The Filipino American National Historical Society in tandem with Virginia Beach City Public Schools (VBCPS) is sponsoring a creative competition open to all VBCPS high school students. The contest is in celebration of Asian Pacific American (APA) heritage and organizers hope to encourage students to take the opportunity to explore the influences of this varied culture in their own lives. The competition deadline is Monday, October 15.

One of the celebration and contest organizers, Ray Obispo, remarks, “The entire Asian Pacific American Heritage Showcase committee is very excited to be sponsoring this contest in conjunction with Virginia Beach schools. As a teacher myself, I know how talented and creative our students are. The caliber and variety of entries should be outstanding. We are looking forward to receiving numerous entries.”

Students may submit artistic works in any one of three categories: visual arts, multimedia, or prose. Each submission, however, must reflect the contest’s theme, Culture: The Power to Define. Eligible submissions include traditional art in the form of photography, painting, mural art, sculpture, etc. In addition, entries may include short films (five minutes), multimedia presentations, written reflections, essays, poetry, oratory, presentations on family history, and presentations on the history of immigration of an Asian American ethnic group.

All entries will be judged by a committee which will review and rank submissions that best exemplify the theme of the contest. All creative works must be original and developed by the competitor, with no copyrighted material allowed. Arrangements for judging large submissions such as murals will be made on a case by case basis. Entries should be submitted to the social studies department chair at each high school. The top entry in each category – visual art, multimedia, and prose – will be on display at the Asian Pacific American Heritage Showcase slated for Monday, October 29, at Landstown High School.

For further information about the contest or the Asian Pacific American Heritage Showcase, please contact Salem High School social studies teacher Ray Obispo at 474.8484 or by e-mail at raymond.obispo@vbschools.com.