HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS TEEN POSTER, WRITING & MUSIC CONTEST
Human Trafficking, known as modern day slavery, is making a person work or sell themselves by either physical or psychological force,
or by fraud or trickery, or through threats of harm, and includes children selling or trading their bodies or labor. The FBI identified
San Francisco as a hot spot for human trafficking in the United States.
Eligibility: The SFCAHT Anti-Trafficking Teen Poster, Writing and Music Contest is open to middle
and high school students attending public, private, or home schools in San Francisco and the greater Bay Area.
The submissions are original writings, musical compositions and artworks (no copyrighted materials) that involve any media
(paint, crayons, stickers, charcoal, computer-generated graphics, music, writings, handwritings, etc.)
and can be created by an individual or in groups of up to 3 members. Winners are recognized by the San Francisco
officials during the Human Trafficking Awareness Month.
In each contest we present the following prizes:
1st place: $500
2nd place: $250
3rd place: $100
WATCH THE ORIENTATION VIDEO
Stay tuned for the 2026 CONTEST THEME and contest rules.
2025 CONTEST RULES
English:
2025 POSTER CONTEST RULES
2025 WRITING CONTEST RULES
2025 MUSIC CONTEST RULES
Spanish:
2025 CONCURS DE CARTELES ADOLESCENTES
2025 CONCURSO DE ESCRITURA ADOLESCENTES
2025 CONCURSO DE MUSICA ADOLESCENTES
Please let us know HERE if your school or one of your teachers would be interested in hosting a 15 to 30-minute awareness session for the students to learn the warning signs of human trafficking and ways to help prevent it. Our representative will get back to you to schedule the session and discuss details.
The teen contest has been a powerful tool to raise awareness of human trafficking among school-age youth.
Please help to spread the word and promote the contest!
or by fraud or trickery, or through threats of harm, and includes children selling or trading their bodies or labor. The FBI identified
San Francisco as a hot spot for human trafficking in the United States.
Eligibility: The SFCAHT Anti-Trafficking Teen Poster, Writing and Music Contest is open to middle
and high school students attending public, private, or home schools in San Francisco and the greater Bay Area.
The submissions are original writings, musical compositions and artworks (no copyrighted materials) that involve any media
(paint, crayons, stickers, charcoal, computer-generated graphics, music, writings, handwritings, etc.)
and can be created by an individual or in groups of up to 3 members. Winners are recognized by the San Francisco
officials during the Human Trafficking Awareness Month.
In each contest we present the following prizes:
1st place: $500
2nd place: $250
3rd place: $100
WATCH THE ORIENTATION VIDEO
Stay tuned for the 2026 CONTEST THEME and contest rules.
2025 CONTEST RULES
English:
2025 POSTER CONTEST RULES
2025 WRITING CONTEST RULES
2025 MUSIC CONTEST RULES
Spanish:
2025 CONCURS DE CARTELES ADOLESCENTES
2025 CONCURSO DE ESCRITURA ADOLESCENTES
2025 CONCURSO DE MUSICA ADOLESCENTES
Please let us know HERE if your school or one of your teachers would be interested in hosting a 15 to 30-minute awareness session for the students to learn the warning signs of human trafficking and ways to help prevent it. Our representative will get back to you to schedule the session and discuss details.
The teen contest has been a powerful tool to raise awareness of human trafficking among school-age youth.
Please help to spread the word and promote the contest!
