2025 Winners!
The Young@Art Contest is one of the Rotary Club of Los Altos’ signature community outreach projects celebrating artistic talents from four local high schools. Each year, Rotarian jurors select outstanding works from these promising young artists, awarding cash prizes to first and second-place winners from each school, plus a Best-in-Show.
The winning artworks will be exhibited throughout April 2025 at Rick's Café in downtown Los Altos. Join us for a special reception at Rick’s honoring these talented students on Sunday, April 27, 2025, from 1:00 to 2:00 PM.
Young@Art boosts students' confidence while allowing the community to witness the remarkable artistic abilities of our local youth. Browse the gallery below to experience this year's submissions and see why this contest continues to be a cherished tradition!
1st PLACE PER SCHOOL
Ava Peña – Best in Show (9th Grade)
Rage in Motion
Medium: Scratchboard
Mountain View High School
Rayana Bishnoi (12th Grade)
Ode to the Youth
Medium: Oil Painting on Canvas
Saint Francis High School
Sylvia Chen (12th Grade)
In Your Lost Consciousness
Medium: Digital
Freestyle Academy
Linnea Forslin (11th Grade)
Seeds of a Dream
Medium: Digital
Los Altos High School
2nd PLACE PER SCHOOL
Weiyi Cheng (12th Grade)
The Future with No Hope
Medium: Digital
Freestyle Academy
Sofia Lee (12th Grade)
Fading Echoes
Medium: Acrylic Paint on Stretched Canvas
Los Altos High School
Jane Liou (11th Grade)
Fleetingness of Childhood
Medium: Oil on Canvas
Mountain View High School
Sophia Khan (12th Grade)
Fish Mobile
Medium: Acrylic Painting on Canvas
Saint Francis High School
Featured Artists (Grouped by School)
FREESTYLE ACADEMY
Sylvia Chen
In Your Lost Consciousness
Medium: Digital
Freestyle Academy, 12th Grade
The power between the two reaches a very weird balance. The world seems to be developed, but it is emptier than ever before; parts of what seems to be important are lost, the same as the people living there. Therefore, I used very monotone colors for my project, picking post-modern and futuristic architecture as inspiration and elements. Then, combine them together in Photoshop and use the blur effect to create a realistic visual effect.
Weiyi Cheng
The Future with No Hope
Medium: Digital
Freestyle Academy, 12th Grade
The man in the water could not stand the darkness and was determined to find the light. Finally, he saw a beam of dazzling light coming from the water surface, so he swam upward desperately. From our perspective, we can see that what is waiting for him above the water surface is a more bizarre and terrifying world. In this non-realistic work, I am reminded of my study about the social problems present in China’s education system. In my opinion, tens of millions of ordinary students in China are like the people in the water. They find themselves in dark, painful situations, and as long as there is a ray of light (a glimmer of hope), they will desperately pursue it. Even if they know in their hearts that the future may be even darker, they still use this ray of light to numb and motivate themselves. I hope they can one day escape this hopeless situation.
Nicola Colace
Olivia
Medium: Pencil
Freestyle Academy, 11th Grade
This illustration depicts a collection of objects that represent my treasured memories of my sister and the childhood I’ve shared with her. A pocket clock from the antiques faire we explored together, a bottle of "fairy dust" into which we accidentally pushed the cork too far, a pair of earrings she gifted me after she left for college... From toddlers to teenagers, we've always had each other, and the bond we have is something I'll cherish forever. This piece is a tribute to that relationship.
Blanki Fernandez-Miranda
Brutal
Medium: Digital
Freestyle Academy, 11th Grade
My artistic vision and process for this piece was based off the song “Brutal” by Olivia Rodrigo. Originally made for an application, I wanted this piece to capture the key emotion I felt while listening to the song which was a feeling of loneliness. The song describes someone feeling suffocated by the expectations around them, so I thought that the best way to portray that would be by showing a wolf character surrounded by prey animal classmates. This along with warping a school environment to feel cruel and malignant helped to embody the feelings I felt listening to the song while also being visually interesting to look at.
