THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, MAy 1, 2026 Page 13 Everett students awarded for their perspectives on immigration O n April 15, 2026, students from Everett, Malden and Medford public high schools were awarded for their artistic expression in the annual Teen Perspectives Art & Essay Contest hosted by The Immigrant Learning Center, Inc. (The ILC). The ILC received a record number of submissions this year. Eighty students submitted essays and artwork addressing this year’s theme, “How My Community Benefits from Immigration.” The first-place winners, for both art and essay, came from Everett high schools. Student finalists from first place through honorable mention were awarded cash prizes from $50 to $300 during an awards ceremony at Malden High School. The student contestants, their family members and teachers, school committee members, and officials from all three school districts were in attendance. At the awards ceremony, Malden Mayor Gary Christenson, Everett Assistant Superintendent of Teaching, Learning, and Student Success Margaret Adams and Medford Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn spoke about the importance of immigrants to our communities and the power of our words during uncertain times. Everett school group with administrators. “In a time where being an immigrant is challenging — and it’s easy to be unseen and unheard by many in our nation, in our communities, and in our country — I want to commend you for your courage. You remind us of the importance of lifting each other’s voices. And one way we can do that is by … reminding each other of the strength that we all bring,” Adams said. First prize essayist Shashi Third-place art winner Samira Khobzy — “Culture in the Sky” Pokhrel from Everett High School read her submission, “Sacrifices and Contributions of Immigrants,” which is about her experience immigrating to the United States from Nepal. She expresses how the struggle to fit in while also keeping her culture alive was a challenge that eventually became a strength. “I mmig r a - tion is not just a policy. It is my childhood, my school, my family, and my identi - ty. It brought struggle , but it also br ough t strength, culArt winner Carolina Rivas — “Celebrating Columbus Day at the Church”. ture, language, and connection. My story is one of many that shows that immigration does not harm communities, it builds them,” she wrote. “I would like to congratulate all of you for being determined and actually entering this competition,” she added. “It takes a lot to come out and recognize immigrants, especially in a time like right now.” This year’s first-place winner in the visual art category, Everett Alternative High School student Carolina Rivas, immigrated to the United States from El Salvador eight years ago. Her piece, “Celebrating Columbus Day at the Church,” gets at the heart of why immigrant communities are so important. “Everett is a diverse community with many different cultures... my community is the inspiration for my art,” she said when accepting her award at the ceremony. This program could not be a success without the support of teachers and administrators from all three school districts. It also wouldn’t be possible without support from a grant from the Malden Cultural Council, a local agency that’s supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency, along with sponsorship from Eastern Bank. This year’s judges: The ILC Board Members Anne Walsh and Diane Stern; Regis College Reference Librarian Amy Hwang; Editor/Publishing Intern Grace Cook of The Water Tower Newsmag of UVM Press; Woburn ELL Teacher Terri Basket; Malden Reads Co-Founder/Co-Facilitator Jodie Zalk; NGP VAN VP of Customer Success Mark Puleo; Reporter Kate Taylor; Riverhaven Books Founder Stephanie Blackman; Artist Bitho Faustin; Arts Collaborative Medford Board Member Pam Shanley; Artist Edward Rocha of Edward Rocha Art and Founder of Rola Languages, Rola Corporation and The Morning Goals; Artists for Humanity and AFH CoLab Director Grants Manager Lizzy Mayer. All of this year’s submissions as well as previous winners can be seen on The ILC’s website at https://www.ilctr.org/ for-teachers/teen-perspectives/
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