Almaden Resident

Education

Leland junior earns third place in United Nations art contest

By Eli Segall

A Leland High School junior earned third place in a recent United Nations-sponsored art competition.

Jessica Hsueh, 15, took part in the ninth annual UN Peace Pals Art Competition, along with more than 1,000 other North American children ages 5 through 15. The theme of the contest was "Culture of Peace." Jessica, who participated in the 13-15 age group, drew a stork-like dove carrying planet Earth in a blanket.

Winners were announced Sept. 21.

"Jessica is a very creative and focused artist," said Helen Yang, Jessica's art instructor at Visionary Arts School in Campbell, where the budding artist takes weekly lessons.

"She's very dedicated. She always has unique ideas for her drawings and paintings," Yang added.

As outlined by the UN, drawings were supposed to reflect cooperation and cultural and spiritual diversity.