Congratulations YAAS Winners
Essay Showcase Winner: Wilmer Sterling
Friendship: The Heartbeat of Global Peace By Wilmer Sterling
In the words of renowned American civil rights activist, Martin Luther King Jr. "Men often hate each other because they fear each other; they fear each other because they don't know each other; they don't know each other because they can not communicate; they can not communicate because they are separated." Fear is one of the most potent factors in human history, fear of monsters creates myths and legends, fear of change sparks resistance and conflict, and fear of outsiders fuels division and prejudice. Luckily, as denizens of the digital millennia we live in an era of unprecedented global interconnectivity, which gives us the tools needed to break cultural barriers and form deeper connections worldwide.
Historically, hatred and conflict have emerged because humans fear what they do not understand. Insular societies are all too susceptible to identifying outsiders as boogeymen on whom all problems are blamed. However, in the digital age of today, we possess unparalleled access to knowledge. With little more than a cursory Google search, we can quickly learn the basics of almost any subject imaginable. The internet is an incredible leap forward and allows people to connect, learn, and foster peace through understanding.
The internet has provided me with many avenues to meet new people. After COVID-19 and the quarantine paralyzed society and shuttered schools, I spent a lot of time online and met people who shared a love for history with me. Over time we developed a larger friend group and would play games together. The long-distance nature of our friendships, which in past times would have proved an insurmountable obstacle, is irrelevant in the modern day. We’ve met people from every inhabited continent, and often have long discussions about the differences between our countries. These conversations have allowed me to broaden my horizons beyond the limited scope of these United States.
Friendship is a powerful force for change. When we build connections with people very different from us, we work to break down the cultural walls that divide us. A century ago, people genuinely believed propaganda that those from neighboring cultures were savages and uncivilized, but now thanks to the internet we can see firsthand that could not be further from the truth. The advent of video-sharing platforms like Twitter and YouTube let even the most remote of cultures, from the tribes of Papua New Guinea to the Sami People of Scandinavia, be appreciated and studied in the full depth they deserve, without the cultural biases that have plagued humanity.
In this way, I believe that friendship is the way towards a more understanding and peaceful future, a future where we spend less time focusing on what divides us and instead discuss our shared experiences as human beings. This is the promise of a world where we choose empathy over fear, connection over division, and shared humanity over isolation. Through friendship, we can build a better tomorrow, together.
Application Credentials
Sister Cities of Franklin and Williamson County and Sister Cities International are proud to present the 2025 Young Artists and Authors Showcase (YAAS), inviting youth from Williamson County, TN to express their creativity through the theme “Friendship: The Heartbeat of Global Peace.” This year’s theme highlights the power of friendship to foster understanding, collaboration, and peace across borders.
Open to artists, writers, photographers, and musicians aged 12-18, the Showcase provides a unique platform to explore how global friendships can drive positive change and bridge cultural divides. Submissions will be accepted in various mediums, including visual art, essays, poetry, and music.
By participating in this inspiring competition, young creators will have the opportunity to share their vision of a peaceful world and contribute to the international dialogue about the importance of building friendships across nations.
Students must submit their artwork to Sister Cities of Franklin and Williamson County, by Saturday, March 1, 2025. Additional information regarding specification and entry requirements can be found in the links below.
Awards
Local Competition: First, second, and third places will be chosen between all categories and cash prizes will be awarded by Sister Cities of Franklin and Williamson County to the students in the appropriate age division. 1st place will receive $250, 2nd place - $150; and third place - $75.
International Competition: First, Second, and Third place winners will be selected in the international competition in Washington D.C. The Grand Prize Winner (1st place) will receive $1,000; 2nd place will receive $250; and 3rd place will receive $100. The winning art pieces will be published on the Sister Cities International website.
Young Authors Competition Google Application Forms (Deadline March 1, 2025)
Young Artist Competition Google Application Forms (Deadline March 1, 2025)
