Officials with the City of Santa Clarita, partnering with the Sister Cities program, are accepting submissions for its annual Sister Cities International Young Artists and Authors Showcase.

The International Sister Cities Young Artists and Authors Showcase is set to allow new submissions by Santa Clarita Valley students, according to officials with the City.

“The Santa Clarita Sister Cities program is a local organization whose mission is to foster international partnerships between the City of Santa Clarita and cities abroad to promote mutual understanding, friendship and cooperation through reciprocal youth, cultural, educational, professional, humanitarian and economic programs and exchanges,” reads a statement issued Monday.

By Thursday, April 15, students aged 13 to 18 are free to submit an entry online consisting of either artwork, poetry, creative writing, essays, photographs, or music, according to city officials.

Top submissions from Santa Clarita students are slated to be submitted to Sister Cities International in Washington, D.C., competing alongside other Sister Cities organizations across the U.S. for the grand prize of $1,000.

“To address this year’s theme, ‘United in Hope,’ students interested in the contest are asked to reflect and convey, through their entries, their vision of citizen diplomacy and how hope can be a uniting force during this challenging time, when the whole world is affected by the COVID-19 pandemic,” Monday’s statement reads.

City officials say that students interested in submitting entries to the showcase may submit one entry per category, and as long as students will be between ages 13 through 18 as of May 1, 2021.

“Santa Clarita students have been successful nationally in this contest. In 2020, a work of art by Valencia High School student Amber Lee and a poem by Saugus High School student Sydney Hooper were chosen by Sister Cities International as national finalists,” Monday’s statement reads. “Prior to this, two other local students’ essays were selected as national finalists and a Valencia High School student won a $1,000 grand prize in 2013.”

To submit and for further information on guidelines for the Young Artists and Authors Showcase, those interested should visit their website.

For any other inquiries or information, contact Tess Simgen at (661) 250-3726 or Elena Galvez at (661) 255-4911, or email SisterCities@santa-clarita.com for questions.

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