Young Artists and Authors Showcase Through the Years

Sister Cities International’s
Young Artists & Authors Showcase
~ Santa Clarita Winners Through the Years ~

Over the years, students representing Santa Clarita Sister Cities (from the City of Santa Clarita and its sister city of Sariaya, Philippines) have successfully competed with entries from other Sister Cities organizations throughout the United States and abroad. A number of them have won and have made our community proud!

2024: “CLIMATESCAPE: Resilient Cities for Tomorrow’s Climate”
* International 2nd Place Winner (Poetry): “Cityscape of Climate Champions” – Juliana Rose Dinglasan, Sariaya, Philippines Sister City
* International 3rd Place Winner (Essay/Creative Writing): “Greenhouse” – Christabel Yun, Saugus High School

2023: “Peace by Piece: Food Security in My Community”
* International Grand Prize Winner (Essay/Creative Writing): “Have You Eaten” – Nicole Clarin, Academy of the Canyons
* International 3rd Place Winner (Digital Art): “Holding On” – Grace Lee, West Ranch High School

VISIT THE 2023 YAAS VIRTUAL GALLERY

2022: “Generation Rescue: Sustainable Water for All”
* International Grand Prize Winner (Essay/Creative Writing): “The Great Dehydration” – Audrey Dornidon, Saugus High School
* International 2nd Place Winner (Original Music): “Waterfalls” – Jonathan Myung, West Ranch High School
* International 2nd Place Winner (Poetry): “In One Breath, Life, and In Another, Death” – Ashley Knutson, Valencia High School

VISIT THE 2022 YAAS VIRTUAL GALLERY

2021: “United in Hope”
* National 2^nd Place Winner (Poetry): “The Light of Hope” – Brandon Cho, Valencia High School
* National 3^rd Place Winner (Original Music): “Juven – We are One” – Julios De Jesus, Canyon High School

VISIT THE 2021 YAAS VIRTUAL GALLERY

2020: “One World: Out of Many, We are One”
* National Finalist (Art): “United We Stand” – Amber Lee, Valencia High School
* National Finalist (Poetry): “Stronger Than Ever” – Sydney Hooper, Saugus High School

2019: “Global Citizens: Resilient Communities”
* National Finalist (Essay): “Similarities and Differences” – Katherine Denzin, Saugus High School

2016: “Peace Through People”
* National Finalist (Essay): “P eace through People” – Cristal Ramirez, Valencia High School

2013: “The Power of Exchange”
* National Grand Prize Winner (Essay): “The Powerful Exchange of Love” – Seung Won (Ashley) Choi, Valencia High School
* International Finalist (Art): “Power of Exchange” – Charmaine Agawin, Sariaya, Philippines (Charmaine’s artwork is on display in the Carl Boyer Room, Santa Clarita City Hall)

2024: “CLIMATESCAPE: Resilient Cities for Tomorrow’s Climate”

International 2nd Place Winner- Poetry: "Cityscape of Climate Champions" by Juliana Rose Dinglasan

International 3rd Place Winner - Essay: "Greenhouse" by Christabel Yun

Santa Clarita Winner - Classic Art: "Joined Together" by Grace Lee

Santa Clarita Winner - Digital Art - "Moss" by Samantha Diem

Santa Clarita Winner - Photography: "Creeping Towards Beauty" by Sricharan Vagvala

Santa Clarita Winner - Essay: "Sustainable Sister Cities" by Nina Nathan

Santa Clarita Winner - Poetry: "Resilient Cities: Navigating Climate's Challenges" by Susmit Das

Santa Clarita Winner - Music (Original): "The Choice is Yours" by GIna Intravartolo

2023: “Peace by Piece: Food Security in My Community”

Essay-Grand Prize_Nicole Clarin

"Have You Eaten" by Nicole Clarin - International Grand Prize Winner: Essay

Digital Art-3rd Place_Grace Lee

"Holding On" by Grace Lee - International 3rd Place Winner: Digital Art

2022: “Generation Rescue: Sustainable Water for All”

"Pond Sustainability" by Jessica Park - Local Winner: Digital Art

"In One Breath, Life, and in Another, Death" by Ashley Knutson - International 2nd Place Winner

"Small Steps" by Sivan Garteiz - Local Winner: Photography

"The Great Dehydration" by Audrey Dornidon - International Grand Prize Winner

"Oiling the Wounds" by Donnah Moon - Local Winner: Classic Art

Audrey Dornidon

Ashley Knutson

Jonathan Myung

Donnah Moon

Jessica Park

Sivan Garteiz

Eric Rodriguez

2021: “United in Hope”

"Sewing US Together" by Donna Moon - Local Winner: Art

"Socially Distant" by Lisbet Herrera - Local Winner: Photography

"United in Hope...and Action" by Sophia Rostamo - Local Winner: Essay

"And Yet/I Hear Tomorrow" by DongChan Im - Local Winner: Poetry

2020: “One World: Out of Many, We are One”

National Finalist: "United We Stand" by Amber Lee, Valencia HS

National Finalist: "Stronger than Ever" by Sydney Hooper, Saugus HS

"Tragedy Brings Community" by Blake Gallardo - Local Winner: Essay (pg. 1)

"Tragedy Brings Community" by Blake Gallardo - Local Winner: Essay (pg. 2)

2019: “Global Citizens: Resilient Communities”

"Earthquake" by Minju Kim - Local Winner: Art

National Finalist: "Similarities and Differences" by Katherine Denzin, Saugus HS

"Don't Give Up Hope Just Yet" by Katrina Yim - Local Winner: Poetry

2019 Sister Cities International’s YAAS Traveling Exhibit
(Katherine Denzin, Saugus HS, National Finalist)

Sister Cities International Young Artists & Authors Showcase

2016: “Peace Through People”

National Finalist: "Peace Through People" by Cristal Ramirez, Valencia HS

2016 Sister Cities International’s YAAS Traveling Exhibit
(Cristal Ramirez, Valencia HS, National Finalist)

2015: “Connecting Communities for Peace and Prosperity”

"A Better World" by Matthew Rubinowitz - Local Winner: Art

"Tranquil" by Jordan Brackin - Local Winner: Poetry

"A Spark of Peace" by Grace Lim - Local Winner: Essay (pg. 1)

"A Spark of Peace" by Grace Lim - Local Winner: Essay (pg. 2)

2014: “Connect Globally. Thrive Locally”

"The World Will Grow Together in Loving Hands" by Raquel Kiel - Local Winner: Art

"8,290 Miles and Memories Shared" by Megan Allen - Local Winner: Essay

"From Big to Small" by Michael Salerno - Local Winner: Poetry

2013: “The Power of Exchange”

International Finalist: "The Power of Exchange" by Charmaine Agawin, Sariaya, Philippines

A. Choi

National Grand Prize Winner: "The Powerful Exchange of Love" by Ashley Choi, Valencia HS

"Colors" by Cassidy Oliver - Local Winner: Art

"Exchanging Ideas" by Michael Salerno - Local Winner: Poetry

2013 Sister Cities International’s YAAS Traveling Exhibit
(Ashley Choi, Valencia HS, National Finalist & Charmaine Agawin, Sariaya, Philippines, International Finalist)

2012: “Youth as the Catalyst for Change”

"Connecting for a Better World" by Kyle Boyd - Local Winner: Art

"Help" by Andrew Kim - Local Winner: Essay

"Voices Heard" by Morgan Desjardins - Local Winner: Poetry

Sister Cities International’s
Young Artists & Authors Showcase
~ Santa Clarita Winners Through the Years ~

2024: “CLIMATESCAPE: Resilient Cities for Tomorrow’s Climate”