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Japanese-influenced art and poetry contest winners announced at awards ceremony in Mt. Vernon

May 8, 2013

Japanese-influenced art and poetry contest winners announced at awards ceremony in Mt. Vernon

Deciding the winners from among hundreds of entries in this year’s the 2013 Mt. Vernon Japanese-inspired art and poetry contest that focused on the Children’s Day theme was a difficult task.  The winning students in each category were recognized in a brief ceremony held May 3 in the Mt. Vernon High School theater lobby. Certificates and  cash prizes were awarded by Janet Stucky Smith, assistant director of the The Ohio State University Institute for Japanese Studies, which cosponsors the competition and provides the prizes.

A special guest at the ceremony was Veronica Abraham, who came in third in one of the first Japanese-influenced art contests held in Mount Vernon in 2007. The next year, she won first place.  “I have always had an interest in Japanese art,” she said. “I am part Japanese and I am glad the students get to learn more about Japanese culture and art.”  Veronica is currently a student teacher at Mount Vernon High School, graduated from Columbus College of Art and Design and will be teaching art at Watkins Memorial next year.

This year’s contest winners are as follows:
•Elementary Haiku: Jack Welter, first place; Cora Lepley, second place; and Zane Jones, third place.

•Second/third-grade art: Madalynn Cotsamire, first place, Leah Gourley, second place; and Grace Hamilton, third place.

•Fourth-grade art: Chloe Dailey, first place, Maddie Bonham, second place; and Breanna Wise, third place.

•Fifth-grade art: Ian Whitaker, first place, Jasmine Baker, second place; and Ally Tate, third place.

•High school Haiku or Tanka poetry: Cana Yost, first place; Savannah Molihan, second place; and Katie Johns, third place.

Heather Waugh, 2nd grade teacher at Wiggin Street School said, “The students really enjoy learning about Japanese culture and traditions like Children’s Day.  Giving them an opportunity to create artwork and poetry to show what they have learned, makes it even more special and fun for them.  There may not be areas for them to show such creativity in the future so I know we all appreciate your efforts to encourage this process.  The prizes are icing on the cake! Wow!  How generous!  The children were so excited to hear the results today and truly happy for their classmates that won.”

High school social studies instructor Rob Fetters, who coordinates the contest, thanked all participants and the parents, teachers administrators, school board and community members who support them.

“In many and various ways,” he said, “we are truly a talented school district.”