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	Compassion. Vision. Action. 36^th Annual A Voice for Animals Contest The Humane Education Network and the Animal Welfare Institute are excited to present the 36^th annual A Voice for Animals Contest for high schoolers across the globe. Our contest is an exciting opportunity to make a difference for animals and possibly get rewarded in the process. Visit our contest page for official rules, guidelines and advice. The entry deadline is Monday, May 25th 2026. We encourage you to check out our featured past winners below for inspiration. Good luck! The 2026 Voice for Animals contest will open early February 2026. Please check back on February 2nd for updated information. Get Inspired! Check out what past winners are doing to make a difference for animals… Derek DeAngelo Reducing Animal Homelessness with an App Inspired in large part by his family’s own rescue dog, Derek DeAngelo (2020) brainstormed a technology-based solution. The resulting smartphone app, called “Rescue Me Massachusetts”, took months to develop and test. His perseverance throughout his project and commitment to helping shelter animals was apparent is his essay with photos submission titled, “Animal Homelessness: There’s an App for That”. Although the app listed just animals in his area, he had a bigger picture in mind. “…I’m trying to streamline the process for people looking to adopt. My goal is to expand it by reaching out to more local shelters for permission to add animals.” Winner: 2020 Second Prize (Essay/Photographs by 16-18 year old): Animal Homelessness: There's an App for That Jordan Dearsley E-waste Impact on Wildlife Canadian environmentalist Jordan Dearsley (2021) coordinated a series of e-waste disposal drives. In her photo essay, Jordan described the harmful effects that toxic substances—such as those found in common electronics—can have on wildlife. The 17-year-old saw an opportunity to educate others on these impacts, and eliminate the inconveniences preventing her fellow citizens from properly disposing of their old electronics. She arranged drop-off locations and coordinated with a local group to pick up the discarded items for recycling or, when practical, repairs. Through these efforts in her community, Jordan hopes to improve the future for wild animals. Winner: 2021 First Prize (Essay/Photographs by 16-18 year old): E-waste Recycling Project Sarah Robison Plastic Impact on Sea Turtles Sarah Robison (2020), parlayed her appreciation for sea turtles into “Sea Turtle Awareness” day, educating her community about the dangers of plastics in the marine ecosystem. Her informative video, “The Plastic Effect: Sea Turtle Awareness” documented her initiative in creating an educational display using recyclable items, as well as handicrafts, to show how materials can be repurposed instead of discarded. Robison’s video also encourages viewers to take practical, every-day steps in curbing their use of plastic bottles, drinking straws, and shopping bags – the latter bearing a close, and deadly resemblance to jellyfish, a main food source of sea turtles. Winner: 2020 First Prize (Video by 16-18 year old): The Plastic Effect: Sea Turtle Awareness