The 2024 edition of the annual “A Voice for Animals” contest, sponsored by AWI, the Humane Education Network, and the Palo Alto Humane Society, once again provided a platform for young advocates to highlight and showcase solutions to issues affecting animal welfare. Prizes were awarded for essays, photo essays, and videos involving an array of animals, from red foxes to yellow-crested cockatoos, and a wide range of topics, from fundraising for a local no-kill shelter to clamping down on abuse of racehorses, wildlife trafficking, plastic pollution in the oceans, and much more.
In the video category, first prize winner Allison Cheng of California documented her experience founding the Santa Clara Valley Young Birders Club. Through this group, she has facilitated educational opportunities for novice birders of all backgrounds, helping them to develop an environmentally conscious mindset. Once members are versed in bird identification, they aid in data collection by logging sightings in the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s online database. Allison aims to continue inspiring younger generations to create positive changes for animals and their habitats.

Determined to aid endangered sea turtles and preserve their habitat, Krrisha Patel of New Jersey has parlayed her fascination with marine life into advocacy. As she notes, “The preservation of sea turtles is vital not only for their own survival but also for the health and balance of marine ecosystems worldwide.” Her essay—which won first prize in the 16- to 18-year-old category—describes how she has participated in beach clean-up events and created experiences to inform and educate others on the threats to sea turtle populations. Krrisha details these threats in her essay, addressing the impacts of coastal development, plastic pollution, and rising ocean temperatures.
Zai Lee of South Korea took first prize in the 14- to 15-year-old category for an essay that delves into the complex factors that contribute to rhinoceros poaching. The essay makes a case for addressing both the supply and demand side of this illegal practice, as well as creating opportunities for communities to be active partners in the protection and monitoring of rhino populations. Zai concludes, “Our collective action is the only hope for ensuring they continue to grace our planet with their presence for generations to come.”
To see the entire list of winners and their submissions, please visit hennet.org.