PAST CONTESTS
2025 Teen Poster, Writing, and Music Contest
Theme: Stolen People, Stolen Dreams
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March 1, 2025
San Francisco Main Public Library, Koret Auditorium At the closing of the 16th Annual Awareness Campaign of SFCAHT, we gathered to honor the winners of the 2025 Teen Poster, Writing & Music Contest and learn about youth achievements in human trafficking prevention. Students from across the Bay Area performed and shared experiences in anti-trafficking advocacy. The SFCAHT Student Alliance presented about its initiatives and achievements. Attendees learned how to join the movement locally and help create awareness of human trafficking in their own schools and communities. |
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Download the winning posters in three languages for print and distribution:
English - click on the photo below
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2025 Poster Contest Winners
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1st Place
Gia Munoz - 7th grade School of the Epiphany | San Francisco |
2nd Place
Dallas Burch - 12th grade Drew School | San Francisco |
3rd Place
Jack Murray - 12 grade Drew School | San Francisco |
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3rd Place
Mario Mora - 12th grade Drew School | San Francisco |
Most Comprehensive Depiction of Human Trafficking
Jack Murray - 12 grade Drew School | San Francisco |
Artistic Excellence
Francisca Wu - 10th grade North Bay Christian Academy | Novato |
Originality
Zahra Roux Jacobo - 11th grade Drew School | San Francisco |
2025 Writing Contest Winners
2025 Music Contest Winner
1st Place
Qwavario Ford - 12th grade
Independence High School | San Jose
Qwavario Ford - 12th grade
Independence High School | San Jose
2024 Teen Poster, Writing, and Music Contest
Theme: Invisible But Not Forgotten
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March 9, 2024
San Francisco Main Public Library, Koret Auditorium At the closing of the 15th Annual Awareness Campaign of SFCAHT, we gathered to honor the winners of the 2024 Teen Poster, Writing & Music Contest and learn about youth achievements in human trafficking prevention. Students from across the Bay Area performed and shared experiences in anti-trafficking advocacy. Attendees learned how to join the movement locally and help create awareness of human trafficking in their own schools and communities. |
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Download the winning posters in three languages for print and distribution:
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English - click on the photo below
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English - click on the photo below
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2024 Poster Contest Winners
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1st Place
Chloe MacGillis - 11th grade Drew School | San Francisco |
1st Place
Alisha Wu - 11th grade Galileo Academy of Science and Technology | San Francisco |
2nd Place
Quinlyn Savage - 11th grade Pinole Valley High School | Pinole |
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3rd Place
Alex Paulson - 11th grade Drew School| Pinole |
Most Comprehensive Depiction of Human Trafficking
Hayli Chun - 12th Grade Drew School | San Francisco |
Artistic Excellence
Casey Mottola - 11th grade Ruth Asawa School of the Arts | San Francisco |
Originality
Sophia Chen - 11th grade Lincoln High School| San Francisco |
2024 Writing Contest Winners
2024 Music Contest Winner
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1st Place
Qwavario Ford - 12th grade Independence High School | San Jose |
2nd Place
Andrew Chandra - 12th grade Wilson High School | Santa Clara |
2023 Teen Poster, Writing, and Music Contest
Theme: Lift Us Out of the Shadows
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March 2, 2023 Koret Auditorium San Francisco Main Public Library At the closing of the 14th Annual Awareness Campaign of SFCAHT, we gathered for another inspiring summit to honor the winners of the 2023 Teen Poster, Writing & Music Contest and learn about youth achievements in human trafficking prevention. Students from across the Bay Area performed and shared experiences in anti-trafficking advocacy. Attendees learned how to join the movement locally and help create awareness of human trafficking in their own schools and communities. |
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2023 Poster Contest Winners
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1st Place
Lailey Elliot - 11th grade Drew School | San Francisco |
2nd Place
William Zeng - 12th grade Independence High School | San Jose |
3rd Place
Zachary Nathanson - 12th grade Drew School | San Francisco |
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Most Comprehensive Depiction of Human Trafficking
Xiara Clayton - 12th Grade Drew School | San Francisco |
Artistic Excellence
Katelyn Ho - 12th grade Independence High School | San Jose |
Originality
Darvia Ford - 12th grade Independence High School | San Jose |
2023 Writing Contest Winners
2023 Music Contest Winner
1st Place
Andrew Chandra - 11th grade
Wilson High School | Santa Clara
Andrew Chandra - 11th grade
Wilson High School | Santa Clara
2022 Teen Poster, Writing, and Music Contest
Theme: Shine Light on the Darkness.
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Students from across the Bay Area participated in the 2022 Anti-Human Trafficking Awareness Teen Poster, Writing and Music Contest. At the Teen Power Summit on February 16, 2022, we honored and presented prizes the 2022 winners of the contest. Youth activists from across the Bay Area shared experiences in anti-trafficking advocacy, prevention and leadership. See below the winning submissions.
