Passion Projects

In December 2025, I wrote a poem reflecting on the ups and downs of a friendship. Inspired by Ariana Grande’s "Eternal Sunshine and the 2004 film "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind," I created a companion visualizer to bring the piece to life.

Content Warning: This photo essay explores themes related to sexual assault. Please be aware that the content may be emotionally difficult for some viewers, particularly survivors of sexual violence.

What Were You Wearing Installation at the Willa Cather Dining Center on Wednesday, April 9, 2025 in Lincoln.

​This showcase was presented at both City and East Campus at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the purpose of this installation is to disprove that what a person was wearing influenced why they were sexually assaulted. This showcase was inspired by Mary Simmerling’s poem, “What I Was Wearing.” For six years, UNL’s Center for Advocacy, Response and Education or CARE put on this installation for students to see what survivors were wearing when they were assaulted. The clothing was accompanied by a short, anonymous survivor story. Stories with a red dot indicate that the survivor is a student at UNL.
From left to right: What were you wearing?

“I was wearing a cropped red Huskers shirt with black leggings. I was excited to go hangout with my ex-boyfriend and drink with him and his sister. While innocently watching a nature documentary he pounced on me and started having sex with me without asking. He knew I was a virgin. The next morning, he claimed “He didn’t know it was in.”” This story had a red dot.
“I had just gotten out of the shower. I wasn’t wearing anything. He did what he wanted to on my bathroom sink, despite me trying to push him away. I was 15 and he was my boyfriend.” This story had a red dot.

“A swimsuit, we had been canoeing at the river all day. It had been a really fun time. Then they came into my tent when I was trying to change clothes.”
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“It was New Year’s Eve. I was so excited to go to the bars and celebrate with friends. I bought a new sparkly skirt for the occasion. When I woke up, it was gone. I called an Uber to get back to my friends. The driver took one look at me and asked if I wanted to go to the hospital. I said no. I didn’t think anyone would believe me since I had been drinking. I hit the bruises with long sleeves and scarves. The next semester, I failed out of school.” This story had a red dot.
This installation was very vulnerable and emotionally exhausting. There were stories from survivors as young as 6 years old. Some of the offenders were family members, gym coaches, friends and romantic partners. I spent about 10 hours over the course of two days taking photos, video, reading and rereading these stories. Each time I walked through the installation I felt feelings of anger, heartbreak and flashbacks to my own sexual assault and harassment stories.

Melissa Wilkerson, CARE Director, pouring a drink from the Denim Day teal truck at the Nebraska Union on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, in Lincoln.
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I first went to CARE in January 2025, at this point I was sexually assaulted in September 2023 and taken advantage of in January 2024. The person who tried to take advantage of me in 2024 became my classmate. I did not know what to do and I felt alone and isolated in class, so I visited CARE. I met with an advocate, Janessa Jarvis, and we talked through my options. Another day, I visited CARE sobbing in the student lounge and Melissa came in, spoke with me and really devoted her time to making sure I was okay. Throughout my time working with CARE I was able to identify that being in class was a trauma trigger back to when I was sexually assaulted, communicated the situation with my professors and created a strategy to help me feel safe in the classroom. As a result, I was able to continue the class that I was in safely and confidently. CARE has helped me feel safe on campus again and a place where I can say that I am a proud Husker!

CARE’s Denim Day event during Sexual Assault Awareness Month at the Nebraska Union on Wednesday, April 30th, 2025, in Lincoln.

​April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) and CARE put together a series of events and workshops across UNL. A few of the events included were Teal Day; an educational tabling about CARE and sexual assault, What Were You Wearing?; an installation to disprove the myth that clothes have influence on why someone experienced sexual assault, Supporting Survivors; a workshop that teaches students and faculty the TALK method when a survivor discloses their story to you, Shape the Conversation; crafts and conversations about identifying manipulation and Denim Day; CARE’s biggest event of April where students and faculty write messages on denim squares about sexual assault prevention and awareness. All of these events really allowed students to engage with CARE and also spread positivity that survivors are not alone and that consent rocks!

Student placing a patch in support of Denim Day at Nebraska Union on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, in Lincoln.

Consent is not limited to a specific race, gender or sexual orientation. Men and boys are sexually assaulted. According to a study in 2014 by the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network or RAINN, Males in college ranging 18-24 are five times more likely to be sexually assaulted than non-student males. It is very important to see male representation during SAAM and throughout the events and workshops there were male attendees supporting and learning about sexual assault prevention. ​

Denim patch from Denim Day at the Nebraska Union on Wednesday, April 30, 2025.

Students created patches like this one with so many affirmations and covered a board with positivity. It was very difficult to feel strong, capable and accepting of myself. From September 2023 to January 2025, I carried what happened to me alone and the entire time I felt as if it were my fault. So, seeing reminders that as a survivor I am strong and that it was NEVER my fault gave me the ability to grieve what happened with grace rather than shame. It is never your fault if you have experienced sexual assault. It is not your fault.

“What Were You Wearing?” installation at the Willa Cather Dining Center on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, in Lincoln.
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“Me and my roommate had a few friends over right before the school year started. We played a few drinking games. My roommate falls asleep and it was me and my guy friend at the time. We started making out and suddenly I am naked in the living room in a chair with my ankles on his shoulders and my knees almost touching my chest. I freak out and the only thing I had to cover myself with was the blanket my parents gave me when I committed to UNL. Afterward, I sat in my bathtub with the door locked and cried.” I hate this story. September 2023. This story has a red dot.

Bennet Sievers holding a sign from the “What Were You Wearing?” installation at the Willa Cather Dining Center on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, in Lincoln.
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Thank you so much to my partner, family and CARE for supporting me through the trauma and pain. I am about to complete my junior year of college and have overcome so much. I know nothing is my fault. I know I am strong. Thank you for always being there. As always, create consent culture. <3

Denim Day board at the Nebraska Union on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, in Lincoln.

​In 1992, an Italian 18-year-old girl was raped by her 45-year-old driving instructor. He was prosecuted and convicted of the crime. In 1999, the case was overturned by the Italian Supreme Court. A statement from the court argued that the girl’s jeans were too tight, so she needed help removing them, thus making the sex consensual. Italian women of Parliament were enraged, so in protest they wore jeans in Parliament in April 1999. Since then, Denim Day has been celebrated annually on April 30.