Ridgeland students capture essence of city through art
RIDGELAND — About 30 students will have their art displayed at the Bill Waller Craft Center through the end of January as part of the city’s 125th-anniversary celebration.
The city invited schools to participate in an essay and art contest, highlighting “the creativity and imagination of our youngest residents,” said Kim Cooper, public relations director.
“Ridgeland’s 125th anniversary has been brimming with community spirit, and no celebration would be complete without the involvement of our local students,” Cooper said.
Students were asked to choose from three themes: Ridgeland’s history, Ridgealnd’s present and the city’s future. Students who chose the present were asked: “What makes the City of Ridgeland special to you?” while those who chose Ridgeland’s future were asked to answer the question, “How do you think life will be in Ridgeland in 2049 (150th Anniversary Year)?”
“We are deeply grateful to our schools for their enthusiastic participation and thank Kenya Rachal and Kim Cooper of the 125th Anniversary Planning Committee for organizing this special project,” a statement from the city said.
Selections were made and awarded to 30 students at six schools.
“Congratulations to all the winners and participants! Your creativity and talent made this celebration even more special,” Cooper said. “Thank you for helping us honor Ridgeland’s past, present, and future.”
HIGHLAND ELEMENTARY
1st Place Art: Jinal Patel, 5th grade
2nd Place Art Raelyn Nichols, 5th grade
3rd Place Art: Kaelyn Pollard, 5th grade
ANN SMITH
ELEMENTARY
1st Place Art: Lucy Gonzalez, 2nd grade
2nd Place Art: Mariah Magee, 2nd grade
3rd Place Art: Emily Bernabe-Pedro, 2nd grade
1st Place 3D Art: Ivy Taylor & Yeimy Hernandez, 2nd grade
2nd Place 3D Art: Hazel Dansereau, Layla Williams, Asher Bounds & Bauer Tolar, 2nd grade
3rd Place 3D Art: Isabella Ixcoy, Daniella Villa-Arenas & Caleb Cruz-Cordova, 2nd grade
OLD TOWN MIDDLE SCHOOL
1st Place Art: Adrien O’Banner, 8th grade
2nd Place Art: Carolina Roman, 8th grade
3rd Place Art: Daniela Flores, 8th grade
1st Place 3D Art: Laila Moumad, 6th grade
2nd Place 3D Art: Jayce Green, Cayden Sims & Poojan Sontakke, 6th grade
3rd Place 3D Art: Poojan Sontakke, 6th grade
RIDGELAND HIGH SCHOOL
1st Place Essay: Anais Garcia-Ramirez, 10th grade
2nd Place Essay: Cameron Cooper, 11th grade
3rd Place Essay: Bailey Wash, 11th grade
CHRIST COVENANT SCHOOL
1st Place Art: Lynlee Newman, 3rd grade
2nd Place Art: Georgia Ridgen, 5th grade
3rd Place Art: Maddux Madden, 5th grade
MADISON-RIDGELAND ACADEMY
1st Place Essay: Anderson Reeves, 4th grade
2nd Place Essay: Daily Waggoner, 4th grade
3rd Place Essay: Ava Hill, 4th grade
1st Place Art: Kat Ensminger, 8th grade
2nd Place Art: Chloe Jones, 8th grade
3rd Place Art: Alice Killingsworth, 6th grade
1st Place Art: Charlotte Newman, 5th grade
2nd Place Art: Sarah Owens, 5th grade
The winning art and essays will be displayed at the Bill Waller Craft Center from Dec. 29 to Jan. 31.