2021 Winners*

Photography

First Place: Lost in Between Past and Present

Pankaj Nath Joy

The cottage grove of Chicago Woodlawn street was once a main attraction point of Chicago. It was enriched with lots of economic hubs and other cultural activities. But in 2021, no one can imagine that place has become where the community lost its old tradition and charm. Their life comes to a standstill. Only the remains sometimes try to remind them what it was once. (Chicago, IL, Summer 2021)


Second Place: More Than a Way of Life

Ginger Levinson

Conway from the Community Baboon Sanctuary shows us how local residents can process cashew nuts (Belize, Summer 2021)


Third Place: All Things Cassava

Kevin Browning

This is a photo of myself, Kevin Browning, learning to make cassava bread with a woman of the Surama tribe. (Guyana, Summer 2021)


Honorable Mention: Snacks at Sunset

Abbey Falknor

On my last night with my host family in Luxembourg, my roommate and I took the kids on a walk to the park. However, little Rayan had other plans and cried the whole time, unless we gave him his favorite snack. It was a blessing to live with my host family, who shared their Serbian culture and home. I will never forget watching “Frozen 2” together or singing to “Driver’s License” with my host sister. (Luxembourg, Spring 2021)

Writing

Literary London

1st Place: The Case of The Bank Robber and the Cobblestone Streets by Caroline Funk

2nd Place: Homeward Bound and Bound to Stay by Megan Copenhaver

Honorable Mention: Bridgerton: Historical Fiction and Tackling Race by Mady Wilson

Transformative Cultural Experiences at Miami, Abroad, or Away

1st PlaceOpen Doors by Angel Luo

2nd PlaceFirst Time on a Plane in 13 Years by Nathan Gillin

3rd PlaceThe Footprints We Left Behind by Kylee Yam

Honorable Mentions:

*The contest was paused during 2020.