Sen. Shelley Calvo honors youth winners of "Why the World Needs Art" contest

Sen. Shelley Calvo presented awards to student winners of the "Why the World Needs Art" contest at a ceremony in the Guam Legislature on April 28, 2026. The event recognized the creativity of students across divisions and announced that winning pieces will be exhibited in the legislature building.

Calvo, who identified herself as chairperson of Youth Affairs, opened the ceremony by stressing the civic value of arts education and the role of public exhibition in placing “students' voices at the center of community life.” She said the contest was intended to underline why art matters to the island’s culture and education and thanked teachers, mentors, volunteers and families for supporting student participation.

The high school division winner was Amber Salonatin of Southern High School. Calvo presented a certificate of recognition (No. 362-38), a school gift box of art supplies and a small cash award intended to encourage further study. According to remarks given at the ceremony, Amber said she created a black-and-white drawing to emphasize preserving Guam’s history and to invite viewers—especially youth—to regard the island with admiration. “I really took into account how important it is to preserve the history of Guam,” she said, describing children in her piece as symbols of admiration and hope.

The middle school prize went to Adriana de Guzman of Guam Academy Charter School. The student described her work as a celebration of the earth and multiple art forms—music, monuments, nature and more—and Calvo praised the piece for incorporating diverse artistic elements. Calvo invited representatives from the winning students’ schools to accept the school prize packages on behalf of the students.

Calvo read the certificate language into the record and named legislative officers associated with the recognition, citing Speaker Frank Blas Jr., Vice Speaker V. Anthony Ada and Legislative Secretary Sabrina Sales Matanani as attesting officials. She said the certificate was issued on April 28, 2026.

The elementary division winner, Kira Arya Paredo of Adaka Elementary School, was not present; Calvo said the legislature would hold Kira’s certificate and prize and contact the school to arrange delivery. Calvo also noted that the winning pieces will be shown in the Guam Legislature building to give broader public exposure to the students’ work.

The ceremony proceeded without formal votes or motions. Calvo closed by encouraging continued participation in arts programming and thanking all entrants and their supporters.

The Legislature’s Youth Affairs committee listed the recognition as certificate No. 362-38 and said logistical follow-up (delivery of prizes to absent winners and placement of pieces for display) would be handled with the respective schools.