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ADDRESS777 Terrace Ave. Suite 109

15TH ANNUAL ART & ESSAY CONTEST

"Acts of Kindness"

Contest Theme

The Art and Essay Contest invites participants to explore the theme “Acts of Kindness: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies; Highlight the power of thoughtful communication to achieve peace” through thought-provoking questions and creative prompts. Applicants can reflect on personal experiences of kindness, its role in fostering inclusivity, and how thoughtful communication resolves conflicts. They might envision a world transformed by empathy or draw inspiration from role models and cultural unity. Art submissions can illustrate the ripple effects of kindness, symbols of peace, and moments where kindness bridges divides. Through essays or art, participants have the opportunity to express how small actions can inspire lasting harmony and understanding.

We advise students to be creative and passionate in their essays and to share their own experiences and perspectives on this important topic.

Here are some topics that may give ideas (not necessarily a comprehensive list):

CONNECTIVITY

Social media bridges gaps, fostering global understanding and collaboration.

EMPATHY

Sharing stories promotes compassion, inspiring collective efforts towards peace.

DIALOGUE

Open conversations on social platforms facilitate conflict resolution and tolerance.

AWARENESS

Social media amplifies marginalized voices, shedding light on critical peacebuilding issues.

MOBILIZATION

Online platforms enable grassroots movements to drive positive change.

INCLUSIVITY

Social media fosters diverse perspectives, nurturing a more harmonious society.

Art Category

High School

1st Place | Chloe Kim | Bergen County Academics

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2nd Place | Joshua Ha | Leonia High School

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3rd Place | Emma Nelson | Morris County School of Technology

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Honorable Mentions

Gamin Kim | Bergen County Academies

Juni Park | Grace Art Studio

Jayla Mozo Rojas | Asbury Park High School

Audrey Cho | Academy of the Holy Angels

Nuri On| Bergen County Technical High School - Teterboro

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Middle School

1st Place | Serena Jung | River Dell Middle School

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2nd Place | Evelyn Bober | Memorial Middle School

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3rd Place | Aaron Baik | Christ The Teacher School

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Honorable Mentions

Janice Kye | Notre Dame Academy

Elina Yoon | Elisabeth Morrow School

Soohyun Hwang | Bergen Art Studio

Maria Bazelak | Clearview Regional Middle School

Sewon Lee | Lewis F. Cole Middle School

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Essay Category

High School

1st Place | Kayla Park | You are Enough: The First Step to Peace | Leonia High School | View

2nd Place | Vanshika Auwk | A Single Thread | Leonia High School | View

3rd Place | Arriana Hylton | Zazou’s Silence | Passaic County Technical Institute STEM Academy | View

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Honorable Mentions

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Ansh Chaudhuri | Watchung Hills Regional High School | View

Joseph Cerami | Watchung Hills Regional High School | View

Jehee Nam | Tenafly High School | View

Meral San | Glen Rock High School | View

Angie Yang | Bridgewater-Raritan High School | View

Middle School

1st Place | Griffin Brandes | The Butterfly Didn’t Know | Memorial Middle School | View

2nd Place | Anya Bhavanasi | Kindness | Warren Middle School | View

3rd Place | Justin Kim | The Bakery’s Kindness | Lewis F. Cole Middle School | View

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Honorable Mentions

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Zoey Levinson | Ripples of Light | Monroe Township Middle School | View

Jimin Kwon | The Sound Of Peace | Charles DeWolf Middle School | View

Ella Krayl | Kindness Through Communication | Memorial Middle School | View

Zeynep Ozgun | Acts of Kindness | Edep Academy | View

Esmeralda Savinon | Acts of Kindness | Paterson Public School #16 | View

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+1 (201) 426-0689

infonj@peaceislands.org

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