Barbara George Art & Poetry Contest

By means of encouraging youth to reflect on their court experience, the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) - Center for Families, Children & the Courts (CFCC) hopes to inspire expression through the arts. This year we received almost 100 entries from California youth. The contest was open to children & youth of any age with experience in California's Court System and finalists were showcased at the Beyond the Bench 21 Conference.

Winners of the 2011 Barbara George Art & Poetry Contest
First Place — Vicente C., 17 for "Struggles"	First Place — Vicente C., 17 for "My Struggles" The list goes on when they ask me "What Makes Me Strong?" I've learned from my wrongs, To make stronger bonds. Towards positive goals... More
Second Place — Eduardo S., 17 for "Latin Culture"	Second Place — Jon C., 16 for "Family Matters" Family is my sustenance when trouble knocks me to the ground My family is my rope. my family helps me get back up.... More
Third Place — Tyree D., 17 for "Our Roots Run Deep"	Third Place — Joseph P., 13 for "What makes me strong is Brandon" What makes me strong is my younger sibling Brandon (name withheld), as a five-year-old child he has witnessed so much violence and neglect. He's in kindergarten and I think to myself "wow when I was in kindergarten I was learning my alphabets"... More

Prizes will be awarded to the winners, generously provided by the AOC staff via bake sales and monetary donations. The contest has generated a library of images that serve as lasting reminders of the courts' commitment to children and youth. Special thanks to Barbara George and members of the CFCC Staff for their judging assistance.

Thanks for viewing the page, we hope to see you at the next Barbara George Art & Poetry Contest! View the original 2011 contest flyer, or click below to view the 2011 top ten finalists of both categories: