Youth Artists Honored as Part of Phoenix's 9/11 Commemoration

PHOENIX - Artwork by 28 students is on display at City Hall through Friday, September 25. The winning pieces, created by students from kindergarten through 11^th grade, were selected from an art contest inviting students to interpret the theme “Honor and Unity” as part of Phoenix’s efforts to mark 25 years since September 11, 2001. The youth-led contest drew nearly 160 entries.

“I was proud to watch young people of all ages participate and express the ideas of honor and unity in ways that were meaningful to them,” said Councilwoman Ann O’Brien. “For our youngest artists, that might be something as simple and beautiful as standing together or holding hands. For older students, those themes can take on a deeper connection to the first responders and the way our country came together after September 11.”

O’Brien, who Mayor Kate Gallego appointed to lead Phoenix’s commemoration efforts, made youth involvement a priority. Through the City’s Office of Youth and Education, young people took part in focus groups to share ideas for how they could contribute. The art contest emerged from those conversations as a way for students of all ages to take part in their own way, and it is one of several youth-led initiatives developed with O’Brien’s support. O’Brien helped judge the entries, along with staff from the Office of Youth and Education.

Winners will receive age-appropriate prizes, such as tickets to a Phoenix Suns or Phoenix Mercury game or a family membership to the Phoenix Children’s Museum. The winning artwork is on display in the atrium at Phoenix City Hall, 200 W. Washington Street, through 4 p.m. Friday, September 25.

Art Contest Winners

Congratulations to our winners! Winning submissions are listed below by grade and school. Members of the media interested in information about a specific winner should contact Christina Estes at christina.estes@phoenix.gov Images of winning artwork are available upon request.

Kindergarten

· Desert Horizon Elementary

· Horizon Honors Elementary

Grade 1

· Desert Horizon Elementary (2 winners)

Grade 2

· Home School

· Pleasantview Elementary

Grade 3

· Home School

· Village Meadows Elementary

Grade 4

· Dobson Academy

· Village Meadows Elementary

Grade 5

· Dobson Academy

· Hearn Academy

Grade 6

· Desert Horizon Elementary

· Dobson Academy

· Rio Vista Community School

Grade 7

· Desert Foothills Junior High

· Santa Maria Middle School

Grade 8

· Amberlea Elementary School

· BASIS Ahwatukee (2 winners)

· Valley Academy Reid Traditional School

Grade 9

· BASIS Ahwatukee (2 winners)

Grade 10

· BASIS Ahwatukee (3 winners)

· Deer Valley High School

Grade 11

· BASIS Ahwatukee

Grade 12

· No entries

Media Contact
Christina Estes, Director of Communications
christina.estes@phoenix.gov
602-520-2762 call or text