brother Radio on Birmingham Mountain Radio.
The UAB community voted online for the People's Choice award. The top three student winners received cash prizes: $1,000 for first place, $750 for second place and $500 for People's Choice. The top three faculty/staff winners received gift baskets. Winners were notified April 19. See the complete list below.
Beamon said, “There were a lot of amazing entries, and I’m really grateful that there was something in my photo that you liked, found inspiring or just thought was cool.”
