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

For You - Ameya Kohli

Second Prize

Clogged!

Clement Ruzindana

Kiambu, Kenya

Clogged! by Clement Ruzindana

Third Prize

Self-Liberation

Aysal Hamid

Lahore, Pakistan

Self Liberaton - Aysal Hamid

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!