Rural Arizona Youth Turn Art into Action in RAZE’s 2025 Sticker Design Contest

Winning designs on the theme “Envision a Healthy Environment” will be printed and shared at community events statewide

ARIZONA – Rural Arizona Engagement (RAZE) is proud to announce the winners of their 2025 Summer Sticker Design Contest, an annual initiative that merges creativity, community pride, and hands-on civic engagement. This year’s theme, “Envision a Healthy Environment,” invited young artists ages 13-18 from rural communities across Arizona to create designs that imagine a healthier future for their communities.

After weeks of public voting, the top 3 winners are:

1st Place: Danely Ochoa

• 1st Place: Danely Ochoa – 18, Yuma, AZ. Danely recently graduated from San Luis High School and will begin college this fall. A Christian artist, she explained, “I wanted to include God in this design one way or another. I decided to include a pair of hands to demonstrate how God blessed us with nature for our well-being. With this said, God gave us the responsibility to steward after his wonderful creation.” Danely will receive a $100 gift card, and her design will be printed and distributed at RAZE events throughout the year.

• 2nd Place: Abigail Matthews – 15, Pinal County. A RAZE Leader, Abigail, has been passionate about drawing since childhood. “Ever since I was little, I’ve loved using art to bring my ideas to life, whether it’s sketching characters or exploring new styles. For me, drawing isn’t just a hobby; it’s a way I can freely express myself, tell stories, and see the world in

  a more creative way,” she shared. Her design was inspired by community clean-up efforts she’s taken part in: “I’ve seen firsthand how teamwork and dedication can transform Arizona into a place we can all be proud of.” Abigail will receive a $50 gift card.

• 3rd Place: Janece Meza, – 14, San Luis, AZ. A traditional and virtual artist, Janece explained the concept behind her design: “There’s so much trash in the world, and many people are blind to it. The inside of the glasses shows the small, clean part of the world we choose to see. Outside the glasses, it shows the reality: piles of trash that keep growing every year because we don’t recycle or throw things away properly.” Janece will receive a $25 gift card.

3rd Place: Janece Meza

2nd Place: Abigail Matthews

While the contest celebrates artistic skill, its impact goes far beyond the artwork. Every participant, whether they placed in the top three or not, actively engaged their communities by sharing their artwork and encouraging others to vote. Many reached out to friends, family, neighbors, and classmates, building connections and learning how to inspire action around a shared cause.

“This contest is about more than winning a prize,” said Valeria Bejar, Statewide Education Coordinator at RAZE. “It gives youth a platform to express themselves, connect with others, and see firsthand how their ideas can inspire action. Many didn’t even realize they were organizing; they just knew they were excited to share their artwork.”

Through conversations with family, friends, classmates, and neighbors, participants learned how to communicate their message and encourage community participation. For many, this was their first step into civic engagement, showing them that their voices matter and can make a difference.

The winning designs will be printed and distributed at RAZE events throughout the year, ensuring the artist’s message continues to reach communities across Arizona. For every young artist involved, the experience leaves a lasting impact, confidence, connection, and the knowledge that they played a part in engaging their community.

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