An 11-year-old prodigy hailing from Alberta has earned a spot as a finalist in a prestigious worldwide design competition.

An 11-year-old prodigy hailing from Alberta has earned a spot as a finalist in a prestigious worldwide design competition. Representing Calgary, Alberta, Claire Kim has emerged as the sole Canadian finalist in Toyota’s renowned annual 'Dream Car Art Contest'. This international competition encourages young minds from across the globe to conceptualize vehicles that contribute to a better world.

This year's edition garnered an impressive 782,852 entries from 90 countries. Claire's entry, the "Happy Family Dream Car," was handpicked as a finalist in the category designated for children aged 8 to 11. Her ingenious creation is a sanctuary of happiness for families and children, designed to shield them from the negativity that often exists beyond its bounds.

Earning her spot as a global contender, Claire has secured a coveted cash prize of USD $3,000. This award is dedicated to furthering her education, nurturing her innovative spirit, and bolstering her commitment to creating positive change on a global scale.

Before becoming a world finalist, Claire was among the select few Canadian youth chosen by a panel of distinguished Canadian judges:

• Dr. Bonnie Schmidt – President, Let’s Talk Science
• Larry Hutchinson, President and CEO, Toyota Canada
• Regina Chan – Managing Director, AutoNerve Media

The judges offered their insights on this year's submissions:

"The design concepts put forth by Canadian children and youth showcase an extraordinary blend of vision, creativity, and innovation. These emerging leaders exhibit recurring themes of peace, environmental sustainability, and happiness, painting a clear picture of tomorrow's leadership." – Larry Hutchinson, President and CEO, Toyota Canada

"The boundless imagination and inventive thinking manifested in these designs brim with hope and a deep aspiration to build a superior world. Evaluating this year's competition was profoundly inspiring and selecting just nine finalists proved a challenging task. Congratulations to all participants who shared their dream car visions. Our future rests in capable hands." – Dr. Bonnie Schmidt, President, Let’s Talk Science

"Across Canada, we possess a multitude of gifted young artists, and I am genuinely amazed by each submission. Their creativity spans from pragmatic concepts addressing societal concerns to imaginative ideas that push the boundaries of imagination. Infused with youthful and genuine philosophies, their drawings instill optimism for a brighter future with enhanced transportation and a cleaner environment." – Regina Chan, Managing Director, AutoNerve Media

Originating in 2004 and now established as one of the world's largest design contests for young talents, the Toyota Dream Car Art Contest summons aspiring artists, designers, and engineers to share their visions for the future of mobility.

To delve deeper into the Toyota Dream Car Art Contest, explore: www.toyota.ca/dreamcarartcontest