Santa Barbara Sister Cities Advisory Board
Young Artists and Authors Showcase 2025
Welcome to the online gallery of student artwork from the 2025 local chapter of the Sister Cities International Young Artists and Authors Showcase. Students ages 12–18 from Santa Barbara and Goleta created pieces inspired by the theme, “Friendship: The Heartbeat of Global Peace.” Their work was displayed in April 2025 at the Santa Barbara County Education Office auditorium, where a reception was held to honor the participating artists.
Handcrafted 2D Art Category
Sofia S. – 12th Grade – San Marcos High School
Sophia E. – 12th Grade – San Marcos High School
Samantha M. – 7th Grade –Goleta Valley Jr High
Arianna A. – 12th Grade – San Marcos High School
Daniella R. – 12th Grade – San Marcos High School
Alina M. – 12th Grade – Dos Pueblos High School
Gianna M. – 11th Grade – San Marcos High School
Quinn G. – 12th Grade – Dos Pueblos High School
Margo L. – 7th Grade – Goleta Valley Jr High
Miranda L. – 8th Grade – Goleta Valley Jr High
Kendall S. – 8th Grade – Goleta Valley Jr High
Andrew D. – 8th Grade – Goleta Valley Jr High
Andrew W. – 7th Grade – Goleta Valley Jr High
Nya R. – 8th Grade – Goleta Valley Jr High
Noelani K. – 7th Grade – La Colina Jr High
Dahlia T. – 8th Grade – Goleta Valley Jr High
Diego R. – 10th Grade – Dos Pueblos High School
Lesly D. – 11th Grade – Dos Pueblos High School
Isabella C. – 10th Grade – Dos Pueblos High School
Willow S. – 7th Grade –Goleta Valley Jr High
Danya F. – 7th Grade – Goleta Valley Jr High
Ava T. – 8th Grade – Goleta Valley Jr High
Giana W. – 8th Grade – Goleta Valley Jr High
Tobyn R. – 7th Grade – Goleta Valley Jr High
Alexander B. – 7th Grade – Goleta Valley Jr High
Amalia S. – 7th Grade – Goleta Valley Jr High
Alfie G. – 7th Grade – Goleta Valley Jr High
Samara K. – 7th Grade – Goleta Valley Jr High
Felix P. – 8th Grade – Goleta Valley Jr High
Myla Z. – 7th Grade – Goleta Valley Jr High
Patrick S. – 8th Grade – Goleta Valley Jr High
Xavier P. – 8th Grade – Goleta Valley Jr High
Siena B. – 7th Grade – Goleta Valley Jr High
Digital Art & Photography Category
Aung Z. – 11th Grade – San Marcos High School
Atton H. – 10th Grade – Dos Pueblos High School
Joshua W. – 10th Grade – Dos Pueblos High School
Kate B. – 11th Grade – Dos Pueblos High School
Auuika K. – 10th Grade – Dos Pueblos High School
Selah B. – 11th Grade – Dos Pueblos High School
Seraph S. – 12th Grade – Dos Pueblos High School
Solei S. – 11th Grade – Dos Pueblos High School
Poetry
The Orchard of Youth
Paetra S. – 8th Grade – Goleta Valley Jr High
The outstretched arms of the orchard,
The sky clear as a lake.
The warm sun inviting,
Your toes it will bake.
The blooming trees of oranges,
Bright and radiant with color.
The dusty red dirt,
The sweet smell of summer.
The long sloped hill,
The old rusty wagon.
The beat of your heart,
The old wheels draggin'.
The carefree air,
The scuffed up knees.
The bruises and bumps,
From climbing orange trees.
The sticky, sweet juice,
Running down your neck,
The icy cold water,
Stinging,
As you're wet.
Wet from the hoses,
So joyfully sprayed,
Making weird noises,
And your hair frayed.
An old man running,
As if a toddler,
His wife scolds him,
As if his father.
Young babies run,
Inside the house,
Everyone's chasing,
Many give shouts.
The arms of the orchard,
The orchard of youth.
What Friends Are For
Stacy-Guadelupe L. – 8th Grade – La Colina Jr High
When in the dark.
Reach out to the light.
Reach out to the hand of a friend.
They really do care.
If you say they don't.
What do you mean?
Friends are here to help.
Here to laugh with.
Here to care.
Here to grow together with.
Here to learn from.
Here to make memories that will last a lifetime.
Friendships are part of the journey.
They come and go but very few stay along to see you grow.
To see the adventure that the future holds for each other.