Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. – Palmer Catholic Academy of the Diocese of St. Augustine is honored to have ten students recognized in Crayola’s 2016-2017 Empowering Students through Creative Leadership Art Exhibition.
Crayola offers this as “an opportunity for students to explore their vision, confront their fears, become collaborators, and learn to balance priorities.” The national contest was open to students from Pre-K to 12th Grade, each grade level facing a slightly different challenge under the umbrella, “What Creative Leadership Means to Me.”
Four Palmer students, Sarah DosSantos (8th Grade), Delaney Porazinski (6th Grade), Ramey Neace (4th Grade), and Jacob Valenzuela (3rd Grade) are finalists in Crayola’s National Art Exhibition.
“The finalists’ artwork showed a true connection to the theme, had stunning visual appeal, presented age-appropriate critical thinking and responded to the theme with originality,” said Crayola Art Expo representative, Susan Dobias in a congratulatory letter to the students’ Art Teacher, Katie Corrigan. Thousands of pieces were submitted from students across the country with the top 30 finalists becoming part of the U.S. Department of Education’s permanent curated collection of “globally inspiring” children’s art on display in Washington, D.C.
“We are very grateful to Crayola for such a wonderful opportunity to build creative leadership and encourage self-expression in our student artists,” said Linda Earp, principal.
Additionally, Dobias said, “While the artwork for the U.S. Department of Education’s permanent collection had reached maximum capacity, we were so inspired by your students, submissions we’d like to provide an opportunity for their art to be included in Crayola’s Education Resources.” Those students include Kate Fennell (4th Grade), Isabella Bushkell (7th Grade), Mary Clare Stinneford (5th Grade), Miel Reyes (8th Grade), Jacob Norgart (2nd Grade) and (7th Grade) Sara Valenzuela’s
“Each submission provided a look into the mind of the student artist. We were truly inspired by the powerful ways students connected creative leadership to their personal experiences,” she added.
The four finalists will receive a plaque featuring a replica of their original artwork and artist’s statements while all ten students and Ms. Corrigan receives $200 in Crayola products.
What a great end to the school year and a perfect w ay to kick off a colorfully creative summer! Palmer Catholic Academy is a Blue Ribbon, A+ Accredited, Pre-K through 8th Grade Catholic school. For more information, contact Monica Begeman at mbegeman@pcapvb.org or call (904) 543-8515, ext. 145.