The walls at state Delegate Kristen J. Amundson's office will once again be covered with artwork by local students. Winning her annual contest this year were Nora Almousa, fifth grader from Islamic Saudi Academy; Rebekah Benitez, fourth grader from Bucknell Elementary School; Erin Slatery, fourth grader from Fort Hunt Elementary School; and Katie Woodward, sixth grader from Waynewood Elementary School.
These four first place winners depicted what the students enjoy most about the Mount Vernon area. They were chosen from more than 200 entries and judged by a panel of artists: Jane Andrle Gillette, a graphic artist; Gretchen Raber, a goldsmith and jewelry designer; and Kelly St. Clair, a freelance artist and former FCPS art teacher. Each of the award-winning works of art will be framed and will hang in Amundson's office for the next year.
"When I first took office, I had two problems: nobody knew where the 44th District was and I had a lot of bare space," she said.
So, she came up with the idea of holding an annual children's art contest.
"I am proud to offer these fine young artists an opportunity to display their work," Amundson said. "I am also grateful that their artistic talents will help everyone who visits my office learn more about the beautiful and historic area I represent."
EACH OF THE first place winners will receive a $100 savings bond donated by an area business. Savings bonds, provided by Elsie's Magic Skillet, Hollin Hall Automotive, Power Video, and Grant Schneider II, DDS, will be presented at an awards ceremony to be held at Sherwood Regional Library on Sunday, March 21.
Several other entries, which depicted nature scenes, landscapes, historic landmarks, recreational activities and area businesses, received honorable mention. They were done by:
<lst>Efe Algin, Mount Eagle Elementary School, 3rd grade; Tesnim Zekeria, Groveton Elementary School, 1st grade; Maryam Khan, Groveton Elementary School, 2nd Grade; Razan Idris, Islamic Saudi Academy, 3rd grade; Mossad Al-Sharif, Islamic Saudi Academy, 4th grade; Albara El-Shaer, Islamic Saudi Academy, 4th grade; Michelle Swenson, Waynewood Elementary School, 6th grade; Julia Bowman, Waynewood Elementary School, 6th grade; Matthew Campbell, Waynewood Elementary School, 6th grade; Mohamed Kambal, Fort Hunt Elementary School, 2nd grade; Rachel Dacey, Fort Hunt Elementary School, 2nd grade; Olivia Mikkelsen, Fort Hunt Elementary School, 2nd grade; Lydia Jabs, Fort Hunt Elementary School, 2nd grade; Zach Pruiksma, Fort Hunt Elementary School, 2nd grade; Jack Joyce, Fort Hunt Elementary School, 2nd grade; Joel Colato-Ayala, Bucknell Elementary School, 4th grade; Bernardo Perez, Bucknell Elementary School, 4th grade; Briana Freeman, Bucknell Elementary School, 4th grade; Matthew Beres, Bucknell Elementary School, 4th grade; and Vanessa Fernandez-Castro, Bucknell Elementary School, 4th grade.
<bt>These pieces of artwork will be on display at Sherwood Regional Library, 2501 Sherwood Hall Lane, until March 21.