Jessica Spoto hopes to serve the SMCC community by cultivating articles surrounding mental health in conjunction with the overarching theme of art and culture.

Spoto’s fight with her mental illness has been one she has been battling with since she was around the age of 7. Almost 20 years later, she can finally say she has won the battle but continues to persist through the war daily. Spoto faces the wrath of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder among other mental illnesses such as anxiety and depression. Writing has been a release for her, something that helps her cope. She often writes articles about mental health. Spoto stands on the foundation that mental health needs to be addressed more to the public to create less stigma around it.

Spoto’s late grandmother, Esther Mangold always used to say this one Buddy Hackett quote that resonated deep, as Spoto hopes it will resonate with the SMCC community too. “While you’re carrying a grudge, they’re out dancing.”