Art Contest Winners Receive Scholarships and Awards

by | Dec 1, 2017 | Asperger's Syndrome, Autism, Down Syndrome, Recognition | 0 comments

On the 8th of November, the SCV Mayor’s Committee for Employment of Individuals with Disabilities held an awards ceremony, giving out scholarships and certificates to the winners and participants in the Committee’s recent art contest.

As readers may recall, several months ago the Mayor’s Committee decided to create an art contest, inviting students with disabilities from the William S. Hart Union School District to submit their creations, with the winning artwork becoming part of a very special award.

In October, the Mayor’s Committee held a Continental Breakfast in recognition of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), and at that event, the beautiful artwork that had been submitted was on display. The pieces were numbered and the Committee members voted for their top three choices by number.

The 1st place artwork will be framed and presented at the SCV Mayor’s Committee Business Recognition Banquet, scheduled for February 22, 2018. That banquet is a major annual event giving special recognition to local businesses that stand out as examples of inclusion of individuals with disabilities in their workforce.

At the recent Awards Ceremony, 1st, 2nd and 3rd place artists received scholarships of $500, $250 and $100, and certificates signed by Santa Clarita Mayor Cameron Smyth. All of the artists were given Certificates of Artistic Achievement from the Mayor’s Committee, and the gratitude of the Committee for their participation.

Thank you to Nikolas Samuels of The Signal for the following photos:

First Place winner, Stephanie Kamel, from the Transitional Learning Center, with Committee Member Anna Bettencourt and John Turner, Assistant Principal of Hart High School, and Administrator of Transitional Learning Center.
Mason Kinsella, 3rd Place Winner, Jasmine Ramirez, 2nd Place Winner and Stephanie Kamel.
Stephanie Kamel, 1st Place Winner.
Anna Bettencourt and Ken Wiseman with Mason Kinsella, 3rd Place Winner, and his Golden Valley High School Principal, Sal Frias.
The artists with members of the Mayor’s Committee
Ken Wiseman presenting an award certificate to Trinity Contreras, Sierra Vista Junior High School.
Anna Bettencourt and Ken Wiseman with Eric Garcia, Saugus High School.
Trinity Contreras with her beautiful artwork and her award certificate.

2017 Art Contest

1st Place – Stephanie Kamel – Transitional Learning Center
2nd Place – Jasmine Ramirez – Saugus High School
3rd Place – Mason Kinsella – Golden Valley High School

Honorable Mention
(Alphabetical order)

Philip Acosta – Placerita Junior High School
Robert Ayala – Saugus High School
Elias Barrera – Sierra Vista Junior High School
Mark Bryant – Rancho Pico Junior High School
Trinity Contreras – Sierra Vista Junior High School
Eric Garcia – Saugus High School
Lathan Gordon – Saugus High School
Christian Gutierrez – West Ranch High School
Amelia Hines – Placerita Junior High School
Cameron Marino – Saugus High School
Jesus Najera – Placerita Junior High School
Anja Meier-Nava – Canyon High School
Richard Nitsche – West Ranch High School
Brandon Peraza – West Ranch High School
Joseph Romero – Transitional Learning Center
Edward Trueblood – Saugus High School

• Congratulations to all Artists •