Chicago students and The Anti-Cruelty Society celebrate
our 114th birthday by promoting kindness to animals!

This year’s theme: Celebrating the Spirit of Animals

On March 2, 2013, we celebrated our Birthday a little early with our annual Animal Expressions Young Artist Contest. Over 400 entries were received from 29 Chicago and suburban schools, and there were 35 award recipients ranging in age from 5 to 11. Awards were given for a variety of genres including rendering, writing, 3 dimensional art and multi media.

The event celebrated with over 130 award winners, family members and teachers attended the awards ceremony. This year’s theme was “Celebrating the Spirit of Animals”. The contest was judged by the Student Advisory board from the Marwen Art Institute of Chicago. See our list of winners below.

Animal Expressions Young Artist Contest

— 2013 Award Recipients —

5-6 Year Olds
First Place:

Ian Oden, age 6
“Bear” Drawing
Walt Disney Magnet School

Special Recognition:

Abigail Vancil, age 5

“My Sweet Magical Horse” Drawing
Volta School

Nathan Nash, age 5
“Cheetah Chases Prey” Drawing
Prussing School

Siobhan Jentsch, age 6

“My Pet Foxy” Story Book
 Haugan School


7-8 Year Olds
First Place:

Daniel Wang, age 7

“Slime Crocodile” Drawing
Mark Sheridan School


Special Recognition:
Ruby Plasencia, age 7

“I Love Sheep” Mixed Media
Lincoln School

Jayden Valadez, age 7
“Cat” 3 Dimensional Art
Lincoln School

9-10 Year Olds
First Place:

Valentina Castro, age 10

“White Lion” Mixed Media
Kinzie School

Xareni Palacios, age 10

“Hazel’s Point of View” Story
Lincoln School

Special Recognition:

Aniyah Alexander, age 9

“Horse” Drawing
Attucks School

Sherrie Wu, age 10

“Porcupine” Print
Haines School

Felicity Castillo, age 10

“Oreo” Story and Drawing
Nixon School

Celeste Romero, age 10

“Celeste the Fox” Story Book and Hand Made Dolls
 Laureate Day School

Olivia Ochoa, age 10

“My Super…Dogs” Poster/Photography
Lincoln School

11-12 Year Olds
First Place:

Alexi Perez, age 11

“Zebra” Mixed Media
Kinzie School

Jesus Solano, age 12

“The Wolf Gang” Drawing
Gary School

Julia Lapaj, age 11

“Just Friends” Video
Prussing School

Arturo Romero, age 12

“Blue Whale” Sculpture
Budlong School

Special Recognition:

Emma Sheetz, age 11

“Sun Dancer” Painting

Emma Thran, age 12

“Of Felines and Canines” Drawing 
Prussing School

Pratik Patel, age 12

“Anti-Cruelty for the Animal Race” Video
Volta School

13-14 Year Olds
First Place:

Juan Garcia, age 13

“A Frog’s Life” Water Color and Ink
Gary School

Maria Jacal, age 14

“The Turtle” Painting

Claudia Kania, age 13

“Beautiful Snakes” Essay
Liberty Junior High School

Jadhai Vazquez, age 14

“Freedom for All: The Gift” Sculpture
 Whitney Young Magnet High School

Special Recognition:

Edwin Salas, age 13
“The Amazing Stallion” Painting
Taylor Elementary

Mirely Nava, age 14

“True Beauty” Pen and Ink
Gary School

15-16 Year Olds
First Place:

Magally Fuentes,  age 15

“The Beginning of an Animals Journey” Water Color

Donna Li, age 15

“Chance” Metal Working and Poem
Whitney Young High School

Special Recognition:

Ashley Covarrubias, age 15

“Birds” Mixed Media Drawing

Claire Johnson, age 16

“It’s in our Hands” Drawing
Francis Parker High School

17-18 Year Olds
First Place:
Elvis Ramirez, age 17

“Splitting Up Family” Pastels
Steinmetz High School

Catherine Peralta, age 18

“My Friend Ben” Poem
Maria High School

Special Recognition:
Jennifer Lee, age 18

“Forever” Pastels 
Steinmetz High School

Dolly Ha, age 18

“Lowkey and J’aime” Paintings
 Mather High School