Oakland County announced the winners of its second annual Juneteenth Art and Essay Contest.
This year’s theme was, “Journey to Juneteenth: What Does Freedom Mean Today?”
The contest is part of the county’s annual Juneteenth Celebration, which honors the end of slavery in the United States on June 19, 1865, when enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, learned they were free, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation.
Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter congratulated this year’s winners.
“Juneteenth is a time to reflect on our nation’s history while recognizing the importance of freedom and respect for every person,” said Coulter. “These students demonstrated remarkable creativity and maturity in exploring what freedom means — not only as a historical milestone but also as a responsibility we all share today.”
The winners were recognized at the celebration, and each received a $150 gift card.
Essay Category Winners
Grades K-3: Clara Assumpta Bunao — Hill Elementary School, Troy
Grades 4-7: Swara Kadam — Carpenter Elementary School, Lake Orion
Grades 8-12: Peter Kwon — International Academy East, Troy
Post-High School: Dexson Torres — Wayne County Community College District
Clara wrote about how freedom allows her to serve her community through volunteering, supporting people in need and caring for animals.
“Freedom means being able to make choices and be yourself,” she wrote. “I think freedom is very important because it helps people learn, grow and be happy.”
Peter shared a deeply personal reflection connecting Juneteenth with his family’s history and his grandmother’s experience fleeing Korea during war.
“This is what Juneteenth means to me,” he wrote. “Freedom delayed is freedom denied, and denial leaves scars that do not fade.”
Art Category Winners
Grades K-3: Prisha Narain — Hickory Woods Elementary School, Novi
Grades 4-7: Manha Jabbar — Novi Meadows, Novi
Grades 8-12: Heaven Caston — Kettering High School, Waterford
Post-High School: Jayden “Vern” Leslie — Durant High School, Waterford