06/13/2026
It is our pleasure to announce that the 2026 SSJJ Art Award has been presented to two exceptional young artists. Selecting this year’s recipients was especially challenging, as we received an impressive number of outstanding applications and portfolios.
Our First Place Award goes to Joyce Zheng, a senior at Stone Bridge High School in Ashburn, Virginia.
Joyce’s artwork immediately stood out for its remarkable realism, technical excellence, and emotional depth. Through the use of various artistic mediums, she skillfully conveyed unique emotions and perspectives in each piece. As the mother of an art student, I understand the countless hours of dedication, patience, and creativity that go into every project. Joyce’s portfolio was truly phenomenal and reflected both extraordinary talent and hard work.
This fall, Joyce will be attending the University of Virginia, where she plans to major in Biology. We wish her continued success as she begins this exciting new chapter.
What made this award especially meaningful was a conversation I had with Joyce after the announcement. She shared that she attended Sanders Corner Elementary School the same school Joshua attended for five years. Joyce fondly remembered spending time at Joshua’s Buddy Bench and told me that receiving an award in Joshua’s honor felt like a full-circle moment for her.
Thank you, Joyce, for sharing that beautiful memory. Your words were incredibly precious to me. It inspired me to visit Joshua’s elementary school, where I stopped by his Buddy Bench and reflected on the many memories we created there, the countless school drop-offs, volunteer activities, and moments that shaped his young life. I shed a few tears cherishing the old memories.
Presenting this award to a Stone Bridge High School student carried special significance for our family. Stone Bridge is the high school Joshua would have attended, making this moment even more heartfelt. Knowing that his legacy continues to inspire and connect young people in our community is a gift beyond words.
Please join me in congratulating Joyce on this well-deserved recognition. Below are examples of her outstanding artwork.
Our Second Place Award goes to Allison Cai, a junior at our own Freedom High School South Riding and a long time student at US Arts.
Allison is an exceptionally talented artist whose work captures reality with remarkable skill and creativity. Her use of vibrant colors, attention to detail, and mastery of different artistic mediums allowed each piece to tell its own unique story. Having seen Allison’s artwork displayed on the walls of US Arts over the years, it has been wonderful to watch her artistic growth and dedication to her craft.
Please enjoy Allison’s artwork below.
Congratulations to both of our talented young women who have received the 2026 SSJJ Art Scholarship. We are incredibly proud of your accomplishments and wish you the very best as you pursue your future goals and artistic dreams.
We would also like to extend our sincere gratitude to every student who applied for this year’s scholarship. The quality of work we received was truly outstanding, making the selection process both inspiring and challenging. We wish each of you continued success and fulfillment in your artistic journey.
As years roll by, I often find myself reflecting on the milestones Joshua would have reached. This year, he would have graduated from college. Not a single day goes by without our family talking about him and remembering the joy he brought into our lives. We reminisce about his favorite foods, his funny personality, his playful arguments with his siblings, and the countless little moments that made him so special.
His memory and blessing continues to guide us every day. I often remind myself and my children that the greatest gift we can give Joshua is to live meaningful lives, spread kindness and goodness wherever we can, and make a positive difference in the lives of others. His loss has taught us that every day is a precious gift, and that we should make each day count by choosing gratitude, compassion, and service to those in need.
It is our hope that we continue to fulfill the promise we made to Joshua , to make sure that his legacy lives on through acts of kindness, support, and opportunity for others. We look forward to expanding our efforts, taking on new projects, and helping even more children and families in the years ahead.
I am also proud to share that Joshua’s brother, Sam a rising Junior has volunteered to serve as Treasurer of the SSJJ Foundation and is already planning fundraising initiatives to support our future projects. We wish him success and look forward to seeing his ideas and leadership help further our mission.
Finally, we extend our deepest gratitude to the families, friends, and supporters who have stood beside us throughout this journey. It was not an easy one. Your encouragement, generosity, and belief in our mission have been the foundation of everything we have accomplished. Thank you for continuing to support the SSJJ Foundation and the causes we hold dear.
Please stay tuned for updates in the coming months as we announce new projects and opportunities to make a difference together.
With sincere gratitude,
SSJJ Foundation
