District Attorney Jeff Rosen awarded $3,000 in cash prizes to three local high school students for their artwork calling attention to animal cruelty, according to a May 16 statement. An 11th grader who hopes to become a veterinarian received the top prize of $1,500. Her artwork will be made into a poster and shared at public events throughout the county.
The annual “Justice for All” Award Poster Contest invited Santa Clara County high school students to raise awareness about animal cruelty, with a focus on neglect and how it can be reported. More than 130 students submitted entries this year, making it the contest’s most successful edition so far.
Rosen said he was impressed by the response and honored the winners during a ceremony at the Santa Clara County Government Center. “Through their creativity, these students chose to speak for the voiceless and their art will educate our community about this crime,” Rosen said. “They give me hope that more people will recognize and report animal cruelty.”
Angelica Liljenstam, an 11th grader at Leland High School in San Jose, won first place and received $1,500. Allison Li, a sophomore from Oakwood School in Gilroy, earned second place with $1,000. Third place went to Kimani Rivera from KIPP San Jose Collegiate High School who received $500.
Liljenstam’s winning piece featured her dog Brie as well as her snake Basil among other animals behind the message: “Neglect is Abuse.” The funding for these prizes comes from asset forfeiture funds collected by the District Attorney’s Office through money seized from drug dealers and other criminals.
Over the past five years, prosecutors filed 78 cases related to animal abuse; last year alone saw charges brought in 26 such cases. Authorities urge anyone witnessing animal abuse or neglect to contact local animal control agencies.