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See below the 2022 Winning Poster
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2022 Poster Contest Winners
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1st Place
Nicholas Wong - 11th grade Drew School | San Francisco |
2nd Place
Sophia Maximov – 7th grade Herbert Hoover Middle School | San Francisco |
3rd Place
Eleanor Mayer- 12th grade Drew School | San Francisco |
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Originality
Jerry Li - 11th grade Lowell High School - San Francisco |
Artistic Excellence
Keira Callahan - 9th grade Drew School | San Francisco |
Most Comprehensive Depiction of Human Trafficking
Cristina Sosa - 11th Grade Galileo High School | San Francisco |
2022 Writing Contest Winners
2022 Music Contest Winners
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1st Place
Ian Tarantino - 11th grade Aspen Academy | Petaluma |
2nd Place
Simone Berry - 11th grade Ruth Asawa School of the Arts - San Francisco |
3rd Place
Andrew Chandra - 10th grade Wilson High School | Santa Clara |
To get your free printed posters, email us at info@sfcaht.org or call (415) 346-4600
2021 Teen Poster and Writing Contest
Theme: My Body. My Mind. My Life.
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For another year, students from across the Bay Area participated in the Anti-Human Trafficking Awareness Teen Poster and Writing Contest. The theme of this year's contest was “My Body. My Mind. My Life.” The winners were honored and presented prizes at the SFCAHT Awareness Campaign's closing event on February 24, 2021 at the San Francisco War Memorial Veterans Building. Special recognitions presented our keynote speaker, Emmy-Award Winning TV Host and Activist, Jeannie Mai. |
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See below the 2021 Winning Poster for display
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Poster Contest Winners
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1st Place
Kaelynn Tan - 12th Grade Milpitas High School |
2nd Place
Sunnie Lee - 11th Grade Abraham Lincoln High School |
3rd Place
Isabel Kong - 11th Grade Drew High School |
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3rd Place
Lauren Hanneken - 12th Grade Lick Wilmerding High School |
Artistic Excellence
Yi Nan Kang - 11 Grade Drew School |
Expressive Excellence
Elsa Bosemark - 11th Grade Lick Wilmerding High School |
Writing Contest Winners
See all winning 2021 submissions HERE
2020 Teen Poster and Writing Contest
Theme: "People are not for sale"
Poster Contest Winners
For another year, students from across the Bay Area participated in the Anti-Human Trafficking Awareness Teen Poster and Writing Contest.
The theme of this year's contest was “People are not for sale.”
The winners were recognized at the SFCAHT Awareness Campaign's closing event on February 29, 2020 at the San Francisco War Memorial Veterans Building.
The theme of this year's contest was “People are not for sale.”
The winners were recognized at the SFCAHT Awareness Campaign's closing event on February 29, 2020 at the San Francisco War Memorial Veterans Building.
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1st Place
Joy Jin - 9th Grade Ruth Asawa School of the Arts |
2nd Place
Samantha Kuang - 11th Grade Abraham Lincoln High School |
3rd Place
Zoriana Sand - 11th Grade Drew School |
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Honorable Mention
Adrienne Za - 10th Grade
Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep
Adrienne Za - 10th Grade
Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep
2019 Poster and Writing Contest
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At the 2019 SFCAHT Awareness Campaign's closing event on February 13, 2019, youth from across the Bay Area gathered in the San Francisco Main Public Library to share experiences in anti-trafficking advocacy and prevention. Also at this event, Dr. Emily Murase, Director of the San Francisco Department on the Status of Women, and Hon. Susan Breall, California Superior Court Judge and Co-Chair of SFCAHT, presented awards to the winners of the 2019 Teen Poster and Writing Contest. See the event program HERE. The theme of this year's contest was “Objectification + Commodification = Exploitation. Act To Stop Slavery!” View the orientation video HERE. For further details on submissions, selections and recognitions, download the contest rules: Poster Contest Rules and Instructions Writing Contest Rules and Instructions |
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See below the 2019 Winning Poster for display
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"Objectification + Commodification = Exploitation. Act to Stop Slavery!"
Poster Contest Winners
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1st Place
Holly Lee - 10th Grade Abraham Lincoln High School |
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2018 Poster and Writing Contest
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For another year, students from the public and private, middle and high schools across the Bay Area participated in the Anti-Human Trafficking Awareness Teen Poster and Writing Contest of SFCAHT. The theme of the contest was "Open your eyes to the signs of hidden slavery." The winners were recognized at the Human Trafficking Awareness Campaign Closing Event on February 22, 2018 from 5:00pm to 7:00pm at Koret Auditorium of the San Francisco Main Public Library. Supervisor Katy Tang presented the prizes to the winners. |
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See below the 2018 Winning Poster for display
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"Open your eyes to the signs of hidden slavery."
