On February 6, the Atlantic Institute honored 40 Georgia students for their outstanding competition entries at its tenth annual Art and Essay Contest award ceremony.

The contest requires middle and high school students to submit true stories, narratives, informative or persuasive essays, drawings, paintings, collages, photographs, or graphic designs centered around a theme related to the Institute’s mission. The 2015-2016 theme was Ten Days, Weeks, Months, Years. What can YOU Accomplish?

“The Art and Essay Contest is important to the student because it allows them to force their critical thinking and it brings out their best work,” says Yasmin Abusadah, Educational Programs Coordinator.

This year, the Institute received over 1,000 submissions from students across the state of Georgia. Artwork and essay subjects ranged from water conservation to adolescent depression.

The top three winners of the four overall categories and their sponsoring teachers were awarded trips to Turkey. Remaining finalists and teachers received cash awards.

“After the trip, students come back home to their local communities with a keen awareness of the importance of openness to other cultures, and seeking solutions to issues that impact themselves, their neighbors, and those around the globe. We are excited to host, yet again, another successful excursion to Turkey with this year’s winners,” explains Turan Kilic, President and CEO of the Atlantic Institute.

Two individuals to win a trip to Turkey were Rebecca Dawson and her art teacher, Cynthia Landon of Central High School . “I am immensely proud,” Landon expressed during the ceremony, “This is just like the cherry on top. She has been an awesome student for four years now…"

 

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Challenging students to think about different ways they can promote human welfare and affording them a once in a lifetime opportunity to experience another culture undoubtedly helps fulfill an important part of the Institute’s dynamic mission.

Congratulations to all of this year’s participants. We look forward to hearing about 2016-2017’s theme.

Check out some of the artwork below and click here for a list of all of the students and teachers honored at this prestigious event.   

 

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About the Atlantic Institute

The Atlantic Institute is an Atlanta-based, non-profit civic organization that provides various academic and educational platforms to promote diversity in our society. Through a wide range of activities that bring local community members from various ethnic and religious backgrounds, the Institute seeks to proactively contribute to educational, cultural, social, and humanitarian issues in the community. For more information, visit their website www.theatlanticinstitute.org.