The Young Illustrator Award site administered by Meridian Secondary School

The Young Illustrator Award site is an online platform administered by Meridian Secondary School that hosts an art competition for students, specifically targeting young illustrators. It provides a venue for students to submit their artwork and participate in a school‑run contest that encourages artistic expression and skill development. The site operates independently from other school systems, as noted in the incident report, and is used primarily by students residing in Singapore, given the school’s location. The competition includes a submission deadline and may involve extensions or alternative submission methods, such as email, when technical issues arise. The platform’s purpose is to promote visual arts education and provide recognition for student illustrators within the school community.

The site is distinguished by its direct administration by a secondary school, making it a school‑owned initiative rather than a commercial or third‑party contest platform. Its focus on illustration sets it apart from broader art competitions that may accept multiple media types. The platform’s operational independence was highlighted during the 2017 security incident, when the site was compromised but no other school systems were affected. Following the hack, the school issued a police report, took the site down, advised registrants to reset passwords, and confirmed that personally identifiable data were not compromised. The incident also led to an extension of the submission deadline and redirection of entries via email, demonstrating the school’s capacity to manage contingencies. Ownership-wise, the site falls under Meridian Secondary School’s purview, with no indication of a separate parent organization or subsidiary structure.