Zhong planned to draw one monument each day over Thanksgiving Break. Her artwork features Alhambra’s Archway, El Monte Historical Museum and Santa Fe Historical Park Trail.
By Malak Abu-Hajar
Staff Writer
Junior Keira Zhong draws the final line across her digital canvas to finish her rendition of the TC Park gazebo. Surrounded by monuments and landmarks representing cities in the 49th district of California, the gazebo marks the finish of Zhong’s first-place submission for the Heart of District 49 Art Contest. The nine participating districts in the competition include Alhambra, Arcadia, El Monte, Monterey Park, Rosemead, San Gabriel, San Marino, South Pasadena and TC.
“I wanted to get more in touch with my artistic side and I found an opportunity to do that during Thanksgiving Break,” Zhong said. “But also because I felt like this was also a good way to represent the entire district as a whole.”
Two students from TCHS received awards in the art contest. Zhong’s artwork won among the high school contestants and will be displayed in Sacramento, while junior Kevin Wu received an honorable mention and his art will be displayed in City Hall. The objective of the contest was to showcase the community throughout the nine districts in the San Gabriel Valley. Contestants learned of the competition through a mass email from Assembly member Mike Fong, the sponsor of the contest. Submissions opened in November, and the award ceremony was in December at the San Gabriel Mission Playhouse.
Zhong first started her art journey in elementary school as a creative outlet. Her artwork, inspired by events in her life, created a safe space for her.
“I’m always thinking [about art] every single waking moment of my life, so I feel like when I’m at school and I’m bored, I don’t really feel as bored,” Zhong said. “So, for example, in English, when the teacher says something symbolic, I can make a reference to this in my art.”
Zhong continued her art journey in high school and is currently the president of the 2D Animation Club. In addition, she is producing a film through the club, which features animated characters teaching others about pancreatic cancer. 2D Animation Club aims to release the film by the end of May or early June 2026. Zhong also posts her art on her Instagram page, @keiraistry. She hopes to pursue a career in medical toxicology.
Wu began his art journey doodling when he was younger, eventually turning his hobby into a serious focus in high school. His submission featured a scenic night festival at TC park.
“The theme was about our home—our district—so I just felt it really resonated to me, and I wanted to draw something representing our town,” Wu said. “I was thinking, ‘The best would be our gazebo. I feel like that represents our city the best.’”
Wu is the activities director of the Art Club. He also has an art Instagram, @salnodd.
“That’s what I like about art, the multitude of views that people can offer on the same subject,” Wu said. “[Art is] definitely learning new things, it’s very hard at the beginning. But as I persevered through support from friends, I was able to finally see improvement, the light at the end of the tunnel.”
Wu doesn’t wish to pursue a profession in art, but he hopes to continue it as a hobby.
“It’s important that you work at your own pace, be happy with what you have and know that you will be able to improve,” Wu said. “It’s gonna take some time, even years, to finally get to a point where you’re satisfied with your work.”