Since 2000 the Visions of Unity Contest has encouraged Torrance youth to reflect on their role in resolving critical community issues, to artistically express their unique ideas and ideals in a way that broadens minds and touches hearts, and to take initiative in enhancing unity among diverse groups within society.
Share your vision of unity, to inspire your peers, see your work published, earn a cash award, and receive public honor among leaders, elected officials, and community. Open only to high school students in Torrance, California.
The Visions of Unity contest was inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King, whose birthday comes on or near the contest’s deadline every year. NOW IN OUR 26th YEAR, the contest continues to engage youth, their families, community leaders, education providers, sponsors and donors in the power of artistic expression to cross cultural boundaries and forge new bonds as members of one human family, to explore ways individuals can work together to cultivate greater healing, harmony, and understanding within their communities.
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Congratulations to the 2026 winners!!! Please join us at the Awards Gala on March 23 at The South High Performing Arts Center, 4801 Pacific Coast Hwy, Torrance, CA 90505
Contest Categories
Literature: Poetry, Essay, and Short Story
Visual Arts: Drawing, Painting, Photography, Sculpture, and Computer Graphics
Winners will receive cash awards, thanks to the generosity of the sponsors below. Over the last 25 years, more than 1,000 students have received awards and over $125,000 in cash prizes.
Partners and Donors
The Human Relations Forum of Torrance, along with community partners, seeks to celebrate diversity, promote education and understanding while cultivating a sense of belonging for the diverse population of Torrance.
Community partners include: Torrance Memorial Medical Center, Volunteer Center South Bay-Harbor-Long Beach, Torrance Unified School District, and Palos Verdes Chapter of the Links, Inc.
Donors Include:
Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn
The Tang Family Foundation (Diana Tang Otto)
Congressman Ted Lieu and Betty Lieu
Board President of the Torrance Unified School District Board of Education
St. Luke’s Presbyterian Church
Patricia Kromka
Lea Ann King
Jean Adelsman
Jack’s Pizza (Aram & Alene Zeitounian
Alan Terzian)
Shirley and Chih-Ming Ho
Sara and Elizabeth Baillie
Steve and Dzovig Moses
Patrice Lefevre
Palos Verdes Chapter of the Links
Torrance Memorial Medical Center
Jenny Pan
Mary and Hagop Terzian
Mara and Jirayr Zeitounian
Teresa Langness
Emily and Sean Nowling
Cathy Block
US Congressman Ted Lieu
CA State Senator Ben Allen
CA Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi
LA County Supervisor Janice Hahn
The Wonderful All-Volunteer Staff Include:
Torrance Unified School District Liaison: Betty Lieu, Terry Ragins
Additional volunteers: Jenny Pan, Sara Baillie, Lea Ann King, Teresa Langness, Aram Zeitounian, Camron Berga
Special thanks to South High School and Principal Evans for generously providing the use of the South High School Performing Arts Center, and to Jack’s Pizza for catering the awards ceremony.
Questions? Contact us at [email protected]
Content copyright 2009-2026. Visions of Unity. All rights reserved