8TH ANNUAL ART & ESSAY CONTEST

“Let's Celebrate Diversity Together”

Contest Theme

Definition of Diversity:
The concept of diversity encompasses acceptance and respect, understanding that each individual is unique,
and recognizing that individual differences always exists. These differences can be along the lines of race,
gender, socio-economic status, age, physical abilities, religious beliefs, political beliefs, etc.

When planning your submission, it is important to think about the theme, “Let’s Celebrate Diversity together”
in many different ways:

Who are the people that may be my neighbors or classmates? Do I really know them?
From what countries do they/or their families originate?
To what culture or belief system might they subscribe?
Do I know anything about their journey in life?
Do I know what they like to listen to, eat, when/what their cultural/religious holidays are, etc.?
Why do I like/respect my neighbor/classmate if they are not like me?
Why do I still like/respect my classmates although they differ in opinion?
Why do I still enjoy helping those in need although they may belong to different culture, belief or they
came from another country?
Does addressing the idea of diversity help me grow as a person?
Who will benefit from me if I appreciate and promote diversity?
In appreciating and promoting diversity, what impact wills I make/have in my home, school, and/or
community?
How would the world be different if everyone respected each other?
Why would I like everybody to understand, accept and respect each other?

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 | Sky Kim | Bergen County Technical High School
https://artandessay.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Sky_Kim-scaled-e1724084863228.jpg
2nd Place | Jacqueline Queli | Boonton High School
Screenshot
3rd Place | Isabella Ermita | Red Bank Catholic High School
https://artandessay.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Isabella_Ermita-scaled-e1724085021875.jpg
Honorable Mentions
Maria Monterroyo | Cherokee High School
Emily Turner | Bergen County Technical High School
Bisma Tanveer | Boonton High School
Jonathan Pineiro | Plainfield High School
Mia Dinardo | Union County Career & Technical Institute
https://artandessay.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Maria_Monterrgo-scaled-e1724084961779-160x160.jpg
https://artandessay.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Emily_Turner-scaled-e1724084996509-160x160.jpg
https://artandessay.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Bisma_Tanveer-scaled-e1724085073539-160x160.jpg
Screenshot
https://artandessay.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Mia_Dinarho-scaled-e1724085049920-160x160.jpg
Middle School
1st Place | Anna Koo | Fort Lee Middle School
https://artandessay.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Anna_Koo-scaled-e1724084904388.jpg
2nd Place | Eunji Kim | Fort Lee School 4
https://artandessay.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Eunji_Kim-scaled-e1724084779630.jpg
3rd Place | Serena Li | William Annin Middle School
https://artandessay.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Serena_Li-scaled-e1724084935427.jpg
Honorable Mentions
Grace Tan | William Annin Middle School
Anjali Singh | Crossroad South Middle School
Mariel Peczak | William Annin Middle School
Isabelle Sagarese | Saint Paul School
Denisse Cobo | McKinley School
https://artandessay.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Anjali_Singh-scaled-e1724084825818-160x160.jpg
https://artandessay.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Mariel_Peczak-scaled-e1724085096540-160x160.jpg
https://artandessay.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Isabelle_Sagarese-scaled-e1724084744818-160x160.jpg
https://artandessay.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Denisse_Cobo-scaled-e1724084803870-160x160.jpg

Essay Category

High School

1st Place | Asianna Kennedy | STEM Innovation Academy of the Oranges | View

2nd Place | Jamile Munoz | Bergen County Technical High School | View

3rd Place | Aditi Desai | Livingsston High School | View

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Honorable Mentions

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Diana Mendoza | STEM Innovation Academy of the Oranges | View

Jenna Flemings | Seneca High School | View 

Cheyeon Emily Gil | Bergen County Technical High School | View

Rachel Menjivar | STEM Innovation Academy of the Oranges | View

Micah A Wright | Asbury Park High School | View

Middle School

1st Place | Jack Estelle | Point Pleasant Memorial School | View

2nd Place | Amanda Kruchkowski | Horace Mann Community School | View

3rd Place | Angela Zhang | Warren Township Middle School | View

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Honorable Mentions

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Reese Trowbridge | Horace Mann Community School | View

Julia Caley | Horace Mann Community School | View 

Alexandra Popovitch | Saint Peter School | View

Katie Fierst | Point Pleasant Memorial School | View

Creativity Takes Courage

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