29 Students Won the 2nd “Stop Hate” Art Contest

An art Contest featuring “Stop Hate, Equal Opportunities, Ethnic Harmony, and Cultural Inclusion”, organized by California State Library, UNE News Express, KJC International Inc., concluded with an award ceremony at West California Academy of Art and Design on March 17, 2024.

29 winners were selected. Local elected officials and community leaders, including UNE News Express President Jennifer Liu, Daniel Sieu, the Representative of CA State Treasurer Fiona Ma, Mayor of City of Walnut Dr. Allen Wu, San Gabriel Councilmember Denise Menchaca, Asian Youth Center Public Relations Manager Florence Lin, Chinese American Education Association President Robert Liu, President of Chinese Women's Business Association of California Eva Qian, attended the award ceremony and presented the trophies and certificates to the winners.

The competition drew an active participation of local students in Southern California, who all demonstrated their understanding of social justice and racial equity and equality through art works.  

“We have heard stories almost every week of people dealing with the hate crimes and discrimination issues in news articles and posts on social media.” said Lei Wang, the Principal of West California Academy of Art and Design, “this contest is a reminder that we as a nation should not let hate be what separates us. If we as a people do not stand up and voice our concerns, then nothing changes. Saying stop hate is calling out the discrimination that people face is a poison to society.”

UNE News Express President Jennifer Liu said that “ethics are molded by how our children are raised and societal norms.” If the simple message of stopping hate becomes a societal norm, then it will affect the ethics of our children and our children will one day grow up to inherit this nation. “The change won’t be immediate, but it can be something that lasts for their lifetime.”​

Omar Gallegos, the vice principal of West California Academy of Art and Design, highly appraised California State Library, UNE News Express, KJC International Inc. for inviting students in valuing arts integration and promoting engaging students in participation and contribution to help our community learn through self-expression, identifying multiple perspectives and sense of self and voice. “The young will grow to be adults one day. If they grow up with that message in their heads, then they'll be able to continue that change when it is within their power.” ​

​Local elected officials and community leaders including Daniel Sieu, the Representative of CA State Treasurer Fiona Ma, Mayor of City of Walnut Dr. Allen Wu, San Gabriel Councilmember Denise Menchaca, Asian Youth Center Public Relations Manager Florence Lin, Chinese American Education Association President Robert Liu, President of Chinese Women's Business Association of California Eva Qian, shared their inputs on how to stop the hate, and how to make available the helping resources to victims.

​The winners are----
 
Iris Jing、Qi (Alice) Guo、Evelyn Tan、Jerry Deng、Stella Wang、Oscar Wang won CA State Treasurer Award；
 
Yoyo Ren、Katherine Kligys、Shannon Liu、Connie Zhao、Yuzhu (Lisa) Wang、Gelila Chang、Zhaoting Fang won LA County Board of Supervisors, 1st District Award；
 
Angela Zheng、Bella Lin、Andy Liu、Chloe Xiao、Queenie Chen、Aidan Zhou、Vivian Xiao、Peter Zhang、Annie Wang、Michelle Huo won Walnut Mayor Award；
 
Ian Gao、Grace Liang、Sophia Li、Selena Cao、Sophia Yang、Phoebe Sun won San Gabriel Mayor Award。

​The winners shared their creative ideas about the winning artworks.  ​

Saying Stop Hate is a reminder that those that are victims of hate crimes, are not alone. Saying stop hate is a reminder that such actions are not acceptable. If the society has the young generation deny, forget, ignore, or be unaware the hate problems, it will cause a backslide in progress. ​

“Yes, the message is simple,” Lei Wang said, “but it a message that many people can rally behind. You don’t have to be a protester to take action.”

​The winning artworks will be displayed at West California Academy of Art and Design until the end of April. The art show is open to the public for free.