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 October 3, 2026, at the Old Atlanta Rec Center Community Room in Suwanee.
Organized by The Onward Project, the event brought together elementary, middle, and high school students for four competitions: Technology & Innovation, Public Speaking, Drawing & Painting, and Lego Building. The program provided children with a platform to present their ideas, demonstrate their talents, and build confidence before judges and an audience.
Thirty-three prize winners were recognized across the contests and school levels. Every participant received a Certificate of Participation and a medal, recognizing the courage to participate, create, and share.
“Every child deserves a stage where their ideas and talents are taken seriously,” said Viju Chiluveru, founder and 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
In Technology & Innovation, Arjun Kakumanu won in the elementary school category and Shriyan Kovela in the middle school category.
In Public Speaking, Snigdha Samala won in the elementary school category and Bhoomika Manohara in the middle school category.
In Drawing & Painting, Aria Kartika Tadepalli won in the elementary school category, Ridhiyanshi Ale in the middle school category, and Parnika Nadmala in the high school category.
In Lego Building, Justin Samay won in the elementary school category and Mokshagna in the middle school category.
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 Technology & Innovation contest was evaluated by Vaisheshi Jalajam, Bhan Chiluveru, and Mohd. Suleman. Jalajam, Chiluveru, and Kishore Meduri judged the Public Speaking contest. Jyotsna Hedge, news editor of NRI Pulse, and Viji Namburar, principal of Woodward Academy’s North Campus, evaluated the Drawing & Painting and Lego Building contests.
Sponsors and supporters included SplashBI, RapidIT, Family First Primary Clinic, Gokare Law Firm, and Ked’s Ice Cream.
The event was supported by a volunteer team comprising Shalini, Sravanthi K.T., Vinitha, Madhukiran, Bhan, Kavya, Amrutha, Deepak, Giri, Shriyan, Manoj, Aashritha, Amurtha, and Sandhya.
The combined efforts of participants, parents, sponsors, judges, volunteers, and organizers contributed to the Shining Stars celebration of young talent, creativity, and confidence.