Atlanta, Georgia: The Onward Project’s ‘Shining Stars Contests’ Celebrated Creativity, Confidence and Innovation Through Four Youth Competitions

Atlanta, Georgia: Seventy-nine young participants transformed ideas into demonstrations, words into inspiration, colors into stories and Lego bricks into imaginative creations at the Shining Stars Contests, held on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at the Old Atlanta Rec Center Community Room in Suwanee, Georgia.

Organized by The Onward Project, the event brought together elementary, middle and high school students for four contests: Technology & Innovation, Public Speaking, Drawing & Painting, and Lego Building. The program gave children an encouraging platform to present their ideas, demonstrate their talents and build confidence before judges and an audience.

Thirty-three prize winners were recognized across the different contests and school levels. Every participating child received a Certificate of Participation and a medal, reinforcing the belief that the courage to participate, create and share is itself an achievement worth celebrating.

“Every child deserves a stage where their ideas and talents are taken seriously,” said Viju Chiluveru, Founder Director of The Onward Project. “Shining Stars was created not only to recognize creativity, but also to help every participant leave with greater confidence, encouragement and a desire to keep learning.”

First Place Winners

• Technology & Innovation: Arjun Kakumanu, Elementary School; Shriyan Kovela, Middle School.
• Public Speaking: Snigdha Samala, Elementary School; Bhoomika Manohara, Middle School.
• Drawing & Painting: Aria Kartika Tadepalli, Elementary School; Ridhiyanshi Ale, Middle School; Parnika Nadmala, High School.
• Lego Building: Justin Samay, Elementary School; Mokshagna, Middle School.

Chiluveru brings approximately 28 years of experience organizing youth enrichment programs, contests, debates, cultural activities and community events. A former SAP Managing Consultant, he later founded an information technology consulting and training firm.

The contests were evaluated by Vaisheshi Jalajam, Bhan Chiluveru and Mohd. Suleman for Technology & Innovation; Vaisheshi Jalajam, Bhan Chiluveru and Kishore Meduri for Public Speaking; and Jyotsna Hedge, News Editor, NRI Pulse and Viji Namburar, Principal, Woodward Academy, North Campus for Drawing & Painting and Lego Building.

The Onward Project gratefully acknowledges its sponsors and supporters: SplashBI, RapidIT, Family First Primary Clinic, Gokare Law Firm and Ked’s Ice Cream. The event was supported by a dedicated volunteer team comprising Shalini, Sravanthi K.T., Vinitha, Madhukiran, Bhan, Kavya, Amrutha, Deepak, Giri, Shriyan, Manoj, Aashritha, Amurtha and Sandhya.

The combined efforts of the participants, parents, sponsors, judges, volunteers and organizers made Shining Stars a memorable celebration of young talent, creativity and confidence in Atlanta, Georgia.