Student Chen from ChengJheng High School Wins National Excellence Award at the 16th Quanta Arts Guide Contest; School Also Honored with "Arts Spotlight School Award"

Special education student Chen from ChengJheng High School participated in the 16th Quanta Arts Guide Contest Finals on July 5, 2025, and was awarded National Excellence. At the same time, the school also received the "Arts Spotlight School Award", celebrating a double victory!

Principal Hong-Yi Chen stated that ChengJheng High School has been participating in the Quanta Arts for the Future Program since the 2020 academic year, now entering its sixth year. The program has been highly recognized by the Ministry of Education and incorporated into the Mid- and Long-term Aesthetic Education Program as a co-organized initiative, demonstrating its tangible success in promoting competency-based learning.

Despite facing challenges such as security inspections during exhibit transportation and limited staffing for student activities, ChengJheng High School has persisted in promoting the program with the hope of sparking students’ interest in the arts, enhancing their artistic literacy, and using art to help correct behavioral problems. This year, ChengJheng High School stood out among 256 participating schools across Taiwan and received the "Arts Spotlight School Award", a testament to the collective efforts of teachers and students!

The contest finals were held on a large stage with a 500-person capacity. Topics were assigned by random draw on the spot. Chen drew Vincent van Gogh’s "Sunflowers" and impressed the audience with a lively and engaging explanation of Van Gogh’s painting style and techniques. Through the guided tour, the audience could feel the resilient vitality in the sunflowers depicted by Van Gogh.

At the end of the tour, Chen shared his personal story with the audience, saying:

"My father has been in prison for eight years, and I don’t have a mother. No one has ever taken me to see beautiful sunflowers. My life has been dark, but I believe that by facing the sun, my future can be as bright as a sunflower."

On the day of the competition, Chen's uncle and aunt came to the venue to cheer him on. With their support, it's believed he will enjoy a closer family relationship after graduation. Teachers from ChengJheng High School cast aside their usual image and formed a cheering squad for Chen, delivering a passionate performance and even winning the Cheering Squad Award!

In addition to receiving the National Excellence Award in the Guide Contest, Chen was also honored with the Director’s Award from the National Museum of Natural Science. For a student like Chen, who has both learning and emotional difficulties, this recognition is profoundly meaningful.

Starting with zero experience, Chen progressed through his own hard work, the patient guidance of his teacher Ms. Jiaolian Peng, and the dedicated support from the school’s counseling team and administrative staff. Together, they helped him find his voice and rhythm, leaving a beautiful mark on his life at the age of 18.