FROM STAFF REPORTS

Winners for the District III Alabama Penman Creative Writing Contest were recently announced.

Mary Elizabeth Winslett of Columbiana Middle School took first place in the seventh- to ninth-grade short story division with her entry “Freedom’s Choice.”

Briannna Binkerd of Shelby County High School placed first in the seventh- to ninth-grade poetry division for her poem “Just Write.”

For grades 10-12, Shelby County High’s Olivia Folmar won for her short story entitled “By Its Cover.” These students will advance to state competition.

Rocky Cummings, a third-grade student at Montevallo Elementary School, has been chosen by VSA Arts of Alabama to participate in their traveling art exhibit.

This exhibit features works of art created by students with disabilities.

VSA hand-picked 15 out of almost 200 submitted works of art for this exhibit.

These 15 works of art will tour the state for six months, stopping at different venues in the state.

The venues and months include the Kentuck Gallery in Northport in May; Fayette Art Museum in June; United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Birmingham in July; Sonat Gallery and the Birmingham Museum of Art in August; Shelby County Arts Council in September; and the Alabama State Capitol Building in October.

Each stop will display the works of art for one. Governor Bob Riley will host a closing reception at the Capitol Building to celebrate these artists and their achievements.

Student artists, family and friends are invited to join in this celebration in Montgomery.