Houston County students recognized in annual state-wide art contest

HOUSTON COUNTY, Ga. – Students across Houston County received awards from the annual 2023 Plains Peanut Festival Postcard contest.

The contest is open to elementary through high school students in the state taking an art or social studies class and students were given time to work on their postcard during class. The contest is also a part of the Jimmy Carter National Historic Park Education Program.

The contest has a different theme each year, this year’s called Living a Legacy: Peanuts, Politics, & Peace. Students draw a postcard according to the theme and send it off to the judges and select students.

According to Director of Gifted Education and Coordinator of Fine Arts and AP Olethia Thomas, the contest has categories in each grade level, and Houston County students from all grade levels showed off their art skills. Each student received a medal and certificate from the Jimmy Carter National Historical Park

Two fifth-grade students from David Perdue Elementary, Anarosa Enriquez and Maleah Haywood, won second place and third place. Seventh grader MacKenzie Payton from Huntington Middle School won third place in her category. Lake Joy Elementary School student Haejin Kim won first place in the fourth-grade category. Two students from Miller Elementary School, Angel Rodriguez and Brenten Tarpley both won first place in the kindergarten category. Finally, from Tucker Elementary School, Brinleigh Crocker won second place in the third-grade category.

According to the press release, the judges recognized 46 students across the state and 2,263 entries were submitted.

Thomas said every year they look forward to seeing students be able to express themselves through art. She shared she is proud to see Houston County students recognized on a state level.

“It’s wonderful that they are selected over thousands of other entries because we have some really creative students and it’s great for them to be able to shine beyond just Houston County. It’s wonderful to have them in the mist of all the other kids in the state,” said Thomas.

She also added the contest has a Ranger Award which is given to special needs students, and it was amazing to have them recognized as well. She said every student is amazing and worked hard to be recognized in the contest.

All students are given the opportunity to enter this contest, if a student isn’t in an art class, they will be encouraged to participate in their social studies class. Thomas said they want to encourage students to have a creative outlet and be involved in the program’s theme.

“It’s very important for students to have an outlet for what they like to do beyond just the academic daily schedule that they have. Some kids have music, some kids have art, and some kids have sports. Those who excel in art, it gives them another chance to be able to excel,” said Thomas.

She said their teachers were there to witness the students receiving their awards and that they were very proud and excited to be celebrated.

Thomas encourages everyone to continue supporting the fine arts in the Houston County School District.

She said the fine arts department has many events coming up for the holidays including students’ winter art being displayed at the Galleria Mall starting on Dec. 10, while 3-5 grade music students will also be performing at the Museum of Aviation on Dec. 9. This Wednesday, Nov. 8 6- 12 grade choral students will perform at Southside Baptist Church.

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