Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Indian-American Students Win Prizes in ‘Growing Up Asian’ Contest

By Kusum Singh

Lost Out: On Good Times With Grandpa In India; Found: Land Of Opportunity In The United States: Aniketh Umesh

The Asian Pacific Fund announced April 25 that two Indian-American students were first place winners, two were third place winners and one received an honorable mention in the annual Growing Up Asian in America contest.

In the K to 5 Art category, first place was won by Aniketh Umesh of the Rainbow Art Studio and Dilworth Elementary School in San Jose. In the 6 to 8 Art category, the third place prize went to Sonam Kalden Arya of the Albany Middle School in Albany. In the 9 to 12 Art category, Ketnapha Poungnachith of Piner High School in Santa Rosa received an Honorable Mention.

A Harsh departure: Sonam Kalden Arya

In the 6 to 8 Essay category, Payal Ahuja of the Graham Middle School in Mountain View won first place, while Sarisha Kurup of the Challenger School - Ardenwood in Union City got third place.

Growing Up Asian in America is the largest celebration of Asian heritage in America. It serves as an important community resource, helping people of all backgrounds better understand the experiences of young Asian Americans and learn more about life in a place as diverse as the San Francisco Bay Area.

Growing Up Asian in America provides a unique forum for youth to explore their ideas and to celebrate being both Asian and American. This program also serves as an important community resource, helping people of all backgrounds better understand the experiences of young Asian Americans and learn more about life in a place as diverse as the San Francisco Bay Area.

Fields Lost, Fields Found: Ketnapha Poungnachith

Growing Up Asian in America is a program of the Asian Pacific Fund. Every year, around 1,400 Bay Area students in grades kindergarten through 12 submit artwork, essays and poems on a specific theme, and compete for $27,000 in prizes. Winners receive savings bond awards worth $1,000 to $2,000, and are honored at an awards ceremony at the Asian Art Museum. Special exhibits displaying the winning art work and essays go on tour during Asian Pacific Heritage Month, and they are hosted throughout the year by more than 50 public libraries all over the Bay Area. All winning entries are also archived online at the Asian Pacific Fund web site.

By Kusum Singh