Two students from the Mountain Communities Boys & Girls Club proudly earned third place in the 2026 Rotary Art for Peace contest at the district level, receiving recognition at an awards ceremony held at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum on Saturday, Jan. 24.
The ceremony was part of the annual Garbis Der-Yeghian Peace Conference.
The Rotary Art for Peace competition invites young artists to express their interpretation of the annual theme; this year’s theme was “Mediation: A Tool for Peace.” Participants were challenged to create original artwork no larger than 11 by 14 inches, while also incorporating a Rotary International or Rotary Interact symbol or logo into their design. The contest encourages creativity, reflection and dialogue around peacebuilding and conflict resolution.
Both students had placed first at the local level – a collaboration between the three Rim-area Rotary clubs and the Mountain Communities Boys & Girls Club – Elijah Martinez at the TK through Grade 2 level and Colton Stekkinger at the Grade 3 through 5 level.
The students were awarded third-place ribbons and prize checks during the ceremony, which drew a large and enthusiastic crowd. According to Marcy Vega, CEO of the Mountain Communities Boys & Girls Club, the event was standing room only.
“The place was packed, and the kids were absolutely elated,” Vega said. “It was such a proud moment to see their hard work recognized on such a meaningful stage.”
The achievement highlights the talent, creativity and thoughtful perspectives of youth from the mountain communities, as well as the ongoing impact of arts and mentorship programs at the Boys & Girls Club. Community members and supporters celebrated the students’ success, recognizing it as a testament to the power of art in promoting peace and understanding.
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