By VERNON ROBISON
The Progress
The VFW Post 8336 Auxiliary organization awarded the local winners of the Young American Creative Patriotic Art contest during a ceremony on Thursday evening, Mar. 23 at the VFW Post Home in Overton. The Auxiliary gave out 21 awards to winners in various categories.
Auxiliary member Lorraine O’Dell presented the awards at the ceremony. She explained that the theme for this year’s contest was “America the Beautiful.”
Two high school-aged artists were given top honors for their entries which included both an artwork and a brief patriotic-themed essay.
Myles Mortensen received first place in the traditional drawing category of the contest. His artwork depicted a map of the United States with small inset drawings representing various cultural influences placed in different regions of the country.
In his essay, Mortensen referenced the song, “America the Beautiful,” written by Katherine Lee Bates in 1895. He pointed out that it talked about the values and ideals of the United States.
“None of these things could come about without the help of our brothers and sisters in the armed services,” Mortensen wrote in his essay. “Those who served in our armed services have done more for liberty, shown more patriotism and sacrificed more than most of us ever will.”
In the contest’s all new category of 3-dimensional art, Bekah Jensen took first place for a depiction of a waving American flag done beautifully in ceramics. The work included glaze transfers of an American soldier saluting and an image of the Statute of Liberty.
In her brief essay, Jensen asked what it was that holds America together. “I believe that the military men and women are the ones who hold this great nation together,” the essay answered. “They are the ones who have grabbed the loose threads of our country and weaved them back together. Without them, where would we be?
The contest also awarded first place winners in various other age categories. In the Kindergarten age group, Houston Campbell took first place.
Lilly Leavitt won the top honors for grades 1-2 for a drawing which included historic U.S. presidents, an American flag, a buffalo and an American Eagle.
In the grade 3-5 category, the first place winner was Quinn Bunker for a colorful drawing of a red vintage pickup truck with an American flag flying in the back.
The first place winner in grades 6-8 was Quinn Campbell for a great drawing of a soldier saluting and a prominent POW/MIA flag.
All first place winners were advanced on to compete at the regional, state and possibly national level.
Second place winners in the contest included Luna Rubio, Jay Bromley, Rachel Hone and Madelyn Dalley.
Third place winners included Ezra Bunker, Emery O’Dell, Jace Jensen and Allison Bell.
There were also a number of Honorable Mention recipients including Cashe Campbell, Josie Bunker, Maisy Mortensen, Keegan Winnie, Alice Taylor, Charles Law, Jr., Adelaide Knecht, Kendra Bevan and Natalie Lewis.
