A simple but powerful short animated film finished first in the Standing Together media contest, held in recognition of International Women’s Day last week.
The work, by Sardis Grade 11 student HaeJoo Oh, featured a single pair of footprints that are ultimately supported by additional footprints in a united stand against violence.
The entry was one of several works submitted by Chilliwack middle and high school students.
The Standing Together Media Contest called students to share their artistic visions as a response to violence in our homes, streets and schools.
“We were very impressed with the work of local students” said Anita Rogers, president of the Chilliwack Chapter of Soroptimist International. “Our panel had a difficult job deciding on only three winners”.
Prior to Friday’s International Women’s Day event at St. Thomas Church Ministry Centre, judges were invited to select from numbered entries hung in random order to ensure impartiality.
First prize was awarded to HaeJoo Oh, Grade 11, Sardis Secondary (animation).
Second Prize was awarded to Nadia Van Den Berg, Grade 11, Sardis Secondary (poetry/drawing).
Third Prize was awarded to Zoe Wieler, Grade 7, GW Graham Middle (mixed media drawing).
“We were thrilled to receive so many worthy submissions for the Contest”, explained Gwen O’Mahony. “All contestants will be awarded with a Certificate of Recognition at a reception to be held in their honour, this coming Saturday”.
Kaitlyn Bouvette knew she wasn’t technically eligible for the contest, at only 10 years of age. That didn’t stop her from making her voice heard. “I found her art so evocative of the emotional questions around the issue of violence, that I felt she deserved special recognition”, explained Gwen O’Mahony, MLA for Chilliwack-Hope. Anita Rogers added: “To see someone so young so eloquently expressing this complex reality was humbling”.
“All students who entered the Media Contest are to be commended on their unique contributions to the project of violence reduction”, stated O’Mahony. Anita Rogers concurred, adding “These young people are the future and in raising their voices with ours, they have signaled their readiness to work for the peace and security all people are born to live in.”