Lillian Husky
Some Light Percussion
Medium: Wood
Freestyle Academy, 12th Grade
I designed a candle-shade in Adobe Illustrator. The inspiration was to make a gift for my grandparents. Since, my grandma sings, and my grandpa plays the drums, I knew that my project would have to involve music motifs. I ended up covering it entirely with patterns of drums. I created one design of a snare drum, and one of a djembe, the drums I remember my grandpa playing.
LOS ALTOS HIGH SCHOOL
Ashley Avidan
Seaside Symphony
Medium: Oil Painting
Los Altos High School, 10th Grade
In this still-life, I explored the interplay of form, texture, and light through the natural beauty of seashells. Their elegant curves and sharp edges create a striking contrast, which I captured using oil paint in soft pastel tones to reflect their milky, luminous hues. I aimed to bring out their delicate surfaces and sheen quality by emphasizing the highlights and colors while also creating unity and a calm, soothing atmosphere. Through this artwork, I sought to reveal the subtle beauty of shells, their fragility, luminosity, and sculptural qualities.
Linnea Forslin
Seeds of a Dream
Medium: Digital
Los Altos High School, 11th Grade
While everyone dreams, it is often easy to feel isolated in our aspirations. Yet behind every dreamer stands someone who watches as those dandelion seeds take flight, and celebrates each step of the journey. As a quiet supporter behind my sister’s dreams, I stand as a reminder that no one dreams alone. This artwork was created as a tribute to everyone who has helped me on my path to achieve my dreams, and to everyone I hope to support in return. I aspired to capture the magical quality of dreams, and the importance of continuing to nurture them.
Dean Harpaz
Misty Musical Chairs
Medium: Photo Print with Glossy Luster Paper
Los Altos High School – 12th Grade
This work is a display of our modern world in a photo. The birds represent humans in our of life of life, competing and fighting over limited spots. The mist represents the harsh conditions we all go through and the perseverance it takes to make it.
Kennedy Hautop
Metamorphosis from Within
Medium: Acrylic Paint
Los Altos High School, 11th Grade
This piece represents my personal journey of transformation, healing, and self-discovery . The butterflies emerging from my chest symbolize emotions being set free and the beauty of growth through change. I wanted to capture the nature of the liberation and challenges that come with change. The warm colors and glowing aura reflect the inner strength and beauty that comes from the process of transformation. Through this artwork, I wanted to express the idea that, just like a butterfly emerging from its cocoon, it is necessary that we embrace change in order to evolve and find our true selves.
Sofia Lee
Fading Echoes
Medium: Acrylic Paint on Stretched Canvas
Los Altos High School, 12th Grade
My name was the first he forgot, even though he cared for me until I was ten. I recall watching his lips struggle to form the words that never came. Our relationship, which encompassed my entire life, now felt like an insignificant footnote in his. Can I still have a relationship with someone who no longer remembers me? Originally, I had envisioned a fully rendered, realistic portrait of my grandfather. But as I reflect on our changing relationship, I capture him slumped, not meeting my gaze as my father lifts him from his chair. My grandpa’s face is obscured, capturing his loneliness and confusion. Though parts are left unrendered, the painting captures my grandpa in his rawest, most vulnerable form—in the quiet fragility of the present. Through art, I’ve learned that what matters most isn’t preserving the past in flawless details, but embracing the present, however fleeting or fragmented it may seem.
MOUNTAIN VIEW HIGH SCHOOL
Ira Alumno
Retro Neon Nights
Medium: Digital Photo
Mountain View High School, 9th Grade
The location of this shot is Niles Flying A, Fremont, CA. Niles is a very historic and old town, it has great stores and also great architecture, including this beautiful 1940s gas station. What brought me to this location was the bright lights and also the unique, antique look it has.
Clarissa Finch
Dancing in the Moonlight
Medium: Acrylic Paint
Mountain View High School, 12th Grade
My work is a monochromatic acrylic painting of a ballet dancer on-point in a street. I chose to make her yellow to send a calm and happy message of being at peace in the quiet of a night. I spent many hours on this painting both in school and at home and so fair it is one of my favorites.
