Richfield High School students Seth Bach and Monica Hernandez have earned prestigious recognition in the inaugural Movie Poster Re-creation Contest, hosted by Idealist. This national competition invited students to reimagine movie posters for films that address key social issues like justice, equality and the human condition—through the lens of youth creativity and critical thinking.

Seth Bach was named a finalist for his bold redesign of the iRobot movie poster. Inspired by the film’s themes around artificial intelligence and morality, Seth’s artwork explores what makes us truly human in a world shaped by technology. A creative spirit with a love for building things and video games, Seth says he’s most proud of moments when he impresses himself with what he’s able to create. His favorite class is Photo 2, where he enjoys creative liberty with his assignments. Looking ahead, he’s considering college and continuing to explore new interests—though he’s happy to stay close to home, saying, “I never really had that big of a desire to leave Minnesota.”

Monica Hernandez earned an honorable mention for her powerful reinterpretation of the Barbie movie poster. Her version removed the bright, playful colors of the original and instead focused on darker imagery that reflects the real-world struggles women face. “I wanted to portray the hardships of women today,” Monica said. “Ken didn’t need to be on the poster—the movie was about Barbie and her struggle.” A passionate advocate for social justice, Monica hopes to attend the University of Minnesota to study psychology and eventually earn her J.D. She dreams of becoming a lawyer who fights for underrepresented communities, and she’s already honing her skills as a strong communicator and thoughtful debater.

Beyond academics, Monica enjoys reading, writing, drawing, and spending time with her close-knit family—including two younger siblings who keep life colorful. Her friends describe her as “caring, smart, and hardworking”—a description she proudly agrees with.

I try to bring as many real-world experiences to my students in the classroom as possible.

Both students entered the contest as an option presented in Ms. Schmeling-Fremder’s Art class. “I try to bring as many real-world experiences to my students in the classroom as possible,” she explained. “This art competition was presented to me by Principal Stacy Collins, and I thought it would be a great opportunity for students to flex their creativity in a realistic work environment.”

The IDEALIST Movie Poster Re-creation Contest is part of a global effort to inspire young people to use art as a force for good—challenging traditional narratives, confronting injustice, and sparking meaningful conversation. Through their powerful visual storytelling, Seth and Monica have done just that.

We are incredibly proud of these two RHS students for their creative brilliance, personal passion, and bold commitment to using art as a tool for change.