Joining the previously announced middle school winners in the 2026 Shanti Fund Peace Art Calendar Contest is Brentwood High School sophomore Rachel Rodriguez, who secured the top spot in the 10th-grade category.

The district-wide success highlights a growing tradition of artistic excellence in Brentwood. Eighth-grader Anabel Umanzor and sixth-grader Said Jordan Romero, both of East Middle School, were recognized earlier this month for their submissions.

Rodriguez’s achievement is particularly notable as she is not currently enrolled in an art course. She spent October and November working independently with her former teacher, Ms. Jae Won Shim, to develop her entry. Her winning piece features a graphic-style portrait of Mahatma Gandhi set against the backdrop of Mount Everest and traditional prayer flags.

“I chose to draw Gandhi because his message about educating children for real peace feels just as important today,” Rodriguez said. “I included Mount Everest in the background to show how achieving peace can feel like climbing the highest mountain, but it is still possible if we keep moving forward.”

The contest is sponsored by the Shanti Fund, a Long Island-based organization dedicated to promoting peace and nonviolence through education. Winning entries are featured in the organization’s annual calendar, which is distributed across the region to promote cultural harmony.