CHS sweeps art contest
<p>The 2010 regional winners in the Young American Patriotic Art contest sponsored by the Ladies Auxiliary of the VFW are Coeur d'Alene High School students (from left) Amanda Russo, third place, Tiana Simmons, second, and Sierra Magnuson, first place. CHS has swept the regional competition for 12 consecutive years and has had 10 state winners, one of whom went on to win the national competition in 2003.</p>
Each painting tells a story of patriotism, service and sacrifice. Some depict a real event, drawn from the memories of a relative or friend; others come from historical research or the artist's imagination.
Regardless, the works of Terri Leonard's art students at Coeur d'Alene High School carry on a legacy of learning - and winning.
For the 12th consecutive year, CHS students have swept the awards in the regional Young American Patriotic Art contest sponsored by the Ladies Auxiliary of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
CHS senior Sierra Magnuson's depiction of a deployed soldier, missing his baby's birth, first words and first steps, won first place and is now on display in Boise where it will compete against other regional winners for the top state award.
Second place went to sophomore Tiana Simmons whose art depicts the young daughter of a soldier who made the ultimate sacrifice for his country.
Taking third was CHS junior Amanda Russo who expressed her theme in these words, "A worn soldier blessed by his return home reunites with his beautiful wife and unborn child. The relief and joy immensely pours from their faces as they embrace each other and the child once again." Friends posed for her depiction.
To Leonard and her students, this isn't just another art contest. She launches the assignment on the day of the school's annual Veterans Day celebration, and encourages her students to spend their Thanksgiving holiday connecting with relatives who may have served in a foreign war. Those connections become more than inspiration for their art.
"Parents come to me and say how nice it is for the older generations to share their stories and photographs with the teenagers," Leonard said.
Coeur d'Alene High students have gone on to win at state and represent Idaho in the national competition 10 times. Recent state winners were Mikala Siwierka in 2009, Heather Dunn in 2008, Sarah Bjorn in 2007 and Laura James in 2006. CHS graduate Sarah Jo Moore was the 2003 state winner and then won the national competition, using the $10,000 prize to study art in Florence, Italy.
"Our students continue to be very successful in this competition," Leonard said.
Joan Corege, VFW Auxiliary chairman of youth activities, said the students' talent is impressive. "It always moves me when I see the depth of the work, both artistically and emotionally," she said. "I look at those pictures and I'm reminded of the debt that we owe to those who have gone before us."
The Auxiliary relies on the expertise of local artist Yvonne Benzinger to help with the judging.
In May, the local Auxiliary will honor the three top winners, their families and their teacher at a luncheon. The state winner will be announced in mid-April, and the national winner in August.