Local students named winners of annual artwork contest

Grand Prize winner, “Crying girl with teddy bear,” by Alaura Cattell

by Patrice Johnson

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then a contest brimming with talented artwork speaks volumes. This was the case on Jan. 7 when winners of the annual Farmers State Bank Artwork Contest were announced.

For the past several years, students in the Stockbridge Area Community School district have entered their creations, and this year, after their return from holiday break, winners of their respective categories were notified.

Smith Elementary art teacher Jaclyn Lennemann said “the contest has been an amazing opportunity for our schools to connect with, and give back to the community.”

Junior/Senior art teacher Jay Langone thanked Farmers State Bank and its Chief Marketing Officer Laurie Goodlock. “This contest is a great way for students to get recognition for their ideas and artwork,” he said.

Lennemann enjoyed seeing the sense of pride and excitement, not only in those who placed, but also in all who submitted their art. “I am thankful to be teaching in Stockbridge,” she said, “with businesses like Farmers State Bank that are supportive and dedicated to keeping the fine arts alive in our community and schools.”

Grand Prize went to Alaura Cattell for her “Crying girl with teddy bear.”

Other winners included: Aiden Elliot, Grades K-3, “Seahorse”; Liliana Ramalia, Grades 4 or 5, “Sea Stars”; Kathryn Titus, Grades 6 or 7, “Hey, wait up!”; Sydney [last name withheld], Grades 8, 9 or 10, “Pencil of sleeping girl”; Alyssa Warner, Grades 11 or 12, “Charcoal landscape”; and Miles Perrault, Young 5s Honorable mention, “Koi fish.”

Winners received a small cash prize, and winning entries are currently undergoing professional matting and framing for display in the bank’s Stockbridge office throughout spring and summer.

Goodlock said, “This program has been a huge hit with our customers, area students, and other visitors to our bank.” A committee composed of three staff members chooses the winners, she explained. “We believe art plays a vital role in the educational development of all students and look forward to seeing all of the great artwork that is submitted every year.”

Goodlock said representatives of the bank expect to unveil the framed artwork at the Feb. 11, Stockbridge School Board meeting.

“Seahorse,” Aiden Elliot, Grade K 1,2,3

“Sea Stars,” Liliana Ramalia, Grade 4 or 5

“Hey, wait up!” Kathryn Titus, Grade 6 or 7

“Pencil of sleeping girl,” Sydney [last name withheld], Grade 8 or 9 or 10.

“Charcoal landscape,” Alyssa Warner, Grade 11, 12

“Koi fish,” Miles Perrault, Young 5s Honorable mention