Origin Story: How Hunger Action Heroes Came to Life
Curious how the Hunger Action Heroes came to be?
Hunger Halter and Demeter were created by students through the Hunger Action Heroes Art Contest. The contest, hosted by Feeding San Diego in collaboration with the Comic-Con Museum, invited students from across San Diego in kindergarten through 12th grade, to submit their vision of a hunger action hero, who helps to end hunger through food rescue. Nearly 300 students submitted their vision of a Hunger Action Hero. The community voted on their favorite designs, and the top two winners, Hunger Halter designed by Aiden Prior (age 14), and Demeter designed by Sirenna Ascencio (age 17), were brought to life by an acclaimed costume designer, Allan Lavigne. The process turned imagination into reality, connecting students, families, and neighbors in a shared mission to leverage the power of pop culture to empower kids to fight hunger and food waste.
Aiden Prior (14)
Aiden is a storyteller and writer living with autism. Growing up in San Diego County, he became a fan of superheroes at a young age because they reminded him of his inner strength.
He faced many challenges in his childhood, but he was able to persevere thanks to the messages of superheroes that paved the way for him to be strong and resilient in the face of hardship. At times, his family has received support from food banks. This experience gave him his own understanding of the importance of food assistance to the community.
Creating superheroes and their origin stories has long been a passion of his and today, comics and graphic novels remain an important outlet. Aiden was in 8th grade when he entered and won the Hunger Action Hero Art Contest. He was inspired to be a part of something that combined his creative interests with the power to raise awareness around an important social issue.
Sirenna Ascencio (17)
A San Diego native, Sirenna started drawing in elementary school. Over time, she further developed her skills, especially in high school. She has always been passionate about her art and the reactions it receives from others, whether it be inspiration, amusement, or pride. It’s important to her that people see the meaning behind her work and that it makes an impact.
Sirenna was in 12th grade at the time of the Hunger Action Hero Art Contest. She submitted her artwork because she wanted to use her drawings to create awareness about a critical issue like hunger. In creating Demeter, she chose to create a character that represents women of color to ensure that an underrepresented group can see themselves in the superhero genre.
She believes a person doesn’t have to have superpowers to be a superhero, they can help contribute even through the smallest of ways.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What was the Hunger Action Heroes Art Contest?
It was a citywide contest held by Feeding San Diego in collaboration with the Comic-Con Museum to inspire students to create superheroes that fight hunger and food waste.
Who created Hunger Halter and Demeter?
Hunger Halter was designed by Aiden Prior, age 14, and Demeter was created by Sirenna Ascencio, age 17. Their designs were chosen through community voting.
What was the purpose of the contest?
The contest aimed to empower youth to use their creativity to raise awareness about hunger and food waste, and to show that anyone can make a difference.
How were the superheroes brought to life?
After the designs were chosen, costume designer Allan Lavigne transformed the illustrations into real-life superhero costumes. The process connected students, families, and the community in a shared mission.
What inspired the student artists?
Aiden’s personal experiences with superheroes and food assistance motivated him to create Hunger Halter. Sirenna wanted to represent women of color in the superhero genre and show that small actions can make a big difference.
How can I learn more about the superheroes?
You can watch the explainer video, read the comic book, and explore the curriculum to discover how Hunger Halter and Demeter teach kids to take action in their communities.
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Be the Hero Someone Needs Today
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Whether you are a teacher looking for classroom tools, a parent seeking to inspire your kids, or a supporter ready to make a difference, Hunger Action Heroes Unite! gives you the power to take action.
