Kaylee Klumpp

Ell Ruggles works on her poster submission for The Art of Humanity Poetry and Poster on March 6, 2024.

The VBCPS Office for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion hosted its second annual Poetry and Poster contest, The Art of Humanity, in celebration of the Season for Nonviolence.

The Season for Nonviolence is a nationwide media, educational and grassroots campaign dedicated to displaying the ways nonviolence heals, transforms and empowers communities.

The contest, which accepted entries from Jan. 30 through March 16, 2024, aimed to encourage VBCPS students and staff to reflect and learn about the message behind the Season for Nonviolence.

This year’s entries showcased themes of overcoming obstacles, peacefully resolving conflict, unity and hope. There will be 16 awards, eight for posters and eight for poetry, divided among the four categories: elementary school, middle school, high school and faculty. The awards will be presented at Tallwood High School on March 28, 2024, according to The Vibe Creative District.

“I think it is important to have contests like this because it forces people to engage in critical thinking about peace,” said art teacher Summer Paradiso.