Animals in Art
Tacoma School District students fared exceptionally well in this year’s Animals In Art Poster & Writing Contest sponsored by The Humane Society for Tacoma and Pierce County. This year’s contest theme was “End the Heartache of Homelessness.” Out of 94 winners selected by the judges from 1450 entries, who were honored at a recent awards ceremony, 24 of those students were from Tacoma schools. The top winning entry in both divisions were won by Tacoma students.
In the larger poster division, Gabriella Schlegel, a 4th grade student at Washington-Hoyt Elementary, won Best In Show with her colorful depiction of a happy dog getting pats and tummy rubs by three human hands. Receiving the award for most outstanding poster in lower elementary was Lyla Klein from Brown’s Point Elementary. The most outstanding in middle school winner was Alex Swensen from Meeker.
In the writing division, Aubrey Reece, age 11, also from Meeker Middle School, took first place with her poem, A Place Called Home, about an abandoned puppy who is rescued, then adopted.
Other winners from Tacoma District in their respective winners’ categories were:
First Place:
Madison Sollars, Washington-Hoyt
Josh Pulich, Truman
David Lopez, Truman
Second Place:
Amy Jarstad, Washington-Hoyt
Nautausha Gorman, Gault
Third Place:
Eric Vlasak, Truman
Jake Parker, Meeker
Shea Hazarian, Mason
Bennett Fors, III, Washington-Hoyt
Honorable Mention:
Natalie Martinez, Gault
Alejandra Casillas, Gault
Nicholas Nilsen, Brown’s Point
Elise Wolfer, Washington-Hoyt
Jack Tadie, Washington-Hoyt
Anna Chang, Larchmont
Karina Harada, Meeker
Melanie Wight, Mason
Jeannette Padget, Gault
Becky Starks, Gault
Maxwell Turner, Gault
The Humane Society’s education director and contest coordinator, Bob Walter, said, “We were delighted by the high level of participation, the enthusiasm and the talent exhibited by students from the Tacoma District this year! Our congratulations to you all!”