Jane Liou
Fleetingness of Childhood
Medium: Oil on Canvas
Mountain View High School, 11th Grade
Looking back, my childhood seemed to pass by in a blur. Through this painting, I wanted to capture and celebrate the fleetingness of our youth. The painting depicts one of my vivid memories from childhood in Hong Kong—blissfully dancing with my sister and cousins on a brisk summer night. Immersed in play, I felt as if time was slowing down just for this moment, which I portrayed by painting myself and my sister in stillness. In the background, I painted the vehicles and buildings using a palette knife in a blurry, impressionistic manner to signify the passage of time. The dynamic, abstract background contrasts the detailed portrayal of children, juxtaposing the temporary moment with the vividness of the memory. This dichotomy reflects how, although moments like these are transient, they hold a permanent place in our memories.
Perhaps, the beauty of childhood lies in its ephemerality, because we feel like we must cherish these fleeting moments, we immortalize them in our minds. As a result, we turn our fleeting youth into timeless memories.
Tien-An Liu
Sprintgime Stroll
Medium: Acrylic Paint
Mountain View High School, 11th Grade
Asia is my homeland, where my roots grow deep. My chances of returning to them diminishes as I enter a new life here in America. This is why I cherish every memory and every scene there. I felt the need to recapture the beauty one can see from such a mundane pastime, like taking a stroll. With the use of acrylic and decisive strokes I strove to capture the presence and beauty in the little things such as the blades of grass or the flowers floating on the river surface.
Ava Peña
Rage in Motion
Medium: Scratchboard
Mountain View High School, 9th Grade
Sometimes rage and strong emotions can't help but lash out at the wrong moments and even, the wrong people. They are frightening and unexpected, just like a dog's bark. When I feel unsafe or uncomfortable, my instinct is to prioritize myself. Using scratchboard, I carved out a dog baring its teeth and barking to express wanting to protect myself from danger and worry of being hurt. “A dog is a man's best friend,” a phrase representing the comfort and strong bond a dog provides. But even dogs can feel unsafe at times, and when you feel like no one can provide the same safety and comfort, even around your closest friends, you start to wonder who to turn to for help.
SAINT FRANCIS
Rayana Bishnoi
Ode to the Youth
Medium: Oil Painting on Canvas
Saint Francis High School, 12th Grade
I think the youth of America are quite underrated and I wanted to honor all the creative expression that stems from the younger minds. As these children tirelessly paint the American flag, they had a solemn look on their faces to display the lack of appreciation they receive. Their toys and colorful playroom play the setting of the roots of their imagination.
Grey Brisson
Jayrik Embrace
Medium: Digital Art
Saint Francis High School, 12th Grade
This piece captures an intense, emotional moment between Jayce and Viktor from Arcane Season 2, illustrating not just their bond but also the struggles faced by queer people in a world that often resists their existence. The embrace is both tender and desperate, a collision of love and defiance against forces that threaten to tear them apart. The abstract, glowing forms surrounding them represent both external pressures- societal judgment, personal loss - and internal battles, as they navigate their identities and relationship in a world that doesn't make space for them. The vibrant, fractured light reflects the beauty and pain of queer existence: a fight to be seen, a fight to love, a fight to survive.
This is not just a depiction of two characters. It is a reflection of the real, undeniable struggle that so many endure. It is a testament to resilience, to love against all odds.
Sophia Khan
Fish Mobile
Medium: Acrylic Painting on Canvas
Saint Francis High School, 12th Grade
My favorite movie has always been “Rango” and I specifically remember taking a liking to the big wind-up fish. I love creating an out-of-body feel with my paintings. I incorporated surrealism and contrasting colors to embody the movement of the fish in the sky. Titled, “Fish Mobile” to display a nostalgic sensation of looking up at a baby mobile, this piece holds a key memory of my childhood.
Erin (Ari) Murphy Stroth
Nightlight
Medium: Digital
Saint Francis High School, 12th Grade
In 2023, my neighborhood lost power for five days. I had never realized how bright the night sky was. Without the constant light from across the street and the rush of cars, the night was truly dark and quiet. It felt as if I was in the deep sea where no light or sound could touch me. As the powerless days passed, the early calm feelings were replaced with helplessness, like I was drowning in darkness. My only comfort was the light of the moon. I was a 17-year-old who still needed her nightlight.
Kylie Tran
Looking Through
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
Saint Francis High School, 12th Grade
Although a study, this piece has helped me understand more about color and the stylization of realism.
