Local Students Shine at Artistic Discovery Awards Ceremony

The 15th annual Artistic Discovery Awards ceremony, hosted by Congresswoman Judy Chu at Huntington Library’s Haaga Hall, showcased the exceptional talents of high school students from the Pasadena area and beyond, highlighting their ability to use art as a medium for expression and social commentary.

Chu represents Pasadena in Congress. The winning works of art will be displayed in Chu’s Pasadena and Claremont offices.

Over 200 student entries were displayed at the Awards Ceremony, as Chu greeted and congratulated the fifth through first place winners, and five Honorable Mention finalists.

Tiffany To, a student from Mark Keppel High School in Alhambra, won first prize with her poignant depiction of the victims of the 2023 Monterey Park Star Dance Studio shooting. 

In a brief interview after the ceremony, Chu said, “I am always so moved and inspired by the thought and passion that I see from these students. They use their talent to be able to express it. That’s what this art competition is all about. And the ideas that come from them are just incredible. Tiffany’s depiction of the victims of the Monterey Park shooting was just so thoughtful. You could see how deeply it affected her, and she was able to transmit that to her art.”

Among the top ten awardees were several students from schools in or near Pasadena:

• Sooyong Kim from Maranatha High School in Pasadena secured fourth place. 
• Faye Haslett from John Muir High School was another notable winner, showcasing the artistic capabilities of students from the Pasadena area.

All ten top awardees received scholarships, and Tiffany To will also receive a round-trip flight to Washington, D.C., where her artwork will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol.