As part of our 2024 fall campaign, “Generosity Inspires Hope and Hope Changes Lives,” we invited young people to participate in the long-running Youth Art and Spoken Word Competitions organized by the Dallas-based Youth Ambassadors program. Participants were asked to reflect on the theme “Inspiring Hope, Changing Lives.”
The response was remarkable.
We received entries not only from across the United States but also from around the world, with two winning pieces submitted by high school students from countries where AKF’s programs aim to improve quality of life. This outpouring of creativity from youth representing four countries and six American states truly embodies AKF’s vision: a future where we all thrive together.
We are proud to announce our 2024-2025 Youth Arts Competition winners:
Visual Art
Hear the artists’ inspiration in their own words in the video following each piece.
First Prize
For You
Ameya Kohli
Wylie, Texas, USA

Second Prize
Clogged!
Clement Ruzindana
Kiambu, Kenya

Third Prize
Self-Liberation
Aysal Hamid
Lahore, Pakistan

Spoken Word
First Prize
The Journey of Hope
Aydin Kurani
Southlake, Texas, USA
Second Prize
Seeds of Hope
Rifa Tharani
Colleyville, Texas, USA
Third Prize
The Code of Creation
Yugarya Goyal
Denton, Texas, USA
Congratulations to the winners and to all our participants!