Aria (Cairo) Luna Parra Rasine

High School Category Winner

Sequoia High School
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"My artwork shows people in the workforce coming together and supporting each other. Food is important for every community, so I painted a girl farmer and a guy farmer in a field giving each other a dap to show teamwork. They represent everyone in society, not just men but women too, no matter their race or background.

The buildings in the background show that labor isn’t only in the fields. It also happens in cities where things are built. Our world needs both the city, where office work happens, and the fields, where our food comes from. The freeway connects the two.

Organized labor is important because it gives workers strength when they stand together. Support goes both ways. Workers support the community, and the community supports them."

Emily Chhen

High School Category First Runner-Up

Sequoia High School
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"My artwork includes several images, starting with a map of San Mateo County in the center. In the bottom left corner, there is a ranch and two cans that represent the county’s history with organized labor in canning and agriculture. In the top left corner, I painted two houses under a rising sun to show how organized labor has helped families and supported better living conditions for workers.

In the upper middle part of the painting, I included a javelin and two posters to show how organized laborers have gone on strike and fought for a better future. In the top right corner, I painted the beginning of a canned food drive to represent how labor unions in San Mateo County give back to the community. In the bottom right corner, I painted four hands raised in the air to show workers fighting for better pay, health benefits, and fair treatment.

Overall, my artwork shows the many ways organized labor has shaped our history, supported families, and improved people’s lives."

Esha Mittal

High School Category Second Runner-Up

Design Tech High School
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"My artwork aims to show and honor the hard work of farm workers. It shows a box of fresh strawberries with two men working in the field behind it, representing the effort that goes into the food we eat every day.

San Mateo County has a long history of agriculture, and the two farm workers I included are a symbol of their presence in our communities and their role in organized labor. They continue to fight for fair wages, safe working conditions, and basic rights for workers.

In conclusion, my piece recognizes the history of labor movements in San Mateo County and celebrates the farm worker community."

Sofie Khandelwal

Middle School Category Winner

Sandpiper Elementary
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"My artwork shows how the labor union came together to fight for fair rights and good working conditions for people in San Mateo County. They stood up for better pay, equality, and other important things to make life better for everyone."

Carter Fisher

Middle School Category First Runner-Up

Woodland School
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"My artwork shows people at an airport working together to go to new places they couldn’t reach on their own. I wanted to show how police, pilots, and firefighters all help each other to make things better. I put the San Mateo County symbol on the plane and a globe inside a heart to show that people here can do anything if they work together, and to remind everyone to be kind. I also wanted to show that labor groups welcome everyone and help build a better future."

Melanie Cortes

Middle School Category Second Runner-Up

Casa Circulo Cultural
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"My artwork shows people working hard to take care of their families. A lot of them have to work more than one job just to get by."

Submmission Gallery

I want to acknowledge that although these pieces were not selected, I am thankful for the time and effort these students put in. Please enjoy the unique perspectives they bring to the theme of organized labor in San Mateo County.