Poster Contest Winners
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1st Place
Shan Berg - 11th Grade Drew School |
2nd Place
Audrey Roche & Jasmine Taylor - 8th Grade St. Leo the Great Catholic School |
3rd Place
Apryl Ouellette - 11th Grade Drew School |
2017 Poster and Writing Contest
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At the SFCAHT 2017 Awareness Campaign's closing event, which took place in the San Francisco Main Public Library on February 13, 2017, Supervisor Katy Tang greeted the participants in the SFCAHT 2017 Teen Poster and Writing Contest on the theme Stolen People, Stolen Dreams and presented awards to the winners. Youth from across the Bay Area gathered to perform and share experiences in anti-trafficking advocacy and prevention. Click HERE for the Writing Contest. Click HERE for the Poster Contest. |
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See below the 2017 Winning Poster for display
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"Stolen People, Stolen Dreams"
Poster Contest Winners
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1st Place
Kevin Quach - 11th Grade Milpitas High School, Milpitas |
2nd Place
Yasmin Ghaemmaghami - 11th Grade Foothill High School, Pleasanton |
3rd Place
Avery Hall - 10th Grade Urban School of San Francisco |
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Artistic Excellency Prize
Ella Lawton - 11th Grade George Washington School, San Francisco |
Artistic Excellency Prize
Natasha Albert - 11th Grade Drew School, San Francisco |
2016 Poster and Writing Contest
San Francisco Supervisor Katy Tang (left), District 4, assisted by Human Rights attorney and SFCAHT Steering Committee representative Rose M. Mukhar presented the awards at the SFCAHT's 2016 Awareness Campaign Closing Event, which took place on February 10, 2016 at the SF Main Public Library. The winners were presented with certificates, and we had special presentations from youth working to end human trafficking, as well as youth performances. Click HERE to download the full program of the evening. (Picture Credit: Margarita Nikolova)
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See below the 2016 Winning Poster for display
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Poster Contest Winners
"It Could Be Me, It Could Be You"
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1st Place
Grace Sun San Mateo High School |
2nd Place
Jonathan Aguilar City Arts & Technology |
3rd Place
Kevin Ko Alameda Science & Technology Institute High School |
Organizer's Special Recognition for Originality:
Noa Davidovich
Miramonte High School, Orinda
Click HERE to view slideshow of this year's submissions
Download the Winning Poster HERE
Noa Davidovich
Miramonte High School, Orinda
Click HERE to view slideshow of this year's submissions
Download the Winning Poster HERE
Writing Contest Winners
"It Could Be Me, It Could Be You"
1st place: Megan Tran and Ankita Nambian from Dougherty Valley High School
“Amanda Kim was reported to be missing on January 16th, 2016…” Click HERE to read the full written work
3rd place: Joseph Sablosky from James Lick Middle School
“The Journal of F. Drake Allen.” Click HERE to read the full written work
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2nd place: Mansee Khurana from Dougherty Valley High School
“Lost Reminders.” 
3rd Place: Ahleahyah Piggee from Lincoln High School
“It Could Be Me. It Could Be You.” Click HERE to read the full written work
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2015 Poster Contest
San Francisco Supervisor Katy Tang, District 4 (right), assisted by Human Rights attorney and SFCAHT Steering Committee representative Rose M. Mukhar presented the awards at the SFCAHT's 2015 Awareness Campaign Closing Event, which took place on February 11, 2015 at the SF Main Public Library. The winners shared their artistic process, and the meaning behind their creations.
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Winners
"Invisible But Not Forgotten"
2014 Poster Contest
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The winners were recognized by Paul Henderson, Deputy Chief of Staff for Public Safety at the Mayor’s Office, during the Human Trafficking Awareness Month Kickoff on January 10th, 2014 at City Hall.
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See below the 2014 Winning Poster for display
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Winners
"No One Owns Me"
1st Place: Mary-Claire Amable, Tin Dinh, and Lauren Hernandez from Woodside International School.
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2nd Place: Sabrina Farrar from City Arts and Technology High School.
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3rd Place: Elsa Ma (Raoul Wallenberg High School) and Mimi Truong (Burton High School) from Community Youth Center San Francisco.
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2013 Poster Contest
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Winner
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See below the 2013 Winning Poster for display
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2012 Poster Contest
2012 Submissions(pdf)
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1st place: Doreen Pacini (Grade 9) from Ruth Asawa San Francisco School of the Arts High School
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